After fleeing the mansion, Ruthis was resettled by the City Lord in a residence near the coast. It had gone years without repairs and was rather dilapidated and neglected. Nan Jiaxi, who had mostly recovered from his serious illness, rolled up his sleeves and began cleaning with several servants.
He was young and adorable, with large, pale green eyes and long, curling lashes. His slightly curly hair was tied loosely behind him, and faint blue veins showed on hands so pale they were almost translucent.
Seeing how much he resembled a young nobleman, how could the other servants possibly let him clean the rooms? What if he was the Mansion Lord's playful son or younger brother?
So at first, the servants resisted. In twos and threes, they tried to persuade Nan Jiaxi. "Young master, just leave this to us. Why don't you... why don't you rest over there?"
Nan Jiaxi, a servant himself, did not quite understand the customs here in Great Chu. But he knew his prince liked clean, comfortable rooms, so he smiled, his eyes curving into crescents, and told the servants:
"It's all right. I'll clean the pri- the Mansion Lord's room. I've always been responsible for it."
He spoke frankly, putting extra emphasis on that last sentence for fear someone might steal his work.
The servants exchanged glances and immediately understood that this young nobleman lookalike was the Mansion Lord's personal attendant, someone who had always stayed by his side. Though he was also a servant, the difference in their standing was instantly apparent.
"All right."
The servants stopped trying to dissuade Nan Jiaxi and thoughtfully handed him a cleaning rag and a bucket instead.
Nan Jiaxi was in high spirits. Humming a tuneless song, he carried one item in each hand to the main room,