Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

When Yun Chu woke up, it was already evening of the next day, and Mo Han was keeping watch by her bedside.

"Water," Yun Chu said, only to find her voice hoarse.

Mo Han quickly poured a glass of water and handed it over, "Miss, you've finally woken up after being unconscious for a day and a night."

"How are the children? And what about Zisu?" Yun Chu asked hurriedly.

"They're all fine; they're in the next yard. The master sent people to protect them."

"You saved me?"

"It was you, sir. You were rescued from the fire."

Yun Chu rested with her eyes closed, leaning against the headboard. "I owe you again, Gu Ruoxiao," she thought.

"What about him?"

"Master stayed with you all night and only left after the doctor said you were alright. This morning he took Wang Xiang and those bastards to the county government. Oh, and the Murong couple went with them too. This time the evidence is conclusive, Wang Xiang definitely can't escape," Mo Han explained.

Yun Chu remained silent, swallowing hard; her throat was indeed feeling uncomfortable.

Seeing that his young mistress remained silent, Mo Han, who was usually quiet, spoke up for the first time, "Master was furious yesterday, and even Madam Murong was frightened. She came to see you last night, but Master didn't dare to enter the door when she was there."

Seeing that Yun Chu still didn't speak, Mo Han said, "Miss, are you hungry? I'll go to the kitchen to get some food. Don't worry, Chi Wu is guarding outside."

Yun Chu sighed. Gu Ruoxiao went to the county government office, leaving Chiwu behind to protect him. Was he feeling a sense of loss? What exactly was he planning to do?

After finishing her porridge, seeing that it was still light, Yun Chu wanted to go check on the children's living quarters. Mo Han helped her to the neighboring courtyard.

"That's wonderful, Madam, you're awake!" Zisu cried with excitement.

Yun Chu looked at the children, who were all timidly hiding behind Zisu, but the number of them seemed a bit off.

Perhaps knowing what Yun Chu wanted to ask, Zi Su let the children go inside to play. She said, "Bai Zhi, you're the oldest here, so take good care of your younger brothers and sisters. Go ahead."

The girl named Bai Zhi must be the one who said Xiao Jiu hadn't come out that day outside the window. She nodded and beckoned the child into the house.

Yun Chu and Mo Han stood under the tree in the courtyard, waiting.

Zisu arrived and, without asking, began, "Today, Young Master Xiao has already sent people to check the missing persons records of the surrounding prefectural governments. Several families have already taken their children back. The remaining seven are still missing; they were probably abducted from elsewhere. The oldest is twelve, and the youngest is only eight. What unfortunate children, how could they have encountered such a thing!"

Yun Chu frowned and asked, "They've been taken back?"

But now that this has happened, will those families treat these children well? Her unhappy childhood has left her with little hope for her family of origin.

"Don't worry, Miss. Master has sent people to keep a close watch on the child. If the child is beaten or scolded, they will be taken back." Seeing Yun Chu's worry, Mo Han explained in a low voice.

Yun Chu nodded and asked, "Now that things are almost over, what are your plans? If you want to leave the manor, I can talk to Young Master Murong."

“The young mistress has already returned my indenture to me. I haven’t decided where to go yet, but I want to stay with these children and take care of them,” Zisu said, looking at the children playing inside the room.

“We can take them to the two rivers, and we will certainly not skimp on their food and lodging. This is a responsibility that the Murong family should bear,” Murong Yu’s voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

A group of people stepped in, and Shen Yuezhen rushed to Yun Chu to ask how she was doing. She said, "I just went to your courtyard and heard that you had woken up, so I came here right away."

"I'm fine now, don't worry." Yun Chu patted Shen Yuezhen's hand.

Yun Chu looked at Gu Ruoxiao, who nodded, indicating that things had gone relatively smoothly. Gu Ruoxiao then silently stood behind Yun Chu.

Perhaps hearing the commotion outside, all seven children crowded together at the doorway.

"The Murong family will definitely take full responsibility for this matter," Murong Yu promised. "Children, don't be afraid, we will take you to the Two Rivers. No one will bully you anymore."

The children looked at each other, and suddenly all stood behind Yun Chu. Yun Chu looked at their actions with confusion.

Surprised, Zisu quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

No one answered.

Zisu had to call out, "Angelica dahurica!"

Bai Zhi said in a low voice, "We don't want to go."

"Do you intend to stay here?" Zisu asked angrily.

“We want to follow her!” A clear voice rang out; it was the girl named Xiao Jiu, who pointed at Yun Chu.

"Me?" Yun Chu asked in confusion.

“She saved us, we trust her.” This time it was Bai Zhi who spoke.

Yun Chu understood. These children were terrified, haunted by the Murong family, and this wasn't something that could be changed overnight. Because she had risked her life to save them, they had become attached to her, seeking out a precious warmth. This trust was something she couldn't refuse.

Yun Chu sighed, bent down and said gently, "But my family doesn't support idlers. I opened a shop in the capital. If you want to work with me, you have to learn how to help with the work."

"We can do it!" Bai Zhi patted her chest and assured them.

Yun Chu patted her head. "Okay." They need to all have a skill so that their lives will be better in the future.

"Miss, there are too many people." Mo Han couldn't help but say. The young lady was too kind. Qingfeng Courtyard didn't have that much extra money, and it couldn't accommodate everyone.

"We eat very little, really."

“We can work, we can do a lot of work.”

The children, afraid of being left behind, eagerly chimed in.

"Don't be afraid, I'll accept them all." Yun Chu thought that she had to respond to the children's requests first, and she couldn't give them hope only to shatter it herself.

“Every month we send a batch of silver to Shili Pu to cover the living expenses of these children,” Shen Yuezhen said. “Sister Yun Chu, don’t argue with me, let me send it. It will make me feel better.”

Yun Chu smiled at her and said, "Okay."

"Can Madam also accept me as a servant? I'm willing to serve you like a slave!" Zisu asked anxiously, kneeling down.

"I don't need you to be my slave, but you have to take good care of these children for me." Yun Chu quickly helped her up.

"Mmm." Zisu nodded vigorously. She had met a good master, so what if she was a servant?

It was late at night. Yun Chu finished washing up and was about to move the bedding to the bed when Gu Ruoxiao took the bedding and placed it on the bed. Then she said, "You sleep on the bed tonight."

"But..."

"There are no buts." After saying that, Gu Ruoxiao lay down on the couch.

Yun Chu sat on the edge of the bed and couldn't help but ask, "About Wang Xiang?"

"Wang Xiang and his gang have irrefutable evidence of their crimes and cannot escape death."

"But he's lived here for a long time, and his influence is probably not to be underestimated. What if the magistrate releases him as soon as we leave?"

"No, I had Chiwu secretly reveal his identity, the magistrate wouldn't dare. Besides, the official document for the death penalty will be sent to the capital for my review soon. If it doesn't arrive, the magistrate can expect to lose his head. Moreover, I have people watching here."

Yun Chu nodded. "That's good."