There’s No Way My Maid Is a Villain

Interlude

A butler received the three who had arrived at Xiya's doorstep.

Upon entering, Yinhua discovered that Xiya's home was not as luxurious as she had imagined; on the contrary, it was quite simple and unadorned—both the stairs and the floors were all made of wood.

After a short while, the butler placed teacups, already filled with tea, in front of the three.

"May I ask, what brings you all here?"

Since time was pressing, Yinhua dispensed with pleasantries and asked directly, "We are Xiya's friends. We're here because we have to travel far, and we wanted to say goodbye to her."

"As for Miss, she has already gone with the Master to the Imperial Capital. Therefore, I am afraid you will not be able to see her," the elderly butler replied while wiping the teaware with a handkerchief.

"The Imperial Capital? Did she go there to take part in the Spirit Selection?!"

Liqin suddenly asked, as if remembering something.

"How did you learn of this?"

The butler's eyes sharpened as his tone intensified.

As an ordinary person, Yinhua felt the old butler's presence pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe, and cold sweat gradually beaded up on her face.

Just then, a shadow flashed—moving with the speed of a leopard.

From behind Yinhua, Aili suddenly sprang forth, leaving nothing but an afterimage behind her.

Before anyone could react, a single combat dagger was pressed to the butler's neck.

The keen edge of the blade had already nicked his skin, drawing several drops of blood that dripped onto the floor—in the silence of those few seconds, the sound seemed enormous.

"Ah-la, old bug, please mind your tone. It is your honor that my master deems to converse with you, so don't get above yourself. People should not overrate themselves—otherwise, there's nothing to distinguish them from beasts."

Aili's voice was exceedingly dangerous—as though with Yinhua's slightest permission, she could make the butler's head fall in an instant.

"Ah!!!!"

The maids nearby screamed.

"Stop it, Aili. How could you treat an elderly man like that?"

Recovering from her shock, Yinhua quickly spoke up.

"Yes, as you command."

Of course, Aili understood her master's temperament. She immediately sheathed her weapon and returned to her former place, as if simply switching positions with the earlier afterimage.

"Impossible..."

The butler still seemed unable to shake off what had just happened. In those mere seconds, he'd brushed past Death's door.

As a former high-ranking knight, to find himself so utterly powerless in front of a young girl was utterly inconceivable.

"I'm sorry. My friend was just overexcited—we did not intend to harm you."

Yinhua immediately apologized to the butler.

"No matter. Ultimately, the fault was partly mine as well."

The butler understood the situation was now entirely under the control of the girl before him—or, more accurately, that of the maid.

He was in no position to refuse her apology.

"So, may I ask—who exactly are you?" he pressed on.

"Ah, we're here because we're also participants in the Spirit Selection,"

Liqin declared.

"No, I am not. I am merely accompanying my master."

Aili spoke coldly.

Liqin was momentarily at a loss for words—she had not expected Aili to answer her so bluntly in such a situation.

"Ahahah, anyway, we're not your enemies—that's all."

"I see. I understand now. Please forgive my earlier rudeness; I am truly very sorry."

The old butler bowed as he spoke.

"If you're looking for Miss, they've only just left. If you hurry, you may still catch up with them on the road. Even if not, you will surely meet again in the Imperial Capital."

"Thank you, then we won't trouble you further. We should be setting out as well."

Yinhua politely thanked the butler, then rose and led the other two out.

Watching the three figures recede into the distance, the old butler could not help but sigh, "One after another, the younger generation rides the waves forward. Seems the era of us old folks is truly past."

***

After leaving Xiya's home, Yinhua asked Liqin, "Which way should we go?"

"Shayuola City is located in the east of the continent, while the Imperial Capital is at the center. So we should be heading west. But time is running short, and since Little Yin can't use the teleportation array, we'll have to travel through the night or we won't reach the Imperial Capital in time. So let's head southwest all the way to Mengqi City and spend the night there, then see if we can find a carriage that goes directly to the capital. If we hurry now, we should be able to avoid having to camp outdoors."

Liqin said as she pored over her map.

"No, I don't think that will work,"

Aili objected.

"Why not?! That's the fastest option—unless you have a better plan?"

Having been contradicted ever since they set out, even Liqin finally lost patience.

Aili simply gave her a mocking look, offering no explanation.

"I'd also like to know why. It really does seem like our best plan."

Yinhua spoke in confusion.

"It is indeed the fastest and most convenient way."

"Then why in the world are you against it?!"

Liqin exclaimed in frustration.

"No special reason. I just want to disagree with you because you always irritate me,"

Aili said.

"... I support Big sis Liqin's plan..."

Yinhua said quietly.

"Yay! Two to one! Liqin's big victory!"

"Well, since that's our master's will, we'll do as she wishes. And you, yellow hornet, don't misunderstand—you have no right to vote. I simply agree with my master's decision."

"You...!"

Liqin was now burning with fury.

"............"

Yinhua fell into deep thought.

Mm... as expected, my maid really is excellent.

Just then, a convoy of carriages appeared ahead, flanked by a number of draped figures in black who looked to be acting as guards.

The procession passed slowly by, the wind picking up a melancholic note.

"Hey, Big sis Liqin, who are those people?"

Yinhua asked.

"The only city ahead is Mengqi, so they must be merchants from there. Some rich people are simply terrified of death—they always bring this many guards. It's nothing unusual."

"Really? Then let's be on our way. If I can help it, I'd rather not camp out in the wild."

Liqin rolled up her map, smoothed her hair, and began walking southwest.

Aili turned to glance back at the convoy and murmured, "The smell of blood..."

"Aili, is something wrong?"

Yinhua asked.

"No, nothing..."

Aili followed in step with the other two—the beginning of a tale that would one day be legend.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】