Chapter 49: Stirring Up Trouble

“A’Yang!” Chi Mei’s dark eyes were bright as glass, a smile spreading from the corners of his mouth. At her call, his proper and obedient sitting posture automatically melted into a puddle, clinging to her: “A’Yang, can I open it?”

Jiang Yang nodded: “Go ahead.”

She couldn’t refuse her elder sister’s husband’s gift.

Chi Mei tore open the colorful paper wrapped around the box like a house-wrecking husky. Shreds of paper scattered on the ground, revealing the gifts inside. Fish like shiny things, and among them, a glass cup and a string of blood-red coral beads were Chi Mei’s favorites.

He put the red coral beads on his wrist, raised his arm in front of Jiang Yang, and asked with a smile: “A’Yang, does it look good on me?”

Jiang Yang nodded: “It looks good.” The bright red color like drops of blood made his wrist appear as white as snow. Most men in the matriarchal country had delicate skin, but almost no man could be as flawless as Chi Mei. Ocean creatures were indeed different.

Chi Mei covered Jiang Yang’s hand with his own, resting his head on her shoulder, feeling an unprecedented sense of security. He said softly: “My tribe members and Chun Jian all told me that the land was scary, but by A’Yang’s side, I feel that life on land is even better, even happier than in the sea.”

Happy? Jiang Yang was momentarily lost in thought. A small fish that used to swim freely in the sea suddenly leaped into a square courtyard. Although there were fine clothes and jade food piled up to keep him warm, he couldn’t go anywhere except the small Hui Xue Residence. And he still felt happy like this? What a silly, easily satisfied fish prince.

Jiang Yang turned her head slightly, looking at the satisfaction and happiness in his expression. Her gaze softened as well, holding his hand back, their fingers tightly intertwined. She recalled everything they had experienced from their first meeting until now. Although she was affectionate everywhere, it was extremely difficult for her to truly fall for anyone, because in Jiang Yang’s subconscious, she was a passerby in this world. But Chi Mei’s appearance broke this situation. His violent intimacy and sincere love made her both flustered and fond, and gradually she fell into it.

—

“What? Yang’er took in a private attendant, and I didn’t know about it!” Liu shi slammed her teacup on the table with a bang.

Zhang papa, who had served Liu shi for many years, said in a low voice: “It’s been some time already. I guess the second young lady knew you were taking medicine to regulate your body during this period, and feared you would be angry if you knew, so she hid it from our courtyard.”

Liu shi snorted coldly with raised eyebrows: “She still knows that I, as her father, would be angry? … What’s the background of this attendant?”

Qin shi said submissively: “In response to father’s question, that attendant is named Chi Mei. He has no background, just a poor origin. He was originally a book attendant in our mansion’s Fuchen Pavilion, and only caught second sister’s eye and was promoted to her chambers… But I heard that when second sister first met him, he was being bullied by several eunuchs from Hui Xue Residence. Second sister, in a fit of anger for her male companion, dismissed all those eunuchs.”

Zhang papa glanced at the eldest son-in-law Qin shi sitting below, somewhat confused. The eldest son-in-law had always been steady and proper, why was he so unusually stirring up trouble today, even willing to come to the master’s courtyard to cause problems?

“Hmph, truly a source of trouble. Just entered Hui Xue Residence and already made Yang’er’s household restless!” Liu shi’s face darkened. After a moment of silence, she stood up and adjusted her magnificent clothes: “I want to see just how attractive this troublemaker is, to make Yang’er so fond of him.”

Liu shi stormed out, with Zhang papa running up to stop her.

“Master! Master!” Zhang papa stopped her and said: “Master, don’t be hasty. It’s just a private attendant after all, why are you angry? Besides, didn’t you say before that the second young lady was always lingering in brothels, but had no men in her house, and you were arranging to bring in a handsome attendant for her to keep her from always going out? Now that the second young lady has chosen one herself, why are you unhappy?”

Liu shi said: “I’m not angry about that. If Yang’er simply took in an attendant she likes to keep at home, I would naturally be happy. But did you hear what Qin shi said just now? That Chi Mei, before even entering Hui Xue Residence, already caused a bloody storm there. After being promoted to her chambers, he has bewitched my Yang’er to the point where she doesn’t know north from south, wanting him to serve her in everything. How can this be allowed!”

In Liu shi’s eyes, it didn’t matter if Jiang Yang took in an attendant, after all, these men were meant to serve women. But if Jiang Yang took in a Daji and was bewitched to the point of confusion, that wouldn’t do! She must go and have a good look. If Chi Mei was really as unruly as the rumors said, even if it meant becoming estranged from Jiang Yang, she would have to drag Chi Mei out and beat him to death!

Liu shi entered Hui Xue Residence unimpeded. The servants of Hui Xue Residence saw the master come and all paid their respects, but Liu shi didn’t even raise an eyelid, directly barging into Jiang Yang’s room. Fortunately, the commotion in the courtyard was heard by Xian Qi, who immediately ran in to report.

Jiang Yang was not surprised by Liu shi’s arrival. She knew there would be such a day, so she had Xian Qi remove Chi Mei’s bowl and chopsticks. She pulled Chi Mei’s hand and said: “Do you remember what I taught you before?”

Chi Mei nodded firmly: “I remember. A’Yang, don’t worry, I will make your father like me.”

Jiang Yang knew that Chi Mei’s little head couldn’t learn the flattery and fawning of other attendants, and sometimes the words he said might even offend people. Therefore, the routine she taught Chi Mei was just one move: don’t speak, and if you do speak, just say “Ah, yes, yes, yes.”

After all, in Liu shi’s eyes, it didn’t matter if an attendant had brains or not, what mattered most was that he should be docile.

Liu shi pushed the door open without even a greeting, originally intending to catch evidence of Chi Mei being arrogant due to Jiang Yang’s favor. Many favored attendants tried to eat at the same table as their masters in their own courtyards. But as soon as she entered, she saw that only her daughter was still sitting at the dining table, with an extremely beautiful man standing beside her, serving her food.

Seeing Liu shi come in, Jiang Yang said in surprise: “Father, why have you come?”

Hearing Jiang Yang’s address, that extremely beautiful man immediately knelt down to pay his respects to her. He didn’t say a word throughout, but did everything he should, with impeccable etiquette and quite good manners, respectful and gentle.

Liu shi coughed awkwardly and pointed at the man on the ground, asking: “Why haven’t I seen this person before?”

Jiang Yang smiled and said: “This is the private attendant I took in before. Because his status was too lowly, and father was taking medicine to nourish your body during that time, your daughter didn’t tell you.”

Liu shi pretended to suddenly understand: “Oh, so that’s how it is.” Liu shi sat down beside Jiang Yang, looked around the table, and seeing that there was indeed only one pair of bowls and chopsticks for Jiang Yang, she finally felt at ease. She said to Chi Mei: “I haven’t seen this child before, come forward and let me have a look.”