Chapter 123: Hearthside Chat (Five):

The Fu Clan and Seton City both occupied uniquely advantageous positions, where a simple turn could face vast untapped treasures. The Young Palace Lord, who grew up in such a family, should have been pampered in a honey jar from childhood, ignorant of the word “suffering.” But reality was not like that.

Fu Li was not born in the Radiant Palace. She only returned there at the age of five.

Though she had already grown to five years old by then, with normal physical development, her mind remained incomplete, like that of a newborn infant. She could not speak, could not communicate, did not know how to wash her face or wipe her feet, and even could not dress herself. Fu Yuzhu found several personal maids to care for her daily needs, but the results were not optimistic.

The reason lay in the fact that she had no memories of the time before age five, but she did have sensations. Having gone through who knew what, her mind was clearly not yet enlightened and ignorant, yet to this day, she still vividly remembered the eternal resentment, hatred, anger, and repression churning in her chest.

Those negative emotions entangled her all day like evil ghosts, seeping into every crevice. Any slight displeasure would cause them to explode entirely, making her temper extremely volatile. She often screamed, smashed whatever she could grab, and her emotions were abnormally unstable. She directly or indirectly injured countless maids arranged by her mother to serve her.

Injuring slaves was a small matter; failing to care for her daughter was a big one. Fu Yuzhu watched her frenzied daughter with heartache, but at that time, she was busy running around for the clan and quelling various incidents, unable to personally tend to her despite her desire. Helpless, she set several harsh standards and sought maids in Seton City at high prices who met the conditions.

Even though those rules intimidated onlookers, the generous pay was enough to fill even the timid with courage.

After the recruitment order went out, it drew a large crowd of people with a “let’s give it a try” mindset. Fu Yuzhu scared them all back with various cruel methods, and some even died directly in the palace, becoming nutrients for the sporadic plants on Snow Mountain.

The tragedy shocked all sides for a time, and for a long while, no one came knocking again.

One day, a woman tore down the recruitment notice and arrived at the palace gates, saying she could do it. That woman was named Nan Yayin.

The woman had proper features, polite speech, a good temper, a submissive nature to hardship, and a sense of responsibility. She had once served a wealthy merchant’s family, tending to children’s daily needs with plenty of experience. She had a fine voice for coaxing and singing to children and could play with kids of all ages. She fit perfectly in every way.

Fu Yuzhu investigated her background. She had only her mother at home; the mother and daughter depended on each other, both clean and innocent with no offenses. The experiences she provided were verified as true. She was usable.

At this point, Fu Yuzhu gave her the final test.

First, she had her face dozens of extremely ferocious beasts. Since Fu Li loved these, Nan Yayin, as her personal maid, naturally could not be afraid. Otherwise, what if she fled or fainted alone when startled? Her reaction was very satisfactory. No matter what venomous insects or savage beasts faced her, she remained unmoved, her expression unchanged, calm as ever. She had the courage.

Next, Fu Yuzhu ordered her to live in the mines for half a month. Although Fu Li’s mind was incomplete, she was extremely playful and had great stamina, often running wild across mountains and fields. If her body was too frail or her strength insufficient to keep up with the Young Palace Lord, leading to injury, that would absolutely not do.

In this regard, Nan Yayin adapted quickly. Though her frame seemed slender, she kept up with heavy physical labor without issue. Beneath her gentle appearance lay unexpected stubbornness and resilience. Her physical condition passed.

Finally, they arranged various tests: deliberately leaving large sums of valuables to see if she would pocket them, testing her integrity; quietly setting up a scene of someone in peril to see if she would help, and more. Nan Yayin passed every one perfectly, as if tailor-made for Fu Li.

No matter how strict, Fu Yuzhu could find no fault, so she declared Nan Yayin qualified.

But the trial was not over. Just as the woman relaxed in joy upon hearing the result, Fu Yuzhu whipped her for no reason. Her subordinates showed no mercy, beating her as if to kill. She was lashed until her skin split open, flesh torn, blood flowing nonstop. She fainted and woke only to suffer more, unable to die or escape.

This sudden ordeal left Nan Yayin gravely injured. She lay in bed for nearly a month before recovering somewhat. Upon receiving the summons, she barely managed to get out of bed and come to the main hall.

Fu Yuzhu threw a longsword onto the floor with a clang and told her that if she wanted revenge, she could pick it up and stab her once. Swearing by the Snow Mountain White Serpent, she vowed not to retaliate or hold her or her mother accountable afterward.

An ordinary person subjected to such torment would have harbored grudges and eagerly sought to vent. But Nan Yayin did not even glance at the sword. Instead, she lowered her eyes submissively and said: since she was willing to be a slave, she must take her master as her heaven. Whether whipped or sliced, it was all at her master’s whim.

Swearing to the White Serpent carried binding force—even the palace lord could not violate it—but Nan Yayin refused to use such a precious chance. Instead, she spoke even more devout words, as if she truly cared nothing for the severe injury.

Seeing she truly harbored no intent to resist, Fu Yuzhu slightly lowered her guard.

She had worried that the maid by Fu Li’s side, accompanying her day and night, might be spineless and lead her daughter astray by example. Yet she also feared the opposite: that the person might be too strong-willed, and if Fu Li lashed out during an episode and injured her, sparking retaliation, that would be disastrous. Hence the test.

The final result proved this person was indeed reliable.

Once her injuries fully healed, Nan Yayin was led to meet the Young Palace Lord for the first time—the girl protected behind layers of palace gates, young yet wickedly mischievous.

That was her little master.

Upon hearing a new maid would come to care for her, the little master had set numerous lethal traps on the floor of her room.

Nan Yayin had memorized the predecessors’ rich experiences of blood and tears. For the sake of her life, she successfully dodged all the traps and greeted the little master, who hid under the bed hugging two pillows, ready to watch rivers of blood and hear endless screams. She watched that malicious little face show a child’s blank surprise.

“Slave is called Nan Yayin.”