Sécurité

Chapitre 14

Xiao Yuan suddenly realized why Doctor Zhao was so concerned about tuberculosis; it was because of the painful past. "If Cai Mei really has feelings for him, it would be a good thing. It's just that the two of them are too far apart in age; Cai Mei is only sixteen this year."

Cheng Mutian pointed to himself: "I'm six or seven years older than you. Men in Lin'an prefer to get married later, especially since he's remarrying. I think it's fine. It's just that you'll have to send another maid away."

Xiao Yuan laughed and said, "Their indentures were meant to be returned to them. I'm not a heartless family. How much money would it cost to buy another person?"

Cheng Mutian was unimpressed. No servant under him had ever regained their freedom. But this was his wife's dowry maid, and he didn't want to argue with her about it. So he ordered someone to take him outside to have a drink with Doctor Zhao.

Xiao Yuan, through the curtain, urged Cheng Mutian to eat less. Cai Mei brought in the dishes and said with a smile, "Madam is so kind-hearted. Doctor Zhao said the young master is injured, so he won't let him eat a single bite." Seeing that she was setting the dishes quickly and her face was flushed, Xiao Yuan suppressed her teasing and asked where she had found Doctor Zhao. Cai Mei wanted to praise Doctor Zhao in front of her mistress, so she quickly said, "He went to deliver medicine to Madam Sun and her daughter. He said that the medicine must be brewed and drunk fresh to be effective."

Xiao Yuan, being an experienced woman, felt a pang of unease upon hearing this. Doctor Zhao wasn't exactly a pushover. Why would he personally deliver a bowl of medicine? Could it be that he had feelings for that Sun woman? But Sun was probably a year or two older than Doctor Zhao, and a widow with two children. How could she compare to the youthful and vibrant Xiao Cai Mei? Thinking of this, a smile appeared on her face. She took the vegetables from Cai Mei's hands and shooed her out to pour wine.

Xiao Yuan was mindful of the girl's shyness and didn't dare to ask directly. Cheng Mutian and the other men, however, didn't have such reservations. They asked bluntly, "You've been single for quite some time now. Have you ever thought about finding someone else? Continuing the family line is a very important matter."

Compared to Cheng Mutian back then, Doctor Zhao was much bolder. He actually stood up and bowed: "I am grateful for your concern, young master. However, this matter is far from settled. We must wait and see. But after some time, I am afraid I will have to ask the young master and his wife to make a decision for me."

Upon hearing this, Cai Mei, who was holding a wine pot at the table, couldn't stand still. Her face flushed red, and she couldn't just leave. She could only say she needed to serve the lady some food, and rushed inside like the wind. Clutching the wine pot tightly in both hands, she stood bowed before Xiao Yuan.

Seeing her coy and slightly embarrassed expression, Xiao Yuan deliberately pointed to the glass in front of her and said, "My wine is still full. You may go and serve her."

Cai Mei was rather naive. She took it seriously. She shuffled towards the curtain, stopping and starting, her face flushed crimson. Xiao Yuan couldn't help but burst into laughter. She called out, "Don't worry, Doctor Zhao. We'd like to have a cup of celebratory wine. We'll certainly arrange it for you." Seeing Cai Mei's intense embarrassment, she couldn't bear to tease her any longer and quickly told her to go check on the soup.

After a while, Cailian came in and asked in surprise, "Madam, Caimei's face is all red. Is she sick? Doctor Zhao is outside. Shall we ask him to take a look?"

Xiao Yuan waved her hands repeatedly and said with a smile, "We can't let him go, otherwise she'll get even sicker."

Cailian was the most clever of the maids. Her eyes darted around and she immediately understood. "Does Madam already know? I wanted to tell her sooner, but I was afraid Caimei would be embarrassed."

Seeing that she seemed to know the details, Xiao Yuan quickly asked her for more information. It turned out that Cai Mei had taken a liking to Zhao Langzhong after returning from treating Sun Dalang's sister. When Zhao Langzhong handled the matter efficiently and saved the entire village, she admired him even more and fell head over heels for him.

Cai Mei smiled and said, "Although Doctor Zhao is a bit old, he is quite handsome and has been trained under the young master for several years. He must be a promising person. Cai Mei has good judgment."

Xiao Yuan looked her up and down a few times: "You are more than a year older than Cai Mei. I was thinking of sending you off to your new home first before worrying about Cai Mei, but I didn't expect her to get there first."

Cailian was very open and generous when talking about others, but when Xiaoyuan brought up her, she became shy, grabbed a bowl and said she was going to get some rice, and ran off very quickly.

After the two outside finished their meal, Xiao Yuan had someone carry Cheng Mutian back in, preparing to apply the second dose of medicine for him that day. Just then, Tian Er came from outside to report that the person who went down the mountain to sell bamboo shoots had returned and brought a letter from Aunt Chen.

Chapter Thirty-Three: Busy Making Money (Part 1)

Last time, we talked about Tian Er delivering a letter to Aunt Chen. Before Xiao Yuan even opened the letter, Cheng Mutian laughed at her, saying that her aunt's letters came the most frequently. Unexpectedly, when the letter was unfolded, it was in the handwriting of Cheng San Niang. Xiao Yuan calmly read the letter from beginning to end before handing it to him. "It was written by San Niangzi. Since she didn't know where we lived, she asked my aunt to deliver it. She said that the seafood at the river dock was in a mess because you weren't taking care of it, and Father was so anxious at home that he was jumping up and down."

Cheng Mutian quickly finished reading the letter and said, "The situation in the backyard isn't much better. Those officials you trained in the four departments and six bureaus aren't very obedient to Aunt Ding." Xiao Yuan smiled, thinking to herself that it was good that things were in chaos. If the old man didn't suffer a little, he would think that the family's money fell from the sky and wouldn't take his eldest son, who was the main breadwinner, seriously. Half of Cheng Mutian thought the same as Xiao Yuan, but the other half was reluctant to see the shipping business, which he had poured so much effort into, go down the drain.

Xiao Yuan knew perfectly well that he was in a dilemma. Firstly, his injuries hadn't fully healed, so he couldn't go back in the scorching sun. Secondly, it was too early to return now; she had to make Master Cheng suffer a great loss first. How could she possibly tell her son to let his father suffer a loss? She could only leave it to him to think about it slowly. Just then, Tian Er was still waiting outside for a report on selling bamboo shoots, so she quietly closed the door and went out.

Tian Er stood on the ground with a smile, holding an account book in one hand and a string of coins in the other. Xiao Yuan took the account book and looked at the money. "Is this all?" Tian Er replied, "Madam, a pound of bamboo shoots only sells for two coins, which is quite a lot. We can still harvest bamboo shoots in the next two months and earn back this amount every month."

In Lin'an City, to keep one person from starving, it would cost at least twenty coins a day, which would amount to six hundred coins a month. Xiao Yuan patted the account book and frowned: "This string of coins isn't even enough for a family to live on for a month." Tian Er shook his head: "Madam, people in the mountains aren't as pampered as people in the city. They don't need to eat grain every day. There are plenty of wild vegetables on the mountain." Hearing this, Xiao Yuan felt a tightness in her chest and waved for him to go out and give the money to Cai Lian.

Just as Cheng Mutian had figured things out, he saw Xiaoyuan come in with a frown. He had heard what was being said outside and advised her, "Tian Er is right. Even in Lin'an City, poor families only have rice to eat and no vegetables or salt. At least people in the mountains can hunt wild game to enjoy from time to time."

Xiao Yuan glared at him: "You really are a rich young master. Even if they hunt wild game, they have to take it to the market to exchange for salt. Haven't you seen that all they eat at their table are wild vegetable dumplings? Although I don't consider myself a great philanthropist, I can't stand seeing my servants eating wild vegetables under my nose. I'm determined to make sure they have enough to eat every meal."

Seeing her speaking through gritted teeth, Cheng Mutian casually tossed the letter in his hand aside and lightly said, "Making money is also very easy. There is plenty of grass and water in the valleys of these mountains. Raise more fat sheep to sell. In Lin'an, apart from wild game, mutton is the most expensive."

Xiao Yuan was overjoyed and thanked him, saying, "I was hoping to make a fortune from bamboo shoots, but I never expected that the real way to make money would come up."

Cheng Mutian leaned forward, pulled her into his arms, and groped her all over, saying, "The idea of making money was my idea. You even said I'm a young master from a rich family. Am I really a young master? Am I really a young master?"

Xiao Yuan was ticklish and kept dodging, but she was afraid that if she moved too much, she would aggravate his wound. Just as she was laughing so hard that she cried, a voice came from the door: "Young Master, if you are not the Young Master, then who is the Young Master?" Cheng Mutian blushed and his hand paused. Xiao Yuan took the opportunity to break free, tidied her hair and clothes, and looked out through the gap in the curtain. It turned out that Cai Mei was standing at the door of the outer room, so she came out and asked her what was wrong.

Cailian, carrying a large bamboo basket, smiled and said, "Madam, Tian Er brought up quite a bit of fresh meat. Let's stir-fry some tender bamboo shoots for dinner tonight."

Xiao Yuan glanced at her. Did she really need to ask about such a small matter? Suddenly, she noticed Cai Lian's feet shifting nervously under her skirt. Then it dawned on her: "Remember to take a plate to Doctor Zhao after you've cooked it." As soon as she finished speaking, Cai Lian blushed and gave a soft reply. She turned and ran towards the kitchen. Xiao Yuan suppressed a laugh and came in. "Cai Mei seems determined to cook herself. We should thank Doctor Zhao. We're in for a good meal tonight."

At dinner, Cailian served stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork. It was indeed incredibly fresh and tender. Xiaoyuan asked her to send a bowl to Sun Dalang as well. Unexpectedly, Cailian said, "Zhao Langzhong has already had his plate taken over." Xiaoyuan and Cheng Mutian exchanged a glance. The latter said, "His son is dying of tuberculosis. Seeing that Sun Dalang's sister is also in the same condition, it's only natural that he feels sorry for him." Xiaoyuan remained silent, personally serving Cheng Mutian until he finished his meal. She then went to find Cailian: "You're a smart person. You must have noticed everything. When you have time, give Caimei a little pointers. Even if there's nothing else, it's good to keep an eye on things."

Cheng Mutian disapproved of her actions, scolding her for being busy with nothing, making a fuss over something as simple as bringing a plate of meat to a child. Xiao Yuan didn't argue, and didn't mention it to Cai Mei at all. She was just waiting for an opportunity to see Zhao Langzhong's attitude for herself.

The next day, she summoned all the villagers and distributed the cash to each person in front of them. For the first time, the villagers had actually received real money. They were all overjoyed. Tian Er, having received instructions from Xiao Yuan, seized the opportunity and loudly proclaimed, "The money you've received is from the land we sold last time. Madam pitied you for not having enough to eat, so she didn't keep a single penny for herself and gave it all to you. Do you want to earn more money?"

The people in the village were not free. They had never imagined that they could receive money as servants. They all came forward to kowtow to Xiaoyuan. Xiaoyuan saw that although they dared not say they wanted to earn money, it was evident on their faces. So she smiled and told her about her desire to raise sheep.

Tian Er walked around among the villagers and came to Xiao Yuan to say, "Madam, the people in the mountains are not worldly and dare not tell you. In fact, they can all herd sheep and are hoping to raise more for you."

Xiao Yuan nodded and said, "Tomorrow you go down the mountain to buy sheep. Several villagers will take turns looking after them. The better they are raised, the more money they will receive."

Tian Er accepted the order and left. The next day, he got up early, went to the market, bought several hundred sheep, and borrowed a line of large carts from Ren Wu to haul them back. He divided them into five groups and released them into a valley with water and grass. He also divided the shepherds into five groups, with two shifts in each group, and had them build sheep pens and thatched huts in the valley where the shifts would sleep at night. The villagers had heard from Xiao Yuan that they would also get a share of the money if they raised the sheep well, so they all put in a lot of effort to take care of them, without needing Tian Er to give them any further instructions.

After all this, and with those assigned to tend the bamboo forest and sell bamboo shoots, most of the villagers had hope. Those who hadn't made any money were extremely envious and begged Tian Er every day to ask his wife to find them jobs as well. However, Tian Er said, "Your wife has already made arrangements. Just wait for good news."

Chapter Thirty-Four: Busy Making Money (Part Two)

After arranging everything, Tian Er came to ask Xiao Yuan for her instructions. Xiao Yuan instructed, "Go and ask Master Li and Master Yang if they want to sell their land. We'll buy another hill to plant bamboo, so the other households won't be envious." Tian Er then asked, "Madam, there are still many women without work. We can't just support them for nothing." Xiao Yuan thought for a while and said, "I remember eating sorghum when I was little, but I don't know if it can be grown here." Tian Er's ancestors came from the north, so he naturally knew about sorghum. He immediately said happily, "It can be grown, it can be grown! This stuff is drought-resistant and easy to grow; it's a proper food."

Sorghum is not a rare crop. Why would these people rather go hungry than think of getting some to plant? Xiao Yuan shook her head and sighed, and hurriedly urged Tian Er to send someone down the mountain to buy seeds.

Now, Tian Er sent his men down the mountain and personally went to Li and Yang villages to inquire about buying land. The masters of those two families were only planning to escape the war and had no intention of buying the land. After a few letters, they each sold several acres of land to Xiao Yuan within a few days. However, when Xiao Yuan's village made a lot of money, they regretted it. But that's another story.

After several days of busy work, Xiao Yuan personally went to check on the sheep grazing area. She noticed that one clump of grass was sparse, and a small patch of grass had become bald on one of the clumps. Seeing her confusion, Tian Er explained, "Madam, sheep like to eat grass roots. There's not much grass in this clump, so it's bald. I was just about to have them find a place with more abundant pasture." Xiao Yuan secretly blamed herself. She had never been a farmer before, and she had made such a mistake. If the sheep grazed until the grass was completely gone, where would she earn money in the future? Fortunately, some of her memories from her previous life remained. After a moment's thought, she came up with a solution. She instructed Tian Er to pen the sheep up during the day as well, while the original shepherd would be responsible for cutting grass and feeding the sheep. Tian Er, being a farmer by trade, understood immediately and exclaimed happily, "Madam, this is a good idea! With less movement, the sheep will probably get even fatter. And since people move around but the sheep don't, we won't have to move them every few days."

Xiao Yuan watched them herd the sheep into the pen and then sent someone to cut grass before she felt relieved. She went back to her room and spent several days playing chess with Cheng Mutian. That day, after taking back her move for the fifth time, Cheng Mutian, annoyed, threw down his pieces and refused to play with her anymore. She then clung to his arm and said coquettishly, "Your injury is almost healed. Why don't we go for a walk on the hill? It's so boring..."

It wasn't good to stay indoors either. Cheng Mutian had the same idea, so the couple changed into coarse cloth clothes, climbed the hillside hand in hand, and watched the farm women plant sorghum.

Cheng Mutian paced back and forth along the paddy field ridge several times, saying, "Your entire mountain of sorghum is not as valuable as a single oar on my boat." Xiaoyuan knew he wanted to go back again, so she asked him, "What if Father asks you for the contract again?" Cheng Mutian remained silent, gazing at the distant mountains for a long time, and did not bring up the matter of going down the mountain again. Seeing him like this, Xiaoyuan felt bad, but there was no solution to the matter for the time being, so she changed the subject, nudging Cheng Mutian with her elbow and asking him whether Doctor Zhao really favored Caimei.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Mutian scolded her for being nosy. He said, "I find it strange that a maid's marriage is not decided by her master. Why do I have to send a matchmaker for a mere maid?"

Xiao Yuan rolled her eyes at him: "Then how did you agree? The matchmaker who came to my house wore a yellow vest. (In the Southern Song Dynasty, those who wore yellow vests were considered mid-level matchmakers.)" Cheng Mutian recalled the past and the corners of his mouth turned up: "I was just thanking her for passing you that handkerchief that said 'Spring River Warmth'."

Xiao Yuan was puzzled. She asked him what a handkerchief meant by "the warm spring river water".

Cheng Mutian walked to the other end of the paddy field first. Standing a distance away from her, he said, "As Su Shi once wrote in a poem: 'The ducks are the first to know when the spring river warms.'"

Xiaoyuan then realized what was happening. He was mocking her embroidered mandarin ducks for looking like ducks. She was both ashamed and angry. She raised her fist to rush over and hit him, but she couldn't catch up with him because of the ridge between the fields. There were also many farm women working in the fields, so she couldn't run too far. She could only sit on the ground in resentment and pull at the poor weeds.

Cheng Mutian stared at her for a long time. He found his wife's flushed face and annoyed expression as she pulled at the grass quite adorable. He then forgot all about the shipping business, stepped forward, and pulled her aside. With a stern face, he said, "What kind of behavior is this, a lady of the house? Come with me home."

Xiao Yuan genuinely thought he was angry because of his adherence to rules. She obediently followed him back to the thatched hut. Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered, Cheng Mutian pulled her tightly into his arms. She was stunned for a moment, about to scold him for being hypocritical, when she sensed a change in him. It was broad daylight! Given Cheng Mutian's past "bad behavior," she quickly withdrew her arms and tried to distract him by mentioning Cai Mei and Doctor Zhao.

Cheng Mutian took a while to catch his breath. He pulled Xiaoyuan to sit on the couch and said, "Why don't you have Caimei embroider a duck like you and give it to Doctor Zhao? Wouldn't that be a good idea?" Xiaoyuan glared at him, but she also thought it was a good idea. She pretended to be worried and sighed to the maids, "Second Brother said Doctor Zhao is short a pair of hiking shoes. But I left the old woman who does needlework at home."

Cailian glanced at Caimei secretly, found a task to send her away, and then covered her mouth and laughed, "Madam can put her mind at ease. I share a room with Caimei, and I saw her secretly make shoes and send them to Doctor Zhao a while ago."

Xiao Yuan had just remembered seeing Doctor Zhao wearing a new pair of shoes a few days ago, but she didn't know whose handiwork they were. That's why she had come to investigate. Now that Cai Lian had given her such an answer, she was naturally very happy for her maid and began to plan her dowry.

Unexpectedly, Ah Cai, who was quietly setting out her chopsticks, said, "Zhao Langzhong is no good person. He wore Sister Cai Mei's shoes and secretly went to the top of the valley to see Sun Dalang's mother. The two of them were shouting at each other from the top of the mountain and the bottom of the valley."

A-Cai has always been a quiet person, rarely speaking. If even she says this, then Doctor Zhao must have visited Madam Sun more than once or twice. Xiao Yuan rubbed her temples. She was only worried that Cai Mei had misinterpreted her feelings, but what exactly is going on now?

Cheng Mutian, understanding men better, advised her to relax: "Zhao Langzhong isn't a libertine; he'll surely give Caimei an explanation. Besides, Sun Shi has been married before; how can she be a legal wife?" Xiao Yuan immediately became anxious: "So you're saying being a concubine is fine? Aren't you the one who hates concubines the most?" Cheng Mutian glanced at her, puzzled: "It's one thing for me to hate my own concubines, but would I hold a grudge against someone else's?" Xiao Yuan pounded the table in anger, fiercely declaring: "If Zhao Langzhong truly harbors such intentions, I will never give the girl to him." Cheng Mutian couldn't understand why Xiao Yuan cared so much about a maid, but Xiao Yuan thought: My own maid, my own person, how can I allow anyone to bully her?

Just as she was thinking of finding an opportunity to ask Cai Mei what she thought, Aunt Tian came in with a worried look on her face. "Madam, someone brought a message even though it's dark. They said Ah Xiu is not well." Xiao Yuan was startled. Aunt Tian whispered a few words in her ear, and she was so shocked that she stood up abruptly: "Died in childbirth? You're not kidding me, are you?"

Chapter Thirty-Five: Zhao Langzhong

I really want to say that Ah Xiu's fate was changed by you all, and I thank you all on her behalf.

As for the chapter title, I actually wanted to call it "Speechless," because Xiaoyuan was speechless at Caimei and the other maids' views on marriage. But I know that Xiaoyuan's reaction was too extreme; Caimei and the others' views were normal. I wonder if Xiaoyuan's beautiful aspirations during the long period of time in ancient times would be gradually worn down by the cruel reality. I would rather she remain innocent forever (it seems she has never been innocent, haha), always treat the maids as her own people, and always think more about others... (Also, this is not just to fill up the word count.)

Last time, we talked about how Xiaoyuan was shocked to hear the devastating news that Axiu had died in childbirth. She couldn't believe it. Aunt Tian cried, "The baby was too big, its head just wouldn't come down, that's why... Poor Axiu..." Xiaoyuan's eyes stung, and she was about to cry herself. Suddenly, she remembered that Axiu had only become pregnant during the last New Year and hurriedly asked, "Axiu's baby wasn't full-term, how could she have been born prematurely?" Cheng Mutian was also puzzled by her words. Cheng Fu's baby was less than eight months along, and even if it was a difficult birth, it probably wouldn't have been like this. Aunt Tian's eyes widened with tears: "When I entered Aunt Chen's house, Axiu was already married. So her baby wasn't even full-term? Could it be a lie?"

Ah Xiu had been with Xiao Yuan since she was five years old. The two were nominally mistress and servant, but in reality, they were sisters. Cheng Mutian knew that Xiao Yuan was anxious, so he hurriedly sent someone to call the messenger, but the servant had already gone down the mountain in the dark. Aunt Tian comforted Xiao Yuan, "Madam, it must be a lie, otherwise why would you be in such a hurry?" Xiao Yuan nodded slowly, but her heart was still hanging in suspense, and she tossed and turned all night.

The next day, before dawn, just as she was about to send someone down the mountain to investigate, Cheng San Niang's message arrived. The servant, who belonged to Chen Yiniang's family, was so tired that his legs were trembling. "Madam, Cheng San Niang said she didn't have time to write a letter, so she sent me to deliver a message overnight, telling the young master and madam not to go back. She said that the main branch of the family in Quanzhou has learned about the theft of the family's ship and has sent someone to stay at the house."

Xiao Yuan, still worried, asked, "Did Third Sister mention A-Xiu? Is she alright?"

The servant shook his head and said, "I didn't mention it. What happened to Sister Xiu? I saw her coming to see Aunt Chen yesterday."

Xiao Yuan gritted her teeth in anger: "Trying to trick us into going back and walking into a trap is one thing, but to curse us to death is quite another." Cheng Mutian called the servant aside and questioned him for a few moments, then praised him repeatedly, laughing as he told Tian Er to take him down to rest and have some wine. Xiao Yuan was still angry, and Cheng Mutian comforted her, saying, "It was just a false alarm. Such a terrible idea must have come from Aunt Ding." Seeing that he was all smiles, Xiao Yuan asked in surprise, "The main branch of the family has come all the way from Quanzhou to catch you, you thief, and you can still laugh?"

Cheng Mutian walked into the inner room and sat down before saying, "They didn't come because of the theft. Actually, they came because no one was there to meet them when their goods were shipped from Quanzhou to Lin'an, so they came to demand an explanation."

Xiao Yuan asked, "Isn't there also Uncle's house?"

Cheng Mutian wore a disdainful expression. Xiao Yuan understood immediately. It must be that her uncle's sons were all rather useless. So she asked him again if he wanted to go back. Some time ago, Cheng Mutian had been worrying about the family business day and night. But now he was in no hurry. He hugged Xiao Yuan and said, "Let's wait for someone to come and invite us. Let's go back to sleep first."

Seeing his determined look, Xiao Yuan knew that the day they would descend the mountain was not far off. Since autumn was approaching and the weather was getting colder, she busied herself arranging various matters in the village. She sent extra people to harvest bamboo shoots and feed the fat goats; she instructed Tian Er to build a heating flue in the unfinished courtyard; and she had Cai Mei distribute autumn and winter clothing to the villagers according to the rations of the servants in her household.

That day, she was in her room, sewing, intending to embroider another handkerchief for Cheng Mutian. Cai Mei entered, blushing, and said, "Madam, Physician Zhao is here." Xiao Yuan looked up and saw Physician Zhao wearing a new padded jacket, the very one Cai Mei had sewn a few days ago. She glanced at Cai Mei with a smile, and Cai Mei, embarrassed, turned and ran away.

Doctor Zhao stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Madam, the weather is chilly in the mountains. I would like to ask you for a few more fire buckets." Xiao Yuan asked in surprise, "Didn't Cai Mei send you some?" Doctor Zhao nodded and said, "I sent you two. But I'm afraid of the cold, so I've shamelessly come to ask you for a few more."

Winter supplies are managed by Cai Mei. The fire bucket isn't anything urgent. Why not just ask her for it? Xiao Yuan coldly sized up Doctor Zhao. Suddenly, she asked, "Are you sending this to Madam Sun in the valley?"

Zhao Langzhong was taken aback for a moment, but readily admitted it.

Xiao Yuan grew increasingly displeased: "Dr. Zhao, I treat all the villagers equally. Are you suggesting that I'm overlooking this mother and daughter?"

Doctor Zhao hurriedly said, "Madam, I didn't mean that, I just..."

"Is it just a rush to express your feelings?" Xiao Yuan interrupted him. She thought that Doctor Zhao would deny it outright, but he said loudly, "To tell you the truth, Madam, I do pity them, mother and daughter. They are all alone and helpless, and the daughter is suffering from tuberculosis. They are truly pitiful."

Xiao Yuan softened her tone, "I know they're pitiful, so I already sent them winter clothes and fire buckets." She then deliberately pointed to his padded jacket, "Did Madam Sun make this for you?"

Dr. Zhao immediately shook his head: "No, this is the skill of picking plums."

How could he be so self-righteous! Xiao Yuan suppressed her anger and said, "Although Cai Mei has not been with me for long, she is highly regarded. She is literate, has excellent needlework skills, and is a good cook. When she gets married, I will return her indenture to her."

Doctor Zhao solemnly said, "Madam, you can rest assured that I will never wrong Cai Mei."

"How can you say you're not wronged?" Xiaoyuan asked.

Dr. Zhao said, "Inform your parents and send the matchmaker, Huang Beizi, to propose that she be your principal wife."

"What about the Sun family?" Xiao Yuan pressed.

Dr. Zhao sighed, "I can only make her a concubine."

Cai Mei stood outside for half a day when she heard a loud crash from inside. She rushed in to see what was happening and found Xiao Yuan had thrown her embroidery hoop on the ground and was glaring at Doctor Zhao. Not knowing why, but worried about her lover, she quickly pushed him and said, "What did you do to upset Madam? Quickly apologize."

Xiao Yuan was unsure whether Cai Mei knew about the Sun family's matter, so she waved them away and called Cai Lian in to ask.

Cailian met the two at the door, and upon entering, she saw the embroidery frame on the ground. She hurriedly asked Xiaoyuan what had happened. Xiaoyuan sighed, "Zhao Langzhong has a good plan. He wants to marry Caimei and also take Sunshi as a concubine. I wonder what Caimei will think if she finds out." Cailian picked up the frame, dusted it off, and said, "Zhao Langzhong is a local from Lin'an. His family has some property, and he is very arrogant in front of the young master. We are just maids. To be able to marry someone like him as his principal wife is already a blessing from our past lives. Why should we care whether he takes concubines or not?"

Xiao Yuan was stunned and said, "You actually...you actually think that way? And Cai Mei thinks the same way?"

Cailian lowered her head and remained silent, only wringing the handkerchief on the bandage. Xiaoyuan looked at her, and a hint of sorrow gradually rose in her eyes.

When Cheng Mutian came in and saw her like this, he hurriedly asked if she was feeling unwell. Xiaoyuan smiled bitterly and said, "No matter which family it is, it's a shameful thing to bring a wife and concubine into the house together." After hearing her explain the situation, Cheng Mutian didn't blame her for worrying about the maid for the first time. He said, "It was Doctor Zhao who acted inappropriately. Treating Caimei like this is a slap in your face. I'll talk to him about it tomorrow."

Chapter Thirty-Six: Mu Tian angrily rebukes Zhao Langzhong

On the second day, Mu Tian and Xiao Yuan went their separate ways. The former went to reprimand Zhao Langzhong, while the latter went to patiently guide Xiao Caimei.