Wedding ceremony tomorrow

Chapter 76 The First Night

"Who?"

The maidservant looked through the crack in the doorway and called out again.

This time, she was a little scared.

Why did the door suddenly open by itself?

And it's suddenly so quiet outside; there was definitely wind just a moment ago.

"Squeak..."

At this moment, the door, which had only been opened a crack, was slowly pushed open again.

Xiao Tao's eyes widened immediately.

Just then, a voice suddenly came from the courtyard outside: "Xiao Tao! Xiao Tao!"

Xiao Tao was startled and quickly went to open the window.

The two sisters, Xiao Zi and Xiao Jing, entered the courtyard. Xiao Zi smiled and said, "We just saw Young Master Luo go to the head steward's place. We sisters happened to have nothing to do, so we came to visit you for a while. Are you welcome?"

Xiao Tao immediately forgot her fear and smiled, "Of course you're welcome, come in quickly."

Xiao Jing smiled and said, "Can we come into the room? Isn't that the room where Xiao Tao and your young master sleep?"

Xiao Tao blushed immediately and laughed, "Then I'll just stand outside."

"Hehe, we're determined to go in and take a look!"

The twin sisters giggled and went inside.

The three sat down in the room to chat. The two sisters looked at the pillows arranged on the bed and started teasing and flirting with Xiao Tao again.

Soon, the room was filled with the sounds of children playing and chasing each other.

At that moment, a dark figure silently disappeared from the shadows of the eaves.

at the same time.

Led by Xiao Lan, Luo Qingfeng arrived at the courtyard where the head butler lived.

In the hall.

The head butler, Mei Hanliu, was sitting upright in his chair, deep in thought.

Xiao Lan went in first to let them know.

After receiving the reply, Luo Qingfeng entered, cupped his hands, and said, "May I ask what brings you here, Head Steward?"

Mei Hanliu frowned: "Can't I summon you if there's nothing wrong?"

Luo Qingfeng said, "I still need to prepare for tomorrow's class."

Mei Hanliu glanced at him, not angered by his attitude, and nodded slightly: "It's good that you take it seriously. I asked you to come here to tell you that you need to go to school early tomorrow morning and prepare all the lessons you'll be teaching. Master and Madam know about your teaching today, and they might send a maid to check your abilities tomorrow, or they might go themselves. If you don't perform well, Master and Madam will be displeased, and I will be blamed as well. If I'm blamed, you won't get your reward."

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingfeng felt that this wouldn't do, and cupped his hands, saying, "Chief Steward, do I not need to sign a contract to become a teacher and student?"

Mei Hanliu said, "Of course it's necessary. The reason I called you here tonight, besides to remind you of these things, is to have you sign the contract. When working in my Ningguo Mansion, you naturally have to follow the rules. However, a contract is a contract, and what I say goes. If you don't teach properly and implicate me, I will forfeit all your earnings."

Luo Qingfeng muttered to himself: What's the point of having a contract then?

He could only say aloud, "Rest assured, Steward, I will certainly not let you down!"

Mei Hanliu glanced at him again and said, "Xiao Lan, take the contract to Mr. Luo for a look."

Xiao Lan agreed and immediately took the contract, handing it to Luo Qingfeng.

Luo Qingfeng took the contract and examined it carefully under the lamp, line by line. The more he looked, the more he frowned. After finishing, he couldn't help but ask, "Butler, isn't this contract a bit harsh? Putting everything else aside, is the first signing for a three-year term?"

Mei Hanliu replied calmly, "Yes."

Luo Qingfeng naturally didn't believe it and asked, "Were those teaching instructors from back then also like that?"

Mei Hanliu said, "Of course, but they lacked real talent and skills, so I, the steward, drove them away."

Luo Qingfeng's heart skipped a beat: "If we're kicked out, that would be a breach of the contract. Is there any compensation?"

Mei Hanliu gave him a meaningful look and said, "Of course there will be compensation, three months' salary."

Three months?

Luo Qingfeng was overjoyed, secretly thinking: Twenty taels a month, sixty taels in three months. When this matter is settled, if the manor doesn't release him, he can just teach haphazardly or constantly clash with the head steward, and he'll naturally be driven away. Then he can take sixty taels and leave. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Good job!

He glanced down at the other treaties and saw that although some were harsh, they were still barely acceptable for the sake of the money.

However, the rule that "while in the mansion, one must obey the arrangements of the head steward and the nobles in all matters" is definitely unacceptable.

In that case, wouldn't we become servants without any freedom?

What's the difference between them and these maids and servants?

Thinking of this, he immediately read out the clause, saying, "Chief Steward, I cannot accept this clause. I am a scholar; I judge right and wrong, and decide for myself whether to do something or not. How can I be swayed by others?"

Mei Hanliu's face darkened. "The premise is that you are currently within the manor. Since you are here, you must naturally obey the arrangements of this steward and the nobles. Without this agreement, what if you act recklessly and wantonly within the manor?"

Luo Qingfeng cupped his hands and said, "Steward, you jest. Even without this treaty, how could I dare to act recklessly and arbitrarily in this manor? Aren't I afraid of the law, the guards, or being kicked out? I'm here to teach and earn a living; how could I ruin my future and reputation? Steward, your words are an insult to me, and I'm very angry!"

As he spoke, his face was full of anger.

The maids inside the room secretly admired the young man's courage.

Seeing him glaring at her angrily, Mei Hanliu was not to be outdone. She opened her almond-shaped eyes wide and stared at him, but said nothing more.

The two stared at each other like that.

The hall fell silent immediately.

The maids inside all lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

They knew the head steward's temper; this young man was so bold, he was practically fearless.

"snort!"

After a long pause, Mei Hanliu suddenly snorted coldly, taking the initiative to show weakness, and said with a cold face, "How do you want to change it?"

Luo Qingfeng then cupped his hands and said, "I've deleted it."

Upon hearing this, Mei Hanliu slammed her hand on the table, her face turning cold. "Luo Qingfeng! Don't go too far! I've tolerated you because of your talent! If you dare to act recklessly again, I won't let you off the hook!"

Luo Qingfeng thought for a moment and said, "How about changing it to: [While residing in the manor, regarding matters of duty, one must follow the manor's arrangements; other matters will be decided through mutual consultation]?"

Mei Hanliu pondered for a long time, then looked at him coldly and said, "What if I, the steward, don't change?"

Luo Qingfeng cupped his hands and said, "Then I can only..."

"Hmph! Fine, whatever you say!"

Mei Hanliu snorted coldly and ordered in a cold voice to the person beside her, "Go and change it."

The maidservant beside her agreed and immediately took the contract, then quickly went into the inner room.

Luo Qingfeng quickly bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "Thank you, Steward."

What he really wanted to say was, "Then I can only... reluctantly agree, but I'll have to pay extra."

He definitely can't leave here now.

So be it if the conditions are harsh. Anyway, once the case is closed and Nightingale is safe, he will leave. It won't be a problem for him.

Mei Hanliu looked at him coldly, and after a moment, said, "I heard you've already chosen a courtyard. How is it living there?"

Luo Qingfeng said, "It's fine, I'm very satisfied."

Mei Hanliu then asked, "How is Xiao Tao being served?"

Luo Qingfeng said, "Xiao Tao is very good, and I am very satisfied."

Mei Hanliu snorted and said, "That little girl is the prettiest maid here, but I didn't expect her to be the most presumptuous as well. She's definitely the best match for you. You two, one big and one small, don't even put this steward in your eyes. You've really got some nerve."

Luo Qingfeng quickly replied, "The head steward has misunderstood me. I not only respect the head steward, but I also cherish him deeply. Can you deny my respect and admiration for the head steward just because of a minor verbal conflict?"

Mei Hanliu scoffed, "Stop with the sweet talk. You're fearless and audacious, would you really respect and admire a mere steward like me?"

Luo Qingfeng solemnly said, "The head steward is no small man. In my opinion, the head steward is so young, yet she is in charge of the entire Ningguo Mansion. She manages the entire mansion in an orderly manner and teaches and manages all the servants to be obedient and conscientious. This ability is something that even the stewards of those royal mansions may not be able to match. She is truly a woman who is not inferior to men and is extremely admirable."

"Sycophant!"

Mei Hanliu rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't help but smile.

The maids in the room, seeing this, all secretly admired him: This handsome young man is truly remarkable!

At this point, the newly drafted contract was presented.

Luo Qingfeng took it, looked at it carefully again, and then signed his name and pressed his fingerprint on it.

Mei Hanliu took it, signed her name, and stamped it with the head butler's seal.

Two copies.

Luo Qingfeng accepted one of the copies and then bowed to take his leave.

Mei Hanliu said calmly, "Go to bed early tonight and don't waste too much time with that little girl. You need to have the energy to get up early for school tomorrow."

The other maids nearby covered their mouths and giggled, their faces flushed, yet they couldn't help but steal glances at the tall, handsome young man standing in the hall, their hearts filled with envy for Xiao Tao.

Luo Qingfeng agreed and then left.

After his figure disappeared through the outer gate, Mei Hanliu picked up the contract again, staring at it intently, muttering, "Three years... Since Second Miss values ​​you so much, then don't leave..."

When Luo Qingfeng returned to the Green Bamboo Garden, the twin sisters had just come out of the door smiling.

The two sisters were a little shy when they saw him, and quickly lowered their heads and ran away.

After all, it was evening, and the two of them had stayed in his room for so long and talked to Xiao Tao about so many things between men and women, so they naturally felt a little guilty and ashamed.

Luo Qingfeng closed the courtyard gate and went back inside.

Xiao Tao was sitting alone in front of her dressing table, humming a song, looking at herself in the mirror with a blush on her face.

She held a wooden comb in her hand, gently combing her beautiful hair that fell to her chest.

The little girl was petite, but her chest was quite large, and her long, flowing hair was supported by a beautiful curve.

Luo Qingfeng stood at the door and saw her sitting in front of the dressing table, humming a song and combing her hair. Looking at herself in the mirror, she looked youthful, lively, and innocent. Luo Qingfeng felt a sharp pain in his heart.

"Ah! Young master, you're back!"

The little girl suddenly saw him in the mirror, quickly put down her comb, stood up, and her blush had not yet faded. Under the light, she looked even more charming and lovely.

Luo Qingfeng nodded, walked into the room, and deliberately asked, "Why isn't there a blanket on the small bed in the outer room?"

The young maidservant blushed crimson, lowered her head, and stammered, "This servant...this servant..."

"Warm the blankets for me?"

Luo Qingfeng said.

The young maid nodded quickly, blushing, "Yes, this servant...this servant wants to warm the quilt for the young master, it's cold..."

Luo Qingfeng looked around the room again and said, "Okay, go to sleep. I'm going to use the restroom."

After saying that, he left the room and went to the courtyard.

The autumn night wind was indeed quite cold and biting.

He glanced back and saw the window was closed, then walked to the courtyard wall and strolled slowly, as if taking a walk.

Strands of white powder drifted from between his fingers and landed on the soil beneath the courtyard wall.

In the darkness, nothing can be seen.

Even with the moonlight shining, it looked like a thin layer of autumn frost.

The spray was finished on the courtyard wall.

Luo Qingfeng then went to other parts of the courtyard and sprinkled some water. Then, he went up to the corridor and sprinkled water on the steps, the doorway, and under the window.

At the same time, a few withered leaves and very thin twigs were scattered in various places.

Only then did he wash his hands and go inside.

Inside the room, the young maid had already removed her hair ornaments and hair clips, revealing her long, smooth, jet-black hair. Her hair was exceptionally thick and flowed down her back, seemingly covering her entire upper body, leaving only her two fair and slender shoulders exposed.

She took off her outer coat, revealing a pink little bib underneath, which made her chest appear particularly firm.

"Young master..."

When she saw Luo Qingfeng enter the room, she blushed instantly, but boldly opened her big, dark eyes to look at him and whispered, "This servant...this servant will help you undress."

Luo Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, glanced at her again, and walked to the bedside.

The young maidservant bowed her head, helped him loosen his belt, took off his outer garment, and then knelt on the ground to help him take off his shoes and socks. She looked obedient, sweet, and lovable.

While she was kneeling on the ground helping him take off his shoes and socks, Luo Qingfeng took out a storage bag from his underwear and secretly placed it under his pillow.

In this way, even if he is lying in bed, as long as he has a thought, the Demon-Slaying Blade will immediately appear in his hand.

"Young master, should the lamp... be left lit, or... turned off?"

The young maidservant stood up, her head bowed, her face flushed, and asked, her big eyes watery, full of shyness and the gentleness of a kitten.

Luo Qingfeng said, "Turn it off."

"oh."

The young maidservant agreed and immediately walked over shyly to blow out the oil lamp.

The room grew dark.

The windows were closed, and only a dim sliver of moonlight could seep in.

For a moment, the little maid seemed to have disappeared from sight.

She groped her way to the bedside, but suddenly tripped and cried out, about to fall, but was caught in Luo Qingfeng's arms.

The young maidservant felt both shy and sweet, and whispered, "Thank you... thank you, young master..."

Luo Qingfeng lifted her petite body onto the bed, then helped her remove her shoes and socks, gently holding and stroking them. The little girl's feet, like her, were delicate, fair, and tender, exceptionally cute.

"Young master..."

The young maidservant nestled shyly and sweetly in his arms, her body trembling slightly with nervousness.

Luo Qingfeng looked at her in the darkness for a while before picking her up and placing her at his feet, saying, "Warm my feet."

"Oh……"

The little girl immediately shrank under the covers and obediently hugged his feet.

Luo Qingfeng silently slipped one hand under the pillow and lay down.

Outside the window, night deepened, and all was quiet.

But suddenly, the sound of leaves being crushed underfoot could be heard in the yard.

(End of this chapter)