Li Jiǎo looked at her wet nurse with reddened eyes.

“Miss, if you still care about this old servant, then go pick up those silk flowers.”

Li Jiǎo bit her lip and bent down to pick up the silk flowers.

The silk flowers were exquisitely crafted. Though thrown to the ground, they remained completely undamaged and would surely attract envious looks when worn out. Yet when Li Jiǎo picked them up, she only felt they were glaring and humiliating.

“My dear girl.” The wet nurse raised her hand and lovingly touched Li Jiǎo’s cold cheek. “In the future, a wet nurse won’t be able to accompany you, so you must be even more careful not to act impulsively alone in this residence. Old Madam truly loves you dearly. You must please Old Madam more and not push this affection toward others.”

“Wet nurse, grandmother is already beginning to dote on Third Sister—”

The wet nurse shook her head. “Miss, you’re thinking wrong. In terms of status, you are the legitimate eldest daughter of the original wife, while Third Miss is born of the second wife. In terms of affection, you’ve often stayed by Old Madam’s side since childhood, while Third Miss was still frequently contradicting Old Madam just a few months ago. In terms of human nature, you lost your mother at a young age, while Third Miss has a protective mother—Old Madam would naturally love you more. So no matter how you look at it, Third Miss cannot surpass you. What you need to do is remain steady and not let Third Miss catch you in any more mistakes.”

Li Jiǎo lowered her head and listened silently. Thinking of how she would soon be separated from her wet nurse by vast distances, her heart ached as if being torn apart.

The wet nurse gently stroked Li Jiǎo’s hair and sighed. “Miss, just endure a little longer, and it will be fine.”

“Endure, endure, endure—why must my days always be about enduring? When will such days ever end? It’s all because of my bad fate, not knowing how to be reborn properly, losing my mother from such a young age—”

The wet nurse grasped Li Jiǎo’s hand. “Miss, don’t say such things. Speaking of it, marriage is a woman’s most important ‘rebirth.’ A woman only spends a dozen years or so in her natal family, but her life with her in-laws is a long lifetime ahead. If Miss pleases Old Madam, Old Madam will surely keep your marriage prospects close to heart. When you marry into a good family in the future, your good days will come. As for Third Miss—heh, why should Miss get angry with someone who has lost her reputation? In this old servant’s view, Third Miss will probably remain an old maid in the West Residence for life. Even if she’s momentarily pleased with herself, in the future she’ll live and die dependent on her nephews’ and nieces’ favor—what good ending could that be?”

Li Jiǎo was startled, then slowly nodded. “Wet nurse is right.”

First Miss Li’s depression and frustration largely dissipated after hearing these words, and the notion of marrying into a good family became increasingly clear in her mind.

“First Miss, has Old Du’s family finished packing? Old Madam has ordered this old servant to escort her out.” Nanny Rong from Qingsong Hall came to the East Side Courtyard.

“Wet nurse—” With parting truly at hand, Li Jiǎo’s last shred of hope was completely shattered, and she burst into sobs.

“Miss, don’t cry. This old servant will burn incense and pray at the old residence, asking for your well-being and happiness. You must remember this old servant’s words and take good care of yourself—”

The wet nurse left with Nanny Rong, looking back every few steps. Li Jiǎo lay prostrate on the beauty couch, crying for a long time before finally stopping her tears with a cold expression. She whispered a few instructions to her head maid, Chun Fang, then fell into a drowsy sleep.

Chun Fang left through the West Residence’s back gate and headed straight for the Imperial Academy.

Although students at the Imperial Academy had to observe class schedules, accommodations could be made for urgent family matters.

Li Jiǎo placed great importance on her only brother and had long instructed her maids to become familiar with the Imperial Academy’s gatekeepers.

Chun Fang slipped some silver to the gatekeeper, and soon Li Hui, having received the message, hurried out.

By then, the day had grown warm, and Li Hui, having walked quickly, was covered in sweat.

“Chun Fang, is there something wrong with elder sister?”

Chun Fang said through tears, “Third Young Master, please hurry back and console First Miss. First Miss’s wet nurse was sent back to the old home in Heyu by Third Miss, and First Miss has been crying—she even cried until she couldn’t breathe.”

Upon hearing this, Li Hui immediately set off. But when he returned to the West Residence and saw the “Pine and Crane Longevity” painting on the screen wall, he suddenly calmed down.

Since only Chun Fang had come to find him, elder sister’s condition probably wasn’t too serious. He should first understand the situation clearly to avoid acting rashly and seeking trouble with Third Sister like last time, only to end up embarrassed instead.

Seeing Li Hui suddenly stop, Chun Fang was somewhat surprised. “Third Young Master?”

“You go back first and see how First Miss is doing. I’ve worked up a sweat running here, so let me change clothes first before going over.”

Knowing Third Young Master’s status in the West Residence and First Miss’s heart, Chun Fang dared not object. She curtsied and hurried toward Yahe Courtyard.

Li Hui changed clothes and went to Qingsong Hall to pay his respects to Old Madam Deng before hurrying to Li Jiǎo’s place.

Seeing Li Jiǎo’s eyes swollen red like peaches, lying alone on the beauty couch, Li Hui immediately felt heartbroken. He walked over and sat beside her, gently touching her forehead. Only after confirming she had no fever did he feel relieved.

“Third brother?” Li Jiǎo’s eyelashes trembled as she opened her eyes, and a crystal tear immediately rolled down.

“Elder sister, don’t be sad anymore. I’m still here with you.”

Li Jiǎo threw herself into Li Hui’s arms, crying bitterly. “Third brother, the wet nurse has been driven away, and I feel truly miserable inside. I’ve grown up this big, and my wet nurse has never left my side for even half a step. I know I shouldn’t blame Third Sister, but when I think of never seeing wet nurse again from now on, my heart feels like it’s being cut by knives, wuu wuu wuu—”

Li Hui felt heartbroken listening to this, yet couldn’t help but frown. After letting Li Jiǎo cry her fill, he finally spoke to console her. “Elder sister, I heard grandmother speak of this matter. It really can’t be blamed on Third Sister. Though the elder sister and wet nurse have deep affection, the wet nurse relied on that affection to dare slander Third Sister’s reputation. Such punishment is what she deserved.”

“Third brother?” Li Jiǎo immediately stopped crying and looked at Li Hui in shock.

Li Hui smiled. “I know my elder sister is in a bad mood. From now on, I’ll come back earlier to spend more time with my elder sister. Elder sister, please don’t be sad anymore.”

Li Jiǎo silently swallowed a mouthful of old blood, desperately restraining herself from losing her temper. She forced a smile and said, “I understand. Hui’er has truly become sensible.”

On Li Guangwen’s side, having received the fine fabrics sent by Qiao Zhao’s people, he happily took the fabrics to He Shi’s place. Placing the fabrics in front of He Shi, he said, “Have someone use these fabrics to make me several sets of clothes.”

He Shi looked uncertain with surprise. “These are—sent by Zhaozhao?”

“That’s right.”

“Didn’t master dislike wearing silks and satins?” He Shi was extremely surprised.

Previously, whenever she made clothes from fine fabrics and sent them to the master, he would refuse them with a dark expression.

Who knew Li Guangwen would look at He Shi with a “you’re sick” expression and say, “What kind of talk is that? Who doesn’t like wearing silks and satins?”

“Then, then how come the ones I sent before—”

Li Guangwen solemnly interrupted He Shi’s words. “How could that be the same? My daughter has grown up and knows how to show filial piety to me. I’m so happy I can barely contain it. If I ate yours, used yours, wore yours, wouldn’t I become someone who lives off his wife?”

Li Guangwen felt that He Shi, despite having grown such a beautiful appearance, was simply hopelessly stupid. His eyes swept over the fine fabrics before him, and he sighed again.

Never mind, considering she had given him such a wise and accomplished daughter, he would tolerate the mother being a bit dim.

First Master Li rarely lifted his foot to leave immediately. Keeping a stern, handsome face, he said, “I’m hungry. Let’s have dinner.”

He Shi was so overjoyed that her feet felt like they were floating. In a daze, she ordered someone to notify the kitchen to add dishes.