Chapter 004: Sunset Hall

Madam Xue, the current Lady Ningguo, has been childhood friends with Lord Song Changsheng since they were young, and their families had intentions of forming a marital alliance. However, Madam Xu, the former wife, was infatuated with Lord Song's appearance and sought marriage through the empress and the empress dowager, which led to the separation of the two. The Xue family had to arrange another marriage for Madam Xue, but she secretly conceived a child with Song Changsheng. Upon learning the truth, Madam Xu, out of righteousness, allowed Madam Xue to enter the household and treated her as a sister.

Later, both women gave birth to sons. Due to her weakened health from childbirth, Madam Xu entrusted the household management to Madam Xue. However, Madam Xue did not appreciate Madam Xu's gesture, believing that everything in the Lord's household should belong to her and her son. After Madam Xu's passing, Madam Xue finally became the Lady Ningguo.

However, she harbored resentment towards Madam Xu's eldest son, Song Wuji, as she feared that the Lord's household would fall into his hands, leaving nothing for her son. Rumors of discord between the Lady Ningguo and the heir began to spread.

As the heir was frail, it was uncertain whether he would be able to take over the Lord's household in the future. Therefore, the astute servants in the household, including Zhao Ruyi from her previous life, began to take sides.

In her reincarnation, Zhao Ruyi sought to take a different path from her previous life and intentionally offended the strict governess, leading to her exile to this place.

"Why did you come to me alone when there are so many places in the household where you could serve?" Song Wuji, who had been silent in his armchair, stood up and curiously approached Zhao Ruyi, stopping the maid who was about to speak.

"Because I offended the governess, I was sent here," Zhao Ruyi replied, still kneeling and not daring to raise her head.

"Sent here?" Song Wuji mused over the words, and Zhao Ruyi regretted her slip of the tongue.

As Zhao Ruyi pondered how to rectify her mistake, Song Wuji, with interest, asked, "How did you offend the governess? Tell me."

Zhao Ruyi recounted how the governess extorted money and how she refused to let her mother provide the money, leading to her confrontation with the governess, which amused Song Wuji.

However, his laughter soon turned into a fit of coughing, alarming the maid who quickly brought him some tea to soothe his throat.

Once the fit subsided, Song Wuji, with a playful smile, said, "In that case, you can stay."

He then instructed the maid, "Baoyin, she's your responsibility now."

Baoyin was about to say something but was silenced by a glance from Song Wuji, so she could only glare at Zhao Ruyi with displeasure.

Does this mean she can stay?

Zhao Ruyi, still kneeling, felt a sense of relief and expressed her sincere commitment, "I will work hard and not disappoint the young master!"

Song Wuji chuckled and began to walk back.

Baoyin quickly brought a finely crafted wheelchair from the side.

"The weather is good today, I can walk back slowly. It's up to you to take care of her," Song Wuji said to Baoyin, waving off the tea she offered.

Baoyin nodded, but when she looked at Zhao Ruyi, her gaze was not friendly.

A new maid who could make the young master laugh with just a few words? If she really stayed, where would there be a place for her by the young master's side?

She had to find a way to drive her away!

"In our courtyard, a maid should behave like a maid. You are not allowed to wear your hair like this in the future!" Baoyin, preoccupied with her thoughts, led Zhao Ruyi to a dusty small room designated for servants and said, "Our courtyard has fewer people, so you don't need to squeeze with the maids from other courtyards. This will be your room from now on. We rise at the hour of the rabbit, and we can only rest when the master does. You will be responsible for your own clothes throughout the year. If you want to go home, just inform me, but you must return before sunset!"

Zhao Ruyi was surprised and nodded. In her previous life, she had to serve as a senior maid in the young master's courtyard to qualify for a room shared with two others. She didn't expect that as a new maid in this courtyard, she would have her own room in the evening hall.

Although the room was small, it could only accommodate a single bed.

"Do I need to take night shifts?" Zhao Ruyi, recalling her previous life, where she often had to take night shifts, asked curiously.

This question earned her a disdainful look from Baoyin.

"Night shifts are for the senior maids. What would a lowly maid like you do with night shifts?" Baoyin retorted.

But with the young master's newfound interest in her, Baoyin had other thoughts. "You only need to serve in the courtyard, and you don't need to meddle in the affairs inside the house. Do you understand?"

Surprised by Baoyin's sudden change in attitude, Zhao Ruyi thought to herself, "Is Baoyin already wary of me?"

She dared not say much, but obediently responded.

Fortunately, in this lifetime, she didn't have so many messy thoughts. She just wanted to work well in the mansion, earn some money for her family, and let her father rest assured.

Therefore, Zhao Ruyi only focused on carrying water, chopping wood, and doing heavy work in the courtyard every day. She conscientiously never got close to the young master, even when asked to take a pot of hot water to the main room, she only brought the copper pot to the door and never looked inside.

Although Bao Qin didn't like her, she couldn't find fault with her, so she had to tolerate her.

With her quick hands, sweet mouth, in just half a month, Zhao Ruyi became familiar with the people in the courtyard.

In the Xiaozhao Hall, apart from Bao Qin serving by the young master's side, Lian Pozi in charge of the gate and laundry, there were also the couple Zhou Rui in the small kitchen, and the errand boy Tianfu by the young master's side.

Tianfu was Lian Pozi's grandson, and they, along with the couple Zhou Rui in the small kitchen, were all attendants of the former lady Xu. Since their wages came from the dowry of Lady Xu, they naturally didn't have to listen to the orders of other people in the mansion.

In her spare time, Zhao Ruyi liked to help out in the small kitchen, either picking vegetables, washing them, or playing with the five-year-old granddaughter of Zhou Dama.

The little girl also liked Zhao Ruyi and followed her around like a little tail, calling out "Sister Ruyi, Sister Ruyi" all day long.