Chapter 58: Never Good Enough Anyway

In truth, she had never expected Ji Tianxin to state her intentions so plainly and directly.

Did Ji Tianxin possess eyes that could see through people's hearts and know exactly what she was thinking?

With this thought, a deeper sense of dread grew within her toward Ji Tianxin.

This was an extraordinary ability!

Ji Tianxin noticed that after pondering for a moment, Madam Zhao looked at her with even greater fear, and couldn’t help but find it odd.

Was she really that frightening?

She hadn't even released any of her cultivation or aura.

Madam Zhao, thinking Ji Tianxin might be displeased, quickly put on a warm smile and said, “What are you saying, Tianxin? The reason I came today was to pay you a visit. Look, you’ve been in the residence for several days and we haven’t properly met yet.

In fact, tomorrow, I’ll have all the concubines from the inner court come and greet you. How does that sound?”

Su Qing’s brows twitched slightly. What was Madam Zhao up to now? When had it ever been the custom for all the wives of a household to line up and greet one of the younger generation?

Though, she supposed, if it was the mistress of the house, it wouldn’t be entirely wrong…

But wasn’t this all out of order?

Su Qing herself was from a prominent family and had been steeped in such etiquette since childhood.

“I don’t like noise,” Ji Tianxin replied in just a few words, declining Madam Zhao’s suggestion.

Madam Zhao nodded with a smile. “That’s fine. If you prefer quiet, we’ll forget it. Besides, your concubines are all quite talkative.”

After a somewhat awkward laugh, Madam Zhao gently inquired, “Is Tianxin settling in well lately? Are you comfortable with the food and the accommodations?”

Ji Tianxin looked at her coolly and answered, “Well enough.”

She had always been adaptable, but her standards for her own living never wavered—she never shortchanged herself.

To speak plainly, the general’s residence was far less refined than what she was used to.

So it hardly mattered whether she was accustomed to it or not.

Madam Zhao took the cue to press further, “Then… would you like me to provide anything else? I still have some say in the household. How about assigning you two more maids?”

It was always easier to deal with someone after giving them a little benefit; even a child ought to understand that principle.

Before Ji Tianxin could reply, Su Qing smiled sweetly and spoke first.

“Does Madam mean that I, alone, am not serving the mistress properly?”

Madam Zhao’s heart skipped a beat—she knew this girl had a reputation for being formidable. She hurried to explain, “No, no, Miss Su Qing, you misunderstand me. I just thought the Southern Courtyard is a bit large, so I wanted to bring in a couple of maids to help with the cleaning and lend you a hand.”

Su Qing simply smiled and said nothing more.

But the look in her eyes was sharp as knives, making Madam Zhao’s scalp tingle.

Ji Tianxin glanced at Su Qing, and only then did Su Qing withdraw that cutting gaze, though in her heart she snorted coldly at Madam Zhao.

Ji Tianxin turned her eyes back to Madam Zhao. “One maid, Su Qing, is enough for me. As for bringing in more things… that won’t be necessary.”

Only then did Madam Zhao come to her senses. “Oh, very well.”

Ji Tianxin nodded. “In any case, none of it would be good enough.”

Madam Zhao was speechless.

Could this little Buddha ever speak without making her heart skip a beat? She wasn’t sure how much more she could take.

Su Qing pressed her lips together, suppressing a laugh at Madam Zhao’s expression—she looked as though she’d swallowed a fly.

Her mistress’s standards were notoriously high. Back then, Master Bai had traveled the length and breadth of the continent, searching for all manner of rare furnishings and silks to please her.

How could a mere general’s residence ever compare?