Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

It was nearly midnight when Zhang Youtie and Uncle Ma arrived home. Seeing that everyone had returned safely, Liu Shi felt a little relieved. However, thinking of Nineteen, who was still missing, Liu Shi's heart clenched again, regretting that she hadn't thought things through. She shouldn't have let her go so hastily.

"Don't worry too much. Since Lord Shen sent Nineteen over, she must be more capable than we are. I think that regardless of whether we can find out anything, at least her safe return is not a problem. The reason she hasn't returned in the last two days is probably because she found out something, which delayed her. Let's wait patiently for a couple more days and see."

"..." Madam Liu naturally knew that Zhang Youtie was trying to comfort her, but at this moment it seemed that there was no better way than to wait.

Fortunately, this time they didn't have to wait any longer. The next morning, when Xia Yu got up to practice, she saw an envelope fall through the crack in the door as soon as she opened it.

After Xia Yu opened it and read it, she immediately went to knock on her parents' door.

"Mother, there's news about the Nineteenth."

Liu, who was already half asleep, woke up immediately upon hearing Xia Yu's words. She put on her coat, slipped on her shoes, and ran over to open the door.

Excitedly, Liu took the paper from her daughter's hand and examined it carefully for a few moments. Then she looked at her daughter and asked, "Xiaxia, what does this say?"

Xia Yu knew that her mother hadn't been able to eat or sleep well for two days because of the matter of the 19th, so she quickly told her the contents of the letter.

"This was written by Butler Ding. He said that Nineteen is safe and will be back in a couple of days, so we can rest assured."

"It's good that you're safe, it's good that you're safe." Liu murmured, finally relieved. Suddenly remembering something, she asked Xia Yu, "Did you talk about anything else? Did you mention your aunt?"

"No," Xia Yu shook her head.

“Mother, when Nineteen comes back, he will tell us in detail what he found out these past two days. Besides, Aunt's matter happened several years ago, and even if we wanted to find her, it wouldn't be a matter of a short time. You can't keep this on your mind every day! Now that it's confirmed that Nineteen is safe, you shouldn't think about anything else for the time being.”

"Sigh... I was too hasty. Are you up so early to practice your skills?"

"Yes, Nineteen said that you have to be consistent when it comes to practicing martial arts, and you can't just practice sporadically. I haven't practiced for several days now, so I'm going to start practicing again today."

"Okay, you can practice. Remember to change your clothes as soon as they get sweaty."

"Okay, Mom. You can go back to sleep for a while."

Lying back in bed, Liu thought about the contents of the letter and her daughter's words. She realized she had been too hasty these past few days. Her sister's matter was like a wound in her heart, which had healed on the surface. But seeing Wang at her parents' home that day reopened that wound, revealing the pus beneath.

"Go to sleep. You should be relieved that everything is alright on the 19th. Sleep a little longer." Zhang Youtie suddenly spoke from behind, patting Liu Shi's body a few times as if coaxing a child.

"I woke you up!"

"Actually, I didn't sleep much either. How could I sleep when you were tossing and turning all night? Fortunately, there's news from the 19th, so you can rest assured. It's still early, so sleep with me a little longer." Zhang Youtie's words were laced with teasing, making Liu's face flush slightly.

"..." As the voices gradually softened, the room was soon filled with even breathing and Zhang Youtie's snoring.

Everything has returned to normal at the Zhang family's place, and everyone is now focused on waiting for Nineteen's return. Meanwhile, back at the Red Pavilion...

Xiao Hong and Xiao Lü escorted Jiu'er to the painting studio. Since it was the first day of class, Jiu'er arrived earlier than the other sisters, a special arrangement by Madam Mei. When she arrived, Madam Mei was already having tea with the painting teacher.

"Godmother" Jiu'er obediently bowed to Madam Mei.

"Hmm, this outfit is very nice today. The Treasure Pavilion staff will bring some accessories for you to choose from at noon. I'll have Xiao Hong and Xiao Lü help you pick out a few more pieces." Madam Mei looked Jiu'er up and down and was very satisfied. The first time she saw this girl, she felt that she had a good foundation. If she was carefully raised for a few years, she would definitely be a beauty, if not a stunning beauty. Most importantly, this girl was obedient.

"Master Zhao, this is Jiu'er, a new girl from our Red Pavilion. She's already eleven years old. I hope you'll take good care of her," Madam Mei said politely to the female tutor sitting opposite her.

"Madam, you're too kind. It's nothing more than what I should do. Don't worry, I will definitely keep it in mind," Master Zhao said humbly, gently placing his teacup on the table.

With everything arranged, Madam Mei instructed Xiao Hong and Xiao Lü to take good care of her young mistress before leaving with her maids and servants. If one didn't know her identity, judging solely by her attire and bearing, she was clearly a noblewoman in charge of the household.

After Madam Mei left, Master Zhao first asked Jiu'er some questions about painting. After confirming that the girl knew nothing about it, she was not surprised. Naturally, there wouldn't be any rich girls who could come to this Red Pavilion.

After all the young ladies arrived at the Danqing Pavilion, Jiu'er sat down properly in the place assigned by the teacher. Everything seemed so normal and harmonious. However, during the break, Jiu'er would always intentionally or unintentionally move closer to the girl named Liu'er.

"Thirteenth Sister, I think you'd better stop trying to get close to your Sister Liu'er. She doesn't even look at you." A very charming woman couldn't help but laugh when she saw Jiu'er trying to get close to Liu'er.

Jiu'er looked at the woman who spoke with some confusion. She recognized her; her name was Jiao Jiao. She was the fourth among the Red Pavilion sisters, so it seemed she had been in the Red Pavilion for quite some time.

Seeing Jiu'er's adorable appearance, Jiaojiao couldn't help but pat her cheek. "No wonder your godmother likes you so much. You're so cute that it's hard not to feel sorry for you. Come sit next to your fourth sister. Your sister Liu'er doesn't care to be close to us sisters." As she spoke, she pulled Jiu'er to her side.

"Thirteenth Sister, how did you get to the Red Pavilion?"

Jiu'er blinked her big eyes, as if she had thought for a while before she understood what she meant, and slowly said, "I came out to beg for food and was rescued by Aunt Wang. She saw that I had no parents, so she found my godmother and told me that my godmother had no daughter and wanted to adopt me as her daughter. So I came with my godmother."

"Sigh, what a silly girl, still calling her Aunt Wang. She's sold you out," Jiao Jiao sighed.

"What does Aunt Wang look like?" Liu'er, who had been indifferent to everything, suddenly became excited when she heard Jiu'er's words.

"She's very beautiful and kind-looking!" Jiu'er seemed puzzled as to why Liu'er asked that.

"Which village is she from?" Liu'er asked again.

"I don't know. I begged my way there, and I don't even know which village it was."

"Who else is in their family?" Liu'er asked again.

"There's only one son and one daughter-in-law, the three of them, no one else. Sister Liu, why are you asking these questions?"

"What for? Because she was also sold into this place by someone surnamed Wang!" Jiao Jiao said.

"Huh? My sister was also sold here by Aunt Wang?" Jiu'er asked in surprise.

"She was sold into this family by her stepmother." It was Jiao Jiao who said this. No one knew if she had a grudge against Liu'er or what, but Jiu'er always felt that her tone of voice was strange.