A Strange Maidservant
Bella Bell barely spared the four a glance before hurrying toward the back gate of the courtyard. Meanwhile, Lily Evans turned and went back inside, determined to avoid dealing with such unreasonable, quarrelsome people.
But Bella Bell didn’t notice the little maid trailing behind the nouveau riche Jasper Cheng. Just as Bella turned away, that girl suddenly looked up, her eyes locking onto Bella with surprise, then dawning realization.
A flash of hatred flickered in the maid’s eyes before she quickly lowered her head, clutching her desire for revenge close to her chest. She looked as meek and harmless as a little lamb, but her beauty was tinged with sorrow, heartbreak written all over her face.
The four who kept pestering about admission hadn’t seen Dean Jade Evans today. Jasper Cheng, the brash young master, was furious. He stomped his feet and shouted, “Isn’t this just a place where you pay to get in? Why won’t you take me? You people just suck up to the rich and powerful and look down on folks from small towns!”
The old woman was even more ferocious, her sharp, triangular eyes flashing with menace as she bellowed, “Pah! City folk, my foot! You all forget your ancestors came from the countryside too. Why won’t you take my young master? He’s got plenty of silver—he’s no worse than any of you city snobs!”
The old woman kept ranting, clucking protectively like a mother hen over her chick, cursing out the Academy while singing her young master’s praises as if he were the best thing since sliced bread.
The country woman’s tirade left the Academy staff at a loss. They couldn’t stoop to her level and hurl insults—it would be beneath their dignity. So, they could only try to reason gently, “Master Cheng, you really don’t meet our admission requirements. No matter how much silver you offer, it won’t change anything!”
Jasper Cheng rolled up his sleeves, looking every bit the street tough. “What’s the deal? If you look down on country folk, just say it! No need to sugarcoat it. Tch, you scholars are all so fake—unlike us, who say what we mean and don’t play games. If you ask me, you just think I’m not flashing enough cash. Why don’t you bring out your dean and let him name his price? I’ve got more silver than you can count!”
“It really isn’t about the silver!” The staff were nearly in tears, unable to get through to him no matter what they said.
“If it’s not about silver, then what is it? We’re all people here, so don’t put on airs with me. Are you telling me your dean doesn’t care about money? Pah! Maybe he doesn’t want silver, but I bet he likes beauties! How about I send my sweet little concubine to serve your dean and make him comfortable?” As Jasper Cheng spoke, he grabbed the little maid behind him and shoved her forward.
The little maid was so terrified she hung her head, her face as pale as ashes. She lost her footing and fell to the ground, clutching Jasper Cheng’s leg and sobbing, “Young Master, you can’t send me away—I belong to you!”
“Pah! You little slut, shut up! I’m trading you for an admission spot, so be good and go make the dean happy.” Jasper Cheng yanked the maid to her feet, grabbing her chin and showing her off to the Academy staff. “Just look at her—so delicate, so fair! She’s the prettiest woman in my household, and I hardly ever let this little vixen out of my sight. If you let her serve your dean, I guarantee he’ll be in heaven!”
Jasper Cheng’s grip was like a vise on the maid’s chin, forcing her tear-streaked, porcelain face into view. She looked heartbreakingly lovely, her fear and sorrow painting a picture of fragile beauty.
But such tricks didn’t work at the Royal Academy of Mathematics.
The Academy staff couldn’t take the antics of these four any longer. Fed up, they grabbed sticks and started driving them out by force.
When Jasper Cheng saw the staff coming at them with sticks, he panicked and bolted.
The little maid turned to see Jasper Cheng and the two servants running off, so she grabbed her bundle and hurried after them, terrified of being left behind. “Young Master, don’t leave me!” she cried.