"Third Young Master, this servant will wait for you to finish eating before leaving." If it were in the past, Emma might have gone to take care of her own tasks first and only come back to clean up after Edward Harris finished eating. But today was different—once she left here, she would have to go to the Second Young Master. She had long heard that the Second Young Master liked to harass the maids, and many sisters in the household had suffered his bullying. She never expected it would be her turn so soon.

"Then wait outside," said Edward Harris.

"Yes." As long as she didn't have to leave this place, Emma had no objections. Although staying here wasn't necessarily safe, at least she could delay facing it a little longer.

But what troubled Emma was that the Third Young Master ate breakfast far too quickly. She had only just reached the courtyard when she was called back in to clear the dishes. Even if she wanted to stall for a moment, she couldn't manage it. She had never seen Edward Harris eat before, but with a modern soul, Edward Harris was used to a fast-paced life—this was already considered slow for him.

"Emma, is something on your mind?" Edward Harris noticed that Emma's movements while clearing the dishes were stiff, her speed a far cry from before.

With a thud, Emma knelt straight down in front of Edward Harris. "Please, Third Young Master, save Emma. Your great kindness, this servant will remember forever. I will repay you even if I have to work like an ox or a horse!"

"Quick, get up." In all his years, no one had ever knelt before him like this; Edward Harris was very uncomfortable.

"If you don't agree to save this servant, I won't get up." Right now, Edward Harris was like the last lifeline she could grasp.

"You have to tell me what's going on before I know how to help you, right?" Edward Harris didn't want to use force. In this era, men and women were not supposed to touch; he had to be careful.

"Yes, the Second Young Master also asked this servant to bring noodles to his room," said Emma.

"Then just bring them. Is Second Brother a man-eating tiger? Will you lose your life just by going?" Edward Harris asked in surprise. He thought it was something serious, but it was just a small matter.

"It's not that. The Second Young Master has ulterior motives... his real interest is in this servant." A blush rose on Emma's face. Judging by the Third Young Master's expression, he didn't seem to understand such things, but how could she say it out loud?

"You mean Second Brother doesn't really want the noodles, but rather... wants you?" Having lived two lives, how could Edward Harris not understand what Emma meant?

"Please, Third Young Master, save me." Although Emma didn't fully understand the "eat" in Edward Harris's words, she quickly realized what it meant. The blush on her face deepened as she looked at Edward Harris, thinking, "Don't be fooled by the Third Young Master's young age—he really knows everything."

"What exactly did Second Brother say to you? I want his exact words," Edward Harris asked.

"He told me—no, what the Second Young Master said was, 'Later, bring a bowl of noodles to my room as well,'" Emma recalled every word Charles Harris had just said.

"That's easy. Second Brother said to bring noodles to his room, but he didn't specify that you had to be the one to bring them. You can just have someone else do it," Edward Harris immediately caught the flaw in his words.

"But the Second Young Master will be unhappy," said Emma.

"If he gets happy, then you'll really need to call for help. Which would you rather choose?"

"Thank you, Third Young Master." Emma immediately understood. If she made the Second Young Master happy, her chastity would be lost. Why hadn't she thought of such a simple solution? The Third Young Master was only twelve, yet he could come up with ideas for her—she had really underestimated him before.

Seeing Emma leave in high spirits, Edward Harris finally returned to his bed, sitting cross-legged, palms together, legs straight, eyes closed, lips sealed, carefully regulating his breathing—in and out, all through the nostrils...

Chapter 14: Mother Insulted

Charles Harris waited in his room, full of anticipation for Emma's arrival. He had even planned out every step of the whole affair—he was all too experienced in such matters. But in the end, it was Mrs. Walker who brought the noodles, a woman even older than Charles Harris's mother. Furious, Charles Harris immediately smashed the bowl on the floor.

"Second Young Master, why is this? Is it not to your taste? But you haven't even tried a bite," Mrs. Walker nagged.

"Get out!" Charles Harris was never in the habit of eating so early, and he didn't actually want food—he wanted "someone."

"Yes." Mrs. Walker had watched Charles Harris grow up and had even nursed him as a child. She never expected to be treated with such disrespect now, scolded so harshly. But even so, she dared not show any displeasure. The Second Young Master was the most vengeful—anyone who offended him in the household would have a miserable time.

"Have Emma bring another bowl," Charles Harris said, unwilling to give up.

"Emma has already gone to the Madam's side; I'm afraid she won't be able to bring it over for a while," Mrs. Walker replied. Everyone in the household knew what kind of person the Second Young Master was, so when Emma begged her to deliver the noodles, she already understood his intentions and was mentally prepared for a scolding.

Charles Harris hadn't expected Emma to dare defy his wishes. He wondered who was backing her—could it be the Third Young Master? He'd heard that after his recent injury, the Third Young Master had changed drastically, even becoming close with the eldest brother. He hadn't believed it before, but could it be true?