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First, Cheng Mutian found Doctor Zhao at the valley entrance. He was busy using a rope to lower the fire bucket down for Sun Shi. Cheng Mutian's face darkened on the spot, and he said, "Go down the mountain. The pharmacy can't be left unattended." He then turned and left.

Zhao Langzhong's future depended on Cheng Mutian, so he panicked upon hearing this and chased after him, repeatedly asking what he had done wrong.

Cheng Mutian didn't even glance at him, and said with his hands behind his back, "Even if you don't respect your wife, I still have to respect her."

Zhao Langzhong realized that his wife was angry that he had married two women at the same time, so he quickly said, "I will marry Caimei first, and then I will bring up the matter of taking a concubine after some time has passed."

Cheng Mutian nearly slapped him across the face, angrily saying, "You're the kind of guy who'd favor his concubine over his wife. Don't even think about marrying my girl."

He stormed back to the thatched hut and said to Xiaoyuan in front of Caimei, "You are not allowed to marry Caimei to Zhao Langzhong. How can I have someone who favors his concubine over his wife? Send him home another day and find someone better."

Xiao Yuan understood that the phrase "favoring the concubine over the wife" had touched upon his past, reminding him of his mother who had died unjustly. She quickly and gently comforted him for a while until Tian Er said that a letter had come down from the mountain and called him out. Only then did she come out to look for Cai Mei again.

Cai Mei had been crying for a while with her face flushed red. When she saw Xiao Yuan come out, she immediately knelt down in front of her and said, "If Madam won't let me marry, then I won't marry."

When Xiao Yuan heard her say this, she said angrily, "So it was me who forced you. So you don't care about being carried into the house with a concubine?"

Cai Mei lowered her head and remained silent. Xiao Yuan was furious and said fiercely, "Then you won't marry him. I've raised this girl with great difficulty. I don't want to give her to someone like that. I can make that decision myself."

Cai Mei went back to her room, threw herself onto the covers, and sobbed uncontrollably. Cai Lian rushed over to comfort her, asking, "Since you want to marry him, you should have pleaded with Madam politely. Why did you say you wouldn't marry him? Are you trying to provoke Madam?"

Cai Mei hurriedly swore an oath to show that she had no such intention: "Madam has been very kind to me. How could I think of provoking her? I really don't want to go against her wishes."

Cailian saw that her appearance didn't seem fake. After thinking for a moment, she asked again, "Are you grateful to Madam for buying you from the slave trader?"

Cai Mei nodded and then shook her head. "It is naturally a favor to buy me. But if Madam doesn't buy me, someone else will. I only remember that before Madam bought us, she gave me a pair of shoes to wear."

Cailian remembered. It was a cool day then. The lady saw the group of girls barefoot and had indeed asked her to bring them several pairs of shoes. "It's kind of you to remember the lady's kindness. To tell you the truth, when I first heard the lady say those things, I was quite skeptical. Which man doesn't have three wives and four concubines? But after hearing the young master's words today, I suddenly realized that there is a difference between wives and concubines. Even if one takes a concubine, the principal wife should be respected more. Zhao Langzhong's actions clearly show that he doesn't respect you."

She saw Cai Mei staring blankly at her, unsure if she had understood. She could only offer a few more words of advice before getting up to serve the lady lunch.

When Cailian entered the room, Cheng Mutian was still nowhere to be seen, so she asked Xiaoyuan if dinner would be served late. Xiaoyuan nodded and asked how Caimei was doing. Cailian shook her head and said, "I'm afraid she hasn't figured it out yet." Xiaoyuan smiled bitterly, "In other people's eyes, I'm using my status as a mistress to stop the maid from doing something good. But after all, it's their private matter, and I shouldn't interfere." Cailian, however, said seriously, "If I make the same mistake, I still need Madam to give me a good talking-to." Cailian had previously shared the same thoughts as Caimei, but now that she could say such things, it was clear that she had changed. Xiaoyuan felt a little relieved, patted her hand, and told her to go and call the young master to come for dinner.

Cheng Mutian entered with a smile in his eyes and first asked about Cai Mei's matter. Xiao Yuan knew that the letter was about good things and laughed, "It's true that bystanders see things more clearly than those involved. I wanted to enlighten Cai Mei, but I didn't expect that Cai Lian would understand first." Cheng Mutian said, "Don't worry about these trivial matters. You can make decisions for your own maids. You don't need to concern yourself with anyone else. Guess what Third Sister said in her letter today?"

Xiao Yuan had already guessed a bit of what was going on, but to please him, she pretended not to know and coaxed him to tell her quickly. Cheng Mutian smiled and hugged her, recounting everything that Cheng San Niang had written in her letter.

It turned out that when Cheng Mutian left and things first became chaotic at the docks, his cousins wanted to take over. But most people in the world, no matter how unsatisfactory their sons are, would not give up their family fortune to their nephews. Master Cheng was no exception and was exhausted by this matter. As the goods at the docks piled up, the eldest son's family went to Lin'an to demand an explanation. Seeing that the opportunity was rare, the nephews were eager to make their move. Master Cheng was so anxious at home that he was like an ant on a hot pan. He had no mind to worry about the deeds that his eldest son had taken. He only hoped that his son would come back soon to take charge of the situation.

Xiao Yuan chuckled inwardly. No wonder he said he would wait for someone to invite him down the mountain that day; he was actually plotting against his father. It was all for naught, since he always talked about filial piety. Unexpectedly, Cheng Mutian seemed to have read her mind, saying, "I bet if we really handed over the family property to Aunt Ding, she would squander it all in less than half a year. So I'd rather bear the infamy and let my father suffer than be a foolishly filial son."

Xiao Yuan secretly applauded his words and resolved to find a way to make Master Cheng understand his good intentions.

Since Master Cheng no longer pursued the contracts, the young couple discussed going down the mountain. However, since the various matters on the mountain had only just begun, Xiao Yuan was still quite worried. She called Tian Er over and gave him detailed instructions: "The bamboo shoots can still be harvested for another month. Remember to send someone to sell them. After they're sold, we need to plant trees. Move all the sheep to the warmer valleys and try to get them ready for market before the New Year. That way, we can get a good price. The sorghum needs to be harvested before the frost, and we need to repair the granary to store it for the winter. Also, the house needs to be built as soon as possible. We need to plant jujube trees in front of the house and trees behind it. Don't plant banana trees in the yard..." She was nagging on and on, almost like Aunt Chen. In the end, Cheng Mutian couldn't stand it anymore and sent Tian Er away, telling her to relax.

Xiao Yuan sighed, "There are so many things to do at home. I don't know when I'll be able to come up the mountain again to enjoy some carefree days. Of course, I can't let go of them."

Cheng Mutian said, "It's not peaceful on the mountain either. Doctor Zhao is begging me to keep him here."

Xiao Yuan had already made up her mind to be a tough master for once, and said nonchalantly, "Keep it, anyway, I'm going to take Cai Mei back with me."

Cheng Mutian said, "I think the same as my wife, and I have already agreed to it."

The couple smiled at each other, sat down together, and discussed what gifts to send home. Tender bamboo shoots and wild game were too meager. Cheng Mutian was frowning and racking his brains when Xiao Yuan chuckled: "Let's drag a few pieces of cedar back to add to the dowry for my aunt and third sister."

While on the mountain, thanks to Third Sister's frequent messages, Cheng Mutian, though unconvinced, did not refute them. Xiao Yuan then ordered people to cut down the cedar trees, load them onto a raft, and float them downstream to take them home.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Meeting Sister Cheng Again

I'm getting really frustrated writing this, what should I do... Please forgive me if it's a bit awkward to read, I'll get through these past few days...

A few days later, a personal letter from Master Cheng arrived. The young couple happily returned home. It was already late when they arrived. After paying their respects to Master Cheng and several relatives of the eldest son's family, they went to their room to rest. Early the next morning, Cheng Mutian was invited to the dock. Xiao Yuan went alone to pay her respects to Master Cheng, without mentioning the matter of taking over the household management. Master Cheng, unable to bear it any longer, said, "Aunt Ding is still a concubine; she doesn't manage the household properly. You should take over." Xiao Yuan bowed and respectfully replied, "My wife has just returned and doesn't know anything. Let's sort out the accounts first." Master Cheng choked on his tea. Even when Xiao Yuan was in charge of the household management before, she only took money from him. Now that he was about to have a baby, how could he bear to hand over the accounts?

Xiao Yuan stood on the ground with her head bowed, strictly adhering to the rules of a daughter-in-law, remaining silent unless her father-in-law spoke. Master Cheng glared at her for a long time, then, remembering that Cheng Mutian still needed to oversee things at the dock, he could only sigh heavily and order someone to fetch the account books and keys.

Xiao Yuan had someone take the account book back to her room. When A Yun saw the sweat on her forehead, she felt sorry for her and said indignantly, "It is only right for the mistress to manage the household affairs, but it is so difficult for us to get an account." Xiao Yuan smiled bitterly, called Cai Mei and A Cai to bring the abacus to check the accounts, and then asked Cai Lian to sort out the mountain goods and distribute them to the relatives' homes.

The maids had just laid out their account books when Aunt Ding arrived with several ledgers. Seeing the table full of account books and abacuses, she was stunned: "Young Madam, you're quite capable! If I had money, the house wouldn't be in such a mess these past few days." Seeing that Aunt Ding's belly was already showing, Xiao Yuan quickly invited her to sit down and ordered someone to bring soft cushions. "It's all my fault for being lazy. It's caused Aunt Ding to have to worry about household affairs even while pregnant. From now on, I will definitely do my best and won't trouble you anymore."

Aunt Ding was stunned again. Did these words imply that I would never have the opportunity to manage the household again? She was reluctant to hand over the booklets she was holding, and said with a forced smile, "Young Madam has just returned and is still unclear about many things. Why don't I help you sort them out for a few days?"

Xiao Yuan initially wanted to find a reason to refuse, but seeing Ding's pregnant belly, she changed her mind: "How could I bear to see Aunt Ding worrying about the whole family while pregnant? Why don't you take care of your own little courtyard? I'll allocate money to you monthly, and you can decide how to arrange it yourself, how about that?" Seeing that Aunt Ding hesitated, she added, "This money won't be deducted from your rent, and I'll even build you a small kitchen. As for the cook, I'll pay for it; you can hire someone you like." Hearing that her rent wouldn't be deducted, Aunt Ding felt relieved, her face beaming with smiles. She thanked Xiao Yuan repeatedly, forgetting what she had come for, and left after dropping the booklet.

Seeing that Aunt Ding had left, Ayun said anxiously, "Madam, she probably came here with this in mind. How can you let her have her way so easily?" Xiaoyuan's actions naturally had a deeper meaning, but she couldn't tell her. She could only tell her not to go to Aunt Ding's courtyard unless necessary.

The two maids finished calculating the accounts in no time. Xiao Yuan said to her, "Madam, Master's accounts are very clear, every single one is correct." Xiao Yuan smiled and said, "Master cares more about the family business than we do, how could he not be careful?"

Just then, a maid came to report that Sister Cheng had arrived. Xiao Yuan quickly told them to put away the account books, straightened her clothes, and went out to greet the guest.

"Are those two maids that Erlang sent to your brother-in-law last time doing well?" Xiaoyuan asked preemptively, fearing that Sister Cheng was coming to send more maids.

Unexpectedly, Sister Cheng waved her hand and said, "Fourth Sister, I'm a straightforward person. Let me tell you the truth. I previously wanted to marry my husband's cousin to Erlang, and I also wanted to put more maids in his courtyard. It's all because my family's business depends on Erlang's help, so I wanted him to be closer to us. Actually, we're all in the same boat. Now that we have a formidable enemy, we should put aside our differences and discuss some countermeasures together."

With a formidable enemy at hand, Xiao Yuan desperately suppressed her laughter. She used her teacup to cover the involuntary smirk on her face and said, "Forgive my ignorance, Fourth Sister. I don't understand what Eldest Sister is saying."

Sister Cheng was exasperated. She said urgently, "Aunt Ding is pregnant. Father wants to divide the family property. Aren't you worried? Don't be happy just because Erlang stole a few ships. Those few ships are nothing."

Xiao Yuan lowered her eyes and slowly blew on her tea: "We can't worry about what Eldest Sister is talking about. Father hates Erlang now. He said he wouldn't pursue those ships, but that's only because the eldest son's family came."

Sister Cheng was so anxious she was jumping up and down: "What can't you two, father and son, talk about? You're both too shy to admit it. I'll go talk to them."

Xiao Yuan took out her handkerchief and wiped away her tears, saying, "That's not how it works. Our Erlang meant well. He was afraid that Aunt Ding wouldn't know how to do business and would ruin the family fortune, and then our little brother wouldn't be able to do well either."

When Sister Cheng saw her daughter crying, she scolded her for being unable to get up, and then lifted her skirt and went to Master Cheng. Upon seeing Master Cheng, she first berated Aunt Ding, then angrily told Master Cheng, "Father, if Aunt Ding squanders all the family fortune, aren't you afraid of having no face to face our ancestors?" It was only because she was favored that she dared to say such a thing. Master Cheng was furious, his face turning pale. After his anger subsided, he realized his daughter's words made perfect sense; if Aunt Ding truly squandered the family fortune, his youngest son would also suffer.

Seeing that she had persuaded Master Cheng, Sister Cheng came to Xiao Yuan triumphantly: "Fourth Sister, what did I say? Father and son don't hold grudges overnight. We only need to deal with Aunt Ding."

Hearing that Master Cheng had truly come to his senses, Xiao Yuan felt a little admiration for Sister Cheng, but she would never agree to her terrible suggestion. "Sister is joking. It's a good thing that Aunt Ding is helping the Cheng family to have more children. Why would I want to go after her? Even Erlang, though he says some harsh things, actually favors his unborn little brother."

Before Sister Cheng could say anything more, Xiao Yuan saw a figure outside the window and quickly said loudly, "I was also born of a concubine, how could I not love my illegitimate little brother?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than someone outside said, "Madam, it's the little maid from Aunt Ding's room. She's here to collect her pay for this month."

Sister Cheng had no idea how much the girl had overheard, and she broke out in a cold sweat. She left in a hurry without even saying goodbye.

Xiao Yuan told A Cai to take the money and leave. After the maid left, she asked, "Who was guarding the courtyard just now?" Cai Lian hurriedly replied, "Madam, I deliberately let A Cai in. Eldest sister and Madam had a long talk in the room today. If something really happens to Aunt Ding in the future, Madam will probably be implicated. Fortunately, the maid from Aunt Ding's room came and told her to tell Aunt Ding, so Madam can clear herself of suspicion."

Xiao Yuan secretly praised her wit, but then deliberately asked, "What if Aunt Ding is trying to pull me away?"

Cailian replied calmly, "That girl was trained before being sent to Aunt Ding's room, so naturally she wouldn't let Aunt Ding be the only one who knew about this. As long as everyone knows that Madam is innocent, she can't slander her even if she wants to."

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Eldest Sister Gets an Opening

Cheng Mutian returned home exhausted after a long day, still smelling of alcohol. Xiaoyuan quickly ordered someone to make him a hangover soup and personally brought him water to wipe his face. Although Cheng Mutian was tired, he had a smile on his face and insisted on telling Xiaoyuan about his heroic efforts to save the day, embellishing the story. This made the maids cover their mouths and giggle. Xiaoyuan dismissed the maids and couldn't help but laugh herself: "It's true that people talk a lot when they're drunk. You wouldn't boast like that when you're sober. But I was also quite pleased with myself at home today. I've already taken over the accounts from Father."

Cheng Mutian was delighted upon hearing this. Ignoring his headache, he got up and urged Xiaoyuan to fetch the account book for him to see. Xiaoyuan couldn't argue with him, so she took the account book from a locked box by the bedside. Cheng Mutian took it and flipped through it in a few seconds, saying, "There's a problem with the accounts." Xiaoyuan was startled. "I checked it again after the maids finished calculating, and I didn't find any problems. Every entry is clear." Cheng Mutian snorted, "Of course it's clear, because it directly concealed two estates and five shops."

Seeing his brow furrow, Xiaoyuan reached out and touched it, laughing, "My dowry estate is more than this, so why can't you allow your father to secretly save some money?"

Cheng Mutian's face hardened: "I'm just afraid that those businesses will fall into the Ding family's hands."

Xiao Yuan patted the account book: "Dad isn't as confused as you think. Aunt Ding has been managing the household for over a month, and she hasn't even touched the account book."

Cheng Mutian then smiled again, "Really? Then I'll take care of those estates and shops for you, Father. You'll need to bring these accounts to me for review from time to time."

As they were talking, the hangover soup was served. Cheng Mutian looked at the soup in the bowl and suddenly said, "You should pay more attention to Aunt Ding's diet, lest someone take advantage of the situation and slander you."

Xiao Yuan asked curiously, "How come you thought of the same thing as me? I already paid her to eat alone, and even let her hire her own cook."

Cheng Mutian drank the hangover soup in one gulp. "My mother was wronged several times because she didn't take precautions against such things, which is why my father allowed the concubines to bully her."

Xiao Yuan found it even stranger: "Why do all these concubines use the same tricks? My father's group of concubines fought each other like this, and in the end, only Aunt Zhou and my aunt were left."

Cheng Mutian chuckled to himself, "So this is how we all got through it."

The young couple spent a tender night together. The next morning, they got up together to pay their respects to Master Cheng. Just as they stepped across the threshold, Xiao Yuan nearly tripped over shards of broken porcelain. Luckily, Cheng Mutian reacted quickly and pulled her out. Standing at the doorway, they saw Master Cheng pacing back and forth angrily, his hands behind his back. Aunt Ding was sobbing softly, her head resting on the back of a chair. None of the servants were in the room. Xiao Yuan immediately understood. Fearing that Cheng Mutian might be unknowing and accidentally hurt, she quickly pulled him aside and recounted the scene of Sister Cheng's visit the previous day.

Cheng Mutian wasn't surprised at all after hearing this: "That's just how my eldest sister is. She's just like her birth mother. It's right that you didn't get involved."

Xiao Yuan wasn't quite sure how much Sister Cheng meant to Master Cheng. So she asked him, "Shall we go see a play?"

Cheng Mutian shook his head and said, "Although I don't like my eldest sister, she has no intention of harming me."

Xiao Yuan understood. Blood is thicker than water. Just because he didn't like Sister Cheng didn't mean he was willing to let outsiders humiliate her. After a moment's thought, she made up her mind. She pushed Cheng Mutian a few steps to the door and exclaimed loudly, "Why is there broken porcelain all over the room? Aunt Ding didn't even call someone to clean it up. What if Father gets hurt?"

Just as Master Cheng was about to speak, Cheng Mutian frowned and scolded Aunt Ding, "I'm working myself to the bone outside just to earn more money for my little brother's family business. How can you not care about him at all? And you're crying here. If my little brother gets hurt, I'll be the first to not forgive you."

Master Cheng originally intended to protect Consort Ding, but when he saw Cheng Mutian bring out his son and speak in a very pleasing manner, he forgot about his concern for her, went up to her and said a few words to her, and then called a maid to help her into the house to rest.

Aunt Ding, however, clung to the armrest of the chair and refused to leave, crying to Cheng Mutian, "Young Master, I came here for your little brother. Someone wants to harm him."

Xiao Yuan was watching the maid in Aunt Ding's room sweeping up the broken porcelain shards when she turned her head and said, "Aunt Ding was talking about what happened yesterday. You don't actually believe her, do you?"

Aunt Ding was stunned: "Young Madam, those words came from your room."

Xiao Yuan calmly walked around the broken porcelain shards to Master Cheng and said with a smile, "I was worried that Aunt Ding's tastes would change because she was pregnant, so I was thinking of setting up a small kitchen for her. But my eldest sister said I was being too cautious and joked, 'Are you going to all this trouble to arrange things for her because you're afraid I'll harm her?'"

Cheng Mutian interjected, "Doesn't Father know what kind of person Eldest Sister is? Nine and a half out of ten things she says are unpleasant." Master Cheng thought to himself, "Second Brother and his wife have always been at odds with Eldest Sister, yet this time they are speaking up for her. Could it be that Eldest Sister has really been wronged?"

Seeing that Master Cheng was softening, Xiao Yuan stopped talking, pulled Cheng Mutian to bow, and quietly slipped out. Cheng Mutian was still worried: "Is that all?" Xiao Yuan glanced at him: "You think this is a good thing? Wouldn't Father be happy if his most beloved daughter became a villain?" Cheng Mutian nodded: "That's right. It's not that Father believed your words, but that he didn't want to believe that his daughter wanted to harm people. We've given him a way out." Seeing that no one was around, Xiao Yuan quietly kissed him on the cheek: "We're such a perfect wife and husband today."

Cheng Mutian was about to be angry at her for being unfaithful outside when he suddenly heard a wife following her husband's lead. Enraged, he forgot his manners and reached out to pinch Xiaoyuan's cheek. The couple argued all the way back to the courtyard, only to find Cheng's eldest sister sitting upright in their room. Both of them were greatly surprised. Cheng Mutian frowned and, without asking any questions, asked her to go back. Xiaoyuan was more tactful and pulled her eldest sister, saying, "Father is in a bad mood. Erlang and I have said a lot of nice things for you before he calmed down. You mustn't rush up to him now and cause trouble."

Without saying a word, Sister Cheng stood up and bowed to them. Xiao Yuan hurriedly pulled Cheng Mutian away, saying, "Sister, there is an order of seniority. How can we accept your bow?" Sister Cheng's eyes reddened as she said, "I was on my way to find Father when I heard what you were saying by the window. I tried to embarrass you earlier, but you still protected me. I apologize to you."

Although the eldest sister was a bit muddle-headed, she was a straightforward person who said whatever she thought. Xiao Yuan also spoke frankly for once: "Eldest sister, it's not that we want to drive you away, it's really for your own good. Father has already become suspicious of you. If you continue to come here, he will think that we are colluding with each other."

Sister Cheng was still confused, saying, "I just don't want that woman to have an easy time, so what?"

Xiao Yuan was both anxious and angry, not knowing how to comfort her. Cheng Mutian understood her feelings and said, "There are only three sisters in our family. You did this, and there's no one to take the blame. Do you want to harm Third Sister?"

Sister Cheng suddenly realized what had happened, and felt both ashamed and embarrassed. Xiao Yuan took the opportunity to persuade her a few more times and then sent someone to take her back.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Sun Family

The matter of Sister Cheng passed just like that. Aunt Ding made a few more fuss but to no avail. Fearing that someone would harm her, she locked herself in her room and didn't go out unless necessary. Xiao Yuan thus had some free time and took the opportunity to visit Aunt Chen.

When Aunt Chen saw her, she kept asking about her well-being and whether there was any news about her pregnancy. Cheng Mutian had been lying in bed for a month or so, so how could she have any information? So she fled in panic amidst Aunt Chen's nagging. It wasn't until she got home and sat down that she remembered that she had gone there to ask Shen Changchun. Why was she scared back before she even achieved her goal?

Cailian covered her mouth and chuckled, "Madam, Aunt Chen just wanted you not to ask." Xiaoyuan said, "If it were anyone else, I would just abandon them, but she is my birth mother." After saying that, she called Caimei over, "Go and ask Aunt Chen what kind of dowry she wants, and tell her that I brought back some fine cedar wood." She then instructed Cailian, "Send someone to Shen Changchun's house to find out what he is thinking. If he has wronged my aunt, have someone beat him up and then report back."

The matter wasn't as complicated as Xiaoyuan had imagined. Less than half an hour later, Cailian returned with news. It turned out that Shen Changchun's only younger brother had died, and his family wanted him to continue the family line, so they wouldn't allow him to marry into the family. Xiaoyuan asked curiously, "That's only natural, nothing to worry about. But why did Auntie say she wouldn't marry Shen Changchun no matter who she wanted?" Cailian replied, "His family wants Aunt Chen to marry into the family, but they don't have a house, so they want to live in Aunt Chen's house. However, they don't like living in the woman's house, so they want to transfer the house to Shen Changchun's name."

He slammed his hand on the small round table: "That house was given to me by Erlang. They have such a thick skin. We really can't afford to offend people like that. Before, when Caiju came to make trouble, Shen Changchun knew to come and pull them back. How come they've changed their ways now?"

Cailian sighed, "Those are just distant relatives, but these are my own parents, so naturally they are different."

Xiao Yuan smashed a cup in anger. Cai Lian quickly advised her not to get upset over such a petty person. Xiao Yuan said, "I'm not angry at him. There are plenty of people who want to marry into my aunt's family. He's just one more. I'm just lamenting how people in this world are all so greedy. My stepmother and brothers in the mansion are like that, the Shen family is like that, and even..." She paused, not finishing her sentence. Cai Lian knew she was referring to Master Cheng and Aunt Ding, so she didn't say anything more. She could only clean up the broken porcelain and leave, then called A Yun to change the tea.

A-Yun came in carrying a tea tray, about to speak, but seeing Xiao-Yuan's unfriendly expression, she quickly shut her mouth. Xiao-Yuan was amused by her and laughed: "Little monkey, just say what you want to say. When did you become so good at reading people's expressions?" A-Yun stuck out her tongue: "I was afraid that if I said this, I would make Madam even angrier—Sun Da-Lang's sister died, and his mother came down the mountain to look for Madam. I didn't dare let her in, so I told her to wait at the gate."

Xiao Yuan felt sorry for the little girl for a while, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "You don't dare let her in? You mean she also has tuberculosis?" A-Yun quickly shook her head, "No, I had the doctor at our pharmacy examine her, otherwise we wouldn't even let her stand at the door. I heard that she stole Sister Cai Mei's sweetheart, and Madam is very angry with her, so she doesn't dare let her in." Xiao Yuan was quite helpless. Why is it always the woman who is blamed first in such matters? In fact, it's mostly the man's fault. She was afraid that A-Yun would grow up to be as foolish as Cai Mei, so she quickly gave her a good talking-to before sending someone to bring Madam Sun in.

As soon as Madam Sun entered the room, she knelt down with a thud and wouldn't get up no matter how much A-Yun tried to pull her up. Xiao Yuan asked her what was wrong, but she only wept and remained silent. A-Yun, being sensible, quietly withdrew and stood guard at the door. Only when Madam Sun saw that there was no one else in the room did she kowtow and say, "It's not that this servant is ignorant of etiquette, but this matter involves others, so it's not appropriate for others to know."

This was the first time Xiao Yuan had met Madam Sun. Seeing that her clothes were patched upon patched, yet washed extremely clean, and that her fingernails were neatly trimmed, Xiao Yuan felt a sense of goodwill towards her and asked her to stand up and speak.