"Miss, Madam has arrived."

Luo Xia came to report.

Zhong Xiuyao and Zhong Xiuxiu hurried out to welcome her.

"Greetings, Mother."

"Ah, the Fifth Girl is here too."

Seeing Zhong Xiuxiu here, Madam Zhong was not surprised at all, as every move this girl made was reported by the servants.

To be honest, in Zhong Xiuxiu, Madam Zhong saw responsibility and commitment.

It was fortunate she was a daughter; if she had been a concubine-born son, Madam Zhong would worry about the security of her own son’s status.

"Mother, Fifth Sister made medicinal pills for me and I have to thank you for opening a small warehouse."

Zhong Xiuyao was smart and knew to appreciate her legitimate mother.

"It pleases me to see you sisters supporting each other," Madam Zhong said. "As you are about to enter the Lin Mansion, I have some words for you."

"Mother, Third Sister, Xiuxiu takes her leave."

Since her legitimate mother wanted to talk to Third Sister, Zhong Xiuxiu needed to avoid it.

"Fifth Girl, you are not an outsider, stay and listen."

Madam Zhong truly liked Zhong Xiuxiu and felt some sympathy for Zhong Xiuyao.

"Yes, Mother."

Zhong Xiuxiu didn’t know what the legitimate mother was going to say to Third Sister and sat properly.

"Third Daughter, there is no choice but to go to the Lin Mansion."

Honestly, even though Mrs. Qin was deeply favored by the master and a bit indulgently, Madam Zhong never took it to heart.

After all, how far can a concubine’s antics go?

Her status meant she could only be a plaything to amuse men.

Why would she, a legitimate wife from a prominent family, be bothered with a concubine?

It would only tarnish her own status.

Besides, with the master’s nature, even without Mrs. Qin, there would be Mrs. Zhangs, Mrs. Lis, or Mrs. Wangs... Rather than having a bunch of women to feed and shelter in the backyard, it’s more economical and simpler to have just one pet, Mrs. Qin.

She also noticed the beauty of the third girl born by Mrs. Qin.

How Mrs. Qin raised her daughter was of no concern to her, after all, a talented concubine would also reflect well on her, the legitimate mother.

Moreover, she clearly knew that the marriage of a concubine-born daughter was largely to support the family’s interest.

She just didn’t expect the third girl’s sacrifice for the family’s interest to be so severe, even making Madam Zhong feel pity.

"I told your father to have Lord Lin sign a contract of a favored concubine for you."

A concubine could be sold or beaten at will, but a favored concubine couldn’t, which meant she still had a family to rely on.

"This time entering Lin Mansion, the house can’t prepare a dowry, I have prepared silver notes and fragmented silver for your share."

Madam Zhong had a maid bring in a small chest full of fragmented silver.

There were two hundred taels in this chest.

She then gave her five silver notes of two hundred taels each.

"These are the shares prepared for you sisters by our house."

A dowry of twelve hundred taels, such is the specification for a concubine-born daughter.

Second Sister was also a concubine-born when she married, and it was done according to this standard at the time.

"Thank you, Mother."

Dowry, how ironic, she couldn’t wear a ceremonial crown, couldn’t cover her head with a bridal veil, she couldn’t even speak of marriage, but instead entering as a concubine.

This was her fate!

Tears welled up in her eyes and her heart was a desolate wasteland.

"Sometimes money can buy a spirit to push the grindstone, you are smart, I don’t have to say more."

Madam Zhong didn’t blame her for feeling upset, thinking if it were her own daughter... she felt fortunate her sixth child was only eleven, not yet at the age of marriage.

Furthermore, she was determined not to raise the sixth child too prominently.

Too outstanding without the ability to protect oneself is definitely a disaster.

"Thank you, Mother, for your advice."

"I know this bit of money is far from enough to guarantee a good life at Lin Mansion." Madam Zhong took out a property deed and handed it to her, "This Rouge Shop is my dowry, it’s always been managed well, I won’t change the name to yours, but I give it to you, if you need money when you get the chance to get out or have other needs, go find Manager Wen with the deed, I’ll instruct everything will be under your command."

"Mother?"

Madam Zhong’s move took Zhong Xiuyao by surprise.

"Fifth Girl, only you, me, and Third Daughter know about this, don’t speak of it outside, when you get married, Mother will also give you a shop."

"Thank you, Mother."

Zhong Xiuyao and Zhong Xiuxiu went forward together to thank their legitimate mother.

Honestly, Madam Zhong has done quite well at this point.

"Once you’re at Lin Mansion, just take care of yourself, if you’re well, the house is well," Madam Zhong said, "Your aunt is in the house, I won’t short her on provisions, on the contrary, the master will even cherish her more."

"Thank you, Mother."

Zhong Xiuyao gave another deep bow, understanding the implication in her legitimate mother’s words.

It was both a threat and an incentive. Now, she felt like a helpless fish on the chopping block, what else could she say?

"Pack up, the sedan to Lin Mansion is arriving soon."

She glanced at the two maids of Zhong Xiuyao.

"By the rules, you can only take one maid with you, Luo Xia or Luo Qiu, who will you take?"

Both maids had been with her since childhood, and choosing only one to take was a bit hard to bear.

"Which of you two wishes to serve by my side?"

Actually, Zhong Xiuyao already made her decision but wanted to ask once more.

"Miss, this servant is willing to follow you to Lin Mansion."

Both maids knelt with tears in their eyes.

Even knowing Third Miss would not fare well, they still chose to follow.

Years of companionship had forged deep bonds.

Seeing both willing to go with her, Zhong Xiuyao felt a twinge in her nose.

"Luo Qiu, come with me." Zhong Xiuyao knew Luo Qiu was more stable: "Luo Qiu has no family, from now on we’ll live at Lin Mansion, and when there’s a suitable opportunity, I’ll find a match for you."

"Miss, this servant wishes to stay with you always, without marrying."

Luo Qiu was also willing to stay by the Third Miss’s side; she greatly admired her good looks and talent.

"You, eh?"

Marriage was a luxury. Zhong Xiuyao said no more.

"Very well, Luo Qiu will go with you, just the life contract will stay with me."

If it were transferred to Lin Mansion, she couldn’t control her fate.

"Miss, this servant is also willing."

Luo Xia was anxious, how could she not accompany her?

"Luo Xia, your parents recently requested a favor from me, to arrange a match for you, I granted it." Madam Zhong said, "Staying here means they won’t worry." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Yes, Madam."

Upon hearing a match was arranged, Luo Xia blushed.

Zhong Xiuyao looked at Luo Xia, feeling a bitter taste in her heart: though she was the lady, in this moment she envied her maid, Luo Xia; at least she would become someone’s wife, not a concubine!

All the blessings enjoyed in the Zhong family, she had to redeem with her life!