“Mother, Fang’er is back, and I’ve brought some delicious food. You must be happy.”
“Haha, of course I’m happy. As long as Fang’er returns safely, Mother is always happy.”
“Mother, Fang’er is clever, resourceful, and adored by everyone. How could anything possibly happen to me?”
“Humph, Fang’er, your skin is getting thicker by the day. No young lady should boast like this—where’s your modesty?”
Lin Fang frowned. *Who do you think you are, interrupting my conversation with Mother? If you’re so modest, why do you shamelessly beg for the agency rights every time our shop releases new clothing designs? Not only that, but you also demand skilled tailors as if our home were your personal training center!*
Just as she was about to retort, she saw her mother shake her head at her. Lin Fang pouted and turned away angrily. She had been in high spirits after enjoying the delicious food earlier, but the moment she stepped inside, she ran into this nuisance, instantly ruining her good mood.
Behind her, Li Cuilian fumed, “Third Sister, you spoil Fang’er too much. Such disrespect for elders—how will she ever marry? What family would dare take her?”
“Whether I marry or not is for my parents to decide—what business is it of yours? As an elder, you keep bringing up matters of marriage in front of children, corrupting their innocence. Is this how an elder should behave? How can juniors respect you when you set such a poor example? Even a three-year-old knows: ‘Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.’ You’ve studied the classics under my mother since childhood—how can you not understand such a simple principle?”
Ignoring her mother’s warning glances, Lin Fang fired back, leaving Li Cuilian gasping for breath, unable to muster a response.
“Well said, little sister! Even the students at the academy aren’t as principled as you.”
Eight-year-old Lin Wu, already displaying the makings of a young gentleman, had just returned from school and was about to greet his mother when he heard his sister’s eloquent rebuttal. Though he didn’t know why his usually mild-mannered sister was so furious, he was certain someone must have provoked her. Without hesitation, he sided with her.
“Fine, fine! Third Sister, your family’s standards are rising so high that even ignorant children look down on me. I was just a maid—I shouldn’t have come here to humiliate myself. Fine, I’ll leave!”
Li Cuilian’s face flushed with rage as she stormed toward the door. Passing Lin Fang, she deliberately stumbled, knocking the girl to the ground with a *thud*. Without so much as a glance back, she strode away with a cold smirk.
“Fang’er, are you hurt?” Li Cuimei rushed to pick up her daughter.
“Little sister, did you twist your ankle?”
Lin Wu, standing closer, had seen Li Cuilian intentionally shove his sister. The way Lin Fang fell suggested a possible sprain. Though young, he had trained in martial arts with his grandmother and father and could have prevented this—but who would expect an elder to harm a five-year-old? For most children, it wouldn’t be serious, but Lin Fang, with her small feet and unstable balance, was particularly vulnerable.
“Mother, my foot hurts.”
Indeed, the fall had slightly twisted her ankle, but the real pain came from today’s mountain hike. The ascent had been manageable, but the descent had strained her feet and knees. On the way back, the servants Qian’er and Xian’er had taken turns carrying her. Once in town, they had offered to bring her straight home, but Lin Fang, fearing her parents might forbid future solo trips if they found out, insisted on walking the rest of the way. By the time she reached home, she was nearly at her limit.
She had planned to greet her mother and retreat to her room for Qian’er and Xian’er to tend to her, but Li Cuilian’s interference ruined that. Knowing she couldn’t hide it now, Lin Fang played up her discomfort.
At her daughter’s cry of pain, Li Cuimei’s heart clenched. She carried Lin Fang to the bed, gently removing her shoes and socks. The delicate, almond-shaped feet were swollen and red, with blisters on the soles—clearly from walking. Relieved but still cautious, she carefully examined every part of Lin Fang’s legs and feet, asking about each spot. Only after confirming no serious injury did she relax.
“Qian’er, Xian’er, come in.”
For peace and quiet, Li Cuimei usually forbade servants other than Nanny Liu from entering the main house. Even close friends knew to leave their attendants outside. That Li Cuilian had dared to intentionally harm her daughter under her nose extinguished the last shred of sympathy Li Cuimei had for her.
“Madam, we’re here.”
“From now on, neither of you is to leave the Sixth Young Miss’s side for even a moment. Guard her day and night. If she suffers so much as a scratch due to your negligence, report to Nanny Liu for punishment without my having to say it. If the harm is worse, you know the consequences.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Tend to her feet now.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Xiao Geng’s wife, you’ll join Qian’er and Xian’er in shifts. The Sixth Young Miss must never be left unattended.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Outside, Nanny Liu’s second granddaughter-in-law responded. Nanny Liu was away on business, and her quick-witted granddaughter-in-law had been temporarily assigned to her duties.
Zhou Yu’s eldest son, Zhou Daxiao, was of marriageable age. A match had been arranged in his hometown, and Zhou’s mother had asked Li Cuimei for leave to check on the family after the recent disasters, to see if the engagement still stood. Nanny Liu had been sent with two maids to assist.
“Now, here’s your task: go to Cui’s Tailor Shop immediately. Tell Guo Siniang that from this moment, all supplies to Fanglian Garments are to cease, and any outstanding payments are to be collected. If they refuse, report them to the authorities at once.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“After completing this, go see your mother. Tell her what happened today in detail—nothing more.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Xiao Geng’s wife had been sent to Li Cuimei; her parents still served in the Li household. Her mother had taken over Nanny Liu’s former role as Madam Pan’s personal maid.
“Erxiao.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Go to the fishery. If anyone asks your purpose, say you’re fetching the Master—that the Fifth Aunt injured the Sixth Young Miss, who’s in great pain, and the Master is needed for treatment. Say nothing more, or you’ll go without meals for three days.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Zhou Erxiao was simple-minded with a huge appetite. A few treats could make him spill everything. As a prominent family in Liangping Town, the Lins were often the subject of gossip, so Li Cuimei usually barred him from leaving. But even the dimmest could weigh temporary treats against three days of starvation.
Some unsold fish from four years ago had grown to over ten pounds. A merchant had taken interest and wanted live fish delivered, prompting Guicheng to summon the eldest, second, and sixth sons to discuss pricing and logistics with Zhou Yu—a potential future venture.
“Xiao Sheng.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Lin Wu’s attendant, two years his senior and bought three years prior, answered. The name, unsurprisingly, bore Lin Fang’s influence.
“Go to Fanglian Restaurant at once. Tell Erya to return immediately—I have orders for her.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Listening to her mother’s rapid-fire commands, Lin Fang knew: Li Cuilian was finished.
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