Chapter 81 – Rebirth: The Poisonous Concubine (22)
The next morning, one person was feeling refreshed, while the other was clutching their waist, crying pitifully.
Jin Xin led a group of young maids into the courtyard, carrying hot water and breakfast. Before they could enter the room, they heard the soft and weak voice of a young man lamenting inside:
“Starting today, for the next half month, you’re sleeping in the side chamber.”
The man’s voice, as gentle as jade, carried a thick note of amusement. “No way. If I’m not here, who will warm Mo Mo’s bed…?”
Ah, so it turns out that the master is the one at a disadvantage.
In an instant, the young maids of the Yu household cast admiring glances at Jin Xin, the one leading them.
Their initial resentment toward her, an outsider who had suddenly been assigned to manage them, disappeared completely.
If even their master had succumbed to the little young master of the Bai family, wouldn’t it be asking for death to go against Jin Xin?
Jin Xin, who knew the truth, maintained a calm expression but sighed inwardly. Back at the Bai residence, she had witnessed Yu Chenyi embracing and kissing the young master many times. Judging by the posture and dominance, it was clear that the young master was the one at a disadvantage.
However, if this wonderful misunderstanding could make the maids drop their petty grievances and focus on properly serving Bai Mo, Jin Xin was more than happy to let it continue.
She raised her hand and lightly knocked on the door. “Young Master, Son-in-law, it’s time to get up.”
After hearing a response from inside, Jin Xin led the servants in. Some wrung out towels, while others set up breakfast.
Knowing that Bai Mo was not accustomed to being served by strangers, Jin Xin took a towel from one of the maids, intending to help him wipe his face and wake up.
Unexpectedly, just as she reached out, a young woman in a bright red dress barged in from outside, shoving Jin Xin aside to snatch the task.
“I was sent by Madam to manage this courtyard. The master is already used to me serving him, so let me do it,” the maid, Xiao Tao, explained. However, her arrogant expression and the look of disdain she gave Jin Xin told a different story.
Xiao Tao had been rescued by Madam Yu after nearly being sold into slavery on the streets.
Out of kindness, Madam Yu had bought her and, after completing the proper paperwork with the authorities, took her in as a maid.
Since Xiao Tao was literate and well-mannered, Madam Yu assumed she would eventually find her family and leave the household.
Since Yu Chenyi was studying at an academy away from home and his courtyard was mostly empty, she simply assigned Xiao Tao there to help with chores.
However, seeing how wealthy the Imperial Censor’s household was, and being placed directly in the young master’s courtyard by Madam Yu herself, Xiao Tao, confident in her beauty, twisted Madam Yu’s intentions in her own mind.
She acted as if she were the mistress of the place, throwing her weight around. The other maids, though resentful, dared not voice their anger. Whenever they tried to reason with her, Xiao Tao would use Madam Yu’s name as a shield.
Afraid that Madam Yu truly had such intentions, the maids didn’t dare to report Xiao Tao’s behavior, fearing that complaining would only bring disaster upon themselves. Instead, they silently endured it.
Since no one had complained, the matter remained unnoticed, and Madam Yu had no idea what was going on.
This was precisely why the maids had been so unhappy with Jin Xin’s sudden arrival. They were already suffering under Xiao Tao—if another person like her came, how would they even survive?
Jin Xin was new to the household, and before Bai Mo could fully establish himself in the residence, it wasn’t wise for her to offend anyone. So, she took a step back, letting Xiao Tao take the towel while she went to wring a fresh one to assist the young master in getting up.
Jin Xin’s concession left the young maids disheartened. When two tigers fight, one must fall. At the very least, Jin Xin had arrived with Young Master Bai and could be considered someone favored by the master.
Being under Jin Xin’s management was far better than being under Xiao Tao, who was practically positioning herself as a future concubine.
Xiao Tao couldn’t help but feel triumphant, shooting Jin Xin a condescending glance—At least you know your place.
With a deliberately delicate, high-pitched voice and exaggeratedly swaying hips, she approached. “Young Master, allow Xiao Tao to cleanse your face.”
Everyone shuddered, their skin crawling.
Shameless! The master had only just gotten married, and here she was, seducing him right in front of his spouse.
A slightly hoarse yet sweet and gentle voice, worn out from the previous night’s exhaustion, suddenly rang out. “Brother Chenyi already has someone to serve him. Call Jin Xin for me~”
The upturned lilt of his tone was as soft as a feather, brushing lightly over everyone’s hearts, stirring an inexplicable yearning.
Master Bai’s voice… sounds really nice.
A slender, fair arm—covered in faint marks of affection—emerged from behind the bed canopy. Delicate, pale fingers hooked onto the curtain rope. With just a slight pull, the scene behind the bed drapes would be revealed.
The young maids blushed, holding their breath, silently praying—Pull it, pull it…
Seeing their reactions, Yu Chenyi’s face instantly darkened. Was Mo Mo something they were allowed to look at?!
“Everyone, out.”
Yu Chenyi regretted allowing the maids in at all. Once breakfast was set, he immediately began ushering them out.
“I’ll do it. You take them outside.”
Without sparing Xiao Tao a glance, Yu Chenyi bypassed her and took the damp towel from Jin Xin’s hands. Having served Bai Mo for years, Jin Xin had earned his respect, and he was willing to give her proper authority as the courtyard’s overseer.
“Yes.” Jin Xin curtsied respectfully, said no more, and led the maids out of the room.
Xiao Tao stomped her foot and called out coquettishly, “Young Master~”
“Brother Chenyi~”
When it came to charm, no one could outmatch a little snow ferret nourished by love. The bed curtains were pulled open slightly, and Yu Chenyi’s pupils dilated. Without hesitation, he grabbed the back of Xiao Tao’s collar and tossed her out the door.
Xiao Tao landed hard on her backside, and the maids waiting outside immediately burst into laughter.
With a loud bang, the door slammed shut. The maids, who had been trying to stifle their laughter before, now laughed even louder.
Serves you right! Trying to seduce the master? Do you even know your worth?
“What are you laughing at?! Stop laughing!” Xiao Tao, having lost face, became furious. “Believe it or not, I’ll tell Madam Yu. You’ll be in deep trouble then!”
The moment Madam Yu’s name was mentioned, the laughter ceased.
For maids like them, who had no powerful background, the last thing they wanted was to offend someone like Xiao Tao, who had the protection of their master’s mother.
The only one present who could stand up to Xiao Tao was Jin Xin. Everyone turned their gaze toward her, including Xiao Tao.
Xiao Tao scrutinized Jin Xin. At nineteen, she was in the prime of youth, her clothes and accessories rivaling those of a well-off young lady. Among the maids, she stood out as the most striking and the biggest threat. Even Yu Chenyi had treated her with noticeable respect earlier.
If Yu Chenyi were to take Jin Xin into his household…
“Don’t think that just because the young master spoke a few words to you, you can rise above your station and become a phoenix. This is the Yu Manor. Once you enter, you must abide by its rules.” Xiao Tao warned Jin Xin with the arrogance of a mistress-in-the-making. If she didn’t suppress Jin Xin’s defiance now, it would only grow worse in the future!
Jin Xin narrowed her eyes, her smile fading. She had stepped back earlier, but that didn’t mean she was easy to bully. She was a servant, yes, but she was Bai Mo’s servant. Outside of this household, she represented Bai Mo’s dignity. Xiao Tao’s behavior was a blatant insult to Bai Mo, a challenge to his status in the household.
A mere maid daring to bully the young master? How bold.
Jin Xin was not just Bai Mo’s dowry maid; she had a special mission entrusted to her by Madam Bai—to protect Bai Mo. If he suffered any mistreatment in the Yu Manor, she had the authority to take him back to the Bai family at any time.
The Censorate Manor was indeed wealthy, but the Bai family had Minister Bai and a high-ranking general stationed at the border. They were not people to be trifled with.
“And who do you think you are? What rank do you hold in this household? Do you make the rules in the Yu Manor?” If it had been one of Madam Yu’s senior maids, Jin Xin would have shown some respect. But since it was Xiao Tao, she had no intention of holding back.
So bold! She really wasn’t afraid at all.
The young maids looked at Jin Xin with admiration and envy—finally, someone who could put Xiao Tao in her place.
“You… I entered this manor before you did! The lady of the house personally brought me in and arranged for me to serve the young master. Who do you think you are? Even the most uneducated person knows that a woman must follow her husband after marriage. You have no place to speak in this courtyard. You’d better behave, or I’ll have Madam Yu marry you off to a beggar!”
Xiao Tao’s insult was harsh, but she made a mistake—she should have never mentioned beggars. The moment she did, Jin Xin exploded with rage. If not for Bai Mo’s quick thinking yesterday, he could have been harmed by those villains along with the beggars.
Jin Xin’s eyes blazed with fury as she retaliated, “You seem to know beggars quite well! Perhaps you crawled out from a beggar’s den yourself? Otherwise, why would a beggar be the first thing that comes to your mind? No wonder you’re Yu Manor’s number one trusted maid—your ways are truly extraordinary. You never forget your roots!”
Jin Xin was so furious that she even stopped referring to Yu Chenyi as “Master.” In her eyes, if Yu Chenyi could tolerate someone as sharp-tongued and vile as Xiao Tao serving him closely, then he was probably two-faced himself. Her innocent young master was likely being deceived.
“Xia Xin, Qiu Xin.” Jin Xin called over the two maids who had followed her from the Bai Manor. “Return home and inform the lady that our young master entered this household later than a mere maid from Young Master Yu’s courtyard—yet she dares demand that he bow and scrape before her.”
As Bai Mo’s head maid, entrusted by Madam Bai herself, Jin Xin had far more authority than Xiao Tao, who was confined to a mere courtyard.
The maids were stunned. On the first day of marriage, Bai Mo was already being forced to return to his own home? If this got out, the Yu Manor would be utterly humiliated.
They lowered their heads, pretending not to involve themselves in the dispute, but they couldn’t stop the corners of their lips from curling up in amusement.
Bai Mo had the Minister of Justice as his father. Even if he made a mistake, anyone wanting to reprimand him had to think twice about offending Minister Bai and General Bai. Yet here was Xiao Tao, actively running toward disaster. She must have something seriously wrong with her head.
“I belong to the Bai family—I am not bound by the Yu family’s rules. I will summon Madam Bai immediately. If you have any complaints, you can take them up with the Minister’s wife. Who knows? She might just adopt your suggestions on how to discipline our young master.”
As Jin Xin’s words became more cutting and her anger grew more intense, Xiao Tao’s previously bold demeanor could no longer shield her. Fear crept into her expression, and she began to panic.
“You… I never meant to drive you away! You’re the one insisting on leaving and trying to pin the blame on me. Are you deliberately trying to sow discord between the young master and Young Master Bai? Today is the first day of his marriage—I won’t argue with you.”
Xiao Tao didn’t want this matter to escalate to Madam Yu, nor did she want to lose face in front of Jin Xin. She desperately tried to salvage the situation.
But it was too late.
Xia Xin and Qiu Xin weren’t servants of the Yu Manor. They had every right to return to the Bai Manor, and Xiao Tao had no authority to stop them at the gate.
Jin Xin no longer bothered to argue with her. Before long, Bai Mo emerged from the room, half-supported by Yu Chenyi.
Before Xiao Tao could twist the story to her advantage, Jin Xin stepped forward, curtsied, and spoke with reddened eyes and a slight tremble in her voice:
“Young Master, I took the liberty of sending someone back to the Bai Manor to summon Madam. Whatever punishment you see fit—be it beating or scolding—I will accept without complaint.”
Bai Mo: “…?”
“What’s wrong? Big Sister Jin Xin, don’t cry! Did someone bully you? I’ll stand up for you!”
Bai Mo had never seen Jin Xin cry before. Even when she was harshly disciplined by the older maids, she never shed a tear. She had been perfectly fine just moments ago, so why was she crying now?
He glanced around the courtyard. Of all the servants present, only Jin Xin had accompanied him from home—the rest were from the Yu Manor.
Sensing Bai Mo’s gaze, the young maids instinctively took two steps back in unison, subtly highlighting Xiao Tao, who had clearly taken extra care with her appearance today.
This has nothing to do with us! We didn’t bully Big Sister Jinxin—this was all Xiao Tao’s doing!