The East Villa sat like a jewel at the edge of the sprawling Li family estate. While the main residence was grand and imposing, the East Villa carried a more refined air, its white walls and dark-tiled roof framed by old pine trees and a quiet lotus pond. In the dusk light, its lanterns glowed softly, painting the air with warmth.
Xu Ming led Ji Yu up the polished stone steps. His face, as ever, was expressionless, but his words carried respect.
"Madam Ji, everything has been prepared for your stay. I will have the housekeeper meet you and arrange matters according to your wishes."
Ji Yu gave a faint nod, her shawl trailing lightly as she entered. The interior smelled faintly of sandalwood, its hallways decorated with delicate calligraphy scrolls and porcelain vases. Everything about the villa screamed elegance and wealth.
The housekeeper, a man in his late forties with graying hair neatly combed back, hurried forward. He bowed respectfully, though his eyes flickered with uncertainty. After all, the news of Ji Yu's return to the household had been sudden, and her identity was unclear to most of the servants.
"Madam," he greeted cautiously. "May I ask, in what capacity should we arrange your stay?"
Ji Yu stopped in the center of the hall. She let her gaze sweep slowly across the staff gathered nearby. Then, with deliberate arrogance, she lifted her chin and spoke, her voice calm but laced with sharpness.
"For the next few days, until the divorce papers are signed, I am still Master Li's wife. You will address me with the respect due to Madam Li. Do you understand?"
The housekeeper stiffened. Her words were neither shouted nor loud, yet they carried the weight of command. A ripple of unease passed through the servants.
The housekeeper quickly bowed lower. "Yes, Madam Li."
Ji Yu allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. "Good. As long as you remember that, we will get along well."
Xu Ming, who had silently observed, inclined his head. "I'll take my leave, Madam Ji. The housekeeper will see to everything from here."
When he was gone, the atmosphere in the hall shifted slightly. The staff bowed, but behind their lowered gazes, whispers already began to stir. Ji Yu ignored them entirely, gliding toward her chambers with the grace of someone born to command.
The morning after her arrival, Ji Yu rang the bell cord in her room. The housekeeper arrived promptly, bowing low.
"Madam, your instructions?"
Ji Yu reclined on the chaise by the window, her black hair cascading over her shoulder. Her tone was leisurely, but her words were deliberate.
"Prepare the finest meals for me today. I want to taste the best this villa's kitchens can produce. Fish, bird's nest, fine tea—the works. And have them served properly."
The housekeeper bowed deeply. "Yes, Madam."
Within hours, the dining room table was transformed into a banquet. Steamed mandarin fish glistened under ginger sauce, braised duck exuded rich aroma, delicate bowls of bird's nest soup shimmered like pearls, and side dishes of greens and dumplings filled the table.
Ji Yu ate calmly, savoring each bite without haste. The servants lined the wall silently, casting glances at her. Some of the younger maids hid their whispers behind lowered sleeves, their eyes mocking.
"Country woman, pretending at refinement," one muttered softly to another.
"So tall and broad… how could Master Li ever like a woman like her?"
"She eats like she's starved before… not elegant at all."
Ji Yu heard every word, but she did not so much as lift an eyebrow. Their chatter was as insignificant as the buzzing of flies.
What did catch her attention, however, was a different thread of gossip, spoken with a sigh.
"Everyone knows Master Li's heart is with Lady Su. Now there is a woman of refinement—gentle, beautiful, a true high-society lady. Compared to her, this Madam Li is…" The maid trailed off, smothering a laugh.
Lady Su.
Ji Yu swirled her teacup slowly, the fragrance of jasmine curling upward. So this was the female protagonist of this world—the one Li Mingxuan so openly pursued. The staff's adoration of her was clear, their disdain for Ji Yu sharper by comparison.
But rather than anger, Ji Yu felt something else—a growing spark of curiosity.
That afternoon, the housekeeper returned, bowing. "Madam, you requested a personal maid. I have gathered a few young girls for your consideration."
Into the room filed a handful of girls between thirteen and fifteen, dressed in neat maid uniforms. Their eyes darted toward Ji Yu, some curious, others openly disdainful.
Ji Yu observed them silently. She didn't ask their names right away. Instead, she spoke gently to each, testing their responses, watching their manners.
Among them, one girl caught her eye—not because she was graceful, but because she seemed out of place. She was younger, only twelve, and already a little tall for her age, her figure soft with baby fat. Her round cheeks and wide eyes gave her a naïve, almost clumsy look. The other girls occasionally nudged her or gave her mocking glances.
Ji Yu's gaze lingered on her. "What is your name?"
The girl startled, her cheeks flushing. "X-Xiao Yue, Madam."
"Xiao Yue," Ji Yu repeated softly, the name fitting her like the glow of a crescent moon.
Ji Yu smiled faintly. "The rest of you may leave."
The other girls looked stunned. A few muttered under their breath as they curtsied and withdrew, clearly displeased. Xiao Yue stood frozen, unsure if she had heard correctly.
The housekeeper cleared his throat. "Madam, this child… she is an orphan. She came into our service by chance. Not particularly skilled, but hardworking."
"An orphan…" Ji Yu murmured, her eyes thoughtful. She then looked at the girl. "Xiao Yue, go clean my room."
The girl blinked, then nodded quickly, rushing off with nervous determination.
When she was gone, Ji Yu turned to the housekeeper. "Bring me her employment contract."
The man hesitated, then bowed. "Yes, Madam." He returned later with a folded document, which Ji Yu took and slipped into her drawer.
"You may go."
..
..
The next morning, Xiao Yue came to her chambers with a basin of warm water for washing. She was clumsy, nearly spilling some, her cheeks burning red as she apologized repeatedly.
Ji Yu only chuckled. "Relax. I won't eat you."
The girl peeked up at her, startled by the gentleness in Ji Yu's tone. Slowly, over the course of the day, her nerves eased.
They sat together in the courtyard that afternoon, Ji Yu sipping tea while Xiao Yue polished a set of porcelain cups.
"Where are your parents?" Ji Yu asked casually.
Xiao Yue's hands stilled. Her voice dropped. "They died… when I was little. Fever."
Ji Yu's gaze softened. "And you came here to work?"
"I had nowhere else," Xiao Yue whispered. "I wandered for a long time before someone told me the Li family was hiring maids. They… they said I was too clumsy, but the housekeeper let me stay."
Ji Yu listened quietly, letting the girl speak. Xiao Yue's voice trembled with sadness, but she didn't cry. She was used to swallowing her grief.
"Do you want to come with me?" Ji Yu asked suddenly.
Xiao Yue blinked in shock. "Come… with you? But Madam… aren't you the Master's wife?"
Ji Yu smiled faintly, sipping her tea. "Not for long. We're divorcing."
The girl's eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise. Then she puffed out her cheeks, looking unexpectedly fierce.
"Then… Master Li doesn't deserve you, Madam! You're so kind, and beautiful, and—" She stopped abruptly, flushing crimson. "He's blind."
Ji Yu chuckled softly. "You're a bold one."
Xiao Yue huffed, her cheeks still puffed like a little squirrel.
..
..
By the third day, Xiao Yue had become far more comfortable in Ji Yu's presence. She followed her like a little shadow, bringing tea, arranging books, even sitting at her feet while Ji Yu read.
The gossip in the villa had not stopped—whispers of "country bumpkin" and "unworthy" still drifted in the halls. But Ji Yu paid them no mind.
Instead, she let herself be amused by Xiao Yue's chatter.
"Madam, did you know, the cook said the lotus pond will bloom next week? It'll be so pretty!"
"Madam, your hair is so smooth… mine is like straw."
"Madam, if you really leave, can I… really come with you?"
Ji Yu would answer each question with calm patience, sometimes with a small smile.
That evening, as the sunset painted the courtyard gold, Xiao Yue sat cross-legged beside Ji Yu, her cheeks round and flushed from excitement.
"Madam," she whispered, "if you go, I'll go too. You gave me a place when no one else wanted me. I'll be useful, you'll see!"
Ji Yu reached out, brushing a strand of messy hair from the girl's forehead. "Then it's decided. You'll come with me."
Xiao Yue's eyes shone, her lips curving into the widest smile Ji Yu had seen from her yet. For the first time in a long while, Ji Yu felt a faint warmth spread in her chest.
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Thanks for reading.
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