Qu Fulan lowered her eyelids, listening to their conversation, striving to minimize her presence.
Knowing that the Heir Pei went to participate in the banquet, her task of delivering the message was "completed."
"You got the steps wrong." Suddenly, a voice rang beside her ear. Qu Fulan hadn't expected that amidst chatting with others, Heir Pei was watching her brew tea. Her hand trembled slightly as she quickly apologized with a smile, "Haitang is not skilled at brewing tea, I hope the princely heir will forgive me."
Back in the modern age, she was too busy making money to have time to learn the elegant art of tea brewing. It was only after coming here and watching Yueyuan make tea for the old lady that she picked up a few basics.
Yueyuan's tea brewing skills were top-notch. To be accurate, the maids close to the old lady each had their own exceptional skills. There's a reason why the old lady relies heavily on her personal maids.
When she eventually becomes the personal maid of the old lady, her medical skills would be her specialty.
"Lift the kettle high and let the water pour from a height into the teapot, so the tea leaves can roll inside, brewing the flavor more thoroughly." Pei Ji'an spoke to guide her.
Qu Fulan quickly pulled herself together and followed his instructions, focusing entirely on brewing the tea, eager to finish so that the several gazes on her would disperse quickly.
Indeed, with one word from the Heir, the other two also glanced her way. Being watched by three grown men while brewing tea was a bit stressful.
"Second brother really is particular about tea art."
"Thanks to second brother's guidance, the taste is indeed better than what we brew at the third house."
After tasting, the two gentlemen praised the tea respectively.
"What is it that's making Third Brother so happy?"
Surrounded by a group of servants, Yao Xing saw her husband from afar as she left the old lady's room and walked over with her people.
"Sister-in-law greets eldest brother and second brother."
Qu Fulan quickly stepped aside, watching the Third Young Madam unobtrusively.
The path from Fushou Hall wasn't here, but the Third Young Madam came this way, clearly having taken the trouble to find out Pei Lian's whereabouts before coming over.
Though she is a sister-in-law, she still ought to shy away, yet she came directly without any concern.
Her recklessness wasn't entertained by Pei Yuan and Heir Pei, who made to stand and leave.
Unexpectedly, Pei Lian, lacking observational skills, didn't give his brothers a chance to speak, and directly said, "We were talking about the second brother teaching Haitang to brew tea. Haitang is so quick at learning and skillful, if our third house could have such a tea-brewing maid, that would be great."
Alright, one sentence brought the heat on her again; thanks a lot!
Only then did Yao Xing look at Haitang, her smile insincere, "Indeed she seems skillful. Being trained by the old lady makes her different. If Third Brother likes her, can I ask the old lady to have her back?"
Qu Fulan stood silently by, her long eyelashes drooping, her face showing nothing while her heart was numb.
It's the second time, being just a maid, she was treated like merchandise, being asked for by this one and taken by that one. These people never cared about her opinion; they did whatever they wanted.
Of course, Pei Lian thought it was fine, but he couldn't say it out loud in front of his two brothers.
Pei Yuan and Pei Ji'an weren't interested in hearing the couple chat, stood up to leave, and before departing, Pei Ji'an glanced at Haitang, "Aren't you following?"
Qu Fulan hesitated for a moment, then immediately followed.
Those left behind were astonished, each harboring their thoughts.
Pei Lian, the oblivious one, was shocked at why second brother would take Haitang away. Wasn't Haitang his maid?
Yao Xing felt uncomfortable, even a bit embarrassed. She had just said something, and then Heir Pei took her away in front of everyone. Didn't that make her lose face in public?
"This Haitang is really something. To have the second brother care for her must mean she put a lot of effort behind the scenes."
Unable to criticize the second brother, she naturally pushed all blame onto the maid, pointing out her supposed scheming.
"Haitang is quite simple-minded, not as you say. You've misunderstood her." Pei Lian defended her without thinking.
Yao Xing's smile stiffened, "Husband is right, I misunderstood. I was only well-intentioned, worried she might be deceitful, and felt it necessary to point out. Since you say she's good, then she must be."
Normally speaking, Yao Xing married Pei Lian and lowered her status, but the big house of the Pei Family was reputable, and she, having married over, couldn't put on airs. Besides, she hoped for lifelong marital harmony, and dealing with some potential threats couldn't be avoided.
Though the Pei Family had a rule that no concubines were allowed before the birth of a legitimate child, if it pleased her husband, she didn't mind keeping someone under her watchful eye, to be dealt with slowly later.
For now, Yao Xing watched their departing figures silently.
Meanwhile, Qu Fulan, following the Heir, walked a distance before seeing that he didn't intend to stop. Torn within, she softly called, "Heir."
Only then did he halt and look at her.
Qu Fulan quickly saluted him, "Thank you for helping me out earlier. The heir is busy with official duties, Haitang dares not delay you further, thank you again."
"You don't like the earrings?" Heir Pei asked, not responding directly.
Qu Fulan hadn't expected him to ask this, nor understood why he asked, but although confused, she politely replied, saying she liked them.
"If you like them, why not wear them?" he asked.
"…Those earrings are too precious, Haitang is worried that I might inadvertently lose them while working, so I kept them safe."
"They are meant to be worn. No matter how precious, keeping them hidden is wasteful."
Qu Fulan suddenly felt at a loss for words.
A maid wearing earrings more precious than those of the Pei Mansion's ladies swaggeringly is just asking for trouble. By asking this, Heir Pei clearly didn't understand the complexities among the inner chamber women.
"Haitang will remember your advice."
"I have things to attend to; you should go."
"Yes."
Up to this point, Qu Fulan still hadn't figured out why Heir Pei would give her precious earrings.
Helping her out was easy to understand, as presumably it was because she was a maid to the old lady. As they say, look at the monk's face, not the Buddha's face.
Giving precious items, however, was hard to understand.
But since he had no intention of explaining, it was even more inconvenient for her to ask.
If she couldn't figure it out, she decided not to dwell on it. Perhaps it was just a whim. Overthinking it would only cause herself trouble.
Time passed, and the day to go to Zheng Mansion was fast approaching.
Originally, Qu Fulan had planned well, intending to feign illness the night before to get through it.
Knowing the coming dramatis personae weren't friendly, using an excuse to avoid it was her style.
It turned out that evening, before she could fake illness, Hai Yue was the first to fall ill.
Whether it was real or feigned, she wasn't sure, but she was certain of one thing: Hai Yue being ill meant she couldn't be ill herself.
The next day's trip to Zheng Mansion seemed inevitable.