How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

It was past lunchtime, and seeing that Yanru was still not awake, the little one didn't call her. Instead, she took her food from the kitchen and ate both portions by herself.

The noise didn't wake Yan Ru. When she did, it was already two in the afternoon. It wasn't Mid-Autumn Festival yet, and although the mornings and evenings were chilly, the lingering heat of late summer was still present.

The doors and windows were tightly closed, and it was stuffy and hot. Yan Ru slept in a sweat and felt a little uncomfortable with the sticky feeling all over her body.

I wanted to ask the little one to bring some water to wash up, but I didn't want to ask her. So I poured the drinking water from the table into a basin, wet a handkerchief, and wiped my body down. I finally felt a little refreshed.

She changed into a dress, then opened the window to let in some fresh air, and opened the veranda door to let the air circulate.

Yan Ru was somewhat anxious, worried about her father and sister, but she also knew that this matter couldn't be rushed. She had come to ask Master Song for protection, so why make things complicated?

Standing in the covered walkway and looking into the distance, the pavilions and towers blocked the view.

As far as the eye can see, there are two osmanthus trees nearby, growing very lush and verdant, dotted with tiny white blossoms.

At this time of year, the flowers are in bloom, their fragrance sweet and lingering, refreshing and delightful.

Yan Ru closed her eyes and gently inhaled the scent, as if the anxiety in her heart could be gradually soothed.

A gentle breeze caressed her face, and the leaves rustled softly. Yan Ru slowly opened her eyes. The two tall osmanthus trees must have been quite old. Their trunks were thicker than an adult man's thigh, and they were taller than a two-story building. Their canopies were so large that Yan Ru could reach them with her outstretched hand. The dense foliage blocked out most of the sunlight.

The shadowy figure was reflected on the whitewashed wall at the base of the wall. Yan Ru's gaze followed it and it seemed that a figure appeared on the opposite building.

Yan Ru opened her eyes wide, looking around with some curiosity. Her side should be considered the inner courtyard; across the wall was a row of two-story buildings, the purpose of which she didn't know.

That was the outer study of the Song family mansion, where the children studied and scholars from other places were entertained.

Master Song was a traditionalist who had participated in the imperial examinations and couldn't bear to part with the culture passed down from his ancestors. So, although his children all received a modern education, he still required them to learn poetry and prose.

They would test their children every now and then, hoping that an education that combined Chinese and Western approaches and blended ancient and modern methods would raise their children to be even more outstanding.

The eldest son, Yuanliang, was the best among them, and he would often go to the outer study to look through old articles.

The weather was muggy, so Song Yuanliang opened the window to let in some fresh air. Standing by the window, enjoying the warm breeze, he picked up a copy of "Zizhi Tongjian" and began reading. He savored the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms outside while munching on this "old-fashioned" book.

Yan Ru could see clearly now that there was a person dressed in a moon-white long robe standing alone on the other side of the tree.

Holding the book in his hands, he stared intently at what appeared to be a large study, with rows of bookshelves filled with books. The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the window, falling right at his feet, as if a god had descended.

The interplay of light and shadow blurred the person's face, making it indistinct and difficult to see clearly.

Yan Ru opened her eyes wide but still couldn't see clearly. Just as she was about to look again, she heard footsteps approaching. Presumably, the little thing had come upstairs, so Yan Ru had no choice but to turn around and go back to her room.

The little one pushed the door open and came in. Seeing the window was open, he looked disapproving. "Why do you just open someone else's window like that?"

He strode over and closed the window, not forgetting to scold her, "That's the man's study over there. What if someone sees you with the window open?"

Yan Ru explained, "I was just feeling a bit stuffy, so opening the window to let in some fresh air is good."

The little thing pouted, "You'd better think like this: don't even think about getting into the outer courtyard; their status is what it is."

Yan Ru blushed and said, "I have never had any romantic thoughts about men. Don't talk nonsense."

"If you say so, then so be it. I doubt you'd dare lie to me."

Yanru was absolutely annoyed. Why was this maid so meddlesome, and why did she always speak so rudely?

Suppressing his impatience, he asked again, "When can I see Master Song?"

The little thing rolled its eyes again, "How should I know? I still want to see Master."

Then, his eyes darted around, and he gave a mocking smile, "You might just see him tonight."

She spoke in a sarcastic and unserious tone, never uttering a single serious word. Being dependent on others, Yanru couldn't very well lash out at the maidservants of the Song family, so she forced a smile and stopped talking.

At this moment, inside the main room of the Song residence, two people were also discussing Yan Ru's future.

The second concubine smoothed her hair and carefully asked, "Master, what should we do with Miss Lü?"

Master Song seemed to be in a very good mood. "Hmm? Do you even need to ask me? Didn't I already arrange a boudoir for her? Don't you understand?"

The second concubine certainly understood, and it was precisely because she understood that she had to carefully ask Master Song for his opinion before making any arrangements.

After all, Lü Yanru was the daughter of Master Song's classmate and a college graduate, unlike the other concubines.

"Then... sir, what's the plan for Miss Lü?"

Master Song leaned back on the soft couch, the smoke from the incense burner rising and blurring his face, but his voice sounded pleasant.

“Although she is different from others, she is not that precious. After Lü Peijun died, her family fortune was also ruined. She is just an orphan with nothing. Giving her a place to live and three meals a day is enough.”

The second concubine had also heard about these things. "I heard she has an older sister. What if she doesn't want to be with her?"

Master Song laughed, "Sister? We'll bring her in too."

The second concubine lowered her head, looking troubled. "Should you go see her first, or should I go and talk to her first?"

Master Song waved his hand, "You don't need to go. I'll go to her little building tonight."

The second concubine was taken aback. "So fast? She just arrived. Could it be..."

"Enough with the nagging!" Master Song was already losing patience.

The second concubine quickly changed her mind, "Then I'll go down and make the arrangements."

Yingluo, who was standing next to the second concubine, looked on with concern, her brows furrowed.

The second concubine tugged at her sleeve, reminding her, "Don't act like that, he won't like it if he sees you."

Yingluo looked around, relaxed her brows, and whispered, "What is this Miss Lü? She has neither a matchmaker nor a betrothal. Even if the master wants her to be a concubine, he shouldn't be so hasty."

The second concubine sighed softly, "Why bring this up? You know how times are these days. In chaotic times, just surviving is a blessing. For people like you and me, having a stable place to live and enough to eat three meals a day is already a one in ten thousand chance. Miss Lü's family has fallen... an orphan girl like her has no better options."

Yingluo opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but seeing the second concubine's inscrutable expression, she kept quiet.

Sigh... Oh well, the second concubine was once a princess in the Prince's mansion, and now she's the second concubine in the Song family.

He suppressed his ulterior motives and focused on following the second concubine's arrangements for their "consummation of the marriage" that night.

Yan Ruku and the others sat in their room in a daze, unable to think of a way to save their father, and too afraid to cause trouble in the Song residence.

A man anxiously packed his things again and again, thinking about his father's instructions and eager to see Master Song so that he could ask him for a solution.

It wasn't until evening that the little creature, which had been missing for a long time, finally reappeared. Yan Ru felt a little relieved; being alone in this unfamiliar place had really frightened her.

"Sister, still no news? Master Song, he..."

"Hehe~ You still call me sister? Oh dear, please stop calling me that. I can't accept it. You're about to see the master."

The little thing laughed heartily when she heard Yanru call her "sister".

Hearing her slightly sarcastic words, Yan Ru felt extremely uncomfortable, but in this large Song mansion, there was only one maidservant guarding her, and she couldn't find anyone else to talk to.

They remained silent again, frozen in place.

The little thing rolled its eyes at her as usual, put down the tray in its hands, and said, "Here, your dinner."

He looked just like someone feeding pigs.

Yan Ru's face darkened. "Just put it down, I'll eat it myself in a bit."

The little thing snorted coldly, "Who wants to serve you? Eat less, or you'll have trouble getting things done."

Yan Ru could no longer tolerate it. "Why are you talking to me like that? I haven't offended you at all. Even a clay figure has some temper. Don't push your luck."

"Hmph, so what if I bully you? You'd better not live in the Song residence then." The little thing was not afraid at all.

This hit Yan Ru hard. Would she dare to do it?

When she escaped, her father told her that her Lü family had offended Commander Guo, and that once she left the Song residence, she would be dragged out and shot. He told her that she had to stay in the Song residence no matter what, and wait for the future.

Yan Ru was so angry that her chest heaved and her eyes turned red, but she couldn't say a word. She just turned her face away and refused to look at her anymore.

The little thing didn't take it seriously and kept urging her, "Hey, hurry up and eat, you have things to do after you finish eating."

Yan Ru said in a muffled voice, "I don't want to eat it, take it away."

"Oh," she said, and actually picked up the tray and left.

Yan Ru gritted her teeth, unable to do anything about it.

A little while later, the little girl came upstairs again. This time, she wasn't alone; two strong old women were also carrying a bucket of hot water.

Yan Ru was puzzled. "I didn't ask to take a bath."

"This is the rule."

Yan Ruqi asked, "What rules?"

"The rules of the Song family."

It was the same old story; they spoke in riddles and cryptic language. Although Yanru couldn't figure out what they were up to, she had a vague feeling that something was amiss.

She stopped asking the little one and instead stopped the old woman, asking, "Grandma, what are the rules of the Song family?"

The old woman who was stopped glanced at the little thing and didn't dare to say anything more. "I don't know, I'm just following the rules."

He pushed Yanru's hand away and hurriedly went downstairs.

Yan Ru turned to look at the little thing and saw her smug look. She knew it was the little thing who was behind it, so she didn't ask any questions and just waited to see what kind of trouble they could cause.

The two old women went back and forth several times to fill the bath tub, then brought out perfume, bath towels, and other items, before silently retreating without saying a word.

The little thing hadn't left yet. Seeing that Yanru was still stunned, it went straight up and pulled at her clothes.

"What are you doing?" Yan Ruqi wouldn't let her get away with it. "Get out, we don't need you here."

"Hmph, I'm just trying to make you suffer less. When Granny Dun comes, it won't be the same strength you have."

The little thing didn't back down at all and forcefully tore at Yanru's clothes.

Poor thin dress, how could it withstand a few tears?

Originally, Yanru was a female student who couldn't do heavy work at home. Her father and sister protected her, so how could she possibly fight against a maid who had been doing chores all year round?

In no time, the dress was in a terrible state; the front was torn open and the hem was ripped into strips.

Yanru could no longer hold back and collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

The uncertainty surrounding her father's fate and the disappearance of her sister had already exceeded the limits of what she could bear.

She finally arrived at the Song family mansion, which was said to be able to protect her, but was repeatedly humiliated. Finally, a string snapped, and she vented all the fear and dread in her heart.

Once she started crying, she couldn't stop. The little thing didn't care and just watched coldly. If she hadn't already heard that Master Song was coming, she probably would have started eating melon seeds.