Meng Shuping found a seat upon entering the room. Miao Bi, holding some items, asked him, "Fifth Young Master, where should these be placed?"
Meng Shuping pondered for a moment. "Put the money in the bedroom and lock it in a chest. As for the rest, arrange them as you see fit. Oh, and have someone bring hot water for my bath."
Miao Bi acknowledged, "Understood."
A short while later, two servant women delivered the water to the side room. As Meng Shuping rose to enter, he noticed Jinzhan had also come in and was now standing behind him.
He asked, puzzled, "What are you doing?"
Jinzhan felt a flicker of impatience but replied, "Fifth Young Master, aren't you going to bathe? Your servant will assist you."
Meng Shuping immediately refused, "No need, I'll bathe myself."
*Unsolicited kindness often hides ulterior motives.*
Seeing Meng Shuping recoil as if from a plague, Jinzhan couldn't help but inwardly sneer. *He truly was raised in a humble household—doesn't even know how to enjoy life's comforts. The mere mention of assisting him with bathing sends him into such a panic. Truly, a wild boar can't appreciate fine grain.*
Her tone involuntarily carried a hint of disdain. "Fifth Young Master, our Earl's manor is not like those rustic country homes. Here, masters always have maids attend to their baths. Since you grew up elsewhere, it's natural you wouldn't know. You'll get used to it in time."
If not for her fear that Meng Shuping might actually assign her to sweep the courtyard permanently, she wouldn't bother serving this good-for-nothing!
Meng Shuping stared at Jinzhan, speechless. *She's so proud—why is she so eager to serve me?*
*Hiss…*
*She wouldn't be trying to peek at me bathing, would she? What a pervert! I knew this girl was trouble.*
At this thought, Meng Shuping's face turned cold. "I said no means no. What's wrong with preferring to bathe alone?"
With that, he ignored Jinzhan, turned, and entered the side room. Fearing someone might barge in, he made sure to lock the door.
Jinzhan stood there, stunned, her face flushing crimson. *What is that good-for-nothing thinking? Accusing me of wanting to peek at him bathing? Is he out of his mind?*
Seeing this, Miao Bi couldn't resist a mocking glance. "Sister Jinzhan, even if you aspire to climb higher, there's no need to be so hasty. There's plenty of time—take it slow."
Jinzhan glared at her. "What nonsense are you spouting, you wretched girl? Who said anything about climbing higher?"
Even if she did want to climb higher, she'd have to be blind to try seducing Meng Shuping.
Miao Bi covered her mouth and chuckled. "If you're not trying to climb higher, sister, then why is your face so red?"
"I—I'm not!" Jinzhan flicked her handkerchief angrily and stormed out.
Watching Jinzhan's hasty retreat, Miao Bi pursed her lips. *What a fool, not knowing her place. No matter what, Fifth Young Master is our master now—how could a mere maid think she can boss him around?*
Then again, it was thanks to her temperament. If someone shrewd had come, where would that leave Miao Bi?
At this thought, Miao Bi felt even better. Even if Jinzhan was sent by the Old Madam, that didn't mean she'd necessarily become the head maid in this courtyard.
Just as Meng Shuping had unbuttoned half his clothes, he suddenly remembered that Miao Bi and the others probably hadn't eaten yet. If he didn't speak up, they'd likely remain standing guard.
So he reopened the door and instructed Miao Bi, "No need for anyone to stand guard here. All of you, go eat first."
Miao Bi quickly replied, "Yes."
After a comfortable bath, Meng Shuping found a spot in the room to air-dry his hair. Just then, Jinzhan came to report, "Fifth Young Master, I've tidied up everything inside and outside the room."
Meng Shuping glanced at her. *Listen to her tone—if someone didn't know better, they'd think she did all the cleaning herself. She's really good at taking credit.*
He asked Jinzhan, "Is everything clean?"
Jinzhan paid no mind to Meng Shuping's hidden sarcasm and said proudly, "Of course. With me around, how would any of the maids or servant women dare slack off?"
Meng Shuping nodded and then instructed her, "Bring me a piece of white cloth."
Jinzhan was a bit impatient. "What do you need white cloth for?"
Meng Shuping shot her a look, unable to suppress his doubt. *Is she even a maid? Is this the quality of the Old Madam's servants?*
But a moment later, it dawned on him. *I knew it—if she were any good, would she have been assigned to me? They must've given me the worst one.*
Jinzhan was fuming. *Who's the worst? If I were that bad, would I have been serving the Old Madam? This Meng Shuping is so infuriating!*
But no matter how angry she felt, she couldn't admit she was inferior. Reluctantly, she went to fetch the white cloth.
Meng Shuping took the cloth, wiped it across a shelf, and then held it up clearly for Jinzhan to see.
Only then did Jinzhan somewhat understand his intention. Feeling uneasy, she looked at the cloth and saw a clear smudge of dirt on it. Her face showed shock—she never expected this newly returned Fifth Young Master to be so meticulous.
Meng Shuping asked earnestly, "So this is what you call clean? Is it like this at the Old Madam's place too?"
*No way, no way—is it this dirty over there too? Ah, I really can't go easy on those lazy, slippery servants. Who knows, they might take advantage of me if they think I'm easy to bully. If it ends up like the Old Madam's place, how sloppy would that be!*
Jinzhan's face alternated between green and red. After a long pause, she said stiffly, "I'll have them clean it again right away."
Meng Shuping said, "Then clean my bedroom first. I'll be sleeping soon."
Jinzhan suppressed her anger and replied, "Yes."
Having been made a fool of by Meng Shuping earlier, Jinzhan supervised with extra care this time, afraid he might find fault again. Soon, the bedroom was spotless.
Miao Bi brought out floral-patterned curtains, quilts, and bedding to make Meng Shuping's bed. By then, Meng Shuping was extremely tired. As soon as Miao Bi finished, he happily threw himself onto the bed, ready to sleep.
Jinzhan had been waiting for Meng Shuping to nitpick and then be embarrassed when he found no issues. To her surprise, he didn't even ask and went straight to bed. She was furious but could do nothing about it.
Miao Bi hesitated for a moment and asked Meng Shuping, "Fifth Young Master, who would you like to keep watch tonight?"
Before Meng Shuping could answer, Jinzhan quickly said, "Of course it should be me. You've only just been promoted to second rank, little sister—you probably don't have much experience yet. Matters like taking care of others should be left to me."
Although she didn't want to keep watch for Meng Shuping either, she couldn't let Miao Bi outrank her. Being assigned here from the Old Madam's place was humiliating enough—if her status in this courtyard ended up lower than Miao Bi's, that would be truly miserable.
Hearing this, Meng Shuping was taken aback. *She wouldn't be planning to climb into my bed in the middle of the night, would she? Is she that desperate for me? Ugh, how shameless!*
He quickly refused, "No, no! I'm not used to having others in my room. All of you, go sleep!"
Jinzhan was so angry she could barely speak. *When did I ever want to climb into his bed? This good-for-nothing is so full of himself!*
Suppressing her rage, she said, "Fifth Young Master, this is how it is in great households. Even in the other young masters' rooms, there are maids keeping watch every night!"
Meng Shuping resisted, "They are them, and I am me. Anyway, I don't need it!"
*I've already refused her—why isn't she giving up? Using the household rules to persuade me—how cunning!*
*Does she think I don't know how many maids end up in their masters' beds while keeping watch?*
*Sigh, this girl might already have issues. If I were to sleep in the same room as her, even if nothing actually happens, I probably wouldn't be able to explain it clearly. Good thing I'm vigilant—otherwise, my innocence might have been ruined by her!*
Jinzhan was stunned by Meng Shuping's idea—how could anyone be so narcissistic? Would she ever be interested in him? Realizing that if she stayed any longer, she'd probably make her blood boil, she flounced away.
Meng Shuping couldn't help but complain, "Look at that! She dares to disrespect me to my face, and yet the Old Madam had the nerve to praise her manners? She lies without batting an eye!"
At that moment, Jinzhan hadn't gone far. Hearing Meng Shuping's words, she trembled with rage. If not for the constraints of household rules, she would have clawed Meng Shuping's face right then and there!
Confirming that Meng Shuping genuinely didn't like people staying in his room, Miao Bi had no choice but to say, "Fifth Young Master, then I'll sleep on the daybed in the east chamber. Please call me if you need anything."
Meng Shuping found this acceptable and replied, "Alright."
After Miao Bi left, with no one else to disturb him, Meng Shuping lay down and soon drifted into a deep sleep.
The next day, he woke up refreshed and energetic. After breakfast, he took Miao Bi aside.
Seeing this, Jinzhan hurried over. Though she didn't know what Meng Shuping intended to do, she assumed it involved important instructions and naturally didn't want to be left out.
Meng Shuping frowned, trying to think of an excuse to send Jinzhan away. However, after a moment's thought, he realized he couldn't even recall her name and had to say, "Hey, you, go arrange the others' tasks."
Jinzhan stared at Meng Shuping in disbelief. She had been here for so long, yet he didn't even remember her name? How come he remembered Miao Bi's?
She said unhappily, "Fifth Young Master, my name is Jinzhan."
"Oh," Meng Shuping said indifferently, "Go arrange the others' tasks."
Jinzhan, both stifled and somewhat smug, replied, "Fifth Young Master, I had already assigned their duties yesterday."
Now, Meng Shuping surely couldn't criticize her for being incompetent, could he?
"Alright then," Meng Shuping had to come up with another excuse, "Then see what's still needed in the courtyard, make a note of it, and we'll replenish the items later."
Jinzhan said proudly, "There's no need for the young master to remind me of such matters. This servant has already noted everything down and will send someone to fetch the items shortly."
Meng Shuping couldn't help but grow impatient, "Why is she so dense? Can't she tell we need to speak privately?"
*What a clueless maid! No wonder the Old Madam sent her to me!*
Jinzhan was so enraged by these words that her face turned ashen. She had to suppress her anger, her nails digging deeply into her palms as she took deep breaths to calm the frustration in her chest.
Yet, she couldn't leave just then—if she did, wouldn't she be giving Meng Shuping exactly what he wanted? So she stood her ground, pretending she hadn't heard a word.