Zhong Xiuyao used the excuse of going to the street to buy some rouge and powder, then sent a maid to deliver a message to Zhong Xiuxiu.

They arranged to meet at the rouge and powder shop.

"Miss, this is a letter from the Third Miss."

Zhong Xiuxiu sighed: The third sister’s days are too hard.

Since a meeting was arranged, let’s meet.

She asked the teacher for leave early and then went to the rouge and powder shop to wait.

"Miss, the Third Miss is here, accompanied by two maids."

Bianxia was a bit worried, "The Third Miss seems to have difficulty speaking."

"Find a way to stall those two maids. I’ll have a few words with the third sister."

"Yes, Miss."

Bianxia thought about it and simply bumped into one of the maids, then "accidentally" stepped on the other’s foot.

"Are you trying to get killed? Whose maid are you, so unruly?"

"Sorry, auntie, sorry. I was in a hurry to find my lady. My lady is missing..." Bianxia was about to run, and the two maids chased after her.

"You little brat, trying to run after bumping into someone, no way."

As the two maids chased and cursed, Bianxia, of course, ran faster than them. She was even afraid they couldn’t catch up, so she kept looking back while running, apologizing.

The two maids, who were originally a bit chubby, were now both angry and annoyed and vowed to catch her.

Meanwhile, at the rouge shop, Zhong Xiuxiu had already taken them to a private room on the second floor to select powder.

"Third sister..."

"Fifth sister, can you check my pulse?"

Zhong Xiuxiu checked the pulse and nodded.

"It’s been two months." Zhong Xiuxiu asked, "Is the third sister planning to keep the child?"

"I want to keep it," Zhong Xiuyao said, "I have no hope for this life. I want to see my child do better than me. The two legitimate ones amount to nothing. I want to take a gamble."

This was a big gamble.

But life itself is a big gamble.

Her life was ruined because of her fame as a talented beauty, sacrificed for the Zhong Mansion.

"Mrs. Lin is a formidable character. If it weren’t for the pills given by the fifth sister, I’m afraid I’d never be a mother in my lifetime."

"But what if she finds out?"

"With the money you and mother gave, and I have the shop’s income, money makes things easier. I’ve already gained control over people in my courtyard."

Money can make the devil turn the millstone.

Those two maids have long sided with her, and even the maid sent by the madam and a young servant in the mansion whom she caught in a secret affair are under her control. The smart big maid she brought with her ensures secrecy, Zhong Xiuyao believes she can keep it hidden.

As long as the child is born, even if Mrs. Lin hates her, she can’t do anything about it.

"It’s still a bit risky." Zhong Xiuxiu said, "As the months go on..."

"That’s why I came to find the fifth sister for a solution," Zhong Xiuyao said. "I was thinking, around early spring next year, it should be full term. When the time comes, take the opportunity that the madam goes to the temple to pray for seven days in March each year. You help me with the medicine to induce labor in advance during those seven days."

"It’s a hard time for you, third sister."

"Not hard," Zhong Xiuyao said. "I’ve come to terms with it now. If I truly think I’m suffering, it’s like being soaked in bitter lotus, life would become unbearable. I have to think positively. Although I’m just a concubine now, I’m still the youngest concubine. The old man is almost sixty years old this year; he doesn’t have much time left..."

How clever Zhong Xiuyao is, once the old man is gone, as a concubine of good standing, Mrs. Lin wouldn’t dare to beat or sell her, and with a child, as well as the shop given by her family, she plans to acquire a small estate.

"Later, I’ll live with my child at the estate and live our little life," Zhong Xiuyao said. "If my son is capable, I’ll fully support him to study and take the imperial exams; if he’s not, he’ll just marry a wife and live a simple life on the estate."

"It’s good if the third sister can think like this," Zhong Xiuxiu laughed. "Living life is like playing the pipa under a bitter lotus tree, finding joy in hardship."

"Yes, life is inherently hard, I can’t let it continue being this hard, I need to have a child, have my own flesh and blood, only then can my life have hope."

"Alright, third sister, this is for you."

"What?"

Another pill.

"This is for treating high fever from colds, I hope you don’t need it, but just in case you’re never without it," Zhong Xiuxiu said. "When I learned you wanted to see me, I wondered what it was about. So I specially prepared the Purple Blood Pill for you."

"The fifth sister is so thoughtful," Zhong Xiuyao said. "I’ve heard about the fourth sister."

Zhong Xiuxiu was at a loss for words.

"She’s not that bold, let’s just say she was harmed by her mother," Zhong Xiuyao said. "Honestly, after living at the Lin Mansion, I realized how good our legitimate mother is. It’s true you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. If the fourth sister was a bit smarter, instead of coveting those unreachable things, asking the legitimate mother could have gotten her a good marriage. But alas..."

"The fourth sister married the shopkeeper’s son, which is not too bad." Zhong Xiuxiu shook her head: "Her mother is really selfish and emotionless. When things fell apart, she completely denied everything and put all the blame on the fourth sister. Even mother shook her head at her actions, so her mother was severely punished."

"Serves her right!" Zhong Xiuyao said. "Although you are concubines, your mother is quite good and wholeheartedly for us."

"Yes, we are quite lucky in our misfortune. Our mother may not be the sharpest, but she has a good heart."

"Fifth sister, have you promised yourself to anyone?"

Zhong Xiuxiu paused, should she tell her about this?

Would she be envious or jealous?

"Fifth sister, among the few of us sisters, you are the most fortunate. No matter what, third sister hopes you marry a suitable husband," Zhong Xiuyao suddenly mocked. "But, fifth sister, let me remind you: don’t expect men to be faithful, a good man is one who doesn’t favor concubines over wives."

"Women shouldn’t love too deeply, or life won’t last long."

"Thank you, third sister, for your advice." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Zhong Xiuxiu thought for a moment and decided to tell her the truth.

"Mother placed me under her name and wants me to marry into the Tang Mansion."

"Really, well, congratulations to the fifth sister." Zhong Xiuyao was excited. "I told you, out of us sisters, you are the one truly blessed, third sister is happy for you."

"Thank you, third sister."

Zhong Xiuxiu could see, Zhong Xiuyao was genuinely happy for her, with no jealousy at all.

That’s her smartness, unlike the fourth sister, who always compares and competes, but in reality can’t compare at all.

Everyone is different, there are still many differences among people.

"When is the good day set for? I need to prepare a dowry for you, don’t despise it!"