HUS Chapter 39: Qiaoshe's Predicament
Dec 16, 2025
Accountant Li's hand tentatively rested on Qiaoshe's lower back.
Qiaoshe's petite body suddenly stiffened, but she didn't dodge.
Accountant Li's confidence immediately soared.
How could a desperate little girl not submit?
Li Damu smiled triumphantly, and his hand eagerly slid toward the perky part.
Accountant Li's old wife served his parents back in his hometown. He worked alone as an accountant at Phoenix Mountain Manor.
Li Damu could only return home during his annual rest periods but even when he returned home, how could that yellow-faced woman who had completely lost her charm compare to a vibrant young girl like the one before him?
What he felt at his fingertips was his lost youth.
"Ah! Don't..." Qiaoshe suddenly cried out in alarm.
Qiaoshe had been stunned by his actions just moments ago.
Perhaps subconsciously, she did indeed harbor thoughts of using Master Li's power to change her predicament. However, whether to give herself up for this, she ultimately couldn't make such a decision so easily.
Accountant Li's fingers hadn't even slid into place when the snake-like sensation jolted Qiaoshe awake.
Caught off guard, Accountant Li was pushed back and stumbled. His face immediately showed displeasure.
He darkened his expression and rebuked, "Cheap slave, do you still think you're that upper-class maid of the inner residence? Now the young mistress sees you as a thorn in her eye, and the wife won't create mother-daughter-in-law conflict for you. You're beyond saving, understand?"
Accountant Li hooked Qiaoshe's chin, his wrinkled face showing a threatening cold smile.
"If you submit to this old man, I'll risk this face of mine and plead for you. You won't have to suffer anymore. Otherwise... hmph!"
Qiaoshe's heart was in turmoil.
She knew Accountant Li spoke the truth.
The young mistress wanted to use her to establish authority, and the wife had abandoned her. She had no hope of advancement.
Don't think that everyone except the young mistress in the eldest branch's inner residence were servants—servants also had ranks and classes.
She had once stood high. How could she now endure such a humble life in the dust?
At her young age, to be abandoned and excluded, that oppression could drive someone mad but, but, did she really have to submit to this old man before her?
Master Li's face was wrinkled like drought-cracked earth, crisscrossed with gullies and ravines...
Two streams of tears slid down Qiaoshe's fair face. She suddenly squeezed her eyes shut!
Forget it. Since everyone has abandoned me, I'll just sacrifice myself.
Consider it being bitten by a dog!
At this moment, a clear voice suddenly rang out from outside the door, "Master Li, you haven't retired yet, have you? It's me, Yang Can. I have business to discuss with you."
Accountant Li's words had frightened Qiaoshe, and he was about to pounce and indulge himself when he suddenly heard Yang Can's voice. His heart filled with great resentment.
Damn it! You don't come early or late, but come now to ruin my good fortune.
He looked at Qiaoshe, who had reopened her eyes, and could only suppress his anger, "Is that Steward Yang? Please wait a moment."
After Li Damu finished speaking, he threatened in a low voice, "Think carefully about what Li has said when you go back. Right now, only Li is willing to rescue you from this sea of suffering. After this village, there won't be this shop. Miss Qiaoshe, don't make a mistake."
Having said this, Li Damu darkened his face and barked, "Wipe away those tears immediately."
Li Damu quickly walked over, pulled open the door, and saw Yang Can standing outside.
Li Damu said in surprise, "Steward Yang, it's so late. Why have you come?"
"Master Li, I naturally have business to discuss. What, aren't you inviting me in?"
"Ah, look at me, hahaha, Steward Yang, please come in quickly."
Li Damu stepped aside. Yang Can walked in and immediately saw Qiaoshe.
"Master Li has a guest?"
Li Damu quickly said, "Oh, it's a messenger maid from the inner residence. She brought some ledgers the young mistress needs verified and compiled."
Li Damu waved at Qiaoshe, "Alright, you can go back now. Our accounting office will verify these accounts as quickly as possible."
Qiaoshe had been standing there dumbly. Seeing Li Damu wave, she hurriedly left as if granted amnesty.
Accountant Li put on a smiling face and said to Yang Can, "Steward Yang, please sit quickly. What instructions bring you here?"
Qiaoshe walked out of Accountant Li's residence in a daze and stopped under a large elm tree full of elm coins.
The tree full of elm seeds had a faint fragrance that gradually calmed her emotions.
These past two days, she had been made an example of by the young mistress and abandoned by the wife. Her circumstances had plummeted.
The inner residence was full of people who fawned on the powerful and trampled the weak. Though they didn't physically abuse her, the mental torture was enough to make death preferable to life.
With such sudden changes, her mind was muddled. For a time, aside from self-pity, she hadn't thought of a way to save herself.
Now, her mind suddenly brightened.
How could I forget? I can still turn to Steward Yang!
Qiaoshe suddenly remembered that day when she was punished by the young mistress with mouth-slapping, only Steward Yang wasn't afraid of the young mistress.
Steward Yang had openly given her medicine, completely disregarding the young mistress's displeasure.
"A maid serving in the eldest branch, especially someone from the young mistress's side, your face is the doorway to the master's household. If it's scarred, what would that look like?"
"These days, the one supervising punishment looks more like a clown on stage than the one receiving punishment."
Steward Yang not only dared to openly give medicine, he even dared to openly mock the young mistress's trusted maid Qingmei...
If I must find a backer, choosing Steward Yang is definitely better than choosing Accountant Li.
Not even comparing their power and status, just that Steward Yang is young and handsome, how could that old fossil Li Damu compare?
Qiaoshe took two steps back, leaned against the large elm tree, and hid her body in the tree's shadow.
Inside the room, Li Damu was both surprised and delighted, "The steward wants Li to accompany you to inspect the various estates? Yes, yes, yes, why wouldn't that work? Li should naturally be at Steward Yang's disposal!"
Li Damu's nose almost bubbled with joy.
Hehe, I, Li, just sitting in this manor, and Master Zhang can send me two gold cakes.
If I go to his door to check his accounts, how many gold cakes will he give me?
This assignment has great profit!
Moreover, I can also reasonably push off this thankless task the young mistress assigned that would offend people.
Li Damu eagerly agreed, "Li is also part of the eldest branch. I should naturally share the Clan Head's and young mistress's burdens. Other matters can be set aside. Accompanying Steward Yang on inspections is Li's unshirkable duty. What? You're asking about these ledgers? No problem. Tomorrow Li will hand them over to colleagues in the accounting office to handle."
Yang Can smiled, "In that case, it's settled. Alright, the night is deep. I won't disturb Master Li's rest any longer. Master Li, you can prepare in advance these next few days."
"Steward Yang, rest assured. Li will definitely not delay important matters."
Accountant Li happily saw Yang Can out.
...
The spring night breeze was slightly cool. Elm coins fell with the wind, and stepping on them gave a soft, fluffy feeling.
In the tree's shadow, Qiaoshe saw a tall, upright figure approaching. She couldn't help but grit her teeth.
"Steward Yang, save me!"
If Qiaoshe hadn't knelt so quickly, Yang Can would have already kicked out.
"Steward Yang, this servant begs the steward to take pity."
Yang Can slowly withdrew his raised right foot. Looking carefully, he said in surprise, "Aren't you... that who from the rear residence?"
"This servant is named Qiaoshe."
"Right, right, right, Miss Qiaoshe. Why are you blocking me?"
"This servant... begs Steward to take pity."
"Take pity? Pity for what? The young mistress hasn't been continuously making things difficult for you, has she?"
"The young mistress doesn't need to continuously make things difficult for this servant. As long as this servant suffers the young mistress's cold shoulder, naturally people will kick me when I'm down."
Qiaoshe lifted her palm-sized small face, her fair face flushed bright red.
"I beg the steward to take pity and accept this servant. Washing and folding clothes, serving tea and water, warming the bed and bathing feet, this servant can do all of it."
Yang Can frowned. Was it that serious? Acting like she couldn't survive. Was it really that miserable?
Yang Can hadn't had designs on this girl and didn't want to take her into his room out of soft-heartedness.
He carried a huge secret that could blow people to smithereens.
Next, he still had to do many things for this secret.
That kid Wangcai was just doing odd jobs. He wasn't afraid of him discovering anything but if it was someone by his pillow, that would be hard to say.
Moreover, this Miss Qiaoshe was originally from the Clan Head's wife's courtyard.
Who knew whether her words were true or false, and he'd just take her back?
What he was doing could cost him his head.
"Miss, let go. You... in this state, what kind of propriety is this?"
Yang Can helplessly tried to lift his leg but couldn't.
Because one of his legs was being tightly hugged by Qiaoshe.
"I beg Steward to save me. If the steward won't help, then this servant has nowhere to turn... I can only hang myself and die."
"It's not that serious..."
Yang Can was startled to hear she'd commit suicide.
Suo Zhanzhi was pregnant with a child! If Qiaoshe died, it would count as dying at her hands. Too inauspicious.
Hmm?
Yang Can suddenly thought of Li Youcai. Wasn't First Steward Li looking for a pretty little maid?
Why don't I give this girl to Sister-in-law Pan?
"Alright, I promise to help you. Get up quickly."
Qiaoshe was overjoyed. Lifting her face, she said nervously, "Can the steward's words be trusted?"
Yang Can laughed despite himself, "Would I need to deceive you? Get up quickly."
"Thank you, Master Steward."
Qiaoshe happily kowtowed to Yang Can before climbing to her feet.
Yang Can said, "Go back first. Tomorrow I'll go to the young mistress and request you."
"Yes, this servant obeys. This servant will wait for Steward Yang!"
Qiaoshe happily agreed, not even noticing that an elm coin had stuck to her forehead when she kowtowed.
Qiaoshe left, walking as cheerfully as a foraging magpie.
Seeing this, Yang Can couldn't help but laugh despite himself.
He looked up at the moonlight in the sky and suddenly thought of those dumplings with thin skin, generous filling, fresh juice, and delicious taste.
In the cold early spring, for a busy man returning home late, being able to eat a bowl of steaming hot dumplings was a kind of happy life.
Unfortunately, this bowl of dumplings was poisonous and couldn't be eaten.
Yang Can sighed. He could only gaze at the "dumplings" with longing.
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