Bai Chun stopped in front of Huang Hao, who sat at a beautifully carved round table, sipping his tea.
"I looked at the notice board before I came here." Bai Chun said while giving him a bow in greeting. Huang Hao placed his cup down after hearing his words and smiled at him.
"Oh, well, I sent a servant to check, and I passed." He said happily.
"Congratulations, I passed as well." Bai Chun said with a happy smile that the stress has calmed down for now.
"It's good we both passed the final exam." Huang Hao said with a smile while waving a servant over. Covering his mouth, he whispered into the servant's ear before he bowed and rushed off. Turning back to Bai Chun with a smile, his lips slowly parted.
"I'm sure you know what a Deer Call Banquet is from school?" He asked.
"I have been thinking about what to wear for something so important." Bai Chun said while nodding his head. Hearing this, Huang Hao's smile widens.
"Well, since I don't wish for you to have too many issues rising in ranks, I will buy you some cloth for clothes. I just want to know if you mind if my sister gets it made and sews on something to show she is engaged to you." He looked at Bai Chun, trying to show that he is taking his opinion on the matter, even though it doesn't really matter, since Bai Chun is too poor to buy nice cloth for his clothes. Bai Chun froze at his words before bowing in thanks.
"I don't mind at all. This is a nice way to show our family's connection." He said with a glimmer of intrigue in his eyes. With a beaming smile, Huang Hao waved over a pretty, slim servant girl.
"Go send an educated servant to buy some nice cloth for my friend and future brother-in-law for the Deer Call Banquet. Then I need you to inform my eighth sister that she needs to make sure to embroider something nice showing her engagement with him. Oh, and don't forget to send for multiple seamstresses to make sure the clothes are ready within two days." The servant girl rushed off once his words finished.
Huang Hao turned back to Bai Chun with a grin.
"Now, as it said on the board, the banquet will be held in two days. After that, you will be able to start work. Not to worry, I already sent a servant to secure your position, so during the banquet, you will be called out to place you in position along with me. As for the other person, I'm not too sure." Bai Chun smiled, hearing the good news.
"Thank you, young master."
The nearby head servant frowned when he didn't bow in thanks. Catching sight of this Bai Chun, quickly gave a bow to Huang Hao. Annoyance flashed through his eyes, hidden from sight due to his bow. When he stood straight, his face went back to a happy smile.
On the outskirts of the Inner area of the Huang Family residence, Huang Shu stared at the bowing servant with eyes filled with disbelief.
"Are you sure that's what my brother said?" She asked, still in shock at the absurd request. The bowing servant girl looked up with annoyance in her pretty eyes.
"Of course, now hurry up so I can stand you will bruise my knees."
Huang Shu's only servant stepped forward with a glare as she looked down at the bowing servant.
"Watch your mouth in front of the young Miss Little Mu." The bowing servant, now named Little Mu, rolled her eyes at them.
"Some young miss she would have been forgotten if she hadn't happened to walk by as the young master was entertaining his low-born friend." Saying this, she smirked and gave Huang Shu a scandalized glance.
"Our young miss must have done that so she can avoid becoming a leftover woman in a few years." Huang Shu's servant girl's face flushed with anger, and she lifted her hand, swinging it down heavily, slapping Little Mu across the face.
"Don't speak of such lies about or near the young miss!" She shouted angrily. Panic crossed Huang Shu's face as she glanced around, noting a servant who seemed to be rushing away from her courtyard.
"Little Wu, stop!" She called out. Little Wu looked back at her anger still on her face.
"Young miss, my younger sister needs to be punished for speaking such words." Little Wu looked down at her sister's disappointment flashing through the anger before it got covered again with anger.
"Do you wish to create trouble for your master with her brother and mother?" Huang Shu asked, slightly scared and nervous. Hearing this, Little Wu pressed her lips together and stepped back behind Huang Shu just out of her view. Seeing everything that just happened, Little Mu huffed and glared at them angrily.
"Must you continue to force me to kneel? My knees are starting to go numb." She whined, rubbing her knees gently. Huang Shu quickly waved for her to stand, narrowing her eyes, using her lashes to hide the anger in her eyes.
Little Mu stood, dusting her clothes off her lips, slightly pouting.
"Now, as I was trying to tell you before, my master will send you some cloth later today, along with multiple seamstresses to help make the clothes for that low-born boy of yours. All you will need to do is add an embroidery to it showing that you are engaged to him and will soon marry."
Huang Shu nodded her head gently in understanding. Little Mu glanced at Huang Shu's thin and soft hands folded on her lap and smirked.
"The clothes need to be ready in two days since the low-born boy will come to wear them for the banquet." Huang Shu's eyes widened once more, knowing she didn't miss hear earlier. A hint of loss filled her as she wondered if her brother cared for her at all. With a grin, seeing Huang Shu's shock and lost expression, Little Mu bowed casually to Huang Shu before turning with a sweet smile and walking away.
"I shall take my leave now, young miss." Her voice followed her out.
"Everyone in your family is so cruel." Little Wu stepped into Huang Shu's view once Little Mu left with a huff of anger.
"The young master must hate you like the Mistress to ask you to do such a thing as helping make the entire outfit, much less only give you two days for that, along with doing embroidery."
Hearing Little Wu's angry rant, Huang Shu snapped out of her quiet daze and glanced around, panicked.
"Don't speak such words again; remember the walls have ears." Panic filled Little Wu's eyes as she smacked her mouth shut with her rough palms.
"The people my brother has sent for will be here soon, so go prepare tea." Huang Shu said with a sigh, gently rubbing her temple. Little Wu, with a serious expression, bowed before turning to rush to make tea.