Vivi has been staying in the room that Madam Yon specially arranged for her to recover ever since she proved her innocence to Madam Yon. It has been more than half a month now.
After these days of rest, Vivi can now walk again.
The Purple Jade Ointment really works like Madam Yon said. After applying it, the wounds healed quickly and left no scars.
This made Vivi very happy.
After staying indoors for so many days, just as Vivi felt like she might start to get moldy, a pleasant female voice sounded outside the door.
"Malia~"
This familiar voice could only be Maid Yue, the senior maid by Madam Yon's side.
During the days Vivi was bedridden, Maid Yue took time to care for her, so they had become familiar with each other.
"Maid Yue sister, did you come to see me for something?" Vivi got up and opened the door. Maid Yue was standing in a pink maid uniform with a bright smile.
Vivi tilted her head and glanced outside. The sun was shining brightly, so Maid Yue should be working.
As Vivi wondered, Maid Yue spoke and cleared her doubt.
"Malia, good news~"
"?" Vivi blinked.
"Come, let's go inside. I will tell you slowly." Maid Yue pulled Vivi inside.
"...That's what happened." Maid Yue finished and drank the tea on the table in one gulp.
"You mean Romeo was kicked out of the house?" Vivi was surprised.
Maid Yue nodded at Vivi.
Originally, Vivi was worried that her enemy might strike back. Now that Romeo was kicked out, she could not help but feel happy. Her heart finally felt settled.
Vivi thought Madam Yon would just lightly punish Romeo because he was the steward of the outer yard.
But Madam Yon was strict in managing the house. Romeo being kicked out was his deserved punishment.
Actually, Vivi misunderstood. Madam Yon punished Romeo severely because the women of Sheng country are protected by law, and no one is allowed to falsely accuse a woman.
For the sake of the Yon family's reputation, Madam Yon kicked Romeo out. This was still considering the steward's face. Otherwise, he would have been sent to the officials.
"Malia, there is one more thing I must tell you," Maid Yue said seriously.
"What is it, Maid Yue sister?"
"Madam asked me to take you to Ning'an Residence today."
"Ning'an Residence?" Vivi had almost forgotten about this while recovering. "Wait for me to pack. I will go with you."
Maid Yue nodded and sat waiting as Vivi packed.
Maid Yue led Vivi through long corridors, past two rockeries, and through a bamboo grove until they arrived at the yard with the words "Ning'an Residence" carved on the gate.
Along the way, Vivi learned some information about the heir from Maid Yue's hints.
The heir Lucas is twenty-five years old and is the eldest son of Madam Yon and the Marquis Yon.
There is also a younger half-brother. He is Madam Yon's son with another man. This second young master often trades outside and is rarely at home.
The heir of the Yon family was gentle and modest with great talent. He had a bright future, but when he was seventeen, he was kidnapped by bandits. The Marquis Yon and Madam searched for half a month before finding him.
When found, Lucas had been locked in a water prison for several days and was barely breathing. After being rescued, he had a high fever for three days but barely survived.
Since then, his body developed problems. He is sensitive to cold and very weak, needing medicine to maintain health.
After walking through death's door, the heir's personality changed. He became cold and distant, not liking people to get close. He drove away all his former servants, keeping only six trusted guards.
Vivi felt some sympathy for Lucas but not much. Thinking about her own situation, she silently prayed for herself.
Maid Yue is the senior maid of Madam Yon. The guards at Ning'an Residence recognized her. After she briefly explained their purpose, they were allowed in.
When Vivi and Maid Yue met Lucas, he was sitting in a pavilion playing chess with his two aides. Two guards stood on each side behind him.
"Greetings, heir."
Maid Yue learned from Mingyue's example and bowed together with her to the people inside the pavilion.
The person sitting inside, hearing the sound, put down the chess piece and looked at the visitor, his brow barely furrowing. He said calmly:
"Maid Yue, what is your business here?"
"Young Master, I am ordered by Madam Yon to send the maid Malia to serve you."
After Maid Yue finished speaking, she subtly stepped aside to reveal Vivi standing behind her.
Lucas looked down at the girl who seemed only fourteen or fifteen years old. Her humble posture made it hard to read her expression. His voice was cold:
"I do not need a maid here. Take her away. As for your mother, I will send someone to speak with her myself."
Maid Yue was not in a hurry. She still smiled and said, "Young Master, Madam Yon gave me a strict order to leave Malia here today. I beg you to understand. Without Madam's order, I would never take Malia away."
Lucas stared coldly at Maid Yue, saying nothing.
Vivi felt the cold pressure from above and dared not move.
Just as she thought Lucas might lose his temper, he unexpectedly called one of the guards behind him. He whispered something and sent the guard away.
After the guard left, Lucas picked up the black and white chess pieces on both hands and continued the unfinished game.
Vivi lowered her head and quietly stood beside Maid Yue like a well-trained prop.
Not long after, the guard returned, knelt down, and whispered his report.
Lucas's face, already pale, grew even paler after hearing the guard.
He had originally sent the guard to refuse his mother's good intentions. In the past, his mother always gave in. He thought this time would be smooth too...
But this time Madam Yon was firm and would not budge. She said he was not young anymore. Boys his age from other families already had several children. She did not demand immediate marriage but thought he should start meeting girls to prepare for marriage.
Lucas sighed. It seemed his mother's attitude was determined and would not allow refusal.
He waved the guard away and turned his gaze to Maid Yue. His tone was bad as he said, "Leave the girl here. You may go."
Maid Yue relaxed after receiving the order. She quietly squeezed Vivi's hand and left.
Vivi was still thinking about Maid Yue's secret hand squeeze, as if saying, "Sisters, take care of yourselves. I'm leaving first."
Maid Yue, as the head maid, was calm and steady, not proud or rash. The secret squeeze under Lucas's eyes surprised Vivi a little.
Lucas watched Maid Yue's retreating figure and then looked at the distracted girl below the pavilion. His expression was complicated as he spoke:
"What is your name?"
Suddenly called, Vivi looked up in surprise and was stunned by the man sitting above.
He wore a plain blue robe, sitting quietly with an impressive aura. His cold and clear eyes and handsome, refined features showed noble spirit. Even his pale, sickly face could not hide his elegance.
A fragile noble young master indeed.
Realizing she had been staring, Vivi quickly lowered her head and replied, "I... I am called Malia."
Remembering Maid Yue's earlier instructions to call herself a servant, Vivi immediately corrected herself.
"Malia, huh…"
His voice was clear and pleasant like jade or stone, gently calling the name "Malia" as if whispering to a lover. Vivi's ears tingled.
"From now on, you will serve inside this courtyard. There are not many strict rules here, but you must remember two: First, do not enter my study or bedroom without my order; second, do not linger in the courtyard after dark…"
He paused, then continued,
"If you break either rule, I do not care if you are a maid sent by Madam Yon or a spy sent by anyone else, I will not allow you to stay."
Vivi answered quietly, "Yes."
Seeing the girl obediently agree, Lucas was somewhat pleased. He raised his hand to call a guard to take her away to settle in.
Vivi followed the guard away, turning back for one last glance at the pavilion growing more distant, thinking to herself that this young master was truly as distant from others as Maid Yue had said.