Chapter 77: The Second Young Master Is a Scoundrel

“Han Chong, it seems you’re tired of being the captain of the guards!” Nangong Ao rebuked coldly, his face frosted with displeasure.

Han Chong knew he was at fault; he straightened his posture and lowered his head, not daring to utter a single word in defense.

The guards present all shrank back, worried that the young master might turn his wrath on them next.

“Once this matter is settled, report to the disciplinary chamber and receive your punishment!”

Han Chong shuddered at the words.

The guards exchanged surprised glances. Only a punishment? They had assumed the young master would demand the captain’s resignation.

But Jiang Mohe understood: enduring punishment in the disciplinary chamber was far worse than stepping down. Yet the estate still needed Han Chong as captain of the guards; for now, his departure was impossible.

Nangong Ao, still recovering, had no wish to linger in the manor lest his grandmother notice his presence. He instructed Ah Si to take Guard Liu away for interrogation.

After inspecting the estate, he told Jiang Mohe to protect Xianyu Qing and then departed swiftly with Bai Luomei.

Thus, the storm passed.

In Lady Nangong’s chambers, Steward Xue attended her as she tried to rest, but sleep eluded her.

Steward Xue asked cautiously, “Madam, are you worried about the young master?”

“You’ve noticed, haven’t you? Ziyu’s health isn’t right,” Lady Nangong rose slowly with a sigh. “He’s grown up now and doesn’t tell me everything.”

Steward Xue offered a cup of warm water, comforting her, “The young master was capable even as a boy. What’s there to worry about?”

Lady Nangong took the tea and sipped it to soothe her throat. “Ziyu is competent, but not ruthless enough. To wield power, one mustn’t be soft-hearted!”

“Give him more time, Madam. He’ll grow into the role.”

“But the Nangong family can’t wait any longer!” Her eyes hardened. “The longer we delay, the greater the risks. If Ziyu remains indecisive, I’ll have to give him a push!”

“You mean…”

“In a few days, arrange a meeting for me with Miss Xiao.”

Steward Xue understood. “Yes, Madam.”

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The next day, Lady Nangong sent Xianyu Qing back to the mansion.

Su Cha, injured, had to stay at the estate to recover, so Xianyu Qing brought Hua Xiaocui back with her.

It was Hua Xiaocui’s first time riding in a luxury car; she was so excited, touching everything and exclaiming, “Miss, you’re truly my benefactor! Meeting you has freed me from hardship—and now I get to ride in a luxury car. I’m so lucky!”

Xianyu Qing couldn’t help but smile. Freed from hardship? What an amusing metaphor!

“Didn’t you volunteer to work as a servant in the Nangong household?” Xianyu Qing asked.

Hua Xiaocui shook her head. “My cousin tricked me! She said, if I worked hard, there’d be good food and drink in the manor. Who knew there’d be so many rules!”

As she said “so many,” Hua Xiaocui gestured with exaggerated circles.

“If you want something, you must give something up. Every place has its rules; that’s unavoidable.” Xianyu Qing warned her, “Even at the mansion, you’ll have to learn new rules.”

“Hmm…” Hua Xiaocui bit her finger, pretending to ponder.

After a while, she looked up with determination. “No problem! I’ll learn them. Surely they won’t be stricter than at the manor?”

Xianyu Qing reminded her, “They’re less restrictive, but certain mistakes must be carefully avoided. When you arrive, listen to Aunt Rong in everything.”

“Why not listen to you, Miss?” Hua Xiaocui’s small eyes brimmed with confusion.

Xianyu Qing lowered her gaze. Because I, too, am merely a guest here.

Hua Xiaocui, though scatterbrained, wasn’t stupid.

Seeing Xianyu Qing fall silent, she quickly changed the topic, “Driver, where are you from? You look so handsome, just like a movie star!”

Jiang Mohe kept a cold face, focusing on driving.

Hua Xiaocui couldn’t keep her mouth shut. “My name’s Hua Xiaocui; what should I call you?”

Jiang Mohe ignored her, so Hua Xiaocui turned to Xianyu Qing, “Miss, is the driver…?”

She pointed to her ear and mouth.

“No,” Xianyu Qing laughed, “Mr. Jiang needs to concentrate on driving. Don’t bother him.”

“Oh.” Hua Xiaocui finally closed her mouth.

But it wasn’t long before she started chatting again. With her around, the whole ride was lively.

Upon returning to the mansion, Young Master Ao had already left for the company.

Upon hearing that Hua Xiaocui was the new maid, Aunt Rong began instructing her.

An hour later, Hua Xiaocui was nearly in tears. Aunt Rong was so talkative—more so than herself!

At noon, Xianyu Qing came downstairs for lunch, only to find an unexpected visitor: Second Young Master Lü.

Since the charity ball, Nangong Lü hadn’t appeared. Now, seeing Xianyu Qing, he warmly reached out to hug her. “Qingqing, it’s been days; did you miss me?”

Hua Xiaocui quickly stepped between them and kicked Nangong Lü in the shin.

“Ow!” Nangong Lü cried out, hopping in pain. “Where did you come from, you wretched girl! How dare you kick me!”

Hua Xiaocui squared up, her face full of contempt. “Dealing with a filthy scoundrel like you—a kick is too mild!”

“What? Filthy scoundrel?!” Nangong Lü was furious.

For the first time, Second Young Master Lü was called a “filthy scoundrel.”

Xianyu Qing was stunned—did this girl not recognize Second Young Master Lü?

Indeed, Hua Xiaocui had never seen Nangong Lü. Two years working in the manor, her clumsy hands always assigned her to rough work outside, never letting her meet the family’s sons or daughters.

“Filthy scoundrel, don’t touch our Miss again, or next time I’ll kick your… mmph mmph!”

Before Hua Xiaocui could finish, Xianyu Qing covered her mouth.

Nangong Lü guarded himself in terror. Had he just narrowly avoided becoming a eunuch?

Hearing the commotion, Aunt Rong emerged from the kitchen. “What’s happening?”

Second Young Master Lü instantly hid behind Aunt Rong’s tall frame, looking especially aggrieved. “Aunt Rong, this wretched girl hit me!”

Aunt Rong was stunned for a moment, then rebuked Hua Xiaocui. “Xiaocui, you’re so unruly! How dare you lay a hand on Second Young Master!”

Hua Xiaocui widened her eyes, pulled Xianyu Qing’s hand away, and stared in disbelief. “What? This filthy scoundrel is Second Young Master?”

Filthy scoundrel?

Aunt Rong glanced at Nangong Lü, then turned back to scold, “Nonsense! Where’s there a filthy scoundrel as handsome as him?”

Nangong Lü: “……”

How odd that sounded.

“Who says filthy scoundrels must be ugly!” Hua Xiaocui pouted, refusing to concede.

Aunt Rong glared, “Even if Second Young Master were a filthy scoundrel, you still can’t hit him!”

“Why not? Even if he is Second Young Master, if he touches our Miss, I’ll hit him!”

Protecting Xianyu Qing was Hua Xiaocui’s duty, and she took it very seriously.

Aunt Rong eyed Nangong Lü suspiciously. “Second Young Master, did you lay hands on Miss?”

Nangong Lü protested, “I didn’t…”

“Yes, you did!” Hua Xiaocui accused righteously. “If I hadn’t kicked you, you would’ve pinned Miss down!”

Aunt Rong’s face darkened instantly.