High-class maid

"Good child, go back to your room and rest. I'll go see your grandmother," the First Madam said, patting her hand.

"I'll go with Mother," Hou Xinyu said, and stepped forward to help the First Madam away.

"Go back and rest. There's no rule in our household for pregnant women to serve others." The First Madam gave the nanny behind her a look, and the nanny understood and helped Hou Xinyu away.

Inside the old lady's room.

"How is Mother today?" the First Madam asked a nanny in a low voice. If you looked closely, you could tell that this person was Zhou, the nanny from the small kitchen.

Granny Zhou wiped her eyes with her sleeve, then glanced into the inner room and said worriedly.

"Reporting to the First Madam, the Old Madam is not well today. She was able to wake up for a while yesterday, but today she is so drowsy that she hasn't woken up even once."

"Has she been given the medicine?" The First Madam sat down with the help of her maid, her furrowed brows showing her deep concern for the Old Madam.

"I've fed him. The young master came and left again. From what I heard, he wanted to go to the palace to fetch the imperial physician," said Granny Zhou.

"Let him be. The child is kind-hearted, but two imperial physicians have already come to treat him. I'm afraid it will be of no use if we invite more."

"The old lady is a lucky person, she will surely be out of danger," Granny Zhou comforted her.

"I'm going to Lingshan Temple to draw a fortune stick for my mother to pray for peace. If anything happens, send someone to report to me immediately," the First Madam said.

She couldn't sleep at home, so she might as well go to Lingshan Temple to donate some money for incense and pray for peace of mind.

"Yes."

"Let's go, that's where Brother Wu sets up his stall up ahead." Shen Xing'er pointed ahead, where there was a row of stalls, and Shan Tao spotted Wu Xunzhi at a glance.

When she got close, Shan Tao lost her courage. She stood awkwardly behind Shen Xing'er, motionless. Anyone who didn't know better would think she owed Wu Xunzhi a lot of money.

Shen Xing'er sighed helplessly. She pulled Shan Tao along and quickly walked to Wu Xunzhi, then continued...

"Brother Wu, how is your injury? We were worried about you, and since the shop isn't busy today, we decided to come and see you."

"You two are too kind. I can take care of myself now, so why would I trouble you to make a special trip?"

Wu Xunzhi was both surprised and delighted. During this time, he had witnessed the coldness of human relationships. All his former friends avoided him, fearing that he would be a burden to them. Only these two girls cared about him. It was true that true friendship is revealed in times of trouble.

"Although you can get out of bed and walk now, it's still best not to sit for too long. You're still young, don't take your health for granted," Shan Tao said, like a mother hen.

"If you two ladies don't mind, please come home with me," Wu Xunzhi said as he packed up his stall.

The two followed Wu Xunzhi back to his home, and Shan Tao placed the eggs she had bought on the table.

“These are eggs I bought especially for you. You need to take care of your health right now, and one boiled egg a day is just right.”

“This has troubled Miss Shantao again. You’ve come at the perfect time; I was just about to look for you after I finished my work these past few days,” Wu Xunzhi said.

"W-what is it?" Shan Tao's face turned red without her noticing. Could it be that Brother Wu misses me?

“This is the money I’ve saved this month. I know you paid for my medical expenses, as well as the rent for this courtyard and the money my mother has at the mortuary. I’ve written it all down in my notebook. I’ve only saved two taels of silver so far. Please accept this, Miss Shantao.”

Wu Xunzhi, fearing that Shan Tao wouldn't accept it, explained everything in one breath.

"No need, no need. You can give me the money after you recover. I don't need any money right now," Shan Tao waved her hand and declined.

After listening to their conversation, Shen Xing'er curled her lips in disdain. She wondered who it was that had emptied their family's savings to buy this courtyard and even owed her tens of taels of silver, yet now they were pretending to have plenty of money. Indeed, love can make people stupid.

"Could it be that you think I'm not giving you enough? I can only make a living by writing letters now. Once I recover from my injuries, I can take on two jobs, and then I'll have more money."

Wu Xunzhi thought that Shan Tao was dissatisfied with the amount of silver he had returned, so he hurriedly explained.

"No, no, that's not what I meant. I just thought that since you've just recovered, you should eat some good nourishing food. You're still young, it doesn't matter when you repay me," Shan Tao explained.

Seeing that the two were only focused on talking and didn't even notice her, Shen Xing'er shook her head and turned to go sunbathe in the courtyard.

The two people inside were still talking, and neither of them noticed that Shen Xing'er was missing.

“No, it’s not right for a young lady like you to suddenly take out so much money. If your parents find out, there will inevitably be arguments. You should keep the money. It’s not worth it to argue with your family for my sake.” Wu Xunzhi insisted on giving it to her.

"Alright then." Seeing that he insisted on giving it to her, Shantao stopped refusing and took it.

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Shantao. If it weren't for your help, I really don't know if I would have been able to get through those most difficult days," Wu Xunzhi said.

"I was just helping out when I saw injustice, nothing to brag about, nothing to brag about. I was just worried about you." Shan Tao spoke her mind.

“Young lady, I have no family background, no relatives, and now I am covered in injuries. I am not worth your sacrifice.” After a brief moment of shock, Wu Xunzhi calmly analyzed the situation.

Shan Tao froze on the spot. She had just confessed her feelings. Was this a cruel rejection?

Shen Xing'er, who was eavesdropping outside the door, was also petrified on the spot. Weren't these two a little too wild? One woman was too proactive, and the other man immediately rejected her. Weren't they afraid of going through a nightmare of chasing after their wives?

"Okay, I understand." Shan Tao's face was as red as if she had applied a thick layer of rouge. She wisely didn't say anything more, but she looked a little pitiful.

“I can’t give you a better life, and I might even be a burden to you. If your parents knew, they would probably be disappointed in you. I’m sorry,” Wu Xunzhi said.

As clever as he was, how could he not know why Shan Tao was so good to him? Looking at the girl in front of him, he admitted that he was also moved, but he knew his own limitations. Even if he wanted to be with her, he had to suppress that thought.

She can be immature, but I can't.

"Brother Wu, you're overthinking it. I'm just a bit too enthusiastic; I don't have any ulterior motives. You should get some rest; I'm off now."

Shan Tao suppressed her tears and waved to Wu Xunzhi as if nothing had happened.

As Wu Xunzhi watched her turn away gracefully, he felt a strange emptiness in his heart. From this day forward, the two of them would truly have no further contact.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, thinking that someone as unlucky as him was only fit to die alone.

"What's wrong? Did he bully you?"

Shen Xing'er saw Shan Tao run out of the house with red eyes and asked her with concern.