When the Eldest Miss saw the young guard who had risked his life to shield her from the raging storm — not a single part of his body left unscathed, yet he hadn't shifted a single step — Meng Ru's expression was visibly moved.
Behind the Eldest Miss stood a pretty-faced young woman in quiet attendance, presumably her personal maidservant. She was eyeing both Yang Kai and Yin Zhiyong with curiosity, though her attention lingered more on Yang Kai. Yin Zhiyong was older and not particularly handsome — there wasn't much worth looking at.
"We greet the Eldest Miss!"
Yang Kai and Yin Zhiyong bowed.
Meng Ru nodded, her gaze settling on Yang Kai with concern. "How are your injuries? Did you use the wound medicine I had Cu'er send over?"
Yang Kai lowered his head and replied, "The injuries are nothing serious now. Many thanks for the Eldest Miss's concern — it was precisely because of the medicine you bestowed that I recovered so quickly."
"Good, I'm glad it helped." Meng Ru smiled. "I had no idea what medicine would work for you, and they wouldn't let me go see you. I wanted to visit, but..."
Yang Kai quickly said, "The Eldest Miss is a precious jade — it wouldn't be fitting for you to step into the outer courtyard where the men reside. Word getting out could damage your reputation."
Meng Ru nodded. "That's what they all said." Her expression carried a trace of disappointment.
But soon she brightened again. "Seeing that you've recovered puts my mind at ease. You looked absolutely terrifying back then — I thought you were going to die."
Yang Kai looked up at her and flashed a broad grin. "Your subordinate is stubbornly hard to kill."
Seeing his brazenness, the personal maidservant standing behind the Eldest Miss furrowed her brow slightly, her expression turning displeased. She shot Yang Kai a sharp glare and took the initiative to speak up: "You two performed admirably in your guard duties this time. That is why the Eldest Miss specifically requested you from the Clan Head. From now on, while serving at the Eldest Miss's side, you must be diligent and devoted, swearing to protect her safety to the death."
"Your subordinates obey!" Yang Kai and Yin Zhiyong clasped their fists in acknowledgment.
The maidservant leaned in and whispered in the Eldest Miss's ear: "Eldest Miss, it's getting late. You should take your medicine."
"Isn't it still brewing? Let's wait a little longer," Meng Ru said.
The maidservant replied, "The medicine is still brewing, but you suffered a severe fright last time. The physician said you need quiet rest and recuperation for a period of time."
The Eldest Miss sighed helplessly. "Very well."
With the maidservant's support, she rose to her feet and addressed Miss Qianqian, who was leading Yang Kai and Yin Zhiyong: "Show them around and familiarize them with the area, then arrange living quarters for them."
"Yes!" Miss Qianqian curtsied gracefully.
The Eldest Miss, Meng Ru, made her way back up the staircase with the aid of her maidservant. Miss Qianqian turned to the two men and said softly, "Please follow me."
Yang Kai and Yin Zhiyong thanked her and fell in behind Miss Qianqian, taking in their surroundings as they walked.
The area around the Embroidered Tower where the Eldest Miss resided wasn't very large, but there were certain spots that needed attention — to ensure that no one with ill intent could hide there undetected.
Yang Kai followed behind her, surveying left and right, committing the terrain to memory. Now that he'd been reassigned to the inner residence to guard Meng Ru, it was only proper to fulfill his duties diligently.
Moreover, Yang Kai needed to find a way to win the Eldest Miss's heart and break through the Heart Obstacle that Qu Huashang had set during her reincarnation.
Before long, Miss Qianqian led them to a tiled building. "This is where you'll be staying. It's not far from the Eldest Miss's quarters. When you're off duty, just remain here and be ready to respond at any time."
"Thank you, Miss Qianqian!" Yin Zhiyong expressed his gratitude and casually slipped a money pouch into her hand as a friendly gesture.
Miss Qianqian clearly didn't understand the situation and absentmindedly accepted the pouch. Once she realized what it was, she hurriedly pushed it back, waving her hands. "No, no — there's no need for that."
Yin Zhiyong smiled. "There will be many things I'll need your guidance on in the future, Miss Qianqian. A small token of appreciation — please don't refuse."
"Truly, it's not necessary." Miss Qianqian's face flushed crimson. "I... I haven't been at the Meng Estate for very long either. There's nothing I could guide you on."
Yin Zhiyong was taken aback. "You haven't been at the Meng Estate long?"
"Mm!" Miss Qianqian nodded vigorously, looking somewhat flustered.
Yin Zhiyong found this genuinely remarkable. In principle, anyone who served at the Eldest Miss's side would have been thoroughly vetted and proven fiercely loyal to the Meng Estate. A servant who had barely arrived at the estate wouldn't even qualify to enter the inner residence, let alone serve the Eldest Miss personally.
"How long have you been here?" Yin Zhiyong asked curiously.
"A little over a month..." Miss Qianqian replied quietly.
Yin Zhiyong was stunned. He gave Miss Qianqian a thumbs-up. "Miss, you truly have the fortune of heaven! You've only been here a month and you're already serving the Eldest Miss."
Miss Qianqian hung her head. "I don't understand it either. After what happened last time, I was sent to deliver medicine to the Eldest Miss's quarters. She saw me and decided to keep me."