The lunch was light; summer provided plenty of vegetables, and Zhulan had even planted a lot of late-season ones. Wu Ning didn’t have a good appetite, so she could eat some of the light food.

After lunch, Zhulan noticed that Wu Ning was a little unsteady, clearly having not rested properly for a long time. After Wu Ning went back to rest, Zhulan asked Steward Ding to fetch a doctor.

She was truly worried about Wu Ning, especially under the conditions of ancient times; if something really happened to Wu Ning, she wouldn’t be able to explain it to Wu Ming.

When the doctor arrived, Wu Ning was fast asleep, and Zhulan didn’t ask Granny Wei to wake her. After examining her, the doctor said, “She’s suffering from emotional distress, excessive worry, and liver fire. I’ll prescribe some medicine for her to take, and she’ll come back for a follow-up appointment in a few days.”

Zhulan frowned; Wu Ning’s condition was more serious than she had thought. Zhulan thanked the doctor, saying, “Thank you for your trouble, doctor.”

The doctor was very polite, saying that the prosperity of Lizhou City was all thanks to Lord Zhou, and the people of Lizhou City were grateful to him. “You’re too kind, Madam.”

After the doctor left, Zhulan called Granny Wei over. “Wu Ming instructed you, didn’t he?”

Granny Wei respectfully replied, “Yes, Madam. The three of us will follow Madam’s arrangements.”

To be precise, she and the two maids had been warned by the master. He forbade them from saying a single word. They had come to the Zhou family with their young mistress, but their families were all in the Wu residence. If they disobeyed, the master wouldn’t be lenient with their families.

Zhulan instructed, “The Zhou family doesn’t like being served meals. You can eat with Granny Liu for all three meals a day. The rest of the time, just serve your young lady. If Wu Ning has any needs that she can’t express, you can tell me.”

Granny Wei replied, “Yes.”

Granny Wei had been worried that the Zhou family matriarch might be difficult to talk to, but she had been carefully observing her all day. She was glad that the Zhou family matriarch was kind, and she genuinely cared for her young lady. Her young lady had suffered a lot; the old lady had just passed away, and someone came to propose marriage, saying some very hurtful things. That night, her young lady cried all night, and she stayed with her.

She had initially worried about the Zhou family’s taboos, but now that the Zhou family matriarch had come to welcome her, she felt at ease. She hoped her young lady would have a good marriage; if her young lady had a good marriage, her life as part of the dowry would also be better.

Zhulan asked Xue Han to take care of Wu Ning and then returned to her courtyard.

Following behind them, Dong Shi hurriedly stepped forward and said, “Mother, back then Wu Ning acknowledged Second Sao as her teacher, and later Father had Second Sao recognize her as a god-sister. Now that Wu Ning has arrived, should she go pay a visit to Second Sao’s Mother?”

Zhulan paused. If Dong Shi hadn’t mentioned it, she would have completely forgotten. It was only right and proper for her to go. Zhulan looked at Dong Shi; her upbringing was indeed different, and Dong Shi was thoughtful in every way. “Go and tell Steward Ding to send a servant over.”

Dong Shi replied, “I’ll go right now.”

Watching Dong Shi leave, Zhu Lan said to Liu Ya, “There are still too few maidservants in the household. I remember you mentioned it a few days ago, but forget it — we won’t buy any young maids for now.”

She did want to find a few reliable and knowledgeable old women, preferably those released from official families; an old woman’s perspective was very important.

Dong Shi was young and needed someone by her side, while Xue Han was older and also needed someone.

Li Shi didn’t need anyone; the eldest son’s wife would live with her and Zhou Shuren in the future, and Juan Hua was enough for Li Shi.

Yes, Zhao Shi also needed someone, but the maid she could find for Zhao Shi had to be guileless with strong manners.

Zhulan’s ideas were quite good, but such servants were not easy to find.

Zhulan was teasing Ming Hui when Steward Ding arrived. “Mistress, the Second Madam Mother has replied, saying that Miss Wu is in mourning and doesn’t need to go.”

Zhulan was speechless. Fang Shi wasn’t thinking about Wu Ning; she just thought Wu Ning was tough. Steward Ding lowered his head. He really looked down on the Second Master’s mother-in-law; her understanding was truly limited.

Zhulan gestured for Steward Ding to leave. She stroked her chin, having already devised a plan to keep Fang Shi in Lizhou City. She intended to send Qian Keqi to a boarding academy in Lizhou City, ensuring he received a good education while remaining unaffected by Fang Shi – a win-win situation.

Furthermore, Zhou Shuren would change Fang Shi’s household registration to Lizhou City, meaning Qian Keqi would only be able to take the imperial examinations there. Fang Shi, for her son’s sake, wouldn’t easily leave Lizhou City.

Even if Fang Shi cared for Zhao Shi, after sending money back to the Qian family, she understood that the Zhou family didn’t welcome her, and her only hope for the future lay with her son.

Having devised a plan, Zhulan wasn’t in a hurry to implement it. She wasn’t as good-natured as she seemed; she was also seething with anger. She would watch Fang Shi’s frustration until she vented her frustration.

This time, Fang Shi dared not use the Zhou family for favors under their noses. For over two months, Fang Shi visited several academies, but unfortunately, none would accept her. Did they really think academies were easy to get into?

Fang Shi’s ambition was quite grand; she would even look down on a school run by some scholars!

That evening, Zhou Shuren returned. Zhulan specifically asked him to change into a light-colored casual outfit. Zhulan was afraid that Zhou Shuren would look too serious in dark clothes and frighten Wu Ning. Wu Ning had become much more timid this time.

Zhou Shuren obediently changed his clothes, but Zhulan was still dissatisfied. “Smile, don’t be so serious.”

Zhou Shuren smiled, but his smile was somewhat stiff. “This is difficult for me. I haven’t smiled for a long time to cultivate official authority, and now even I feel uncomfortable smiling.”

Zhulan rubbed Zhou Shuren’s face. Zhou Shuren’s appearance was already average, and he had aged quickly in the past two years. With his beard, his face was even less attractive. Now, when he smiled, not only did Zhou Shuren feel uncomfortable, but she felt awkward looking at him, too.

(End of Chapter)

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