Chapter 12 Why did you make her learn this?

Wu Qingyu came specifically to see Shan Lai, and she was satisfied with the meeting. However, she was still ill and dared not stay long, so when Old Madam Qin invited her to have dinner together, she firmly declined and was about to leave immediately.

Liu Min hurriedly tried to chase after her, but Old Madam Qin understood Wu Qingyu's good intentions, so she quickly pulled him back, saying, "Alright, let her go. If you go, she'll be terrified."

Liu Min knew her grandmother was right, so she stopped moving, but still said, "I really haven't seen my mother in a long time..."

Madam Qin smiled and said, "It's enough that you have this intention."

As they were talking, the food was brought over, and Ru Hui asked if they wanted to set the table.

Madam Qin nodded.

The maids all sprang into action.

Only Shanlai, not knowing what he should do, remained standing still, looking quite out of place.

When Madam Qin saw this, she beckoned to her, "Child, come here."

Shanlai walked over.

Madam Qin turned her head to a round-faced maid and said, "Teach her the proper etiquette for picking up food with chopsticks."

The girl responded with a "yes," and Shanlai walked over to her.

Liu Min then said, "Why do we have to make her learn this? Isn't she only supposed to serve in the study?"

The maids who served Liu Min while he studied did not have to do anything else, and Han Cui was one of them, but Old Madam Qin had her own considerations.

"There's no harm in learning it."

Liu Min said, "I don't think it's necessary. Let her go back and rest. I asked her to look for something this morning, and she must be exhausted. Our family never mistreats anyone. Let her go back."

Since he had spoken, how could Old Madam Qin disobey, especially since he was speaking out of kindness?

Madam Qin's face lit up with joy: "Our family has never been stingy with people. Since you're tired, go back and rest." She then pointed to a plate of food on the table and said, "Take this back and eat it."

Just as Shanlai was about to bow and express his gratitude, Liu Min said, "I want to eat this. Please have the kitchen make another portion for her, Grandma."

Madam Qin smiled and said, "Of course, whatever you say goes."

Liu Min then said, "I want to learn calligraphy and painting again. Please find a master to teach me, Grandma..."

Shanlai listened with his head down.

She should have left long ago.

But they didn't leave.

She still had something to say.

I can't bring myself to say it.

Because I know I've gone a bit too far.

She wanted to go home and visit.

Madam Qin herself said that as long as she learned the rules well, she would be allowed to go home and see her father.

Shanlai is the kind of person who is down-to-earth. She is either right or wrong, impartial and does not take advantage of others. Therefore, even if she does not want to be a servant, once she has taken someone's money, she feels that she should do a good job for them, which is a matter of integrity.

Therefore, she shouldn't have brought it up.

Because she hasn't learned the rules yet.

But she longed to go home.

She missed her father and wanted to know if he was alright.

The importance I placed on loyalty and integrity could not outweigh my longing to go home.

She finally spoke, her voice trembling slightly.

"...Grandma, can I go home tomorrow? I've already..."

I have finished learning the rules.

That was a lie, so I couldn't bring myself to say it.

Old Madam Qin didn't think she had finished learning either, but she had already asked... But if she really agreed, what would others think? She definitely hadn't finished learning, and others could naturally guess that.

As the head of the family, Madam Qin had to consider the matters concerning her subordinates. If she made any rash decisions, bad habits would spread and inevitably lead to trouble. But in the end, it was just a small matter, yet she still spoke up...

Madam Qin was at a loss for a decision.

Receiving no response, Shanlai's heart pounded faster and faster, and her face slowly turned red.

In this kind of situation, she's the one who's embarrassed; others will definitely think she's a cheater...

At this moment, Liu Min spoke up.

"Of course you can go back."

Liu Min said to Madam Liu, "It's only natural to miss one's family. How can we not do that? Besides, she has indeed learned the rules of service in the study, and she's learned them quite well. Didn't you promise her before, Madam? Could you have forgotten?"

Once Liu Min spoke up, things became much easier.

Madam Liu immediately laughed and said, "I really forgot! I'm getting old, but it's good that you still remember, otherwise, how could I break my promise?" After saying that, she instructed Ru Hui, "Tomorrow, have Zhao Er prepare the carriage, and Zhao Er's wife will go with him. Prepare some things and have her take them home tomorrow morning."

That's how it was settled.

Shanlai's heart felt so light that he almost felt like he could fly.

She knew it was Liu Min who had helped her.

She looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude.

She thought he was a good person too.

Great, I can go home tomorrow.

I was so happy that I walked around the house, but as I walked, I suddenly felt a little melancholy.

Being able to go back tomorrow is already a blessing, but she is still not satisfied and wants to go back immediately.

She also felt that this was not good, and that contentment was the wisdom of life, so she decided to stop thinking about going home.

She sat down quietly on the stool.

Although I calmed down, my heart was still restless, and I still wanted to go home.

If you exit through the same side gate you came from, head north, cross the river, then head east until you reach the restaurant with the red flag, then head northwest...

I walked around again and again, and I could see the flowers, trees, rocks and mountains clearly.

Chunyan's arrival interrupted her mental rehearsal.

Chunyan came over to bring her some vegetables, the very ones Liu Min had said she would give her.

Chunyan placed the food box on the table and naturally sat on the round stool. In just two short days since Shanlai came to the Liu residence, she had already cured the self-loathing, bewilderment, and pent-up anger that had accumulated in her for many years.

She's now the most respected person in the kitchen.

The maids in the Liu household always had two bowls of dishes with a bowl of rice and a bowl of soup. The only difference was the type of dishes. Of course, the masters didn't care where the leftover food went or what was done with it.

Shanlai is different; she has three dishes, all of them good, no different from what her master has on his table.

Because she is different after all.

The first thing Chunyan said after sitting down was, "Can I eat these?" Her second question was, "I heard you're going home?"

Both sentences are questions, but both have answers that are already known.

"Of course. Yes."

Chunyan immediately began to eat heartily. When she had almost finished, she wiped her mouth with satisfaction, took out a purse from her sleeve, and handed it to Shanlai.

"Please give this to my mother."

The purse felt heavy, so Shanlai asked, "What's in it?"

It was a small amount of silver.

Chunyan said, "I bring her money every time I go back. Our two families live so close to each other. When you go back, it's the same as when I go back. Of course, I have to give her money too."

Shanlai couldn't help but worry about her. She had a lot of money in her purse, but Chunyan had said earlier that she wasn't doing well here and had just gone home.

Shanlai thought about it and decided to speak.

"You gave them all, do you have anything left for yourself?"

"No, I borrowed these from someone," Chunyan said casually.

Shan Lai was taken aback.

"Why bother? You're all alone out there, earning a meager living through hard work... Why not keep it for yourself?"

Chunyan sneered, "You know I earn my money through hard work, but they don't. I just want them to think I'm doing well. My brother told me that whenever they get together, they always complain about my mother, asking why she didn't sell them but sold me instead. They start arguing after a few words, then they fight, even pulling out each other's hair... It feels so good to hear that."

In that case, Shanlai had nothing more to say. Everyone has their own way of living. She respected Chunyan's "freedom," but if she didn't, there was nothing she could do; she couldn't persuade her otherwise.

A purse is a small thing, and it doesn't get in the way of carrying it. But if the purse contains silver, and it's just loose silver... If someone else has bad intentions, even if you have a hundred mouths, you probably won't be able to explain yourself.

So she returned the purse, and said it in a very respectable and dignified manner.

"Your mother will be very happy to see this money, so you should give it to her yourself. If her happiness is not for you, wouldn't you be at a loss?"

Chunyan thought about it and realized that it made sense, so she accepted the purse.

"Good girl, you're so smart."

After the meal, Shanlai had nothing to do.

Because Liu Min said she was tired and told her to rest.

She hadn't actually done anything wrong. Liu Min lied to save her dignity; he didn't want her to do those servant tasks, as it would be an insult to her.

At the time, I was only focused on feeling secretly pleased and didn't think things through. Now, thinking about it again, I understand everything.

He's such a good person.

She thought about thanking him.

Where can we find him?

The study? She remembered the way to the study, but would he be there? If he was, what should she say? If he said those things unintentionally, wouldn't it be ridiculous for her to thank him for it?

Just thinking about it made her face flush, as if she were really standing in front of him, being mocked.

She couldn't bear it.

So she gave up on her plan to thank him.

If we don't go, what should we do?

Sleeping?

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she became incredibly sleepy.

She didn't sleep at night, so of course she was sleepy during the day. Before, she had something to do, but now that she had nothing to do, sleepiness was rampant and conquered her territory with unstoppable force.

I'm really sleepy.

"Then go to sleep," she told herself. He was the one who told her to rest.

She felt at ease with herself.

She fell asleep quickly.

But before going to sleep, I still thought, how pathetic, whether or not I can sleep is not up to me.

I didn't feel sad when I dreamed; I only felt happy.

I dreamt of going home. Along the way, flowers were blooming, and I could hear the warbling of orioles, a continuous chorus for miles. It was truly a joyous occasion. When I arrived home, I saw my father, perfectly fine, bent over, chopping vegetables in the kitchen…

She was still crying when she woke up, her face covered in tears, which terrified the little girl who came to find her.

Shan Lai was also startled. The sudden appearance of a stranger in front of her made her heart clench and her eyes widen.

"Did I scare you? I'm so sorry, but I had no choice. Sister Yunping wants you to come over; she's in a hurry, and I couldn't delay..."