The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 29 - Bribery

Today, Old Lady Song's expression did not escape Huang Yao's notice. Upon hearing these words, her face turned pale, and she struggled to articulate her thoughts, constantly bowing and begging Song Chuyi for help.

The disparity between being a second-class maid by the young ladies' side and being relegated to a rough servant was stark. Even Huang Yao, however foolish, understood that Old Lady Song had made a decision, and the Second Lady likely wouldn't be able to bring her back to Song Chuyi's side as a second-class maid again.

If she could no longer serve beside Song Chuyi, then the benefits promised by Second Lady would be entirely in vain. Her elder brother's position and her future prospects would all vanish.

This realization made her cry even harder.

Song Chuyi shook her head with a pained expression, seemingly reluctant: "Please don't cry. Once Old Lady Song makes a decision, even the First Lady wouldn't dare go against it, let alone me. Even if I wanted to plead for you, it would probably be useless."

Huang Yao heard a glimmer of hope in these words and reached out to grab Song Chuyi's leg. "Miss, we grew up together! I will always be by your side! Please don't abandon me..."

Song Chuyi bent down to help her up again, biting her lip as she said, "I know your worth. But you also understand, that I just moved in today. How could I keep bothering Grandmother again and again? Besides, my words might not even matter."

Huang Yao's mind was a jumbled mess, and she couldn't help but cry again. "What should I do then?"

"There's still a way," Song Chuyi seemed genuinely reluctant, taking a deep breath before continuing, "You can try asking Sister Yushu for help."

At the mention of Yushu, Huang Yao immediately stopped crying and stared at Song Chuyi in shock.

Yushu was a favored maid beside Old Lady Song, enjoying considerable influence in the household, and even the ladies would give her some respect. She often managed to speak well of others in front of Old Lady Song.

It appeared that Song Chuyi was sincerely looking out for her, but Huang Yao hesitated and sniffed, "But... I'm so insignificant; why would Sister Yushu help me?"

As she spoke, her lips quivered, threatening to burst into tears again.

Song Chuyi rubbed her forehead and thought for a moment before saying, "Then say it's from me, asking her to help you and say a few good words for you in front of Old Lady Song."

Originally, Huang Yao had planned to ask Yushu for help in this way. Now that Song Chuyi suggested it, she felt elated and bowed her head to Song Chuyi multiple times in gratitude.

Song Chuyi glanced outside at the sky and lifted her chin to indicate Huang Yao, "If you're going to go, hurry up. If it gets late and it's time for Sister Yushu to settle in for the night, she won't have time to attend to you."

Huang Yao was even more anxious than Song Chuyi. Since Old Lady Song had already spoken about sending her away, she would certainly mention it to the First Lady tomorrow morning.

She could only seize the opportunity to plead with Yushu.

In her haste, she rushed to the main courtyard, forgetting to even consult Nanny Wang about it.

Yushu initially didn't have time to see Huang Yao, a little maid who had just made a mistake, but when she thought about how Huang Yao was Song Chuyi's maid and they would have future dealings, she allowed the little maid to enter.

"Speak quickly," Yushu said. Although she was usually very friendly, she was not one to be trifled with. Seeing Huang Yao's tearful expression, she frowned slightly. "I'm on duty tonight, and I came here on borrowed time. If you waste my time and cause me to be punished, I won't let this go."

Huang Yao dared not play any tricks in front of Yushu and immediately dropped to her knees on the cold floor, knocking her head on the ground repeatedly. "Sister Yushu, I beg you to save me!"

Yushu hadn't expected her to kneel so suddenly. She was taken aback for a moment before frowning in displeasure. "What are you doing?!"

The regulations in the Manor were strict. Even though there were different ranks among maids, whether first or third class, they were all considered equals. Usually, they only exchanged formal courtesies, and it was unheard of for a lower-ranked maid to kneel before a higher-ranked one.

Now that Huang Yao had knelt without hesitation, Yushu wasn't pleased. In fact, she became more cautious rather than flattered.

Seeing Yushu's sudden stern expression, Huang Yao panicked even more, and any lingering doubts she had were instantly dispelled.

Yushu was the most trusted maid beside Old Lady Song, a barometer of the matriarch's mood. Yushu's reaction now confirmed that Old Lady Song truly intended to send her away.

Tears streamed down Huang Yao's face as she clutched Yushu's skirt, refusing to let go. She cried pitifully for a long time, nearly testing Yushu's patience to its limit, before finally sobbing out, "Sister Yushu, I really didn't mean to break Sixth Miss's inkstone in Old Lady Song's room today. Please, could you plead with her for me... I'll never make such a mistake again. I'll be a proper maid to Sixth Miss from now on..."

Yushu finally understood the situation and found it amusing. She was about to speak when she saw Huang Yao pull out a white jade bracelet with twisted three-ring carvings from her sleeve.

"What are you doing?" Yushu immediately recognized the jade bracelet as an exquisite item, clearly not something a maid could possess. Suspicion began to arise within her.

Huang Yao eagerly tried to slip the bracelet into Yushu's hand, holding on tightly as if afraid Yushu might push it away.

"Sister Yushu, please speak on my behalf with Old Lady Song..." Huang Yao's eyes brimmed with hope as she gritted her teeth and promised, "If I can continue serving Sixth Miss, I will definitely honor you in the future!"

The bracelet, with its translucent jade, fine carving, and smooth texture, was clearly a valuable item.

Yushu's initial intent to refuse suddenly wavered. She slipped the bracelet into her sleeve and nodded at Huang Yao. "Go back. I will speak with Old Lady Song on your behalf."

Hearing these words was like heavenly music to Huang Yao's ears. Her heart, which had been in her throat, finally settled back into her chest. She babbled excitedly, thanking Yushu profusely as she left, praising her endlessly.

Yushu listened quietly, no longer showing the impatience she had at the beginning.

Once Huang Yao had said enough, Yushu smiled again and said, "I should return to serve Old Lady Song now. I've been out for a while, and if she asks, it will be hard to explain. As for your matter, I'll speak with her."

Overjoyed, Huang Yao nodded continuously, respectfully seeing Yushu out the door before sneaking back to the side room.

Clutching her rapidly beating chest, she excitedly told Qingtao about Yushu agreeing to help her—though she kept the detail of giving Yushu the twisted three-ring white jade bracelet to herself.

Even so, Qingtao was horrified, her face ashen, and cold sweat drenched her back.

If things were really as she suspected, then Sixth Miss's schemes were truly unfathomable... Qingtao wanted to warn Huang Yao, but when she remembered Song Chuyi's chilling, penetrating gaze, she didn't dare utter a single word.