After saying that, she slowly stood up, her skirt brushing lightly against the ground, and the sound of fabric rustling reached her ears.

She caught a glimpse of the hem of her skirt out of the corner of her eye and paused slightly in surprise.

As long as she doesn't look up, she seems to still be the esteemed eldest daughter of the Grand Secretary and the wife of the Duke's heir. But when she raises her head, she is forced to confront a scene of utter devastation; perhaps, she doesn't even have the freedom of a beggar.

Seeing this, Yu Ming quickly stepped forward and gently draped a thin gauze cloak over Zhao Yun to protect her from the early summer chill. Then, she carefully supported her arm and led her through the carved archway and along the winding corridor toward the mansion's main gate.

Kneeling outside the door was a ragged, haggard-looking beggar. His clothes were disheveled, his face was covered in dirt, but his eyes gleamed with an unusual light, unlike the dazed and confused look of ordinary beggars.

The gatekeeper stood awkwardly to the side, and when he saw Zhao Yun and Yu Ming arrive, he quickly bowed and stepped aside.

"So you're the beggar who came to see me?" Zhao Yun's voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority. "If you need my help, please speak frankly."

The beggar looked up, his gaze shifting between Zhao Yun and Yu Ming for a moment before finally settling on Zhao Yun, as if he saw some hope in her eyes.

He spoke tremulously, his voice hoarse: "Young Madam, I was originally a farmer from the outskirts of the capital. Due to a sudden misfortune in my family, I ended up here. I heard that you are kind and benevolent, so I came to ask for a way to survive."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun frowned slightly. Passersby stopped to watch the commotion.

Yu Ming questioned from the side, "There are many high-ranking officials and nobles in Lingyang City, not just our Duke's Mansion. Why did you specifically choose our family?" She looked the beggar up and down and asked suspiciously, "I see you are young and strong. If you had worked properly, how could you have ended up in this inhuman state? Let me tell you, if you have any ulterior motives, I will report you to the authorities right now!"

The beggar kowtowed, saying, "To tell you the truth, Aunt, my parents are both ill, and I dare not travel far to work. I usually make a living by doing farm work. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to be taken care of by Lord Zhao. After my parents passed away, I walked for more than a month to get to this Lingyang City. I..."

At this point, the beggar choked up and said, "I never expected that Master Zhao and his family had moved away. I... I heard that Miss Zhao married into the Duke's mansion last year, so I came to try my luck..."

Upon hearing this man mention "Lord Zhao," Zhao Yun knew that he must be someone her father had cultivated a good relationship with in the past. But right now, she was also in dire straits; how could she have the energy to care about the life and death of others?

She glanced coldly at the man and said, "I deeply sympathize with your family's misfortunes. But you should have heard that the Duke's mansion has recently been laying off maids and servants. Even if I wanted to help you, I'm afraid I couldn't. You should try your luck elsewhere!"

After saying that, she winked at Yu Ming, who understood and immediately took out a few taels of silver from her sleeve, stuffed it into the beggar's hand, and said impatiently, "Go away! My lady is kind-hearted, so don't push your luck and stay at our gate, making us a laughing stock for passersby!"

Just then, the beggar suddenly crawled a few steps on his knees, tightly gripping Zhao Yun's skirt, and pleaded urgently, "Young Madam, please take me in! Although I am a farmer, I have some martial arts skills and can work for free. I only ask that you take me in, young madam. I just need food and a place to sleep..."

Hearing him say that, Zhao Yun slowly turned around and exchanged a glance with Yu Ming.

Thinking about what she was going to do next, she realized that she was indeed missing a man who was devoted to her and also had some basic martial arts skills.

Thinking of this, she gazed at the man kneeling at her feet and asked again, "My father helped you before?"

"The old lady once treated my parents, and Lord Zhao also wanted me to come into the mansion as a servant, but I refused because I had to take care of my parents."

The beggar wept bitterly, tears streaming down his face. "Young mistress," he cried, "please allow me to repay this kindness!"

"Come in with me!" Zhao Yun said, relenting.

"Alright, thank you, young mistress!" The beggar scrambled to his feet, wiped the dirt off his face, and followed closely behind Zhao Yun into the Duke's mansion.

However, no one noticed the fleeting glint of cunning in the beggar's eyes.

After entering the Duke's mansion, Zhao Yun led the beggar through several courtyards, finally stopping in front of a relatively secluded but quiet courtyard. This place was originally an unused guest residence in the mansion, and because few people came here, it had become a peaceful spot.

She turned around, her gaze becoming deep and complex, and said to the beggar, "You will stay here for the time being. Your daily duties include cleaning the courtyard and doing other chores. Remember, the Duke's mansion has strict rules. Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't say what you shouldn't say. If you violate these rules, I will not let you off easily."

The beggar nodded hurriedly, his eyes filled with gratitude, and thanked her repeatedly: "I will certainly follow the young mistress's teachings and will never dare to be negligent in the slightest."

Yu Ming stood to the side, though she had her doubts, she didn't say much, but secretly made a note of this newcomer.

"By the way, what's your name?"

"Li Afu," the beggar replied honestly.

"That's a farmer's name." Yu Ming nodded, looked around, and said, "This yard is a bit overgrown. Since you're used to farm work, tidying it up shouldn't be a problem for you. My name is Yu Ming. If you need anything in the future, just come to me."

"Yes, Miss Yuming."

After making the arrangements, Zhao Yun did not leave immediately. Instead, she had Yu Ming fetch a set of clean clothes and simple bedding, which she then personally handed to the beggar.

“Ah Fu, these clothes are better than what you’re wearing now.”

Afu took the clothes, his hands trembling slightly, his eyes reddening again. He bowed deeply to Zhao Yun and vowed, "Thank you, young mistress. Afu will live up to your expectations and will serve you faithfully to the death."

With Yu Ming's help, Zhao Yun turned and left.

Once he was sure the two had gone far away, Li Afu, who had been looking down, slowly raised his head, his deep eyes narrowing and a faint smile appearing on his lips.

As night fell, the Duke's mansion was dimly lit. Yu Ming came to Li Afu's courtyard again and found that the once desolate and messy courtyard had been cleaned up spotlessly.

She nodded in satisfaction, stood at the courtyard gate, and called out, "Li Afu—"

"Miss Yuming." Li Afu suddenly appeared silently behind Yuming, startling her so much that she shivered.

"Why do you walk so quietly?" she scolded unhappily.

"I'm used to doing rough work, how could I not make a sound? Perhaps Miss Yuming was lost in thought and didn't notice," Li Afu explained with a fawning smile.