Cute little sister

Yulan was very happy to have a delicious meal after so many years, but she couldn't concentrate on eating because of her maid's gaze.

– What is it? – she asked.

Chu Qi came to her senses and hesitated a little.

– Your Highness, since you are in good health, maybe I can help you take a bath and put your hair in a hairstyle?

Yulan, who had just been happy, was now ready to fall back into a coma.

On the one hand, it would be nice to put herself in order, because she hadn't done this for so long. But on the other hand, she was embarrassed that strangers would help her do it.

Chu Qi saw her mistress's thoughtful gaze and tried to use all her charm to make her make the right decision.

Seeing the woman kneeling in front of her with pleading in her eyes, Yang Yulan had no choice.

– Well, I'll have to get used to it anyway.

Upon hearing permission from her mistress, the maid immediately ordered to get hot water and bring towels. While Yang Yulan was trying to maintain some dignity while sitting naked in a barrel, the gentle movements of other people's hands did not stop for a second, helping her wash her head and body.

After finishing with the bathroom Chu Qi gathered the princess's hair into a high ponytail.

Looking at her new hairstyle in the mirror, Yang Yulan thought for a while and turned to her maid.

– How long have you been serving me?

– Not so long. Just a few years. I came to you when you were already.. Well, that is..

Chu Qi hesitated.

– I probably shouldn't say that now, because Your Highness is already much better.

If Chu Qi came so late, then it's understandable why she doesn't remember being written about in a book. Apparently, Chu Qi is one of those maids who came to serve the princess for a short time and often changed. Damn it. This was her last hope to learn more about the original princess.

Few people were really revealed in this book, but Yang Yulan was exceptional. This character was completely forgotten in the middle of the book. The episodes with her can be counted on one hand.

«The original Yang Yulan doesn't exist anymore, so it doesn't matter now. It remains only to play your role and look at the relationship of the main characters. Most likely, by the end of the book, I will be released from here again, and I will return home, which means I need to enjoy the show while I have the opportunity.»

– Chu Qi – one of the maids called, entering the room – You are being called again.

– Who's calling? – Yulan asked, devouring the remnants of sweets on the tray.

Chu Qi sighed heavily. She didn't seem to want to go much.

– The head servant in the palace, Your Highness. He's the manager here. He makes sure that we do our job well.

Yang Yulan suddenly found it interesting to look at him. And since she had nothing to do in the near future anyway, she decided to impose on Chu Qi.

– I'll go with you – the princess said as imperiously as possible and got up from her seat.

– Yes, Your Highness – the maid replied with some hesitation – But please don't anger him. He is very strict and will not look at the fact that you are a princess.

–Ah.

Yulan drawled eloquently

«Well, then I'll definitely keep quiet. »

Chu Qi was delighted with her mistress's intelligence and hastened to praise her. Yulan could only roll her eyes.

After passing through many corridors and forks, the newly minted princess finally made sure that she was in the palace. Amazing. If it wasn't for Chu Qi walking in front, she would definitely have been lost before she even reached the restroom. And if this remote palace, where she and some of the servants were exiled, was so good, then what was going on in the main one, where her "normal" brothers and sisters live?

Trying to memorize the road as much as possible, she made another turn, after which she saw a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man with a high bun on his head.

When Chu Qi came up to him and bowed, Yulan got goosebumps. The manager's deep black eyes stared at Chu Qi's every move. There seemed to be something strange and hidden in that look.

Yang Yulan's presence did not bother him at all.

– Why did you call me, manager? – The maid asked as if she already knew the answer to her question. At that time, she did not try to avoid the man's gaze in any way, stubbornly staring back at him. Yulan was surprised. She couldn't imagine that this motherly kind face could be so frightening.

– You dare to talk to me like that? – The man chuckled and patted the girl on the shoulder – I just came to see you before I go to the main palace on business.

Yulan involuntarily clenched her fists under her long sleeves. She was also punished more than once during her school days for overly vivid manifestation of a sense of justice. She repeatedly got into fights, which made her known throughout the school as a bully and was forced to eke out a miserable existence without friends.

– Too unfriendly for someone who fulfills all your whims – The manager's hand moved from her shoulders to her chin, and then between the maid's eyebrows – Stop frowning, you spoil your beautiful face.

No sooner had Yulan cut in than Chu Qi herself threw off the manager's hand

– I didn't ask you for anything – she replied threateningly and, bowing, was about to get away.

– Stop right now! – the manager threatened – Have you decided to be impertinent?

– This is the last warning. If you think that by swearing an oath in your stupid association and having fun with girls, you will be able to break out into people, you are very deeply mistaken – he minced every word and, raising his voice, added – You need a man.

Then, as if calming down, he continued:

– You will come running to me when you realize your helplessness. And it will happen very soon.

Chu Qi did not wait for him to finish, so, grabbing Yulan by the hand, she rushed back into the room.

– Wait – frowned at the strong grip of Chu Qi  Yang Yulan – It hurts me

After these words, the maid seemed to wake up from her thoughts. She immediately let go of Yang Yulan's hand and began to apologize.

–It's okay, don't worry – the princess reassured her in turn.

She was curious about what the manager was talking about, but she did not want to pry into her maid's personal life.

The rest of the way to the room was in a slightly awkward silence.

– What would you like to do now, Your Highness? – The maid asked as soon as they returned to the room.

After thinking for a while, Yang Yulan asked:

– Is there a library here? – despite some danger of her desire, she understood that there was still some time left before the start of the main plot – or to be precise, there was still a week left – and she needed to occupy herself with something at that time. And what could be better than reading romance novels?

This question puzzled the maid.

– I'm afraid there is no library in this pavilion, but there is one next to the main palace. This library is considered to be the largest in the entire empire.

– Can you take me there? – Yulan asked, not without a bit of excitement in her voice.

– It's too late today. Tomorrow morning, I will inform the palace that you are going to visit the library and take you there.

– I don't want anyone to know – Yulan said – despite her capricious desires, she still wanted to keep her image – take me secretly and don't tell anyone that I can now talk and read.

– But why, madam, – asked a completely puzzled Chu Qi, – Everyone will be so happy if they find out that you are better and maybe they will start treating you like a human being. 

«Yeah, right» flashed through the girl's head when she remembered how "wonderful" her family was in the book. A father who doesn't care about his daughter's condition, a mother who made her suffer even while she was conscious. And of course the brothers and sisters, who really liked to make fun of the silly little girl.

– That's an order – Yulan snapped, and Chu Qi had no choice but to obey.

– And now I think I'll eat some more – the girl concluded when she decided that she had finally figured out the urgent problem.

– But you've been eating recently – Chu Qi reminded her – what if you get indigestion or a stomach ache.

– Ah.. All right then.

Looking at her mistress's sweet, upset face, Chu Qi could barely contain her laughter.

– OK. You must have been very hungry during the time that you were unconscious. But only a little bit.

– Is it really possible? Yulan's face suddenly brightened

– Pfft

– What are you laughing at? Yang Yulan asked.

– Oh, nothing, Your Highness. I just remembered a stupid joke. I'll get some food right away.

– I'll go with you – Yang Yulan decided out of boredom and again followed Chu Qi who warned the chefs about another dinner. During all this time, the maid did not leave the feeling that instead of the young mistress, she got a curious younger sister (even though she was almost half a head taller than her)

After eating, the restless lady was finally put to bed. Seeing her princess constantly smiling to herself and patting her stuffed belly, Chu Qi's mood lifted again. Although Yang Yulan's smile was still very painful, her progress was very noticeable.

«In the future, will this unworthy maid do her best to make her mistress gain weight – Chu Qi mentally clenched her fists - Yes. She will definitely succeed »