Apart from sleeping, Lu Hao spent all her time learning to read and write. Even during meals, she kept her literacy booklet on her lap, memorizing while eating.
She studied late into the night. Fearing she might waste lamp oil, she would hold the sleeping Man Man and sit by the doorway. The moonlight had been excellent these past few days, allowing her to see the characters.
Seeing her so diligent and focused, no one disturbed her. Those who could help her did their best.
When Bai Sheng heard that Lu Hao feared wasting lamp oil and studied by moonlight at night, she bought her a large pot of lamp oil, telling her to use it freely. The family's oil lamps were sufficient, and it would be a loss if she harmed her eyes.
Lu Hao was so moved that she secretly wiped away tears.
In the few days since arriving, Lu Hao and Man Man's complexions had changed dramatically. They were no longer as sallow and worn as when they first arrived.
Man Man was also sent to the school on the small street. Initially, Man Man was very timid and dared not leave Lu Hao's side. Lu Hao had no choice but to accompany her to school.
After two days, a few little girls at the school started playing with Man Man, and Man Man finally dared to stay at school alone.
The old teacher at the school said that little Man Man was very diligent in class, writing each stroke and dot with meticulous care.
Lu Hao was particularly gratified by this. She felt she had to work even harder to set a good example for her daughter.
One day, as she was studying calligraphy under the bamboo pavilion, Qian Zhao Di walked by. Seeing her, she smiled and said, "Sister Lu Hao is truly diligent. No wonder you were quickly given important responsibilities by the Mistress as soon as you arrived, allowing you to manage such a large workshop."
Lu Hao looked up at Qian Zhao Di. She had only met this girl a few times. Each time they ate, the girl would take her food back to her room to eat, never joining them.
Lu Hao felt that as a newcomer, it was not appropriate to start conflicts with others.
So, she smiled sheepishly and said, "Sister Zhao Di, please don't praise me. The Mistress arranged this probably because she pities me and wants to help me. I am slow-witted, so the early bird catches the worm."
A flicker of mockery flashed in Qian Zhao Di's eyes, but she still wore a smile. "Sister Lu Hao, I have changed my name. I am now called Qian Cui Wan."
"Oh, Cui... Sister Cui Wan," Lu Hao smiled apologetically.
Qian Zhao Di said, "Then Sister Lu Hao, continue your studies. You must be diligent and not lazy. Otherwise, others will say our Mistress doesn't choose people based on ability but on kinship. Alright, I'm going to work and won't disturb Sister Lu Hao's studies."
With that, Qian Zhao Di smiled at Lu Hao and turned to leave.
Once her back was turned, disdain and contempt appeared on Qian Zhao Di's face. The Mistress truly did not favor her. She had been in this household long enough, but she wasn't taken to the capital, nor was she made the supervisor of the cloth shop. Now, with so many workshops, two newcomers had been made supervisors, completely overlooking her existence.
In terms of her ability, Bai Jing might be more cultured than her, but how could this Lu Hao compare?
She didn't know what she had done to offend the Mistress. Perhaps it was because she was good-looking, and the Mistress was a little jealous, fearing that the Master might develop inappropriate feelings for her, and thus kept her at bay and ostracized her.
Hmph, this was no place for her to stay anyway. She had already saved over twenty taels of silver, which was enough for the travel expenses to the capital. Before leaving, she didn't want the Mistress to have an easy time!
Just a female slave, gaining temporary favor, what was so great about that?
Lu Hao gazed at Qian Zhao Di's retreating figure, always feeling that although her words seemed to be out of concern, they made her feel uneasy all over. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
However, at the moment, she did not want to bicker with Qian Zhao Di. For one thing, Qian Zhao Di was a servant of the younger brother's family. They lived under the same roof and saw each other frequently. If they fell out, it would trouble the younger brother.
For another, she had more important things to do. She must not be swayed by a few words of provocation from others and lose her footing. She absolutely must not get entangled with rotten people and rotten matters.
Even if many people looked down on her now, it didn't matter. She would strive with all her might, and there would come a day when others would look up to her.
Therefore, studying hard, doing the work the Mistress assigned her to the best of her ability, and taking good care of Man Man were the things she should focus on.
Lu Hao quickly adjusted her mindset and resumed her studies. She held the literacy booklet and loudly read it aloud, oblivious to her surroundings.
Bai Jing also came over with the booklet Bai Sheng had given her. Seeing Lu Hao studying diligently, she did not disturb her and sat opposite her to look through the booklet.
Lu Hao was so diligent; she couldn't fall behind either. For the next few days, she planned to study with Lu Hao every day.
Qian Zhao Di walked to the small street but did not enter the cloth shop directly. She turned and walked towards the direction of the Lu family's main house.
Everyone in the main house had gone to the fields to work. Madam Xu was carrying a large bundle of dry straw, preparing to go out.
Qian Zhao Di happened to pass by her and called out enthusiastically, "Aunt Xu, are you going to tidy up the wheat fields again today?"
Madam Xu saw that the speaker was Qian Zhao Di, a servant of Lu Ye's family, and replied politely, "Yes, Zhao Di, where are you going?"
Clearly, Qian Zhao Di had changed her name to Qian Cui Wan, yet people still called her Qian Zhao Di.
That Lu Hao, initially named Lu You Di, had her name changed by the Mistress only two or three days ago, and everyone called her Lu Hao. Why! Why was it like this?
A hint of displeasure flashed across Qian Zhao Di's face, but she quickly concealed it. She smiled and said, "My eyes are a bit strained from sewing clothes, so I wanted to walk around the fields and rest for a while."
"Oh," Madam Xu nodded, thinking to herself that the servants of Lu Ye's family were more leisurely than them, to get their eyes strained from sewing clothes, how delicate.
Qian Zhao Di looked around and stepped closer to Madam Xu, lowering her voice slightly as she smiled, "Aunt Xu, has Sister You Di returned to her maternal home? I've seen her staying at the Mistress's house these past few days. Has she already brought gifts for her visit to see you?"
"What? What did you say?" Madam Xu was startled. That dead girl hadn't returned to her maternal home once since she got married. How could she suddenly show up at Lu Ye's house?
Qian Zhao Di's expression turned alarmed, and she immediately covered her mouth with her hand, panicking, "Oh dear, Aunt Xu, did I accidentally let it slip?"
"Qian Zhao Di, explain yourself. What do you mean by You Di staying at Lu Ye's house?" Madam Xu threw the bundle of straw on the ground, her voice laced with anger.
Qian Zhao Di showed a distressed expression. "So Aunt Xu didn't know? I thought Aunt Xu knew. Sister You Di and her daughter are living at the Mistress's house. The Mistress even plans to let her manage a workshop, and the monthly remuneration seems quite high."
Madam Xu's entire face changed upon hearing this. She immediately blurted out, cursing, "That ungrateful girl! She hasn't returned to her maternal home in six years, and the moment she comes back, she doesn't even enter our door, but instead stays at Lu Ye's house. Just wait until I beat this unprofitable daughter of mine to death!"
After speaking, Madam Xu grabbed the bundle of straw and prepared to go confront You Di. But after taking a few steps, she remembered what Lu Yang and Lu Xing had repeatedly told her: no matter what happened, she must not rashly go to Lu Ye's house to cause trouble, otherwise, they would separate the family.