Zhi Mo stood on the path leading back to the rear building, the sky pitch black.
Wang Yan bumped into someone unexpectedly and almost dropped what she was holding. It was only thanks to Zhi Mo's help that she was able to put it back.
She gasped, then knelt down to greet him. "Sister, is there something you need?"
Zhi Mo pursed her lips uncomfortably and awkwardly began to speak.
"I heard Chunyan, your mother works at the side gate? Could you bring me two belts? I need them, men's belts."
She added, "I'm buying this for my dad; a larger size is fine."
Wang Yan became suspicious. Why not just go and buy what you want? At most, you'd give the gatekeeper a few coins.
If I really don't want to pay this money, I can just say I'm from the madam's courtyard, and if I run into Aunt Wang, she'll naturally let me off the hook.
But this is your boss asking you to do something. If you don't agree, you might get into trouble.
She stepped back and bowed. "Please forgive me, sister. Aunt Sun has been busy lately and requires the courtyard to be kept tidy."
There are so many fallen leaves, I'm constantly busy sweeping the yard several times a day. I simply don't have the time.
Zhi Mo was already feeling guilty and had only come to confront people on a whim. Now that she had said those words and the cold wind had blown, she had come to her senses.
Calmly, he replied, "Alright, alright, in that case, I'll have Chunju make the trip."
After saying that, she quickly went back. Wang Yan watched her retreating figure, shook her head, and also went back to her room to rest.
Two days later, the Crown Prince ordered some snacks again. Zhi Mo stopped Zhi Liu, who was going to deliver them, and went to tidy up herself.
Upon arriving at the Crown Prince's courtyard, Changqing indeed came to take over. "Give it to me, I'll deliver it directly to the Crown Prince's study."
"Hey, Changqing, wait a minute, these are boots and socks that Zhiruo asked me to bring to you." Zhimo smiled mischievously and showed them to him.
There were two pairs of socks under the plate.
Changqing blushed and hesitated as he tried to take it, but his hands were full.
"Should I wait outside for a while?"
"Go sit in the tea room. The young master will definitely reward you. Take the reward before you leave."
"Alright, thanks, Brother Changqing."
While waiting, she chatted with the young maid in the tea room.
"Of course, the young master puts in the most effort when it comes to his studies."
"Yes, he's usually in the courtyard, but sometimes he goes to Tinglan Pavilion. It's quiet there, and the young master can stay there for a whole day."
"When we'll go is uncertain. But if we need any snacks, we'll definitely let you know."
Having obtained the information he wanted, Changqing arrived with his reward.
Two strings of cash, and two silver peanuts.
"The young master said to give these two strings of cash to Granny Sun. You can keep the silver peanut for yourself."
Zhi Mo curtsied, "Thank you, Your Highness. I heard from Madam that Your Highness studies at Tinglan Pavilion in your spare time."
When will the young master be going? Should we prepare some refreshments to send over?
Changqing frowned slightly and gently scolded, "Why are you asking so many questions? Go back now."
Zhi Mo feigned regret for her slip of the tongue and went back with a grin.
She went back and found Fuling again. "Keep the reward the young master gave to Madam. The young master is so generous with his rewards. You've sent them several times before. What did you receive when you sent them to Tinglan Courtyard?"
Fu Ling accepted the copper coins, but kept her head down and worked silently.
"What an idiot!" she exclaimed angrily, stomping her foot and leaving. She couldn't really make things difficult for her, otherwise Aunt Sun would be furious. So she could only sulk and go home.
Unable to find out the pattern, she resorted to a clumsy method: whenever she heard the prince ordering snacks in his courtyard, she would intercept him.
In just over ten days, they had already figured out the pattern. The young master was going to Tinglan Courtyard about once every other day.
Coincidentally, I ordered spicy rice crackers again today. The young master really loves them; in this cold weather, he always feels drowsy. Eating a few spicy ones immediately wakes him up.
Hearing that they were ordering snacks again, Zhi Mo quickly got to work, first pouring lamp oil onto the floor tiles.
He then coaxed Zhiruo into going to the tea room to fetch some tea and bean cakes, and Zhiruo, in her good-natured manner, agreed.
As soon as he picked up the empty teapot and started to walk out, he slipped and fell.
She grabbed the table as she leaned back, but still fell to the ground, twisting her ankle. Zhi Mo quickly got out of bed to check on her.
It quickly swelled up quite a bit. I helped her to bed and first took out some medicated oil from my makeup box and rubbed it in.
He then went and fetched some bean cakes and poured himself a pot of tea.
Then he excused himself to go to the outhouse and left. Perfect timing, Zhixu from the backyard is going to deliver it today.
She took the job from them again, but Zhiliu and Zhixu were already used to it.
The young master gave her many gifts, assuming it was because she was about to be released from the manor and wanted to save more money for herself. So he let her be.
Zhi Mo accepted the task, clutching the pills tightly in her hand; success or failure depended on today.
Upon arriving at Tinglan Courtyard, I hurried inside, but there was no gatekeeper.
"Brother Changqing, Zhiruo has sprained her ankle. We don't have any good medicine where we live. Does Your Highness have any jade ointment?"
Upon hearing this, Changqing hurried inside to report, forgetting even to take the spicy snack.
"Go and get it from Xiu Ru."
The prince agreed to lend it, and Changqing came out and was about to speak when he said, "Brother Changqing, go and get it quickly. I'll take care of the prince here for now. I'll be back in a quarter of an hour."
I ran all this way, my legs are weak, and I can't walk anymore.
Changqing hesitated for a moment, then ran back to the courtyard by himself.
Zhi Mo tidied up the food, took the spicy strips inside and put them away, then poured a cup of tea for the young master.
He accepted it and drank it; one can't eat this snack without tea.
But after a short while, he felt dizzy and lightheaded. Zhi Mo was delighted to see this and led him to the platform at the back.
After Changqing took the jade ointment, Xiu Ru scolded him, "How can the young master be without someone? I'll deliver it for you, you go back now."
Just as Zhimo climbed onto the platform, she was caught red-handed by Changqing, who had rushed back.
……………………
In the main courtyard, Madam Gao coldly looked at Zhi Mo, who was kneeling on the ground trembling.
He glanced at Changqing, who was also kneeling beside him, and asked, "How is the young master's health now?"
Xiu Ru didn't come over, but Qing Qian replied, "The doctor came and gave her a bowl of medicine. She's currently unconscious."
"Give him three strokes of the cane, and then find a pretext to send him out in a couple of days."
Zhi Mo kowtowed repeatedly, "Madam, please forgive me, Madam, I dare not do it again. My parents want to marry me off to a drunkard, I have no choice."
Granny Hua was furious. She had raised the young master herself, and now this little brat had forced him to take medicine.
Before she could be punished, he grabbed her hair and slapped her twice, one on each side. "You have grievances but can't you speak up? Are Qingqian and her four maids dead? Deaf?"
Since she's still a maid in the mistress's quarters, what's wrong with assigning her another one?
"Your poor marriages are a disgrace to your wives. Don't tell me you don't know that."
After the beating and scolding, Zhixuan quickly stepped forward to help her up, her hands numb from the shock.
Zhi Mo lay on the ground, sobbing. She knew, but her parents wouldn't let her tell, so she had no choice but to take this path.
If you marry into a higher social class, your parents won't complain and will be more welcoming.
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