“Um, it’s just that…” I gestured a square with my hands. “Inside a box, there are a lot of people acting…”

“Young master… young master, please don’t speak, Little Grace will go call madam…” The little maid’s eyes, once sparkling, now seemed on the verge of tears.

This fourteen-year-old little maid Grace sticks to me all day long like a plaster—no, more like my shadow. Except for the latrine, at any time and place, as soon as I open my eyes, I see those astonishingly beautiful big eyes of hers. Whenever I do anything that goes against Tang dynasty customs or decorum, this little maid immediately uses her expressive eyes to accuse me. Bad… too bad.

Her petite frame makes it impossible for me, as a teacher, to do anything that goes against the spirit of modern education. Never hit a beautiful woman—that’s my rule. And certainly never hit a beautiful little woman—that’s my principle. Of course… if someone looks truly sorry for the audience, I’m afraid I might not be able to help myself. That’s just my instinct.

“Don’t. I’m not sick.” I glared at the little maid.

Little Grace timidly reached out a beautiful, crystal-clear hand toward me. I nodded, “Mm, that’s your finger. Your nails are very pretty.”

Little Grace quickly pulled her scallion-white fingers back into her sleeve, her cheeks flushed. “This servant just wanted to see if young master still has a fever…”

I nearly choked. Do I really have a fever? Forget it, let’s not argue. “…I don’t have a fever… Grace little sister, could you please pour me a glass of water? Make sure it’s cool.” Better to send her away for safety.

“Little Grace doesn’t dare, please don’t speak to this servant like that, young master. If madam or the steward sees, they’ll beat Grace to death…” The little maid in a pink long dress had big, beautiful eyes brimming with tears, her gaze timid…

“Little girl, go get the young master some water. Make sure it’s cool, and hurry up!” I said fiercely, even waving my arm like Schwarzenegger to add to the effect.

“Yes, Grace obeys…” The little maid immediately complied, shuffling over to the tea table like a little lamb, a hint of joy between her brows. Too scary… Is my saliva more lethal than my arm? Is this little maid a masochist? Cold sweat… I’m not a sadist, nor a lolicon, but… a pretty, pure, gentle, natural, and unpolluted little maid loli is far more lethal to an evil uncle than those future little girls who smoke, drink, and dye their hair all sorts of colors. I couldn’t help but nod in agreement with my own thoughts, then suddenly felt embarrassed. I really am quite evil…

“Jun’er… Jun’er, it’s time to take your medicine…” The dear matron of the Fang family, Madam Foster, walked over to me surrounded by servants. A maid beside her carried a steaming bowl of medicinal soup, and her sickly sweet address made my skin crawl. Behind her was the Fang family’s steward, Henry Brooks, a man in his fifties, a bit thin, dressed in a clean, well-pressed long robe, yet exuding an aura that even a university president would envy. No wonder this is a famous family from the early Tang— even the steward’s presence rivals that of provincial officials I’ve seen on TV.

“Your son greets mother… and… Fang…” I stood up, cupping my hands, not sure if the etiquette and greetings from TV dramas really match those of the Tang dynasty. Mother—this word feels a bit unfamiliar… I always called her ‘mom’ at home before.

“Call him Uncle Brooks…” Madam Foster seemed to notice my hesitation. “Oh… greetings, Uncle Brooks.”

“You flatter this old man… Second young master, please don’t address me like that. Just calling me Butler is already more than I deserve…” Henry Brooks’s expression was quite odd, a bit surprised, a bit sighing.

“Henry Brooks, don’t say such things. Though you are the steward, you are also a distant cousin of my husband. Jun’er calling you Uncle Brooks is perfectly appropriate…” Madam Foster displayed the bearing of a true matron, waving her hand lightly.

“Yes, madam.” Henry Brooks dared not neglect Madam Foster’s words, bowing his head in deference.

“Sit down quickly, Jun’er. You’re still weak. The doctor said you need more rest… Are you feeling better today? Do you remember your mother?” Madam Foster handed the medicinal soup to the maid beside her, then lifted her hand to gently examine my face.

“No… I still haven’t remembered, just that I grew up here…” Even if I do recover my memory, I’d never admit it. At the very least, I need to secure my position—can’t let this family throw me out on the street. This is the Tang dynasty, after all. My computer hacking skills are useless in this era, unless I invent the diode computer and build the internet in the Tang dynasty.

“My poor child…” Madam Foster’s eyes welled up with tears again. “That old fool doesn’t know his own strength. You only pawned the jade ruyi bestowed by His Majesty for wine, it’s not like you broke it, and it can still be redeemed…”

“Ah?…” So this young master isn’t just a future cuckold, but also a fierce and wild playboy. Amazing—he even dared to pawn something Li Shimin gave his father for wine. When I heard the gossip, I thought it was just a rumor…

“Not feeling well again? Jun’er… why are you sweating so much?” Madam Foster pulled a silk handkerchief from her bosom and wiped the cold sweat from my forehead.