The next day, willow trees were still budding, and specks of green adorned Gu City from north to south, but the peach blossoms had already withered.
Ning Yue stepped on the fallen peach petals, facing the setting sun, and headed east.
Xue Zige had already sent word that the mansion's arrangements were complete, and servants and maids had all been found.
Ning Yue was overjoyed by his move!
He was getting closer and closer to his dream!
Humming a tune, Ning Yue arrived empty-handed at the entrance of a mansion.
Although it was only a two-courtyard house, it had a front antechamber, a back garden, side rooms, and a study, all fully equipped. A pair of half-human-tall stone lions at the entrance, solemn in expression, guarded the house and warded off disaster, symbolizing peace and well-being.
The two vermilion-painted gates, over three meters high, were a festive yet dignified red, with two gilded beast-head rings hanging on either side, making the mansion appear grand and extraordinary.
Passing through the main gate and turning past the screen, it was like entering a different world.
The front courtyard was spacious, with a small bridge over flowing water, fish playing, and a myriad of flowers blooming in vibrant competition, scattered artfully throughout the garden.
The gentle gurgle of spring water filled his ears, and the fresh scent of plants filled his nostrils. Ning Yue couldn't help but sigh, a noble family's direct daughter indeed had an extraordinary touch.
Stepping past the main hall, he found Xue Zige waiting in the covered walkway of the back garden. Her elegant long dress accentuated her slender figure, like a plum or bamboo. As she sat gracefully in the courtyard, all the flowers in the room seemed to lose their beauty.
Seeing Ning Yue, Xue Zige's face lit up with joy, and she eagerly approached him.
Ning Yue hadn't expected this noble family's direct daughter to still be personally waiting for him so late, and he felt genuinely touched.
So, he cupped his hands in a bow and said, "I didn't expect you, little sister, to be waiting here personally. Ning Yue is late."
Bi Tao, a young maid nearby, pouted when she heard this and said, "You should know, Ning Gongzi, that every courtyard layout in this mansion, and all the furnishings and furniture in the rooms, were personally chosen by our young lady."
"Even the flowers, plants, and fish in this courtyard have their own specific arrangements. Ning Gongzi is truly blessed, but our young lady has become quite thin."
"Go, you little chatterbox!" Xue Zige scolded, then turned to Ning Yue and said, "Brother Yue is busy. These trivial household matters were merely something Zige did on the side; it didn't take much thought."
Ning Yue looked at the beautiful woman before him, with her ethereal charm, bright eyes, and pearly teeth. Her gentle smile now was so captivating that it made one utterly charmed.
So, playful words flowed from his mouth: "Little sister, I haven't seen you in a while, and you have indeed become quite thin, but your captivating beauty hasn't diminished in the slightest. It seems heaven truly favors you, allowing you to be uniquely splendid in this world!"
"If other women were to see you, they would likely resent the unfairness of the heavens."
"Hehehe..."
Xue Zige pursed her lips and secretly chuckled. Before she could speak, Bi Tao beside her burst into laughter.
Ning Yue had a whole basket of such playful words. He was always skilled at things that brought benefit without cost.
And Xue Zige, delighted by the praise, said, "Brother Yue can look around the mansion first. If there's anything you don't like, little sister can send someone to change it."
"Then I shall trouble you, little sister."
Following behind Xue Zige, the two entered the room together.
Inside, the book chests and tables were all complete. Even the toiletries, bedding, and covers in the bedroom were properly arranged, and Ning Yue's daily clothes were also prepared.
With just a glance, Ning Yue could tell that the cost was considerable.
Not to mention the entire set of carved rosewood chairs with intricate patterns in the main hall, the hollowed-out screen with gilded rivers and mountains, the Putian Shoushan stone, the purple-gold Xuande incense burner, and the red coral tree ornament—each item made Ning Yue's eyes glaze over.
He thought, if he sold all these, he might even be able to attempt breaking through to the Forging Bone Realm.
Xue Zige seemed to have read Ning Yue's mind, and she was clearly aware of his reputation, so she said, "Brother Yue, all the furnishings in this room were arranged according to my own preferences. If you don't like them, little sister can have someone take them away, but please don't damage them, okay?"
Ning Yue: "......"
He turned his head and looked at this 'good little sister' before him, her face a half-smile, her words soft yet sharp. He could only secretly praise her high caliber and her ability to manage a household.
Having seen all the arrangements, Ning Yue praised them effusively, but secretly anticipated the next part of the process.
When they returned to the main hall, Xue Zige called for a maid, who brought over a dozen servants and maids.
The servants stood in front, the maids behind, forming two rows. Each held their breath, heads bowed, not daring to even breathe loudly.
Xue Zige and Ning Yue sat on either side of the sandalwood chair. Bi Tao said, "These are all people little sister took the liberty of carefully selecting for brother. The servants are honest and reliable, and the maids are discreet and polite. Is brother satisfied?"
Ning Yue rubbed his hands, then involuntarily picked up his teacup and took a light sip. The aroma was very pleasant.
The hateful feudalism made him unconsciously feel a sense of superiority, like a master.
"Look up." Ning Yue stretched his neck.
Upon hearing this, the four maids raised their heads, but their eyes only dared to fix on their feet, not daring to meet the gaze of the noble person.
"Pfft!" A mouthful of tea sprayed from Ning Yue's mouth, drenching all four of them!
Immediately, the room was filled with the aroma of tea, and the steaming heat blurred Ning Yue's vision.
Ning Yue stared blankly ahead. One maid had a face as dark as charcoal, another's face was covered in freckles like a starry sky, one had a birthmark on her left cheek as red as fire, and another had a black mole on her chin like a fly...
Ning Yue's hand unconsciously waved forward, "Change them!"
Xue Zige looked over with a hint of resentment.
Bi Tao, on the other hand, pursed her lips and turned her face away.
Her young lady's move made her exclaim 'brilliant'!
"Brother Yue doesn't like them? Then Zige will change them. Alas! It's a pity they've just come from their impoverished homes, and in a blink of an eye, they'll have to return to those hateful human traffickers. Who knows how much suffering they'll endure later."
How else could they be tormented? Was there any room left for torment? Ning Yue was extremely confused!
If these maids hadn't been 'carefully selected' by Xue Zige, it would have been difficult to gather such a complete set.
If these people were in his previous life, as soon as the private room door opened, they would probably be greeted with a wine bottle. Those rich big brothers wouldn't tolerate it; they'd be lucky if they escaped unharmed!
So Ning Yue could only subtly and quietly suggest, "When choosing maids, one shouldn't only look at their virtue. Forgive my words, brother, but if these few were to be brought into the mansion, I'm afraid I'd dream—"
Unexpectedly, Xue Zige interrupted Ning Yue with a surprised look, saying, "Brother Yue agreed to let them into the mansion! I knew Brother Yue is handsome and kind-hearted, and couldn't bear to see them destitute!"
"I—" Ning Yue quickly stood up, wanting to correct her.
But Xue Zige waved her hand and said, "That's enough, all of you may leave. From now on, work diligently and meticulously. Brother Yue is generous, and he won't mistreat you in the future!"
Ning Yue: "......"
He watched Xue Zige, graceful and captivating, rise and bid farewell. The bitterness in his heart brewed into a strong cup of bitter coffee...
And the image of Xue Zige as obedient, well-behaved, and polite had long since weathered into sand in his mind.
However, for some reason, Zhang Er Gongzi's figure in the prison suddenly flashed through Ning Yue's mind at this moment.
The two of them had had quite a few unpleasant encounters in the past.
He wondered if he was still as lustful now.