Shuse Jinjia

Madam Xie was around forty years old, well-maintained, with porcelain-white skin.

Her eyebrows were very thin, with the ends drooping slightly, and her eyes were very calm.

She wore a brocade dark blue dress with a collar that reached her chin, which, combined with her upright posture, gave her an air of superior nobility.

"Mother, please let me leave the manor! My aunt asked me to deliver her embroidery... saying she'd sell it and buy me something delicious!"

Xie Zhaotang seemed to realize he had spoken out of turn, covered his mouth, glanced cautiously at Madam Xie, and said awkwardly, "These past few days, Xing'er has been making me drink porridge..."

Madam Xie paused for a moment, her gaze fixed on Xie Zhaotang.

"Zhaotang, you'll be of marriageable age in three months. You got into this mess because of your gluttony. Haven't you learned your lesson yet?"

Another test!

He even dug two holes for himself!

Xie Zhaotang sneered inwardly. Madam Xie must know that Aunt Shen pleaded for her. She was using this to test whether she had any rebellious thoughts about becoming a concubine!

Secondly, it was to test whether she harbored any resentment towards Xie Linzhu because of the sting incident!

"Mother, isn't it too early for her to come of age? We're talking about leaving the manor now!"

Xie Zhaotang stared longingly at Madam Xie, who seemed to care about nothing but eating.

Wang Mama, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"The Fourth Sister is really..."

He's grown tall for nothing. He's been through a life-or-death experience, and all he remembers is eating!

A smile crept onto Madam Xie's lips, a smile that seemed both mocking and pleased.

"Alright, get up. Granny Wang, give her the token and another tael of silver, and tell her to go to Chunmantang to see a doctor again..."

Granny Wang handed Xie Zhaotang the token and silver, instructing, "You heard what Madam said. This is Madam's way of showing concern for you, so don't just focus on eating and neglect to see a doctor!"

"Thank you, Mother! Zhaotang will definitely see a doctor first..."

Xie Zhaotang "happily" accepted the tokens and silver, and couldn't wait to get up and run outside.

Did Madam Xie feel sorry for her?

Xie Zhaotang would never be brainwashed by Granny Wang. This was just a reassurance given to her because she didn't suspect Xie Linzhu of doing anything wrong and didn't make a scene!

As Xie Zhaotang stepped across the threshold, she vaguely heard Granny Wang say behind her, "Still as heartless as before. All the lessons in manners have been wasted; she doesn't even know how to kowtow and express gratitude..."

Xie Zhaotang didn't stop, so she didn't hear Madam Xie's cold words behind her: "Aunt Shen is indeed well-intentioned, but she never expected to raise a daughter who only knows how to eat... This beating was for nothing..."

……

Half an hour later.

Xie Zhaotang and Chun'er had already arrived at Gulou Street.

This is one of the busiest streets in the capital, lined with numerous shops on both sides. Chunmantang and Wu Xiaoniangzi's Embroidery Shop are both located on this street.

The streets were crowded with peddlers carrying loads, women going to the market, and even spoiled young men strolling around with birdcages...

Xie Zhaotang had seen ancient streets in movies and TV dramas before, but this was the first time he had ever been there in person.

She rarely left the mansion, but she observed silently, memorizing the terrain and information about the shops.

Chun'er, who was following behind, couldn't stand it anymore when she saw that Chun'er wasn't talking to her. After walking through an alley, she quickly took a few steps, grabbed Chun'er's sleeve, and turned into the alley.

"Fourth Miss, I am terrified. I won't feel at ease until I find out the truth... Did you and your concubine take me as part of your dowry and send me to the Gong family?"

Chun'er knelt on the ground with a thud, her voice hoarse as she said, "I have served my mistress with all my heart, and yesterday I even promptly informed you, Miss, to save her! Fourth Miss, you...you can't repay kindness with enmity and send me to my death too!"

On the other side of the alley is an elegant teahouse.

An old camphor tree was planted in the corner of the wall, its dense branches intertwined with the ivy under the tree, and it climbed lushly up the wall and covered the second-floor railing.

A wisp of tea smoke curls up between the leaves of the vines.

Behind the railing, at the rattan table, two people were playing chess. In the quiet, the words "ingratitude" reached the ears of the man who was deep in thought while holding his chess piece.

His brows furrowed slightly, and his cold gaze swept across the gaps in the leaves, looking downwards...

Xie Zhaotang was stunned by Chun'er's words, and when he came to his senses, he went to help Chun'er up.

Chun'er refused to get up, tears welling in her eyes, and said, "Fourth Miss, I know I've overstepped my bounds, but if I'm going to die anyway, I'm not afraid of offending you. I have to get to the bottom of this!"

"Fourth Miss, what are you really thinking?"

Xie Zhaotang couldn't pull her up, so his gaze fell on her face as he pondered.

She needs help now, and Chun'er often helps Aunt Shen sell embroidery. She's clever and a useful person.

But now she's developed a rebellious attitude. If I can't persuade her, even if I have her indenture, she won't do her best to help me!

"Stand up and speak!"

Xie Zhaotang gave the order.

Chun'er felt a little uneasy when she saw her sullen face.

In the past, I always saw the Fourth Miss as carefree and always smiling. But now that she's frowning, she has a rather intimidating aura, like a master!

She thought of the maid in the third young lady's courtyard, who had angered the third young lady last time and was sold to a brothel...

Her indenture is still in Aunt Shen's hands...

Chun'er shuddered and stood up.

"Chun'er, I know you want to go home, but have you thought about what life will be like after you go home?"

Xie Zhaotang recalled Chun'er's background and said softly, "Your mother gave birth to five daughters for your father. You were the third. Your two older sisters were sold because the family couldn't afford to raise your younger brother after he was born!"

"You were sold because your younger brother was sick and they couldn't afford medical treatment. Am I right?"

Chun'er nodded sullenly.

Xie Zhaotang continued, "These past few years you've worked as a maid in the manor, and as soon as you received your monthly stipend, your father sent someone to demand it. You've scrimped and saved, but you haven't managed to save a single tael, have you?"

"Have you considered what kind of life you'll lead even if my aunt lets you leave the manor?"

Chun'er was a little confused. She just wanted to go home and be with her parents, instead of having to live cautiously in the mansion. She hadn't thought about the future.

Xie Zhaotang patiently said, "Your younger brother is only ten years old this year! I heard he's been sickly all the time. Medical treatment costs money, and getting him married in the future will cost money... Do you really think that going back will truly reunite the family, instead of being sold by your father again?"

Two men playing chess at a rattan table on the second floor.

The man holding the black chess piece wore a long black cotton robe with a dark brown leather belt around his waist. The cuffs of his black cotton trousers were firmly tucked into black leather ankle boots.

He held a chess piece between two fingers of his right hand. The old scar on his tiger's mouth, which had been there for many years, and the frayed edge of his sleeve, were conspicuously seen by Duan Chengyu, the heir of Prince Chen's mansion, who was playing with a white chess piece opposite him.

Duan Chengyu's gaze moved up and landed on the faint scar above his thick eyebrows.

This face has sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, a high nose bridge, and a clean, defined jawline.

Even if their skin is a bit dark, it's just from being exposed to the wind and sun at the border. After another six months of rest, their natural color will return.

Even though Huo Beiyu had been out of the military for half a year, the harsh atmosphere of the battlefield still felt out of place in the capital...