Before long, Zhou Jiuer learned where Yuan Jibai lived and how he had been faring.
Two days later, Zhou Jiuer bought plenty of gifts and headed out.
When they knocked on the courtyard gate, a woman's voice rang out from inside:
"Who is it?"
It was the voice of Yuan Jibai's younger sister, Yuan Jinhua.
Zhou Jiuer said nothing and signaled for the servants to keep quiet as well.
The courtyard fell silent.
Zhou Jiuer motioned for her maid to knock again.
When the knocking resumed, Yuan Jinhua called out again:
"Who is it?"
Zhou Jiuer and her servants still said nothing, but the knocking continued.
Yuan Jinhua's voice drew closer as she said:
"Who is it?
Are you mute? Why won't you answer me?"
Yuan Jinhua's temper was just as it had always been.
Zhou Jiuer was certain that if she spoke and Yuan Jinhua recognized her voice outside the gate, she would never let them in.
The courtyard gate opened, and Yuan Jinhua looked up to see Zhou Jiuer.
Yuan Jinhua's face immediately darkened. She reached back to shut the gate, but the manservant beside Zhou Jiuer quickly braced it open, preventing her from closing it.
Despite using all her strength, Yuan Jinhua could not shut the gate.
Yuan Jinhua glared at Zhou Jiuer and said:
"Madam Qi, what do you think you're doing?"
"Jinhua, it's been so long!"
Yuan Jinhua said scornfully:
"Madam Qi, you're part of the Duke's Residence now, a woman of noble standing. You should leave at once!
Common folk like us wouldn't dare reach above our station!"
"Jinhua..."
Yuan Jinhua cut Zhou Jiuer off:
"Madam Qi, we're not that close. Please call me Miss Yuan."
That was what the neighbors called Yuan Jinhua, and she had grown accustomed to it!
Zhou Jiuer sighed