Shen Yu nodded obediently and shyly served food to Mingyue.

Recruiting people isn't something that can be done in a day. After finishing her meal, Mingyue picked up a handkerchief and wiped her mouth. "Can you read?"

Shen Yu shook her head; she was not qualified to attend school at home.

Mingyue's knuckles bent slightly, quite helplessly, "She's a legitimate daughter, how come she's being suppressed so harshly?"

Shen Yu covered her forehead blankly, staring at Mingyue with misty eyes. She hadn't said that she was the legitimate daughter, so how did the master know?

"Isn't it easy to investigate your affairs? Do you know why you were robbed by that bandit? It was your current mistress who orchestrated it."

He was her personal chef after all, so this little bit of background information couldn't stump her.

Shen Yu was even more confused. Why would the mistress want to harm her? She rarely left the courtyard to avoid offending them, and besides, it was her birthday that day, and she had gone out on her own initiative...

As if knowing what Shenyu was thinking, Mingyue patiently explained, "Why didn't you want to go outside on your birthdays before?"

Naturally, she had no money on hand, and Shenyu continued to look at Mingyue with that thought in mind.

"Think back to the two days before your birthday. Did the servants who were cold and sarcastic towards you suddenly become warm and friendly?"

Shen Yu went through the whole incident in her mind from beginning to end, her lips completely devoid of color, her eyes dull and lifeless.

Xiaohe had always disliked her mistress and wanted to go to another courtyard, but she suddenly became warm towards her only around her birthday.

She thought Xiaohe wanted to live a peaceful life with her in the courtyard. Later, when she thought about her birthday, Xiaohe confided in her that it was a good day, so she took the money she had saved for several years and prepared to go out to buy some good food to celebrate.

Seeing that Shen Yu was still reeling from the blow, Mingyue spoke gently, "As long as you're the legitimate daughter, you're blocking other people's way every day. Do you think you can just hide and pretend nothing's wrong? The human heart is the most unpredictable thing, do you understand?"

Shen Yu nodded, tears of sorrow and bitterness streaming down her face. So, even though her father hadn't been in a hurry for so long after her accident, he clearly acquiesced.

"You still have a lot to learn about judging people. Go back, wash your face, and come find me later."

Shen Yu silently wiped away her tears, her departing figure appearing particularly desolate.

At noon, Mingyue, along with Shenyu whose eyes were still a little red, followed Zhang Wen to the Zhang residence.

In this place where refugees were scrambling for food both inside and outside the city, entering the Zhang residence felt like entering a wealthy mansion in the capital.

There were more than a dozen servants and maids just to take care of the flowers, plants and trees in the yard. The ground was paved with pebbles, and occasionally you could see a few precious flowers and plants.

"Zhang Duwei, I have failed to greet you properly." Zhang Qingyun, dressed in fine clothes, was a well-rounded man whose smile was as benevolent as that of Maitreya Buddha. His smiling eyes gleamed as he sized up Mingyue. "And this gentleman is?"

Zhang Wen inwardly knew something was wrong, but outwardly he joked, "Brother Zhang, you must have a bad memory. I just sent someone yesterday to say that the Grand Preceptor is coming to visit you today."

Zhang Qingyun suddenly realized and exclaimed "Oh!" before slapping his forehead. "That's right. I didn't entertain the Grand Preceptor well when he came to my residence. I'll apologize to him right away."

Mingyue stopped Zhang Qingyun from kneeling down, saying, "It's alright, it was I who intruded on you, Boss Zhang."

Zhang Qingyun didn't stand on ceremony and waved his hands repeatedly, "Grand Preceptor, you're too kind. Wine and dishes have been prepared in the front hall. Let's eat and talk at the same time?"

Mingyue's eyes lit up. "Okay."

The food and wine were plentiful, with five meat dishes alone. Zhang Qingyun waved his hand generously, "Grand Preceptor, please don't be shy. These are all ordinary dishes, except for one extra dish of roast pigeon."

Mingyue clasped her hands in a fist and said, "Mr. Zhang is truly generous. I heard that Mr. Zhang owns a rice shop?"