Yi Yao, who was known to leave early and return late according to Xueliu, had unexpectedly appeared here at this moment.
There must be something in her room.
Jiu Yue didn’t rashly follow her. Instead, she carried the water dipper back to the kitchen near the water vat, recalling the details of Yi Yao’s room. One of the kitchen workers noticed her and began walking toward her.
Jiu Yue pretended not to see him.
Only when the worker spoke did she feign a startled expression, even letting the dipper slip from her hand.
"Am I really that scary?" The worker, however, caught the dipper effortlessly, giving her a strange look.
Jiu Yue froze for a moment before quickly putting on an admiring gaze. "You’re so skilled… I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I just came here because I saw there was water."
The girls of Misty Rain Pavilion were all assigned servants to attend to them—though, in truth, these servants also served as watchers.
Hearing this, the worker seemed to realize something. "You’re the girl Madam brought back yesterday?"
Jiu Yue nervously clasped her hands and nodded.
The worker stroked his chin, suddenly grinning at her. "So that’s how it is. Seems you don’t have a servant yet… Tonight, I’ll bring water to your room. A delicate girl like you shouldn’t be doing such rough work."
His smile was clearly ill-intentioned.
Jiu Yue: "?"
If not for her current role, she would’ve gouged out those disgusting eyes right then.
But then an idea struck her.
She looked up in feigned surprise before lowering her gaze again, her face flushing with gratitude. "Really? Thank you so much!"
Her innocent act pleased the worker immensely. He waved at her with a smirk. "Hurry back now. The courtyard will get busy soon. I’ll come find you when I’m free."
Jiu Yue nodded and scurried away in small, hurried steps.
The worker watched her slender figure retreat, his eyes filled with lust.
"You’re at it again, letting your eyes wander at the sight of a pretty girl," another worker teased from behind. "Aren’t you afraid Madam will beat you if she finds out?"
The man scoffed. "Why should I be? That little thing is bound to be ruined by men sooner or later. Why let someone else have her first? Hey, none of you better try to cut in this time. You’ve all had your turns with the other girls already…"
"Fine, fine, you can have this one first."
The kitchen erupted in laughter.
As night fell, the sounds from the front of Misty Rain Pavilion gradually reached Jiu Yue’s ears.
Music, laughter—some genuine, some forced—masking who knew what beneath.
Standing on the corridor outside her room, she could see the kitchen below and the movements near Yi Yao’s quarters.
Since catching a glimpse of Yi Yao entering her room that afternoon, Jiu Yue hadn’t seen her emerge again.
Tonight, she would sneak in and investigate thoroughly.
Just as she was thinking this, a figure appeared downstairs.
It was the worker who had harassed her earlier.
Now, spotting her, his eyes gleamed with hunger, his hands already fumbling at his belt.
Jiu Yue inwardly scoffed, but on the surface, she wore an expression of eager anticipation.
She turned and entered her room, pouring two cups of tea with a blank face.
The moment the worker stepped inside, his gaze locked onto Jiu Yue’s slender waist.
Even her back was enough to drive him wild!
He hastily shut the door, rubbing his hands in anticipation. "Little beauty, I’m here."
Jiu Yue forced a smile and handed him a cup of tea. "Weren’t you supposed to bring me water? Where is it?"
"Heh, after we’re done, I’ll heat some water for you myself…" Without a second thought, he pushed the teacup aside and lunged at her.
But Jiu Yue flung the scalding tea straight into his eyes.
The sudden pain made him convulse. Before he could even scream, she had already dislocated his jaw.
"Scum. Just die." A cold voice whispered in his ear. The worker died without ever touching her.
After disposing of the bloodied shards of the teacup, Jiu Yue swiftly stripped him of his outer clothes, dressed him in women’s garments, and stuffed him into the bed. Then, head lowered, she slipped out the door.
Disguised as the worker and shielded by the night, she moved unnoticed—most of the pavilion’s staff were occupied with the evening’s business.
But just when things seemed smooth, trouble struck.
As Jiu Yue reached the staircase, she spotted another man creeping up from below, his demeanor sleazy.
She narrowed her eyes, weighing her options, and decided to hide. But as she turned, a door behind her swung open.
It was Xueliu’s room.
The moment Xueliu saw her, recognition flashed in her eyes.
Jiu Yue worried she might ruin everything, but Xueliu instinctively covered her mouth.
Jiu Yue paused.
The man downstairs was almost upon them.
With no time to waste, Jiu Yue slipped into Xueliu’s room and shut the door. Turning, she met Xueliu’s stunned gaze.
"Don’t make a sound. I won’t hurt you," Jiu Yue said.
Xueliu’s expression shifted again. "You need to leave—no, it’s too late. Hide. Now."
Panicked, Xueliu dragged her toward a wardrobe. "No matter what you hear, don’t come out…"
Feeling Xueliu’s grip tighten around her wrist, Jiu Yue frowned in confusion. But before she could ask, Xueliu shut the wardrobe door.
Not long after, the bedroom door creaked open.
"Little beauty, it’s been days. Did you miss me?" A repulsive male voice slithered into the room.
It was the man from downstairs.
Jiu Yue understood instantly—he was here for Xueliu.
And his intentions were unmistakable.
Her eyes turned icy. Without hesitation, she pushed the wardrobe door open and stepped out.
The scene before her was vile: the man forcing himself on Xueliu, whose smile was strained, her eyes hollow with despair.
Both froze at Jiu Yue’s sudden appearance.
Xueliu paled in terror, but the man only looked puzzled. "Weren’t you supposed to be with the new girl tonight? What are you doing in Xueliu’s room?"
Jiu Yue said nothing, advancing silently.
The man’s confusion turned to unease. Why did this guy suddenly seem so menacing? Squinting, he took a closer look—then his eyes widened in realization.
A fist slammed into his face before he could react.
"Die," Jiu Yue said coolly, her grip on his throat tightening until veins bulged on her hand.
In seconds, the man collapsed lifeless, his eyes still wide open.
Xueliu stood trembling, her face ashen.
"Y-you…" she stammered, her lips bloodless. "You killed him…"
"I didn't." Jiu Yue turned her head, plucked another hairpin from Xueliu's hair, and without expression drove it into the man's heart and neck. She spoke as if it were nothing. "They're beasts—they don't deserve to be called human."
Xueliu shuddered, watching as Jiu Yue opened the window and unceremoniously tossed the man's corpse into the river outside.
"If you're free, you could clean up the blood on the floor," Jiu Yue said offhandedly, then paused, realizing Xueliu was just an ordinary woman. She scratched her head awkwardly. "Never mind. I'll help you with it when I get back."
Cleaning up—just a quick task!
Xueliu stared at her, stunned.
"Don't be afraid," Jiu Yue repeated firmly. "They weren't people... If there's nothing else, wash up and get some rest."
With that, she casually wiped the blood from Xueliu's face before leaving.
It wasn’t until long after Jiu Yue had gone that Xueliu finally regained her breath.
She rushed to the mirror on instinct, staring at her now-clean face, unable to look away for the longest time.
