131: Rootless duckweed

Chu Jingyu glanced at the delicacies and spiritual food on the table but did not pick up his chopsticks. Hearing Tang Cheng's words, he only gave a smile.

"My Chu Family has no connections with other families. Trying to blend in like this would be a bit abrupt, and I might easily offend someone if I say the wrong thing."

"It's better to stay here with the Town Head and enjoy some peace and quiet."

Tang Cheng picked up the wine cup on the table, took a light sip, and smiled gently. "Family Head Chu is an open-minded person."

As the banquet continued, more and more people filled the seats, but the County Vice-Magistrate had yet to appear.

It wasn't until nearly two hours later that someone appeared high in the sky above the square.

Chu Jingyu squinted and observed carefully, finding that the man looked to be a middle-aged man in his forties. He had a thin figure and an indifferent expression, with a faint air of melancholy emanating from him.

Judging by his Aura alone, he didn't seem as terrifying as Old Ancestor Huo.

However, that vast and boundless Aura still made Chu Jingyu realize he had no chance of resisting. Thus, after just one glance, Chu Jingyu didn't dare look further. Then, he heard the man in the sky speak softly.

"All you Family Heads have worked hard today. I hope this banquet allows everyone to enjoy themselves."

Realizing the protagonist of the day, the Zhiyao County Vice-Magistrate, had appeared in the sky, the Family Heads and Town Heads quickly stood up from their seats.

Someone responded, "It was no trouble. Toiling for the County Vice-Magistrate is only right."

The County Vice-Magistrate sat cross-legged in the Void Realm, scanned everyone in the square, and spoke again.

"I know that recently, due to the actions of Old Ancestor Huo, some of you lost your Family Heads, and others had the young men of your clans injured."

"Therefore, all those of the Huo Family Bloodline in Zhiyao County have been imprisoned, and those deeply involved have already been executed without exception."

"They're just some collateral Bloodlines," someone in the square grumbled inwardly. The real Old Ancestor Huo and their main branch had long since vanished.

This thought only surfaced for a moment. On their faces, they still had to pretend to be grateful. "Thank you, Lord County Vice-Magistrate, for upholding justice for us."

"In a few days, I will hold a wedding banquet to establish my household and guard Zhiyao County. I hope you all will come here to celebrate together."

Everyone in the square bowed again. "Yes."

The County Vice-Magistrate spoke no more. Instead, a middle-aged man who looked like a Steward at the courtyard gate announced loudly:

"Fu Yunshu of the Eighth-Grade Magnate Family, the Fu Family, of virtuous character, is betrothed as the primary wife of the Xiao Residence."

"Li Qianqian of the Eighth-Grade Magnate Family, the Li Family, refined and polite, is betrothed as a side wife of the Xiao Residence."

"Shen Yan'er of the Eighth-Grade Magnate Family, the Shen Family, exceptional in both character and appearance, is betrothed as a side wife of the Xiao Residence."

"Qi Xuan of the Qi Family from Lingyang Town, Yu Ziyan of the Yu Family from Thousand Insect Town, Jiang Xiaodie of the Jiang Family from Xiayuan Town, and Zhang Qingshu of the Zhang Family from Heyu Town, are all betrothed as concubines."

"The wedding banquet will be held in seven days. All guests are welcome to attend."

It wasn't until the Steward finished reading the list of all those selected that the breath Chu Jingyu had been holding finally escaped. Fortunately, Chu Suyuan's name was not among them.

After waiting a moment, the Steward at the gate shouted again:

"Those not selected may now be led back home by their respective Family Heads."

As he finished speaking, a Head Maid led a row of young girls with various demeanors to the edge of the square.

These girls looked nervous, dejected, or curious; their expressions and attitudes varied.

Chu Jingyu found Chu Suyuan among the group of girls. He moved closer and called her name. Once she was by his side, he cupped his hands to Tang Cheng and departed first.

Returning Beyond the Border through the passage, then crossing the city wall back inside, they finally traveled by carriage, arriving home as dusk approached.

Just as they reached the Central Hall with Chu Suyuan, she immediately knelt before Chu Jingyu. "It is Suyuan's incompetence that I was not selected. Please punish me, Family Head."

Chu Jingyu paused. "When did I say I would punish you? Not being selected is exactly what I wanted. You've had a long day; go back to your courtyard and rest. We'll talk about anything else tomorrow."

With that, Chu Jingyu waved his hand, signaling her to leave.

Chu Suyuan walked out of the Central Hall courtyard in a daze. Standing at the courtyard gate, she felt lost for a moment, unsure whether to go to the independent small courtyard the Chu Family had prepared for her or return to the small courtyard she previously shared with several other maids.

"Greetings, Young Miss Suyuan."

It wasn't until two little maids nearby greeted her that she snapped out of it.

She quickly interrupted the two maids' attempt to bow. "No, there's no need. The act is over. I'm no Young Miss; I'm just a maid like you now."

Becoming a Young Miss of the Chu Family was nothing more than a beautiful dream she had for a few days, Chu Suyuan thought, biting her lip.

The two maids had known Chu Suyuan before. Hearing this, they looked at each other, seemingly realizing her state of mind wasn't right. One of them pulled her toward a corner away from the courtyard gate.

At the same time, she whispered comfortingly:

"Regardless, you have now awakened your spirit and contracted a Source Beast. Even if you are no longer the Young Master's adopted daughter and return to being a maid, you will be a high-ranking Head Maid."

"Besides, the Main Family is kind-hearted; they wouldn't just toss you aside after using you. Rest easy, Young Miss Suyuan. Your future days will be good; they certainly won't be worse than being an ordinary little maid like before."

This maid was clearly silver-tongued; her words brought some clarity to Chu Suyuan's eyes.

She stared at the fourteen or fifteen-year-old maid before her and suddenly broke into a smile. "Alright, thank you. I'm fine now. You two go ahead with your work."

The two maids smiled warmly at her and then hurried toward the Central Hall courtyard. The Master of the clan had just returned home, and they needed to hurry and attend to him.

Although they usually just stood there as background decoration and the Master rarely had them do anything, these were the rules set by Nanny Liu, and the two little maids didn't dare disobey.

Chu Suyuan watched them enter the Central Hall courtyard. She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, thought of the rules Nanny Liu had taught her these past few days, and walked toward the courtyard where the Chu Family's maids lived.

This courtyard had three rooms each on the east and west sides, five rooms facing south, and four rooms facing north. The courtyard gate was in the middle of the north-facing side, making a total of fifteen rooms.

Eight little maids and one Head Maid lived in the courtyard. Each little maid had her own room, while the Head Maid lived alone in the three central rooms facing south. The remaining empty rooms were used as their small kitchen, washroom, and so on.

Just as Chu Suyuan entered the courtyard, several little maids on their break noticed her. They slowly stood up and gave her a proper bow.

"Young Miss Suyuan."

Chu Suyuan could naturally see the envy in their eyes and sighed inwardly. They didn't know that she currently felt like rootless duckweed, her heart unable to find a place to settle.

She didn't bother correcting them one by one to stop bowing to a 'fake Young Miss' like her. She simply spoke softly.

"I'm going back to look at my old room."

As she spoke, she started walking toward the middle room on the east side. The four little maids in the courtyard looked at each other with complex expressions.

One who looked slightly older stepped forward. "Young Miss Suyuan, your original room has already been cleared out for the newcomer, Xiao Kui."