“No matter.” Mo Zi laughed lightly, “Just help me use the cake to block that old leather mouth of his.”

Uncle Tian, hearing this, bristled his beard and glared. Unexpectedly, Er Ya was truly obedient—he grabbed a piece of cake and slapped it into his mouth. Immediately, the fragrance of tea, sugar, and sesame filled the air, and where could he find any flaws to pick at?

“Sister, what does Third Miss want you to buy this time?” Finally with peace and quiet for his ears, Er Ya grinned and asked.

Mo Zi was already prepared, “The young miss was thinking of the little dough figurines at the alley entrance and wants me to buy a pair of Zhou Lang and Xiao Qiao to use for painting.”

The ancient era Mo Zi had transmigrated into—she didn’t know the specific year in the common era. She was situated in the Great Zhou nation, descendants of Wu Zetian’s lineage. The dynasties before the Great Zhou were basically similar, but history diverged from Mo Zi’s original timeline when the Wu family refused to return power to the Li family. Seventy years ago, the Great Zhou experienced tyrannical rule and rebellion. Although a wise ruler ascended the throne, the war gave rise to three other countries—Da Qiu, Yuling, and Nande. The Great Zhou was wounded to its core and couldn’t recover these territories, only able to use the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers as boundaries, retaining most of its land. The four countries agreed to cease hostilities and formed marriage alliances with each other, finally achieving peace. Who knew that last year, Da Qiu suddenly sent troops against the small country of Yuling, triggering war. The Great Zhou and Nande mediated unsuccessfully. Now most of Xinling’s territory had fallen under Da Qiu’s control, and the country appeared ready to collapse.

However, Mo Zi didn’t concern herself with national affairs.

“Such a small matter, sister just go ahead.” Without even looking at the jade token, Er Ya opened a small door.

“It’s indeed a small matter, isn’t it? The young miss gave orders, so I have no choice but to make the trip. There’s not even a tree at that alley entrance. If there aren’t any ready-made ones to buy, I’ll have to wait for them to mold new ones. I’m afraid I’ll be roasted until I’m smoking.” Mo Zi sighed heavily, her brows furrowed tightly.

“What’s difficult about that?” Er Ya volunteered, “I’ll go buy them.”

Mo Zi was delighted but shook her head again, “That’s still not good. There are guests at Yan Tower, and at this hour, they should be dispersing soon. If you’re not on duty, I fear someone will blame you afterward.”

“No problem. The guests just arrived and won’t leave until after the evening banquet. The female guests will arrive in an hour. I’m just free right now.” Er Ya had received small favors from Mo Zi all along and was quite grateful. Therefore, without waiting for Mo Zi’s agreement, he dashed out the door like a wisp of smoke.

“That Er Ya, running off without even taking the copper coins.” Mo Zi clutched a handful of copper coins from the only pouch she carried.

A coarse, wrinkled large hand extended under Mo Zi’s eyelids, “Giving it to me is the same.”

The one extending his hand could be none other than Uncle Tian. However, completely different from his previous black face and sharp words, he wore a smiling face, his crow’s feet piling up sincerely—which showed he was pleased.

Mo Zi actually gave him the money. Watching him happily put it in his money pouch, she didn’t waste words and said, “Fourth Master’s guest—is his surname Wei?”

Uncle Tian, in front of Er Ya, had deliberately pretended to be the same as usual. Due to his poor family circumstances and fierce appearance, his status among the Qiu mansion’s servants was lowly. When his wife wanted to carry their son back to her maternal home, thanks to Mo Zi’s timely assistance with some silver, he had since been willing to relay information for Mo Zi.

And Mo Zi believed that if a gatekeeper’s eyes and ears were sharp, she could grasp everyone coming and going from the Qiu mansion. Don’t look at Uncle Tian’s odd temperament—when she returned to the mansion at the beginning of the year, he had glanced at her shoes and muttered “Jiang Zhou make,” which let her discover those sharp eyes. Moreover, free entry and exit from the mansion gate was Third Miss’s only remaining privilege, so naturally it merited great importance. Therefore, the silver she gave him, she reported on the official accounts.

In the Qiu family where Zhang Shi’s influence was pervasive, Mo Zi had established three points: Xiao Hua in the main courtyard, Old Woman Liu in the kitchen, and Uncle Tian at the gate house. They had already proven effective. In military strategy, this was called occupying the commanding heights.

“Indeed surnamed Wei. They’re masters from the first, second, and third branches of the Wei family from the south of the city. They also called several singing girls from Hongliu Pavilion to drink tea and listen to songs. Fourth Master opened the main gate to welcome them personally, addressing the third branch’s master as ‘Your Honor.’ I secretly asked the Wei family’s servant boy—the third branch’s master just received a fifth-rank official position. He should have taken up his post, but because the old master passed away and he must observe mourning for a year, it’s been delayed.” This was Uncle Tian’s ability—offending those inside but not those outside.

“Observing mourning, yet daring to call singing girls?” Since ancient times, there have been policies above and countermeasures below.

“That’s why they’re drinking tea and listening to pure music.” Uncle Tian understood everything and continued rambling, “The Madam Wei being hosted tonight is the illegitimate younger sister of the Wei family’s first branch master.”

“Did Madam Wei have someone send a calling card?” Mo Zi asked very carefully.

“Yes. Sent to the madam. The one who came to the door was a servant boy. However, I saw very clearly—there was quite an elegant carriage stopped at our alley entrance. At the time, a little maid lifted half the curtain, and two people sat inside. One was a lady around thirty or forty, wearing gold and silver. One was a nun from Cinian Nunnery. That carriage wasn’t made in Luo Zhou.” Uncle Tian displayed his abilities again.

“A nun from Cinian Nunnery?” The carriage might have come from the capital.

“Yes. My wife and I went to Cinian Temple to worship Buddha and saw that nun twice.” So he recognized her at a glance.

Cinian Temple was one of Luo Zhou’s largest temples. Cinian Nunnery was not far from Cinian Temple and borrowed its reputation. It enjoyed considerable fame among women, mostly for asking about marriage and praying for sons, with vigorous incense offerings.

“Who’s on duty tonight?” After listening, Mo Zi asked Uncle Tian again.

“What a coincidence, it’s me.” Uncle Tian grinned happily.

Mo Zi nodded and took out two taels of silver for him, “Pay attention and help me find out Madam Wei’s itinerary these past few days.”

“Will do.” Uncle Tian heard the door sound and unhurriedly put away the silver, his face darkening again.

Er Ya hurried through the door, smiling as he handed the dough figurines to Mo Zi, “Consider it my filial offering to Third Miss.”

Mo Zi glanced sideways at Uncle Tian and unexpectedly said to him, “More clever than you. He won’t be watching this main gate long before a master takes him to serve personally.”

Er Ya wanted to become a personal servant. Hearing Mo Zi’s words, he was so happy he scratched his head.

“You don’t need to pay your own copper coins. I gave Uncle Tian a handful of money—go ask him for it.” Mo Zi smiled faintly, said thank you, took the dough figurines, and left.

Er Ya stood dazed for a moment, staring at Mo Zi’s figure for a long time until Uncle Tian kicked him in the rear, and only then did he come to his senses.

“Little brat, even if you stare your eyeballs out, she won’t turn back.” So young, yet thinking so much. Uncle Tian clicked his tongue.

Er Ya actually blushed slightly but wouldn’t admit it verbally, “Where was I waiting for her to turn back?” Then he said, “Strange, the first time I saw her, I didn’t notice what she looked like at all. Recently, how come I feel she’s getting prettier and prettier? Even prettier than Third Miss!”

“So stop dreaming. In our mansion, any maid with a bit of looks could become your master. What are you worth!” Uncle Tian cursed and grumbled.

“Once I serve the masters, who knows what might happen? If I do well, I’ll become a steward or house manager in the future. If Third Miss marries Mo Zi to me, I’ll serve her like an immortal fairy.” Er Ya had ideals and forgot he had just denied it.

“A toad wanting to eat swan meat.” Uncle Tian spat.

At this time, Mo Zi had just passed Yan Tower.

“Hey, you!” An imperious, commanding voice.

Mo Zi acted as if she hadn’t heard. There were many people in the garden—who knew whom he was calling?

“Hey, you, yes you, the girl in green.” The voice remained impolite.

In green? Mo Zi looked down at herself. Her skirt was white, her outer garment green, her sash also green. So she looked around and saw someone on the right corridor staring at her—an unfamiliar bearded man with a special steward’s token at his waist.

“Are you calling me?” Mo Zi pointed at herself.

The breeze lifted the green silk sash at her waist, cutting out a pool of spring water.