When Qu Fulan awoke, the sky was already bright.
But her chest felt heavy and stifling, extremely uncomfortable.
It was the intense emotions left behind by her original self causing trouble once again.
This symptom was very abnormal; she needed to find a way to eliminate it, or at the very least, research some medicine so she wouldn't dream anymore.
After all, if she hadn't transmigrated, then any mishaps befalling the heroine wouldn't concern her, but since she was here, she had to be herself and live her own life.
After the grand wedding at the Pei Mansion, both masters and servants were exhausted, and it took two days of silence for the household to regain its vitality.
On the third day, when the new bride returned to her parental home, it became the concern of the third branch alone, with nothing to do with the other two.
Meanwhile, the old lady, having her "heart medicine" returned to her, found sleep effortless, and Qu Fulan, improving day by day, had completely stopped taking medication, and her life returned to a state of peace.
Since the Heir spent little time at home, the old lady had yet to choose a servant for him, so Hai Yue continued her diligent work every day.
Qu Fulan chose to act low-key, not deliberately, not actively, just doing the tasks within her duty.
She certainly did not want to become a maid to Heir Pei, and pushing herself forward at such a critical time would be foolish.
The maids would secretly discuss becoming the personal maid of the Heir, but in the end, they all thought Hai Yue and Haitang were the most likely.
Some maids quietly placed bets on who would become the Heir's personal maid.
"Hai Yue is more likely, she works so hard, does more than us third-class maids, if I were the master, I would certainly choose someone like her to serve. How much peace of mind that would bring!"
"Not necessarily, Haitang is also good. She cured the old lady's insomnia, a tremendous merit, and the old lady likes her. She might arrange for Haitang to serve the Heir."
"But the old lady also praised Hai Yue, saying she was quick and capable, able to handle everything, and encouraged everyone to learn from her."
...
In short, there were supporters for both sides, but ultimately, more people bet on Hai Yue's victory.
After all, as servants, hard work was naturally the first consideration, with everything else being secondary.
Hai Xia was aware of the private betting among the maids, but she did not take part.
She had no interest in who would be the Heir's maid; she was so afraid of the Heir that she would avoid him at any cost, where would she have the mind for such thoughts?
She even hoped that Haitang wouldn't become the Heir's maid; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to play with her anymore.
But this was just her own thought. Becoming the Heir's maid offered many benefits, and she had no right to interfere in others' affairs.
Privately, she had asked Haitang about her thoughts, but Haitang simply said it was up to the master's arrangement, and this wasn't something for servants to discuss, so she gave up on the topic.
While it was awkward to discuss who would become the Heir's maid, it was common for girls to privately talk about the handsome men in the Capital City.
Hai Xia, serving tea that day, had seen Prince Xiao up close, and he was no less attractive than their own Heir.
Afterwards, she wanted badly to discuss it with Haitang, but Haitang was ill at the time, and then everyone's exhaustion required rest, so the topic was delayed until today.
"Sister Haitang, it was such a pity you were bedridden on the third son's wedding day. You have no idea, half the dignitaries of the Capital City came, and the young masters of the noble families were more handsome than the next, satisfying the eyes of us serving maids.
Especially Heir Xiao, it was such a shame you didn't see him. While our Heir isn't bad either, the distant one seems more appealing, and that stern-faced Heir Xiao, I even found him good-looking. He's handsome in a different way than our Heir."
After saying that, Hai Xia shook Qu Fulan's arm again, "Sister Haitang, do you think the indifferent and cold young master is better, or the elegant and noble young master?"
Qu Fulan's answer was flawless, "I think both are good."
Hai Xia would not let it go, pouting, "If you had to choose one?"
Qu Fulan helplessly said, "It doesn't matter what kind, what matters is whether you like it."
"I just want to know what you like?"
"I hope you won't blame me if I'm blunt with you."
"Go ahead, I won't blame you, I promise!"
"Actually, we as servants have no right to say what we like."
Hai Xia was indeed affected, instinctively wanting to protest, but remembering her earlier promise, she just pouted without saying a word.
Qu Fulan laughed, saying, "Alright, it's my fault, I shouldn't have shattered your illusions."
After all, it was just a fantasy; everyone has the right to dream.
Hai Xia wasn't bothered to begin; with a way out provided, she immediately laughed, "I actually think Heir Xiao is better. Even though he looks serious, I feel he must be a very gentle person inside, and if he falls for someone, he'd be wholeheartedly devoted. Our Heir is different, often laughing, and though he looks good doing so, he might take someone's life in the next moment, smiling with evil intentions. Wouldn't you feel scared to be with someone like that?"
"Alright, discussing the master privately is inappropriate, let's talk about something else."
——That's right, talk about something else, or he'll be scared to death.
This was the thought of the guard beside Heir Pei.
Indeed, the conversation between the two maids was overheard by the Heir, who had come just at that moment for some business and unfortunately caught them discussing the master behind his back.
If it had been about something else, it would've been fine, but to compare the master with Heir Xiao—the whole Capital City knew that the Pei Family and the Xiao Family were like fire and water!
The two were close in age, competing since childhood, neither willing to give an inch.
That little maid even said Heir Xiao was better than their own Heir—what kind of perception did she have?
The clueless maid was unaware that her words had been overheard by the Heir and continued to chatter.
"Sister Haitang, you're too timid. We're just talking privately, no one will know. What's there to fear? Just tell me, are you afraid of our Heir?"
"I…"
Qu Fulan was just about to speak when she felt something was off, as if someone was watching her. Raising her head, she met a pair of very attractive eyes.
"..."
The Buddha, Jade Emperor! One really shouldn't speak ill of others behind their backs.
Otherwise, it's truly like 'speak of the devil.'!
She should have stopped Hai Xia's discussion sooner, even though this was a waterside pavilion surrounded by lotus flowers, and they should've known if someone approached, avoiding eavesdropping incidents.
But that was only for ordinary people; someone like Heir Pei, who was skilled in martial arts, wouldn't make a sound when walking.
Even with quite some distance separating them, an ordinary person couldn't hear them talk, but Heir Pei, with just a casual glance, must have heard every word.
Heir Pei stood tall and straight, striding toward them leisurely.
Hai Xia was still unawares, intending to continue speaking.
"Ahem," Qu Fulan coughed to hint, also discreetly giving a glance as a signal.
Hai Xia merely thought her cough hadn't fully recovered and paid it no mind. As for the eye signal, she thought she had something in her eye.
"Sister Haitang, do you have something in your eye? Want me to blow it out for you?" Hai Xia said, leaning in to help blow.
Qu Fulan took the opportunity to whisper, "The Heir is here."
"The lion is here?"
Hai Xia didn't respond immediately.
"Sister Haitang, you're joking, there's no lion in our mansion, right?"
"..."