The first thing Lin Wanwan did upon returning to the Xiao Mansion was to pay her respects to Madam Xiao. She returned after having dinner with Old Sun and Old Cao at the Ge Xian Temple, so she could spend some time chatting with the elderly lady in Madam Xiao’s courtyard. Madam Xiao was quite pleased that Lin Wanwan had gained the esteem of Old Sun. While ordinary female physicians might not be highly regarded, it’s often because they come from servant backgrounds. For noblewomen who possess medical skills, it’s different; as long as they are skilled enough, moving through the backyards of grand estates becomes quite convenient. After chatting for a while, the old lady began to yawn, and Lin Wanwan, along with little Qingyu, took their leave. During this time, Lin Wanwan followed Old Sun around, while little Qingyu was under the tutelage of Lu Zhao Lin and Old Cao, having learned several pages of the Thousand Character Classic. With Lu Zhao Lin personally teaching little Qingyu, he’s even more impressive than her mother. Although Lu Zhao Lin is only ten years old, he writes with a brush better than her! Old Cao, being a great Confucian scholar of his generation, provided an educational opportunity that others could only dream of. Little Qingyu, as a little lady, had the chance to study under a great Confucian renowned throughout the land, which was undoubtedly a boon to her status. Unfortunately, Lin Wanwan was reluctant to part with little Qingyu; otherwise, if she were willing, Old Cao wouldn’t mind taking another little disciple. Old Cao was extremely fond of the sweet and adorable little Qingyu—especially since she was quite the snack aficionado! Indeed, although Cao Xian was over eighty, he was very interested in the chocolates and melt-in-the-mouth candies that little Qingyu had! They were much tastier than ordinary sweets. Sweet things generally bring pleasure, and most people, once they taste it, become addicted. Sometimes, elderly people are like children, returning to simplicity and having similar interests. Soaking in hot water boiled and filtered through activated charcoal at night, Lin Wanwan sighed comfortably. Though modern showers are convenient, there’s no one to scrub your back; in the Tang bathtub, she has Hua Nong to scrub her back, and after washing, there’s even a massage service, which feels too good! Life is so indulgent; once you’ve experienced an essential oil massage, it’s hard to resist a second time. This massage technique, taught by Old Sun to Hua Nong, is truly nourishing and authentic. Although Hua Nong had just learned, Lin Wanwan didn’t mind being her practice model. Each time after a while of massage, Lin Wanwan would fall asleep, just like today. Seeing Lin Wanwan asleep, Hua Nong adjusted her nightgown and gently turned her over so she wouldn’t be uncomfortable sleeping on her stomach. Then, she carefully covered both Lin Wanwan and little Qingyu with silk duvets, quietly got out of bed, and left. "Has the lady fallen asleep?" Yun Shang asked her. "Yes, she’s asleep." Hua Nong replied softly and then hurried to her own bed, undressed, and went to sleep. Google seaʀᴄh 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝙣𝙚𝙩 "You’re filthy, how could you go to sleep without freshening up?" "I’ve already washed, not sure how many times while scrubbing for the mistress." Yun Shang sighed, "You are indeed lucky, following the lady to the mountain, you even learned massage, taught directly by Immortal Sun. Such fortune!" Hua Nong lay sideways, watching Yun Shang embroider by the lamp, and said, "If sister Yun Shang likes massage, I can help you with it too in the future." Yun Shang paused her stitching, turned her head and said, "I don’t have such good fortune. We’re both the lady’s maids; how could I have you serve me?" Hua Nong chuckled, "It’s no service; I’m willing to do it." "You said it, don’t complain about being tired later." Yun Shang turned back to her embroidery, "Then teach me how to do massage as well; I’d like to learn." "Sure." Hua Nong yawned, "Followed the lady and Immortal Sun to the countryside treating farmers during the day, walked so much that my feet are blistered, so tired. Sister Yun Shang, I’m going to sleep." "Yes, go to sleep then." Hua Nong turned over, muttering, "You should sleep early too, mind your eyes, Immortal Sun said using eyes excessively in dim light at night harms them." In the last half month, Hua Nong had been staying with Lin Wanwan at Ge Xian Temple, and even Rongrong was brought over to serve little Qingyu, leaving Yun Shang the only one continuously at the Xiao Mansion, which made her somewhat envious. But when she thought about the valuable items in this house, she believed that being left to watch over them was a sign of trust from the lady, feeling she was still valued. During the days the lady was away, the mansion had stopped delivering spring water to their quarters, thankfully the lady had created a miraculous water jar, capable of turning salty, bitter well water into something clear and sweet, otherwise just drinking water would have been a serious problem for Yun Shang. The secret of the lady’s jar transforming well water was quickly known to the household’s owners, and Madame Yuan even sent someone to inquire from Yun Shang. Since Lin Wanwan hadn’t hidden her methods when creating it, Yun Shang didn’t conceal either, directly telling them that it was made by their young lady. Such miraculous things naturally amazed everyone at the Xiao Mansion, and after tasting the water from the jar, they couldn’t wait to move something similar into their courtyards. Fortunately, Yun Shang stood firm and refused to let anyone take it. The master’s belongings could only be taken with her consent, the people from the Xiao Mansion couldn’t command her. Being the one left by the lady to guard the house, Yun Shang considered it her responsibility to protect these treasures, not allowing others to take anything from her, wondering otherwise what her purpose would be. Originally, Madame Yuan’s maid Fu Yinan intended to help herself during Lin Wanwan’s absence, but seeing Yun Shang’s strong stance, she didn’t dare take anything by force. After all, Yun Shang wasn’t one of the mansion’s servants, and she couldn’t be pressured easily. However, because of this, Madame Yuan, who had promised a daily delivery of spring water, naturally withheld it, preferring to use it for her own face-washing rather than giving it to Yun Shang. Not just water, even daily meals had diplomatic deductions. What nonsense, just a New Luo Maid putting on airs against her half-mistress. Yun Shang was indeed angered, but considering that the entire courtyard was filled with others’ people, whether the cleaning matrons or the young boy servants, none belonged to the Lin Family Manor! What could she do, being a lone maid? Fortunately, Hong Yan was rather strong-minded; after three consecutive days of eating rotten vegetables, she had a quarrel with the kitchen maids, adeptly using indirect scolding, finally managing to obtain fresh food, allowing Yun Shang to benefit as well. From this incident, Yun Shang began to see Hong Yan in a new light; this maid from the old lady’s residence was indeed strong-willed, not fearing even the main wife’s chambermaids. Hong Yan told her, "That’s how it is working in the mansion, the weaker you are, the more they bully you. Kind people are bullied, good horses are ridden." Yun Shang deeply agreed.