That evening, Ningguang returned to the Jade Chamber.
Qin Yu would be back tomorrow. The thought made Ningguang feel a flicker of anticipation.
During the month Qin Yu had been away, Ningguang had felt a constant sense of something missing. The fact that Qin Yu could evoke such a profound sense of absence made Ningguang marvel at her extraordinary nature.
"This tax return needs processing too."
"And this file..."
"Pull up the records from earlier."
"Please wait! I can't keep up!"
Hearing the commotion, Ningguang thought, How lively indeed. Is that Qin Yu's voice among them?
She approached one of the rooms in the Jade Chamber and opened the door.
The scene that greeted her was a chaotic mess: mountains of documents, intelligence reports plastered across boards, and buried amidst the paperwork, Qin Yu and three secretaries, their eyes frantic, alongside an unidentified black cube floating in the air.
She's here after all.
And she's even wearing her old uniform. Excellent. As Ningguang's mood brightened further, the three secretaries noticed her.
"Ah, Lady Ningguang, good evening," Baishi said.
"Lady Ningguang, good evening," Baiwen echoed.
"Lady Ningguang, you're back! Good evening," Baixiao chimed in.
Hearing the secretaries' greetings, Qin Yu finally noticed Ningguang standing in the doorway, her eyes widening in panic.
Uwah! Ningguang's back already? Does that mean I've been working for half the day?!
Tch, these three women are absolutely unforgivable! They promised me only small tasks, but they kept piling more and more on! Realizing this, Qin Yu grew increasingly irritated.
But even the energy to be angry had drained away.
So tired... Qin Yu sighed inwardly, too exhausted to even muster anger.
Still, she needed to greet Ningguang.
No choice. I have to pull myself together. Qin Yu took a deep breath, determined to greet Ningguang with her best demeanor. That way, I'm sure to earn some Points.
With a radiant smile, Qin Yu began:
"Long time no see, Master!- Ah..."
The Skill hadn't been deactivated.
In an instant, all three secretaries turned to stare- surprise, shock, confusion... Only Ningguang, standing at the doorway, wore a satisfied smile.
Evaluation: D
These Points aren't worth it!
Qin Yu regretted her slip immensely. It was one thing to say it in private, but to blurt it out in front of everyone?
No, even in private it would have been awful. There's no way to make this better.
"Master?" Baishi asked, puzzled.
ha ha ha...
"Well, she is a maid, after all. Nothing strange about it," Baixiao said with an "I understand" look.
Don't understand! No, wait—maybe it's better if you do?
But Qin Yu desperately wished everyone would just forget the whole incident.
"She started talking almost immediately after we met," Baiwen said, as if sensing something amiss. "Could it be that... privately..."
Don't jump to conclusions!
Qin Yu felt compelled to explain, blurting out, "I heard recently that maids are supposed to address their employers as 'Master.' Is that so strange?"
"Not at all," Ningguang replied with a satisfied smile, choosing not to expose Qin Yu's lie. "You may call me that from now on as well."
I wasn't talking to you!
Qin Yu wanted to glare at Ningguang, but she restrained herself, silently grumbling in her mind and hoping her thoughts would reach Ningguang, urging her to show some restraint in the future.
Evaluation: C-
Stop popping up!
Baiwen nodded. "Since Lady Ningguang has said so."
"Should we also call Lady Ningguang 'Master'? After all, we're her trusted confidantes, ehehe..." Baishi muttered, lost in some fanciful daydream.
Ningguang gently shook her head. "There's no need. Continue using your usual titles."
Baishi's face fell like a shattered dream, her expression blank and shocked.
To be honest, that reaction is a bit... unflattering, Qin Yu thought.
Baixiao, however, breathed a sigh of relief. "Understood, my lady."
What about me?
Qin Yu tried to laugh it off. "Then I'll also-"
"Qin Yu, I have something I need to discuss with you later," Ningguang interrupted.
Ugh. Qin Yu felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. What now?
Just so you know, I won't be letting my guard down again.
Not hearing an answer, Ningguang pressed, "Your reply?"
"I-I understand," Qin Yu replied reluctantly.
"Good," Ningguang said with a satisfied smile.
If Baishi and the others weren't here, Qin Yu thought, she'd definitely try to touch my face again.
Ningguang entered the room, deep in thought. "What are you all working on?"
Huh? You don't even know? Does that mean...?
"We're processing documents for future use, cross-referencing past archives, and organizing intelligence Lady Ningguang might need. With the Rite of Descension approaching, we can't afford any negligence."
Just as I thought—it's work Ningguang didn't even assign.
"I see. But why does Qin Yu have the heaviest workload?" Ningguang asked, her concern evident.
The three secretaries exchanged glances, their eyes communicating silently.
Now's the time to be tactful!
"Brilliant."
"Adorable."
"Capable."
Qin Yu chuckled sheepishly. "It's nothing, really..."
No, these reasons are ridiculous! Especially the second one—what does that even have to do with anything? Qin Yu thought, inwardly scoffing.
Ningguang understood, though she was slightly surprised.
She hadn't expected Baishi and the others to accept Qin Yu so quickly. Originally, they had only accepted Qin Yu's employment because of Ningguang's decision.
But this time, they genuinely recognized her abilities.
Considering they hadn't had much interaction last month, this meant that Qin Yu had earned the admiration of Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao solely through her performance today.
This was truly an unexpected delight.
Gaining the approval of these long-time confidantes meant Qin Yu was rapidly catching up to Ningguang herself.
And her progress was astonishingly fast.
Overwhelmed with joy, Ningguang smiled sincerely and said, "I'm delighted to see you fellow intelligent minds recognizing each other. However, it's getting late. If there's nothing urgent, let's save the rest for later."
"Understood."
Qin Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Great, I'm finally out of jail!
Baishi patted Qin Yu on the shoulder and said, "You've worked hard. I thought you might have lost some ground after a month of rest, but I was wrong. As thanks for today, we'll treat you to a delicious meal later."
Hmph, I'll make sure to drain your wallets dry!
Though her mind raced with thoughts, Qin Yu maintained a polite smile. "No, it's my duty. You three Seniors are the ones who've worked so hard."
"Get some rest," Baiwen said.
Baixiao nodded. "Thank you for your hard work."
As the three secretaries left the room, Qin Yu let out a soft sigh.
So tired... The Brain-Machine Connection session had been too long. Qin Yu felt she could fall asleep the instant her head hit the pillow.
"Qin Yu, do you need to rest now? If you're tired, we can postpone our conversation until tomorrow," Ningguang said, observing Qin Yu's expression with concern.
I almost forgot Ningguang was still here.
The relief Qin Yu had just felt vanished, replaced by renewed tension. Now I'm alone with Ningguang!
Every time they were alone together, something very... very... subtle always seemed to happen.
I must stay vigilant.
"No, I'm fine. Please don't worry. What did Lady Ningguang want to discuss? I'll listen attentively," Qin Yu replied with a polite smile.
Evaluation: C
Qin Yu hasn't changed at all. Still so endearing, Ningguang thought. "Very well. Don't push yourself too hard. It won't take long. Let's step outside first."
Outside? Anything's better than being alone with her in this enclosed space.
"Alright."
Qin Yu rose, stowed her Machine Companion, and followed Ningguang out of the room.
"Then come to my chambers."
Evaluation: C+
"Eh?"
Again?
Ningguang added, "If you haven't bathed yet, go wash up first before coming."
Ha!?
Qin Yu's face flushed crimson, her heart nearly stopped, and her mind spun into utter chaos.
Why would she need me to bathe before coming? What does she want to do?
I'm here to do proper maid work, not... that! Don't think a little money and sweet talk can—No, absolutely not. I'm not going! I'd rather die!
Qin Yu tried to soften her response, "Lady Ningguang, I think it would be better to discuss this tomorrow morning..."
"Are you tired?"
"Y-yes."
"But you said you weren't tired just now... Could it be that you're unwilling?" Ningguang pressed.
Who would be willing?! Qin Yu forced a strained smile. "N-no, that's not it. I just suddenly feel tired—"
"It will pass quickly, Qin Yu. I'll wait for you."
Without waiting for a response, Ningguang turned and walked straight back into her bedroom.
Left behind, Qin Yu stood in a daze before glaring furiously at the closed door.
How dare she!