Chapter Eight: The Distinction Between Master and Servant

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Tian Momo glanced at Luo Yunqiao, and before she could reply, she strode ahead. Luo Yunqiao looked up at her. Although this maid stood respectfully, her haughty demeanor was more like summoning a servant. Tian Momo was a loyal servant to her mother and showed some respect to the other young masters and miss, but she never had a good expression toward Luo Yunqiao. Well, that was to be expected—who could blame her for being unfavored? Servants knew how to treat people according to their status. Besides, this lunch gathering was bound to be anything but peaceful. Seeing Luo Yunqiao make no move, Tian Momo grew impatient. “Second young master and the eldest miss are waiting. You dawdle like this, putting on airs—it’s unbecoming.” Yin Xin, feeling indignant, couldn’t help but say, “Momo, our miss knows her place. Even if you are the lady’s attendant, it’s not proper to speak to her this way.” Tian Momo snapped, “You little maid, how dare you be so insolent in front of me? Such disrespect!” Raising her hand to strike, Luo Yunqiao stepped forward, blocking her. Her eyes turned cold. “Momo, were you speaking to me just now?” “Of course,” Tian Momo hesitated, then nodded. Luo Yunqiao smiled faintly, her tone calm. “Oh, I thought you were talking to the air just now. No proper form of address—that’s even ruder than the country folk.” Tian Momo was momentarily speechless, her face changing several times. How dare she compare her to those crude villagers! Who did she think she was? But Luo Yunqiao was the young lady now, and she had grown firmer than before. Tian Momo dared not push too far but asked begrudgingly, “Miss, will you go or not? The madam and young masters are waiting. You must give an answer.” Her tone was still impatient and disdainful. Luo Yunqiao replied indifferently, “Hmm.” That counted as an agreement, but— Page 2/3

This attitude was hard for Tian Momo to tolerate. She reminded, “Miss, it’s your choice, but don’t provoke the madam’s displeasure. She won’t take it lightly.” Luo Yunqiao stopped, turned, and fixed her gaze on Tian Momo. Her eyes were like deep, still water—unruffled but unreadable. “Momo, your reminders make me curious. Do you always show such ‘consideration’ toward Luo Yunzhen?” Tian Momo was stunned, obviously not expecting Luo Yunqiao to mention Luo Yunzhen. Her expression stiffened slightly, then she replied respectfully, “I only follow orders. Please don’t trouble me, miss.” “Oh?” Luo Yunqiao smiled faintly. “Whose orders do you follow? Feel free to say it—let me confront them face to face and see what these orders really are.” Tian Momo’s face shifted, and she lowered her head, avoiding Luo Yunqiao’s gaze. A flash of displeasure crossed her eyes as she nervously twisted her sleeves. “What, won’t say anything now?” Luo Yunqiao’s tone sharpened, her posture straightening, eyes like blades. “I know you are an elder by my mother’s side, naturally attentive to her. But don’t forget the difference between master and servant. No matter who is right or wrong in this household, no matter how father and mother treat me, it’s not your place to lecture me, your mistress.” No matter how unloved or rustic she was, Luo Yunqiao’s family name was Luo, and she was the young lady of the Luo household—an unchangeable fact! No servant, no matter how high their standing, should treat their mistress so poorly; it would be like trampling the Luo family’s rules and honor into the dirt. Tian Momo lowered her eyes submissively and quickly said, “I dare not. I only worry that you might offend madam and cause her displeasure. I have your best interests at heart...” “If that’s the case, then you should know better how to act appropriately.” Luo Yunqiao’s tone softened but held undeniable authority. “It’s your duty to relay madam’s messages; anything more would be overstepping.” Tian Momo forced a smile, replying respectfully, “I have taken your lesson to heart, miss. I will not speak out of turn again.” After Tian Momo left, Yin Xin glanced at her mistress a few times, hesitating before asking, “Miss, do you really want to go have lunch?” She was genuinely worried. She could sense that madam and the others were not kind to her mistress. If they were not kind, why invite her to lunch? Since returning from Zhaojue Temple, Miss’s temper had become less pleasant. There would likely be another quarrel, and in the end, it was her mistress who would suffer. Luo Yunqiao looked down at Yin Xin’s troubled face, gently pinching her cheek with a soft voice tinged with teasing, “What? Afraid your miss will be eaten alive if she goes?” Page 3/3

Yin Xin dared not respond but her eyes reddened. “Miss, I only worry about you...” Luo Yunqiao’s eyes flickered, then she smiled wryly. “Silly girl, what grievances can I still suffer? Or rather, am I not already past that point?” To be accused of enticing the Third Prince and breaking the gift presented to the Emperor, charges pinned on her at will—what worse could there be? Her tone was calm yet tinged with helplessness, as if recounting something utterly ordinary. Yin Xin felt her nose sting and her eyes brimmed with tears. “If I don’t go, there will be more trouble. They might accuse me of being unfilial or even sow discord before the old madam, branding me as disrespectful.” She could not afford to lose the old madam’s favor now. Otherwise, she would find herself truly trapped. Luo Yunqiao entered her chamber, turned, and sat down leisurely, a cold gleam flickering in her eyes. “Instead of letting them whisper behind my back, I’d rather see what farce they’re putting on. Besides...” She paused, a cold smile curling her lips. “I want to see if this so-called ‘Feast of the Hongmen’ can really break a bone of mine, Luo Yunqiao.” Hearing this, Yin Xin felt her chest tighten but knew she couldn’t dissuade her mistress. She bit her lip and nodded firmly, “Very well, I’ll accompany you!” Luo Yunqiao changed into a pale blue gown, and Yin Xin pinned her hair into a bun. Then, they set off unhurriedly toward Qinghui Courtyard. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground. In Qinghui Courtyard, an ancient locust tree bloomed with delicate white flowers, their fragrance drifting on the breeze, unable to mask the undercurrents rippling through the courtyard. As Luo Yunqiao stepped inside, she immediately heard Luo Zefeng’s sarcastic voice: “Luo Yunqiao, you really have an attitude. Is it because we’re not important enough to invite you properly? Knowing we’re waiting, and you still show up this late?” Luo Yunqiao looked up and saw Luo Zefeng sitting there with a scowl, eyes blazing with anger, as if ready to accuse her. She had expected as much.