"Young Madam, you're too kind. It's all I should do. You eat first, I'll go out and get back to work."
"Wait a minute," Mu Run called out to Hong Mi.
"Um?"
Mu Run hesitated for a moment, then looked at the soup noodles in front of her and asked, "Will you... will you leave the Cao family today?"
"Leave the Cao family?" Hongmi didn't understand her words for a moment, but still replied, "My parents sent me to the Cao family to pay off the land rent, but my family had a good harvest last year and the land rent has been settled. I can go home anytime. Now, for every extra day I work, I get paid for that day. Today is the young master's wedding, and thanks to the young mistress, we servants can also get some extra bonuses."
“Oh, well… I have something I’d like to ask for your help with. Of course, the reward will be quite substantial.” As she spoke, Mu Run unfolded the piece of paper she had just seen and showed it to Hong Mi. It was a two-tael silver note.
Hongmi's eyes widened immediately, and she went back into the room with a beaming smile. "Young mistress, please give your orders."
"..." Mu Run recalled Xin Lian's memories for a moment before saying, "I have a box that is a memento left by my parents. I forgot to bring it in the rush today, but I'm afraid my uncle and the others will throw it away when they clean the room, so I'd like to ask you to bring it to me as soon as possible."
“Oh dear, the young mistress’s family home is half a day’s journey from Gu County. If she leaves now, it will be dark by the time she gets there, and she won’t be able to make it back in time.” Hongmi said, then her eyes suddenly lit up. “I have a cousin who lives in the same village as the young mistress. We can stay at her house for the night, and then head back tomorrow morning after we’ve taken our things. We should be back around noon.”
Mu Run smiled, "Sure, this silver note will be yours then."
Redmi stared longingly at the silver notes, "Does the young mistress keep her word?"
"Of course, that box is very important to me!"
"Alright, young mistress, wait for my good news."
As Mu Run listened to Hong Mi's footsteps fading into the distance, he said in a low voice, "There's no such thing as a free lunch. You gave me a bowl of noodles, and I'll take you to avoid trouble. We're even."
...
Hongmi found the housekeeper and said that her mother had fallen seriously ill and she had to go back to take care of her. She would be back first thing tomorrow morning.
The steward was new to the Cao family and didn't know much about Hongmi's situation. But it seemed to be true. Today was a joyous occasion for the Cao family, and each servant was supposed to receive a reward of three copper coins. Since the rewards hadn't been distributed yet, no one wanted to leave, so he nodded and agreed to let her go.
Hongmi went out the back door. Just as she stepped outside, she encountered a man wearing a red sash. After a moment's thought, she said, "Are you part of the wedding procession?"
Liu Lao Er put both hands into his sleeves and grinned honestly, "Yes, yes, is the young lady going out?"
"Hmm. By the way, they're entertaining the wedding procession up ahead with good food and wine. Why don't you go and have a bite? Otherwise, there will only be leftovers."
"I'll be right there, take care, young lady."
"Don't mention it."
After Hongmi walked away, Liu Lao Er pulled his hand out of his sleeve... and was horrified to find a dagger in his hand!
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