Chapter 512: From now on, you have to let me have my way

After sharing a playful, mock-annoyed smile with the bun-faced little maid, Li Shu turned back with a light, amused air. At once, two young maidservants stepped forward, each carefully holding a small tea tray, and respectfully presented tea to Zhu Ping’an and Li Shu.

Set against the pale white porcelain cups painted with delicate green bamboo, the tea appeared even more vividly emerald in color, its surface shimmering faintly. A rich, fragrant aroma drifted upward, filling the air with a soothing warmth.

The two maids were no more than ten years old—still carrying the softness of childhood on their round faces—but their hands were already steady and practiced. Pouring tea, serving guests—such tasks seemed second nature to them, executed with ease and quiet precision. In another time, such young girls working like this might be called child labor, something to be frowned upon. But in this era, it was entirely ordinary. Young maids were considered easier to train and mold; too young, and they couldn’t handle the work, too old, and they would soon be married off. If they were matched with a servant in the household, that was one thing—but if they married out, they would belong to another family entirely. At this age, they were just right.

“Thank you.”

Zhu Ping’an, still unaccustomed to being waited on, accepted the teacup with a polite word of thanks.

The two young maids immediately flushed bright red at his words. Lowering their heads, they fidgeted awkwardly, clearly unsure how to respond, and murmured softly that the young master need not thank them.

Li Shu cast a brief glance at the two girls before turning back to Zhu Ping’an, her lips curving into a teasing smile. “My husband doesn’t even have any maids attending to him yet. Why not let these two stay by your side—serving tea, making your bed, taking care of your daily needs?”

Cough, cough…

Zhu Ping’an had just taken a sip of tea when her words caught him off guard, making him choke slightly. He coughed before finally swallowing it down.

“Many thanks, but no need. I’m used to managing on my own. Having others attend to me would only feel awkward,” he replied without hesitation. After all, he was perfectly capable—why would he need others to serve him? And they were just children at that. The thought alone made him uncomfortable.

“A sixth-rank official without even a maid or servant—aren’t you afraid your colleagues will laugh at you?” Li Shu tilted her head slightly, looking at him with a half-smile. Her bright, watery eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.

“Not at all,” Zhu Ping’an said, shaking his head indifferently.

“Tch, like a dog biting Lü Dongbin—you don’t recognize a kind heart when you see one,” Li Shu retorted with a soft snort. Her brows curved elegantly, and her small nose tilted upward as she cast him a playful glare, her tone full of mock annoyance.

Watching her mistress chat with the young master, the bun-faced maid quietly glanced at the two younger girls and made a subtle hand gesture, signaling them to withdraw so as not to disturb the couple. The girls, quick to understand, bowed slightly and slipped out of the room.

To them, the bun-faced maid was practically a half-master.

Her status in the household was not low—indeed, it had risen even further recently. Not only was she Li Shu’s personal attendant, but she also held the position of a “bedchamber maid,” a role specially designated within the household. Among Li Shu’s four personal maids, she was the only one granted this status.

A bedchamber maid occupied a position somewhere between a concubine and an ordinary servant—slightly below the former, yet above all the latter.

Once formally acknowledged, she would become a concubine. Even without that official title, however, her role often overlapped in certain respects. It was, in essence, a position that carried both privilege and ambiguity.

As for the distinction: all the maids in this residence had come as part of Li Shu’s dowry—they were “dowry maids.” But among them, only the bun-faced maid held the unique status of a bedchamber maid.

Thus, aside from Zhu Ping’an and Li Shu themselves, she could be considered the most influential figure in the household.

Li Shu had left her family home in a hurry earlier, and some time had already passed. Worried that her mother-in-law, Madam Chen, might be concerned—and knowing that guests were likely still visiting to see the new bride—she felt it improper to remain away for too long. After finishing their tea, she and Zhu Ping’an returned together to the house across the street.

The bun-faced maid had intended to follow, but Li Shu stopped her. “There are no maids serving there. If I arrive with attendants, it would look too ostentatious and create unnecessary distance.” Instead, she instructed the maid to remain behind and oversee the other servants in tidying up the residence.

The two houses stood directly opposite each other—only a few steps apart.

Upon returning, they found the house bustling once again. Several village women had gathered, and Madam Chen was in the midst of animated conversation, her face alight with excitement—clearly enjoying herself, perhaps even showing off a little. Zhu Ping’an couldn’t help but smile faintly at the sight.

He recognized every one of the women and stepped forward with a friendly greeting, introducing each to Li Shu. Li Shu, sweet and polite, followed his lead, addressing them warmly.

Only after this group finally departed did the house fall into a rare moment of quiet.

Madam Chen then urged Zhu Ping’an to take Li Shu around the house for a look. The residence had been expanded considerably since he last left, and taking advantage of the lull, he led her to the backyard.

Originally, this courtyard had been intended as the site for their bridal chamber. But Li Shu’s father, a wealthy man, had felt it too small for his beloved daughter. After discussion, he had instead arranged for a new house to be built across the street.

Now, the backyard had been repurposed.

A patch of land had been turned into a vegetable garden, lush and thriving. A pigsty had been built in one corner, while the remaining space was filled with flowers of all kinds.

Verdant greens and blossoms in a riot of colors created a scene bursting with life—like spring itself refusing to be contained.

Inside the pigsty, several plump pigs—black-spotted and white-spotted alike—noticed someone entering the yard. Thinking they were about to be fed, they eagerly scrambled forward, propping their hooves against the enclosure and grunting enthusiastically at Zhu Ping’an, who walked ahead.

Their enthusiasm was almost comical.

To make matters even more amusing, several tall flowering plants had been planted right in front of the pigsty. The cheerful blooms contrasted absurdly with the pigs’ round, eager faces, creating an oddly delightful sight.

“Heehee… look, your relatives are greeting you,” Li Shu laughed, covering her mouth as her shoulders trembled with mirth.

“Thanks to you, I’ve had the honor of becoming their kin,” Zhu Ping’an replied dryly.

“You… how petty. And boring,” Li Shu pouted, her tone full of playful reproach.

Wasn’t it you who started it…? Zhu Ping’an thought, feeling a bit speechless at her complaint.

“Hey, Zhu Ping’an—you’ll have to let me have my way from now on,” Li Shu suddenly said, stepping in front of him. She lifted her delicate face, her expression unexpectedly serious.

“Why?” he asked, glancing at her.

He had expected her to cite something his mother had said earlier, or perhaps bring up the life-saving favor from the island… but her answer completely caught him off guard.

“You’re five chi two inches tall, and I’m only five chi. When you talk to me, don’t you have to lower your head first—just like you’re doing now?”

She smiled brightly, lifting a slender finger to point at him. Her eyes, dark as ink, sparkled with mischief, her entire expression brimming with playful cleverness.

At such close distance, her charm became even more striking—soft, lively, and irresistibly vivid.