Chapter 307: I Admit My Mistake
The brat's reaction was well within Zhu Ping'an's expectations. From the last time the brat's homework was inspected by the Marquis of Linhuai, it was clear-the brat's reflexes were somewhat adorable. Whenever he was asked a question too quickly or got nervous in sudden situations, his answers were always subconscious reactions.
However, the second young lady of the marquis' residence and the others were speechless watching the brat get led astray by Zhu Ping'an... They had originally wanted to catch Zhu Ping'an doing something improper, but unexpectedly, it was their own people who got caught red-handed.
"The room is a bit messy, please forgive me,"
After finishing his question, Zhu Ping'an acted as if he had just noticed the second young lady and the others arriving in the courtyard. He gently placed the little girl in his arms down, cupped his hands toward the door, and said softly.
"You're too polite, Young Master Zhu."
The second young lady of the marquis' residence gave a slight bow. The fourth young lady followed suit with a slight bow, the third young lady looked a little disdainful and didn't move at all; the sixth young lady revealed small tiger teeth and giggled adorably, looking all innocent.
"Sister, this bumpkin bullied me and Niu'er! Teach him a lesson!" The brat, upon seeing the second young lady and the others as if they were his reinforcements, dragged the little girl and quickly ran to her side, hugging her thigh and glaring at Zhu Ping'an with his chubby face.
"Gong'er, truly innocent and naive."
Hearing the brat call Zhu Ping'an a bumpkin, Li Shu pursed her lips and chuckled as she cast a sidelong glance at the brat, then turned her gaze to the second young lady.
"Gong'er, Niu Niu, why are you two so naughty? Quickly apologize to Young Master Zhu." The second young lady, unable to save face, had to take the role of the elder sister and maintain fairness.
"I'm not apologizing to a bumpkin!"
The brat crossed his arms, raised his chubby face, and squinted his little eyes, full of disdain.
"No worries. They're just kids." Zhu Ping'an looked up and smiled at everyone, waving his hand indifferently.
"Young Master Zhu, you truly have the demeanor of a gentleman."
As soon as Zhu Ping'an finished speaking, the second young lady smiled and added a comment. But after that, her tone shifted.
"Young Master Zhu truly has the demeanor of a gentleman. However, our Marquis' residence always values discipline. We cannot let them get away with being mischievous." As she spoke, the second young lady crouched down and beckoned the brat and the little girl to come over. With a smile but in an unquestionable tone, she said to the two, "If you've done something wrong, you must correct it. Be good. Go apologize to Young Master Zhu. Otherwise, I'll have to tell Father and Second Uncle."
Upon hearing that his sister would tell their father, the brat's chubby face trembled. He then looked at Zhu Ping'an with great reluctance and muttered, "Sorry, Gong'er was wrong."
After hearing the brat apologize, the second young lady nodded in satisfaction, then turned her gaze to the little girl and said with a gentle smile: "Niu Niu, be good, Young Master Zhu is waiting for your apology."
Then they saw the little girl toddle over on her short legs. She looked up at Zhu Ping'an with big watery eyes and asked, "Are... are you a god?"
Huh??
Everyone was puzzled, including Zhu Ping'an, who was also a bit stunned. Why was this little girl asking if he was a god?
The little girl blinked her watery eyes again. "Oh, I apologized..."
I apologized...
Apologized to the wrong person... Wrong apology... So this is how she apologizes, huh?
Uh... Zhu Ping'an was a bit speechless. So that's how this little girl says sorry. Haha, interesting. She'll probably grow up to be another scheming, cunning lady, almost catching up with Li Shu when she was little. Unconsciously, Zhu Ping'an turned his gaze toward Li Shu.
Li Shu noticed Zhu Ping'an looking at her. She naturally understood what his gaze meant and couldn't help but glare at him.
The second young lady and the others took a moment to react, but by then the little girl had already toddled back. The brat also glared at Zhu Ping'an with his chubby face, then limped off with the little girl.
"Ahem, Young Master Zhu, I truly apologize. I'll have the household send over a new set of books later."
The second young lady stood up and apologized to Zhu Ping'an with some embarrassment, then led her sisters off to chase the two brats.
Zhu Ping'an watched the group's departing figures and gently shook his head with a smile. Then he began tidying up the mess in the room caused by the two children.
As night fell, the entire marquis' residence was enveloped in thick, inky darkness.
In the rear courtyard, Li Shu sat on the embroidered couch, leaning back against a cushion placed by her dumpling-faced maid. She held a cup of white fungus tea, took a small sip, then turned her gaze to the maid and asked softly: "Did you take care of the task I instructed last time?"
Besides Li Shu, there was only the dumpling-faced maid the room. Upon hearing the question, the maid nodded vigorously, though her face still showed confusion.
"It's all done. I told Brother Wang everything you instructed, and everything has been arranged. But miss, I still don't understand-why are we spending so much money to buy things from those shops in the residence? We don't even need those things. That's so much silver, all benefiting the household. I heard that even the madam has been coughing with laughter lately, and the old lady has been eating an extra bowl these days..."
The maid wrinkled her dumpling-like face, full of confusion.
"Is that so? Then that's for the best. My filial piety as a junior hasn't gone to waste." Li Shu's phoenix eyes were full of charm as she smiled gently, her demeanor seductive.
"But miss... aren't we supposed to..."
The maid scrunched her face, clearly still confused.
"The North Wind and the South Wind had a contest to see who could make a traveler take off his coat. The North Wind blew fiercely, chilling to the bone, and the traveler only wrapped his coat tighter. The South Wind blew gently, the sun came out, and the traveler felt warm and loosened his belt, eventually taking off his coat..."
Li Shu didn't directly answer the maid's question. Instead, she smiled and told her a little story.
The dumpling-faced maid looked completely lost, not understanding the meaning behind her mistress' story.
Li Shu rolled her eyes at the maid's blank face and beckoned her over with a finger.
The maid trotted over, and Li Shu tapped her on the forehead with her delicate pink fingers.
"Ouch, miss." The maid pouted, dragging out her voice in grievance.
"Silly girl. It's fine if you don't understand. Just do as I say. Remember this-go tell Wang Xiao'er again tomorrow to spread the word. Raise the price by another 30%. Don't worry about the expense-buy as much as there is."
A playful smile appeared on Li Shu's lips. The moonlight shone through the window onto her clear eyes, making them look like two sparkling stars.
"Still buying..." The dumpling-faced maid looked distressed-so much silver had already been spent.
"Of course. Otherwise, how will I show my filial piety as a junior?" Li Shu's lips curled into a sly arc, like a smiling little fox.
"But, but miss, the household doesn't even know it's you buying it..." The maid puffed her cheeks, still confused.
"Giggle... it's precisely because they don't know that it's fun." Li Shu laughed delightedly.