Sword Evaluation's Third Scholar

Ruzhou, Wancheng.

Inside the Gao family estate, the servants hurried back and forth, busy with their own tasks.

Though they were servants, every one of them was quite content with their lot.

At least, smiles could be seen on their faces from time to time. A few young maids would occasionally sit together and whisper during their breaks.

One maid had been crying until her eyes were red. She choked out to her companions, "Yesterday, I went with Madam to the rouge shop and happened to run into someone from my hometown. After asking around, I learned that my hometown is gone..."

Her companions hurried to comfort her. Though they were servants, they could eat their fill and stay warm at the Gao estate, with no need to live in fear and a place to call home. In these chaotic times, that was already the best an ordinary person could hope for.

Thinking of her fellow villager, who was still doing the lowest, dirtiest work at the rouge shop and never knowing whether she'd have enough to eat, the maid suddenly felt less sad.

Yes, as long as you compared yourself to those worse off, you could always find some comfort.

But the maids had no idea that Gao Yuting, standing some distance away, had heard every word of their conversation.

Hearing of the misery beyond Ruzhou, Gao Yuting felt helpless. She leaned against the railing of the pavilion, gazing ahead, lost in thought.

"What is it? Wondering when your wildcat will come home?"

A slender hand came to rest on Gao Yuting's shoulder. It was her older sister, Gao Lan.

At her sister's teasing, Gao Yuting pretended to be cross. "Who's thinking about him? That good-for-nothing's been gone for ages. My little niece will be old enough to run