After the arranged marriage, she farms and survives under the tutelage of the villainous boss.

Zhang seemed determined to help to the end.

Jiang Zhiyun was both amused and exasperated: "Why is Mother bringing this up?"

"There's definitely nothing wrong between us in that area. Is something on your mind?"

"..." Zhang said bluntly, "You silly girl, you're standing right in front of Hua Manlou, and you're still asking me what I remembered."

"I know there are male concubines here too. Did Shuheng upset you, and are you planning to go out and have some fun with other women?"

"Don't worry, Mother understands." Zhang said, as if she had experienced it all before.

“Back then, when I argued with Shuheng’s father, I kept saying I wanted to come over for a drinking party. In fact, I never came, but he would always apologize.”

Hearing Zhang say these things, Jiang Zhiyun couldn't help but laugh along.

Indeed, Zhang's feelings were beautiful, and her husband always protected her from seeing the negative aspects.

If she knew that her whole family was exiled, her eldest son died, and that it was related to her elder sister, and that everyone was in trouble simply because of the royal family's reputation... I don't know what she would think.

Jiang Zhiyun didn't tell Zhang Shi either; since things had come to this point, she decided to keep it a secret.

They can live a free and easy life for the rest of their lives.

Now that things have come to this, saying anything would only add to the sorrow.

"Why are you spacing out?" Zhang asked. "Your mother is not worthy to come in. Although my husband is gone, I still wear the white hat and white flower."

Jiang Zhiyun knew it was in one of her mother's small pouches.

"Once our family arrives in Bianjing, we will be able to pay our respects to our father-in-law together."

"We'll go take a look together then."

"Ah."

After saying that, Jiang Zhiyun explained to Zhang Shi, "Now that Mother has finished explaining her thoughts, I will tell you as well."

"This brothel is full of girls, there have never been any men. Now they're just picking a few to go back to farming. Xie Shuheng sealed this place off before."

As she spoke, Jiang Zhiyun added, "There was also a woman named Yuexi inside earlier, who is the Gu Wanzhi you mentioned, Mother."

Yunniang recounted Gu Wanzhi's story and gave a general overview of the situation. Gu Wanzhi's childhood name was Xixi, or Xiao Xi.

Zhang nodded: "I know a bit about Xiaoxi. Although she is usually polite, she is still proud at heart. I reckon that even if she has fallen on hard times, she would not come to our house to do these things."

"Ah."

Jiang Zhiyun nodded.

Madam Zhang said, "Yunniang, I'll choose the person. You stay by my side, and I'll teach you a trick."

Jiang Zhiyun also leaned down to listen, and then the two went inside.

Zhang Shi was not as amiable as when she spoke to Yun Niang; instead, she became more serious.

They also put away their usual joking manner.

At least there was a princess to back her up before.

After they came in, it was the old nanny who came over again.

Seeing that it was Jiang Zhiyun, everyone became somewhat relaxed, and several others were already eager to try.

"Madam Jiang, we want to go with you."

"Look at me, Madam Jiang. I really don't want to stay here anymore."

Previously, few people wanted to stay, but now it seems many are eager to try.

Before Jiang Zhiyun could speak, Zhang stood up and said, "No rush."

"Tell me about your character, what you've done, and your age, one by one."

"Furthermore, when you come to our Xie family, you must follow the rules. At the very least, you must have the initiative to do things."

"If the indenture were in my hands, I would not be merciful to anyone."

“The ones Yunniang picked last time were all honest, but now…”

Zhang hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

The atmosphere doesn't seem as lively as before.

Zhang listened to each person's account, and each one was under great psychological pressure.

Then they selected four or five young women, all of whom were not particularly outstanding.

The process was handed over to the soldiers guarding the outside.

After they came out, Zhang took her hand and said, "You are usually very kind to the people around you, and they are all of good character. There is really no need to say more, because the ladies in the family deserve to be treated well."

"But Yunniang, not every young lady is kind."

Jiang Zhiyun nodded.

Indeed, because her previous life was difficult and she had no one around to help her, Jiang Zhiyun always felt that she should lend a hand whenever she could.

But actually, my mother was right.

The Flower Pavilion is full of all sorts of people. Jiang Zhiyun is friendly to everyone and is used to treating everyone equally. So, for those people, this gives them an opportunity to do evil.

Jiang Zhiyun only realized this herself.

She's definitely gotten used to it.

“Yunniang, we bought them with money. If they are slaves, they are slaves. They should be treated as such. This has been the rule for many years. I know what you think.”

"You and the Empress Dowager both hope to see all young women free from the constraints of these etiquette rules and have more choices."

"But what if they already have what they don't need?"

Jiang Zhiyun nodded: "I understand, Mother."

"Yunniang, remember all of this. Don't always think the best of people."

"Especially in Bianjing later, where there is even more deceit and treachery, your mother knows that you are a child with your own ideas."

"So, I'll teach you all of this slowly."

Yunniang's mind was full of new and impressive things. But Zhang also wanted to tell her the bad things as well.

In this way, we can better avoid the negative aspects in the future.

Jiang Zhiyun felt even more admiration for her mother.

Zhang was kind to everyone in normal times, but when facing these people, she was able to maintain a certain air of authority.

Now, that's the attitude she's teaching.

Jiang Zhiyun was ridiculed for being petty in her past life, largely because she was too considerate of others or too kind to them.

Now, with her caring family members talking to her, Jiang Zhiyun feels no fear.

It was as if someone was protecting and escorting them.

He naturally felt happy: "My mother is so good."

Jiang Zhiyun clung to Zhang's arm, speaking in a coquettish tone.

Zhang felt all the maternal love she had never experienced before.

The two had come out hand in hand and hadn't gone far.

A young woman in a white dress appeared before Zhang and Jiang Zhiyun.

This is Gu Wanzhi.

Jiang Zhiyun saw it at a glance.

When Gu Wanzhi saw Zhang Shi, she immediately knelt down.

Her eyes were filled with pity and unspeakable grievance: "Auntie!"

"I am Xiaoxi."

She said this with emotion.

Zhang composed herself. Although Yunniang had told her that she knew Gu Wanzhi was here, she was still surprised to see her like this.

"Xiao Xi?"

"What are you doing here? This is the Northwest."