Hai Chun had already learned from her sister that Hai Tang was a servant girl with a death contract and was destined to be a servant for life, so she spoke sarcastically.
"You're noble, you're a young miss, and we're all servants and maids. Then you should go back and be a rich young lady. Why do you have to be so thick-skinned and enter the Pei Residence to be some servant?" Hai Xia mocked.
Who didn't know who?
Those who were maidservants all came from poor families. They didn't have enough food, clothes, or warmth. As long as their families were well-off, they wouldn't be willing to send their daughters to be maidservants.
Didn't this Hai Chun have a home but still insist on staying in the Pei Residence? Wasn't it because the family couldn't afford to raise her that she was sold to be a servant?
They were both servants, so where did she get the confidence to be better than others?
"You..." Hai Chun felt a lump in her throat as she was mocked.
Hai Xia continued, "Since you've become a servant, you should just do your master's work obediently. You have to go back to your room to lie down every now and then, and you don't allow anyone to disturb you. Do you really think you're a rich young lady? You don't even have your young lady's life, and this young lady is sick. Pfft!"
Hai Chun was shaking from the scolding. She pointed at Hai Xia but could not say anything to refute.
One of them was an elder sister with a second-rank servant girl, while the other's parents were in charge of the manor. Hai Chun had to be wary of Hai Xia.
Hai Chun felt hatred in her heart. Everything would have to wait until she was promoted!
In the future, when she became the most respected person in front of the old lady, they would see how she would deal with them!
A room full of servant girls, talking, laughing, and quarreling, a few days passed just like that.
One day, Hai Xia came running back from who knows where. When she saw Qu Fulan, she said, "Sister Hai Tang has prepared the medicine for the old lady? Just as well, Second Miss is returning today and she will come to pay respects to the old lady later. Later you will follow me and perform more in front of the master and you will definitely be rewarded."
As Hai Xia's parents were in charge of the household, they had to run some errands every day. All they had to do was send a message or something for their master and they would be rewarded. At the same time, they would know what happened in the household every day. They were very well-informed.
Qu Fulan was different. She stayed in Fushou Hall every day to guard the medicine jar, giving off a feeling of 'not leaving the main door, not stepping out the second door'.
Actually, this wasn't good. Qu Fulan herself knew that no matter what, it wasn't a good thing for a person to be too isolated from the world.
It was just that she had no choice. She was just a little servant girl without any background. It was already good enough that she could struggle on whilst at death's door. What else did she want?
This was not bad. With a 'little phone' by her side, she would be able to get the latest news in the residence at the first moment.
The Second Miss Hai Xia was talking about was the daughter of the third branch. Because she had married far away from Pingzhou and was far from the capital, this was the first time she had returned home after being married for half a year. Naturally, she had to look more grand.
It was just that the novel had never mentioned this Second Miss.
Because the female protagonist in the novel was still lying in bed recuperating, there were no scenes of the female protagonist, so it was naturally glossed over.
Now, Qu Fulan was living in reality. Everything that happened every day was real.
Qu Fulan didn't know what kind of person the other party was, so she didn't dare to make her presence known to her. If she wasn't easy to get along with, she would be the one to suffer if she was unlucky.
Hence, she rejected Hai Xia's offer on the excuse that she was busy.
As they spoke, the Second Miss went to Fushou Hall to pay her respects to the old lady.
Many maidservants in Fushou Hall went over to watch the commotion, and no one was watching over the tea room. The person who was originally in charge of watching the tea stove saw that Qu Fulan was not going to watch the commotion, so she asked her to help look after it.
Qu Fulan agreed.
She had heard from Hai Xia that the second and third mistresses of the residence, as well as the other ladies and young masters, had all arrived. The main hall of Fushou Hall was filled with a festive atmosphere.
There were so many masters. She was a third-rank servant girl with a beautiful face. She had already been framed by servant girls of the same rank. Now that she had to fight for this face, she was afraid that she was too idle.
Besides, there were so many masters and there were naturally many maidservants to serve, so it didn't matter if she was one. Moreover, the masters wanted to drink tea, and they really couldn't leave people here.
When Yue Yuan came to get something, she saw that Hai Tang was the only one in the tea room and couldn't help but ask.
"Hai Tang, come here."
Qu Fulan raised her head and saw Yue Yuan. She stood up and went over. "Does Sister Yue Yuan have any instructions?"
Yue Yuan was the old lady's most respected maidservant, and also the leader of the maidservants in the old lady's courtyard. It could be said that other than the old lady, her words were the most effective.
Yue Yuan laughed. "Today is Second Miss's return. Those who follow in front will be rewarded. Why don't you go?"
"I'm not good with words," Qu Fulan said. "I'm afraid I won't be able to speak in front of my master. It's better for me to stay here and watch the tea."
Yue Yuan was a little surprised. She had seen so many maidservants, but this was the first time she had seen one who did not take the initiative to fight for attention in front of their master.
If it was an ordinary maidservant, it would be fine. After all, not every maidservant could get close to their master. She had gained face in front of the old lady and was now working for the old lady. This was not something an ordinary maidservant could compare to. If she took the opportunity to perform more, no one would say anything.
It was rare for her to have such an honest heart. At a time like this, she could still do things honestly. It could be seen that she was like this.
The masters loved this kind of well-behaved maidservant the most.
"Forget it, you, this girl, have been working hard all day for the old lady's medicine. Later I will leave you a reward."
Qu Fulan said that there was no need, but the other party did not listen to her and left.
The Second Miss and the others stayed in Fushou Hall until evening before leaving.
Qu Fulan's medicine was also ready. When she went to deliver the medicine to the old lady, Yue Yuan pointed at her and said to the old lady, "Old lady, you should look at this girl. Previously, the other servant girls were all fighting to come over and ask for a reward, but she was hiding in the tea room to watch the stove. Fortunately, I left her a reward, or else she would have suffered a loss."
"You're an honest child," the old lady laughed. "It's hard for you to be so honest at such a young age."
"The other sisters are also honest," Qu Fulan said hurriedly. "It's just that I'm too clumsy. I'm afraid that I'll taint the eyes of the masters if I don't perform well."
The old lady was amused and said to Yue Yuan, "Listen to what this maidservant is saying. If she's rough, the other maidservants won't even be able to look up. It's rare to see such a sensible child these days. There are many who don't know the severity of things and only know how to pick the strong. You should take care of her more when you get back."
"Got it, old lady," Yue Yuan replied with a smile.
After she finished speaking, she saw that Hai Tang was still standing there in a daze. She couldn't help but remind her, "Hai Tang, quickly thank the old lady."
No matter how useful her words were, how could they compare to a single word from the old lady?
The meaning of Old Lady Pei's words could not be any more obvious.
How could Qu Fulan not know what the old lady meant?
The so-called 'guide' meant to guide and look after.
She just didn't expect it to go so smoothly so quickly.
"Many thanks, old lady!"