Union

Chapter 32 Not fit for refined tastes
Yunying specially asked Sui'er to find a brocade box and neatly fold the clothes and put them inside.

Seeing that dinner time had already passed, and estimating that the Second Master would likely be free at this time, Yunying quickly took Sui'er to "report her task".

Unexpectedly, just as they reached the gate between the front and back yards, they ran into Aunt Ding, who was coming from the front yard.

When Aunt Ding saw the two of them, she asked, "Where are you going?"

Yunying: "Greetings, Aunt. We're going to the front yard to find Second Master."

Aunt Ding nodded slightly. "Then you've come at an inopportune time. Second Master has gone to a restaurant at the invitation of some local gentry, and he'll probably be back very late tonight. If you have something to do, you can come again tomorrow." She then pointed to the brocade box in Sui'er's hand. "What's inside?"

Yunying replied, "It is a set of clothes that this servant made for the Second Master."

Aunt Ding must have heard some rumors too, so she wasn't surprised by Yun Ying's words. But she was puzzled. Wasn't Yun Ying usually as invisible as a ghost? Why was she so eager to please the Second Master now? Could it be that she had finally seen how good the Second Master was and had developed feelings for him?
These thoughts quickly passed through Aunt Ding's mind. She knew that Yunying was not good at needlework, so she deliberately let Yunying open the box so that she could see the clothes she had made.

But upon further reflection, I felt that this was not the right thing to do.

Yunying and the other three will eventually become concubines, and concubines are half mistresses. She is still a servant, so what kind of behavior is it for her to look at their things?
Aunt Ding gave up on the idea and returned to the backyard with Yunying.

The next morning, after having breakfast, Yunying went to the front yard again.

Whether it was her imagination or not, many people stared at them as they walked, and some even seemed to be following them.

When Yunying and Sui'er talked about this, Sui'er said, "Everyone in the manor knows about our visit to see the Second Master yesterday. They're probably waiting to see us make a fool of ourselves."

Sui'er: "It's a pity they'll be disappointed. Miss is here to repay a debt, so Second Master won't refuse to see her."

Yunying: "..."

The phrase "paying off debts" is used brilliantly. But she would rather the Second Master not see her.

Yunying hesitated, and Sui'er seemed to notice her hesitation. She said, "Miss, are you only afraid now? Forget it, Miss. You've already done your best. I think even if Second Master isn't satisfied with the clothes, he probably won't be too harsh on you. Miss, let's go quickly. The sooner we die, the sooner we'll be free."

Yunying had never found Sui'er so noisy.

Isn't she always a quiet and reserved person? Why is she talking so much now?
Thinking this to herself, Yunying didn't say much. Instead, as Sui'er urged, she quickened her pace and walked to the gate of the courtyard where the study was located.

There was still someone guarding the door, but it wasn't the same servant who had been there before. Seeing Yunying approach, he coldly barked, "This is a restricted area of ​​the study; please excuse us."

Sui'er quickly went over to negotiate. When the guard at the gate heard that it was the Second Master who sent this young lady, he looked at Yun Ying suspiciously for a few more seconds before going in to report.

The man returned shortly afterward, and Yunying and her servant were then able to enter.

There was still a person standing outside the study. Yunying recognized him; it was Mo Xue, the guard who had been standing watch under the artificial hill that day. She nodded slightly to Mo Xue, who then said, "The master is inside. Please go in by yourself, Miss."

Yunying pushed open the door and went in, where she saw the second master standing behind his desk, writing something with his brush.

Brilliant golden light streamed through the wide-open window, illuminating him. He wore a golden crown and jade belt, his brows and eyes were deep-set, and his skin was pale and cool. The knuckles of his hand holding the pen were distinct, with taut blue veins running along them. A strong masculine aura emanated from him, and coupled with his strikingly handsome features, it was impossible not to take a second look.

Fortunately, she still retained her rationality. Yunying quickly lowered her head, silently bowed, and then stood quietly at the doorway.

After a long while, the second master finally looked up at her and asked, "Are the clothes finished?"

"It was made yesterday. I came to deliver it to you, but you weren't here, so I brought it over now."

Chen Yanzhou hummed in agreement and lowered his head to continue wielding his brush on the snow-white paper.

Yunying stood there for a long time, but Chen Yanzhou didn't speak again. It wasn't until her feet started to ache that Yunying finally spoke up, saying, "This servant will give the clothes to the guards. This servant will go out now and won't disturb you any longer, Second Master." Chen Yanzhou hummed in agreement.

To Yunying's ears, this sound was truly like heavenly music.

Although she had dreamed of easily passing through the ordeal when she arrived, the fact that the Second Master actually let her go so easily was far beyond Yun Ying's expectations.

But no matter what, she was definitely even happier.

Yunying tried hard to suppress the corners of her lips that were about to curl up, curtsied, and then turned to walk out the door.

"Stop."

When those two words rang out again, Yunying squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to pretend she hadn't heard them and continue walking out.

It was obvious she didn't have the guts, so even though she was crying her heart out, she could only stiffly turn around, with a wariness and caution that she herself didn't even realize, and ask the Second Master, "I wonder if the Second Master has any other instructions?"

Chen Yanzhou carefully looked at Yun Ying's otherworldly face.

Her features were exquisite, her lips were bright red, her skin was fair, and her almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright. When she looked at people coldly, her vigilance was almost palpable.

Chen Yanzhou knew that she was either engaged or had someone she loved, so the maid was quite wary of her and he didn't take her too seriously.

The way she looked at him with such wariness was a little unpleasant.

Chen Yanzhou put down the wolf-hair brush in his hand, stepped out from behind the table, and stopped two steps away from Yun Ying.

He slightly raised his chin and ordered, "Bring out the clothes, let me take a look."

Yunying's back stiffened immediately. She gently reminded him, "Here? This is Second Master's study. It seems a bit inappropriate to be here?"

Chen Yanzhou chuckled lightly, “What’s wrong with it? I’m not changing here… But you’ve reminded me that it’s best to try on clothes in person to see if they fit.”

Yunying was even more troubled, and her palms were sweating.

She knows her own limitations perfectly well.

The clothes she made were barely passable, if you only looked at them, barely. But once you put them on, they were a complete disaster.

The more Yunying tried to stop Chen Yanzhou from trying, the more suspicious he became.

He squinted at Yunying, wondering what this maid was up to now.

Could it be that the box didn't contain new clothes at all, but rather an old set? Or perhaps she didn't make the clothes herself, but had her maid do it for her?

If that's true, this maid is incredibly audacious.

Chen Yanzhou said coldly, "What are you still standing there for? Open it quickly and stop dawdling."

Seeing that she couldn't fool this hurdle, Yunying had no choice but to grit her teeth and make a tough decision, so she gave the Second Master a heads-up beforehand, saying, "I told you before that my needlework is not good and the clothes I make are not suitable for formal occasions."

Chen Yanzhou: "Heh, I'd like to see just how unrefined your clothes are."

(End of this chapter)