If they had set up a trap to test us, how could they have had the chance to put on this act if they hadn't anticipated it?

Gu An'an laughed, "It was my oversight."

The young maid dared not speak out in anger, for she felt wronged on behalf of her mistress.

How could the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Rites, a person of such high status and wealth, eat watermelon rind?

The little maid turned around angrily and met the little boy's gaze. "You have no eyes to recognize gold inlaid with jade. My mother kindly gave this dish to you, and your mistress isn't angry, but you, as a maid, are acting like you're being wronged. If you're so capable, then don't eat at my house."

He hasn't even settled accounts with anyone for stealing his food, yet he dares to complain.

The maidservant became even angrier upon hearing this and was about to lash out when she heard a cool voice, "Xu'er, what nonsense are you spouting now?"

"No, no, Mom, don't be angry. Bao'er is hungry. Mom, is our soup ready yet?" The little boy limped over and tugged at Gu An'an's sleeve. "After you've eaten, I'll help you clean up. Look, Old Man Tian and Old Man Zheng are here. There are many of us, so we can finish quickly."

Gu An'an looked at her clever youngest son helplessly, "You don't need to bother. Go back and practice calligraphy with A'bei later. Don't forget what your older brother said. He will check your calligraphy when he comes back in a few days."

A few days ago, Jiang Mingyi returned to the academy and assigned homework to his younger siblings before leaving.

Jiang Mingxu was quite afraid of his older brother, and upon hearing this, he wore a bitter expression, saying, "I understand."

She was so aggrieved that she almost burst into tears.

Upon seeing this, Fu Lingshu felt that the child didn't resemble the thirteenth prince as much anymore.

Although they shared some similarities in their eyes and brows, the thirteenth prince was more taciturn, and the child who was always bullied appeared particularly frail.

This child, despite having difficulty walking, is exceptionally lively and very lovable.

Fu Lingshu was surprised to find that Doctor Zheng and Gu An'an had such a good relationship. Since she wanted to restore her appearance, she had lunch with these people.

After the meal, we left the snack shop together.

Jiang Mingzhu didn't leave; she stayed in the shop to help.

"Mother, is no one coming to the shop to help yet?"

This was quite strange. At first, Gu An'an thought that maybe people couldn't read, so she simply made up a rhyme and had the little beggar shout it all over the streets, but she didn't expect that she still couldn't attract anyone.

Could it be that this shop is truly haunted?

Gu An'an was a skeptical person. After thinking it over, she concluded, "It's probably because of the hot weather. Nobody wants to go out and work. It's so comfortable to stay at home and lie down."

That makes sense.

"I'll come and help during this time..."

There was a loud crash at the doorway, and someone fell to the ground, interrupting Jiang Mingzhu's words.

The mother and daughter rushed over and exchanged a glance when they saw the person lying on the ground, covered in dirt.

A little beggar, who seemed to have come from nowhere, suddenly fainted in front of her shop.

Unfortunately, Su San Niang happened to see this and took pity on him. "Oh dear, Xiao Gu, you've been recruiting people these past few days, haven't you? I think I have a connection with this child. Give him a meal and he'll work for you. What a wonderful thing!"

It's easier said than done.

How could Gu An'an dare to take home someone of unknown origin?

But if someone falls down on their own doorstep, she has to give them something to eat.

He gestured to Jiang Mingzhu to help the person inside, saying, "Zhu'er, go get some water and bring some food."

Jiang Mingzhu hesitated for a moment before hurrying to the kitchen.

When she returned with the items, she couldn't help but widen her eyes, "This is a woman?"

Gu An'an was also momentarily dazed; indeed, that was the case.

She didn't notice anything wrong when she helped the person in.

I never expected it to be a little girl.

She looked to be thirteen or fourteen years old, and was quite pretty.

After wiping my face clean, I woke up.

Her eyes darted around, and she quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Gu An'an, pleading, "Please save me, just give me something to eat."

My throat was a little hoarse, probably because I had been thirsty for a long time.

Seeing this, Gu An'an helped the person up, saying, "Get up and have some water first."

There wasn't much flesh on her arms, which for some reason reminded Gu An'an of her children at home.

Back then, I was so thin that my hands felt rough.

When Liu Jiuniang returned from delivering food, she was startled to see another person in the shop. "Which lady has asked you to take care of her child this time?"

If only I had a mother who was rich and powerful.

Gu An'an smiled and shook her head, then asked gently, "What's your name?"

"Xiao Wu".

What kind of name is that?

Gu An'an frowned. Xiao Wu began to speak, "My mother died early. Later, my father remarried. My stepmother didn't like me and wanted to sell me to the magistrate in the county as a concubine, so I ran away."

Seeing the person wolfing down their food while talking, Jiang Mingzhu quickly said, "Eat slowly, don't choke."

Xiao Wu looked at her gratefully and said, "Boss lady, I do all kinds of chores at home and I'm very hardworking. Just give me a place to stay and some food."

Run away from the wedding.

This made Liu Jiuniang feel a sense of her own background. She was about to say something, but seeing Gu An'an's expression, she didn't say anything in the end.

Gu An'an hesitated.

Which side of the country are you from?

Xiao Wu quickly wiped his mouth, "Songjiang Prefecture."

Songjiang Mansion.

Just two days ago, Jiang Mingzhu was looking at a map with Chen Bei and knew where Songjiang Prefecture was.

"That far? How did you get here?"

"I followed the caravan..."

"Didn't they realize you were a girl?"

"No, I..."

Gu An'an listened to the two young girls' question and answer for a long time before Jiang Mingzhu pulled her aside and said, "Why don't we keep her here for now, Mother? If something goes wrong, we can always send her away later."

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