Jiang Wanru thought of many things because of Jiyu's words. She thought about how she used to dream that after making money and becoming independent, she would leave the Jiang family. Unfortunately, that dream was quickly shattered. She couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, for when one is under another's roof, they must lower their head. She glanced at Jiyu who was growing bigger and more delicate by her side, thinking about the efforts she had made for herself over these years, and softly said: "Jiyu, it's hard on you to always follow me. If we hadn't been robbed of our things, this matter would have ended like this."

  "I heard Miss's words. Miss has never been unfair to me. That precious small mirror, Miss rewarded me and my mother each with one, Mother said that the small mirror is worth one or two silver coins. I just think about how many letters Miss needs to help people write in order to earn the money for the mirror in my hand, it's unbearable. The hairpin Miss gave me, Brother said that flower is expensive, he saved money for a long time and still couldn't afford to buy one for me. While Miss gave me the hairpin to wear, she herself didn't have enough silver coins to buy one to wear."

  Ji Yan's eyes reddened as she spoke, the other young ladies of the Jiang family often spent their time playing with butterflies and admiring flowers in the courtyard. Only their own young lady, from a very young age, knew how to go to the outside writing studio to help people write letters and earn copper coins. When they had a little silver, they would spend it buying gifts for these people.

  Jiang Wanru had been working at the writing studio on East Street for several years, ever since she stumbled upon it while wandering around as a young servant girl. She was young and had a sweet mouth, a good temperament, wrote neat and elegant characters, and most importantly, she was tight-lipped and wouldn't speak carelessly to outsiders. After observing her for several days, the owner also allowed her to go there irregularly to do tasks.

  The scholars in the writing house were highly mobile. They originally only borrowed excuses to earn some pocket money, so no one envied a small servant, and there were more regular customers than them, earning more copper coins than them. They tolerated Jiang Wanruo, and when they had free time, they would also give her some pointers with their sweet talk. Jiang Wanruo spent many days in the writing house, earned some money, and broadened her horizons.

  Jiang Wanru heard Ji Yan's words and thought that a year ago, she realized that she was getting older every day. The job at the writing studio would eventually come to an end. A kind-hearted bookworm in the writing studio had always been considerate of her young age and admired her handwriting, often taking care of her and secretly helping her find better-paying jobs. Jiang Wanru kept this a secret from everyone, but now that she wanted to speak up, she thought about how Ji Yan knew too much and it wouldn't be beneficial for either of them if she were still in the Jiang household.

  She just raised her head and glanced at Jiyuan, saying: "Silly girl, you treat me well, I understand in my heart. You're young, it's the time to wear flowers on your head. Think carefully, if I were wearing a full head of flowers, would that look good?" Jiyuan thought of what Jiang Wanyu had said and took another glance at her, seeing her elegant demeanor. She burst out laughing and said: "Miss, you're teasing me again." Jiang Wanyu smiled lightly and said: "That flower, sometimes you should wear it on your head, just to make those petty people jealous that you're younger than them."

  Ji Yan listened to this and rubbed his hands together, his face red as he said: "Mother told me to tell Miss that Miss is getting older and should save some private money. And about the writing studio, there are a lot of people coming and going, if you can avoid it, don't do it." Jiang Wanru heard Ji Yan's words and was suddenly awakened from her dream. The people beside Jiang Wanyi and Jiang Wanyan, who were they that accidentally stumbled into their own courtyard? It seemed to be someone from the Jiang family, who had discovered that she was doing things outside and couldn't find any evidence, so they intentionally came to search the room.

  Jiang Wanru got up and began to walk around her room. Over the years, the desktop had been cracked with countless small cracks, and the screen had become old and worn out. The bed creaked as soon as she touched it lightly, and the dresser had been patched up with paper by her. Jiang Wanru casually touched the quilt on the bed, which had faded to a dull white from washing. She was very careful when washing, but still couldn't avoid tearing it occasionally.

  Jiang Wanmu turned to Jiyuan, who was following closely behind her, and smiled at her worried expression. "Jiyuan, thank your mother for me and tell her not to worry. I've already spoken with the owner of the writing studio, and I won't be going there again." Jiyuan listened with an open mouth, staring at Jiang Wanmu, before nodding enthusiastically after a moment. "Alright, miss, you don't have to go out anymore. I'll teach you how to do needlework. Your drawings are beautiful, so keep practicing, and we can work together on some pieces to sell outside. If they're good, the silver won't be less than what you earned from writing."

  Jiang Wanru patted Jiyan's head lightly and thought about her own clumsy needlework. She shook her head and said, "I still have to go out and find another job. I want to save some money. You can't teach me how to do needlework either. Your family members are all working in the mansion, if people find out that you're teaching me how to do needlework, their lives won't be easy. It's better for you to remain a spoiled child like before. Remember, the mirror and hairpin were bought by your parents and brother for you, not for me."

  Ji Yan looked at Jiang Wanruo, who was wearing a coarse linen flower-patterned padded jacket, and nodded with gritted teeth: "Miss, I've remembered. Now I'll go to the big kitchen to bring back breakfast for you. I'll eat first before coming back." After nodding, Ji Yan thought about Jiang Wanruo's words, her eyes reddening as she quickly walked out of the room and opened the courtyard door to leave.

  Jiang Wanting thought of Jiyuan's red eyes, thinking of the people outside who were making trouble. After seeing Jiyuan like this, they would understand that they had wronged him again. Then she thought of Jiyuan defending himself, and she smiled lightly. Jiang Wanting walked out of the room, gently closing the courtyard door, picked up a broom, and cleaned the courtyard, sweeping away the leaves and debris that had drifted in from who-knows-where.

  Jiang Wan was slowly sweeping the yard, thinking that in recent years, the Jiang family had been blessed with one happy event after another. During his term as an official outside, Jiang Dajia had governed wisely and was highly respected for his integrity. After Jiang Wenlun's wedding, he was promoted to a higher position and transferred back to the capital. Jiang Anhe was careful and meticulous in his actions in the capital, handling matters properly and earning praise and recognition from his superiors, although his official position remained unchanged, he gained many benefits in reality. As a result, Madame Jiang was even more satisfied with the family's wealth and material possessions, winning the approval of her husband, Jiang Dajia.

  After getting married, Jiang Wenlun took the imperial examination and entered the Royal Academy for further study due to his excellent results. The next year, Jiang Wenyu got married, and Jiang Wanyi was married into the Lian family. In this process, with the efforts of Mrs. Jiang Dashi, she found a legitimate eldest son from a city official's family as her husband. In the same year that Jiang Wanyin got married, good news spread, and the whole family was overjoyed. As a result, Jiang Anhe often stayed in his birth mother's room for a month, neglecting the new daughter-in-law who had just entered the house.

  Jiang Wanru was thinking about these things, and her head hurt as she thought of Mu Gen's mother. Not long ago, she heard that Fourth Miss Jiang Wanyan had a marriage arrangement, and when there were suitable candidates, she said to herself: "Miss, you're already old, with the Yu family around, although Madam won't marry you off to someone lowly, but those candidates are definitely not good people." After Lian Zimo's affair, Jiang Wanru no longer had any hope for her own marriage. Madame Jiang would not let her enter a good family and live a good life; it was more likely that her future husband would be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

  She comforted Mugen's mother by saying, "It's okay if I don't get married. Here, I have food and clothes, I won't starve. Didn't you say that the young mistress is kind? After a few years, when she takes over the household, my life will be better." Mugen's mother sighed lightly and said, "The young mistress also listens to the young master, and the young master has always been filial to his wife. Miss, if only you could marry down, that would be great. I see that the second miss married well, that family is not as good as the Jiang family, but they don't dare to neglect the second miss. After she got married, her life is obviously more comfortable than the eldest miss, and she can often come back home to visit her aunt."