Chapter 27: A Maid’s Outfit and a Sister’s Scheme

Knock, knock, knock… Knock, knock, knock…

“Enter.”

Luli Ling, seated gracefully on the sofa, heard the urgent knocking and a slight frown creased her brow, betraying a hint of displeasure.

The door swung open, revealing Hei, clad in black, stumbling in with clumsy haste. Luli Ling sighed with exasperation; she had merely sent him to monitor Ouyang Xiyue, not to return in such a state of utter panic.

“Hei, what is the meaning of this? Why are you so flustered?” Luli Ling’s brow remained furrowed, her tone laced with a touch of annoyance.

“Pr-Princess, something terrible has happened! I… I think I saw Sir Ouyang Xiyue… he… he…” Hei gasped for breath, gesticulating wildly with both hands, yet utterly failing to articulate his words.

Watching him, Luli Ling sighed once more before rising to pour him a glass of water, which she then handed to him. Hei gulped it down, his breathing settling slightly thereafter.

“Speak slowly now, what has happened to Ouyang Xiyue?” Luli Ling instructed, resuming her seat on the sofa as she spoke.

“Princess, I believe I saw Sir Ouyang Xiyue… dressed in a maid’s outfit. While I’m not entirely certain, I’m confident my eyes did not deceive me. Though he was somewhat distant, I could never mistake Sir Ouyang Xiyue’s distinctive silver hair!” Despite his initial uncertainty, Hei rubbed his head, pondering deeply, before ultimately affirming his judgment.

Upon hearing Hei’s report, Luli Ling froze. She covered her face with both hands, a strange, muffled laugh escaping her lips. When she finally lowered her hands, her serene and dignified expression had been perfectly restored.

“Hei, you’ve done well. However, if you’ve returned to report without seeing clearly, and this information proves false, I shall have to consider your punishment quite carefully. For instance, how about I make you eat this solid gold cup you’re holding? Wouldn’t that be a gentle enough chastisement?” Luli Ling spoke, a faint smile gracing her lips.

“It cannot be wrong! I trust my own eyes. Should your subordinate truly have erred, I am willing to accept any punishment.” Hei declared, placing his right hand over his chest and bowing ninety degrees.

“Very well, you may go. Continue to keep a close watch.” Luli Ling waved a dismissive hand.

“Yes, Princess.” With those words, Hei respectfully retreated.

The moment Hei stepped outside, the tension that had gripped his heart finally eased. He prayed silently, hoping his judgment was indeed correct.

Should he truly have been mistaken, spoiling the Princess’s amusement, his punishment would likely transcend merely consuming the cup in his hand; he might even have his eyes replaced… Indeed, Hei’s pupils were not his own, but had been magically acquired. The terrifying memory of the Princess’s furious outburst, when he had previously failed a mission, still haunted him to this day.

While the Princess appeared innocent, lively, and adorable on the surface, the face hidden beneath that mask was utterly ruthless. Should events not unfold precisely as she envisioned, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Hei felt a surge of gratitude for still being alive, muttering silently to himself before vanishing from the spot in a series of swift leaps and dodges.

****

Inside the room, Luli Ling had moved to the window, gazing at the darkening sky. A look of enchantment graced her features, her eyes still closed, as if lost in some vivid fantasy.

“Ah, the mere thought is exhilarating. Ouyang Xiyue in a maid’s outfit, hahahahahahaha…” Luli Ling let out a piercing peal of laughter.

“Ye Jia, big sister is leaving now. Remember to listen to your brother at home, alright?”

Having changed out of the maid’s outfit, Ouyang Xiyue donned her own small skirt once more, bidding farewell to Ye Jia at Night Xuehui’s doorstep.

“Oh? Is Sister Ouyang really leaving? But it’s so late! For a great beauty like Sister Ouyang Xiyue, walking alone isn’t safe, is it? How about I discuss it with my brother and have him escort you? Otherwise, I’ll be truly worried.” Ye Jia clung to Ouyang Xiyue’s hand, refusing to let her go, continuously pouting and pleading.

“Alright, little sister Ye Jia, don’t you worry. Don’t let big sister’s delicate appearance fool you; I’m actually quite formidable, after all, I even defeated your brother… *cough*, a girl.” Ouyang Xiyue nearly blurted out “man,” but fortunately swallowed the word just in time, averting a potential disaster. A chill ran down his spine, and he patted his chest, secretly relieved.

‘In truth,’ Ouyang Xiyue mused, ‘even if I truly were weak, I’m still a cross-dresser (TL Note: A person who dresses in clothes typically associated with the opposite gender, often for personal expression or entertainment.). If someone were to harass me, once they lifted my skirt, they’d surely be thoroughly disgusted! Absolutely, I can already imagine their faces, full of shock and disbelief… Though, if I were to encounter a gay man (TL Note: Slang term for a homosexual man.), that would probably be the end of me, *emmm*.’

“Oh? Really? You said you defeated my brother? No way! *Emmm*, even so, I still can’t rest easy. How about Sister Ouyang stays at my house tonight? Anyway, you’ll have to travel all this way again tomorrow, won’t you, big sister?” Ye Jia pouted, shaking Ouyang Xiyue’s arm, continuing her endearing pleas.

“But that wouldn’t be right. I’m not accustomed to sleeping in other people’s homes,” Ouyang Xiyue demurred, a hint of apology in her expression.

“It’s fine, Sister Ouyang, just think of this place as your own home.” Ye Jia flashed a mischievous smile.

“Oh? I don’t quite understand.” Ouyang Xiyue wore a puzzled expression. How could she possibly consider this her home after only knowing them for a day? Moreover, with that fellow Night Xuehui around, she certainly wouldn’t dare to stay long-term.

Indeed, in just a single day, Ouyang Xiyue had completely captivated Night Xuehui’s biological sister, Ye Jia.

Now, with Ye Jia clinging to Ouyang Xiyue like sticky candy, it was clear proof of Ouyang Xiyue’s considerable social skills. Ouyang Xiyue patted her head, secretly pleased with herself.

“Hehe, Sister Ouyang, you’re as beautiful as a blossoming flower, a true peerless beauty capable of toppling cities and nations! I dare say, from ancient times to the Big Bang… *cough*, well, simply put, you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen in my life, bar none.” As Ye Jia spoke, she practically launched herself onto Ouyang Xiyue, rubbing her head frantically from side to side, leaving Ouyang Xiyue utterly helpless.

Observing Ye Jia, Ouyang Xiyue couldn’t help but think of his own younger sister. He wondered how she was doing lately, as it had been so long since they last met. *Emmm*, an idea sparked…

Ye Jia waved her hand at Ouyang Xiyue, signaling her to lean down. Ouyang Xiyue complied, albeit with a puzzled expression, as Ye Jia whispered into her ear: “What I mean is, Sister Ouyang~ you’re so incredibly beautiful, and my brother is so handsome and talented, so why don’t you two get together? That way, you could legitimately consider this your home, hehehe. What do you think, Sister Ouyang? Consider it, and I’ll help set you and my brother up.”

“Stop, stop, stop!” Ouyang Xiyue immediately stood up, gesturing for her to halt.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Me and that scoundrel… *cough*, how could that be? No, no, no, it’s impossible, absolutely impossible!” Ouyang Xiyue’s face slowly flushed crimson, revealing extreme panic, like a child caught in mischief.

Ye Jia, observing Ouyang Xiyue’s adorable reaction, flashed a wicked grin. In Ouyang Xiyue’s eyes, that smile was as terrifying as a mischievous imp’s.

‘I’m just a child,’ Ye Jia thought to herself. ‘What harm could a child possibly intend?’

“Ahem, well, that’s enough, Ye Jia. It’s getting late, so you should get some rest. Big sister is leaving now.” Ouyang Xiyue hastily pulled her arm free, then turned and departed.

Watching Ouyang Xiyue’s retreating figure, Ye Jia finally couldn’t hold back a burst of laughter, before closing the door and heading back inside.