CH 3

Huayue is the busiest servant in the entire General's Mansion. She needs to get up before the sun comes up to run the main courtyard, make meals, and serve the Lady. When the sun comes up, deliver soup and snacks to the general, admonish the servants, and finish up chores. There is very little free time even after the sun sets. She is required to count the account books for the day to balance the income and expenditure, and to compile the preferences of the Ladies and Young Ladies of the other houses for future use.

Her energy is completely spent on these tasks, leaving her with no more than two hours every day to get a restful night's sleep.

However, Hua Yue believed that no matter how many duties she had, it was not as difficult as dealing with Li Jingyun.

Lowering the drapes, the doctor packed up his medicine box and left. Li Jingyun leaned on the soft pillow, his hair scattered in all directions, and his expression was lazy.

"Why didn't you hold it?" The cat whimpered like a mouse.

“It's the slave's fault,” Hua Yue said as she crouched down at the foot of his bed and continued to smile softly at him.

“Then when are you going to get punished? Keep kneeling here, it’s quite the sore eye.”

Hua Yue lowered her head in his direction and said, "Replying Young Master, the General has instructed to let this servant serve Young Master with the medicine first."

The lower table's medication dish next to the bed emitted an unpleasant odor. Li Jingyun squinted and scowled, "You made me fall off the horse, don't take the punishment first, serve what medicine?"

Still dare to say.

Hua Yue tightened her fists while grinning like a flower in the early spring, but in her heart, she was already berating this person from head to toe.

Despite the fact that he is still a Young Master, merely to avoid the Han family, he would even jump off the horse himself. If he truly injured his leg, it is still alright, but he laid unharmed on the bed and feigned to be sick, causing the Lady to worry herself half to death.

“This slave will go receive punishment after Young Master consumes the medication.”

Li Jingyun pushed the medicine bowl she had given her aside and remarked, "The medication you carry, I can’t drink."

If you can't drink, don't drink; you deserve to suffer until you die.

Retrieving the medicine bowl, Huayue continued to kneel meekly while stirring the spoon silently.

"What?" He was a little impatient. “You still want to rely on me to stay in this yard?"

"Replying Young Master," Hua Yue raised her eyes innocently, “Young Master is gravely injured, and there is no close attendant by your side. The general cannot be relieved, specially ordered this servant to come and serve you until the successful marriage with the Han family.”

The voice dropped, and as expected, the man on the bed immediately became agitated. The mahogany hand pillow flew over with a "shua". Huayue ducked her head sideways, and a gust of wind blew past her ear, then there was a loud "clang".

“Young Master, take caution.” She smiled, "The doctor says Young Master was scared today and needs to rest."

If really let him rest, will you chain Lady Zhuang's dog here so that it barks constantly? Li Jingyun's eyes darkened from his rage.

He didn't like being followed, so there were only a few rough servants in the east courtyard, and there were no personal servants, and his father knew that. He still asked Yin Huayue to come over; it was obvious that he wanted to monitor him.

After giving Huayue's medicine bowl a quick glance, Li Jingyun reached out to accept it, raised his head, and sipped the liquid while frowning.

"Where are the candied fruits?"

As she stood up, Huayue pulled a packet of candied fruit from her sleeve pocket, opened it, and gave it to him.

Actually, carry something like this around with you?

Li Jingyun looked away and growled, “I want to taste the candied plum blossoms from Jing An Hall, so get out there and get some immediately.”

The person sitting next to him folded her hands and said, smiling, "The general instructed this servant to not leave the Young Master's side for half a step, and any chores that need to go outside the house must be done by other servants in the yard."

“… …”

Li Jingyun muttered a few curse words before getting up.

"Where is Young Master going?"

"To go to the toilet," he said, taking two steps out, pausing, and turning back in surprise, "Toilet you also want to follow?"

Hua Yue smiled and bowed to him, saying, "This slave will be waiting outside."

With a wave of his sleeves, Li Jingyun went outside, and Huayue followed suit before stopping when they got to the back hall's door.

Yu Guang looked behind him, hummed gently, and after entering the back hall, flipped over from the courtyard wall next to him and dropped silently to the edge of the wall outside.

Just after midday, the mansion’s servant was hard at work tidying up the mess left behind when the Han family had departed. On the trail outside, nobody could be seen. You could sneak out through the back door as long as you avoided the kitchen up front.

Just a mere slave, want to trap him in the house?

No way.

Li Jingyun looked around vigilantly, tapped his toes on the ground, and evaded all the servants as light as a swallow. He exhaled a sigh of relief as soon as he touched the back door's knocker, stood up straight, and fixed his own clothes.

In the end, he is still the general's son, possesses powerful martial arts, unmatched strategies, and is unstoppable.

What a pity, Housekeeper Yin.

Tears of sympathy for her, Li Jingyun happily opened the back door.

"Young Master."

Huayue stood by the entrance, holding the scented handkerchief above her head and respectfully handing it over to him, “Please use it.”

"..."

Li Jingyun snapped the door shut before turning around and rubbing his eyes.

Did you misperceive? Yin Huayue was still in the East Court; how could she outrun him? He must have made a mistake out of guilt.

After several attempts to calm himself down, Li Jingyun gently pulled the copper ring at the back –– A rolled-up scented handkerchief was handed in half through the crack of the open door, and Yin Huayue's soft voice said, "Miss Han loves jasmine, and the fragrance is also good, so you might as well try it out."

Li Jingyun threw open the door as his face half darkened, saying icily, "This Young Master enjoys killing people, why don't you let Miss Han come and try?”

“Miss Han mentioned that Young Master is a gem in the capital, and she enjoys whatever Young Master enjoys.” Hua Yue smiled and bowed, "If Young Master is interested, the slave will invite Miss Han, so it's okay to try.”

Li Jingyun reached out to wipe his face.

He believes that these women are sick and unreasonable; what is the point of being so entangled in order to marry him? He doesn't want to; the other party will only be guarding an empty boudoir when she marries into the mansion. It is preferable to relax on the Embroidered Floor. Furthermore, he has not yet established a career; why is he in such a rush to start a family?

After taking a half-step, Yin Huayue followed and blocked him while maintaining a meek expression that infuriated onlookers.

Lin Jingyun narrowed his eyes, "Do you believe this Young Master cannot do anything about you?"

"This servant would never dare."

Although she is saying "dare not," her body has not even budged an inch. Li Jingyun laughed angrily and became too lethargic to go. After dragging her forcefully through the corridor, he marched back towards the main hall, passing the servants who were bowing. He then kicked the door to the main hall open.

"Didn't you say that once this Young Master drank the medicine, you would come to accept your punishment?" Li Jingyun sneered, throwing her into the yard, "Receive it, this Young Master will watch."

Huayue stumbled two steps before standing up, smiling and responding, "Yes."

The personnel in the main office were astonished and had no idea what had happened until Xun Momo, who was in charge of the affairs, approached them and inquired, "Young Master, why did you come here in person?"

With a dejected expression, Li Jingyun raised his chin and pointed towards Yin Huayue.

Xun Momo understood, and remarked softly: "Hua Yue has implicated Young Master today, and the General has ordered. Young Master only needs to concentrate on treating the wounds; the rest will be left to the slaves."

"Then I'll leave it to you," Li Jingyun said, clapping his hands. "Beat till honest before returning to me."

"Yes."

Hua Yue quietly knelt in front of Mama Xun without speaking or making any protests, adopting a soft posture.

But as soon as Li Jingyun stepped outside, someone pulled his shirt hem.

The crumpled clothing was held together by long, delicate fingers that didn't appear to have much strength. He attempted to draw them back but was unsuccessful.