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The Duke of Yan's Residence is a grand mansion with various courtyards, attics, halls, and gardens arranged in an orderly manner. The kitchen alone is quite impressive, brightly lit with a row of large rooms divided into six areas: meat preparation, roasting, fruits and vegetables, snacks, rice and noodles, and two back rooms for the servants to wash vegetables and cut meat. Another area is designated for storing coal and chopping wood. During Ling Chen's lifetime, Miao Yu was the most capable maid in the Duke of Yan's Residence, taking care of the Duchess and managing part of the kitchen staff. However, after Ling Chen passed away, she was assigned by Aunt Zhuo to work in the kitchen and eventually ended up in the coal room doing the hardest, dirtiest work of moving coal and chopping wood.
“Miao Yu, we are talking to you. Did you hear us?”
Shanling looked at Miao Yu, who was chopping wood with urgency and frustration. Unfortunately, Miao Yu seemed like a wooden figure, expressionless as she monotonously repeated the tedious chopping motion. Yet she worked diligently; while other maids and servants chopped wood carelessly, she ensured that each piece was of uniform length and neatly stacked on the ground without any flaws.
“I heard you,” Miao Yu replied without looking up, her tone calm.
“Then why aren’t you answering?” Shan Yue said angrily, her words igniting like fire—she had no real issue with Miao Yu but could not tolerate her rudeness towards Yun Kexin. “Speak!”
With a loud clang, Miao Yu casually tossed the chopping knife onto the ground and stood up.
“Let’s go inside.”
Shanling, Shining, and Shan Yue followed her in confusion to the place where the servants ate and rested—maids lived together in one area while the male servants had their own quarters. At this time of day, everyone was busy with their own tasks, so there weren't many people around, allowing the four to chat freely.
Meanwhile, when Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin arrived at the coal room and found that Miao Yu and the others were not there, curiosity struck them. Nursemaid Chen Ma noticed that the four seemed to be heading toward their living quarters. The couple then made their way to the servants' courtyard and indeed heard faint arguing coming from one of the rooms—
“You’re lying! How could this possibly belong to our mistress? You’re slandering her!”
It was Shanling’s voice—she held a blanket stained with chicken blood in disbelief.
“What slander? Mind your words!” Miao Yu retorted defiantly. “This is the blanket you gave me to wash after Young Lord married our mistress; anyone can see that this is not maiden’s blood; it’s—it's…”
Miao Yu hesitated mid-sentence, unable to finish her thought. Instead, she coldly turned her face away and said:
“If the mistress truly cared for Young Lord or had any regard for Duke of Yan's Residence, she wouldn’t be deceiving people like this. If she doesn’t want to bear children, why marry Young Lord? Who knows what her true intentions are?”
“Shut up! You have no right to speak about our mistress like that!” Shining shouted angrily. “We three have served her for years; how could we not understand her character? If things are as you say, then she must have her reasons.”
“Reasons? What reasons? What does this have to do with reasons?” Miao Yu pressed on relentlessly with rapid-fire questions. “A woman marrying a man to carry on the family line is only natural; doesn’t she know that? It’s truly ridiculous!”
Shan Yue grew anxious and spoke sharply: “Miao Yu, do you think that as a woman she would abandon her chastity before marriage without reservation to save a man? Do you really believe she wouldn’t want to bear his children? Clearly there’s something wrong here.”
Miao Yu was taken aback, staring blankly at her three sisters in confusion.
"What were you just now? Without regard for your reputation, you went to save a man without reservation. Who are you?"
Shanling, Shining, and Shan Yue stepped closer and recounted in detail the hardships that Feng Yinxiao had endured, as well as the circumstances under which Yun Kexin had selflessly saved him with her body heat. Up until now, Young Lord was still unaware of this because Yun Kexin had not allowed it.
Miao Yu stood frozen in place for a good while, unable to speak. If it weren't for what Shanling and the others said, she could hardly believe her ears: Young Lord had been in a life-and-death situation, and she had been completely oblivious. The Seventh Sister of the Yun Family had risked her life to save him yet never mentioned it. Was there truly such a good woman in the world?
"According to you, the lady has deep feelings for Young Lord. Then why have they not consummated their marriage?" Miao Yu's tone was no longer stiff; in fact, it was much more polite. However, she still pressed on relentlessly, "Or is it that she cannot bear children…"
"That's utterly unreasonable!" Shan Yue exclaimed impatiently—first questioning Yun Kexin's character, and now doubting her ability to bear children. How could that not be infuriating? In a moment of desperation, she blurted out without thinking, "Are you so sure it's the lady's problem? Perhaps it's Young Lord—"
Shan Yue actually wanted to say "impotent," but since this matter involved a man's privacy and dignity, if it were known that she discussed it, her life would be in danger. Realizing she had let something slip, Shan Yue quickly stopped herself and covered her mouth. Shining and Shan Yue silently scolded Shan Yue for being too reckless; how could she think of such things? Miao Yu was still uncertain whether she was friend or foe. If she reported this, Yun Kexin would also be finished.
Several maidservants inside the room were arguing heatedly, completely unaware that Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin outside had overheard everything and were both blushing furiously, too embarrassed to look at each other. Especially Yun Kexin; she never imagined that Shan Yue would end up "selling" her out by revealing the incident where she had "saved" him out of necessity. That was one thing, but the key point was that Feng Yinxiao was also present—he heard everything! How would he view her now? How would she face him afterward? Everything came too suddenly and was too awkward! Unable to bear it any longer and feeling flustered and shy, Yun Kexin turned and ran back to Yihe Garden before finishing listening. Feng Yinxiao stood there in a daze, still immersed in Shan Yue's words: It was Yun Kexin who saved him with her body heat? Was this true? Was this really true?
Deep down in Feng Yinxiao's heart, he was suddenly entangled by a sweet yet bitter emotion. The sweetness came from the fact that the one who saved him was his beloved; the bitterness stemmed from realizing he only learned the truth now. If he hadn't come here today or if Shan Yue hadn't let it slip, would he have been kept in the dark for a lifetime?!
Feng Yinxiao no longer cared about Shan Yue's last insinuating remark; he couldn't wait to confirm another matter. So he knocked on the door without hesitation: "Miao Yu, Shanling, Shining, Shan Yue, open the door."
The four maidservants dared not breathe; they only knew that at this time, the servants were busy and wouldn't come to the lounge. Feeling a bit bolder than usual, they never expected Young Lord would come here. They exchanged glances with each other, unsure of what to do.
"Open the door quickly; I know you're inside." Feng Yinxiao urged again patiently.
With no other choice left, Miao Yu had to open the door and prepared herself for a storm of reprimands. Unexpectedly, when Feng Yinxiao entered, he didn't even glance at Miao Yu as if he completely forgot about her disrespectful behavior. He rushed straight toward Shanling and the others and looked at Shan Yue eagerly: "Shan Yue, is what you said true?"
"Which… which words are not true?" Shan Yue curled up and stepped back fearfully.
"The matter from a few years ago when Yun Kexin saved me—was that true?"
Upon hearing this question, Shan Yue felt relieved by more than half; she wasn't nervous anymore and replied solemnly:
"Yes, both Shanling and Shining can testify."
Feng Yinxiao's blood surged with excitement; his dark eyes sparkled brightly as he hoarsely asked: "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Madam won't allow it," Shanling said emotionally, continuing the conversation, "the reason is that if you know the truth, you will definitely insist on marrying her, so—"
"How foolish!" Feng Yinxiao murmured with concern.
"Young Lord, do you remember the time when our three sisters were fierce with you?" Shining looked at Feng Yinxiao and said frankly, "If you do not marry Seventh Sister in the future, we three sisters will definitely join forces to kill you!"
"I remember!" Feng Yinxiao paused for a moment and then realized, "At that time, I only thought it was because you had grown increasingly close to Madam and were loyal to Yun Kexin, unwilling to see her harmed. I didn't expect there was such a deeper layer. Thank you all."
Shanling, Shining, and Shan Yue did not expect Feng Yinxiao to be so emotional. They exchanged glances, feeling guilty, and hurriedly knelt down one by one. Shan Yue said, "Young Lord, please don't blame us for discussing our master behind her back. We are deeply grateful and cannot bear to be treated this way."
"It's fine now; everyone get up," Feng Yinxiao gestured with his hand and smiled lightly. "Get up; there's no need to thank me for anything." Once Shanling and the others stood up, Feng Yinxiao's smile faded, and he said seriously, "But regarding Madam's reputation, you must never discuss this matter again in the future. Although I have married her, this happened when Yun Kexin was young, and it must not be known by others. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Young Lord, rest assured," seeing how concerned Feng Yinxiao was for Yun Kexin and how thoughtful he was in every aspect made Shan Yue feel warm and touched. She knew that as long as it was about Madam, Young Lord would always care. "If it weren't for Miao Yu forcing me to speak today, we might have kept it hidden for a lifetime."
With that, Shan Yue pouted angrily and shot a glance at Miao Yu. It was the first time Miao Yu showed a look of shame. Feng Yinxiao raised his handsome brows and looked at Miao Yu, saying, "Miao Yu, regarding past matters, regardless of whether you were right or wrong, I will not hold it against you. But I hope from now on you treat Madam well and respect her. I have known her for five years; my understanding of her is no less than yours! Remember, do not let me see any disrespect towards Madam again!"
After saying this, he turned to leave but suddenly remembered something and turned back to add: "The matters between my wife and me are our own business; do not discuss them casually in the future. Otherwise, I will not let it go lightly." Halfway through his words, his handsome face flushed slightly. Thinking about how these maids had actually discussed such "private matters" behind his back made Feng Yinxiao both angry and amused. After receiving their unanimous "yes," he finally left.
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