You’re not one of his spies, are you?

Evening, in the rear garden of the Prince Jun’s residence.

Yue’er had finally managed to carry the books into the Quiet Study. By now, night had fallen. She swung her aching arms and muttered curses under her breath at Zhao Chengxian, “That pervert, that damned bookworm. All he knows is how to torment us good, honest folk. Stupid bookworm, wretched turtle…” She’d moved things before, but never felt this exhausted. Perhaps it was because she hadn’t volunteered this time, making it all the more tiring. At this moment, Hui Yue’er was itching to give Zhao Chengxian a good beating. She’d never been so wronged before, and could only pray her brother and Princess Silky would hurry back to Yingying. If, in those days, a song called ‘Please Come Back’ existed, Hui Yue’er would surely be singing it now—but alas, it did not.

Suddenly, Yue’er caught sight of a girl dressed in maid’s attire, her back turned. Yue’er’s mischievous spirit stirred. She crept up quietly and tapped the girl’s shoulder. The girl jumped in surprise and spun around. Yue’er made a grotesque face, scrunching her mouth, nose, and eyes all together. The girl shrieked in astonishment, “Ah!” Only when Yue’er returned to her normal expression did she relax, then glanced at Hui Yue’er, who was laughing uproariously, and asked, “Are you the new maid?” She’d heard much talk about Hui Yue’er all day; everyone said Zhao Chengxian treated her unusually well and seemed intent on making her his concubine.

This girl’s name was Kiki. She was petite and young, no more than twelve or thirteen, her round face glowing rosy under the lantern’s light like sunset clouds, making her seem particularly endearing. Yue’er smiled at her reaction, “Did I scare you? I’m the one they call ‘Crescent Moon’!” Being a maid was hardly anything to boast about, but since Zhao Chengxian had bestowed her a code name, she figured she might as well make use of his ‘thoughtfulness.’

Kiki looked Yue’er over and asked in a gentle, childlike voice, “Sister Crescent Moon, why aren’t you attending to the prince? Aren’t you his personal maid?” In her mind, a personal maid should shadow Zhao Chengxian every moment of the day. The maids she knew all aspired to serve him, so she couldn’t understand—wasn’t being a maid the same wherever you served?

The moment Hui Yue’er heard Zhao Chengxian’s name, she grew irate. Her expression hardened. “Don’t mention that damned bookworm! He made me haul so many books, I haven’t eaten yet!” She eyed Kiki warily, “Little one, you’re not one of his spies, are you? Don’t betray my trust!” Yue’er was also curious how such a young girl came to be a maid. Quietly, she cursed Zhao Chengxian again: that damned bookworm, even a child wasn’t spared—how ruthless! Unbeknownst to Yue’er, Kiki was actually the housekeeper’s daughter, raised in the prince’s residence. Zhao Chengxian had never treated her as a maid, paid for her schooling, occasionally took her out, and was kinder to her than even to Princess Silky. Thus, in the Prince Jun’s residence, no one dared provoke Kiki.

Kiki patted her chest boldly. “Don’t worry, Kiki isn’t the tattling sort. I won’t breathe a word!” Her reliability endeared her to the other maids as well.

Yue’er relaxed and smiled, “Kiki, can you tell your sister where the dining hall is? Is there still any food left? If I have to go hungry, I’ll curse that bookworm’s ancestors all over again!” The mere mention of Zhao Chengxian made her want to punch something, and her expression turned particularly fierce.

Kiki quickly reassured her, “There is, there is! I’ll take you there right away, Sister Crescent Moon!” She led Yue’er toward the kitchen. Kiki couldn’t fathom what the prince had done to anger Sister Crescent Moon so. In her impression, Zhao Chengxian always maintained his composure and smile, like a gentle elder brother. Yet looking at Yue’er, Kiki sensed she wasn’t unreasonable, and found herself instantly fond of this sister. She resolved to help clear up the misunderstanding between Yue’er and Zhao Chengxian.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, and those neither young nor old—quick, shower me with gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts! Spare no mercy; let the storm rage on with even greater fury!