Chapter 6, Entering the Court

Sitting next to Zhang Qi, Wen Ao said softly: "Little aunt, now that we have entered the city. In a while, we will first arrange for you to stay at the inn, and once the residence is ready, we will take you inside."

Her background destined her for a difficult path; compared to her maternal family, staying in the Zhang residence in Jiankang was much better. Therefore, along the way, she never considered struggling

Arrived in Jiankang

Regarding this matter, the old woman could not help but feel angered. She said sternly: "You, young aunt, have come from the countryside and are unaware of worldly affairs and etiquette. This time, I will not blame you. However, you must remember from now on, to survive in the grand residence, one should only listen and not speak. That benefactor just now, since he chose to cover his face, surely does not wish for others to know who he is. If you rashly open your mouth and encounter someone ruthless, you might very well be killed to silence you"

Speaking of which, in her previous life, Zhang Qi was indeed an exceptionally intelligent person; otherwise, she would not have overcome so many hardships to become the legitimate wife of that man

Zhang Qi twisted her hands together and said softly, "He blames me for talking nonsense"

Before her stood a small door that could only accommodate one person at a time. Indeed, how could the illustrious Zhang residence allow her, an inconspicuous illegitimate daughter, to enter the estate openly? Even the side door, which others looked down upon, was beyond her qualifications. Only this small door, meant for the passage of servants, could accommodate her.

Upon entering the small gate, one is greeted by a row of small wooden houses, where various servants come and go. They curiously scrutinize Zhang Qi as she walks in

Do not run around in the inn

Sitting in the carriage, the warm matron shared some survival skills of the grand mansion with Zhang Qi

Zhang Qi lowered her head and obediently replied, thinking to herself: The reason that person covers his face with a thick veil is that he is too extraordinarily handsome and is impatient with others looking at him, so he has developed the habit of blocking his face. As for his violent actions, it was because those two bandits insulted him, one calling him a pretty boy and the other calling him a woman. He has always despised others using his appearance against him, so he naturally retaliated without mercy.

When the three servants escorted Zhang Qi to the inn, the sky had darkened, and the sun had sunk below the horizon. Watching their departing figures, Zhang Qi let out a soft sigh

Zhang Qilian promptly bowed to receive instruction

Zhang Qi came down

Zhang Qi replied with a lowered gaze and a compliant demeanor: "Yes."

Old Lady Wen sat beside Zhang Qi and asked, "Little Aunt, what did the benefactor say to you?" At that moment, the two were whispering closely together, and those around them could not hear clearly.

Zhang Qi is indeed knowledgeable; after all, she is the legitimate wife of her father and truly looks down upon a illegitimate daughter like herself, treating her as a servant. She experienced the same in her previous life.

The three servants also saw the two horses, but they did not dare to pick up such stolen items, for who could know if they would come chasing after them? After exchanging a few words, the carriage hurriedly set off.

As the three servants huddled together to discuss, Zhang Qi looked at the bandit rolling on the ground and the two horses, feeling a pang of sympathy: those two horses, if sold, could fetch a considerable sum. Unfortunately, I cannot bring myself to mention this.

Zhang Qi smiled shyly and cautiously replied "yes," then got onto the carriage beside them

Zhang Qi curiously looked around, adopting the demeanor of a country person unaware of worldly affairs. Under the guidance of the three women, she casually stepped into the Zhang residence

Zhang Qi certainly understood her meaning. The tasks she arranged earlier were all light duties; rather than considering her so-called status as a master, it would be more accurate to say that she wanted to take care of herself, nurturing her beauty while she was still growing. In the future, if there were any needs from above, she would also be able to secure a favorable position.

Wen Ao took a few quick steps, whispered a few words with a woman in her twenties or thirties, then turned back, holding Zhang Qi's hand, and said gently: "Little aunt, this is Sister Liang. She has prepared a place for you to stay, you can go with her."

Wen Ao had been with her for a month, and there were indeed feelings involved. She looked at her beautiful sister-in-law in front of her, reached out to stroke her hair, and said softly: "Go on, go on"

Sister Liang smiled and said, "You have a good appearance, which is different from those rude country folks. Perhaps in the future, you will rely on it to live a good life." She smiled meaningfully.

The carriage entered the city gate, returning to this bustling and prosperous place filled with the sounds of traffic. The three servants let out a sigh of relief and began to speak loudly. Even the lean man, who had been silent all along, became much more cheerful at this moment

In the afternoon, a middle-aged man's sigh of relief came from outside, "Finally arrived!" Zhang Qi quickly stretched her head out and saw a tall city appear ahead. The moat outside the city was flowing gently, and pedestrians were bustling on both sides of the drawbridge, creating a scene of great liveliness

Where in the Zhang residence can be considered her home

Returning to her room, Zhang Qi carefully recalled her memories once again. After the incident with the thief, she no longer had any doubts about her own recollections

Yes

At this point, Wen Wan looked at the innocent Zhang Qi, and her heart softened. She couldn't help but say softly, "Little aunt, you can rest assured and stay here waiting for your father to return"

Aunt Wen stood outside the car and said with a smile, "Little Aunt, let us enter the residence."

At last, I have arrived in Jiankang once again

The carriage moved forward, and after traveling for more than half an hour, it turned into an alley, and then the carriage came to a stop

At this point, recalling the two bandits writhing in pain on the ground, Lady Wen shuddered and fell silent

A night has passed in the blink of an eye

At that moment, Zhang Qi, following the etiquette taught by the matriarch, knelt and performed a bow, softly responding, "Yes." After replying, she lifted her small face, gazing at the matriarch with admiration, and tearfully said, "But, matriarch, I cannot bear to part with you!" In this household, the matriarch is a person of integrity and kindness, and maintaining a good relationship with her is beneficial.

As soon as Wen Ao left, Zhang Qi lowered her head and obediently walked over to Sister Liang. Sister Liang looked her up and down a few times, feeling reassured. Turning around, she led Zhang Qi into the third wooden house on the left, saying as she walked, "You are called A Qi, right? A Qi, your status is different from that of the servants. From now on, you will clean the courtyard in the morning, go to school to learn some characters in the afternoon, and help out in the kitchen after dinner"

As soon as dawn broke, a horse-drawn carriage stopped outside the inn. Madam Wen entered with two maidservants, and after greeting the freshly groomed Zhang Qi, she smiled and said: "Congratulations, little aunt, let us return home with this old servant now"

Yes

Seeing her serene demeanor, Sister Liang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Very good." While instructing two young maidservants to help Zhang Qi bring bedding supplies, Sister Liang continued, "Sister-in-law, there is something I need you to keep in mind."