The Master’s Scrutiny

After roughly an afternoon had passed, Mu Yaochen awakened once more.

Meanwhile, Luo Yao had already successfully integrated himself into the household’s servant network.

What Luo Yao hadn’t anticipated, however, was the scarcity of male servants in the mansion, with the majority being female maids.

Lest one misunderstand, these were entirely proper maids; their attire was perfectly modest, devoid of any revealing elements.

As for lunch, Luo Yao had eaten alongside the maids and bodyguards.

Prior to this, however, Frost had already informed the maids of Luo Yao’s status as a s*ave.

Fortunately, these maids hadn’t looked down on him for being a s*ave, and were still chatting and laughing with him even now.

In the span of that single afternoon, Luo Yao, with his exceptional social skills, had effortlessly befriended several ‘maid-sisters’ (TL Note: ‘Jiejie’ (姐姐) is a term used for an older sister or an older female acquaintance, implying respect and familiarity).

Particularly noteworthy was the maid named Chen Xi, who appeared to be of a similar age to Luo Yao, yet possessed the gentle demeanor of an older sister, making her feel more mature than him.

However…

‘Ahhh~ I’m awake, that felt wonderful.’

At that moment, a bleary-eyed Mu Yaochen, having just woken up, slowly descended the stairs to the first floor.

By then, hints of twilight were already beginning to grace the sky.

‘Little Yaoyao, what are you all doing?’

Mu Yaochen, freshly roused from sleep, seemed somewhat weary and bore a rather disheveled appearance.

At the same time, Mu Yaochen cast a wary gaze upon the maids gathered around Luo Yao.

Her previously hazy mind instantly cleared.

‘What exactly are you doing?’

Seeing the lingering smile on Luo Yao’s lips, Mu Yaochen had already surmised the situation.

She then shifted her gaze to Frost, who stood motionless nearby.

‘N-nothing, Master…’

Noticing Mu Yaochen standing on the staircase connecting the first and second floors, Luo Yao promptly sprang from his chair by the door, resembling a startled kitten with its fur bristling.

‘Nothing… Really?’

Mu Yaochen’s previously languid eyes sharpened instantly, fixating intensely on Luo Yao.

‘Frost… what’s going on? And Chen Xi, that’s your name, isn’t it?’

Mu Yaochen’s disdainful gaze then fell upon the young maid seated not far from Luo Yao.

Though many maids were present, she alone was seated closest to Luo Yao.

‘Miss… I…’

The young maid, caught in Mu Yaochen’s imperious stare, was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

She could only lower her head, not daring to meet Mu Yaochen’s eyes.

‘You should know, I don’t tolerate idlers here.’

Mu Yaochen’s gaze turned cold, and she shifted her attention back to Frost.

‘Frost, you know what to do, don’t you?’

Mu Yaochen spoke to Frost in a tone of command.

‘Miss… I… I made a mistake?’

Chen Xi was bewildered by Mu Yaochen’s words, and a terrible premonition about her impending fate washed over her.

‘You made a mistake? Where did you err? Tell me, and if your explanation satisfies me, I might consider not punishing you.’

Seeing Chen Xi’s head bowed in an apologetic manner, Mu Yaochen’s interest was piqued.

‘I… I erred in…’

Chen Xi’s eyes flickered, somewhat helplessly, towards Luo Yao, who was not far in front of her.

Meanwhile, the maid colleagues who had been so close to her just moments ago had, at some point, subtly distanced themselves.

A profound sense of helplessness washed over Chen Xi.

‘Tell me then, where did you go wrong?’

Mu Yaochen was like a demon, a grim reaper come to claim a soul, interrogating the ‘guilty’ Chen Xi.

‘Master… it was my fault. I shouldn’t have spoken to others…’

Luo Yao, seeing Chen Xi’s distress beside him, realized that Mu Yaochen’s true target was him.

‘Oh? My Little Yaoyao, I didn’t expect you to admit your mistake so readily.’

Mu Yaochen’s gaze shifted back to Luo Yao.

‘Come now, Little Yaoyao, there are quite a few servants in the hall right now.’

‘Tell them what you are.’

‘I feel that once you clearly understand your place, you’ll be obedient.’

It seemed a wild kitten needed proper training to become docile.

As Mu Yaochen spoke, she padded barefoot down the stairs with a cat-like grace.

‘I…’

The moment Mu Yaochen uttered those words, Luo Yao understood her intention.

‘Hmm… Little Yaoyao, do go on, we’re all listening.’

Mu Yaochen’s mood brightened considerably upon seeing Luo Yao’s mortified expression.

‘I am the s*ave Master just bought, so…’

Luo Yao was momentarily at a loss as to how to phrase his words to please Mu Yaochen, for he himself was not so perverse.

‘You need to understand, you are my exclusive s*ave.’

‘Without my permission, you are not to speak with anyone else, understood?’

Before Luo Yao could finish, Mu Yaochen had already reached his side, her slender fingers seizing his chin.

She forcibly directed Luo Yao’s gaze to herself, maintaining her dominant aura.

‘Alright, the rest of you may disperse if you have nothing else to do.’

‘Frost, you stay.’

Witnessing Luo Yao’s palpable fear, Mu Yaochen’s desire for conquest was once again sated.

Upon hearing Mu Yaochen’s words, the other maids scattered as if fleeing.

Only Chen Xi, as she passed Luo Yao, cast a worried glance his way.

It was but a fleeting moment before she, too, joined the main group of maids and departed.

Seeing Chen Xi’s look of concern, a warmth inexplicably spread through Luo Yao’s heart.

He hadn’t expected anyone here to care about him.

‘Alright, you little wretch.’

‘If I ever catch you fooling around with other women again, I will truly have Frost break your legs, do you hear me?’

Now that the maids had departed, Mu Yaochen’s hand remained firmly gripping Luo Yao’s chin, still asserting her absolute authority.

‘Understood… Master, I understand.’

Luo Yao, taking in Mu Yaochen’s words, nodded vigorously.

‘That’s better.’

‘Frost, go find him a suitable, presentable outfit in a moment.’

‘I’ll be taking him out soon.’

Satisfied with Luo Yao’s continued submissive posture, Mu Yaochen released his chin and slowly turned to walk towards a nearby mirror.

‘Yes, Miss. I’ll be right back.’

Frost bowed her head, responding softly, before turning and leaving, once again leaving only Luo Yao and Mu Yaochen in the room.

****