Purple Jade received the message sent back by Wufu, and she already had her own plans, waiting for the person sent to gather news to return before taking further action.

"Sister Purple Jade, that Madam Lu is really despicable, she actually snatched Madam’s bird’s nest to eat a mouthful." Hongyu reported angrily.

Purple Jade teased, tapping Hongyu’s forehead, saying, "You’re the lead maid in the lady’s room, yet you’re still showing your emotions so readily. How can the people below trust you?"

Hongyu puffed out her small chest, stuck out her tongue, and said, "I’m just angry, isn’t it? How can someone be so shameless, living in someone else’s house without any awareness."

Purple Jade said, "Don’t you know what kind of person she is the most? You’ve been with the lady longer than any of us and have lived in the village before."

Hongyu felt a bit smug after hearing this, "That’s right." She always felt inferior to Purple Jade and Jadeite who were so capable and helpful to the lady, but she was the first to follow the lady, and the bond she had was unmatched.

"Sister Purple Jade, are we just going to let it go like this?"

Purple Jade sneered, "Of course not, if she can’t learn to behave quietly, let others teach her what it means to be discreet and prudent."

Hongyu blinked, pondering the meaning of these words.

Soon, she heard that Madam Lu had diarrhea all day because she ate a bowl of bird’s nest, her whole body weakened, having to eat bland dishes and plain porridge to recuperate, not daring to covetously eat anymore.

...

While Purple Jade and the others were waiting for Huaan’s news, Old Lady Zhou in Wozi Village was particularly uneasy, her eyelids twitching for several days.

"Mother, are you feeling unwell somewhere? Your complexion doesn’t look good, shall I get a doctor to check on you?" Zhou Xueli asked with concern.

Old Lady Zhou waved her hand, pressed her chest, and said, "Nothing, just feeling heavy in my heart and uncomfortable, I will lie down for a while and be fine."

Zhou Xueli hurriedly helped Old Lady Zhou inside the house, and only after seeing her asleep did he come out.

"Is mother all right?" Lady Liang asked while nursing her son.

Zhou Xueli shook his head, "She furrowed her brows even while sleeping."

Lady Liang thought for a moment and said, "Yesterday, mother asked me when we had news from uncle and them."

Zhou Xueli was taken aback, then his face darkened, saying, "They only care about wealth, how would they remember mother?"

Lady Liang fell silent.

Zhou Xueli glanced at her and continued, "Guilan, I’m not very capable and didn’t let you live a good life, do you blame me?"

Lady Liang smiled with pursed lips, "What counts as a good life? The life I live now is quite good, having food and clothing, the family has land and property, and even has a son. Once he grows up and my father enlightens him, maybe he’ll even become a scholar’s mother!"

Zhou Xueli listened, looking at the son Anan in her arms, eyes softening, grinningly said, "Yes, I lack ambition, just a minor rich farmer, will cultivate my son into talent, let him win you a title in the future."

Lady Liang smiled and nodded.

The couple talked softly on this side, while Old Lady Zhou staggered over, even shoes not bothering to wear.

"Mother, why aren’t you wearing shoes?" Zhou Xueli was startled.

Old Lady Zhou’s gray hair somewhat disheveled, grabbed his arm and said, "Xueli, I just dreamt that something happened to your elder brother and them."

Zhou Xueli frowned.

"They haven’t sent any word, surely something has gone wrong, and your sister too..." Old Lady Zhou’s lips trembled.

Thump, thump, thump, someone knocked on the courtyard door outside.