Chapter 1236: Chapter 1234: Maid Competing for Favor
Madam Zhou looked at the young girl who had grown quite a bit taller, now a head taller than her, and couldnât help but feel both joy and heartache.
"Why have you lost so much weight? Havenât the people below taken good care of you?" Madam Zhou stood on her toes and reached out to touch her face.
Wufu smiled and said, "Itâs the bitter summer now, so I havenât eaten much. Although Iâve lost some weight, my spirit is good."
"Youâve suffered so much!" Madam Zhou wiped the tears from the corner of her eye with the back of her hand.
"Miss, Madam, letâs get on the carriage and talk when we return to the inn?" Jadeite stepped forward with a smile and said, "There are people coming and going here, and itâs hot."
"Alright." Wufu glanced at Madam Zhouâs protruding belly and personally helped her onto the carriage.
The dock wasnât far from the town; after just a quarter-hourâs ride, they returned to the inn they had booked and went to freshen up.
"Miss." Purple Jade and Chi Er stood in front of Wufu and saluted.
Wufu said with a smile, "Youâve worked hard on this journey. Iâll see to it that youâre rewarded later."
"This is what we should do," Chi Er said with a faint smile.
"Yes. Now that itâs past noon, and since the entire journey was by water, thereâs no hurry to return to the city. Letâs rest here for a day and return to Changan tomorrow," Wufu said. "Iâll need you to protect us tomorrow, so Chi Er, go and get some rest now!"
Chi Er cupped his hands and was pushed down by a few brothers.
"Miss." Hongyu finally stepped forward, looking aggrieved yet a bit admiringly at Wufu.
In the past half-year, the young miss had become more and more imposing in her demeanor, making it hard for others to underestimate or take liberties with her, and she herself couldnât keep up with her anymore.
Wufu waved her over, pinched her face, and said with a smile, "Hongyu has grown too, becoming quite the beauty!"
Hongyu felt a joy in her heart, a little shy, and said, "I havenât forgotten Missâs instructions, exercising every day."
"Good, not just to be able to fight or kill, but at least to run and jump healthily," Wufu said. "For the past six months, with only you at Huayang keeping watch, Iâve kept it in mind. In Changan, the things we bought include your share, which your Sister Jadeite has kept for you. You can ask her for it when we return."
Hongyuâs eyes brightened, her heart filled with joy, but she hesitantly asked, "Does Miss still want me to serve?"
Wufu feigned surprise, "Why, do you want to leave? Although you are nominally my maid, we didnât sign a contract, so youâre still freeborn and not compelled to stay. But youâre only twelve or thirteen, not old enough to marry. Where would you go?"
"Miss, I didnât mean that!" Hongyu stomped her foot and said angrily, "Iâm not going anywhere, let alone thinking about getting married as Miss said."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened, about to shed tears.
"Then what are you asking?" Wufu asked, suppressing a laugh.
"I, I was just afraid that Miss would find me useless and not want me." Hongyu said with red eyes, "Sister Zi Yu and the others are so capable, and in Changan City, Miss must have had many other sisters serving her!"
"This little girl doesnât have other thoughts but has learned to vie for favor?" Wufu laughed, pinching her cheek. "Donât worry, your place is reserved for you!"
Jadeite also said, "Hongyu, itâs good that youâre here. You can finally manage Missâs clothes."
"Really? Miss doesnât mind Iâm not useful?" Hongyu asked with wide eyes.
"I donât mind, but you shouldnât be useless either. Learn from your sisters!" Wufu said with mild exasperation.
"Yes." Hongyu finally smiled through her tears.
"Miss, Madam has finished freshening up," Li Guo requested at the door.