of staying at the capital base. What do you guys think"Sister Lian Yi, my elder sister and I were saved by you. We've been with you for so long, and we will continue to follow you in the future."Sun...Early the next morning, before dawn had broken, Hui's mother and her husband got up early. Their daughter had finally returned home after such a long time, so they wanted to prepare a proper breakfast for her.

Liàn Yī doesn't want to wrong herself, she sleeps until she wakes up naturally and then gets dressed. She wears a gray old dress that Huì Niáng altered for her. Even like this, it can't hide the girl's developing figure, it's just too thin.

"Ripples, time for breakfast!"

Hui Niang called out from the bedroom doorway.

"Mother, I'm already up."

Ripples already put on her clothes skillfully, made the bed neatly, then drew the curtains to one side and took her washcloth out of the bedroom.

Stepping outside the courtyard, Lian'er stretched languidly, breathing in the fresh air. Suddenly, her brow furrowed as she sensed scattered wisps of spiritual energy in the air. Although meager, they were undeniably real and were making their way towards her, eventually merging gently into her body.

It's not a time for sensing spiritual power right now, so she quickly washed her face, brushed her teeth with willow twigs, and then sat down at the table.

Today, the whole family had a rare gathering. The dinner table was set up in the kitchen. Each person had a steamed bun, a bowl of millet porridge, a stir-fried vegetable dish, and a plate of salted vegetables. It was much more abundant than usual.

Huzǐ was held in Huīniáng's arms, his little mouth munching on millet porridge. When Liányǐ came over, he gave a shy smile and called out "Sister" with his mouth open. Liányǐ also smiled sweetly and replied crisply.

"Huzi was so happy to see you that he didn't even cry out loud when he needed to pee today. He just whimpered twice."

While feeding her son, Hui Niang chuckled and said:

"That's my younger brother caring for me, wanting me to get a good night's sleep."

Liàn Yī smiled and picked up the dark, black buckwheat steamed buns on the table. She took a sip of millet porridge, a bite of stir-fried vegetables, then another bite of the bun. In fifteen minutes, she finished her breakfast. Huì Niáng stuffed another boiled egg into her hand for her to eat.

"This is for my younger brother."

The ripples spoke according to their original form's habits.

Huzǐ yǒu, nǐ chī nǐ de.

Let me know if you need anything else translated!

Hui Niang spoke directly.

The ripples cracked the eggshell, splitting the egg in two. She shoved half into Hui Niang's mouth and the other half into Song Dachuan's mouth without a word.

"You, child"

Both of them complained.

"Father and mother, please eat. Although I'm working hard at the Dong family, I can still have an egg every day."

Because Miss Dong Er disliked the smell of eggs and refused to eat them, but breakfast at the manor was set. In order for her to grow up healthy, one egg was forced on her every day, whether boiled, poached, fried, or in a soup. All these ended up in the original body's stomach.

After breakfast, Lian Yi skillfully cleared the table, washing and drying all the dishes before placing them back in the cupboard. She then rejoined her family in the main room.

"Ripples, about being a maidservant for Miss Dong's dowry."

Having put her son to sleep, Hui Niang broached the subject her daughter had brought up yesterday. She just didn't know how to advise her.

"Mother, I heard everything you and Father said last night."

The ripples said crisply.

So, what do you mean

“I’ll listen to my parents and not be a dowry maid. I’ll come back home then.”

Ripples spoke directly.

Okay, I'm back! We're all here together as a family.

Hui Niang hurriedly said.

"Father and mother, actually I didn't want to be a dowry maid. I secretly heard the mamas in the house say that the young lady is marrying into a wealthy family and has to look at other people's faces once she enters the door. It's not comparable to being at home."

Ladies have to be careful and discreet, let alone us maidservants. After all, this isn't our familiar turf.

"At first, I agreed because the money offered by the household could be used to buy land for the family and pay for my younger brother's medical expenses. I thought you would also be willing, so I felt it didn't matter where I went with Miss Dong."

"The ripples, it's because your father and I are incapable. It's forced you to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family at such a young age. Things have been better at home these past two years, and we finally have some spare money. In fact, both your father and I have been hoping for you to come back. It's just that our meals are simple..."

"Mother, you shouldn't say that. Plain rice and tea are also the flavors of home. It's better than living under someone else's thumb."

Ripples said dismissively.

"Ripples, if you don't want to be a maidservant, will the mistress make things difficult for you"

The ever-silent Song Dachuan directly asked, what he was worried about.

"Father, you hit the nail on the head. Miss Second of the Dong family isn't as generous as she appears. She made me her maidservant for a reason."

Ripples lowered her eyes and spoke.

"What's this young lady up to"

Hui Niang asked anxiously.

She left me to be a maidservant, but her true intention was for me to become the concubine of her future husband.

The ripples didn't mince words, stating it directly. At the same time, their eyes darted between the two, observing their reactions.

"Hui Niang's face turned white, while Song Dachuan stood up directly and raised his voice for the first time:"

"I disagree! We are good family girls, we won't be concubines for anyone!"

"Yes! Lian'yi, don't be swayed by his words. It's better to be a wife of a poor man than a concubine of a rich one."

As for their reactions, Ripples expressed great satisfaction, but she still asked Song Dachuan:

"Dad, is there anything special about this"

I've done hard labor in the villages, and I've even been to the courtyards of wealthy families. I've seen things like the head wives selling their concubines. Those concubines weren't even as good as us common folk from the countryside. They say because the head wives didn't favor them, they were all sold to brothels and had no good ending.

Second Miss Dong is a high-marrying noblewoman. Her family's status is higher than yours, and they would never treat a concubine as a person. You will only be a tool in her hands.

Song Dachuan sat back down and sighed, "

Lienni thinks Song Dachuan hasn't wasted his time in town, he has some experience after all.

“When I heard father say this, it all made sense. When those nannies around the young mistress tried to advise me, I felt that although their words were pleasant, their eyes held a strange look. Now that I've heard father speak, I understand.”

You said that Miss Dong isn't a kind person, then how are you going to refuse her

Song Dachuan's worry is this: they dare not go against the Dong family.

"Father, I'll find a way to handle this. But for at least one or two months, I won't be able to return. And if anyone asks about me, you must say that Miss Dong values me and has made me her personal maid, renewing my contract. As for the rest, I'll figure something out."

The ripples smiled and said.

"Ripple, are you sure If you're not, maybe Father should ask Miss Dong instead! After all, you signed a contract that allows them to take your life. They can't force you to stay."

Song Dachuan still said, holding onto the last shred of hope.

"Father, if the Dong family were reasonable, I wouldn't have to put so much effort into planning for myself. I would find a way to retreat unscathed. You don't need to worry about anything else. Even if you hear something, please don't believe it. Wait for me to come back."

Ripple urged again and again.

"Dad knows, we can't help you and won't hold you back."

Song Dachuan finally sighed.

After spending three days at home, reconnecting with her family, Lian Yi set off early on the fourth day, carrying a small bag and riding a cart back to Dong Mansion in town.pect him... Oh! If I had known, I wouldn't have invited him over!"Mr. Pan explained somewhat awkwardly.As a fellow teacher, I'd like to add a few words. From the look in his eyes, I sensed something w...