TRT – Chapter 23 Xi Niang’s Point of View (Part 2)

…

Before I could think more, I knew the moment I saw the scene with my own eyes. I hurriedly knocked on the door, rapped for a long time, yet no one answered. Feeling suspicious, I simply pushed the door open—

—only to be utterly shocked by the sight inside!!

Tonight, the Prince of Luo’s residence was holding a banquet. Lanterns and festoons were strung up everywhere. Noble ladies were carrying all sorts of things in and out, and the air was thick with a mix of nervousness and excitement. The guests invited were all important figures. His Highness Luo rarely entertained guests, and yet this time he was hosting none other than the Fourth Prince! Every woman in the residence was racking her brains over how to dress up, each hoping to outshine the rest at the banquet and catch someone’s eye.

But in truth, everyone knew very clearly: there was only one person whom the entire banquet was truly about.

Some were motivated by desire, some wanted to guess at the Prince of Luo’s thoughts, some wished to know the Fourth Prince’s stance, some came to watch, some to be watched, some were eager to make a show of strength, some plotted to win allies, some were acting, some were spectating… Everyone had their schemes, yet all covered them up under a façade of peace and merriment. And the one pushed to the very center of the storm was just a single person—

At this moment, that person was busy in front of a dressing mirror with her maid, while I stood dumbfounded to the side, unable to help in the slightest, because I couldn’t understand a word of what they were saying…

“Did you bring the eyeshadow? The purple one!”

“In the white bundle!”

“Take it out, take it out! Do you think this color of lipstick looks good with it?”

“Too plain! Since you’re performing, paint it bolder! Should we use the false lashes?”

“We don’t have many left, right? It’s hard to get our master to make them, better save them…”

“I’m begging you, Qingqing, tonight is a matter of life and death! If not now, when?”

“…Alright, but what if the Prince of Luo doesn’t like the flirtatious, glamorous type?”

“…Good point. Then what type does the Prince like?”

“Just find out!”

The two of them turned in perfect unison, their eyes sparkling as they looked straight at me… instantly reminding me of the scene I had walked into the night before—

……

Two girls with their faces covered in cucumber slices twisted themselves into eerie poses on the bed. Under the flickering candlelight, the sight was terrifyingly grotesque. I had screamed in fright and collapsed to the ground!

One of the cucumber-faced girls had rushed over in a panic, fumbling to help me up while ripping the cucumber off her face, blurting out things I didn’t understand: “Sorry! Sorry! We’re doing face masks! That was yoga—yoga! For fitness! I—I didn’t expect anyone to come in, I really scared you, I’m so sorry, so sorry!” Then she sat me on a stool, personally poured hot tea into my hands, and reassured me over and over: “Drink some tea to calm down! Don’t be scared, don’t be scared…” while gently rubbing my back. Her round eyes, wide and glistening like a guilty little puppy, watched me anxiously…

Was she truly apologizing to me?

I remembered when the Ninth Madam lost her temper and flung things about—her paperweight landed squarely on my knee, leaving a bruise for days. When Master came in afterward, Ninth Madam immediately ordered the servants to pull me up, even said “sorry.” But I remember her looking down at me from above, saying “sorry” with disdain written all over her face, then swishing her elegant skirt before striding straight to Master.

I sighed. This girl must only be apologizing because she doesn’t know what status I hold.

“Miss Minmin, this maid was assigned to serve you by Steward Ren,” I said softly.

“Oh, do you feel better now? Not scared anymore?” She still gazed at me with those bright, round eyes, her hand never once hesitating as it patted my back. My declaration of identity was treated as casually as commenting on the weather.

“…Yes,” I answered unconsciously. Suddenly my whole body stiffened, and I repeated, testing her: “Miss, I am your serving maid.”

“Mhm, I know, you already said that.” She blinked in puzzlement, not understanding why I would repeat myself.

She squatted down beside me, one hand holding my teacup, the other soothing me. She did it so naturally. Her small animal-like eyes looked at me earnestly. When you’re gazed at like that, it feels as if you’re the only person in the world—the most important person.

Suddenly, she tilted her head cutely and smiled sweetly, two dimples blossoming on her cheeks:

“You know my name is Minmin now, but I still don’t know yours~”

“…This maid is called Xi Niang…” In that instant, I felt warm—so very warm.

The tea in my hands was warm, the patting on my back was soothing, even my insides felt settled. I thought: I really like this Miss Minmin. Yes, I like her very much…

……

Now, this same girl who made me feel so warm was once again staring at me with those puppy eyes, all nervous and pleading.

“Xi Niang… what type of girls does your master like?”

“Uh…”

“Tell me, please~~” Her eyes sparkled like stars.

Pinned under the pitiful gazes of the two of them, I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore: “Pr-probably… comfortable?”

“What?!”

She fell into agonizing contemplation, muttering to herself: “Comfortable? Comfortable how? Who’s supposed to be comfortable? Comfortable to look at, or comfortable to… to be with?” (Hey hey, you’re the heroine! Remember to maintain your pure façade~)

That night, she ended up late to the banquet.

The reason was… complicated.

The news that Steward Ren had arranged for Miss Minmin to live in the outer courtyard spread through the residence almost instantly. In the pavilion where everyone was waiting before the banquet began, with neither Master nor Luo Cheng present, the mistresses of the residence reigned supreme. This was a war unknown to men—a gentle kind of violence.

The madams exhausted every ounce of sarcasm, lashing out with barbed tongues. Some words were downright crude and malicious! Even I burned with anger hearing them, but Miss Minmin merely sat gracefully, smiling as she sipped her tea, calm and unhurried, as if she were in some serene mountain grove surrounded only by birdsong. Only when the First Madam, all false smiles, ordered Qingqing to knead her legs did I see worry flicker in Miss Minmin’s eyes. Qingqing, long accustomed to being by her side, managed to bend without breaking, serving with impeccable etiquette.

But these women weren’t about to let her off easily. The Third Madam “accidentally” spilled a cup of scalding tea all over Qingqing! Reflexively, Qingqing’s hands pressed harder while kneading, and the First Madam, enraged, kicked her—straight into the pond beneath the pavilion!

The maids shrieked in alarm. Miss Minmin rushed to order the guards to save her—but no one moved! Qingqing clearly couldn’t swim, and the pond was deep. She flailed desperately, while the madams sipped their tea leisurely, casting sidelong glances at Miss Minmin. Let’s see what you’ll do. Yes—what can you do?

A chill spread through me.

Amidst the eerie silence, Miss Minmin stood trembling at the water’s edge. Qingqing’s cries for help and splashing rang sharp in the stillness.

Without hesitation, Miss Minmin stripped off her heavy embroidered robe and leapt into the freezing water. I had lived through a flood as a child—I knew how hard it was to rescue someone drowning. Yet even so, she dragged the near-lifeless Qingqing to shore, utterly spent.

One by one, the madams stood, skirts fluttering, and drifted away.

“Don’t be late now~ Our Prince of Luo hates lateness most of all!” sneered the Ninth Madam gleefully.

Their delicate embroidered shoes passed right by Miss Minmin’s arms clinging desperately to the shore, not one offering her a hand.

Miss Minmin’s short, soft hair was drenched, plastered to her forehead and obscuring her bright eyes. I couldn’t see her expression. I only knew one thing—holding onto a drowning person, she couldn’t last much longer!

When all the madams had finally left, I rushed forward and stretched out my hand:

“Grab me!”

Helping her meant opposing all the madams. After staying silent this long, was I truly ready to be dragged into their war? She was already in such a pitiful state, and at tonight’s banquet she would surely anger Master by being late and disheveled. Without his favor, her future days would be miserable. Was I really going to stand on her side? With her naïve, childlike innocence, how long could she even survive in these treacherous undercurrents? Was I really going to help someone like her?

Yes.

I suddenly wanted to laugh.

I would help her!