Union

Chapter 16 Second Master
The prefect of Lingnan Prefecture seems to be a truly capable official.

After Yunying and her party entered Lingnan Prefecture, although they deeply felt that this place was poorer than the previous prefectures, the security here was indeed better. At least there wouldn't be a group of bandits jumping out every three or five miles, shouting for a fight.

After traveling for another two days, the group arrived at Funan Prefecture.

When they settled in the inn, Steward Wang found Aunt Ding.

Steward Wang looked worried: "Before leaving the capital, Madam sent someone to inform Second Master that she was sending someone away. After entering Lingnan Prefecture, I specifically asked a guard to send a letter to Second Master again."

But the Second Master has not replied to the letter yet, nor has he sent anyone to pick them up. It seems unlikely that he will easily accept these girls sent from his home.

Aunt Ding understood the unspoken meaning of Steward Wang and became worried as well. She said, "Perhaps Second Master has other important matters to attend to and hasn't had time for us?"

Butler Wang: "I hope so."

This was just wishful thinking; in reality, both of them knew that the Second Master was probably unhappy about their visit.

Given the Second Master's shrewdness, it would be easy for him to guess that the idea of ​​sending people over was the Second Madam's. Even more so, the people sent over were also selected by the Second Madam.

The relationship between the Second Master and the Second Madam has soured that they don't even speak to each other when they meet. It would be a miracle if the Second Master were happy to accept these girls.

Aunt Ding was extremely worried. "Now we can only take it one step at a time."

The next day, when they set off again, Aunt Ding's expression was no longer as relaxed as before.

Seeing this, Qiu Ning whispered to Yun Ying, "I wonder what's happened this time."

Yunying had a guess in her heart, but dared not say it.

However, if it's really as she thinks, then it would be a good thing for her.

The carriage traveled for another three days, and finally, as night fell, the group arrived in Yungui County.

By the time the group arrived at the county government office, it was already dark.

Steward Wang sent someone over to deliver a message, and soon a well-dressed but somewhat cold-looking guard strode out of the county government office.

The guard bowed to Steward Wang and said, "Master has gone to investigate the situation in the villages. He has been gone for five days and has not yet returned."

As he spoke, he glanced at Aunt Ding, who had just stepped down from the carriage, bowed to her, and then led everyone to the county government office for resettlement.

The county government office was neither too big nor too small, with three courtyards, and it looked spacious, but it was very dilapidated.

To be honest, it's not even as good as an ordinary residence in Beijing.

If they hadn't known, who would have thought that such a place was actually the county government office?
Not only was it dilapidated, but the county government office was also overgrown with weeds in every nook and cranny. The trees and flowers had grown wildly, with branches and vines everywhere. When the lantern shone on it, the branches and vines cast menacing shadows, like evil ghosts coming to claim souls.

Ruizhu and the others were nearly scared out of their wits. They huddled together and moved very quickly, as if they were afraid that a demon would jump out from some corner and grab them and eat them.

The side room was clean, but very small, with peeling paint and black mold spots on the walls...

Normally, upon seeing such a room, the young ladies would point out and criticize it, but this is the Second Master's territory. No matter how filthy it is, how could they have the right to be so picky?
Fortunately, no matter how small or dirty it was, we've come this far, so we've reached our destination.

After more than a month of travel, the ladies were finally at ease and slept well that night.

The next day, everyone got up late. Aunt Ding, mindful of the hardships the young ladies had endured on the journey, didn't say anything. Instead, she specifically instructed a few maids not to disturb them.

Yunying slept soundly. When she came out of her room after breakfast, she found the courtyard neat and clean, and the branches of the trees had been trimmed. There was no trace of the wildness and desolation of the previous night.

The maidservant noticed Yunying's confusion and explained, "Steward Wang had the courtyard tidied up early this morning. Several guards cleaned the front yard, and he specially hired several women who live nearby to clean the back yard."

Those people were very quick and efficient, or perhaps they were used to doing rough work. They tidied up the courtyard without disturbing the girls. Seeing this, Aunt Ding was tempted to hire them as maids in the county government.

The maid and Yunying walked around the backyard, and Qiu Ning and the others came out of the house when they saw this.

A few girls sat chatting under the shade of a tree, enjoying a rare moment of comfort and relaxation.

Just then, Aunt Ding came over from outside. She smiled and said, "Why are you all sitting here? Come back inside. It's sunny here, you'll get all tanned."

Ruizhu said, "It's alright, Auntie."

Qiu Ning also said, "Let us sit a little longer. We're getting restless from sitting in the carriage for so long." Aunt Ding laughed and said, "Don't talk nonsense. How can people get restless? But you can sit if you want. I don't have time to care about you. Second Master is about to return to the mansion. I need to change my clothes to welcome him."

"ah!"

"Second Master is coming back!"

"My aunt is so mean, she's deliberately trying to make us look bad."

The girls were both angry and flustered, but they didn't have time to say anything else to Aunt Ding.

They quickly grabbed their umbrellas and ran inside to pick out clothes and get ready.

Yunying followed the crowd back to her room. Her maidservant was frantic. "Miss, what should we do? My hair looks terrible. It's ruined your beauty."

"I think it looks good, that's all that matters." Yunying forcefully shoved the comb into her hand. "If you don't help me comb my hair, there's no one else who can help me right now. Do you expect me to go see the Second Master with my hair down?"

The maidservant reluctantly took the comb and began to comb Yunying's hair.

To be honest, the maid's hair-combing skills were neither good nor bad; they were just average.

The hairstyle she styled for Yunying was a flying bun, with the hair combed very tightly and the strands clinging to her scalp. It was only Yunying's good looks that made it look good; otherwise, she would have been unpresentable.

The little maid's eyes reddened with anxiety, and she wanted to say something more, but Yunying looked at herself in the dim bronze mirror with satisfaction, patted her shoulder, stood up, and walked out.

The second master had already entered the gate, and Steward Wang was walking beside him, whispering something to him.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Yunying looked up and saw that this second master was tall and straight, with a noble air and a handsome and dashing appearance. However, he looked extremely indifferent, and his expression was aloof and cold, which made people afraid of him.

Yunying lowered her head and bowed in unison with Aunt Ding.

Chen Yanzhou helped Aunt Ding up and said gently, "Aunt Ding, you've gone through all this trouble."

"Second Master, you flatter me. I was merely checking on your situation on behalf of Madam. Madam is worried that you are not used to the food or accommodations here, and that there is no one to serve you..."

Aunt Ding paused at this point, regretting that she had been too hasty; some things should have been said more slowly. But having already spoken, she didn't know how to back down now.

Chen Yanzhou, however, showed no intention of continuing along with Aunt Ding's words, and only said, "Aunt, please rest for a while, and allow me to take a bath and change my clothes."

"Alas, alas, it's all this old servant's fault. Second Master, please go and wash up. Hot water and towels have been prepared and placed in the washroom. You can go and tidy up first."

Seeing Chen Yanzhou nod and about to leave, Aunt Ding called out again, "Second Master."

Chen Yanzhou: "Is there anything else, Aunt?"

Aunt Ding had originally planned to have the Second Master choose a girl to serve him while he bathed, but seeing that the Second Master's expression was aloof and cold, and that he ignored all the beautiful girls, Aunt Ding had no choice but to put aside her thoughts for the time being.

She smiled and said softly, "There are clothes made by Madam in the closet. Why don't you try them on and see if they fit?"

Chen Yanzhou nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

On their way back, Yunying and the others were all silent.

When Aunt Ding saw the girls touching their hair and fidgeting with their handkerchiefs, their faces flushed and their eyes blinking, she knew they were in love. If she asked them to return to the capital now, they probably wouldn't want to.

Aunt Ding said meaningfully, "Take good care of Second Master, and you'll be rewarded in the future."

Qiu Ning finally couldn't contain her curiosity and asked Aunt Ding, "Second Master seems aloof and ignores us. Are we not good enough for him?"

"We'll have to wait and see. Right now... Second Master has only just become the magistrate of this county, and he hasn't even sorted things out yet. How could he possibly have the time to deal with you lot?"

That's what she said, but Aunt Ding knew in her heart that the Second Master probably didn't really like these girls... not because he didn't like their looks, but because they were chosen by the Second Madam.

Aunt Ding was very worried.

The second master of this household was a cold-hearted man. Before their marriage, even when he greeted his wife and encountered visiting cousins, he would only nod to fulfill his proper etiquette. After marrying his wife, due to their incompatible temperaments, the second master not only did not soften up, but he seemed even colder and harder, and spoke even less.

With such a cold and aloof person, how hard must the girls try to win even a glance from the Second Master?
(End of this chapter)