Chapter 23: A Battle of Wits Between Mistress and Maid

The little mistress is only five years old; how could she possibly bear such news? I am truly damned! Zhao Meng smacked the back of his head in frustration. Alas, how could he have let his love for the bottle lead to such a disaster?

After standing still for a long while, Zhao Meng suddenly lifted his drooping head, his entire demeanor shifting as if he had been injected with adrenaline. He let out a boisterous laugh toward the heavens. Several birds in the trees were so startled by this bizarre man that they flapped their wings and fled; being near a madman was a risk to one’s life. Love life, stay away from lunatics!

After casting a stern remark, Mama Wang hurried to the door of the little one's room, only to stop before the tightly shut, intricately carved black door. The child had a stubborn disposition and was currently consumed by anger; she certainly would not want anyone entering now. Worried, Mama Wang paced back and forth, gazing at the small room but not daring to knock.

"Mother, Little Yutou is back! Where is the young mistress?" Little Yutou rushed excitedly into the courtyard, her cheeks flushed like a bird returning to its nest, happily diving into the arms of her long-missed mother.

Mama Wang was already anxious, and upon seeing Little Yutou, an idea struck her. "Little Yutou, you’ve returned just in time. The little mistress is inside, angry. Go and comfort her." She then recounted the morning’s events in detail to the girl.

Upon hearing this, Little Yutou was horrified. The young mistress had been longing for the General and the Princess to return home every single day, and her recent good behavior was all due to a promise she had made with the General. Now that they had broken their word to her once again, surely the young mistress wouldn't do anything foolish?

Thinking of the physical strength she had gained over these past few days, she dashed to the door of the little one's room in a few quick strides. "Young mistress, young mistress! Little Yutou is back! Please, open the door. I’m carrying so many things in my arms, I can’t open it myself! My dear mistress, I beg you, my arms are about to break!"

Tucked away like a silkworm in its cocoon, the little one heard the long-missed, familiar voice and shifted slightly. Her sobbing ceased, but then, remembering that her father and mother were missing, she decided to play dead.

"Oh, young mistress, my dear mistress! You don’t like Little Yutou anymore, do you? You despise me, don’t you? Boo-hoo, waah..." It wasn't only the young mistress who possessed a talent for theatrics; Little Yutou had a trick or two of her own! She let out a series of dry wails, though not a single tear could be found in her eyes.

Hearing the crying, the little one curled her lip and ignored her. Hmph, pretending to cry to trick her! Little Yutou was no good either! The two had grown up together, eating and playing side-by-side, and had it not been for Mama Wang’s concerns about outside appearances and worldly constraints, they would have loved to sleep in the same bed.

After wailing for a while without a response from the room, Little Yutou turned to her mother with an embarrassed look. She touched her nose, hesitated for a moment, and then dug her sharp nails deep into her left arm. Red streaks quickly bloomed on her fair skin; this time, she didn't even need to force herself to cry.

"Young mistress, please open the door! Oh, it hurts!" Little Yutou closed her eyes, determined, and threw herself against the carved door. "Waah, you won’t talk to me, and even your door is bullying me! Waah, you don’t want me anymore. I’m... I’m so pitiful."

The little one listened with disdain as Little Yutou performed her one-woman show. She wouldn't be fooled! Yet, even while feeling disdainful, she was secretly expectant. What would Little Yutou do next? Being just a child, her attention had already shifted, and her mind was filled with nothing but curiosity about what the girl would do.

Little Yutou pressed her ear against the door, trying to hear any movement inside, but it remained deathly silent. She took a deep breath. *Young mistress, if this trick doesn't work, then...*