Chapter Ninety-Seven: Fury

“Sister, you’ve already given Brother Lei a pair of shoes. Since things have reached this point, if he dares not treat you well, I definitely won’t let him off.”
“Cuiyu, what are you talking about?”
“Sister…”
“Enough.” Liu Qin called out, stopping Cuiyu before she could tangle things further; the more she spoke, the more complicated it would become.

The room fell silent. Liu Qin felt her brow throbbing. If it wasn’t Lei Hu, then who could it be? Among the guards in the residence, none were more outstanding than Lei Hu. If there was someone better, it could only be her eldest brother.

The thought that it might be her brother Liu Cheng made Liu Qin’s head ache and her chest tighten, unable to breathe. What had she done? Because of his protest last time, she’d often sent him food over the past days. Could this back-and-forth have led them to fall for each other?

Liu Qin’s mouth tasted bitter, but no matter what, she had to clarify things. So she asked, albeit with difficulty, “Sister Cuiliu, you don’t want to marry Chen Zhi?”

Cuiliu had been hanging her head, but at Liu Qin’s question, she lifted her tear-stained face, resolutely replying, “I do not wish to, Miss. Please make the decision for me.”

“Do you like Brother Lei?”

“Like?” A faint blush appeared on Cuiliu’s pale face as she shook her head vigorously. “No, no, Miss, you misunderstood. There’s nothing improper between Brother Lei and me, nothing of what Cuiyu suggested. I have no romantic feelings for Brother Lei.”

Cuiyu, watching from the side, was dumbfounded. How could they have misunderstood? She’d given him shoes, and Brother Lei was wearing them right now.

“Then… who do you like?”

Cuiliu’s face reddened further, shy as a blooming rose under the lamplight. Her hands twisted her handkerchief unconsciously. Her lips moved a few times, and only a faint “I… I…” could be heard, before she fell silent again.

The sight of Cuiliu confirmed Liu Qin’s suspicions, but at the same time, she realized something else: if Cuiliu truly intended to climb into her brother’s bed and become his concubine, then no matter how long she’d cared for her, regardless of their deep affection, she couldn’t keep her. With such ambitions, leaving her by her side would only bring trouble.

Liu Qin didn’t believe there was genuine affection between Cuiliu and her brother. Her brother and sister-in-law had always been harmonious. Unless someone deliberately seduced him, he would never cross the line.

But how could she handle this cleanly, without gossip and without arousing her sister-in-law’s suspicion? It was truly difficult. Besides, what was her brother’s attitude?

Liu Qin fell into contemplation. Beside her, Cuiyu finally understood and jumped up, pointing at Cuiliu. “Sister, what are you saying? If it’s not Brother Lei, is it the master?”

She only spoke on impulse, but it startled Liu Qin from her thoughts.

Seeing her so reckless, Cuiliu became anxious and snapped, “Don’t talk nonsense. How could I have such thoughts about the master? If word got out, how could I face anyone?”

Liu Qin saw how flustered Cuiliu was, her face red and her demeanor not at all shy when the master was mentioned. Her heart finally settled.

It turned out she’d overthought things.

Relieved, Liu Qin’s expression softened, and she let out a long breath, inwardly chiding herself. Too many novels and dramas—her imagination was too wild, always jumping to the worst conclusions at the slightest sign. Must a maid always be assumed to climb into her master’s bed? Couldn’t she have her own love?

She recalled a story: people with filth in their hearts see filth everywhere. Was her own heart so dark?

With her brother ruled out, Liu Qin felt much better and spoke in a lighter tone, “Sister Cuiliu, whatever you’re thinking, just say it. I’ll help you.”

Seeing Cuiliu still unable to speak, Cuiyu grew even more anxious.

“Sister, if it’s not Brother Lei or the master, then who is it?”

“I… I…” Cuiliu hung her head, nearly tearing the fine handkerchief apart. At last, she gritted her teeth, knelt to the floor, and knocked her head three times. “Please, Miss, grant me this wish.” Then, she managed to utter three difficult words: “It’s… the teacher.”

“What? The teacher?”

“The tutor?”

It was as if a thunderclap struck overhead. Both Liu Qin and Cuiyu were stunned.

This plot twist was too illogical. The teacher was a poor scholar, already married with a child. How could it be him? Lei Hu, though poor, was at least a golden bachelor. Even as a concubine, her brother was wealthy. Was this true love?

It was absurd.

No, whether true love or not, to be a concubine and ruin another’s family—absolutely not allowed!

With her worldview finally straightened, Liu Qin grew angry. What was Cuiliu thinking? Was it for power and wealth, or for talent and looks? Well, perhaps talent and looks, but that wasn’t the point. The point was: why choose to be a mistress, a concubine, when, as the chief maid of the only young lady in the Liu household, she could easily marry into a good family?

Moreover, if the teacher and his wife were harmonious, wouldn’t it be painful to interfere? If his wife was formidable, how would Cuiliu’s days go? Even if the teacher had some affection for her, over time, could love turn to hatred, could favor breed arrogance, making her a scheming, venomous little white flower?

The thought of Cuiliu becoming such a person sent a chill through Liu Qin.

With a casual wave, a teacup fell to the floor.

The sound of shattering porcelain was especially harsh in the quiet room. Cuiyu’s legs went weak, and she knelt beside Cuiliu.

Staring blankly at the stern-faced, furious young lady, Cuiliu’s eyes brimmed with tears, but she dared not cry.

A pale, delicate finger pointed out.

“Cuiliu, I do not agree. Absolutely not.”

Her voice was crisp, but Cuiyu felt her heart tremble. The always-smiling young lady was terrifying when angry; though still a child, at this moment, Cuiyu felt an inexplicable awe.

Cuiliu, hearing this, seemed sentenced to death. Her face turned ashen, lips trembling, and she collapsed to the floor.

“Cuiliu, our household has no such rules. My father and brother have only mother and sister-in-law, no others. The women of our household will never be concubines. Give up this idea.”

Cuiliu suddenly got up, knelt again, and knocked her head forcefully on the floor, over and over. In the silent room, only the urgent, heavy thuds of her forehead striking the floor could be heard, like drums beating in Liu Qin’s heart.

“Cuiyu, pull her back!”

Almost losing her resolve, Liu Qin barked, snapping Cuiyu out of her daze. Liu Qin leapt from her chair and turned toward the inner chamber.

“Miss.” Cuiliu grabbed Liu Qin’s robe, her voice hoarse. “Miss, I ask nothing else—only that you let me stay by your side. I am willing never to marry, to serve you all my life.”

“Sister…”

Liu Qin turned and gazed at her. She wanted to say, “Why do this to yourself, Cuiliu?” but it didn’t seem a child’s place to speak. She could only respond with silence.

With her forehead swollen and red, Cuiliu’s eyes showed determination. “Miss, I was foolish. I shouldn’t have had such improper thoughts. I only ask that, for the sake of these years I’ve served you, you let me stay by your side. From now on, I will devote myself solely to serving you, with no more reckless desires.”