The room was bustling with activity when a maid suddenly knelt down in front of everyone.
The hall instantly quieted down, with everyone either surprised or curious, looking at Hai Xing.
It was only then that Hai Xing realized she had been impulsive; she shouldn't have knelt down to seek a favor in front of so many masters.
But with things as they were, she had no choice but to speak. After all, she was asking for a blessing for a happy event, and surely the masters of the Pei Mansion would understand.
"Old Madam, this servant..."
The old lady, who had been smiling, gradually lost her smile. She raised her hand slightly and said blandly, "You don't need to say more."
Hai Xing had never seen the old lady so stern before and went pale, instinctively saying, "Old Madam..."
The old lady said, "The reward you're owed for leaving the mansion will not be less by a single cent. I also don't lack people to serve me. Take your sister with you, Yueyuan."
Upon hearing this, Yueyuan immediately led a few maids forward and took the still dazed Hai Xing and Hai Chun out.
It wasn't until they were out of Fushou Hall that Hai Xing realized what was happening, her face full of tears as she spoke.
"Sister Yueyuan, what on earth is this for?"
Hai Chun was equally bewildered, "Why does the old lady also want to drive me out?"
Yueyuan looked expressionless and said nothing.
Yet Hai Xing pulled her sister down to kneel before Yueyuan, "Sister Yueyuan, why is this happening? How did I offend the old lady? Please enlighten me, so that I may go back to plead with the old lady. Sister, you know our family's conditions are poor, we desperately need this job. I hope sister can show mercy."
She truly did not understand; the old lady was usually such a kind person.
Yueyuan sneered, "When the master speaks, a servant must obey. Why are there so many questions?"
It was only then that Hai Xing realized she had offended Yueyuan. Yueyuan would definitely not speak up for her. Stumbling, she got up with her sister and followed the old maid out, dejected.
In the air could still be heard the reluctant voice of Hai Chun, "Sister, why does the old lady also want to drive me out? I have done nothing wrong, I can't leave, our family is so poor we can't even make ends meet, and mother plans to sell me to raise money for my elder brother's bride..."
After Yueyuan watched them leave, she addressed the maids in the courtyard, "This is the consequence of having no discipline. You all saw it, and you should keep this in mind in the future."
Because she was from the old lady's courtyard, Yueyuan felt inclined to teach them a lesson. Otherwise, she wouldn't waste words on those like Hai Xing, who were driven out.
The old lady indeed was a kind-hearted person.
But that didn't mean she lacked her own principles.
The aristocracy was most particular about decorum and propriety.
Therefore, despite the request Hai Xing made during the happy event, which somewhat encroached on Haitang's affections, the old lady, after weighing the options, was still inclined to fulfill it.
After all, Haitang could be compensated later.
However, the letter from Heir Pei, though filled with a sense of fair rewards and punishments, made it clear that the old lady wouldn't go against her grandson's way of doing things for the sake of a servant.
Anyone with sense would know to stop there. They should thank the master sincerely and say some heartwarming words to leave on good terms. They might even get some extra reward, but stupidly crashing in front of the old lady is simply overestimating yourself.
And so, Qu Fulan became a second-class maid in the old lady's courtyard.
That very day, she moved out of the eight-person loft into the four-person room for second-class maids.
Hai Xia, though reluctant, still helped pack up the things and sent them to the second-class maids' room.
"We will all still be working together in the old lady's courtyard. It's just that we won't be staying in the same room. We can meet each other as we did before, so don't be too sad." Qu Fulan comforted Hai Xia.
Hai Xia thought for a moment and realized it made sense. Even if they slept together, they weren't allowed to talk at night, mostly spending the day together, so there wasn't much of a change.
Understanding this, Hai Xia began chattering and laughing again.
When they arrived at the room for second-class maids, they found it contained only three people; someone was evidently not back yet.
Qu Fulan took out small gifts prepared in advance to present.
"I don't know what my sisters like, but these are sachets made by my sister Hai Xia and me. Please accept them with a smile."
Haitang's name was already well-known in the old lady's courtyard, so the three maids all recognized her and warmly accepted the gifts, thanking her.
Afterward, they introduced themselves to one another, and then Sister Yueyuan came in with a maid following her.
"Haitang is here? This is Hai Yue, your peer, though slightly older. You should get to know her." Yueyuan smiled.
Qu Fulan glanced at Hai Yue. There were many maids in the old lady's courtyard, and although they rarely had the opportunity to speak due to different duties, they had at least seen each other.
"Sister Hai Yue."
"Sister Haitang." Hai Yue warmly took Haitang's hand, "When I heard Hai Xing was leaving the mansion, I hoped that sister could fill the position; otherwise, such a delicate beauty who doesn't even need makeup would be wasted doing such grueling work?"
Qu Fulan thought to herself, this girl sure has a slick tongue, and immediately replied, "Sister is teasing me. Sister's lovely eyebrows and graceful smile evoke a true sense of pity."
Hai Yue was indeed beautiful, a different type of beauty from the original protagonist, but when compared, she still fell slightly short.
But what woman doesn't like to be praised?
"No wonder Sister Yueyuan treats this girl differently, see how her charming words just make you blossom with joy."
"Over a month ago, she seemed quite simple, and now she's slowly gaining wisdom. That's a good thing."
"It's all thanks to Sister's guidance." Qu Fulan didn't forget to flatter Yueyuan.
"You've learned to be cheeky, haven't you?" Yueyuan said, though her lips were curling upwards.
Later, Qu Fulan learned that this maid called Hai Yue, like the original character, had entered the mansion under a Death Contract. However, she had entered a few years earlier and was quite popular for being clever and articulate.
With her ability to judge people, Qu Fulan thought this Hai Yue could become a potential competitor.
According to her knowledge of the plot, one of the eight main maids by the old lady's side would be leaving the mansion in half a year, and the expected vacancy would be filled by a second-class maid.
Qu Fulan aimed to secure that position. But now it seemed that this Hai Yue was her main rival.
But maybe not; the story mentioned that when Heir Pei returned, the old lady wanted to assign some second-class maids to serve the princely heir.
The old lady seldom moved her personal maids, having grown accustomed to being served by the same people. Changing attendants easily would unsettle her, so even if the old lady wanted to dispatch a personal maid to serve the heir, he wouldn't accept it.
Therefore, only the old lady's second-class maids were the most convenient to assign.
If this Hai Yue harbored 'grand ambitions' to serve the heir, then she wouldn't compete with Qu Fulan for the position of the main maid.
For now, the situation remained unclear.
And Qu Fulan wasn't interested in relying on any male protagonist, least of all Heir Pei, the male second lead known for scheming against the male lead without falling short. She naturally wanted no part of that.
How could she outsmart anybody?