Chapter 28: In Need of a Maid?

Ministry of War Grand Secretary's Residence, in front of the main gate.

Li Yi and his party had just returned to the residence when Master Song, standing beside Yue’er, caught sight of two unmistakably familiar figures. The step he had just begun to take suddenly halted, as if frozen.

“Xiuniang, Ayan!” Master Song, tears brimming in his eyes, called out in an uncontrollable voice.

He could hardly believe it—here, at the residence, were his wife and daughter.

“Where on earth did the young master rescue them from?” Master Song wondered privately, muttering under his breath, “I never saw the young master demand their release from Zhangsun Chong!”

“Husband.”

“Father.”

The two women of Master Song’s family, one grown and one young, called out joyfully as soon as they saw him. The little girl, Song Xiaoyan, about five years old with two braided pigtails and dressed in simple clothes, immediately broke free from Song’s grasp and dashed toward Master Song, flinging herself into his embrace.

With a radiant, innocent smile, Song Xiaoyan piped in her childish voice, “Daddy, Yan’er missed you so much…”

Master Song’s joy was beyond measure.

“Hehe… Good girl, Yan’er. Daddy’s here!” He fondly ruffled the little girl's hair, grinning, “Daddy missed his Yan’er too…”

“Ehehe, Daddy… Daddy!” The little girl nodded vigorously, calling out again and again, the picture of happiness.

Seeing the Song family’s reunion, Li Yi smiled with heartfelt satisfaction.

What in this world could surpass the happiness of a family reunited?

At that moment, Song, who had been standing with Yue’er, hurried over, knelt before Li Yi, and kowtowed deeply, her voice full of gratitude, “On behalf of my husband, I thank you for saving our lives, young master!”

Master Song, coming to his senses from the joy of reunion, quickly brought Xiaoyan to kneel as well, respectfully saying, “Thank you, young master, for saving our lives!”

“Master Song, there’s no need for such ceremony. Please, get up,” Li Yi said with a smile, waving off their formalities.

To Li Yi, all the trouble that had occurred today stemmed, in a way, from himself.

Thus, rescuing Master Song’s family was not only a way to restore his own dignity, but also a simple act of convenience.

“Thank you, young master!” Only after expressing their gratitude did the Song family rise.

As the little girl, Song Xiaoyan, got up, she blinked timidly, stealing several glances at Li Yi, before suddenly blurting out, heedless of her own boldness, “Big brother, do you need a maid? Can… can I be your maid?”

Her words left everyone present thunderstruck.

Li Yi stared at her in astonishment, his face a picture of disbelief.

Seeing this, Song immediately tugged Xiaoyan into her arms, holding her tightly and scolding her with gentle reproach, “Ayan, don’t speak out of turn in front of the young master. You must address him properly!”

Master Song also gave Xiaoyan a stern look, his eyes full of authority.

But Xiaoyan pouted, a trace of displeasure in her voice as she retorted, “Yan’er heard from Sister Yue’er that the young master is a very good person. Being his maid is a blessing earned over many lifetimes, so Yan’er wants to be his maid too!”

For a moment, everyone present was dumbfounded, like stone statues.

Not far away, Yue’er’s cheeks flushed crimson at the words, and she bowed her head, nervously twisting her skirt, wishing she could disappear into the ground.

Master and Madame Song exchanged uneasy glances, their faces twitching with anxiety.

“Young master, my daughter was poorly taught and meant no offense. Please forgive her…” Master Song apologized as soon as he regained his composure, preparing to admonish Xiaoyan, but Li Yi waved the matter away with a smile.

Glancing at Yue’er, who stood nearby, her face red with embarrassment, Li Yi could not help but laugh inwardly.

He hadn’t expected that, in Yue’er’s heart, he occupied such an exalted position!

Then, Li Yi slowly crouched down.

Examining the adorable little Xiaoyan, he gently pinched her cheek and smiled, “Ayan, you want to be my maid?”

“Yes, Yan’er does!” Xiaoyan nodded earnestly.

Li Yi smiled, pretending to ponder for a moment, then said, “But to be my maid, you must master music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and know martial arts as well. You’re still very young—let’s talk about it when you’ve grown up, all right?”

He didn’t take the little girl’s words seriously at all.

After all, she was still a child. Perhaps she’d just been inspired by something Yue’er had said on a whim.

Besides, how could such a young child serve as a maid?

He had no inclination toward such things.

“Uh…” Xiaoyan blinked her bright eyes, scratching her head as she nodded seriously. Then she stuck out a little finger, pouting, “Alright, big brother, it’s a promise! I’ll study hard!”

“All right, it’s a promise,” Li Yi replied with a wry smile, pinky-swearing with her.

Those nearby, including Master Song and the rest of the household, looked on in astonishment.

But, recalling the changes in Li Yi’s demeanor of late, they realized he must be joking.

Everyone’s hearts relaxed at once.

Master and Madame Song, seeing this, were about to apologize again, but Li Yi waved them off, leaving them with nothing to do but smile awkwardly.

Soon after, Song led Xiaoyan away.

But as mother and daughter reached the gate, Xiaoyan suddenly turned back, looking at Li Yi with utmost seriousness. She asked, “Big brother, can I come to the residence in the future to learn martial arts from Sister Yue’er?”

Li Yi was taken aback, not expecting the little girl to take it so seriously, but out of kindness, he smiled and nodded, “Of course, you’re welcome anytime.”

“Heehee, thank you, big brother.” With a sweet smile, Xiaoyan skipped away after her mother.

Master Song’s face flushed with embarrassment as he looked apologetically at Li Yi.

“Young master, I…” For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Li Yi, unconcerned, waved him off with a smile, “Master Song, I’m hungry. Go to the kitchen and prepare something for me to eat.”

“Uh… yes, young master. Right away.” Master Song swallowed his words and hurried off.

The two sturdy attendants followed.

Only then did Li Yi stroll slowly toward Yue’er. Seeing her face burning with shyness and her nervous demeanor, Li Yi couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yue’er, tell me… how should I punish you tonight?” With a teasing smile, he reached to lift her chin, but just then, a voice called from outside the residence.

“Third Brother!”

Instantly, Li Yi had to withdraw his hand, feigning nonchalance as he turned to see who had interrupted his moment of delight.