A Maid Dressed As A Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Role (Transmigration) - Chapter 23

At the Duke’s/ Liang estate:

“I told you I should have gone to hide for a couple of days until the gossip died down. Why did you have to send people to drag me back? If Father finds out about Xiao Que, he’ll beat me to death.”

Liang You’an stood reluctantly at the study door, constantly craning his neck to look toward the round gate. He was quite handsome, but his flirtatious nature gave him a frivolous air, completely different from the dignified and proper Liang Youyun who stood beside him.

Liang Youyun glanced at him. “Brother, if you were so afraid, you should have controlled yourself in the first place. Now that something has happened, you want to hide? For how long? Your whole life?”

“Not necessarily for a lifetime,” Liang You’an said sheepishly. “Father wouldn’t be that heartless, would he?”

Liang Youyun gave a gentle smile. “Brother, do you know how much effort Father put into the marriage between the Liang and Chu families?”

Liang You’an shivered in fear. He wasn’t afraid of his mother, but he was afraid of his sister and even more so when she smiled like that. It was sinister and creepy.

The two siblings stood there. Liang You’an, a grown man, already felt his calves aching and was about to give up. In contrast, Liang Youyun’s posture was as straight as ever.

“Yun’er,” Liang You’an said again, after only a moment of silence. “Can’t we just wait inside? It’s so cold out here. It’s the same to wait inside.” There was some warmth at the study door when the sun was out, but now that it was getting dark, the temperature was dropping, and he was freezing to death.

Just as he was about to sneak away, there was a sound from the round gate. The Duke of Liang was back.

A servant held a lantern to light the way, and the Duke followed behind, holding his official’s hat. Before he even arrived, his voice could be heard. “Where is that unfilial son? Did he run away to hide? Bring him back, and I’ll break his legs!”

Liang You’an shivered and whispered, “Father.”

Liang Youyun curtsied. “Father.”

The lantern at the study door was lit, and in its light, the Duke finally saw the two siblings standing there. “You have the nerve to come and see me?” The Duke strode directly into the study, slammed his official’s hat on the desk, and turned to point at the two who had followed him in. “Thanks to the two of you, especially you, you useless animal, I was gawked at and gossiped about countless times all afternoon. Your father has certainly had his moment in the spotlight today.”

Liang You’an shrank his neck, not thinking it was that serious. He had only slept with a few maids; it wasn’t like he had killed anyone. Why was everyone making such a big deal out of it? He thought to himself, If you go and ask around, which young master of a prominent family doesn’t have a few maid-concubines? Who hasn’t spent a night at a brothel? This is nothing. Only my father and sister are making a fuss about it.

“What is that expression? What is that look on your face? Do you think this is all a small matter?” The Duke saw the indifference on Liang You’an’s face and was furious. “Get me a stick. I’m going to beat him to death today.”

The servant bowed but didn’t actually move. At the same time, Liang Youyun stepped forward and curtsied to block him. “Father, my brother doesn’t mean that.”

“Then what does he mean? So what, the young master of my Duke’s estate is the only one we have?” The Duke roared. “If he doesn’t want to be the young master, then he doesn’t have to be one!”

Liang Youyun’s face changed, and her lips turned pale. She pinched Liang You’an. “Kneel down.”

Liang You’an finally realized he was in trouble and obediently knelt at the Duke’s feet, lowering his head. “Father, I was wrong. Please don’t be angry.”

“You were wrong? Where were you wrong?” The Duke sneered, looking down at him. “I was the one who was wrong. How could I have such a useless son who can’t be helped?”

Liang Youyun gently rubbed the Duke’s back to help him calm down. The Duke pointed his index finger at Liang You’an. “Do you know how much effort I put into the marriage between the Liang and Chu families?”

The Duke said, “I am just a Duke. In this capital, which is full of royalty and nobles, I’m just a Duke with no real power.”

The Duke waved his hand, and Liang Youyun stepped aside. He walked around the desk and sat down in his chair, speaking to Liang You’an. “The current situation is that marrying into the Chu family is the most beneficial for us. Not to mention anything else, just look at yourself. You’re not good at civil examinations, and you’re not good at martial arts. Do you plan on being a useless fop for the rest of your life?”

“But if you marry into the Chu family, they can help you after the wedding. After you finish at the Imperial Academy, you can get a steady job to get by, and I won’t have to worry about you anymore.”

“Now look at what you’ve done. As soon as the news of the marriage was announced, you go and cause this trouble. How can the Chu family keep their face? Tell me, how are we supposed to go through with this marriage?”

Liang You’an’s head was getting lower and lower; he could barely look up.

“Father, it’s already happened. There’s no use in scolding my brother now,” Liang Youyun said softly. “Let’s think about how to make it up to the Chu family.” She continued, “Compared to our reputation, the Chu family is what we should really be trying to save.”

The Duke, shaking his head in disappointment, pointed at Liang You’an again. “Listen to her, just listen to her. Your sister has more foresight than you do. If only she were a man, I would have so much less to worry about.”

In a fit of rage, the Duke grabbed a book from his desk and threw it at Liang You’an. “You unfilial son, all you do is cause trouble.”

Liang You’an knelt on the ground with his shoulders hunched, listening to the scolding.

“The Liang and Chu families aren’t the only ones who will benefit from this marriage. The Chu family also wants to use our family’s influence,” Liang Youyun said, deep in thought. “With what happened today, Lord Chu is probably pacing back and forth in his study, waiting for us to make a statement.”

The matter with Xiao Que was not too big or too small. It all depended on whether the Liang family’s attitude and handling of the situation would satisfy the Chu family.

The Duke nodded slightly. “The Chu family didn’t immediately send someone to call off the engagement, which means there’s still room for negotiation.” He looked at Liang Youyun. “Yun’er, what do you think we should do?”

“Go late tonight,” Liang Youyun said. “You should take my brother and visit them tonight. First, my brother should apologize to the Chu family and promise not to do it again. After we get a sense of their feelings tonight, my mother and I will go to the Chu estate with a heavy gift tomorrow. By approaching them from both angles, we will give the Chu family the face they want, and with a way out, they naturally won’t cancel the marriage.” The Chu family was a scholarly family, and what they valued most were reputation and etiquette. These were the solutions Liang Youyun had come up with after calming down at the study door.

Of course, if they were to be ruthless, they could simply get rid of Xiao Que and show their sincerity to the Chu family. But now, she was a commoner sent by the princess. The matter could not be handled that way. Besides, the Chu family didn’t care about what happened to Xiao Que. They cared about the Liang family’s reaction to the matter and whether they were taking the Chu family seriously.

The Duke thought the same. He looked at Liang Youyun for a moment, feeling both relieved and regretful. This daughter was far more intelligent than his son. If she were a man, they would be thriving in the imperial court, and the Liang family would soon be glorious.

“I’ve already had people prepare the gifts on my way here. The carriage should be ready soon,” the Duke said, getting up and picking up his official’s hat again. He glanced at Liang You’an on the floor. “Get up. We’re going to the Chu family.” He hadn’t bothered to change out of his official robes, indicating that he would be going out in them.

Liang You’an scrambled to his feet. Liang Youyun reached out and helped him straighten his collar, reminding him softly, “Brother, when we get to the Chu estate, just lower your head and apologize. Don’t say anything else.”

Liang You’an nodded. “Okay.”

As the father and son left, the Duke stopped at the door. He turned and said to Liang Youyun, “Yun’er, you and Qingqiu have been friends since you were young. You should do your best to help. Don’t let her get upset and ruin everything.”

Liang Youyun lowered her eyes and curtsied. “Yes, Father.”

After they left, the Duke’s wife finally dared to walk in from the doorway. She took Liang Youyun’s cold hands. “How did it go?”

“It should be fine,” Liang Youyun said, forcing a smile. She turned her hand over and patted the back of her mother’s hand. “Mother, you don’t have to worry about this. I’ll handle it. It’s late and cold. You should go and rest. We might have to go out tomorrow.” As for Chu Qingqiu… she knew her best. She wouldn’t throw a fit.

The Duke’s wife remembered something else. “What about Xiao Que?”

“She dreamed of serving my brother, didn’t she? Then we’ll let her stay here as a maid-concubine.” As for being a real concubine, she could only dream! Liang Youyun was going to make Xiao Que a maid-concubine for the rest of her life. A low-ranking position with no name, no status, and no children—lower than a regular maid. This was the path Xiao Que had chosen herself, so she had no one else to blame.

Liang Youyun said, “The Liang family will use Xiao Que to save face. This will show how generous the Chu family is and keep people from laughing at us.”

The mother and daughter talked for a little while longer before going to rest. The Duke and Liang You’an took the carriage to the Chu estate. Just as Liang Youyun had guessed, the Chu family hadn’t gone to sleep yet. The gate was a little open, letting a sliver of light out, clearly waiting for someone.

When they saw the Liang family’s carriage, a servant from the Chu estate ran in to announce their arrival. Soon after, the father and son from the Liang family were welcomed inside. The Chu family was just about saving face. They weren’t really trying to call off the marriage over Xiao Que. Now that they saw how sincere the Liang family’s attitude was, how they had given them both the practical and the superficial, and how Liang You’an’s apology was sincere, Lord Chu had already softened his stance.

But he still put on an air of importance, wanting to be difficult before backing down. He said, “My Qingqiu was standing there when this happened, in front of so many noblewomen and Princess Fu Jia. How is she supposed to keep her face? You know what my daughter is like. She has always been without desires, but her pride is her most defining trait.”

The Duke of Liang gave a fawning smile and nodded repeatedly. “Of course I know. Qingqiu and my Yun’er are the same age and often play together. I have long treated her as my own daughter.” He glared at Liang You’an and scolded him again. “Look at the mess you’ve made!”

Regardless of what Liang You’an was thinking, he obediently apologized instantly.

“Oh, forget it. What young man isn’t a bit of a rake?” Lord Chu waved his hand. “It’s just a maid-concubine; it’s nothing to worry about. As long as there are no other concubines in the future, it’s fine.” The Duke of Liang understood. The Chu family didn’t want Liang You’an to take on any more concubines. Who knew what would happen in the future? For now, he would just agree. “Yes, yes, Lord Chu is right.”

“How about this,” Lord Chu said, waving to a servant. “Go to my daughter’s courtyard and see if she’s asleep. Ask her what she thinks.” Lord Chu said to the Duke of Liang, “It is, after all, my child’s marriage, so I should ask for her opinion.” In reality, they both knew that Chu Qingqiu was always sensible and wouldn’t object. Lord Chu was just doing this to save face.

When the servant arrived, Chu Qingqiu was sitting by the bed, leaning against a small table, reading with her robe draped over her shoulders. Her long hair was loose behind her. She looked calm and composed.

“I will listen to all of Father’s arrangements.”

After the servant left, Chu Qingqiu put down the book. Her eyes were unfocused, and she seemed to be lost in thought. Her maid was a little sad. “My Lady, do you really want to marry into the Liang family?” she asked. The Master is also so cruel. What kind of person is Liang You’an? Why would he let her marry into the Liang family?

Chu Qingqiu wasn’t thinking about Liang You’an; she was thinking about his sister, Liang Youyun. She lowered her eyes and closed the book. “Do you think A’yun will come to persuade me tomorrow?”

The maid was silent for a moment. She only lowered her head. “I don’t know.”

“She will,” Chu Qingqiu said, her voice confident. The maid didn’t understand what Chu Qingqiu was thinking. She asked with confusion, “My Lady, aren’t you angry? First, Miss Liang deceived you, then there were the scandals of the young master, and now the marriage is still going to happen. Why aren’t you angry?”

“What’s the point of being angry when I already know the outcome?” Chu Qingqiu handed the book to the maid, put on her robe, and walked to the lamp on the bedside table. She calmly picked up a silver pair of scissors and trimmed the burning wick until it went out. “A’yun,” Chu Qingqiu said. In her clear, pristine eyes, a dark flame flickered, but it disappeared as soon as she lowered her gaze.

*******

When the father and son from the Liang family returned from the Chu estate, they finally breathed a sigh of relief. With the matter resolved, Liang You’an wasn’t so afraid anymore.

“My mother sold Xiao Que, so how did she end up in the Qi Estate and become Princess Fu Jia’s maid?” Liang You’an mumbled. If he hadn’t had such bad luck, he wouldn’t have had to go and humble himself at someone’s door in the middle of the night.

“Do you think it was a coincidence?” The Duke of Liang closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep. “It was likely on purpose.” No one knew what was going on in the capital. He didn’t think the young Princess Fu Jia was capable of such a thing. He just thought that someone was trying to cause trouble for the Liang and Chu families. Which faction could it be?

No matter who it was, the Liang and Chu families were now wary of Princess Fu Jia, the “lucky star.” Their marriage had almost been ruined just by attending her banquet. What would happen if they spent more time with her?

The Princess Fu Jia, who the Duke of Liang was thinking about, was currently holding a bowl of medicine. “Why isn’t A’Zhi back yet?” Chao Mu lifted the bowl and put it down, clearly not wanting to drink it. She had probably stood outside for too long during the day and caught a cold. She had started sneezing and her nose was running in the afternoon. Cui Cui had called a doctor to check her pulse and make some medicine.

Chao Mu sat in the main hall, directly facing the door, to make sure she could see A’Zhi the moment she returned. A’Zhi had left in the afternoon, and it was already dark, but she still hadn’t returned to the estate. Chao Mu wondered, Could A’Zhi have run away? But we just pinky-promised this afternoon.

What a naughty dog. Chao Mu hummed softly and picked up the medicine bowl again. “Why isn’t A’Zhi back yet?” She then repeated her previous action and put the bowl down.

Cui Cui, “…” Cui Cui was silent, thinking, If you don’t want to drink it, just say so. You don’t have to keep using A’Zhi as an excuse.

“A’Zhi is back.” A maid hurried over and curtsied to Chao Mu. Chao Mu’s eyes lit up slightly. She took the bowl in both hands, straightened her back, and whispered to Cui Cui, “Remember to tell A’Zhi I’m sick.”

Cui Cui nodded obediently. “Yes.”

A’Zhi entered through the round gate, her footsteps as steady as ever. But Chao Mu knew her too well. She could see that A’Zhi’s steps were light, and she was clearly in a good mood.

“Princess,” A’Zhi curtsied.

Chao Mu pouted, her cheeks puffed out, and she put the bowl down again, looking wronged.

Cui Cui, “…” She knew it.

A’Zhi, “? O.O?” I only went out to sell some things. How did I offend this little master?

Cui Cui received a look from the little princess and quickly said to A’Zhi, “A’Zhi, the princess is sick and is about to drink her medicine.”

“When did this happen? Did you call a doctor?” A’Zhi frowned, taking two steps forward to stand beside Chao Mu and look down at her face. Chao Mu sat on the stool with her feet together, her hands on her knees. She looked up at A’Zhi, cooperating fully. “My nose is running.”

“Then don’t leave the door open.” A’Zhi gestured for Cui Cui to close the door.

Chao Mu, “…QAQ”

With A’Zhi back, Chao Mu didn’t need Cui Cui anymore. Cui Cui was self-aware and closed the door, taking herself out with it.

“The doctor said you have a cold,” Chao Mu said, looking at the bandage on A’Zhi’s forehead. “Doctor Xu even asked about you.” A’Zhi’s wound on her head was almost healed. It had been itching a lot at night. A’Zhi felt like she was growing a brain… no, that it was scabbing over.

“When he comes to check your pulse tomorrow, I’ll have him look at you, too,” Chao Mu said softly, as if she were afraid a loud voice would startle A’Zhi’s wound.

“Okay,” A’Zhi said, picking up the medicine bowl from the table. She felt the side of the bowl. It wasn’t hot or cold, so she handed it to Chao Mu. “Princess, drink your medicine. It will be bitter if it gets cold.”

It was bitter even when it was hot, and it smelled fishy. Chao Mu was reluctant, but she held the bowl in both hands. Before she took a sip, she didn’t forget to ask A’Zhi, “Did something happen that delayed you?”

Well, nothing much. I just made too much money, and I had to wrestle with my conscience for a bit.

Chao Mu took a small sip. Her face instantly crumpled. She held her nose and drank it down in big gulps, tears welling up in her eyes. There was a bowl of warm water on the side for her to rinse her mouth with after she finished the medicine. But even after rinsing, Chao Mu still felt the bitterness. Her watery eyes looked up at A’Zhi, and she was about to say something when A’Zhi popped a piece of candy into her mouth.

The sweet and sour flavor of an orange burst onto her tongue, spreading and neutralizing the taste of the medicine. It was a hard candy with an orange flavor. Chao Mu was startled, her eyes flickering.

A’Zhi held the candy wrapper and straightened up slightly, looking at Chao Mu’s face. “Is it still bitter?”

A hint of a smile appeared in Chao Mu’s eyes. Her breathing even smelled of sweet oranges. She shook her head slightly. “It’s sweet~”