The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

The situation reached a stalemate.

Seeing that Cuilan's eyes were bloodshot and she was about to tell the truth through gritted teeth.

Chu Yuan'er clenched her fists and quickly made a decision.

She tugged at Zhou Ming'an's sleeve, gave him a look, and then stepped forward.

"Cuilan, tell me honestly, did you really have this intention?"

"Although your actions are against the rules, the old lady and young lady are both here today. If you are willing to tell the truth, the masters may be merciful and spare your life."

"If you remain unrepentant, no one can save you!"

Cuilan's expression froze.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Everyone looked up and saw Liu Muqiu helping Wan Mama into the courtyard, her expression anxious.

Liu Muyuan quickly went to greet her: "Sister!"

Lu Mingzhao frowned slightly.

Liu Muqiu hurriedly went inside to pay her respects, but was steadily supported by Lu Mingzhao.

"You were perfectly fine in the East Wing, why did you come here?"

Liu Muqiu didn't answer directly, but asked anxiously, "Mother, did Muyuan do something wrong? He's young, and it's normal for him to make mistakes occasionally."

Lu Mingzhao quickly realized that Mu Qiu had come for her younger brother.

It no longer matters whether it was Chu Yuan'er or Liu Muyuan who tipped them off; the important thing now is to keep Liu Muqiu calm.

As Lu Mingzhao was pondering how to explain, she heard Liu Muyuan say, "Sister, it's just a misunderstanding. The old lady asked me to come and ask a few questions, but she didn't blame me."

Liu Muqiu immediately looked at Lu Mingzhao.

Lu Mingzhao paused, then smiled and said, "That's right. It turns out that the maid Cuilan has a crush on Mu Yuanfang, but she won't say it, which led me to misunderstand."

Liu Muqiu was taken aback and looked at the group hesitantly.

"...Cuilan?"

What kind of situation is this?

Wasn't my sister-in-law interested in Mu Yuan? How come Cui Lan got involved too?

After receiving a threatening look from Chu Yuan'er, Cui Lan, who was kneeling on the ground, lowered her head resignedly.

"Yes, it was just wishful thinking on my part... I hope that the old lady will be lenient with me, considering that I have served you faithfully for ten years."

Lu Mingzhao laughed and said, "If you had said so earlier, why did things have to come to this?"

"Besides, I don't think your idea is wishful thinking at all. Young Master Liu is handsome and talented; which young lady wouldn't be attracted to him? Just because you're a servant doesn't mean you're not qualified to be interested, does it?"

"Now that you've said it to my face, let me ask you, Young Master Liu, do you like Cuilan? If you do, I'll give her to you."

Everyone present was taken aback.

Zhao Xianglan silently thought to herself: She's gone mad, the old lady has really gone mad this time.

After what happened last time, everyone knows that the young lady has a good impression of Liu Muyuan. She even proposed to the Marquis that she wanted to get engaged to Young Master Liu.

If the old lady were to give the young lady's maid to Liu Muyuan now, it would be far too strange.

Putting aside whether it's proper or not, how will the young lady and Young Master Liu meet and talk as usual in the future?

Can the two of them really have a future together?

The most terrifying aspect of this statement lies not in the relationship between the two, but in Liu Muyuan's response.

If Liu Muyuan agrees, it will be difficult for him and the girl to have any chance in the future.

If Liu Muyuan doesn't agree, what will happen to the disloyal maid? And can Liu Muyuan bear the shadow this will cast on the girl's heart?

Finally, Liu Muqiu couldn't help but speak up. She wanted to ease the tension, but her voice trembled slightly: "Mother, are you joking?"

Zhou Ming'an looked at Lu Mingzhao with eyes full of humiliation.

She believed that her mother did this to humiliate her, knowing full well that she was interested in Liu Muyuan, yet still choosing to give her maid to Liu Muyuan.

However, she also had mixed feelings. After listening to what Liu Muyuan and Cuilan had said, it seemed that the two of them had indeed met without her knowledge.

Cuilan served her every day, yet she knew nothing of it.

Cuilan, who was kneeling to the side, was the only one among them who felt a glimmer of hope because of Lu Mingzhao's words.

Just now, she confessed to her crime as Chu Yuan'er had instructed.

Liu Muyuan was exonerated, but what were the consequences for her?

After this incident, the old lady would absolutely never allow her to continue serving the young lady.

If things go well, she'll be sent away somewhere else; if things go badly, she'll most likely be sold off. As for where she'll be sold, who knows?

If what the old lady said is true, and she was given to Liu Muyuan... Liu Muyuan has the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations) and is indeed talented.

If she becomes an official in the future, she may be promoted to the position of concubine.

If she is fortunate enough to give birth to a child, she will never have to worry again for the rest of her life.

This is arguably the best way out she can find for herself right now.

She's already considered a useless piece.

One cannot help but think of oneself.

Upon realizing this, Cuilan immediately crawled a few steps and grabbed Zhou Ming'an's sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears, pleading, "Miss, please, please grant my request! I've served you for so long, and this is the first time I've ever begged you like this."

"Although I know my status is lowly and I am not worthy of Young Master Liu, I only thought that if you and Young Master Liu could get married, I could be a concubine in your dowry and that would be enough for me. I truly have no other intentions than you have!"

"I have secretly met with Young Master Liu a few times, but everything was in accordance with the rules and I did not overstep any boundaries... If I am to be kicked out now, I would rather kill myself here."

Cuilan was pleading with Zhou Ming'an, but she was also pleading with Liu Muyuan and Chu Yuan'er.

She was willing to take all the blame herself, just to find a way out.

Zhou Ming'an and his mother stared at each other for a long time.

Realizing that her mother would not back down, she took a deep breath and looked at Liu Muyuan with tears in her eyes.

"Young Master Liu, Cuilan has served me for many years and is a good woman. You also lack a confidante by your side, so why not... keep her?"

Liu Muyuan and Zhou Ming'an exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Liu Muyuan took a deep breath and slowly lowered his head.

"it is good."

Overjoyed, Cuilan wept and immediately knelt down to express her gratitude: "Thank you so much, Madam! Thank you, Miss! Thank you, Young Master Liu, for taking me in!"

"This servant will certainly serve Young Master Liu well from now on!"

Zhou Ming'an closed his eyes, could no longer hold back, rushed out the door, and burst into tears the moment he turned around.

Chu Yuan'er gritted her teeth and hurriedly chased after him.

Lu Mingzhao seemed oblivious to what was happening, still smiling as he looked at Liu Muyuan: "I've done a good deed, so you can take Cuilan with you now."

"...Thank you very much, Madam Lu." Liu Muyuan bowed deeply in a hoarse voice, then turned and left.

Cuilan hurriedly got up from the ground, wiped away her tears haphazardly, thanked Lu Mingzhao again, and then followed him, lifting her skirt.