Chapter 174: How did I become a Maid?
Xu Qingchuan clearly paid no mind to the insect repellent bag.
After accepting it, he merely cast a disdainful glance at Song Jiulai before returning to his room.
Song Jiulai also went back and closed her door.
She slapped the sleeping scorpion on her wrist: “Look at the mess you’ve made.”
The scorpion remained motionless from her slap.
System: “Why are you hitting a child?”
“……”
Song Jiulai sighed: “System, don’t you think your data and mental state are a bit abnormal now?”
System: “That’s perfectly normal. If you chatted with hundreds of ducks every day, you’d go crazy too.”
Song Jiulai: “……”
It was obvious the System was suffering from work-related injuries from dealing with hundreds of people simultaneously.
Song Jiulai: “Then what will you do when you have to deal with thousands, tens of thousands of Players in the future?”
System: “Split into multiple system personalities: the cold system, the tsundere system, the domineering system, the ruthless system, the sexy—”
Song Jiulai: “……”
It was over; this was already a disaster.
Since this Secret Realm had been quiet so far, Song Jiulai could only wait patiently for the third day when the grand wedding would commence.
During this time, she had also visited various places in the town and saw several other Cultivators who had entered.
However, they didn’t interact with Song Jiulai, and she didn’t mind.
She had managed to gather some information about the previous two brides.
Qin Yongkang’s previous two wives were both from out of town, and their exact origins were unknown.
Shortly after marrying into the Qin Manor, they were reported to have died of illness.
The funerals were both handled by Xiao Cui, the Qin Manor’s head Maid.
Song Jiulai remarked: “Why is Xiao Cui involved in everything? Does Xiao Cui have that much authority?”
Although Xiao Cui was Qin Yongkang’s personal Maid, shouldn’t Qin Yongkang himself have handled the funerals of his wives?
Song Jiulai inquired about Xiao Cui from the blind old woman before her. The blind old woman, unaware that Song Jiulai was from out of town, kept lamenting: “That Xiao Cui girl has been in the Qin Manor since she was young. She was the one who brought both ladies here.”
After gathering this information, Song Jiulai’s attention was no longer focused on Qin Yongkang when she returned to the Qin Manor.
She said to the System: “Don’t you think the key to this problem might be Xiao Cui?”
Up to this point, they hadn’t even seen Qin Yongkang.
Yet, Xiao Cui seemed to be everywhere.
System: “I think so too. Why don’t you go look for her?”
Unfortunately, she resided in the main courtyard.
Something had happened these past two days, and she hadn’t come out.
Song Jiulai suspected that the person her scorpion had bitten was her.
Xu Qingchuan next door was also as silent as a mute; it was as if no one else was in this Secret Realm.
By the third day, tonight was when the grand wedding banquet would officially begin.
The Qin Manor was decorated with lanterns and streamers early in the morning. Guests arriving for the feast came and went, and amidst the lively atmosphere, Song Jiulai noticed the visibly nervous expressions of Xu Qingchuan and the other Cultivators.
After all, the outcome would be revealed tonight, and no one knew what they would face.
Logically, the Groom and Bride would appear to greet guests tonight.
Xiao Cui did appear during the day, and there was nothing unusual about her. She continued to greet guests with a smiling demeanor.
As for tonight, Song Jiulai didn’t know how the Bride would be chosen.
However, after finishing a round of the feast and feeling quite full, she returned to her room and suddenly felt drowsy.
An uncontrollable wave of sleepiness washed over her.
When she opened her eyes, she felt a jolt throughout her body.
She stood in a courtyard filled with red lanterns, holding a tray with a pot of wine and a bowl of dumplings.
Someone spoke to her: “The Bride must be hungry. Quickly take something to her to tide her over.”
Song Jiulai looked up and saw a Granny.
She had seen this Granny before; she was the woman who had spoken to Xiao Cui on the first day.
Seeing Song Jiulai frozen, the Granny’s eyebrows shot up: “Hurry up and go in, what are you standing there for?”
Song Jiulai suppressed the storm in her heart and immediately replied: “Yes.”
What was going on?
Wasn’t she supposed to become the Bride?
Why had she become a Maid?
The System tsk-tsked: “I guessed it. Qin Yongkang’s taste isn’t bad. You didn’t become the Bride, you became a Maid.”
Song Jiulai: “……”
Why did that sound so wicked?
This was the main courtyard they hadn’t entered for three days. Only this building stood out; there was no need to search for the main house.
Moreover, this Granny was standing at the entrance talking to her.
Where to go in was obvious.
There were no guards at the entrance of the main house, so Song Jiulai entered with the tray.
She noticed her own attire had also changed to a Maid’s uniform, somewhat similar to Xiao Cui’s, though less exquisite.
She estimated she was just one of the NPC Maids, like Jia, Yi, Bing, or Ding.
Had those Cultivators also turned into Maids and guards?
Various thoughts flashed through her mind. Upon entering the main hall, she found no one there.
Now, finding the Bride’s room was difficult, and Song Jiulai was a bit flustered. Fortunately, the System was somewhat reliable at crucial moments; it said: “There’s someone upstairs.”
That sounded as if the person upstairs was still breathing.
Song Jiulai was a little worried about encountering Qin Yongkang at this moment. She focused all her attention, extremely vigilant of her surroundings.
Fortunately, she had stored her items in the Sect Warehouse and not in a Mustard Seed Bag.
Her greatest reliance was on the Disposable Magic Treasures she had bought.
If this Secret Realm turned out to be dangerous, she would have to use them, no matter how reluctant she was.
By the time she reached the second floor, the layout of ancient pavilions wasn’t that complex, and she easily found the room where the Bride was staying on the second floor.
The most luxurious and conspicuous one must be it.
In the center was an open-air balcony with an excellent view.
She knocked on the door and Song Jiulai softly said: “Madam, I’ve brought you some food.”
There was no response from inside.
Song Jiulai then directly knocked and entered.
Inside, by the intricately carved bed furthest from the door, sat a Bride with a red veil covering her head.
According to the normal progression, the Bride at this moment should have been chosen by a Cultivator?
Could it really be that Xu Qingchuan?
Song Jiulai tentatively spoke again, “Madam, I’ve brought the dumplings for you…”
Hearing this voice, perhaps finding it somewhat familiar.
The Bride by the bed suddenly and presumptuously pulled off her veil.
Her beautiful face turned pale with shock upon seeing Song Jiulai: “How could it be you?”
Song Jiulai was also very shocked: “It really is you!”
Good heavens, Xu Qingchuan had actually become the Bride.
However, she had to admit, his beautiful face, with a touch of makeup, was as stunning as an internet celebrity.
It was much more convincing than Song Jiulai’s own face.
As for him being a man?
That wasn’t important.
Qin Yongkang himself wasn’t picky, so why should anyone else be?
Xu Qingchuan was even more shocked than Song Jiulai had imagined. He looked at Song Jiulai in disbelief: “How did you become a Maid?”
Clearly, his face hadn’t changed, only his identity had shifted.
Song Jiulai felt a pang in her heart. She had merely become a Maid; was that so surprising?
“You’re the Bride, so you’re amazing?!”
