The egret gaped in astonishment. This chivalrous man was actually this young lady's fiancé? How could this be?

This girl looks very delicate; it's a pity for this great hero.

She secretly pondered her way out.

There were more than just a few people staring at him on the street; for now, he could only humble himself for the time being, at least he could rely on this chivalrous man.

"Junior sister, you're so kind, you'll definitely take her in, right?"

Leng Lingfeng was still unwilling to give up; he just felt that the girl was too pitiful.

"Okay, if she signs a contract of servitude, I'll take her in."

Xiao Li wouldn't budge an inch; she just kept repeating that one sentence.

Bai Lu harbored resentment towards Xiao Li. How could a modern person sign such a thing as a contract of servitude? When she said she was selling herself into slavery, she was just saying it casually.

But now that she knew better than to suffer a loss, she accepted it.

"I'll sign! I'll sign it, young lady, please don't make things difficult for this hero."

Bai Lu glanced quickly at Leng Lingfeng, still grateful for the hero's kindness.

Xiao Li asked Ren San to get the indenture ready. This was a big deal and had to be done quickly. Bai Lu lowered her head, gritting her teeth in anger.

Leng Lingfeng went over to comfort her, "Junior sister is kind-hearted, you don't need to worry."

The egret was then in a better mood.

Xiao Li went straight home and didn't go to the jewelry store anymore; the marriage proposal was off.

Xiao Li gave a few instructions to Zhang Mama, who was the original owner's wet nurse and the most loyal.

Granny Zhang nodded and left. She took Bailu to the servants' quarters and arranged accommodations for her.

Bailu was very dissatisfied with the crowded eight-person room. It was so cramped that she had no private space at all, and at night she had to endure smelly feet, teeth grinding, and farting...

What a terrible thing!

But she has no right to complain. It's already good enough that she has a place to stay. What more could she ask for?

She had no personal clothes, so she was given two sets of maid's clothes to change into.

She touched the cotton clothes, carefully folded them, and placed them on the bedside table. These were her only two pieces of clothing, so she had to keep them safe.

When the original owner brought her back, he gave her his new clothes, and she didn't suffer any grievances.

But she showed little gratitude, acting as if it were her due.

Granny Zhang arranged work for her.

"From now on, you will be in charge of cleaning and sweeping the young lady's courtyard."

Bai Lu was startled. How could a delicate beauty like her do such work? She looked at Zhang Mama with a wronged expression.

Granny Zhang wasn't buying it. "Every morning at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), she would get up and sweep the yard first."

Then take out the trash, fill a basin with water, wipe down the table, chairs, and benches, and then it's time to eat breakfast.

The egret opened its eyes wide. "Getting up so early in the morning, and still having so much work to do?"

"After you finish eating, Miss will be up soon. Go and bring in the water for washing up, and then tidy up the room."

Egret reluctantly agreed, "Isn't this job almost done?"

"Except for the half-hour break during lunch and dinner shifts, you'll be waiting in the courtyard the rest of the time, serving tea and water. Be quick-witted when the young lady needs to run errands."

Does this mean I have to be on call all day?

The egret was puffed up with anger. Even capitalists don't exploit people like this, do they?

"Then you can finally get some rest tonight, right?"

Granny Zhang paused, "Tonight, you can help the servants carry the young lady's bathwater to the washroom. After she's finished bathing, tidy up the room properly."

Bai Lu opened her eyes wide; she hadn't had a break all day long.

After thinking for a moment, Granny Zhang added.

"You don't need to work for the next three days. Just follow me and I'll teach you the proper etiquette so you won't offend the young lady."

Before Bailu could retort, Granny Zhang scolded her with a stern face.

"If you don't learn well, you'll be punished by not being allowed to eat. The first rule is: don't interrupt or talk back."

The egret had become numb; she had finally realized that this was a feudal society.

Leng Lingfeng came several times but did not see Bai Lu. He looked around the yard.

"Ah Li, is Miss Bai settling in alright?"

Xiao Li rolled her eyes. "Who is Miss Bai?"

Leng Lingfeng coughed. "It's that girl you brought back the day before yesterday."

Xiao Li snorted coldly, "I didn't know a maid could call her 'Miss'?"

Leng Lingfeng was stunned for a moment before he realized what was happening.

"Hehe~ Ali, don't be angry, I was just asking casually."

Xiao Li leaned closer and asked, "Senior Brother, have you taken a liking to her?"

She touched her chin. "I must say, she's quite pretty. How about we let her serve you?"

Leng Lingfeng felt a chill run down his spine and repeatedly declined, not daring to inquire any further. Only then did Xiao Li let him go.

For a whole month, Bailu had gotten used to it. She often wondered, was this all a nightmare? Would it be better when she woke up?

"Xiao Lu, Miss has some guests. Could you take some tea and fruit over there?"

Bailu agreed, prepared the tea and fruit, and carried them towards the main house. She had now changed her name to Xiaolu.

She was originally named Xiao Hong, but Xiao Lu represents her last act of defiance.

?

Xiao Li was having snacks with Yan Xiaoran, which Ming Yuexi had asked Yan Xiaoran to bring.

"Sister, Mother just made some osmanthus cakes. I was just about to come see you, so she asked me to bring them to you."

Xiao Li picked up a piece; it melted in her mouth, sweet but not cloying, and the taste was indeed excellent.

"Little brother, you should eat too."

Xiao Li dismissed all the maids and brought out several plates of strawberries, blueberries, cherries...

"Little brother, this is what your sister bought. You should have some too."

Yan Xiaoran is only ten years old this year. The young boy is at the age where he is very fond of food. Once he tasted a fruit, he couldn't stop eating it.

"Sister, this is really delicious."

Xiao Li handed over the plate with a smile, and soon finished eating it all.

"I'll save some for you next time you come."

"Um."

Yan Xiaoran smiled with satisfaction.

The original owner had a very good relationship with his younger brother. Later, his parents forgave Leng Lingfeng and Bai Lu, but he still refused to accept them.

His accident was likely partly due to Leng Lingfeng's involvement, since Yan Xiaoran had grown up by then and was blocking his path.

As the two were talking, they saw Bailu come in carrying tea and fruit.

She placed the things on the table expressionlessly. Yan Xiaoran glanced at her a couple more times. This maid was too strange; she actually dared to give her master a hard time.

Zhang Mama, who was following behind, felt extremely ashamed. She hadn't been able to discipline the person properly after a month, which was her dereliction of duty.

"Miss, don't be angry. Today, I'll punish her by not letting her eat. I'll teach her a lesson."

Bai Lu froze, feeling extremely wronged. Although she didn't particularly care about the meal, it was still incredibly insulting.

Leng Lingfeng also entered the courtyard. As soon as he entered the house, he saw Bailu with tears in her eyes.

Bai Lu wore a light green, belted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), a simple style, yet she managed to exude a delicate and beautiful charm in it. He felt a pang of sympathy for her, but dared not speak up in her defense.

Seeing Bai Lu standing there, constantly glancing at Leng Lingfeng, Zhang Mama became even more furious.

"What are you standing there for? You have no sense of propriety at all. Go down and receive your punishment."