Chapter Eight: The Contract of Servitude

Page (1/3)

Shen Tuba carefully put away the receipt and strode out briskly. Du Ruo hurried to catch up. “You hold her leverage in your hands now. She’ll surely try to get rid of you later—after all, you killed her aunt.”

Feigning fear, Shen Tuba covered her mouth. “Sister Du Ruo, don’t scare me. Aunt Xin is dead? I’ve never even crushed an ant in my life, much less killed someone.”

“I was just echoing what Consort Lu said that day. Did Consort Lu really kill Aunt Xin? What a sin, what a sin...” Shen Tuba clasped her hands together, wearing an expression of sorrow, as if truly grieving Aunt Xin’s passing.

Du Ruo twitched at the corner of her mouth but still warned, “Consort Lu is the niece of the Empress Dowager. Anything that happens in the mansion, she will report back to the palace. If she asks the Empress Dowager to send a new head housekeeper, your days won’t be easy either.”

Shen Tuba thanked her for the reminder, suddenly feeling a bit anxious.

She had witnessed many subtle ways of torment without leaving a trace while at the entertainment quarters; those from the palace knew even more.

But for now, she had no good plan. Her status was far too low—anyone could trample on her.

To secure her footing in the mansion, she had to give birth to an heir soon. Otherwise, if Li Tinghan died young, she might be sold off somewhere.

With heavy worries, Shen Tuba decided to take the initiative, waiting from day into night for Li Tinghan, but he never appeared.

At that moment, Li Tinghan was also in a foul mood.

He disliked Lady Lu, partly because of his mother.

Lady Lu often visited the palace, serving as the Empress Dowager’s eyes in the mansion.

After establishing his residence, Li Tinghan had painstakingly cleared out all troubles from the mansion, forbidding Lady Lu from bringing anyone in.

The mansion could not be without a head housekeeper, but it was more proper for the Empress Dowager or the Emperor to appoint one.

Only today, he had arrived at an unfortunate time. Li Tingping lounged sloppily on the dragon throne, repeatedly pouring wine into his mouth.

Seeing him stumble to his feet, he said, “Tinghan, haven’t you been to the palace in a while? I’m lonely here! You should come keep me company—drink to punish! You must drink!”

Seeing his elder brother as irresponsible as ever, Li Tinghan’s coldness since their father’s death lessened considerably.

He did not refuse, picking up the wine on the table and downing it in one gulp. “Your servant has a request for Your Majesty today.”

“Just say it,” Li Tingping agreed readily. “I’m the Emperor now. Whatever troubles you, tell me. I’ll find the best doctors in the world to restore your vigor.”

Li Tinghan’s face instantly darkened, teeth clenched. “Your servant’s health is fine.”

Page (2/3)

“Sigh~” Li Tingping swished his sleeves, climbed down from the platform, and affectionately draped an arm around him. “We’re both men, I understand. You can be honest before me.”

“The Empress won’t pay me any attention anymore, boohoo~” Li Tingping cried, nose running and tears flowing.

Li Tinghan withdrew his arm disdainfully, but Li Tingping forcibly pulled him back.

He knew his brother was drunk; the elder was always like this—talking more when drunk, repeating the same thing.

Sure enough, Li Tingping began to boast: “Though the Empress ignores me now, she has borne me two sons and three daughters. Tinghan, you’re only three years younger, yet you have no children. Isn’t that proof you’re incapable?”

Li Tingping clapped his hands, and a line of beautiful palace maids appeared before him.

He generously said, “These are carefully chosen by me, the Emperor. Pick whoever you like. Whoever bears a child first, I’ll make her your official consort.”

For some reason, Li Tinghan immediately thought of Shen Tuba, who lived in the side chamber.

If she heard this, she would probably try even harder to seduce him.

Seeing him stunned, Li Tingping smiled faintly, then excitedly asked, “Well? Do you have someone in mind?”

Li Tinghan suppressed his smile and stopped engaging, stating directly, “Your servant wishes to request a head housekeeper from Your Majesty.”

“Boring! Boring!”

Unaware of palace affairs, Shen Tuba had buried herself in the small kitchen of the front yard.

The head matron of the entertainment quarters had once told her that to win a man’s heart, one must first win his stomach. Shen Tuba wanted to express her gratitude this way.

“Miss Shen, someone’s here to see you.”

The little eunuch who accompanied Li Tinghan called out and then discreetly left. Shen Tuba wondered who would come at this hour.

When she stepped out, Su Ye was awkwardly standing outside, her face haggard—obviously these days had been hard for her.

Shen Tuba asked, “Isn’t it too early for the monthly allowance to be distributed?”

Su Ye’s expression darkened further. “Someone asked me to bring you a letter.”

Shen Tuba looked at her deeply but still opened the envelope.

Su Ye kept leaning forward. Shen Tuba said helplessly, “You can’t read—what good would that do?”

Page (3/3)

Shen Tuba carelessly pulled out the letter and glanced at it. Her expression changed sharply, and she quickly stuffed it back inside.

The paper only bore three words: “Contract of servitude.”

There was no doubt this letter was from the Cui family.

They had delivered her to the mansion but held the contract in their hands, so that when Cui Xiwen entered the mansion, they could easily control her.

After sending Su Ye away, Shen Tuba crushed the envelope into a ball.

She had tried everything to be chosen by Madam Cui, hoping to enter the mansion and render that contract worthless—to never be bound by anyone again. But now she saw the road ahead was still long and arduous.

Calming herself, Shen Tuba paced the courtyard.

She had yet to secure her position in the mansion. Even if she did, once Cui Xiwen arrived, she would still have to bow low. For now, she still had to obey the Cui family’s orders.

She pulled out the letter again to confirm nothing else was written besides “contract of servitude.”

Such a blunt threat, yet not explicitly stated; Shen Tuba could only guess the Cui family was in trouble and she could not help. So, they sought the prince instead.

Knowing what they wanted eased her worries somewhat.

Under the moonlight, Li Tinghan returned, reeking of alcohol, accompanied by a stern but not harsh housekeeper.

Shen Tuba hurried forward with a smile and bowed. “Greetings, Housekeeper.”

The housekeeper turned slightly, nodded faintly in return. “My surname is Zhao. From now on, I will teach you the rules.”

“It is my great fortune to be taught by you, Housekeeper. I will not disappoint your expectations.” After simple pleasantries, Shen Tuba took Li Tinghan from the hands of two eunuchs.

The sobering soup and filling food had all been prepared early. Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Li Tinghan’s gaze gradually cleared.

Shen Tuba smiled and invited praise, “All these were made by me personally. Does the Prince like them?”

Li Tinghan glanced at her sideways. “What do you want again? Just say it.”

“I want to return to the Cui mansion to thank Miss Cui.”