Never Came

Dianjiang was only twelve years old and was born into a family. Her mother was a cook in the kitchen, and her father was a minor steward in charge of flowers and trees. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to become a third-class maidservant by Xu Xi's side. Serving the young lady meant easy promotions, frequent rewards, and the work wasn't tiring. It was much better than being a lowly maidservant elsewhere, and it was a highly sought-after job.

The newcomers discovered that Xu Xi was not a good-tempered person. Although she had never beaten or scolded the servants, she dared to confront the old lady and the madam head-on. Therefore Dianjiang always acted with trepidation.

The situation with Yicui is similar to that of Dianjiang.

"Just eating steamed buns isn't enough. I've also had quite a few snacks, so I'm not hungry. Let's split this food in half."

Xu Xi spoke, he walked to the table, picked out some food, set aside half of each dish for Dianjiang, and then took half a bowl of rice for himself and ate it with pickled vegetables and greens.

Dianjiang's mother couldn't give her daughter special treatment in terms of food, so she could only give her a generous portion. So although the food wasn't very good, the portion was plentiful. It was more than enough for the two girls who had already eaten a little.

"No, no, no, how could I share this with you, Miss? As long as you don't mind, there's no need to save any for me," Dianjiang quickly waved her hand.

"Anyway, this is all I can eat. If you don't eat the rest, it'll just have to go to waste," Xu Xi said.

Dianjiang had no choice but to remain silent.

"Miss..." Qingfeng's eyes suddenly reddened.

Xu Xi, with one cheek puffed out, looked at Qingfeng in surprise. "What's wrong?"

"Please eat slowly, young lady. I haven't brought your food yet. I'll go and get it for you right away." Qingfeng wiped away her tears and was about to leave.

She was a first-class maid, and the food she received was better than that of Dianjiang; at least one of the dishes would be meat, and the vegetables would be more oily.

"Don't bother, really, it's not necessary." Xu Xi stopped her. "Didn't I just have some pastries at the old lady's? I really don't have an appetite right now."

Then she waved her hand, "Alright, don't stay here, go and eat. Dianjiang here will do."

Because there were few servants, they took turns eating and bathing. Qingfeng and Dianjiang were in one group, while Matron Yuan and Yicui were in another. Logically, Qingfeng and Dianjiang had to wait for Matron Yuan and Yicui to finish eating and take over their shifts before they could eat.

Qingfeng only wanted to bring Xu Xi some good food, but seeing that Xu Xi showed no sign of stopping, she figured that by the time she brought the food back, Xu Xi would already be full. So she had no choice but to stop.

Xu Xi knew there might be trouble soon, so she ate very quickly and finished in no time.

She placed the bowl on the table and instructed Dianjiang, "Clean up." She added, "Go back to your room to eat; Qingfeng is fine here."

Dianjiang was about to say something, she heard a voice outside. "Fifth Sister, are you inside?"

Recognizing Zhao Rurui's voice, Xu Xi was extremely glad she had eaten quickly. She waved to Dianjiang and said, "Leave it for now, we'll clean it up later." She winked at Qingfeng and asked, "Who is it?"

Dianjiang's expression changed as she thought about the scene from last night, and she instinctively reached out to clear the table. But remembering Xu Xi's instructions, she hesitantly withdrew her hand.

Qingfeng had already gone out to greet them, Xu Xi also walked to the door as a formality, only to see Zhao Rurui already inside.

"What are you doing, little sister? Father and Mother are waiting for you to eat," Zhao Rurui said, then turned to scold Qingfeng, "The young lady has just returned and doesn't know the rules of the manor. Qingfeng, why didn't you remind her?"

"She reminded me, but I didn't go on my own," Xu Xi said calmly. "Go back and tell the Second Master and Second Madam that I've already eaten. Don't wait for me anymore; my school dismissal time is unpredictable, and I might not make it in time for the Second Household's meals. It's better for me to eat by myself."

"Fifth sister..." Zhao Rurui frowned, about to speak.

Xu Xi interrupted her, "Fourth Sister, you don't need to lecture me. Just go and report to the Second Madam."

Zhao Rurui choked, and the expression on her face immediately darkened.

"Hmph, like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, not recognizing a kind heart." She snorted and turned to leave.

Qingfeng looked at Xu Xi, waiting for her instructions.

"Qingfeng, could you see Fourth Miss off for me?" Xu Xi said, turning around and going back into the house to sit down.

Qingfeng quickly went out and saw Zhao Rurui to the door.

Seeing Dianjiang come out after clearing away the dishes, she hesitated for a moment, then went over and whispered, "Put the food down for now, and go check at the door. The Second Madam or Matron Li might be coming soon. When they arrive, come back and let them know."

"Yes." Dianjiang nodded nervously.

Qingfeng returned to the house, looked at Xu Xi, and hesitated to speak.

"Do you think I've been rude to Fourth Miss and made enemies everywhere?" Xu Xi asked, explaining before Qingfeng could speak, "If it were someone else, like Third Miss, I certainly wouldn't have treated her this way. Fourth Miss has no goodwill towards me, so this is the only way I can treat her."

"Miss, I understand," Qingfeng said.

When Zhao Rurui returned, she told Xu Xi what he had said, adding, "When I went there, I saw empty bowls in the room, so it's clear that Fifth Sister really ate." Although she didn't dare to distort the truth or exaggerate, she could still add some embellishment.

Enraged, Lady Wei stood up abruptly and stormed out.

"Madam..." Matron Li wanted to dissuade her, but it was too late; she could only chase after her.

Dianjiang was also quick-witted. Instead of waiting outside the Tea Tasting Residence, she went to the path in front. When she saw Lady Wei coming, she quickly returned from the path and reported to Xu Xi.

Xu Xi knew that things wouldn't end well tonight when she didn't go to the second room for dinner, so she was prepared.

"When they arrive, don't stop them. Just go and inform the old lady," Xu Xi said.

Living close to the old lady has this advantage.

The two agreed, Qingfeng said to Dianjiang, "You'll have to stand in front of them and make sure no one hits the young lady. I'll go and inform the old lady."

Dianjiang went, she probably wouldn't even be able to get into the courtyard. But Qingfeng was originally a second-class maid in the old lady's courtyard, so she knew the place well. If she went to report, not only would she have no trouble getting through to the gatekeeper, but she would also be easy to talk to the old lady.

Although Dianjiang was nervous, she still nodded with a resolute expression.

The three of them stood ready, but after waiting and waiting, neither Lady Wei nor Matron Li came in.

Xu Xi and Qingfeng both looked at Dianjiang.

"This servant really saw the Second Madam and Matron Li coming this way, followed by a little maid." Dianjiang was so anxious that she was almost crying.

The girl asked her to do something the first time, and she failed miserably. What if she doesn't want her anymore?

"Don't worry, it's alright," Xu Xi comforted gently, then thought for a moment and smiled, "Maybe she went to see the old lady."

She had barely finished speaking when Daimao's voice came from outside the door, "Fifth Miss."