After Ye Zao had served the night by the Fourth Master's side, not receiving any reward for it had naturally become a laughingstock in the rear courtyard over the past three days.
Apart from Fujin following the rules and giving her a pair of bracelets, everybody else couldn't be bothered with her.
Returning to her own chamber, Ye Zao lay down and said, "The bracelets look to be pure gold, without any intricate patterns on the inside; we can pawn them, right?"
Hong Tao was stunned for a moment, "But those were gifts from Fujin."
"Silly girl, we can hardly make ends meet, and you still don't think of ways to cope?" Ye Zao chuckled.
Hong Tao didn't say a word, but her expression showed reluctance.
Ye Zao blinked and didn't continue the subject; they were still getting by, and as long as they had silver, they could pawn the bracelets if it really came to that.
After Fourth Master finished with his pressing affairs, he returned to the residence and rested in the front courtyard.
Having had his evening meal, he suddenly remembered someone.
"Didn't I reward Lady Ye for serving the night a few days ago?" Fourth Master had forgotten in his haste that morning.
But now it occurred to him that not giving a reward might have left Lady Ye to be ridiculed these past few days.
"To respond to Master, it has been a busy few days, and it was the servant's fault," Su Peisheng quickly lowered his head.
"Hmm, it's fine, bring her here," decided Fourth Master after thinking it over, since it had been several days.
With an acknowledgment, Su Peisheng went out to summon someone to run the errand.
It was Xiao Guizi who went, and as usual, he brought the reward for Ye Zao, which was honestly more like a bit of hush money than a reward...
Changing into a peach-red lined jacket and still wearing the same set of sterling silver jewelry, she headed to the front courtyard. "Hong Tao, you don't need to come; I'll be back by myself shortly."
She pondered that last time it was just because Fourth Master had forgotten; this time she couldn't afford to sleep in the front courtyard.
Seducing Fourth Master was a must, but not right now. Presently, the Fourth Master hardly remembered her; starting a seduction now would be courting death.
She guessed that Fourth Master could easily crush her without a second thought.
Upon arriving at the front courtyard, Fourth Master was reading a book. Ye Zao frowned discreetly, hoping not to read again.
"Servant pays her respects to Master, may Master have Auspicious fortune," Ye Zao kneeled and said.
"Hmm." Fourth Master's heart was lightly tickled by her greeting, feeling delightfully stirred. He thought to himself that Lady Ye was truly a temptress, so alluring with just a greeting.
With just a hum from Fourth Master, Ye Zao didn't dare get up, staying kneeled.
Seeing this, Fourth Master spoke again, "Rise."
Only then did Ye Zao thank Fourth Master and stand up.
"Do you play chess?" Fourth Master inquired.
Although Ye Zao knew how to play, she deliberately replied, "In response to Master, I do not."
Hmph, I am a concubine, one to serve with her charms; please don't chat with me about music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. It's exhausting.
Fourth Master was slightly disappointed but not too much so.
Thus, many years later, Fourth Master was stunned to discover that Ye Zao was skilled in chess and painting.
"Then let's retire for the evening," suggested Fourth Master. After all, a concubine's greatest purpose... was to serve the night.
Ye Zao silently nodded in agreement; this was more like it...
("Servant will attend to Master.") Ye Zao stepped forward, assisting Fourth Master into the inner chamber where she began by helping him undress, followed by washing his face and hands.
Once everyone else had left, she drew the curtains, blew out the candle, and was immediately embraced by Fourth Master.
Fourth Master breathed heavily, clearly full of eager desire.
Ye Zao pretended to gently push Fourth Master away, softening her voice with a hint of coquettishness, "Master... please be gentle with me, it was quite painful last time. I had to apply medicine for several days."
After saying this, she shivered appropriately, exhibiting an air of great fear.
After all, as a servant, however the Master chooses to treat you is completely his prerogative.
Whether he's gentle or not is none of your business.
Even if she were to die on the couch, there would be nowhere to appeal for reason.
Essentially, Fourth Master had just been a bit abstinent and impatient for a few months, plus, Ye Zao was indeed quite seductive and enchanting.
That's why he went mad.
He wasn't the kind of person who liked to torture women.
So, when Ye Zao said this with trepidation, Fourth Master did not grow impatient or angry.
After all, even if it's a lowly woman, one should still be gentle with them in bed.
Thus, although Fourth Master didn't speak, he tightened his grip on her hand to show he wouldn't torment her.
Ye Zao then pretended to tremble as she removed Fourth Master's undershirt.
This trembling, of course, caused her fair hands to come into extensive contact with Fourth Master's skin.
Fourth Master's body shuddered, and he pressed her down with a forceful move.
It still hurt, and when it did, Ye Zao would let out a moan.
This made Fourth Master even more delighted.
After Fourth Master was satisfied, Ye Zao, enduring the soreness, sat up, "Servant will attend to Fourth Master."
Fourth Master said just two words, "No need."
He then turned his head and called someone in.
Ye Zao couldn't help but think to herself, you really are sparing with your words!
Yu Ning arrived with two Little Palace Maids to attend to Fourth Master's washing up, and since Ye Zao did not dare to ask them to serve her, she freshened up on her own.
She approached the bed and asked, "If Master doesn't need servant's services anymore, may servant be excused?"
"Stay," Fourth Master lazily responded while lying down.
Yu Ning cast a sharp glance at Ye Zao and then took the others out with her.
Ye Zao, feeling a bit confused and not daring to approach the bed, found herself at a loss.
Seeing this, Fourth Master thought that calling her over would only lead to more exertion and, since she was in pain, told her to rest, "Go sleep over there."
There couldn't be just one couch; though a soft couch wasn't as comfortable as the bed, it was still sizable.
Ye Zao thanked him and hurried over to sleep.
When Ye Zao awoke, she saw Yu Ning and Yu Jing attending to Fourth Master as he dressed; outside, it was still dark—time for him to attend court.
She hurried to get up, realizing she could not help, she knelt down, "Servant has overslept, and asks for Master's punishment."
Fourth Master, who was just reaching out for Yu Ning to help him with his clothes, glanced down at her and saw her disheveled hair framing her pale face and neck.
"Get up, comb your hair, and go back to rest."
Ye Zao quickly responded.
Unable to do her own hair and with Tao Hong not present, she straightened it out and braided it.
Seeing Fourth Master was fully dressed, she hurried over, "Servant is ready to be dismissed."
Fourth Master glanced at her braid, gave a grunt of approval, signaling she could leave.
Only then did Ye Zao leave, heading back to her own chamber.
No one offered to accompany her; it was still dark, and the late autumn night was very cold, so she hugged her arms as she walked back.
Ye Zao comforted herself with a bit of dark humor, at least Fourth Master had shown her some care, which was good enough—what more could she want...
As Fourth Master was leaving, he instructed someone, "Reward Lady Ye generously."
Su Peisheng responded, wondering what "generously" meant.
Did it mean she served well?
After contemplating for a moment, he said to Li Ankang, "According to the Master's intent, it seems that Lady Ye has served well. How about we reduce the regular reward for the Princesses by twenty percent and give that to her? Our household sees that she lacks clothes and jewelry, so why don't you pick out a few more pieces for her?"