From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

Yan Rugo stood by the kitchen window, listening to the gradually darkening sky outside, a strange tension and curiosity welling up inside her.

The news that Young Master Xu was coming to visit her home was like a cool breeze blowing across a scorching fire, making her heart beat faster involuntarily.

Her expression became complex in an instant, a mixture of curiosity about the unknown and worry about the impending crisis.

Mei Xiang stood at the kitchen doorway, her gaze sweeping over Yan Rugo with ill intent, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Her eyes were like two sharp knives, piercing straight into Yan Rugo's heart.

In the kitchen, the maids were busy at work. The clattering of spatulas and the rising steam created a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

"Yan Rugo, come here for a moment." Mei Xiang's voice rang out from the kitchen, tinged with obvious hostility.

Yan Rugo put down her work, looked up, her brows furrowed slightly, a forced smile appeared on her lips, and her expression revealed a hint of helplessness.

"Sister Meixiang, what are your orders?" Her tone was calm, but her eyes revealed a hint of determination.

Mei Xiang approached Yan Rugo, her smile deepening.

Her gaze swept across Yan Rugo's face, as if searching for some flaw.

Yan Rugo's heart sank; she knew that Mei Xiang would definitely not let her off the hook today.

"Young Master Xu is coming to our residence tonight, and Madam has instructed you to serve him tea." Mei Xiang's tone carried a hint of smugness, as if she could already see Yan Rugo making a fool of herself in front of Young Master Xu.

Yan Rugo's heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm on the surface.

She nodded and turned to get the tea set.

Yan Rugo carried the tea tray and walked along the winding path toward the courtyard where Young Master Xu was.

As night deepened, moonlight shone on the bluestone slabs, casting dappled shadows.

All around was quiet, except for the echo of her footsteps, each step seeming as if she were heading towards unknown danger.

Her heart was racing, her palms were sweating slightly, but her eyes still shone with determination.

As Yan Rugo approached the entrance to the courtyard where Young Master Xu was, she gently pushed open the slightly ajar door, and a faint fragrance wafted towards her.

She took a deep breath and stepped into the courtyard, but felt a vague unease in her heart.

Just then, a deep voice came from the courtyard: "Young Master Xu, what are your plans for coming to the manor this time?"

Yan Rugo's heart clenched. She held her breath and slowly walked toward the source of the sound.

The moonlight shone on Young Master Xu, making his profile appear soft and exceptionally handsome.

He wore a plain white robe, which swayed gently in the breeze, revealing an extraordinary air about him.

"I've heard that there is a talented woman in your household named Yan Rugo. I wonder if Young Master Xu would like to meet her?" Another voice came from the shadows beside Young Master Xu.

Young Master Xu smiled slightly, his voice deep and pleasant: "I've heard she's clever and quick-witted; I'd like to see for myself."

Yan Rugo's heart stirred; she knew this was an opportunity, a chance to prove herself.

She tiptoed to the stone table in the courtyard, put down the tea tray, and said softly, "Young Master Xu, the tea is ready."

Upon hearing this, Young Master Xu looked up, his gaze falling on Yan Rugo. His…

Yan Rugo smiled slightly, her tone calm and confident: "It is indeed I. Young Master Xu, having lived in a secluded mansion for so long, I wonder if you find the tea in your residence to your liking?"

Young Master Xu smiled slightly and nodded approvingly: "Indeed, it's quite good. The aroma of the tea is invigorating."

Mei Xiang stood not far away. She had originally thought that Yan Rugo would embarrass herself in front of Young Master Xu, but she did not expect her to be so calm and composed.

Meixiang gritted her teeth and cursed inwardly, "That bitch, she's so lucky!"

The surrounding maids also cast surprised glances, seemingly taken aback by Yan Rugo's performance.

They whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with admiration, which gave Yan Rugo a slight sense of comfort.

However, she knew the crisis was not over.

Seeing that Yan Rugo had not made a fool of herself, Meixiang felt resentful. She secretly pulled Xiaocui aside and whispered, "Xiaocui, put something in Young Master Xu's tea and say that Yan Rugo deliberately tried to poison him."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cui hesitated, but she ultimately dared not disobey Mei Xiang's order. She could only nod, take the white porcelain bottle from Mei Xiang's hand, and walk towards the stone table.

Yan Rugo's heart tightened. She caught a glimpse of Xiao Cui's movements and immediately became alert.

"Young Master Xu, could you please wait a little longer for this tea? I suddenly remembered that I have something else to attend to," Yan Rugo suddenly said, her tone tinged with nervousness.

Young Master Xu frowned slightly, but still nodded: "It's alright, you can go."

Just then, Xiao Cui quietly poured the contents of the bottle into the teacup.

Yan Rugo's heart sank; she knew time was running out.

She took a deep breath and quickly considered her options.

Suddenly, she slipped, and the tea tray in her hand tipped over, spilling tea all over the floor. At the same time, she quickly stepped forward and knocked over the teacup in front of Young Master Xu.

"Ah, Young Master Xu, I'm so sorry, the tea has been spilled." Yan Rugo said hurriedly, her face showing some apology, but her eyes were shining with determination.

A sudden silence fell over the surroundings, and everyone's eyes were focused on Yan Rugo.

A flicker of fear crossed Mei Xiang's eyes; she knew her plan had failed.

Young Master Xu smiled as he looked at Yan Rugo.

Just then, a cold, sharp voice came from outside the courtyard: "Stop! What are you doing?" The arrival of the young master brings hidden dangers.

With a flick of her wrist, Yan Rugo sent a gust of wind through the tea tray, splashing tea everywhere and precisely knocking over the teacup in front of Young Master Xu.

Porcelain shards shattered, tea spilled onto the ground, and a faint aroma of tea, tinged with a hint of bitterness, filled the air.

This unexpected move left everyone present stunned, as if time had stood still.

"Oh dear, Young Master Xu, I'm so sorry! I was careless. I'm afraid this tea is no longer drinkable." Yan Rugo said apologetically, but a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes.

She feigned panic and said, "There seems to be something wrong with this tea."

Young Master Xu raised an eyebrow, looking at Yan Rugo with great interest, as if he were watching a wonderful drama.

He waved his hand, signaling the guards beside him to come forward and check.

The guard cautiously tested the tea with a silver needle, which instantly turned black, indicating that the tea had been poisoned.

Meixiang and Xiaocui turned deathly pale, their legs went weak, and they knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "Young Master Xu, spare our lives! We didn't know anything!" Their cries were particularly jarring in the quiet courtyard.

The surrounding maids gasped in surprise and all looked at Yan Rugo. They whispered among themselves, discussing Yan Rugo's wit and decisiveness. The look of disdain they had previously given her had now turned into awe.

After this incident, Yan Rugo's reputation in the mansion soared to its zenith.

As she walked down the street, the servants greeted her warmly, no longer with the indifference and mockery of before.

"Good morning, Sister Yan!" "Hello, Miss Yan!" The greetings that came one after another brought a sense of comfort to Yan Rugo.

She smiled slightly, feeling an unprecedented sense of respect and recognition.

The atmosphere in the mansion became relaxed and harmonious, filled with laughter and joy.

As dusk fell, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entire mansion in a golden light, as if draping the earth in a warm veil.

Yan Rugo walked alone in the corridor, a gentle breeze blowing and scattering the stray hairs on her forehead.

She recalled the look in Xu Gongzi's eyes after the tea incident—deep and mysterious, as if hiding some secret.

A sudden unease welled up in her heart, a feeling that lingered like something was binding her.

She couldn't help but shiver, a chill rising from the soles of her feet.

"It seems things are about to get turbulent in this manor again..." Yan Rugo thought to herself.