"Xia Qing?! Why aren't you serving Concubine Fang? Why are you here?" Actually, Lu Xiang was more interested in asking about the swelling on her face.
The left side of her face was swollen, and there seemed to be a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, and she was no longer as charming as usual.
Xia Qing bit her lips and lowered her head, as if she had suffered a great grievance. Her body trembled from crying.
"Third Miss, This servant… This servant…" She was nervous and hesitant.
Although the Third Miss was one of the masters in the family, she was, after all, Concubine Fang's maid. If she said the reason for her tears, she would be snitching on Concubine Fang. This was not good.
Looking at Xia Qing's flustered expression, Lu Xiang raised her eyebrows slightly. "Concubine Fang hit you?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Qing lowered her head even more. This was a tacit agreement.
It wasn't Xia Qing's first day serving Concubine Fang. What mistake had she made?
Moreover, looking at Xia Qing's aggrieved expression, it didn't seem like it was her first time being beaten up too.
Although Concubine Fang was hot-tempered, she had never heard of her being violent to her servants for so many years.
Lu Xiang looked deeply at Xia Qing and said, "If there's any problem that can't be resolved, you can look for the Old Madam to make a decision. Why are you hiding here alone and crying?"
"Third Miss, you flatter me as a servant. This servant's status is lowly. I don't dare to trouble the Old Madam with such a small matter," Xia Qing said.
Lu Xiang sighed softly and helped Xia Qing up. "It would have been fine if I didn't hear it. Since I've encountered it, why don't you tell me? Perhaps I can help."
Her gaze was gentle, but there was a faint invisible pressure that made Xia Qing want to respect her.
"It's this servant's blessing that the mistress punished this servant. This servant doesn't dare to complain." After a pause, Xia Qing lowered her eyes and said.
These words were perfunctory.
Lu Xiang didn't expose her. "It's best that you think that way." After saying that, she patted away the grass that was on the side of her dress and walked past Xia Qing to leave.
Xia Qing was stunned when she saw Lu Xiang turn around and leave. She couldn't figure out the Third Miss' thoughts.
If the Third Miss didn't want to meddle in her business, she wouldn't have said so much to her. Her words revealed that she wanted to help her.
However, if the Third Miss had wanted to stand up for her, she did not say anything else after she said those words.
Well…
Just as Xia Qing was puzzled, Lu Xiang suddenly turned around and said, "Xia Qing, your beauty is considered outstanding among all the maids in the manor. Qiu Huan is much more inferior to you. Haven't you thought about how she ended up like this?"
Lu Xiang could more or less guess the reason why Xia Qing was unwilling to say. Concubine Fang was such a shrewish person. What kind of mentality would she have towards the maids in her courtyard after the Qiu Huan incident? Especially when she saw Xia Qing's beautiful face, would she be wary of her and dislike her?
Lu Xiang's clear and pleasant voice was like the tinkling of spring water and yet it smashed into Xia Qing's heart like a heavy hammer.
Xia Qing suddenly raised her head. Under the sunlight, Lu Xiang's face was exceptionally beautiful, like the rising sun in the morning, filled with warmth. Her bottomless black eyes were like two dazzling stars.
"Third Miss, do you mean that Qiu Huan is indeed innocent? She was schemed against by Concubine Liu?"
Concubine Fang had hit her precisely because of the Qiu Huan incident. Therefore, she was especially displeased with the maidservants in the courtyard, especially the beautiful ones. She always felt that they would have ulterior motives and would want to climb into the Master's bed, so during this period of time, she had found countless reasons to beat them up.
The reason for the slapping she got today was simply because she had poured tea which was slightly colder than usual for her. Concubine Fang's resentful gaze revealed that she had wished to disfigure her.
Lu Xiang smiled faintly and said calmly, "I didn't say that. I'm just giving you some advice."
After all, Concubine Fang was not as tolerant as Concubine Liu.
With that, Lu Xiang did not stay any longer.
Xia Qing, who was behind him, felt as if her entire body was soaked in ice and snow. Her blood froze and muffled thunder roared in her mind. Her strong desire to live made her shout at Lu Xiang's back.
"Third Miss, please wait…"
After Xia Qing shouted, she felt that Lu Xiang had walked far away by then. Afraid that she wouldn't be able to hear her, she lifted her skirt and chased after her.
"Third Miss, Third Miss…"
Lu Xiang pretended not to hear her. When her voice came closer, she turned around in confusion. There seemed to be a light in her clear black eyes. "What's wrong?"
"This servant is slow-witted. Third Miss, please guide me." Xia Qing clasped her hands and stared at Lu Xiang nervously.
It was impossible for the Third Miss to say such words to her for no reason. But no matter what her motive was, Xia Qing did not want to die in Concubine Fang's hands.
No matter how unfavored Concubine Fang was, she was still half a master of the Lu Manor, while she was just a servant. Ever since she was assigned to Orchid Hall to serve Concubine Fang, she had been devoted and never had any other thoughts. But now, even if she remains loyal, Concubine Fang would not believe her.
Moreover, in the Lu Manor, other than the Old Madam and the Master, the most respected person was the Third Miss.
Although the Third Miss was not doted on by the Master, she was doted on by the Old Madam. Now that the Old Madam had begun to teach her how to manage the family's daily affairs, instead of continuing to follow Concubine Fang and being feared by her, it was better to find another way out for herself.
Lu Xiang saw the subtle changes in Xia Qing's expression.
"Let's not talk about whether you're smart or not. I want to ask, do you want to be my father's concubine? If you do, I can help you."
Xia Qing's expression changed for a moment. If she could become a concubine, she would be considered as half a master in the Lu Manor. She was young, and the Third Miss had even said that she would help her. Uncountable wealth would be within her reach.
However, just as this thought flashed through her mind, Xia Qing suddenly thought of Qiu Huan's fate.
Even if she could hide from Concubine Fang, she believed that she was no match for Concubine Liu.
Although the Third Miss could help her for a while, could she help her for the rest of her life?
Xia Qing suddenly shivered. She looked up at Lu Xiang and said seriously, "I'm not willing. Third Miss, please show me another way."
Xia Qing's decision was exactly what Lu Xiang wanted. If she insisted on becoming her father's concubine, with her beauty, she would definitely be doted on for a while. At that time, it would be difficult for her to control her. Once a person's ambitions started, they would only increase endlessly and she may become her enemy in the end.
However, if she was not interested, this girl was worth using.
"No matter how muddle-headed Father is, he would never set his sights on a maid by his daughter's side. As long as you leave Concubine Fang's side, she will naturally let down her guard against you."
Lu Xiang smiled. Her smile was as bright as a pearl.