"We'll see our guests off ourselves. We've truly neglected you these past few days."
Once Xu Yue had stayed long enough and announced his intention to leave, A Zhu and A Bi decided to personally row them away as a sign of respect.
As chief maids, they held no lowly status at Swallow's Nest.
"Then we'll trouble you two."
Xu Yue did not refuse such a courtesy. He boarded with Little Dezzi and Mu Wanqing, while Chen Youdao, Jiumozhi, and Duan Yu followed close behind.
However, Xu Yue soon realized that this courtesy probably was not meant for him.
Because halfway through the journey, the boat suddenly began to leak without any warning.
Even Xu Yue was left momentarily stunned by the crack leaking water, before he heard A Zhu's apologetic voice.
"I'm terribly sorry. We didn't consider this carefully enough. We never expected this to happen even after an inspection. We can only dock at my cousin's home and make repairs first. But my aunt has quite a temper, so I hope you can all bear with her."
"It's nothing. This has nothing to do with you."
Before Little Dezzi, Jiumozhi, and Chen Youdao—the three lackeys—could flare up, Xu Yue spoke first and settled the matter. Their faces, which had been about to twist in fury, swiftly regained their composure, becoming the picture of serene kindness.
"Misfortune may fall from the sky, and fortune and disaster may come overnight. Naturally, this matter has nothing to do with you two, female benefactors."
"Precisely, precisely."
"Then we must trouble Madam Wang as well."
And so, amid this harmonious atmosphere, the little boat paid a visit to Mantuo Villa...
The Wangs of Mantuo Villa and the Murongs were cousins by marriage. They could both be considered dominant powers around Taihu Lake.
They