In the stillness of Pei Mansion, after a day full of hustle and bustle, the servant girls returned to their rooms or posts, with only a few walking sparse paths, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
In the thick of night, a silhouette emerged under the starry sky, striding swiftly.
As the figure approached, she gradually saw it clearly.
The arrival was a tall, handsome man in luxurious garments, a face she had never seen in Pei Mansion, exuding a cold and distinguished aura, detached and aloof.
This was a man that could only be described as enchantingly beautiful, wherever he went, the stars shone brighter; if he were to smile slightly, countless women would flock to him like moths to a flame.
Qu Fulan was momentarily dazed, realizing only as he approached that this must be someone significant.
She lowered her head, placing her hands by her side, preparing to curtsy.
"Young Master! The Young Master has returned! Your servant greets the Young Master!"
A sweet voice rang out beside her, it was Hai Yue's excited tone.
Qu Fulan lowered her eyes and thought to herself, she had guessed correctly.
Heir Pei did not respond, merely nodding slightly, his gaze not lingering on either of them, striding past.
Under the lamplight, his eyes shone like a clear spring night, clean and bright, yet as calm and deep as an abyss, profound and indifferent.
Hai Yue's face flushed, a bit embarrassed.
Even though she wasn't the Old Lady's close servant, she had met the Young Master a few times before.
After each meeting, she would recount every detail to Taohong with great delight.
Yet, the Young Master didn't remember her.
Like countless unfamiliar faces in a crowd, he didn't recall who she was.
Hai Yue opened her mouth, instinctively wanting to call out to the Young Master to explain who she was, but unfortunately, he didn't give her the chance, his poised figure vanishing in a few strides into the courtyard.
Instantly, Hai Yue felt her heart become as empty as the courtyard under the night sky.
Qu Fulan observed everything, feeling deeply moved.
Indeed, without even smiling, moths to a flame were already appearing. What more if he smiled?
Qu Fulan didn't intend to continue watching the awkwardness, just as she was about to speak and leave, Hai Yue seemed to realize she was there for the first time, turned, and smiled at her, though the smile was rather forlorn.
"The Young Master has finally returned. It's your first time seeing him, isn't it?"
"…Yes."
"Young Master is a dragon among men. From the first time I saw him when I entered the mansion, I hoped one day I could work by his side. Unfortunately, there were countless servant girls aiming to do the same, and I had no advantage when I first arrived.
Later, the Young Master went to the border, and even the only close servant girl left to get married. Now that he's back, he surely needs a close servant girl to attend to him. I want to be that person."
Hai Yue seemed to be in a fervor, speaking all at once, only realizing after she had misspoken, looking towards Haitang with a bit of embarrassment, saying, "Come to think of it, we've known each other for so long, and I haven't had the chance to ask about your future plans."
The question seemed only to patch over the awkward situation.
But actually, it wasn't.
Since Hai Yue appeared, every step was meticulously calculated.
First, she interrupted Haitang's greeting to draw the Young Master's attention to her.
Then, her dejection, though sincere in her heart, was something others would not sense unless she wanted them to, given her years of cultivation within the mansion.
Next, she deliberately brought up her admiration for the Young Master from the moment she entered the mansion and her desire to work by his side, a fixation lasting to this day.
The reason she shared this with Haitang was for a single purpose.
No matter what Haitang thought, if she had the same idea, now that Hai Yue had spoken out, as sisters, Haitang should not "steal someone else's beloved."
Hai Yue had used this tactic before.
Years ago, to advance to the position of second-class servant, she used the same method against another girl, eventually becoming a second-class servant while the other girl was relocated from Fushou Hall to a country estate.
Hai Yue had a hard life growing up, with six or seven people in her family. Life was extremely difficult, and everyone had to fight for even a bite to eat, or they would starve.
If she accidentally found something good, she had to hide it to prevent others from taking it.
These were the truths she learned to survive, that courage to fight was necessary to seize an opportunity.
After speaking, Hai Yue looked at Haitang with bright eyes, waiting for her to say that she did not intend to become the Young Master's maid.
Qu Fulan didn't catch on at first, but gradually she understood Hai Yue's motive; it turned out she wanted to work by the Young Master's side?
Why had she stayed quiet about it before, only to suddenly become so aggressive?
Qu Fulan quickly realized, just as she had initially misunderstood Hai Yue's intentions, thinking she also wanted to be the Old Lady's main maid; Hai Yue was also wary of her. Now, with Heir Pei's return, she could no longer sit still or stay calm.
Indeed, Qu Fulan had no intention of working by Heir Pei's side, but she didn't favor such people; if you want something, strive for it yourself, what's the point of pressuring others or eliciting sympathy?
But Qu Fulan wouldn't bluntly say that; she always remembered how careful one's words and actions needed to be in a deep mansion.
"I only wish to do my duty well; other matters are for the masters to decide, and I will follow the master's orders."
A guarantee from her was impossible, not in her lifetime.
Hai Yue paused in her gaze, her smile faltering, not expecting Haitang to avoid answering directly and respond with such ambiguity.
She immediately understood that Haitang was not an easy target, promptly changing her tone: "I got carried away, seeing the Young Master made me too excited and speak nonsense. Sister, you won't tell anyone, right?"
Qu Fulan: "No, I won't. As you said, the Young Master is indeed a dragon among men. It's normal to be excited upon seeing him."
Hai Yue seemed to feel relieved: "Sister is truly insightful."
Meanwhile, Heir Pei entered the Old Lady's room, standing before the curtain, announcing, "Grandmother, your unfilial grandson Si has returned."
Si was the little name given to him by Mrs. Pei.
Yueyuan and Hua Hao had already gone inside to announce his arrival, serving the Old Lady as she rose. Hearing his voice from outside, the Old Lady paused in getting up, eyes moistening, hurriedly beckoning him in.
"Quick, come in!"
Hua Hao headed to the door to lift the curtain, but Pei Ji'an had already brushed it aside and stepped inside.
"Si greets Grandmother. I have troubled you with thoughts of home over the years, leading to illness; it is truly my unfilial behavior. Please accept my bow!"
He raised his robes and knelt, bowing thrice towards his grandmother.
Mrs. Pei was heartbroken, quickly saying, "Get up, we are family, no need for such formality. Stand up and come closer to let Grandmother get a good look at you."
Among all her descendants, the Old Lady loved him the most; she couldn't bear to see him kneel on the ground.
Only then did Pei Ji'an stand and walk over to the Old Lady.