Chapter Thirty-Two: The Human Heart

Although Xu Ruo Jin was not a malicious person, her kindness was not something she extended to everyone indiscriminately.

Though Chun Cao hadn’t served at her side for long, Xu Ruo Jin could sense the girl’s sincere care and diligent nature. But as for Liu Cui, she had only seen her briefly that morning, exchanging barely a few words—what need was there to take her in? Besides, Liu Cui’s haggard appearance might have aroused concern out on the street, perhaps prompting people to think she’d suffered some misfortune. But this was the Xu household; there were few who’d dare treat Liu Cui with such cruelty—most likely, it was Madam Yang’s doing.

Kneeling on the ground, Liu Cui wept and refused to rise. Chun Cao, seeing Xu Ruo Jin frown in silence, stepped closer and hurriedly explained the situation.

It seemed Madam Yang had long wished to rid herself of Liu Cui. After sending off Madam Fang, Liu Cui had returned to her courtyard, where she happened upon Li Qiu Ping. A thought struck Madam Yang, and she assigned Liu Cui to serve the eldest young mistress.

Resentment welled in Li Qiu Ping’s heart. It was obvious that her mother-in-law did not want Liu Cui parading herself before the master, so why send the girl to her? She was with child—how could she allow a pretty maid to slip into her husband’s path? Taking Liu Cui back with her, Li Qiu Ping immediately began to pick faults, and when Liu Cui asked whether she should prepare dishes for the eldest young master’s supper, Li Qiu Ping lost her temper.

Words like “tramp” and “harlot” were the mildest she used. As her fury grew, she struck Liu Cui.

Madam Huang heard the news, but knowing the lady of the house did not want Liu Cui back in the main residence, and with the eldest young mistress unwilling to keep her, there was no place left for Liu Cui but the courts of herself or Xu Zi Mo. Yet the lady valued those who served the third young master above all. So Madam Huang sent Liu Cui to plead with the second young lady—if even she would not accept her, Liu Cui might as well end her life.

As Chun Cao recounted Liu Cui’s troubles, her own heart softened. Having been sold from house to house since childhood, serving countless masters, she had witnessed her share of such misfortunes. The fate of the rabbit evoking sorrow in the fox, Chun Cao’s eyes brimmed with tears.

Xu Ruo Jin found herself at a loss for words. She had not expected the blow to come from Li Qiu Ping, not Madam Yang. Her eldest sister-in-law’s temper was even fiercer and her mind narrower than Madam Yang’s; with Liu Cui’s beauty and capability, it was no wonder jealousy flared. How could she allow her brother to take advantage?

Yet, what reason did she have to take in Liu Cui herself?

After all, it was Madam Huang who suggested Liu Cui come to her, not a directive from Madam Yang. And Liu Cui had only sought her out as a last resort—who could say if she truly wished it in her heart?

“Take her to wash her face first,” Xu Ruo Jin said calmly, needing time to consider what to do.

Chun Cao moved to help, but Liu Cui refused to rise. “If the second young lady won’t take me in, then I won’t get up. I have no ulterior motives; I only wish to serve my mistress faithfully. I beg you, please let me stay.”

“Your pleas are wasted on me,” Xu Ruo Jin replied, cutting off Liu Cui’s anxious explanations. “You must convince my mother, and ensure my sister-in-law does not object. There is no shortage of maids in our house—why do you suppose my mother singles you out for blame?”

She spoke plainly, not giving Liu Cui a chance to defend herself. “You needn’t explain further. I cannot take someone at their word alone. I admit I am short-handed, but I’m not eager to bring myself trouble.”

Chun Cao interjected, “Second young lady, Liu Cui truly has a good heart…”

“Take her to wash up, I’ll think on it,” Xu Ruo Jin’s tone brokered no argument. Liu Cui’s face went blank, her eyes dull, as if all hope had deserted her. Chun Cao hurried to help her up, coaxing and half-dragging her to clean herself up and settle in.

Xu Ruo Jin sighed deeply. Why did every problem find its way to her? Was there no respite?

Her mind drifted to Madam Huang’s role in this. Shouldn’t Madam Huang have reported the matter to Madam Yang? Why send Liu Cui to her instead? Was she testing whether Xu Ruo Jin’s heart was truly so soft? Or did she simply wish to stir up trouble under the guise of concern?

Xu Ruo Jin rubbed her brow, eyes closed, pondering the matter. A short while later, Chun Cao returned with Liu Cui. Her hair was now neatly arranged; though her eyes remained swollen from crying, the earlier disarray had faded, revealing a clever-looking girl.

Xu Ruo Jin signaled Chun Cao to leave. Chun Cao slipped quietly outside to keep watch at the door.

After a long silence, Xu Ruo Jin finally spoke. “Still feeling wronged? In truth, everyone in this world has their burdens—my mother, my sister-in-law, even myself. If one lacks the courage to end it all in a single stroke, then one might as well live cheerfully, determine what kind of life one desires, and what kind of life one can actually lead. Don’t you agree?”

Xu Ruo Jin’s words made Liu Cui’s lips tremble. “Second young lady is right. I overestimated myself.”

“It’s only natural to be resented when you are both clever and pretty,” Xu Ruo Jin said, her gaze fixed upon her.

“Can you truly say you never wished to rise above your station? Whether you served my father or my brother, you might have hoped to change your fate as a bondservant…”

“I swear I never did. If I ever harbored such thoughts, may heaven strike me down!” Liu Cui’s face twisted with desperation. “I am nothing but a servant. I do as I’m told, never daring to refuse. The lady resents me only because… because the master has lately called upon me for tasks by name, but I have never once sought to behave shamefully.”

“But now you’ve been cast out by my sister-in-law. Your name can never be truly cleared. If I go to my mother and ask for you to serve at my side, I’ll be the one facing her wrath,” Xu Ruo Jin said helplessly.

It had taken her a long moment to see the truth. If she had truly wanted Liu Cui to stay with her, she could have said so plainly that morning. Why the need for subterfuge, assigning her instead to serve Madam Fang?

Her sister-in-law’s temperament was no secret to Madam Yang. Sending Liu Cui to her meant one of two things: either Liu Cui would be kept and passed to her brother, relieving Madam Yang’s worries, or she would be beaten and cast out, with Madam Huang then pointing her toward Xu Ruo Jin, hoping her soft heart would prompt her to petition Madam Yang, who would then seize the chance to heap scorn upon her.

Why had Liu Cui been driven out? Because she’d been branded a scheming temptress. If Xu Ruo Jin were to marry into the Zhang family—a family of strict propriety—taking such a maid would bring nothing but disgrace. More than that, having just engaged a highly esteemed matron to instruct her in proper conduct, she would be bold indeed to march before Madam Yang and request a maid. Was she so reckless?

Once, Madam Yang had berated her without restraint, but times had changed. Her father had returned from the capital; though he cared little for the inner household, he would not tolerate Madam Yang’s unchecked cruelty. Moreover, with her engagement to the Zhang family now officially underway, Madam Yang would need an impeccable reason to scold her—and what excuse could be more fitting than Liu Cui?

No matter the outcome, Liu Cui was swept from Madam Yang’s sight. Whether Xu Ruo Jin would end up the target of that anger was left to fate.

She had thought herself fortunate that Madam Yang had left her in peace these past days, never suspecting this was the trap laid for her.

How could people's hearts be so twisted?