Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Master and Him

Mo Nianian replied, “If you don’t want to go, then forget it.”

Jiang Hu’s eyes curved slightly. “Thank you, my lady.”

[Male lead’s Malice Value -3, current Malice Value 37.]

Mo Nianian was stunned for a moment—thank goodness she hadn’t asked the male lead and Lin Fu to go boating together. With the male lead’s temperament, his Malice Value would have shot up in an instant.

Ah, she really was an unremarkable little genius at lowering Malice Values.

“Cousin, cousin, what do you think of this dance? I want to practice it too.” The little princess tugged at Mo Nianian, chattering away.

Jiang Hu sat contentedly by Mo Nianian’s side, staying close to her. With Bai Shao sent off, now only he remained by his mistress’s side. Jiang Hu gazed at Mo Nianian with unmistakable longing and devotion, his passion almost overflowing from his eyes.

Lin Fu observed Jiang Hu’s expression, her smile growing wider. How interesting, truly interesting.

She leaned in toward Jiang Hu. “Does your mistress know what’s in your heart?”

Jiang Hu stiffened, glancing at Lin Fu with a trace of annoyance. “That’s none of your concern.”

How irritating, meddling in other people’s business.

Lin Fu’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “It’s obvious the princess has no idea what you feel. If she found out, would she still tolerate you by her side?”

A flicker of coldness flashed through Jiang Hu’s eyes. “It’s none of your business.”

He would never let his mistress find out. She would never notice; he would hide it perfectly, perfectly.

“You and the princess are worlds apart,” Lin Fu whispered, her voice tinged with laughter. “If she knew what lay in your heart, would she be pleased, or repulsed?”

A hint of murderous intent surfaced in Jiang Hu’s gaze.

Lin Fu, however, was even more satisfied. She smiled softly, her eyes glinting with determination.

She liked Jiang Hu very much. In his eyes and heart, there was only his mistress.

If only she could become his mistress—what then?

Lin Fu looked Jiang Hu up and down, as if admiring a prized possession.

“My lady,” Lin Fu called out loudly to Mo Nianian.

Mo Nianian turned toward her.

Lin Fu curtsied. “Your Highness, I have a presumptuous request.”

“What is it?”

“I feel a special connection with your attendant and admire him greatly. Would Your Highness be willing to part with him?”

Lin Fu made her request humbly, her gaze toward Jiang Hu filled with admiration.

If it were before, Mo Nianian might have agreed. But after everything that had happened, she could no longer see Jiang Hu as just a task.

Honestly, if Jiang Hu and Lin Fu could be together, it would be the best outcome. But from all her attempts at probing, it was clear Jiang Hu didn’t like Lin Fu.

“Miss Lin, I’m afraid I must apologize. Mo Hu has long since been freed from servitude. He is now at liberty to come and go as he pleases; where he stays is his own choice.”

Mo Nianian declined Lin Fu’s request tactfully.

After all, she had been the one to try pairing Lin Fu and Jiang Hu. But now, Jiang Hu was clearly uninterested, while Lin Fu seemed quite taken with him.

Ah, this was her own doing.

Mo Nianian repented for three seconds.

Lin Fu hadn’t expected this outcome. She turned with poise to Jiang Hu. “Then, are you willing to return with me? I promise I’ll treat you well.”

Her words drew gasps from the crowd. Everyone knew Lin Fu was a woman of her word. If Jiang Hu followed her, he would want for nothing.

They watched the scene with great interest.

Jiang Hu’s expression didn’t waver. “I belong to my mistress and will never leave her.”

He clung to Mo Nianian’s sleeve, looking as though he feared abandonment.

Mo Nianian soothed him, “Don’t worry, the gates of the Regent’s Manor will always be open to you.”

Jiang Hu lowered his head, his voice soft and lingering. “I will remember that.”

Mistress, please never forget either.

Lin Fu was rejected on the spot. She showed no displeasure, laughing lightly. “If you ever change your mind, come find me. The gates of the Lin residence will always be open for you as well.”

Jiang Hu’s tone was cool. “That day will never come.”

If his mistress no longer wanted him, he wouldn’t know what reason he had left to exist.

“No need to refuse so quickly,” Lin Fu replied with a smile.

Jiang Hu’s expression darkened. Seeing things were going awry, Mo Nianian quickly changed the subject.

The male lead’s long-still Malice Value had finally dropped a little; she couldn’t let it rise again.

Now, more and more people began to take notice of Jiang Hu.

Had they really not noticed such a remarkable young man before?

With those looks and that figure, he was extraordinary. And such devotion—who wouldn’t want someone whose heart and mind held only you?

Anyone who could make both the princess and Miss Lin vie for him was truly exceptional.

Mo Nianian soon grew bored and, taking Jiang Hu with her, left.

On the way back to the manor, she asked after Bai Shao.

Early that morning, Bai Shao had come down with a fever, so Mo Nianian had told her to rest.

The dances at the banquet had made her drowsy. She stifled a yawn. “It’s getting late. You should go to bed early as well.”

“Yes, mistress.”

Jiang Hu’s thoughts were in turmoil.

His mistress was already so good to him—what more could he possibly want?

He had known from the start that nothing could ever come of it. His mistress was his goddess, meant to remain high above, untouchable by someone like him.

Yet today, when Lin Fu brought it up, he’d felt a strange stirring.

His heart had begun to hope.

It shouldn’t be this way. His goddess shouldn’t be dragged into the darkness by him.

He was not worthy.

Again and again, Jiang Hu told himself this. Otherwise, he truly would go mad; the beast in his heart would break free and drag his mistress into the abyss.

Regaining his composure, Jiang Hu headed toward his room.

On the way, he ran into a maid from the manor—her face seemed familiar, but he couldn’t quite place her.

The maid greeted him and then continued on toward Mo Nianian’s chambers.

“Is that for my mistress?” he asked.

“Yes, Sister Bai Shao is unwell today, so I’m delivering it.”

“Give it to me,” Jiang Hu said, extending his hand.

The maid hesitated. “But… your injury…”

Everyone in the manor knew how precious he was to the young lady; even his meals and drinks had to be attended to personally. Besides, his illness hadn’t yet passed—she didn’t dare trouble him.

“Give it to me. I’ll explain everything to my mistress.”

“Then I’ll trouble you, young master.” The maid handed him the item.

Young master?

Jiang Hu felt dazed. If not for his mistress, he would still be the servant everyone beat and scolded.

Young master and young lady—how perfectly they matched. It almost made him dare to dream.

Jiang Hu lowered his eyes, concealing all emotion as he walked toward Mo Nianian’s room.

Just as he raised his hand to knock, he heard Madam Mo’s voice from inside.

“I think Mo Hu is quite good—honest, and treats you with nothing but respect. If you let him marry in as a son-in-law, nothing could be better.”

Madam Mo began listing Jiang Hu’s virtues. He was stunned, at a loss, not knowing how to react.

Had he really heard right?

His mistress and him?