Blossom

Dou Zhao sought out Miao Ansu for discussion: "The maids like Qi Xia in Second Master's quarters were originally bestowed upon him by the old Duke and have been serving him since before you entered the household. Since you'll be leaving the estate soon to set up your own household, why not take this opportunity to arrange marriages for Qi Xia and the others? You could then purchase new maids and train them yourselves. What do you think?"

Miao Ansu was utterly surprised.

She had assumed Dou Zhao was releasing maids before the New Year for Gan Lu's marriage arrangements, never expecting her to target Qi Xia and the others.

Why would Dou Zhao do this?

Her mind raced through possibilities.

Was this following Song Mo's wishes to humiliate Song Han? Or was it an attempt to make Song Han leave the estate with nothing?

Whether the former or latter, having Song Han's personal maids' marriages arranged by Dou Zhao rather than himself would be like a public slap in the face from Song Mo.

Should she agree or not?

Agreeing would surely offend Song Han.

But refusing wasn't an option either—Dou Zhao's piercing gaze made it clear she wouldn't accept evasion.

With a bitter smile, Miao Ansu replied, "Eldest Sister-in-law, you may not know this, but apart from paying respects when I first entered the household, Qi Xia and the others were assigned by Second Master to work in his study. I'm not even permitted to give them orders ordinarily. How could I possibly make such decisions?"

Dou Zhao gently stirred the tea leaves in her cup and said indifferently, "That depends on your perspective. If you agree, I'll handle this for you. If not, we'll pretend this conversation never happened, and Qi Xia can leave with you. After all, their contracts will be handed over to you—whether they stay or go will be your decision."

Miao Ansu's heart leapt with joy at this.

If she held Qi Xia's contract, she could do as she pleased without offending Song Han now by forcing marriages.

But just as this delight surfaced, she caught the faint sneer at the corner of Dou Zhao's lips.

Like ice water poured over her head, it instantly sobered her.

While household servants' contracts were normally held by the lady managing household affairs, given Song Han's suspicious nature, would he ever relinquish Qi Xia's contract to her? Without control of their contracts, even if she promoted Qi Xia to bedroom servant or concubine, how could she maintain authority? Keeping Qi Xia by her side would be like nurturing a tiger that would eventually turn on its master.

Understanding these implications, fine beads of sweat appeared on Miao Ansu's forehead.

"I'll follow Sister-in-law's guidance in this matter," she said hastily, dabbing her forehead with a handkerchief.

Dou Zhao watched coldly.

At least Miao Shi was smart enough to realize that even if Qi Xia stayed, Song Han would never let her manage the maids.

Song Han's paranoia ran too deep—he'd never share power with anyone.

According to Ruo Zhu, Song Han still hadn't even entrusted Miao Shi with control over his monthly allowance.

"In that case," Dou Zhao said, lifting her teacup in dismissal.

Miao Ansu rose to leave.

Once outside the Hall of Cultivating Will, Ji Hong couldn't contain herself: "Second Madam! What if Second Master blames us?"Miao Ansu gritted her teeth and said, "At least this way, when my family visits, I can serve them good wine, unlike if the entire household were filled with Second Master's people!"

Ji Hong pondered this and fell silent.

When Song Han learned of this news, he was furious and stomped around in anger.

Pointing at Miao Ansu's nose, he scolded, "You're a complete fool! Can't you think for once? Qi Xia is one of ours. Now that you've handed her over to Sister-in-law to deal with, how can we protect even those closest to us? Who would dare to stay loyal to us in the future? Do you want to end up all alone? Aren’t you afraid of being devoured by ghosts?"

Miao Ansu kept her head down, enduring Song Han's tirade. But inwardly, she muttered, "Qi Xia is your person, not mine. If you can't protect her, it's your face that's lost, not mine. Why should I worry? Besides, once we establish our own household, I’ll buy a few maids and train them myself. Let’s see who dares to look down on me then! Only those I personally train will truly be mine. My people, I’ll naturally protect—it has nothing to do with you."

She couldn’t help but feel secretly relieved that she had listened to Dou Zhao’s advice.

Seeing her silent as a statue, Song Han grew even angrier. He spat out, "Trash from the gutter will always be trash—utterly worthless!" before storming out and slamming the door behind him.

Miao Ansu’s eyes welled up with furious tears.

So this was how he saw her—as nothing more than this!

Her heart ached with anger as she collapsed onto the bed.

Meanwhile, Qi Xia was overwhelmed with gratitude toward Dou Zhao.

If Madam hadn’t called Second Madam to discuss her fate, Second Master would have assumed she wanted to leave. She might have been beaten to death before even stepping out of the household.

Now, Second Master blamed Second Madam entirely, believing that if she had refused, Madam wouldn’t have been able to touch anyone in his quarters, no matter how powerful she was.

Unable to retaliate against Second Madam, Song Han could only try to persuade Qi Xia to stay voluntarily.

She waited patiently for him to finish speaking before replying softly, "Second Master, ever since I was promoted to senior maid, I’ve served faithfully in your household. My only wish was to learn from the senior matrons and become a respectable figure in your service. But husband and wife are one—since Second Madam has already agreed to Madam’s terms, even if I stayed, my position here would be awkward. Please, let me go." She knelt before him. "I will never forget your kindness all these years. Even after I marry, I will always be your servant. If you ever need anything, just say the word, and I’ll do my utmost to serve you as before."

Song Han couldn’t hide his disappointment.

But more than that, his hatred for Miao Ansu deepened.

It was all his fault for being too careless.

He hadn’t expected Miao Ansu to be so petty.

Just because he hadn’t made Qi Xia and the others bow to her authority, she couldn’t tolerate them.

Qi Xia wasn’t even his bedroom servant—why should she have to defer to Miao Ansu?

A thought suddenly flashed through his mind, and his eyes lit up.

He took Qi Xia’s hand and said, "Qi Xia, why don’t you forget about marrying? Stay and serve me instead."Qi Xia was startled and hurriedly said, "Second Master, you mustn't do this! Had it been a few days ago, before the matter of leaving the residence arose, it would have been my greatest honor to serve you. But now that Madam has ordered me to leave, if I were to follow you, I could never escape the accusation of seducing the master..." She kowtowed repeatedly to Song Han, hoping he would spare her for the sake of her years of service.

But Song Han was captivated by his own idea.

If Qi Xia bore such a reputation, wouldn't she have no choice but death?

Without lifting a blade, he could dispose of Qi Xia.

All past matters would then be buried in the grave.

Even the slightest suspicions would vanish.

Trembling with excitement, he gently stroked Qi Xia's jade-like cheek and whispered in her ear, "Good Qi Xia, don't worry. I won't let you bear such an accusation..."

Suddenly, the sound of a table overturning and porcelain shattering echoed through the room.

Caiyun, who was doing needlework next door, frowned.

These young maids were becoming increasingly unruly, knowing that senior maids like them were about to be dismissed. Now they were making such a commotion.

If Second Master found out, there would be another round of beatings.

Tonight was supposed to be Qi Xia's night duty. Had she also grown lax with the junior maids, thinking she would soon be dismissed?

Impatiently, she lifted the curtain. Before she could scold them, her face turned deathly pale.

How could this be?

Qi Xia and Second Master...

She dropped the curtain instantly. Her heart pounded like a drum as she turned and fled.

How could Qi Xia be so foolish!

To do such a thing at this critical moment—was she trying to get herself killed?

At least she hadn't screamed.

If she had drawn the attention of the matrons, even without a word, a beating would have been inevitable.

At this thought, she halted in panic.

If she had heard the commotion, others might have too. Should she stand guard outside for Qi Xia?

Caiyun twisted her fingers nervously.

In the end, she went to Cassia Fragrance Courtyard.

Caiyun was also on the list to leave the residence. She truly didn't want any more complications.

She would pretend she knew nothing of this!

※※※※※

Naked and ashen-faced, Qi Xia lay on the bed, staring blankly as Song Han leisurely dressed. Slowly, her hands clenched into fists.

Song Han found her expression amusing.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he shared a blanket with Qi Xia and said gently, "Don't be afraid. I'll go speak to my sister-in-law. She's the kindest soul—she'll surely grant our wish." With that, he stood and strode away.

A tear rolled down Qi Xia's cheek.

Slowly, she rose and walked behind the screen. Using the cold water in the bucket, she began to wash herself.

※※※※※

Song Han emerged from the study in high spirits.

He instructed Miao Ansu, "Go tell my sister-in-law that Qi Xia is now mine. She'll be leaving the residence with us!"

Miao Ansu's teacup clattered to the floor, splashing tea all over her.

"What did you say?" Miao Ansu's lips trembled. "Qi Xia, she...""Just now," Song Han said nonchalantly. "Go see her, then reward her with some fabric to make new clothes. Take her to pay respects to Sister-in-law, so she doesn’t misunderstand and assign her to someone else—that would be awkward." After speaking, he took a satisfied sip of tea and left the inner chamber.

Miao Ansu took a long moment to collect herself.

What was Song Han trying to do?

Did he want to oppose Song Mo?

Had he even considered what right he had to oppose Song Mo?

Miao Ansu gritted her teeth until they creaked, then ordered Ji Hong, "Call a few sturdy old women and drag Qi Xia to Madam’s place."

Ji Hong hesitated. "Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?"

Miao Ansu sneered. "Those who bring destruction upon themselves deserve no mercy. Am I supposed to cover for them? He dares to offend the Young Lord, but I don’t."

Ji Hong obeyed and left.

Dou Zhao, who had been coaxing Yuan Ge’er to sleep, heard a commotion. Before she could rise, Yuan Ge’er’s eyes flew open, and he babbled excitedly toward the noise.

Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh as she picked up her son. "You little rascal, with ears so sharp."

Yuan Ge’er grinned foolishly at his mother.

Dou Zhao turned to her maid. "What’s going on?"