The Maid’s Predicament

Having previously teamed up with, or perhaps more accurately, ‘tricked,’ numerous individuals, Ji Jie could hardly be expected to recall every single name and face. Thus, when recognized, she remained utterly unfazed, having long since prepared a cunning strategy.

Confronted by Qiao Qiao’s father, who had discarded his crutch and was now bounding towards her on a single leg, Ji Jie maintained an unperturbed demeanor. With one hand, she gripped her own crutch, her eyes narrowing slightly in feigned indignation as she spoke:

“Ji Jie? You know Ji Jie! Tell me her whereabouts at once, and I swear I’ll beat her to death!”

Qiao Qiao’s father froze for a moment, taken aback. Ji Jie’s earnest tone and the fierce, irreconcilable animosity she directed towards ‘Ji Jie’ ignited a similar fury within him. He vowed that should he ever cross paths with Ji Jie, he would flay her alive! Yet, as his gaze fell upon the young woman’s face before him, a stark realization hit him: damn it, he would never forget that face, not in a thousand lifetimes!

A swift realization dawned upon him that he was being deceived. Snatching back his crutch, he pointed it accusingly at Ji Jie’s nose and launched into a furious tirade:

“You vile woman, don’t even dare to argue! I would recognize your face even if it were reduced to ashes! When you hunted the demon beasts back then, you deliberately held back, leading directly to the loss of both my legs. I swear, even as a vengeful spirit, I will never forgive you! Just you wait; after my death, I will surely return to seek my revenge!”

‘Is this fellow utterly mad? He clearly lost only one leg, yet he adamantly claims to have lost two? If he’s so set on haunting me even in death, why doesn’t he hasten his own demise already!’

Though Ji Jie fumed inwardly, she dared not articulate her thoughts aloud. Determined to maintain her disguise, she instead furrowed her brow and spoke:

“Uncle, you’ve surely mistaken me for another! Ji Jie and I are irreconcilable foes; how could I possibly be her?”

“Daddy! Daddy! You always said Ji Jie was a ‘runway’ – flat-chested, you know – but this big sister is so ample; you must have made a mistake! And Daddy also said Ji Jie was an incredibly hideous, pointy-eared, monkey-faced old demon hag. This big sister right here is so beautiful, so gentle, and so young; how could she possibly be that Ji Jie?”

Little Qiao Qiao, who had been listening nearby, bounced forward, playfully poking Ji Jie’s chest as she spoke with endearing innocence.

“Oh, my sweet little Qiao Qiao, those were merely Daddy’s words spoken in anger; they don’t truly count! I can tell you with absolute certainty, this person *is* Ji Jie. When you grow up, my dear, you must ensure this vile woman suffers in hell!”

Addressing little Qiao Qiao, Qiao Qiao’s father’s voice became notably gentler. He tenderly flicked Qiao Qiao’s nose, speaking with deliberate softness.

Still caught between belief and skepticism, little Qiao Qiao felt as though her innocent heart had been suddenly pierced. She turned to Ji Jie, making one last, hopeful inquiry:

“Big sister, please don’t deceive Qiao Qiao. Tell me, truly, are you Ji Jie?”

“No!” Ji Jie asserted instantly, utterly oblivious that her unwavering denial merely intensified their suspicions.

“Then who, pray tell, are you?”

“I am a maid! I am my master’s maid, you see?” Ji Jie declared, sidling closer to Tou. In this precarious moment, only Tou, who couldn’t even recall his own name, could possibly offer her a temporary shield.

“Pah! A maid, you say? I see nothing but blatant evasion! You shameless wretch, daring to deceive an innocent child! You are nothing short of a scoundrel, a veritable blight upon our Huzhou!”

Qiao Qiao’s father, with a single breath, adamantly clung to his conviction that she was Ji Jie, refusing to yield. Ji Jie, however, scoffed inwardly. Hadn’t this very man previously misled his own daughter by describing Ji Jie as a hideous, pointy-faced monster? And as a parent, he was now spewing curses directly before his child. Who, then, was the true scoundrel, the genuine blight?

“A maid? Do you possess any proof of your claim?” Little Qiao Qiao’s spirits suddenly surged. A hopeful thought blossomed that perhaps her father truly *had* made a mistake. If Ji Jie could only prove she wasn’t *the* Ji Jie, then tonight, she could finally sleep beside this ‘well-endowed’ big sister!

“Indeed! You need only inquire with my master about this matter! I am his subordinate; there can be no error.”

As Ji Jie spoke, she moved to stand behind Yue Ye Si and Tou, effectively presenting Tou before the entire Qiao Qiao family.

“Twin-tailed big sister, is what the other big sister said truly accurate? Is she genuinely not Ji Jie, but rather your maid?”

“Isn’t that utterly obvious nonsense?! My maid is *my* maid; what ‘Ji Jie’ are you talking about?! I’ve stated countless times that I refuse to acknowledge anyone I deem useless.” Though Tou’s tone conveyed a hint of impatience, he refrained from outright anger.

Instead, he gestured with a dismissive wave, signaling Qiao Qiao’s mother, who had just entered, to approach. “You are Qiao Qiao’s mother, aren’t you? I’ve heard your cooking is exceptional. Might you prepare something truly delicious for me this evening?”

“My, my~, such a young lady, and already a formidable warrior dispatched by the Demon Exorcism Division. Since you’ve come to aid us in vanquishing these demons, it goes without saying that, in our gratitude, I shall prepare only the finest dishes for your enjoyment!”

Qiao Qiao’s mother drew nearer, offering a gentle smile. She then placed her small hands affectionately upon Tou’s and little Qiao Qiao’s heads, her smile deepening into one of captivating sweetness.

“Oh, how utterly adorable! If only they were my own children, just like my precious little Qiao Qiao!”

“Cute!” Tou’s face immediately flushed a vivid crimson. He brusquely knocked away the hand resting on his head, turning his face away with a disgruntled huff. “Touching my head comes with a price! If you fail to prepare a magnificent feast for me, I shall simply sell off your little Qiao Qiao.”

“Oh dear, oh dear~, the little one’s bashful expression is simply adorable! May I perhaps touch you a little more? If payment is the concern, how about I cook for you for the rest of your life?”

Qiao Qiao’s mother’s lips curved into a smile brimming with deeper meaning, and she reached out, intending to caress Tou’s crimson-tinged face.

“Hah? Am I granting you undue familiarity?! You utterly useless creature, your chatter is truly incessant! It should be your distinct honor to cook for me. From this day forward, you ought to fawn over me daily, much like a loyal hound!”

Upon hearing these words, Tou’s face immediately froze, turning frigid. This ungrateful wretch, this ‘dog-like creature,’ actually dared to lay hands upon his adorable little face.

“Oh dear! Why the sudden anger? My apologies! My apologies! I simply cannot resist touching adorable things when I see them. If I caused you any discomfort, I am truly, deeply sorry!”

Withdrawing her hand, her face now etched with genuine concern, Qiao Qiao’s mother hastened to apologize to Tou.

“Hmph! What good is an apology? Simply prepare delectable food for me this evening, and all will be forgiven!”

“Yes, yes! Your desires shall certainly be met. However…” Qiao Qiao’s mother’s delicate brows furrowed imperceptibly. She then shifted her gaze to Ji Jie, who stood behind Tou, scrutinizing her intensely for a prolonged moment before gritting her teeth and uttering:

“This maid of yours bears an uncanny, truly striking resemblance to that Ji Jie who framed my husband! Can you truly be certain this person is not Ji Jie?”

This fresh inquiry immediately gave Tou another throbbing headache. Why did every single matter invariably fall upon his shoulders? His irritation mounted; this maid of his was proving utterly vexatious, incapable of doing anything correctly, and constantly embroiling them in fresh complications.

His temper flared in an instant! He whirled his head around, fixing her with a venomous glare, and then unleashed a torrent of curses:

“You useless woman, this is *your* affair! Go and resolve it yourself!”

“Master~, I am truly sorry. Due to my own circumstances, I have once again brought trouble upon you! But I genuinely am not this ‘Ji Jie’ you speak of! There are countless people in this world; it’s hardly surprising to find a few who bear a passing resemblance!”

Ji Jie resolved to cling to Tou relentlessly. As long as she steadfastly denied being Ji Jie, she knew Tou would never surrender her.

“Cease your pretense at once! Your very essence screams ‘Ji Jie’ – from your appearance to your cultivation, even the items you bear; you *are* Ji Jie, and I shall never forget it, not for the remainder of my days!”

Observing Ji Jie’s continued attempts at evasion, Qiao Qiao’s father surged forward, seizing her wrist with the clear intent of apprehending her.

Despite Qiao Qiao’s father being disabled and possessing a cultivation far inferior to Ji Jie’s, Ji Jie offered no resistance. Instead, she threw her arms around Tou’s leg, weeping as she pleaded:

“Master, I truly am not Ji Jie! They are trying to take me away, and I don’t want to—I don’t want to leave you, my Master…”

“Nonsense! You vile hussy! I’ll break your legs right here and now, and we’ll see if you ever dare to cause trouble again!”

“Master, save me, please…”

“Argh! This is infuriating! Infuriating! Infuriating! You’re all squabbling like common alley dogs, back and forth, back and forth! Will this ever end?!”

Tou clutched his head, groaning in profound agony, his entire presence seeming to distort into something utterly abstract.

“My dearest husband, you are being incredibly loud! Just look at how terrified my adorable little one has become! Cease this racket at once!”

Tou’s sudden, distressed transformation was painful to witness. She refused to allow anything so inherently adorable to lose its luster. Even if it meant abandoning her quest for vengeance on behalf of her husband today, she would, without hesitation, safeguard Tou’s charming countenance.

“My cherished wife, but…”

“There are no ‘buts’!”

“I was mistaken!”

Qiao Qiao’s father released Ji Jie without a moment’s hesitation, standing ramrod straight off to the side.

Ji Jie secretly exulted. In the end, victory was hers. Yet, it seemed she had thoroughly incensed Tou! If she failed to proactively confess her error, Tou would undoubtedly scrutinize her with disdain at every opportunity henceforth!

The moment Tou regained his composure, she eagerly scurried forward, dropping to her knees before him with an emphatic cry:

“I am truly sorry! Master, all of this is entirely my fault! Please, I beg you, punish me!”

“Punishment?” Tou had originally intended to give her a sound beating, but it seemed this maid had suddenly seen the light! To proactively seek punishment from her master after making a mistake… how utterly fascinating!