Chapter 13: Allow You to Approach

"Miss, where are you heading?" The young lady had barely warmed her seat at home before she took only Spring Ying with her to go for a walk. Spring Ying was puzzled as she followed the seventh miss through the back garden.

Even more peculiar, the young lady seemed to be avoiding attention, taking mostly small paths. It seemed like they were heading towards the front courtyard chambers?

Spring Ying was startled. The front courtyard chambers were mostly used for entertaining guests, not a place where the young lady could casually go.

"Don't ask too much, Spring Ying, just remember, whatever you see today, pretend you know nothing about it. This is a matter of life and death, and I can only trust the people in the courtyard. I had to pick you because I can't report to Madam behind her back. I'm sorry."

Jiang Yuan's expression was serious, with a hint of apology in her words. She knew it was against the rules, but she had no choice. Calling Spring Ying to follow her was a last resort. If this matter was exposed, she had Madam's protection, but Spring Ying didn't. As a maid sold to the household, even if she was beaten to death, the authorities wouldn't intervene.

Pale-faced, the thirteen-year-old maid, despite her composure, felt her legs go weak.

"Miss," she stammered, her voice trembling. She was mostly afraid, but there was also a hint of gratitude.

From a young age, unless it was a critical situation, the young lady wouldn't have put her in such a difficult position. This also showed that she was the most trusted person in the young lady's heart.

"Don't be afraid. Even if something happens, I will protect your life by all means and keep you by my side," Jiang Yuan held her trembling hands firmly, her eyes showing determination.

She had a basis for saying this. Since it was the heir who arranged this matter, he wouldn't let her fall into danger. Although she didn't like his actions, she knew that once he made a decision, he wouldn't allow others to interfere.

Holding the seventh miss's hand tightly, Spring Ying nodded with determination, forcing a smile. "I understand, no matter what kind of person you are, I know."

The two of them made their way through the garden, keeping to the shadows. When they reached the door of the east chambers, Jiang Yuan knocked on the door, and the person inside opened it, revealing a delicate man who had some grudge against her.

"Good day, sir. Seventh Miss Jiang has come by order and asks for your audience."

The man looked down at her, his beautiful peach blossom eyes narrowing slightly. After a while, he stepped aside, not forgetting to mock her.

"If the miss wants to come for tea or a stroll in the garden, does she also want to bring this servant to show her face to the heir?"

Turning around, she saw Spring Ying being held back by him, with a look of anxiety in her eyes, clearly worried about her going in alone.

It was only now that Spring Ying understood that the young lady didn't come to the east chambers on a whim, but was summoned by the heir. They had just exchanged greetings in the morning, and they were still very unfamiliar, so how did they suddenly become involved? And asking the young lady to sneak away like this, meeting a man outside the rules?

"When coming out, there should be an explanation. Sir, how about this? Allow my servant to enter, but she will wait in the corner. She won't be in the way in front of the heir, nor will she be waiting outside to be seen by others."

The woman, who only reached his waist, spoke calmly and reasonably. She looked into his eyes quietly, her dark eyes deep and unfathomable.

Even though she had outwitted him once, at this moment, he couldn't see any shame in her, and her composure reminded him of the night when she was huddled in the corner, her face obscured by the moonlight, but her bright eyes were clear in his mind.

"If you have time, please inform the heir. Your late visit last time, Seventh Miss Jiang's actions, have sown some irrelevant seeds of doubt. It would be best to remove them as soon as possible."

It was clearly unwise to make an enemy of such a person. Now that she had confessed, it would be best if he could let go of his grudge. If not, she had followed her conscience and had nothing to regret.

"Seventh Miss Jiang has arrived," the slightly flushed-faced Guan Xu greeted her from the courtyard. He opened a fan with painted bamboo and gracefully gestured for her to follow. "Please, Miss, the heir is waiting in the inner room."

Turning back to Zhou Jun, he said, "The heir has ordered that this servant girl waits in the outer room."

Pulled aside by Guan Xu, and hearing the heir's command, Zhou Jun looked at her in silence for a moment before turning and leaving. Spring Ying followed her own miss's signal and hurried to catch up.

It was quite a struggle to keep up with his pace. Spring Ying held her skirt and, after a long pause, felt that this gentleman didn't seem to like her young lady very much. She knew her young lady's temperament well, calm and easy-going. She never engaged in verbal disputes with anyone, and she never provoked trouble for no reason. There must have been a misunderstanding here.

Thinking about it, in this situation, if she remained indifferent, she would truly be betraying her conscience.

"Sir, my young lady has a very kind heart and treats people with gentleness and kindness," Spring Ying was always honest and not good at sweet talk. Although her words were simple, they also seemed awkward.

The first time carrying the young lady on her back, she made up her mind. Chunying's voice was shaky with nervousness.

The person in front of her didn't even turn his head, just waved his sleeve in disdain. "A foolish and talkative person."

She had seen plenty of loyal servants. In the Duke's mansion, every year, the maidservants who died unjustly were either thrown into a mass grave or drowned in a well. If they weren't pushed out by their masters to take the blame, they all wished they could give their hearts and lungs.

It was the first time in her life that she had been ridiculed like this. Chunying was also a woman, with a thin skin and a heavy heart. She held back her tears, feeling unjust. She insisted on her righteousness: the young lady had treated her very well, and she couldn't be heartless.

Jiang Yuan came to her rescue, very polite and grateful.

What she was grateful for, both of them knew. Zhou Jun actually couldn't get along with a young girl, and his words were quite challenging, which was indeed impolite.

"No need to thank me. When you meet the young master later, if the young lady can help, please do your best. The young master likes peace and quiet, and can't stand noisy people. Remember that, Seventh Miss."

This meant that the person in front of her wasn't helping her for no reason. They were urging her to do something serious. This way of speaking left her some dignity, but in reality, there was no need to be polite to her. In the end, they even kindly reminded her, which was already treating her well.

She naturally understood the ways of the world, and responded appropriately to kindness.

"Don't worry, Lord, Jiang Seven understands."

When she got outside, Guan Xu gave her a look, bowed to the inside, and silently withdrew.

In the quaint courtyard, she was the only one left. Jiang Yuan gathered her courage and gently lifted the door curtain.

She thought the person would be waiting inside, but to her surprise, as soon as she lifted the curtain, she saw his figure.

He had changed into a dark blue casual outfit, sitting on a wicker chair, holding a scroll in his hand. His waist was loosely tied with a sash, his collar slightly open, and his skin was as smooth as fine jade, revealing a prominent collarbone. His eyes were clear, without a hint of drunkenness.

Seeing her come in, he slowly raised his head. Not pleased with the person at the door, he stopped in surprise, furrowed his brow, and called her softly.

"Why are you standing there? Come closer."