Wutongyuan, main hall
Xu Xiao had been about to knock, but then he remembered that this time he needed to take two maids and Jiang Ni away from Wutongyuan. Xu Fengnian might fly into a rage.
So he lowered his hand. But then he thought that was too humiliating, and hurriedly turned to the steward. "Is he still asleep?"
The steward nodded and replied respectfully, "The Young Prince is inside keeping him company."
Hearing this, Xu Xiao realized Xu Fengnian probably wasn't asleep. He quickly straightened his clothes, then asked the steward, "Do I look presentable?"
The steward gave him a careful once-over before replying with a straight face, "If you don't look too closely, you can't tell."
Xu Xiao understood the implication: that he didn't look presentable. But he wasn't angry. Instead, he said sternly, "What do you mean, 'if you don't look too closely'? You know who we're dealing with. He's picky, too. Quick, quick, have them straighten me up!"
The steward hurriedly sent two maids to tidy Xu Xiao's clothes, then stood by with a solemn expression, as if it were a matter of great importance.
The two maids worked with trembling hands. Xu Xiao frowned and asked, "Why do I see so many unfamiliar faces? Go over the household rules with them again."
The steward nodded and, still looking serious, said, "All of you, listen up. When the Prince visits the Heir Apparent, stay sharp. Even if the Prince gets beaten to death, you're all to pretend you saw nothing!"
The maids in the courtyard were baffled. They hadn't expected this to be one of the household rules, and wondered if they'd heard it wrong.
Xu Xiao saw the servants' doubtful expressions and said sternly, "You must remember this rule!"
The maids and servants in the