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Late at night, just asSu Yuewas about to retire after washing up, her maidLiu'ercame in and said, "Miss,Yu Qiis here."

Su Yue frowned. "She dares to come see me? Let her in!"

Soon,Yu Qi, wearing a cloak, entered with Liu'er.

"Yu Qi greets Second Miss."

Su Yue stood up, her eyes icy as she looked at Yu Qi. "You dare to come see me? Good! Do you think I wouldn't dare to take your life?"

Yu Qi kowtowed repeatedly. "Second Miss, please forgive me! I truly don't know how things turned out that way last time. I've always been loyal to you. Please give me another chance!"

Su Yue narrowed her eyes and stepped forward barefoot, lifting Yu Qi's chin with her delicate hand.

"Why did you betray the mistress you've served since childhood to come to me?"

Her tone was soft, but Yu Qi knew she had to answer carefully.

"Second Miss, your beauty is renowned, and your future is surely bright. In contrast, the eldest miss has lost her looks and has no talents. The kind of family she'll marry into is obvious. Although I've served the eldest miss since I was young, I also want to follow a mistress with a promising future. And you, Second Miss, are the best choice!"

Su Yue studied Yu Qi, trying to determine how much of her words were true and how much were lies.

As a personal maid, Yu Qi would typically accompany her mistress as part of the dowry when she married.

GivenSu Li'sappearance, even if she married, she wouldn't win her husband's favor. As her maid, Yu Qi would naturally have no status or future.

Su Yue snorted coldly. "You've got some sense!"

Yu Qi breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Su Yue believed her.

Su Yue sat back on the edge of the bed and asked, "Then what happened last time? Why was there a 'Yue' character on Su Li's undergarment?"

Yu Qi met Su Yue's sharp gaze and replied sincerely, "Perhaps that ruffian didn't fancy the eldest miss and had his eyes on you from the start. With your beauty, Second Miss, countless men in the capital admire you... I suspect he tampered with the character himself."

Su Yue touched her cheek, confident in her beauty, and found Yu Qi's explanation plausible.

At this moment, Liu'er stepped forward and said, "Miss, when Yu Qi brought the undergarment, I also saw it. The character was indeed 'Li.' It's likely that toad was delusional and tampered with it himself."

Yu Qi gave Liu'er a grateful look. The bracelet she had gifted her hadn't been in vain!

Su Yue looked at Yu Qi and said, "Get up. I wronged you this time. Liu'er, bring that jade hairpin and reward Yu Qi with it."

Liu'er went to fetch the jade hairpin and handed it to Yu Qi.

Yu Qi bowed humbly. "Thank you for the reward, Second Miss."

Su Yue said gently, "As long as you remain loyal, you'll be well rewarded. Continue to keep an eye on Su Li for me, understand?"

"I understand!"

Su Yue waved her hand. "You may leave now."

"Yes, I'll take my leave!"

Once she left the courtyard, Yu Qi felt her back drenched in sweat, her clothes sticking uncomfortably to her skin.

For now, her act of allegiance had passed. She dragged her exhausted body back to her quarters.

When she entered,Mo Huahad just returned from washing up.

"Hmph!"

At first, the cold glares from the other three maids had angered her, but now she felt nothing.

The eldest miss knew everything, and Yu Qi had no choice but to follow her instructions.

For a moment, Yu Qi regretted betraying her mistress.

But when she thought about the bleak future of staying by Su Li's side, she realized that even if given another chance, she would still betray her.