YuLi's eyes flashed with envy and hate.
Her face was delicate yet seductive, and there were plenty people who fell for her face, but she was far from her Mistress' beauty. She was envious of XuanRong's physical attributes.
At first, XuanRong's beautiful face was overshadowed by her nasty personality but due to the drastic change of her personality, the beauty that was once suppressed once again shined like the stars in the sky.
YuLi was still bewildered about XuanRong's recent attitude. She couldn't tell what exactly changed since XuanRong's manner was still as arrogant as before and her demeanour was even more overbearing than when they were in the capital, but she had a feeling that XuanRong's character changed.
XuanRong now exudes a very noble feeling like she is someone who has a very dignified existence. When YuLi deeply thought of it, she finally noticed the difference she was currently trying hard to find.
Now, XuanRong likes to sit and stare at the distance in daze. Every time she does, the air around her changes. Although she was still arrogant like before, her manner in carrying herself as the Eldest Di Daughter of the First Wife was very imposing, very different from her previous self who was like an ignorant mountain shrew.
There were people who were blessed by the gods and in YuLi's mind, XuanRong was one of the few. She had a good family background and had a high social standing among the nobles even if her reputation was somewhat horrible. She was also very beautiful even if she was still young and her body had yet to develop properly. But in YuLi's eyes, the arrogant XuanRong was not worthy to have those blessings.
"YuLi?" XuanRong's voice echoed inside the room.
Waking up from daydreaming, YuLi inwardly bit her lower lip, trying to suppress the jealousy and hate in her face.
Unfortunately, XuanRong was able to detect the envy inside YuLi's eyes. No matter how hard YuLi tried to hide her inner heart from XuanRong's sharp gaze, she was unable to.
The moment XuanRong heard YuLi voice calling outside, she was already aware of her presence. When YuLi entered the inner room, she was already looking at YuLi at the side of her eyes.
She silently observed YuLi and continued to pretend that she was currently in deep thought. XuanRong was able to see YuLi's face alternately changed to envy, hate and jealousy when looking at her.
XuanRong inwardly sighed in disappointment. In her previous lifetime, YuLi became Xiao Lou's mole in order to marry her half-brother as his concubine.
The benefits Xiao Lou offered were very tempting and YuLi was the type of person who was ambitious and didn't want to remain as a lowly maid servant forever.
In the end, she was betrayed by YuLi. After rebirth, XuanRong wanted to send YuLi to hell immediately but thinking of the years they spent together, her heart softened a little bit and she decided to give YuLi another chance. Since she was able to change her destiny bit by bit, XuanRong believed that she could also change other people's choice. Unfortunately, it looked like the warning she gave her was useless. No matter how much she tried, there were things that were very difficult to change…. and that was the human heart.
Since it was like that, she would rather kill the plant and nip it at the bud before it sprouts and grows bigger [1].
XuanRong's eyes turned cold.
"This servant greets XiaoJie."
YuLi stepped forward and immediately curtsied.
"The carriage is here, XiaoJie. YuYing already prepared everything. We can now leave."
"En."
XuanRong nodded but did not move. She once again stared outside the window. Few minutes later, XuanRong suddenly spoke.
"YuLi, how old are you this year?"
YuLi was startled by XuanRong's sudden question but she immediately responded with a small smile.
"This servant is already sixteen years old, XiaoJie."
XuanRong, who was still looking outside the window nodded slowly.
Young girls at the tender age of sixteen should be in marriageable age. It was the time for the peach blossom to bloom beautifully.
"So, you are already at the marriageable age. Tell me YuLi, do you want to settle down and find a husband? If you want to be released in service to find a man and build a new family, I, XuanRong, will definitely help you. As your Mistress, I want you to have a wonderful life. I will find someone that is worthy of you, a man that will love you and take good care of you. Just tell me and I will immediately give you your servant's contract."
YuLi shook her head and pleaded, "Please do not send this servant away. This servant doesn't wish to marry and just want to be with XiaoJie. This servant only wants to take good care of XiaoJie until death."
After hearing YuLi's words, XuanRong's hands clenched tightly. She then closed her eyes and fell silent for a while. When she opened her eyes, the sadness disappeared and was replaced by ruthlessness.
"Mmm... then serve me until death."
YuLi suddenly felt cold after hearing XuanRong's words but she immediately composed herself. She only thought that the words XuanRong uttered didn't have any underlying meaning.
The truth was, as a young maiden, she also considered marrying someone one day but her status as a servant hindered everything. Judging by her status, the man who would marry her would definitely be a servant just like her.
She did not want to live and die as a servant. Thus, when Er Furen baited her to be second young master's concubine if she follows her every plan, she immediately agreed without considering XuanRong's affection for her.
This was what you called, 'saving your own soul'. Before you love other people, you must first love yourself.
In exchange for glory and wealth, people were willing to abandon unnecessary baggage that could hinder their success.
XuanRong exhaled. She then moved away from the window and walked towards the door.
"Close the window. We're leaving."
"Nu [2]. This servant obeys."
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XuanRong saw the carriage outside the courtyard. It was inlaid with simple decorations with the insignia of Xuan Family and Qian Zhou's Prime Minister's mark.
Since the manor in Lu Shan seldom receive visitors from the capital, the things that were prepared for the visitors were very simple. Although in terms of the standard here in the suburbs, it was still above average and was considered valuable.
If it was in the past, she would throw tantrums after seeing the plain design of the carriage but now, she likes the simplicity of it.
"XiaoJie, have a safe trip. This old servant will take care of the manor."
Zou mama reassured XuanRong. In order to lighten the journey, she specifically prepared everything and for XuanRong's safety, she allocated ten guards to follow the carriage.
"Then many thanks, Zou mama. This Lady will leave now."
YuYing and YuLi was helping XuanRong to enter the carriage when suddenly, YuLi swayed and fell on the ground.
"Pain... it hurts..."
YuYing steadied XuanRong who almost fell together with YuLi.
Once she was able to regain her footing, XuanRong immediately ordered to summon the house physician.
After YuLi was diagnosed, it was found out that she ate something that caused her stomach to feel severe pain. She was currently asleep after drinking the medicine.
"Since YuLi is sick, she will stay in the manor. Don't worry, YuYing can take care of me."
"How about this old servant follows you, Da XiaoJie?"
Zou mama insisted to go with XuanRong. She feared that YuYing wouldn't be able to take good care of XuanRong during the journey.
"No need. I'm just going to the temple. It only needs a day to travel. Just stay here and manage the manor once I'm gone."
Zou mama nodded.
"Then this old servant obeys."
Few minutes later, everyone left the room where YuLi was currently resting.
After the surroundings turned quiet, YuLi's eyes snapped open. Her face was still colorless and her lips were pale but her eyes were full of resolve.
""I'm sorry XiaoJie. This servant only wants to have a good life. By marrying into second young master's place as his concubine, this servant's life will change for the better." YuLi whispered silently as she stared at the door where XuanRong left a while ago.
[PLEASE ADOPT ME \(T^T)/ and DONATE @ paypal.me/sayurihyuuga]
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[1]. Destroy everything before the problem escalates.
[2]. Means 'Yes' in more humble way (When the speaker has a lower status than the other person)
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Edited and Proofread by: Prikkrang and Supremetobs