A Busy Morning

Xing Xiuyan had initially been furious. In a fit of anger, she pulled every jewel and hairpin from her hair, intending to return them to Jia Yingchun in the rear courtyard.

But after taking only a few steps, some clarity returned to her mind. If I return the jewelry now, no matter how broad-minded Second Sister may be, she'll surely ask what happened.

Forget it!

She would find some excuse to return them to Second Sister that evening, while washing up.

Having made up her mind, Xing Xiuyan was about to set off again when she suddenly heard two men talking around the corner ahead.

"Steward Zhao, you summoned this humble one over. What instructions do you have?"

Though his official speech was fairly fluent, it still carried an unavoidable regional accent. In the entire residence, Zhao Nan was the only man who spoke in such a manner.

And the Steward Zhao he mentioned was naturally none other than Zhao Zhongji.

Expressionless, Zhao Zhongji shoved a set of brocade robes into Zhao Nan's arms. "I only received word this morning, so it would likely be too late to visit a clothing shop. I had these made new during the Double Ninth Festival. Make do with them for now."

"How... how could I possibly accept this?"

Zhao Nan immediately panicked and repeatedly tried to refuse, but Zhao Zhongji forcibly stuffed the clothes into his hands.

And that was not all. Zhao Zhongji shook a pouch from his sleeve and tossed it atop the robe. "There are fifteen taels of silver inside, along with the key to a guest room in the West Wing Courtyard."

"This humble one... this humble one truly... truly..."

Zhao Nan grew even more frightened and grateful. His back seemed bent beneath the weight of the silver, yet