Jiang Segu, unaware of what Madam Hou had said to Gu Songhan, was preoccupied with thoughts of the lake trip and boating the next day.

The clothes were all prepared: a pear-white jacket with a small stand-up collar embroidered with lily of the valley flowers, paired with a pale yellow twelve-panel moon-flower skirt, the hem of which was also embroidered with lily of the valley flowers. The two pieces complemented each other perfectly.

But how should one style the hair into a bun?

She usually wears her hair in double or single buns... but wouldn't she look too young standing next to Young Master Gu?

Or should I style my hair into a loose, parted bun?

Jiang Segu looked in the mirror again, sketching his crescent-shaped eyebrows with his hand, wondering if he should change their shape.

At this moment, the cleaned-up Cai Niu came in and said a whole bunch of words of gratitude.

As Jiang Segu listened, she took a pearl flower from her dressing case and held it up to her hair.

Upon seeing this, Cai Niu volunteered, "Miss, why don't I do your makeup for you?"

Jiang Segu glanced at her sideways, recalling how in her previous life she always managed to dress herself up like a water lily, thus standing out among the many maids and successfully climbing into Liang Shaojie's bed. Jiang Segu's interest in choosing pearl flowers then vanished!

“I have maids to help me with my hair and makeup, and you have your own chores to do!” she said, calling to Mama Hou.

Qiaohe replied, "Her mother hasn't returned yet!"

"In that case, you should go back to your room and wait until your mother returns. She will then arrange chores for you!"

Although Cai Niu was unwilling, she still went out as instructed.

Jiang Segu covered the dressing case and asked Qiaohe, "How long has Mama Hou been gone?"

"It's been more than half an hour!"

Delivering steamed buns to the neighbor next door won't take long...

Mother Hou said she was going to see Changping. Could it be that Shaoyao is causing trouble?

Jiang Segu suddenly felt a little panicked.

She had to guard against Shaoyao like a thief all day long, and also had to be wary of Liang Shaojie causing trouble. Aunt Lan still wouldn't give her approval. Her already limited patience was about to run out!

Otherwise, I should advise my mother to get a divorce... that would be the only way to solve the problem once and for all!

What excuse can we use to persuade them?

We can't just advise them to get a divorce before anything has even happened!

When her mother asks why, how should she answer?

Jiang Segu listlessly rested her chin on the dressing table, her small head carrying a great deal of trouble.

It was at this moment that Hou's mother returned.

Jiang Segu sat up abruptly. "Is there something unusual happening on Peony's side?"

The voice was urgent and sharp.

Startled, Madam Hou's eyelids twitched, and she subconsciously asked, "Miss, have you found out something?"

"Has Peony really made a move? Did she go looking for Father again? Or is she using some other trick?"

Madam Hou lowered her eyelids. "Reporting to Miss, Changping said that there is nothing unusual about Peony! She stays in Canghua Pavilion all day long, and neither she nor the servants around her have ever left Canghua Pavilion."

Jiang Segu's tense heart finally relaxed a little, but he still felt that something was wrong.

"Then why did you go out for so long, Madam Hou?"

"This old servant went to Third Grandmother's courtyard."

"What business do you have with my mother?"

“My daughter, Shuiling, is the same age as you. I’m going to ask Third Madam for a favor, hoping she can find a good family for Shuiling.”

Jiang Segu looked embarrassed and casually asked, "Do you need to find someone to help you pee like this? Has Mother already found someone you like?"

Zhao's mother's expression changed slightly.

Jiang Segu assumed she was just embarrassed to say it. "Mom is my wet nurse. What could be so hard for her to tell me? I might even be able to help! If you don't tell me, I'll just guess. Is she interested in one of the stewards working for Mother, or one of the shopkeepers?"

For maids who usually served their masters, these two places were the best possible destinations.

Madam Hou waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "No, this old servant doesn't have such high aspirations. I just want Shui Ling to find someone who cares for her! Besides, Shui Ling is just a second-class maid, she doesn't have that kind of luck!"

“Aunt Hou, you’re being too polite. You’re my wet nurse, and I’ve never treated you like an outsider! Leave Shui Ling’s matter to me. I’ll make sure my mother finds Shui Ling a respectable family, and she won’t be wronged!”

A flicker of panic crossed Mrs. Hou's eyes, but she still expressed her gratitude.

"Mom, you don't need to be so polite with me. By the way, Cai Niu, could you arrange some work for her? Don't let her have too much free time!"

Madam Hou understood and tentatively asked, "The young lady's clothes are all made of delicate fabrics, why don't you let her wash them?"

"This would be a good idea in winter! But now it's springtime, the well water isn't so cold anymore... Besides, how many clothes do I even have..."

Jiang Segu muttered to himself, then said after a moment, "How about this, wake her up before dawn every day to wash clothes, and then clean the stables in the manor. At noon, she can help me prepare lunch in the kitchen, and after lunch, she can pick some locust flowers and sweep the yard in the afternoon. As for the evening..."

In the stillness of the night, it is the perfect time to pour out one's grievances...

Hearing this, and recalling the gossip from the front yard, Madam Hou realized that her daughter was indeed different from before! A wave of panic washed over her, but thinking of her children's future, she suppressed her unease and followed Madam Hou's instructions to send Cai Niu...

***

The next day, early in the morning.

Jiang Segu, who always loved to sleep in, got up early and, with Cailan's skillful hands, styled her hair into a cascading bun, with a pearl flower on one side and a ribbon on the other. She wore a small string of gold and silver flower tassels on her earlobes and wore a jacket and moon-flower skirt that she had already scented the day before.

Looking at her graceful reflection in the mirror, Jiang Segu suddenly blushed for some reason.

After paying his respects to Madam Jiang, Jiang Segu hurriedly left the mansion.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!