The Daily Life of a Down-on-Hard-Life Medicine Girl Supporting Her Family

Chapter 324

"Miss, Madam has arrived."

Luo Xia came to report.

Zhong Xiuyao and Zhong Xiuxiu hurriedly went out to greet them.

"I met my mother."

"Fifth Sister is here too."

Seeing Zhong Xiuxiu here, Madam Zhong was not surprised at all. The servants reported to her every move.

To be honest, Mrs. Zhong saw responsibility and commitment in Zhong Xiuxiu.

Fortunately, it was a daughter. If it had been a son born out of wedlock, Madam Zhong would have worried that her son's position would be in jeopardy.

“Mother, my fifth sister made pills for me. I also want to thank you for opening the small storeroom.”

Zhong Xiuyao was very clever and knew she had to be grateful to her stepmother.

“I am naturally pleased that you sisters help each other out,” said Madam Zhong. “Now that you are about to enter the Lin family, I have some things to tell you.”

"Mother, Third Sister, Xiuxiu takes her leave."

Since her stepmother wanted to give her third sister some instructions, Zhong Xiuxiu had to leave.

"Fifth Girl, you're not an outsider either, stay and listen with us."

Madam Zhong genuinely liked Zhong Xiuxiu and also felt some sympathy for Zhong Xiuyao.

"Yes, mother."

Zhong Xiuxiu didn't know what her stepmother wanted to say to her third sister, so she sat properly.

"Third girl, we had no choice but to go to the Lin residence this time."

To be honest, although Qin was deeply favored by the master and was usually a bit spoiled, Madam Zhong never took it to heart.

After all, how far can a concubine jump to no matter how much she tries?
Her identity destined her to be nothing more than a tool to amuse men.

She's a wealthy heiress, a legitimate wife, why is she competing with a concubine?
To avoid disgracing one's own status.

Besides, given the master's character, even if it wasn't Qin, there would be Zhang, Li, or Wang... Rather than keeping a bunch of women in the backyard, it's cheaper and less stressful to just pamper one Qin.

He had also seen the beauty of the third daughter born to the Qin family.

She had no objection to how Qin Shi raised her daughter, after all, it would be a source of pride for her, the legitimate mother, to have a talented illegitimate daughter.

Moreover, she knew very well that the marriages of illegitimate daughters were largely a means to advance the family's interests.

However, no one expected that the third daughter would sacrifice so tragically for the family's interests, which even made Madam Zhong feel sorry for her.

"I have already spoken to your father and asked him to have Lord Lin sign a contract for a concubine."

Concubines could be sold or killed at will, but concubines could not, which meant that they also had a family to rely on.

"Since we cannot prepare a dowry for you when you enter the Lin family, I have prepared silver notes and loose silver for your share."

Madam Zhong had a maid bring in a small box, which was then opened to reveal it was full of loose silver.

This box contains two hundred taels of silver.

Then he slipped her five silver notes worth two hundred taels each.

"These are the allowances prepared by the household for you sisters."

A dowry of 1,200 taels of silver was the standard for a concubine's daughter.

My second sister was also a concubine's daughter who got married; that was the standard they followed at the time.

"Thank you, mother."

The dowry—how ironic! She couldn't wear the phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, couldn't wear the veil, and she couldn't even be considered married; she was being taken as a concubine.

This is her fate!

Tears welled up in my eyes, and my heart felt utterly hopeless. "Sometimes money can buy you everything. You're smart, I don't need to say more."

Seeing her like this, Madam Zhong couldn't blame her for feeling bad. If it were her own daughter... Madam Zhong was very glad that the sixth child was only eleven years old and not yet of marriageable age.

Moreover, she has made up her mind not to raise her sixth son to be too outstanding.

Being too outstanding but lacking the ability to protect oneself is absolutely a disaster.

"Thank you for your advice, Mother."

“I know this amount of money is far from enough to guarantee you a good life in the Lin family.” Madam Zhong took out a property deed and handed it to her: “This rouge shop was part of my dowry. It has always been well-run. I will not change it to your name. I am just giving it to you. If you need money or other things when you go out in the future, take the property deed to Manager Wen. I will give instructions. Everything will be under your control.”

"Mother?"

Mrs. Zhong's actions greatly surprised Zhong Xiuyao.

"Fifth girl, only you, me, and Third girl know about this. Don't tell anyone else. When you get married, your mother will also give you a shop."

"Thank you, mother."

Zhong Xiuyao and Zhong Xiuxiu stepped forward together to thank their stepmother.

Honestly, Mrs. Zhong has done a very good job.

“Once you go to the Lin residence, just protect yourself. Everything will be fine in the manor,” Madam Zhong said. “Your aunt will not be short of expenses while she is in the manor. On the contrary, the master will treat her with even more pity.”

"Thank you, mother."

Zhong Xiuyao bowed again, finally understanding the meaning behind her stepmother's words.

It's both a threat and a lure. Now that we're at their mercy, what can Zhong Xiuyao say?
"Get ready, the Lin family's sedan chair is about to arrive."

He turned and glanced at Zhong Xiuyao's two maids.

"According to the rules, you can only bring one maid with you. Luo Xia or Luo Qiu, who will you take?"

Both maids had served her since childhood, and now that she could only take one with her, it was a bit hard to say goodbye.

"Which of you two is willing to serve me?"

Actually, Zhong Xiuyao had already made up her mind, but she still wanted to ask again.

“Miss, I am willing to go to the Lin residence with you.”

Both girls knelt down, their eyes brimming with tears.

Although she knew that the Third Miss's journey would not go smoothly, she still decided to follow her.

After so many years together, feelings have long since developed between us.

Seeing that both girls were willing to go with her, Zhong Xiuyao's nose tingled with emotion.

“Luo Qiu, come with me.” Zhong Xiuyao knew that Luo Qiu was more stable. “Luo Qiu has no family. From now on, we will live in the Lin family. When the opportunity arises, I will find you a marriage match.”

“Miss, I am willing to stay with you forever and never marry.”

Luo Qiu was also willing to stay by the Third Miss's side. The Third Miss was beautiful and talented, and he admired her very much.

"You?"

Getting married is a luxury, Zhong Xiuyao said no more.

"Very well, Luo Qiu, go with you. But the indenture is still in my hands."

If she were handed over to the Lin family, her fate would be out of her control.

“Miss, I’m willing too.”

Luo Xia was anxious; how could he not let her stay with him?
“Luo Xia, your parents recently asked me for a favor, wanting to arrange a marriage for you, and I have already agreed.” Madam Zhong said, “It’s good that you keep one, so your parents won’t worry.”

"Yes, ma'am."

Luo Xia blushed immediately when she heard that she could be offered a marriage.

Zhong Xiuyao looked at Luo Xia, feeling bitter: Although she was a young lady, she genuinely envied her maid Luo Xia at this moment. At least Luo Xia would become someone's wife, not a concubine!
I will spend my whole life redeeming the blessings I enjoyed in the Zhong family!