Chapter 061: She Likes This Kind of Personality!

The autumn air was crisp and refreshing, with gentle winds and radiant sunshine. Jin'er, alone in a secluded corner, was scrubbing clothes with her small hands, which had turned red from exertion. She wore simple attire, her hair gathered into a single bun with the rest cascading down her back and over her shoulders. The breeze lifted her soft, long hair, strands dancing in the wind, lending her an indescribable charm.

Sunlight glimmered on her face and forehead, faintly damp with perspiration, casting tiny crystalline reflections. Though her features revealed a youthful innocence, she was already a budding beauty. One glance was enough to foresee that she would someday possess a captivating allure.

As Jin'er bent over, laboriously scrubbing the garments, her mind was still entangled with the questions from last night. She knew well that brooding wouldn’t help, yet she couldn’t stop herself from thinking.

Suddenly, a faint whistling sound pierced the air.

“Ah!” Jin’er cried out in pain, snapping back to reality. She reached behind to feel her back and glanced around, but nothing seemed amiss. Not far away, two maids were also washing clothes, both absorbed in their tasks.

What was going on? Jin’er frowned, scanning her surroundings. Finding nothing unusual, she resignedly returned to her work.

Just as she was silently cursing her bad luck, a sharp pain struck her back again.

“Who’s there?!” Jin’er, frustrated, flung aside the clothes and stood up abruptly, searching around.

This time, the culprit didn’t hide—perhaps he hadn’t intended to. He stood behind a patch of plants, swinging a slingshot and grinning triumphantly at Jin’er.

It was him! Jin’er glared at Liu Zhang for a long moment, grinding her teeth, but ultimately took a deep breath and turned away, pretending nothing had happened as she resumed washing.

That brat was insufferably bored, pestering her, a mere maid! But she had no intention of engaging with someone like him.

Seeing Jin’er ignore him, Liu Zhang grew both anxious and angry. He stamped his foot, took up the slingshot once more, and aimed at her.

“Bang!” A pebble struck Jin’er’s thin back with a soft thud, then bounced away onto the ground.

Jin’er had steeled herself for it; though her body shuddered involuntarily from the pain, she neither cried out nor looked back, as if nothing had happened.

Her indifference finally enraged Liu Zhang. He strode closer, repeatedly firing at her with the slingshot. Though Jin’er made no sound, her trembling form pleased him greatly.

He had never encountered such a stubborn, proud girl—one who showed him no fear, seemed not to regard him at all. At first, he simply admired her beauty; now, her unique temperament drew him in, making him want to get closer, to tame her.

He refused to believe that, as the young master of the richest family in Mu Kingdom, there was anything beyond his reach!

Just as he pulled back his slingshot again, a whip suddenly lashed out, knocking it from his hand and striking his wrist hard.

“Ah! It hurts!” Liu Zhang wildly shook his left hand, hopping in pain.

“Sister! Why did you hit me again?!” Without looking, Liu Zhang knew who it was. He turned, gritting his teeth, and glared at Liu Ying, who was approaching, demanding loudly.

“Isn’t it obvious? Instead of studying in the library, you’re out here bullying people. I’m just helping Father discipline you,” Liu Ying replied.

Jin’er turned toward the newcomer, seeing a girl in a pale yellow dress, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a lively beauty and a hint of boldness in her expression.

“I’m your brother! Is it worth hitting me over a servant?!” Liu Zhang protested, “You only know a few tricks—just enough to show off in front of me, hmph!” With that, he gave Liu Ying a disdainful glance.

“You!” Liu Ying glared at him, then smirked, “If you think my skills are lacking, why not fight me? I’d love to see you crawling around looking for your teeth after I teach you a lesson!”

Liu Zhang, stung by her words, was momentarily speechless. After a long pause, he managed, “A gentleman doesn’t fight women. I refuse to stoop to your level!” He picked up the slingshot and stormed off in a huff.

By then, Jin’er had risen, quietly observing Liu Ying.

She had heard from Madam Lin that besides the young master, the Liu household also had a young lady, born to the late mistress. She was cheerful, energetic, fond of martial arts—a bit domineering, but kind to the servants, often standing up to the second young master on their behalf.

How fortunate to encounter her today; otherwise, who knows how things would have ended.

Liu Ying watched Liu Zhang’s indignant departure, humming with satisfaction before turning to Jin’er.

Seeing Liu Ying’s gaze, Jin’er quickly lowered her head and softly said, “Thank you, Miss, for your intervention.”

“Lift your head,” Liu Ying commanded, her tone brooking no refusal.

Jin’er frowned slightly, but dared not delay, slowly raising her head.

“You’re the new maid everyone talks about? Madam Lin’s niece?” Liu Ying stared intently at Jin’er.

Jin’er nodded.

“You truly are pretty,” Liu Ying thought, even prettier than herself. Though she was reluctant to admit it, the truth was undeniable.

She had come to see this rumored beauty for herself, only to witness the earlier scene.

Though at first a touch of jealousy lingered, Liu Ying found herself genuinely liking Jin’er. Unlike the other maids, who cried, pleaded, or flattered their masters when bullied by Liu Zhang, Jin’er endured with stubborn pride—no tears, no pleas, no fuss.

Such character appealed to her.

“Your name is Jin’er?” Liu Ying asked after studying her for a while.

Jin’er pressed her lips together and nodded, a little uneasy, unsure of Liu Ying’s intentions.

After a long, searching look, Liu Ying nodded, “Go on with your work. I’m leaving.” With that, she turned and left without looking back.

Jin’er watched her receding figure in confusion, stood in place for a while, then shrugged and returned to her basin to continue washing.

Why was there nowhere she could find peace? How unlucky could she be? Was she not even allowed to quietly be a maid?

A helpless sigh floated on the breeze, soon lost to the wind...

After dinner, Jin’er returned to her room and found Madam Lin already back, lying in bed with a furrowed brow, looking unwell.

“Aunt, what’s wrong?” Jin’er hurried to her bedside, sat down, and reached out to feel her forehead.

Madam Lin opened her eyes, smiled weakly, and said, “It’s just the old illness acting up again—a terrible headache.”

Jin’er frowned, took her pulse, and after a moment, went to the cabinet and retrieved an ornate cloth pouch—a set of silver needles her master had given her.

“Jin’er, what are you...?” Madam Lin watched with curiosity as Jin’er sat beside her, opened the pouch, and took out a fine needle.

“Don’t worry, Aunt. Didn’t I tell you before? I learned quite a bit at the Imperial Medical Hall. Trust me, you’ll be fine.” Jin’er smiled reassuringly.

Madam Lin smiled and nodded, closing her eyes. The princess was no longer the naive girl of old—her words and actions now carried the calm and confidence of an adult, making it hard to see her as a child.

Jin’er focused intently, administering the acupuncture with steady, precise hands. Though her technique wasn’t yet fully refined, every needle was placed flawlessly. Half an hour later, Jin’er withdrew the needles. Madam Lin opened her eyes in surprise, realizing her headache was completely gone.

“My goodness, Jin’er, how are you so skilled? You didn’t spend that much time at the Imperial Medical Hall, did you?” Madam Lin asked in disbelief.

Jin’er smiled, “I studied diligently, often late into the night. Plus, I had two years’ training in the mountain cave before, so I learned quickly. Master always said I was a genius.” Speaking, she couldn’t help but think of the Imperial Medical Hall, her master, and Xiao Jiu.

Were they all well? Had Mo Yan come looking for her again? Would he be anxious if he couldn’t find her?

Madam Lin was praising Jin’er when she noticed the girl was lost in thought, not hearing a word. She quickly called out, “Jin’er? Jin’er?”

“Hmm?” Jin’er finally snapped back.

“What were you thinking about? Missing your master?” Madam Lin gently took Jin’er’s hand, “Once you’ve settled in here, I’ll take you back to visit him, alright?”

Seeing Jin’er’s downcast expression, Madam Lin added, “Silly girl, if you miss them, just go see them. You’re not at the Imperial Medical Hall anymore; that girl Qin’er won’t bother you now. Besides, you’re not alone—you have me, and all of Liu Manor. Isn’t that so?”

Jin’er smiled, looked up at Madam Lin, and nodded softly, “Let’s talk about it later.”

A sigh, resigned and gentle, drifted away, lost in the night.