Staring fixedly at the room, Xu Wanzhi lay down on the bed. She had just been silent for a moment when someone knocked on the door again. From the rhythm, it was clearly Qi’er.
“Come in,” she raised her voice and sat up. Qi’er pushed the door open with her head lowered, accompanied by a boy who stood bowing at the threshold. His voice was as gentle as most boys here: “Master, the family head has prepared the evening meal and requests you to come to the Jue Shi courtyard to dine together.”
Must! On what grounds!
She raised her tone and directly asked, “What if I don’t go? How will she make you explain?”
The boy remained respectful: “The family head says that if you do not come, the young master will come to invite you later.”
“Even if you’ve already eaten, it doesn’t matter. I heard you recently enjoy snow-chih silk rong cake with Yunfeng white tip, and it has already been prepared for you to taste.”
Would this move her?
Xu Wanzhi sat at the edge of the table, slowly drinking tea, and asked softly, “If I still don’t go, will she come to invite me personally?”
As if anticipating this question, the young servant paused, his cheeks turning rosy, his voice no longer as smooth: “The family head said that if you still refuse to come, it must be because you’re unwell. She will come to see you tonight. Between husband and wife, you haven’t talked all night…”
By the time he finished speaking, the boy’s face was completely red. In contrast, Xu Wanzhi could no longer drink the tea in her hand, and a dark line crossed her forehead.
“I’ll go.”
“Thank you, master. This servant will take his leave.”
No matter how Xu Wanzhi spoke through gritted teeth, the boy immediately bowed happily and quickly retreated. Qi’er hung at the doorway, carefully glancing at her expression.
Keeping her face tense, Xu Wanzhi finally poured and drank two more cups of tea, barely suppressing the slow fire in her heart. She had only met her twice, and although she was the original master’s wife, to manipulate her like this… If she were to stay in this place for long, it would be exhausting.
Jue Shi courtyard.
