Zhu Xiuxiu spoke to Huo XingâEr in a somewhat puzzled manner. Huo XingâEr didnât say a word. Xiaosuisui, in her arms, was sprawled over her, playing with her earring the entire time, so Huo XingâEr hadnât really noticed the commotion from the Luo Family and Xie PanâEr.
Hearing Zhu Xiuxiuâs words now, she promptly caught hold of Xiaosuisuiâs hand. "Sweet darling, stop playing. If you keep going like this, your Second Auntâs ear will be ruined." Only then did Xiaosuisui stop and begin to fiddle with a stray lock of hair hanging by Huo XingâErâs ear. She then cast a glance towards the room, remarking, "This Luo Family seems to be harboring some hidden trouble!"
Zhu Xiuxiu frowned. "What hidden trouble could she possibly have? In my opinion, perhaps after spending so long as a servant, she no longer wishes to turn things around and properly assume the role of mistress of the household. Her master always called her lowly; could it be that this âlowlyâ is so ingrained in her bones that she canât shake it off? Look at what a good daughter this is! For her daughterâs indenture contract, to prevent her from being tormented, she knelt before me begging for grace. But look at what sheâs done now. Does anyone appreciate it?"
Zhu Xiuxiu spoke these words loudly and indignantly, deliberately trying to catch Huo XingâErâs eye. Huo XingâEr, however, was currently engrossed in a battle of wits with Xiaosuisuiâs tiny hand and didnât see Zhu Xiuxiu signaling her, so she didnât promptly respond.
Seeing that Huo XingâEr wasnât cooperating, Zhu Xiuxiu became somewhat flustered. She pitied Xie PanâErâs situation and wanted to help the girl. Huo XingâEr had discerned that the Luo Family seemed to be hiding something, and Zhu Xiuxiu, naturally, had realized it too. As an outsider, she felt it wasnât her place to interfere directly, so she planned to use her words to provoke the Luo Family from the side. However, she hadnât expected Huo XingâEr to miss her cue and fail to respond in time. Zhu Xiuxiu had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue her one-woman show.
"Sigh... I, Zhu Xiuxiu, have seen plenty of the sordid affairs of these wealthy households since I was young. Indeed, some people do have hidden troubles they cannot speak of. But even if they have such troubles, what parent doesnât want the best for their children? If one becomes a servant, their children are destined to be servants too. How many parents try every possible way, begging for grace, seeking out their masters to redeem their indenture contracts, all to give their children a good start in life? Second Sister-in-law, tell me, have you ever seen anyone like PanâErâs mother, who, having clearly gotten her indenture contract in hand, still wants to return it?"
"Never!" This time, since Zhu Xiuxiu had directly addressed her, Huo XingâEr naturally picked up the conversation.
Zhu Xiuxiu said no more. She pulled a long, three-legged bench from a corner of the courtyard and sat down, openly staring at the faces of the Luo Family and Xie PanâEr.
The Luo Family completely collapsed, and Xie PanâEr couldnât even support her. The Luo Family had heard all of Zhu Xiuxiuâs words and understood that Zhu Xiuxiu was deliberately trying to provoke her.
But she couldnât say anything, nor could she do anything. Who wouldnât want their freedom? She wanted it too, but the price was too high; she didnât dare take the gamble!
"Mother! Do you have some hidden trouble you canât speak of?"
Zhu Xiuxiuâs words not only struck a chord with the Luo Family, but they also gave Xie PanâEr, who had never suspected her mother might be concealing something, a crucial hint.
The Luo Family clenched her teeth tightly, her body trembling uncontrollably. Xie PanâEr hurriedly helped her sit down on the only armchair in the room. She spoke softly again, questioning the Luo Family.
"Mother! Tell me, why are you insisting I return this indenture contract? Could it really be as Third Lady Ji said, that youâve grown so accustomed to being a servant that youâd rather die than become the mistress of your own household?"