In early summer, the farm of Xingyuan Marquis Mansion welcomed a routine inspection. The steward Xue Zhong had already instructed the doorman to prepare the carriage and prepare to go to the farm in the west of the city.

Coincidentally, Xue Shanqiu's maid Xiaohe also planned to go back to the farm to visit her mother Zhou Jin in the next two days, so she went along with them.

Before leaving, Aunt Zhao specifically instructed Xiao He, who was about to return home, "You are now the Fifth Miss's personal maid. For the next two days, you must use the comb and face towel you brought with you. Don't mix up your quilts. Do you understand?"

Xiao He nodded obediently and agreed: "I'll remember that, Aunt Zhao."

At the gatehouse, the carriages were ready to go, and the servants in the mansion were busy shuttling back and forth. No one noticed that a cloaked figure quietly got on a carriage loaded with miscellaneous items.

As the carriage slowly drove out of the city gate and headed towards the farm, Xue Shanqiu in the carriage took off the veil of his cloak, his mind already flying to that free and comfortable world.

Just as she arrived at the city gate, she couldn't help but lift the carriage curtain and look out. She happened to see several Western Rong people passing by. They had fierce faces and thin knots at the ends of their beards. They looked both strange and frightening.

Fearing that she would be discovered by the accompanying servants, Xue Shanqiu clung to a corner of the carriage curtain and peeked out. She didn't breathe a sigh of relief until the carriage safely drove out of the city gate. She lowered the curtain, curled up beside the box in the corner of the carriage, and waited quietly for the moment when they arrived at the farm.

During this period, happy events occurred one after another in the Marquis' Mansion, and the atmosphere in the mansion was extremely festive.

The fourth sister is busy preparing for her wedding. A few days ago, she decided to embroider her wedding dress by herself, and now she is immersed in the embroidery room every day.

My eldest sister-in-law was pregnant and was taken care of carefully by everyone in Tingyuxuan. She didn't have to worry about any trivial matters.

The eldest brother was recuperating from his injuries, while the second and third brothers went to the ministry's meeting hall every day to handle official business. Therefore, Xue Shanqiu became the person who received the least attention during this period.

This gave her an unprecedented sense of freedom. When Xue Shanqiu learned that Xiaohe planned to return to Zhuangzi to visit her mother, a bold idea came to her mind.

She decided to take advantage of this opportunity and go to the farm with Xiaohe to enjoy a day of free time.

This plan was quietly brewing in her mind, and she was looking forward to getting away from the red tape of the Marquis' Mansion and feeling the freshness and tranquility of the countryside.

"Come on, unload all these things into the warehouse!"

The steward Xue Zhong's voice rang out loudly, and Xue Shanqiu immediately realized that a group of people had arrived at the farm.

Sure enough, she soon heard the sounds of busy unloading and people's clamor.

She gently lifted the curtain of the carriage, looked around, and seeing that no one was paying attention, she quickly put on the hood of her cloak and jumped lightly out of the carriage.

Then she hid behind the carriage and carefully looked around. She soon found the maid Xiaohe supporting a kind-faced woman and walking slowly towards a house near the river bank.

Xue Shanqiu's mind clearly recalled the scene of Xiaohe and her daughter entering the mansion to seek help.

Although her memory of Zhou Jinshi was a little vague, she could still vaguely recall some impressions of her.

She followed him on tiptoe, feeling nervous. Her heart was pounding, and she couldn't help but imagine how surprised Xiao He would be if she found out that she had sneaked out of the house.

However, Zhou Jinshi and Xiaohe, who were walking in front, were completely unaware of her presence.

The mother and daughter had not seen each other for a long time. At this moment, their faces were filled with indescribable joy, and their words to each other were like the gentle spring breeze, warm and touching.

"Mother made sesame dumplings for you, which you love the most. She also dried some plums for you, which are sour and sweet." Zhou Jin's voice was full of kindness. As she spoke, she gently wiped the sweat from Xiaohe's forehead with her sleeve.

"It's a bit hot after coming here."

Xiao He held her mother's hand tightly and said with a smile, "It's not hot, mother. I missed you so much. I must try the food you cooked when I come back this time."

Xue Shanqiu followed not far away, and a warm feeling surged in her heart. Looking at the affectionate mother and daughter, she suddenly felt a little envious.

She grew up in the Marquis's Mansion. Although she was taken care of by maids and servants, she rarely experienced the warmth and affection between mother and daughter.

Just as she was immersed in her own thoughts, she suddenly heard Zhou Jin's voice coming from the front: "Oh, look at my memory, there is still fish soup stewing in the pot, I have to go and check it out quickly."

Xiaohe smiled and nodded. As her mother quickened her pace, the two of them walked around a green vegetable field and soon arrived in front of the house that had been renovated.

The mother and daughter originally lived in an old brick house. Previously, under the instructions of the old lady Hong Yingrong, the manager Xue Zhong had the house renovated.

The tiles on the roof were neatly arranged, showing that it had been recently renovated. A thick layer of bricks was added to the walls, making the whole house look more solid and spacious.

Xue Shanqiu stood not far away, quietly looking at the small courtyard in front of the house, which was full of various flowers and plants.

As soon as Xiaohe entered the house, she couldn't wait to put down her bag and began to busily help her mother with housework.

Although her life in the Marquis's Mansion was comfortable and she had no worries about food and clothing, she was always worried about Zhou Jinshi. She saved all the monthly allowance and brought it back home, hoping to share some of the hardships of life with her mother.

"This girl... who are you?"

Outside the house, Zhou Jin's voice was filled with confusion and surprise.

Her eyes fell on Xue Shanqiu who was standing quietly outside the fence. Although she was dressed simply, her innate nobility and elegant appearance were obviously out of place among the ordinary people on this farm.

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