Bai Shao was the first maid who followed Xu Di. Bai Shu was also originally with Xu Di, but later went to study medicine with Chen Zhaoci. Xu Di kept Bai Shao by his side. Bai Shao was the least noticeable among these maids. She didn't serve Xu Di closely, but only helped take care of his luggage. Moreover, when Xu Di had to go out, Bai Shao would stay at home and guard Xu Di's courtyard.
Xu Di later got married, and Bai Shao didn't go anywhere else. She stayed in Xu Di's courtyard, but I heard that she is now helping to take care of the two children.
Bai Ying put the bowl and chopsticks into the basin of water. Thinking about the past ten years, she was filled with emotion. She took a small stool and sat down next to Bai Shu, saying, "Back then, we were both just a few years old when we came to this family. Bai Shu, have you ever thought about what would have happened if we hadn't been bought by the madam?"
Bai Shu put down the firewood in his hand, looked at the flames dancing in the stove, and remained silent for a long time before saying, "Of course I've thought about it. Sometimes when I can't sleep at night, I think about how lucky I am to have been bought by the madam, and how I've learned a lot of medical skills from her. Bai Ying, even if I'm released from the manor in the future, I don't want to find someone to marry. With my medical skills, I can live a good life."
Bai Ying nodded. She actually envied Bai Shu and the others, but she didn't have the talent, so she gave up the idea of studying medicine. However, the maids in the house all had to read and write. Bai Ying didn't dare to say that she was very good at it, but she had no problem with daily account books, correspondence, or even writing letters.
Bai Ying knew that with her education and literacy, even if she wanted to marry, other families would come to her for help. But Bai Ying didn't want to marry into another family. She was very clear about what would happen if she did. She would just have to serve a whole family and bear their children. Bai Ying had already told Xu Zhi that when she reached marriageable age, she would become a self-combed woman and work as Xu Zhi's head nanny.
Bai Shu seemed lost in thought when Bai Ying said slowly, "Bai Shu, I've made up my mind. I want to become a self-combed woman in the future. I don't want to have children and serve a whole family. I think I'm doing just fine now."
Bai Shu advised, "The girl is a good person. If you are willing to stay, she will make arrangements for you. But Bai Ying, have you thought about what will happen if you are all alone in the future? Will the girl still have to worry about you?"
Bai Ying was stunned by Bai Shu's words. Bai Shu continued, "We've been in the manor for so many years and have so much money saved up. If you want to find a decent and reliable family, even if you marry into one, you can leave the children with your mother-in-law after you have them. You can still take care of your daughter."
Bai Ying couldn't help but think of what Xu Zhi had said to Madam Feng Ping next door during the day, and turned to look intently at Bai Shu.
Bai Shu had been thinking about this matter for days. She and Bai Wei had already discussed it and decided that they would learn medicine from Madam in the future. Moreover, Madam had once said that she wanted to open an academy in Daliang that would specialize in teaching people medicine. At that time, they would go to the academy with Madam as teachers.
Bai Shu smiled and said, "Bai Wei and the others are definitely going to follow our lady. She said that she will open an academy to teach people how to do medicine in the future, and we will work as teachers there. She also said that when we get old, she will find us a courtyard and a few maids to take care of us so that we can live out our old age."
Upon hearing this, Bai Ying pouted and said, "Madam just favors you few."
Bai Shu sighed, thinking about the efforts they had made to learn medicine, and said, "Bai Ying, Bai Wei and I have also put in a lot of effort to learn medicine. Not to mention anything else, just when we were doing acupuncture, we would stick needles into each other's bodies. We memorized the properties of so many herbs one by one."
Bai Ying naturally knew how much her sisters who were studying medicine had sacrificed to master their skills. Holding Bai Shu's hand, she said, "I was thinking that it would be good for me to follow you while I'm still able to work, but I'll get old eventually. When I'm too old to move, won't I just be a burden to you? Bai Shu, why don't I find someone to marry and have a few children? As long as I can earn money, can my in-laws stop me from going out to earn money?"
Bai Shu smiled and said, "You finally understand. We're not young anymore. Why don't you find an opportunity to talk to the girl about your thoughts one day and ask her to help you find a suitable husband?"
Bai Ying waved her hand and said, "Miss, you have so many things to do every day, how can you have time for me? Let me first find out what the situation is like in the homes of the people in charge of the household. If there are any suitable ones, I will ask them if they want to marry me."
Hearing this, Bai Shu looked at her sister speechlessly, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing, and could only sigh softly.
Xu Di, Xu Zhi, and Zheng Boyuan went to the backyard where Wu Muyue lived. Xu Bai and Chen Yuyuan were busy finding the dried fruits and snacks they had hidden to prepare to welcome Xu Di, who had come from afar. When Xu Di arrived, he saw several kinds of candied plums on a small table on the couch where Wu Muyue usually rested, and a pot of tea next to it.
Wu Muyue smiled and invited Xu Di to sit on the couch. Xu Di did not refuse and sat opposite Wu Muyue. Xu Zhi and the others sat on several chairs in the room.
Several lamps were lit in the room, and under the dim light, Wu Muyue carefully observed Xu Di, whom he hadn't seen for several years. Perhaps because he had become an official and was issuing orders on a daily basis, Wu Muyue felt that Xu Di's temperament was much more robust than it had been a few years ago, and he also had a certain air of authority.
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