Chunying's empty eyes slowly focused, landing on her brother's face, which was filled with worry.

As the young lady's most trusted maid, she was destined to accompany her in her dowry; their fates were intertwined.

If a young lady is forced to marry a poor, uneducated scholar...

No matter how eloquently the master spoke, she knew very well in her heart that life after marrying him would inevitably be difficult.

Passing the imperial examination and becoming a Jinshi is no easy feat; even a high-ranking official wouldn't dare guarantee it.

What if we don't pass? We wait another three years? And what if we still don't pass after three years?

One can imagine what a life they must have lived, constantly dependent on others and having to be mindful of their every whim.

Moreover, Chunying had just gritted her teeth and paid a huge sum of 50,000 taels of silver!

That was the young lady's most precious savings; without it, that ruthless woman named Suimo wouldn't have given her the slightest hope of leniency. Now, the die was cast, and there was no turning back.

Chunying took a deep breath and looked at her brother beside her:

"Brother, don't ask, I can't tell you the specifics."

All you need to know is that this may be a life-or-death ordeal for Miss.

She tried to make her voice sound calm.

"Don't worry, your life is not in danger. It's just that your future prospects and wealth will be worlds apart."

The older brother's heart sank.

He didn't understand the intricacies of life within the wealthy family, but he knew that his sister's fate was closely related to the young lady of the household.

"Brother, don't assign me any other work these next two days. Just wait near the back gate of the Duke's mansion! I might need your help at any time."

“Okay!” The older brother nodded without hesitation. “This is no big deal. I’ll stay there and be there whenever you call.”

When my mother was seriously ill, we were destitute and had no choice but to send my younger sister to a place where we could not see anyone.

He not only recovered from his illness, but also opened his own carriage shop.

Without Miss's care, I wouldn't be living such a life now.

Besides, his younger sister will have to rely on her for the rest of her life. He has to go through fire and water for her, let alone just be on standby at any time.

Before long, the carriage quietly stopped outside the back gate of the Duke's mansion.

Chunying got off the car, her figure disappearing into the night, the heavy wooden door closing behind her.

The older brother stood in the chilly night wind, his Adam's apple bobbing a few times, before finally letting out a heavy sigh.

He suppressed his worries and anxieties deep in his heart, and all he could do was wait.

"Miss Chunying, your forehead..."

When the old woman guarding the corner gate saw Chunying's appearance, she gasped in shock, her old face filled with astonishment.

Chunying looked displeased. "I just tripped and fell when I went out and broke my head."

"Oh dear!" The old woman slapped her thigh. "What are we going to do! It looks like a serious injury. Should we take it to the doctor for a closer look?"

"No need!"

Chunying impatiently interrupted her, her tone harsh, ignoring the old woman's nagging, and went straight inside with her head down.

Passing through the familiar courtyard and corridors, we arrived at the small courtyard where the young lady lived.

The courtyard gate was ajar, and a young maid with a childlike face was anxiously rubbing her hands and pacing back and forth in front of the gate.

Upon seeing Chunying, he rushed over immediately:

"Sister Chunying, you're finally back! Miss hasn't eaten or drunk anything all day."

He's been sitting there motionless since the afternoon, it's terrifying!

The young maid's gaze fell on Chunying's forehead, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Sister, your head..."

Chunying frowned and waved her hand to interrupt her: "Don't panic, did the master and madam come today?"

No.

Where is the maid in the master's room?

"No, not at all."

Spring Oriole silently exhaled a breath of stale air, as if trying to expel the suffocation in her chest.

Presumably, the master and mistress also found that matter difficult to talk about, which is why they haven't sent anyone to inform the young lady yet, let alone comfort her.

However, this concerns the reputation of the Duke's mansion, so we will not delay for too long or allow the news to spread unchecked.

She mustered her strength and sternly instructed, "Guard the gate well, and immediately announce if anyone comes."

Having said that, she paused, lifted her skirt, and hurried towards her mistress's boudoir.

Pushing open the door, the room was dimly lit by flickering candlelight.

The dinner on the table remained untouched; the dishes had lost their heat and were covered with a thin layer of grease.

The young lady sat alone on the embroidered stool by the window, her slender figure seemingly blending into the deep night outside.

"Miss."

The call sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet room, but Zheng Huiyin took several breaths before slowly turning her head.

When he recognized Chunying, his empty eyes finally lit up, and he suddenly tried to stand up.

However, having not eaten or drunk anything all day, coupled with mental and physical exhaustion, he was extremely weak.

He had barely stood up when his legs gave way and he stumbled forward and fell.

"Miss!"

Chunying rushed forward and reached out to support her swaying body.

Zheng Huiyin's hand gripped Chunying's arm tightly like an iron clamp, with such force that her nails almost dug into her flesh.

She was completely unaware, only looking up eagerly, her voice trembling with a hint of hope:

"Chunying! Have you seen anyone? Are they... willing to help?"

The stinging pain in her arm made Chunying gasp, but she gritted her teeth and endured it, speaking in as calm a tone as possible.

After a whole day of running around, how he was turned away at the residences of the Third and Fourth Princesses, how he waited in vain outside the Fifth Prince's residence, and finally how he met the Sixth Princess outside the restaurant.

Her pleas and the Sixth Princess's demanding conditions were laid bare without any embellishment.

As she uttered the last few words, Chunying knelt heavily on the hard blue brick floor with a "plop".

The dull thud of her knee hitting the ground was particularly jarring in the quiet room, and the pain contorted her face.

The wound on his forehead, which had just stopped bleeding, started oozing fine blood again, staining the edges of the gauze red.

"Please forgive me, Miss!" Chunying pressed her forehead to the ground, her voice trembling with sobs.

"I am really worried that if this drags on any longer, even this last glimmer of hope will be completely extinguished."

The Sixth Princess was aggressive and unyielding; if this servant did not agree, there would be no room for negotiation.

Therefore, this servant has taken the liberty of paying her 50,000 taels as a deposit.

No matter how close she was to her personal maid and how close they were since childhood, she still spent 50,000 taels of silver without getting her consent.

Zheng Huiyin seemed to be nailed to the spot.

As expected, Qin Zhaoyue was behind this whole affair.

The Third Princess and the Fourth Princess had always admired her talent and learning, and her participation in the provincial examination was beneficial to the court. How could they not even accept her visiting card?

Confined to her chambers, Zheng Huiyin was completely unaware that the Emperor had decreed that all imperial heirs should temporarily reside in the palace.

Chunying was turned away at the princess's residence, and at the fifth prince's residence, she only knew that he had entered the palace and had not returned. Outside the restaurant, she only saw the sixth princess and was also unaware of this news.

Therefore, Zheng Huiyin's deductions led to the only conclusion:

It was the Sixth Princess who interfered, cutting off her path to seeking help from other imperial heirs.

Zheng Huiyin exhaled a deep breath. "Get up. You did the right thing."