Chapter 2 Mistaken Identity
I used to be a kitchen fire girl. Because my face was round and my bottom plump, Madam noticed me and placed me in Second Young Master's quarters.
Before I went, she held my hand and earnestly instructed: "Yu'er is willful. I've sent countless pretty girls, but none worked. Yet I see he treats you somewhat differently."
I scratched my face and forced a smile. That was only because once I mistook him for a lecher and punched him so hard he flew.
He must fear me.
Madam didn't notice my unease and continued: "A-Yao, if you can bear a son for Second Young Master, I will return your Servitude Contract and give you a thousand taels of silver."
For those words, I desperately flirted with Second Young Master.
But he was completely impervious to charm. Afraid Madam would go back on her word if I waited too long, I had to force the issue.
Luckily I was naturally strong. Even though he resisted last night, I succeeded.
The next day, shouting woke me.
"A-Yao is my maid. How could she be in Lin Xi's courtyard?"
Before I could react: "Second Young Master, don't shout—"
The arm around my waist suddenly tightened.
I realized something was wrong. I jerked my eyes open and scrambled off the bed in horror.
"E-E-Eldest Young Master, how is it you?!"
The man on the bed sat up holding the brocade quilt. Red finger marks crisscrossed his shoulders—it was the frail Eldest Young Master.
Eldest Young Master lowered his long lashes. His pale lips curved in self-mockery:
"I knew it. With this ruined body of mine, no one would ever be sincere toward me."
"Don't worry. He would keep it secret from his younger brother. Just treat last night as a dream."
I looked at the bitter curve of his mouth and remembered the wonderful sensations from last night. My conscience ached faintly.
Before I could speak, the door was pounded furiously:
"A-Yao! A-Yao, are you in there? I'm here to save you!"
"Lin Xi, return my maid to me!"
I instinctively wanted to crawl under the bed.
Eldest Young Master caught my skirt hem, face full of endurance: "Don't be afraid. I will take responsibility for you."
Responsibility wasn't what I wanted.
Everyone in the Lin residence knew Eldest Young Master was born from a maid who climbed into bed. He had never been favored by the master and only had a broken body.
Second Young Master was Madam's only legitimate son, raised in luxury, yet unfortunately a Duanxiu.
Second Young Master saw Eldest Young Master as a thorn in his eye.
If Second Young Master found me here, forget leaving an heir—I'd probably lose everything myself.
I straightened my clothes, avoided Eldest Young Master's wounded gaze, and climbed out the rear window.