Chapter 2

Yao Zhen is a bold and clever young maid, which makes Shen Rui quite troubled. Even though Mama Wang appears to be gentle and harmless, she is ultimately tasked with looking after Shen Rui, and her actions seem to deliberately starve and freeze him. Who knows what the person behind her truly intends. Unfortunately, the only people he can interact with are these two, so the breakthrough in the courtyard naturally lies with this young maid.

Seeing Liu Ya's timid appearance, Shen Rui frowned. Mama Wang, fearing he would be angry, quickly said, "This girl has improved a lot. When she first entered the manor, she was so thin and black, with no good spots on her body... Poor child, she lost her mother at the age of three. Her stepmother was fierce, always beating and scolding her. When she had a younger child, she couldn't tolerate her anymore... She was always hungry and cold, and the villagers couldn't bear it. Taking advantage of the poor harvest this year due to heavy rain, they found a human trafficker and persuaded her stepmother to sell her. Otherwise, she wouldn't have had a good ending..."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but look at Shen Rui, her eyes filled with even more pity.

Shen Rui initially didn't think much of it. If her parents were both alive and well, they wouldn't sell their daughter into slavery. However, seeing Mama Wang's gaze filled with even more pity, his heart sank. He murmured, "She has no mother? She also suffered from hunger and cold?" As he spoke, he pinched his thigh under the blanket, causing tears to well up in his eyes.

A child with a mother is a treasure, a child without a mother is a weed.

The current master's situation is pitiful, with injuries on his body. No one has visited him in the two days since he woke up. If it wasn't for the death of his birth mother and the loss of protection, it must be that his birth mother's status was too low, and she wasn't qualified to stay with her son, leading to their separation.

Mama Wang's face was filled with sympathy, and she couldn't bear to look at Shen Rui. She said, "Madam loved Second Brother the most. Second Brother must be well, so that Madam can rest in peace." After saying this, she turned around and instructed Liu Ya, "The chamber pot is on the east side of the inner room door. Remember where the hot water bottle is, so you don't have to search for it at night. If Second Brother wants water, mix it with the boiled water in the teapot, but don't scald him or let it get cold. Talk to Second Brother, but don't disturb him too late..."

Shen Rui was already stunned. What's going on? The current master shouldn't be an illegitimate son or a son of a maid. Why is he related to the deceased Madam?

If there are continuous rituals and the servants are in mourning, and they call her 'Madam,' she must be the mistress of the household. Could she be the current master's... foster mother?

Liu Ya nodded vigorously in response. Mama Wang then pulled down the curtain, saying, "Second Brother is still weak and should go to bed early. When you hear the second watch, call Liu Ya to help you settle down."

Shen Rui wanted to ask about the relationship between the 'Madam' and himself but was afraid Mama Wang would suspect him, so he just nodded without further ado.

Though he is snored at, Shen Rui benefits from the current master's handsome appearance. His words and actions, though somewhat capricious, are not excessive, and he still appears somewhat obedient and pitiful. Mama Wang wasn't annoyed and even pulled up the corner of the blanket for Shen Rui, glancing at the charcoal basin in the corner, her expression darkening. She couldn't help but instruct Liu Ya again, "Get up often to check, don't let Second Brother kick off the blanket and catch a cold."

Liu Ya agreed, and Mama Wang left.

Shen Rui was thinking about how to get Liu Ya to talk when he heard a series of 'tapping' footsteps in the courtyard.

"Cluck, cluck, cluck, Sister Wang, the old lady has sent some food." With these words, the person entered the room and went directly into the inner room. It was a woman in her fifties, wearing a blue jacket and a black skirt, with a plump figure. She had a smile on her face, but her expression was not peaceful, with slightly triangular eyes.

Mama Wang followed behind, holding a food box, her expression somewhat stiff.

The woman sat down at the round table, looking at Shen Rui, who was leaning against the head of the bed, with a half-smile. "Oh, Second Brother is awake. Do you remember the lesson? The master was very angry. In which family's rules does a younger brother not show respect to his elder brother? Yet Second Brother dared to swing a fist at Elder Brother. If people know, they understand that Second Brother is young and has a big temper. If they don't know, they might think Second Brother harbors evil intentions, jealous of Elder Brother becoming a scholar, and deliberately trying to ruin his future."

Shen Rui glanced at the woman, then let his eyelids droop, but his ears were alert, remembering every word she said. Could this be the reason the current master was put under 'house arrest'?

In ancient times, "the elder brother is like a father" and "the elder brother is friendly, the younger brother is respectful." The mention of ruining his future indicates that the current master hit Elder Brother. If that's true, the current master deserved the beating. If he is disabled or disfigured, he cannot be appointed to an official position, and it's not a lie to say it ruins his future.

However, Shen Rui then felt something was off. The current master is only about ten years old, pale and not like a trained fighter. Elder Brother, being older and already a scholar, should be a few years older. How could he be injured by the current master?

Thinking about this, Shen Rui looked at the woman again.

The woman's half-smile was filled with undisguised contempt, showing no respect for a servant to a master. She said, "Oh, Second Brother has quite a temper. No wonder the old lady ordered you to cool down. Could it be because you are grieving for Madam? Don't worry, after Madam's funeral, Second Madam will be promoted and will 'love' you well."

Shen Rui just stared at her, saying nothing. Mama Wang and Liu Ya were in mourning, indicating that the mistress of the household had passed away. This woman was only in plain clothes and acted boldly, serving someone of higher status than the deceased. Could she be a servant of the old lady?

Is this old lady a real imperial title or a respectful term?

This old servant mentioned 'Madam' and 'Second Madam.' Are they the wife and concubine of this household? Is the current master the adopted son of the first wife, and thus not favored by the second wife?

Sigh, what is this? A new mother, a new son?

But why is this old servant so sarcastic towards him? Her eyes are full of provocation, as if deliberately trying to anger him?

Shen Rui, being cautious, wouldn't cause trouble without knowing the reason. He coldly snorted and turned his back to everyone, lying down.

"Hao Sister?" Mama Wang's voice carried a hint of pleading.

The old woman, Hao, sneered, "The old lady appreciates your dedication to Second Brother and has rewarded you with a plate of fatty chicken and a plate of smoked fish. You old thing, you're getting a good deal."

With the rustling sound, the aroma of meat quickly filled the room.

Shen Rui closed his eyes, but his sense of smell became more acute. He could feel the aroma of chicken wings and legs swirling around his nose. He only had half a bowl of thin porridge for each meal, while this servant could have fatty chicken and smoked fish. Strange, very strange.

Not knowing the old woman's intentions, but knowing she is not friendly, he wondered if she was trying to tease him or had other plans.

Thinking about this, Shen Rui opened his eyes, which were cold and icy. Nominal master of the household, but even the servants show disrespect, it seems like a mess.

The current master was punished for a mistake, but if he does nothing, he won't make more mistakes. It's best to wait and see.

Thinking this, he ignored the aroma of the food and fell into a daze. He even put aside the plan to question Liu Ya.

When he opened his eyes again, the room was still dimly lit, but it was already dark outside, and it was night. Liu Ya and Mama Wang were not in the room, and a set of bedding was on the ground, unopened.

He hadn't gotten up yet when he heard the familiar 'tapping' footsteps in the courtyard and quickly closed his eyes to pretend to be asleep.

Someone entered the room and spoke in a low voice.

But the outer room was only separated by a shelf, and the voices were clearly heard: "Has Second Brother not caused trouble all night? He has been awake for two days. Don't be confused and cover for him?" Hao's voice was slightly sharp.

"Since the dinner, he hasn't woken up... Hao Sister, he is Madam's legitimate son and is injured. If he is starved and frozen, and something happens, what will we do? Should we tell the old lady and ask for a doctor?" This was Mama Wang speaking.

Then came a sneer, "Sister Wang is kind-hearted, but doesn't the old lady love her own grandson? A good son is made with a stick. Since Second Brother made a mistake, he must be punished. This is the old lady and the master's way of loving Second Brother."

This tone was not respectful at all, but rather gloating.

Mama Wang hesitated, "At Madam's memorial?"

Hao said, "Isn't there Elder Brother? Who doesn't know that Second Brother is naughty and young, and doesn't understand filial piety? How can he bear the hardship of mourning?"

Shen Rui heard most of it and his heart sank. It turns out he is not an illegitimate son but a legitimate son, and the deceased is his own mother?

Clearly, he is under house arrest, but this woman immediately accuses him of not understanding filial piety and deliberately provokes him. During the mourning period, if he doesn't mourn and causes a fuss over food and drink, outsiders won't know the truth and will confirm his lack of filial piety.

Filial piety is a serious matter. If he is branded as unfilial, he will not be accepted by the clan and neighbors, and it will hinder his future. No matter how high he rises, if this is revealed, he will lose his position.

Shen Rui felt a chill, but he also knew that an old servant wouldn't act so boldly without the master's command.

But he didn't know what the current master did to anger the old lady, making her treat her legitimate grandson this way. Don't southerners value the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children?

The voices outside gradually faded, but in the silence, footsteps sounded again.

Shen Rui quickly closed his eyes, evened his breathing, and continued to pretend to be asleep.

Someone walked to the bed and said with a light laugh, "After two days of hunger, he is still so obedient, not demanding meat. Has Second Brother changed his nature?"

Mama Wang whispered, "Perhaps Second Brother is filial and understands the rules of mourning, so he doesn't think about food."

Hao snorted, "Filial? This disobedient troublemaker can't become a well-mannered scholar. Without guidance, he knows nothing about the rules. If he is bold on the surface but timid inside, it's no wonder he was scared by the master's beating."

It was Hao's voice. As she spoke, the old woman reached out and pinched Shen Rui's arm, not holding back at all.