The Hard Life of a Maid

After losing her husband and son, Jing Chun is reborn as Lian Zhu, a lowly maid in the Xie household.

She cares for the neglected Third Young Master and serves the troublemaking cousin miss... Fortunately, she is thorough and capable, and manages to resolve every crisis one by one.

But as she grows older, her slender waist and breathtaking beauty become ever more striking, and trouble finds her.

The lecherous, dimwitted Third Master wants to take her as a concubine. The Third Young Master, whom she has cared for since childhood, wants to elope with her in the dead of night. Even the Second Young Master, whose every whim the household obeys, wants to make her his concubine.

Everyone says this sparrow is about to become a phoenix.

Only Lian Zhu remains unmoved, her heart set solely on avenging the child she lost in her previous life.

Since she is bound to suffer either way, she might as well marry the most powerful man. She becomes Second Young Master Xie Yao's beloved concubine, enjoying endless fine clothes and rich food.

Then, at the Spring Blossom Night Banquet, she serves him and gains a chance to enter the game. Seizing the opportunity, she escapes and wins back her freedom.

She never expected to see Xie Yao again a year later, dusty from the road and willing to humble himself.

"Lian Zhu, if you get on the horse, I'll let bygones be bygones."

"Lian Zhu, come back..."

*

Bonus scene:

Xie Yao has a priceless treasure, and after finding it again, he holds it in his palms every single day.

Inside the bed curtains, his strong arms gather the treasure against his chest. He lowers his head to kiss it. "Tell me, who is it you really like?"

After their lovemaking, Lian Zhu is already exhausted and drowsy. She cannot understand why Xie Pei's offhand remark from years ago has stayed with him for so long.

Half asleep, she answers without thinking, "You."

"Swear it. If you're lying, then..." Xie Yao looks at the person in his arms, eyes half-closed and breath sweet as orchids. His heart softens. "Forget it. I can't bear to..."

*

Reader's guide:

1. Set in an alternate historical world. Happy ending.

2. There will be melodramatic plotlines such as brothers competing for the same woman, but the author values logic and won't take things too far.

3. The male lead appears a little later because the plot calls for it. I hope everyone understands.

Theme: Lovers will find their way to each other in the end.