9: Chapter 9 Concubine Maid

After listening to the information provided by the Bookstore Manager, Meng Li walked out of the back room and saw Jiang Yuyan engrossed in a Legend of the Sword and Fairy storybook.

He was a bit surprised, but then he realized that while she was indeed Jiang Yuyan, she was currently just a young girl. Her mother was still alive, and although her experiences had made her more mature than her peers, she hadn't completely outgrown her youthful Heart-Nature.

Most importantly, she had not yet encountered the intensified bullying and persecution from Jiang Biehe and his wife; she hadn't turned dark yet.

Thus, it was normal for her to be fascinated by the stories in the storybooks at this moment.

"If you like reading it, take a set," Meng Li said softly as he walked over.

"Ah?" Jiang Yuyan was startled, instantly snapping back to her senses. She shook her head and said, "No need, this servant was just browsing."

As she spoke, she closed the storybook in her hand and put it back on the shelf, but her sparkling eyes betrayed her reluctance to part with it.

Meng Li shook his head with a smile and gave a look to the Assistant nearby.

The Assistant understood immediately and skillfully took a set of Legend of the Sword and Fairy storybooks, packaged them, and handed them to Jiang Yuyan.

Jiang Yuyan didn't take them.

Meng Li said, "Take them. I'm getting this set of storybooks not just for you. The journey back is quite long, and I want something to relieve the boredom as well."

Only then did Jiang Yuyan take the package.

Soon after, Meng Li greeted the manager and left with his people.

Before long, he stepped into a Clothing Store.

As the Assistant was about to welcome them, Meng Li raised his hand and said, "I'll look around myself first. I'll call you if I need anything."

"Certainly, just give me a shout if you need anything."

Meng Li looked around and finally chose two sets of women's clothing, one goose-yellow and one lake-blue, asking the assistant to take them down.

Then, he handed the package containing the storybooks from Jiang Yuyan's hand to his Attendant Zhang Shan and said to her, "Go and try these on."

"Young Master, no..."

"Hurry up."

Soon, Jiang Yuyan came out after changing her clothes.

Meng Li looked her over carefully, nodded slightly, and then waved his hand for her to try the other set.

After she had tried both sets, he asked the Assistant nearby, "Do you have these two styles in darker colors?"

The assistant thought for a moment and replied, "We do. Are the sizes the same?"

Meng Li shook his head and turned to ask Jiang Yuyan, "Do you know your mother's measurements?"

Jiang Yuyan nodded.

She had mended her mother's clothes many times, so she naturally knew the sizes.

"Then tell him, and have him see if there's anything suitable."

Meng Li said to her, pointing at the assistant.

Jiang Yuyan did as she was told.

The assistant quickly found two sets of clothes that met the requirements.

"I'll buy them all."

"Right away, please wait a moment."

After leaving the Clothing Store, Meng Li strolled around the streets for a while before returning to the Inn at dusk.

At dinner, Meng Li still had Jiang Yuyan eat with him.

However, Jiang Yuyan didn't do as she had at noon; instead, she asked hesitantly, "Young Master, do you want me to be your Personal Maid?"

Meng Li was taken aback, then asked in confusion, "Why do you ask that?"

Jiang Yuyan lowered her head slightly. "Because you are too good to me, so good that it doesn't seem like how a master treats an ordinary maid."

Meng Li smiled and then asked with interest, "Then are you willing to be my Personal Maid?"

Jiang Yuyan bit her lip and nodded solemnly. "I am willing! Not only did the Young Master buy me so I could treat my mother's illness, but you are also willing to take in my mother and are so kind to me. I am willing to be the Young Master's Personal Maid."

"However..."

She paused, looking hesitant. "I have a request that I hope the Young Master will grant."

Meng Li narrowed his eyes slightly. "Let's hear it."

Jiang Yuyan's cheeks flushed slightly, her tone a bit apprehensive. "I hope the Young Master can wait two more years before taking my body. Because I've heard people say that if a woman loses her virginity too early, it will damage her Origin Qi, and most will likely die young."

"I don't seek to live a hundred years, but I hope to stay by the Young Master's side a bit longer to repay your kindness."

"If possible, I also want to bear a child for the Young Master..."

By the end, her voice trailed off into nothing.

Although a Personal Maid could have the reality of husband and wife with the male master, her status was even lower than a Concubine. If they wanted to be further promoted to a Concubine, they either had to gain the male master's favor to be given a formal status or have a child, rising in status through the child.

By saying this now, Jiang Yuyan clearly had the intention of raising her status.

Furthermore, since she had already sold herself to Meng Li as a slave, she was legally his private property in this era, and he could dispose of her however he wished.

Under such circumstances, for Jiang Yuyan to make a request was a violation of the hierarchy between superior and inferior.

However, Meng Li didn't take offense.

Influenced by his previous life, his sense of hierarchy wasn't that feudal. At the same time, Jiang Yuyan wanting to wait a few years before fulfilling her duties also suited his wishes, as his age in this life hadn't reached the appropriate stage either.

As for the matter of the child, it wasn't a problem in his eyes.

Of course, there were two other reasons for his tolerance.

First, he had obtained the Yi Hua Jie Mu Version of the Marrying Clothes Divine Skill through Jiang Yuyan.

Second was her face.

Although it's wrong to judge people by their looks, it's human nature to love beauty, and a beautiful face always earns a few extra points of tolerance.

So, after a brief silence, Meng Li readily agreed, "I can do that."

"Anything else?"

"Thank you, Young Master!" Jiang Yuyan thanked him gratefully and then said, "I have nothing else."

"Then sit down and eat," Meng Li said. Looking at Jiang Yuyan's sparkling eyes, he smiled and added, "Since we've agreed you'll be my Personal Maid, don't call yourself 'this servant' anymore. Refer to yourself by your name, or just use 'I' as usual."

"Okay, Young Master."

Perhaps because her future status was settled and her heart had something to lean on, Jiang Yuyan's subsequent behavior was a bit more lively and cheerful than before.

By the time the meal was finished, it was almost dark.

After the Waiter took away the dishes, Meng Li chatted with Jiang Yuyan for a while and then let her return to the room to accompany Xiao Baiyan.

"Mother, the matter of me being the Young Master's Personal Maid is settled."

"He also agreed to my request."

As soon as she closed the door, Jiang Yuyan walked to Xiao Baiyan's side and whispered the result.

Xiao Baiyan was stunned, then looked at her and sighed, "You've been wronged."

Although she said that, she understood that given her daughter's situation, this was already a good outcome. However, whether it was greed or an extravagant hope, most parents always hope for better for their children.

Jiang Yuyan shook her head and said seriously, "Daughter doesn't feel wronged; this is my own choice."

"I am willing to be the Young Master's Personal Maid not just because I sold myself to him and have no choice, nor just because he is good to you and me."

"But because I like him."

"Like?" Xiao Baiyan was taken aback, then smiled. "How old are you? You've known Young Master Meng for less than a day, how could..."

As she spoke, she suddenly stopped.

Because she thought of herself back then and Jiang Yuyan's biological father, Jiang Biehe.

At that time, they hadn't known each other long either, and the place they met was a place of false sentiment and worldly affairs.

She had also fallen for him, truly fallen for him.

Jiang Yuyan was her own flesh and blood and was at the age when her first feelings of love were awakening. Just like her back then, it wasn't impossible. After all, she had seen Meng Li; he was exceptionally handsome, gentle with people, and his behavior had a maturity that didn't match his age.

Still, she couldn't help but want to confirm.

She had experienced the pain of misplaced sincerity; although she didn't regret it to this day, it was very painful.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Then what do you like about him?"

"Him as a person."

"..."