The Little Lucky Maid from the Inner Courtyard—Pampered Mad by Her Childhood Sweetheart, the Young Lord

Yao Yao is a young girl from the wealthy Yu family who lives a sheltered and pampered life with her parents and siblings. During the Lantern Festival in the capital, she wanders off in pursuit of a candied hawthorn skewer. When she turns around, her mother has left her behind, believing Yao Yao to be too greedy. Abandoned on the bustling street with only two copper coins, Yao Yao sits crying until a kind-looking woman offers her a steamed bun. The woman lures Yao Yao into a carriage under the pretense of helping her find her family, but the vehicle is actually a kidnapping trap. Inside the carriage, Yao Yao encounters a silent, cold boy named Xie Yixing, who is also a captive. The kidnappers plan to sell Yao Yao to a brothel and Xie Yixing to an unknown buyer.

Xie Yixing is the only heir to the Marquis of Chengming. He is described as a monster due to a prophecy that he is missing a soul and a spirit, leaving him emotionally detached and suffering from severe germophobia and obsessive cleanliness. He had sneaked out of the mansion for the first time in his life, only to be kidnapped immediately. When the carriage is attacked by wolves, Xie Yixing and Yao Yao tumble out into a haystack. He protects her from the gruesome sight of the dead kidnappers and, despite his aversion to dirt and contact, decides to take her with him. He carries her back to the city, where they are recognized by the Marquis’s steward. Upon returning to the Chengming Marquis estate, Yao Yao is revealed to be the daughter of the recently raided Yu family, who have been imprisoned for corruption and face execution.

The Marquis and his wife, Madam Wei, are initially worried about Yao Yao’s origins but quickly grow fond of her. Madam Wei believes Yao Yao may be the person destined to restore Xie Yixing’s missing soul and spirit, as prophesied by a Taoist priest. Yao Yao’s cheerful, food-loving, and unafraid nature begins to thaw Xie Yixing’s cold exterior. He allows her to feed him, touch him, and stay by his side, marking the first time he has smiled or shown affection. Meanwhile, the political situation remains tense as the Marquis works to gather evidence to save the Yu family from execution. Wei Yuhui, Madam Wei’s niece and Xie Yixing’s childhood betrothed, arrives at the estate and becomes jealous of Yao Yao’s close bond with the young master.

Conflict arises when Yao Yao gets lost in the vast mansion and encounters Xie Chengfeng, a cousin from the main branch who bullies her and calls her fat. Xie Yixing discovers Yao Yao crying and retaliates violently against Xie Chengfeng, breaking his hand. Madam Wei uses this incident to send the troublesome cousin away, securing Yao Yao’s place in the household. As the New Year approaches, the threat of the Yu family’s execution looms larger. Yao Yao’s presence continues to soften Xie Yixing, who becomes increasingly protective of her. He buys her gifts, learns her preferences, and ensures her safety, while Yao Yao views him as her new family. The story sets the stage for further political intrigue and personal growth as Yao Yao navigates life in the marquis estate and Xie Yixing confronts his isolation.