The cousin's family is extremely wealthy; she deserves to be a concubine.

The reason why the painting was useful was because she was simple-minded, loyal to the lady, and wouldn't gossip about what happened in the lady's bedroom.

The reason she was favored by her master for asking about the zither was because she understood the lady's heart best.

She may seem to have absolute authority in the household, but as the mistress of the house, she, as her personal maid, sees the hardships she endures most clearly.

First, she was worried about the young master's future; second, she was worried about the household's finances.

Originally, it was thought that this cousin from a merchant family would bring a pleasant surprise to the Marquis's mansion, but it turned out that she was just there to freeload.

"Fine, I'm an elder, how could I possibly argue with a junior like her?" Madam Shen, having nowhere to vent her anger, simply said.

“My cousin is going to observe mourning for her father and leave her hometown, which is already unfilial. Therefore, there must be no mistakes in her clothing, food, housing and transportation. Especially the food, you should tell the head kitchen staff in charge of my cousin’s meals to make sure she doesn’t make any mistakes.”

"Yes, this servant will go right away."

When Hua Sirong and the others had their meal again, they discovered that there was more to it than met the eye.

The same vegetarian dish, which was quite flavorful last night, has turned into bland soup in less than a day. The vegetables were simply boiled in water, with not a trace of vegetable oil, let alone any taste.

Hua Sirong noticed Wang Mama's hesitant expression, but remained silent and started eating.

Chunyan didn't know what had happened, she only knew that her young lady was in a bad mood. Just as she was about to complain loudly about the food that even pigs wouldn't eat, a look from Wang Mama scared her so much that she quickly started eating.

"I'm done. I'm going to the study to copy scriptures. Please enjoy your meal." Hua Sirong put down her chopsticks and left without a trace of sadness or joy.

Wang's mother pulled back Chunyan's chattering mouth, glared at her, and left the two of them staring at each other in bewilderment.

After a hasty meal, he only dared to steal glances at his young lady under the pretext of rummaging through the storeroom, but he would never dare to speak to her.

Seeing that the girl was focused solely on copying scriptures, Madam Wang brought her needlework to the corridor to watch over her, with Chunyan assisting her.

After a while, an old woman came to Qingwu Courtyard and called two of the rough maids from their courtyard to go out. They waited for a long time, but no one came back.

Mama Wang took a handful of copper coins and gestured for Chunyan to take a look. After a short while, Chunyan returned and reported that she had seen the three old women go somewhere else and that they probably wouldn't be able to help with the work in the yard anymore.

Wang's mother glanced into the study and, seeing no movement, quietly recounted to Chunyan what had happened that morning.

Chunyan may not be very clever, but she is loyal. They are the only two people the girl can rely on, so she always needs to know what's going on outside.

"No wonder the young lady looked unhappy when she came back today. And our food too. This Lady Hou is supposed to be our young lady's own aunt, yet she treats her like this. She's just as bad as a stepmother."

Chunyan felt indignant on behalf of her daughter, and at the same time worried about the future of the three of them.

How can she live such a bland and tasteless life? She didn't even eat her fill at noon today, but she didn't dare to say a single extra word.

"Don't talk nonsense. How could a little girl like you make up stories about Lady Hou?" Wang Mama was annoyed with this stubborn girl who never learns her lesson.

She then took out a handkerchief from her bosom, unfolded it little by little, revealing several pastries, all of which were a bit crushed. She handed them to Chunyan, who was watching with shining eyes.

"Here, Mom knows you haven't eaten enough."

Chunyan happily took it and gulped it all down in a few mouthfuls, not even leaving a crumb. Then she ran to the side room, grabbed the teapot, and drank her fill of water before patting her somewhat full belly and returning to Wang Mama.

"Mom, when will the Lady Hou calm down?" When will she be able to have enough to eat?

"How could Mother know? But there's always a way out. The Lady of the Marquis can't just let us starve to death in this manor." Although they had money, there were things money couldn't accomplish in the face of power.

“Mom.” Hua Sirong’s voice came from the study.

"Oh." Wang's mother's heart jumped. She left Chunyan outside to guard the door, put on a smiling face, lifted the curtain of the study and went in. She also picked up the tea from the side and held it in her hand, having made preparations in advance.

"Young lady, you must be thirsty from copying the scriptures. Have some water and rest for a while." Looking at the young lady's face, Wang Mama couldn't discern any joy or sorrow.

"I'm sorry to have worried you, Mama. I'm fine," Hua Sirong said, sipping her tea.

"Are you really alright?" Wang's mother treated Hua Sirong like her own child, and she was more worried than anyone else.

"Well, it's just a small matter, don't worry about it." Hua Sirong smiled and reassured Wang's mother, "Don't worry, Mom, this is only temporary." She was referring to the minor punishment of lunch as a warning.

"This old servant trusts the young lady." Although the young lady was raised with a delicate touch, she herself had watched the young lady grow up and knew best what kind of person she was.

In particular, the reason they are where they are today is because the girls themselves came up with the ideas and plans that brought them such a peaceful and happy life.

"Doesn't Mom think my actions were inappropriate?"

“You have your reasons for doing things. If you could find a way to make a living back in your hometown of Xishan, you wouldn’t have brought Chunyan and me to this unfamiliar capital city to make a living.”

"Mom, it's so good to have you by my side." Hua Sirong couldn't help but throw herself into Wang's arms, tears streaming down her face, but she managed to keep herself from making a sound.

You know, in the past, even just walking around, if her delicate feet got scratched by a pebble through her embroidered shoes, she would tear up and shed tears; she was very delicate.

But Wang's mother could understand even the slightest gesture from the girl she raised. She only regretted that she didn't have three heads and six arms to help the girl. All she could do was put her arm around the girl's shoulder and let her have a good time.

In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Hua Sirong composed herself, her eyes, though wet with tears, shining even brighter.

"Mom, although we acted a bit impulsively this time, we have finally resolved the matter back home. I believe they will not bother me again unless absolutely necessary."

Wang's mother naturally nodded, which was the only good thing. It was just a pity that the girl would probably never receive any more help from her father's family.

And now, in the afterlife, only their daughter, who had married out of the family, still remembered the master and mistress.

Mrs. Wang couldn't help but sigh.

"Is Mother worried about the continuation of my parents' lineage?" Hua Sirong saw through Wang Mama's little thoughts at a glance, causing Wang Mama to flinch, afraid of making her young lady worry too much. But since the young lady had brought it up, she couldn't keep quiet.

He could only reply cautiously, "This old servant is just worried that the clan will no longer take care of the master and mistress's graves in the future. We are far away in the capital, and it is difficult to take care of them all year round."

“What Mother really wants to say is that the clan has wronged me, and they probably won’t adopt another son for my parents anymore,” Hua Sirong said gently, making Wang’s mother blush and turn pale in turns.