High-class Spring Joy

Peach Blossom received the money and smiled broadly at the mango in front of her: "It seems you're new to this place, miss. If you ever need anything from me, Peach Blossom, please don't hesitate to ask. Whether it's renting an inn, a carriage, or even finding a house through matchmaking, anything that requires a broker, just come to me, Peach Blossom. There's nothing I can't handle, no matter what you can't imagine. I live in Chicken Willow Lane, five miles south of here. You're welcome to come to my place!"

After Peach Blossom and Mango signed the house deed and Peach Blossom gave the keys to Mango, Peach Blossom happily swayed away.

The waiter next to the mango shop remained silent until Peach Blossom left, at which point he hesitated and spoke with some difficulty: "Miss, this house seems a bit strange?"

"Huh?" Mango was startled and quickly went to ask the servant what was wrong with the house: "Do you know anything? And please tell me carefully, is it that I overpaid for this house or that I rented the wrong place?"

"It's not that the rent for this house is too high, on the contrary... it's not expensive at all." The servant looked troubled. "But it's precisely because the price is so cheap that I said something seems a bit off. While this location isn't exactly prime real estate, nor is it in the heart of Bianjing, I've already examined the house. Both the feng shui and the location are excellent. Although the house doesn't look big, the tables, chairs, benches, and beds don't seem abandoned; they look like they've been lived in for a long time. After all, the windowsills..." The stone benches and chairs in the backyard courtyard weren't spotless, but they were clean and tidy, not like a long-abandoned place. And at one tael of silver a year, it wasn't impossible to find a house in Bianjing, but finding one as comfortable and suitable as this young lady's was difficult. I just feel that the young lady seems incredibly lucky; she just happened to run into a broker, and this broker happened to have such a house. This house was not only cheap, but it also met all the young lady's requirements. I just think it's a bit of a coincidence; I can't quite put my finger on it, it's just a feeling.”

The servant said, "But don't worry, miss, perhaps it's just my overthinking. Besides, I've heard that your fate is quite special, a famously lucky koi fish. It's normal for you to have good luck, but it would be abnormal for someone with a lucky koi fish to have bad luck. Now that you've rented a house, I'll go back first and have someone bring your luggage here."

In fact, Mango's luggage consisted of only the small bundle she brought from the Zhenguo Marquis's residence.

There's absolutely no need for anyone to deliver it, but since Hu Shisi Niang said so, there's no need for the mangoes to go back and get them themselves.

There was so little mango; it all came in just one bundle, and the servant delivered it very quickly.

Soon, Mango was the only one left in the house. A small bundle and a small iron key were placed on the table in front of her. Mango sat on the stool, staring blankly at what was in front of her.

Looking at the table in front of her, she realized that she had been in the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion for ten whole years. All she had gained in return was this small bundle containing a few sets of clothes, some loose jewelry, and other things she could keep.

It would be a lie to say I'm not melancholy. After all, those were truly ten years for Mango TV, a girl's wonderful voice, growing from a time when she didn't have many ideas about anything to the present day, spanning the entire youth and shaping of Mango TV's perspectives.

Mango felt a little lost, but when she saw the contract of servitude next to her on the table, she suddenly felt relieved.

Mango first found an oil lamp, lit the fuse with the tinder she carried with her, and when the light filled the entire room, Mango unhesitatingly placed the contract of servitude in her hand on the flame of the burning oil lamp.

The flames instantly licked at the contract of servitude, and in the blink of an eye, the piece of paper that had trapped Mango for ten whole years was completely burned to ashes.

Mango stared blankly at the pile of black ashes on the table. It was just a pile of ashes, just a piece of light paper, yet it had restricted her freedom and limited her choices for ten whole years.

If you can't quite describe your current emotion, you just feel that the tightness in your chest that you can't shake off or dissipate will suddenly dissipate as you watch.

She is free.

After she changed her name to Mango, and when she personally chose to burn the contract that had restricted her freedom for ten years, Mango finally felt the suffocating feeling in her chest dissipate without a trace.

Mango took a deep breath, puffing out her cheeks like a little kangaroo, as if her mouth was stuffed full. Then, she mustered her courage and blew the ashes in front of her into pieces, scattering them in all directions.

The ashes were blown all over the house, but Mango felt great while cleaning them up, and she wasn't annoyed at all by the mess.

While cleaning and tidying up the house, Mango finally had a good look at the place she had rented. Her house wasn't big, but it was small yet complete, with everything she needed.

The tables, chairs, and benches weren't exactly luxurious or exquisite, nor were they adorned with gold or jade. In fact, they looked like they had been used for years. The wooden benches had worn smooth patches, indicating that someone had indeed lived here before. But just looking at them gave Mango a simple, warm feeling and a sense of belonging.

The well in the backyard courtyard wasn't big, but the water inside was very clear and pure. Mango brought up a bucket of water and, without much thought, scooped up some water with a ladle. After taking a big sip, Mango discovered that the well water was surprisingly refreshing and even had a hint of sweetness.

Mango took a sip and couldn't help but drink a few more. Actually, she doesn't often drink cold water, but after drinking this well water, Mango felt refreshed all over.

Mango spent the entire day tidying up her little house, from cleaning the rooms and tidying the bedding to buying some useful items. Mango was very tired, her time was full, and there were many things to do, but in Mango's heart, there was an indescribable joy and relaxation.

Mango does everything with great enthusiasm and enjoyment, without even being in a hurry, because she is no longer working for others, no longer a slave who has to obey others.

No longer will you be scolded by your master for not doing something well, nor will you be killed for saying something wrong.

She is now Mango, the mother of the child in her belly, and just one of the ordinary people in Bianjing City.

But even these ordinary people are the result of Mango's ten years of hard work.

-

While Mango was tidying up her house, Peach Blossom took the one or two taels of silver, swayed her hips and left, but instead of going home, she went straight to Jinxiu Manor.

Second floor of Jinxiuzhuang.

"Peach Blossom came to report that she has already rented that house to Miss Mango for the young master, at the price of one tael of silver per year, as you mentioned."

As she spoke, Peach Blossom handed over the one tael of silver she had just mentioned.

Zheji waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Take this tael of silver; it's what you deserve. If you do a good job, there will be other rewards."

After saying that, the guard with the broken halberd next to him stuffed the rest of the silver into Peach Blossom's hand.

When Peach Blossom saw the box of silver, she was overjoyed, her eyes practically glowing green, like a wolf spotting its prey.

Peach Blossom didn't hesitate, accepting the bag of silver carefully as if afraid of losing anything or something going wrong. Her smile grew even more ingratiating: "Oh dear, why are you being so polite, Guard Zheji? This is just to rent out a house for you. That house originally belonged to you, young master. You can rent it to whomever you want. Although I, Peach Blossom, am a broker, I'm just going through the motions, acting as a middleman. Guard Zheji is giving me so much silver, I really don't dare accept it. Why bother?"

Although Peach Blossom said this, the hand holding the silver was more honest than anyone else's, showing no intention whatsoever of returning the silver to Zheji.

Peach Blossom was originally one of the young master's subordinates. Zheji and she had known each other for a long time, from the first meeting to the first contact. Naturally, Zheji knew what kind of person Peach Blossom was.

It was just a little silver, and Zheji had no intention of getting it back. He knew very well that compared to the silver, Miss Mango was much more important to his young master.

Besides, it's just a few dozen taels of silver.

In which year has their young master donated less than several hundred thousand taels of silver to the national treasury?

If money can solve everything, then it's actually more convenient, since their young master has plenty of money.

"From now on, you must keep a close eye on Mango Girl's movements. If she encounters any difficulties or problems, help her if you can. If you can't, report back to me immediately. Under no circumstances should Mango Girl be allowed to get into trouble outside. Otherwise, your title as the number one broker in Bianjing City will be lost to the world."

As he spoke, Zheji looked serious and cold, exuding authority.

"Yes, yes, yes," Peach Blossom quickly agreed, her face beaming.

The words of the man who had failed him were not a threat at all. To Peach Blossom, they were like a sure thing. After all, business in the brokerage business is not always available. Sometimes there may be no business for half a month. When business is busy, you may have to go to more than a dozen places a day, which is not stable.

But now Peach Blossom also has a secure job. As long as she holds on to this secure job, as long as she protects Mango Girl, and as long as Mango Girl doesn't get into trouble, not to mention the reward, the young master's reward money alone will probably be plentiful.

Peach Blossom liked doing things for the third young master of the Marquis's mansion the most because he was generous and never beat around the bush. He would tell her clearly what he wanted to do, and he would usually let her decide the reward.

She's generous with her pay, direct, efficient, and decisive in her work. Most importantly, she pays quickly and directly without any fuss. This kind of client is not only what she admires, but probably what everyone who does birthday parties in the world would want.

After receiving the reward money, Peach Blossom swayed away contentedly.

Zheji pursed his lips, about to speak, when a servant ran in from the back door: "Manager Zheji, news has come from the Marquis's mansion. Guard Chensha has sent a message. Guard Chensha heard that he had something to do and couldn't leave, so he specially asked a servant in the mansion to deliver this."

Zheji frowned. What could be the matter that the servant who brought the message couldn't say directly, but instead required a note?

Chen Sha... has never been such a reliable person, has he?

Zheji thought for a moment, then took the note from Xiao Si's hand, opened it, and saw a line of text—

The young master has awakened; this must not be publicized. Return home immediately, and burn this document after reading it.

The young master has already woken up?

The broken halberd was not sunk in the sand. He immediately understood the meaning of the note. He decisively picked up the lampshade next to him, put the note on it, and when the flame licked it, the note had already been burned to a pile of ashes.

After an incense stick had burned, Zheji had already rushed back to the Marquis's residence from Jinxiu Manor.

When he hurriedly returned to Chixia Courtyard, he found the main gate of Chixia Courtyard tightly closed. Zheji, being cautious, entered through the back door.

A dozen or so guards stood watch around the area, each of them appearing very focused.

Zheji pushed open the door and went in, and sure enough, he found that Grape had woken up and was leaning against the bed, with Sai Huatuo taking his pulse.

Chen Sha, who was nearby, saw Zhe Ji and pulled him over: "Young Master woke up an hour ago. Have you finished dealing with things on your end?"

"If everything goes well, Miss Mango has already moved into that house."

Zheji said.

Little did they know that although the voice was not loud, it still reached Grape's ears.

Grape could hear them, of course, but he didn't pay attention when they first started talking until he heard the words "Mango Girl" coming from his mouth.

He immediately turned his head, his gaze fixed on the broken halberd: "What did you say you were going to do?"

Zheji stepped forward and said to Putao, "Reporting to Young Master, it was yesterday afternoon, after the Empress Dowager returned to Bianjing City from Xiangguo Temple with the royal entourage, the gatekeeper of the Marquis's residence saw Miss Mango leave with a small bundle and never return. So I guessed that Miss Mango might have forgotten her and would never return to the Marquis's residence, so I ordered Chensha to follow Miss Mango and protect her. Then I discovered that Miss Mango seemed to be going to rent a new house, so I found a suitable house for Miss Mango and ordered Taohua to rent it out for you, Young Master, so that Miss Mango wouldn't refuse because of your hospitality."

Grape listened to Zheji's words, a flicker of emotion crossed her deep eyes, and she frowned slightly as she carefully recalled what she had experienced with Mango at Xiangguo Temple. She realized that some of Mango's previous reactions were indeed somewhat different.

Redemption...

Grape recalled how Mango had once told the Empress Dowager, in order to get medicine for Red Bean, that she didn't like Apple and didn't want to marry Apple. At that time, Grape thought that perhaps Mango was just jealous and acting out of spite when she saw Apple and Banana behaving intimately.

Looking at it now, it seems that Mango had already made up her mind to redeem herself a long time ago, and what Mango said was not just said in anger.

She really didn't want to marry Apple at all.

Then it seems he no longer needs to worry about those things.

Zheji, who was standing to the side, saw that Grape was not speaking, and quickly added, "We have also observed the Fifth Young Master's movements. It seems that the Fifth Young Master already knew yesterday that Miss Mango had left the Marquis's mansion, but there has been no movement. At least he has not sent any servants to look for Miss Mango. We don't know what the Fifth Young Master is thinking now. We don't dare to take any action since the young master is still unconscious. All we can guess is... rent a house for Miss Mango."

"This was handled very well."

As Zheji was speaking,

The deathly silent prison cell was shattered by the woman's sweet voice.

After Qingyuan finished speaking, she dared not look at the tall and slender figure.

Chu Jingxian thought there was something wrong with his ears, which he was so proud of, and that he had misheard.

Unexpectedly, that charming voice rang out again: "Please, young master, please give me a child!"

Chu Jingxian frowned in annoyance, still ignoring the owner of the voice.

Another woman sent in by the Marquis's mansion to carry on the family line!

Did he really think Chu Jingxian was going to die here?

This is utterly absurd!

He assumed she would send the same things as before, and realizing he had made a fool of himself, he left dejectedly.

Unfortunately, the one sent in this time seems to be incredibly stubborn.

For every moment he remained silent, she would repeat that sentence as many times as he remained silent.

He's really stubborn.

The figure in the corner remained unresponsive.

Qingyuan remembered that the nanny had said she could get a hundred taels of silver, and she was unwilling to give up easily. She looked up at the man and said, "I just turned 18 this year. Although I come from a humble background, I am absolutely virgin. Before I came, the nanny had a doctor take my pulse. I am healthy and have no hidden illnesses... I have also learned a lot of ways to serve men... Please, young master..."

Chu Jingxian frowned even more deeply. After a moment's pause, his voice was low, hoarse, and cold: "How much money did the Marquis's mansion give you?"

What could possibly make a young, innocent woman so devoted to begging him to have a death row inmate carry on her family line?

Silence fell before her, and she remained silent for a long time, as if she were feeling guilty and nervous, or perhaps frightened by his agitation.

Chu Jingxian snorted coldly, his tone mocking: "One hundred taels? One thousand taels? Or ten thousand taels?!"

He thought the woman would be scared away by his barbed and irritating words, but she only remained silent for a moment…

There was a soft rustling sound, followed by a "thud," which sounded like a heavy object hitting the ground.

"This money may not mean much to you, young master, but I really need it. Please, young master, give me a chance. Please grant my request!"

It was still the familiar female voice, but it was mixed with sobs that hadn't been there before. She seemed to be trembling uncontrollably as she spoke, due to her emotional excitement and nervousness.

This emotion is very similar to that of the refugees who, when Chu Jingxian went to provide relief to the disaster victims, had lost their families and had no hope of survival, and could only kneel at people's feet begging for alms. The same despair, the same urgency, the same sincerity.

Chu Jingxian never considered himself a soft-hearted person, but the woman's soft, trembling sobs sounded like a newborn kitten scratching at his heart with its tiny paws.

Chu Jingxian was annoyed by her crying.

Qingyuan was truly at her wit's end and was about to try again when that low, husky voice exploded in her ear:

"come over!"

Qingyuan immediately stopped crying and rushed forward, and he came into full view of her.

His face was pale and handsome, with deep features, a high and straight nose, and thick, red lips. His eyes and eyebrows were covered by a long, dark scarf. Even in prison clothes, he could not hide his arrogant and noble temperament.

Yes.

In the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion, the third young master, Chu Jingxian.

The next second, Qingyuan was pulled by the wrist and fell into his arms.

Qingyuan was somewhat flustered, but he had clearly given her a chance, and she wouldn't let it go easily. She reached out to unbutton his clothes.

She had studied it before, but it was her first time, so she was inevitably nervous and made a few mistakes while unbuttoning her clothes.

Chu Jingxian seemed to notice her nervousness and chuckled, "Didn't you say you had studied it?"

"Yes... I learned it from the old lady." Qingyuan couldn't help but blush.

Her hands continued moving downwards until they touched his burning hot abdomen, at which point she subconsciously withdrew them.

Immediately, he grabbed her wrist and said mockingly, "What, scared?"

The man's aggressive aura enveloped her completely, his hot breath brushing against her forehead. Though he was only holding her wrist, it felt as if he had her completely imprisoned, unable to escape.

Qingyuan swallowed nervously.

As if sensing her embarrassment, he, like a hunter teasing his prey, couldn't help but chuckle at her clumsy antics, and a hearty, unrestrained laugh rang out:

You still have a chance to back out.

Qingyuan, her blood boiling from his laughter, felt a surge of anger. She touched his lips with her fingertip and said, "I will never go back on my word."

Her slender arms wrapped around his shoulders like water snakes, and she pressed her ear to his ear, giving him a light kiss...

Chu Jingxian was never a pushover, nor did he possess that much overflowing kindness, but—

She was too soft, too warm, and ultimately, she completely awakened the beast that Chu Jingxian couldn't bear to be seen.

"Who!" Chen Sha noticed something was wrong with the movement in the lake next to him almost at the same time.

Chu Jingxian hid in the night, saying, "Go closer and take a look."

Chen Sha nodded and walked to the lakeside, his gaze icy as he looked at the turbulent water: "This is the Marquis of Zhenguo's residence. Are you coming out on your own, or am I going to drag you out?"

Qingyuan was startled by the sound and quickly floated to the lakeside. Seeing Chen Sha display the Marquis's token, she explained:

"Brother Guard, please don't misunderstand, I'm not a thief! I'm Qingyuan, a maid from the Fifth Young Master's courtyard!"