Zhang Qi responded with a sound and got up to open the door.

  A Lu rushed up to her as soon as she saw her, grasping Zhang Qis hand with both hands, A Lu excitedly shook it repeatedly and exclaimed: "Girl, girl, I saw it, I just saw it!"

  Jing Ke couldnt help but smile as she listened intently, and Ah Lu took a deep breath before exclaiming excitedly: "Just now I saw the envoys from Zhou Guo. There were two young masters, and theyre really handsome!" As she spoke, she noticed Jing Ke still smiling and listening attentively, so she widened her eyes in surprise and asked: "Ah Ke, arent you going to ask me why I was able to leave the mansion?"

  "Need you ask? You must have taken advantage of no one noticing you and mixed in with the crowd to join in the excitement for a while."

  A Lu pouted, looking sulky. Zhang Qi smiled and pulled out her own hands, turning to walk into the house, saying in a low voice: "A Lu, that embroidery has been sold."

  "Oh," Ah Lu responded casually, then became excited again, "Ah Qi, it was really lively outside just now. There were so many people, and the clothes those people wore were interesting and beautiful, hehe, it would be great if there were envoys coming to Jiankang every day."

  Zhang Qi was about to say something when she was interrupted, so she closed her mouth. She sat back on the couch, hugging her knees with both hands, and her mind returned to those two IOUs again.

  In fact, she also knew that the ten mu of land was cultivated by others and the grain handed over to her could only sustain her and Ah Greens normal consumption, let alone the two courtyards which were not large.

  Those two deeds, they only allowed her to have a roof over her head and food in her belly. Yet Zhang Qi still felt very happy, very happy. Along with that, she also genuinely felt grateful towards Xiao Mo.

  The master and servant were both immersed in their own emotions, laughing to themselves, and the time passed quickly. Before they knew it, the second day had arrived.

  The second class was also taught by Mr. Yuan. As soon as Zhang Qi entered the school, a servant moved a desk in front of her.

  Similarly, no one provoked Zhang Qi again in this class. After passing half an hour in silence, noon arrived again.

  Zhang Qicai returned to her room and immediately heard a clear and crisp maids voice, "Is Miss Qi here? The mistress is calling for you."

  Does her mother want to see her?

  Zhang Qi stood up, and she seemed to have done nothing out of the ordinary lately. Without rhyme or reason, Zhang Xiao, who should have forgotten about herself, wanted to see her for some reason.

  She waved her hand to signal Ah Lu not to mind, took the copper mirror from Zhang Qi, pulled her hair down a few times, and replied respectfully: "Is it Sister He? Ill be right out."

  He Jie was an inconspicuous maid in the Zhang Xiao Shis mansion. She could recognize herself just by listening to Zhang Qis voice, without even looking at her. Moreover, no matter how poorly Zhang Qi was treated, she was after all a lady of the Jiankang Zhang family. A maid calling her "sister" might be impertinent, but it was also pleasing to hear. Unconsciously, He Jie developed some affection for Zhang Qi.

  Zhang Qi walked out.

  Towards the sharp-faced and slender sixteen-year-old maid, Zhang Qi smiled sweetly, "Trouble you, sister. Ill follow you." He Hua jie withdrew her gaze that was sizing her up, and smiled: "Then lets go."

  As they walked, Zhang Qi said in a worried tone: "He sister, why did mother think of summoning me? I dont know if I will be punished?"

  Her voice was soft and sweet, with the innocence of a 12 or 13-year-old girl. He sister looked at her and couldnt help but say: "It seems like you mentioned your sister Zhang Jin..."

  Zhang Jin?

  Whats the point of calling yourself for Zhang Jins sake? Was it yesterday?

  As Zhang Gui lowered her head in contemplation, the two of them had already arrived at the courtyard where Zhang Xiao was, one following the other.

  When Zhang Guihou was outside the door, two girls had already come out one after another. These two girls were seen by Zhang Yi in the school, they were her sisters who shared the same father with her, different from Zhang Jin, they were born out of wedlock.

  The two aunts saw Zhang Guihou outside and proudly raised their chins, without even giving her a glance as they brushed past her.

  At this time, Zhang Xiaos voice came from inside, "Come in."

  "Yes."

  Zhang Qi lowered her head and carefully stepped into the main hall.

  Zhang Xiao was staring at her.

  Until Zhang Qi stood still in front of her, barely daring to breathe, Zhang Xiao was still staring at her, sizing her up.

  In an awkward silence, Zhang Xiao finally spoke up, "I heard youre very familiar with Xiao Mo?"

  Zhang Qi was shocked, she raised her head in surprise and said blankly: "Is the mistress referring to Xiao Lang? What status does he have, how can he be familiar with me?"

  She finished speaking, but Zhang Xiao remained silent for a long time.

  Just as Zhang Qi was lowering her head, unable to help but guess what she was thinking, Zhang Xiaos voice came over, "You little girl have a big nerve, daring to speak nonsense in front of the mistress?" By the end, her voice had risen and her expression was cold and stern!

  With a thud, Zhang Qi knelt on the ground. Her face pale, she said in a flurry, "Its not true, its not true." Shaking her head repeatedly, tears welled up in Zhang Qis eyes, "I only exchanged two sentences with Xiao Lang... With my status and appearance, how could I possibly catch Xiao Langs eye? Even if he did speak to me, it was just because of his kind heart."

  Zhang Xiao gazed at Zhang Qi, who was crying profusely, and slowly put down the teacup in his hand.

  Until Zhang Qi knocked her head against the ground with a loud thud, she slowly said: "Get up."

  Zhang Qi bit her lip and slowly got up. At this time, she had completely lowered her head, and even her breathing sound was much smaller.

  It seems like someone who knows how to show respect.

  Zhang Xiao gave her another glance and slowly said: "Ah Jin is in the ancestral hall... You go to Madames place and say that Ah Jin was instigated by you. If Madame asks, just say you have a crush on Xiao Mo."

  It happened yesterday!

  Zhang Qi lowered her head, her lips pursed tightly at this moment.

  Zhang Jin was wronged, but she had to take the blame!

  She is an illegitimate daughter, already in a difficult situation. If she loses her chastity, whether she lives or dies, becomes a concubine or a slave, isnt it all decided by someone elses word? At that time, even if her father, Shi Er Lang, has pity on her, he wont be able to intervene anymore.

  Once this kind of thing happens for the first time, it will happen a second time!

  This cannot be done no matter what.

  However, this Zhang Xiao is now the mistress of the house and has control over her life and death. If she doesnt comply, she can find an excuse to kill her right away!

  She is in a dilemma!

  ··

  Chapter 2 arrived early this morning.

  Ugh, Ive been adjusting my schedule lately, trying to change the things I usually do at night to the morning, but its messed up my biological clock. Today was the same, I wanted to start writing in the early morning, but I didnt form that habit and ended up dragging it out until tonight. Now that its nighttime, Im sleepy because Ive been going to bed early lately, and my eyelids are fighting each other.