"S-sorry, Lady! I was wrong!" Zheng Yu knelt on the floor, her white stockings stained with a trace of pencil shavings. Tears welled in her eyes, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably.
Chen Mo, who had just possessed Luo Xianxue's body, froze with the pen in his hand. A flood of questions instantly rushed into his mind.
Who was this maid? Why was she kneeling and begging like this? What unforgivable crime could she have committed to act this way before gentle Luo Xianxue?
Chen Mo was still bewildered, his expression unchanged. But to Zheng Yu, the warmth from moments ago had turned icy cold—clearly signaling the Lady's displeasure.
It's over. Just as Miss Mossy Fir said, was she about to vanish from this Mansion too? Erased from existence, forgotten by all. At best, she might be sent to Siberia to plant potatoes—but in a wealthy family, could anyone who erred expect mercy? No!
Worse, her grandmother and relatives might suffer for her mistake.
Zheng Yu immediately clung to Chen Mo's calf, wiping tears away. "Lady, I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! Please don't turn me into a shameless sow (meow)!"
Those few words startled Chen Mo. What had she endured to say such things? Xianxue, so beneath your gentle facade lies a wild heart?
Luo Xianxue, in Chen Mo's mind, was also stunned. Following his gaze to Zheng Yu, she panicked. "Phantom Sir, please let me explain!" Her voice, unusually agitated and flustered, echoed in his head.
Normally, whether Chen Mo teased or tricked her, she remained calm—believing whatever he said, only occasionally realizing later he was messing with her. Otherwise, she showed minor disappointments over trivial matters. This was the first time he felt her so frantic.
Luo Xianxue continued rapidly in his mind, "I-I-I... I know nothing! Miss Mossy Fir sent this maid over about a position transfer uncertainty. She entered, then you arrived, Phantom Sir, and after that..." She trailed off. What happened next—Zheng Yu inexplicably kneeling—Chen Mo already knew.
Seeing the pitiful maid, Chen Mo tapped his chin, piecing it together. Luo Xianxue would never act harshly. This maid was sent by Mossy Fir—the only explanation was her "training." No wonder Mossy Fir, who eyed the Head Maid position from day one, had such extraordinary methods.
He reached to help Zheng Yu up. Her kneeling made him uncomfortable—he wasn't into special fetishes. Was he supposed to follow some script? Strip off shoes, use Luo Xianxue's cute foot to step on Zheng Yu's face, then strike a queenly pose? Thrilling, but not his style.
The moment his fingers touched her, Zheng Yu shuddered violently. She released his leg, scrambled back two steps on the floor. "I can't be that scary," Chen Mo sighed. "Stand up. Your face is tear-streaked. It's not a big deal—no need for this."
Zheng Yu froze, trembling as she stammered, "Lady... do you... already know everything?"
"Yes," Chen Mo replied, grabbing a strawberry cookie nearby and taking a bite before nodding.
Zheng Yu was barely 160 cm tall, looking barely adult. Recalling Luo Xianxue's words about position transfers, Chen Mo understood instantly. This new maid had been reassigned, punished for a minor mistake. Her innocent mind couldn't cope, especially after Mossy Fir's "training," making her think it was grave. Hence the apology. Simple—a small matter blown out of proportion. Who knew such a naive girl existed in a wealthy family? Rare indeed.
Chen Mo sighed inwardly, unaware of the dullness in Zheng Yu's eyes. The Lady knew everything—meaning Zheng Yu was doomed? Having just escaped juvenile detention, was her life ending now? Tears flowed again.
Seeing this, Chen Mo scratched his head. "Don't cry. I won't hurt you. It's trivial." He wasn't great at comforting girls. Her guilt-driven tears made him think, "What a naive girl." He mentally labeled her "naive" like Luo Xianxue, softening his tone. "Everyone errs. Learn, correct it, and work harder next time. You understand?" He bent down, ruffling her hair.
Zheng Yu sat in a W-position, hands braced behind her. Chen Mo's gentle smile looked sinister to her—a bloodstained, thorny rose radiating deadly allure.
In her ears, his words twisted: "You're not the only one siding with the Head Maid. I know them all. I'll give you a chance to be an informant—but fail me, and your fate needs no explanation." The hidden meaning left her head spinning.
The Lady's words demanded deep thought—ordinary people might miss it! Zheng Yu felt grateful for her chats with Mossy Fir. Her old self would have taken it as simple comfort. So this was her last chance? Defect to the Lady, betray the Head Maid.
Zheng Yu clenched her fists, nodding firmly. "I understand, Lady!" She decided: death either way, but the Lady was deeply hidden while the Head Maid suspected nothing—the Lady clearly had better odds. To Chen Mo, her clenched fist signaled renewed confidence, and he nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. As for your new position..." Chen Mo trailed off deliberately, feigning thought. In his mind, Luo Xianxue chimed in perfectly, "Phantom Sir, since Mossy Fir became my personal maid, the kitchen needs someone." No wonder the strawberry cookie tasted off—Mossy Fir had quit kitchen duties. Chen Mo told Zheng Yu, "Go learn strawberry cookie-making from Mossy Fir. Take over her old kitchen job."
"Understood!" Zheng Yu entered the study trembling with fear, but left with a determined expression.
