Lin He was indeed somewhat weary and nodded, then entrusted Wen Ningxuan with some items she had prepared for him to study later. The journey these past few days had been too taxing, and on top of that, she had spent the entire afternoon reviewing ledgers; her body simply couldn't manage it all.

As Wen Ningxuan departed, Ziyu brought in two young maids with warm water, announcing that it was time for Lin He to freshen up. Lin He happily allowed Ziyu to assist her in soaking in a hot bath before retiring for the night. It was supremely comfortable. To think that one could live this way every day at home, yet she had never appreciated it so much before. Truly, one only knows the value of certain comforts once they are absent.

Lin He noticed Ziyu still standing watch in the room, realizing the girl must also be utterly exhausted from running errands constantly throughout their travels. She called out, “Ziyu, you should rest early too. There’s nothing more to do; let Yuegui and the others handle the tidying up.”

Ziyu smiled and replied, “Miss, you sleep. I’ll just keep watch for a while. I’ll leave once you’re asleep. We’ve only just arrived somewhere new, and I worry you might not be accustomed to it. I’ll stay with you a bit longer before I sleep. I’m not tired.”

Lin He chuckled from her bed. This girl, usually appearing playful and fond of fun, was remarkably thoughtful. She had relied on Ziyu’s diligent service, both inside and out, for these past few years. Observing that the girl had been by her side for so long, Lin He inquired, “Ziyu, you and your sister came out so young. Do you still have anyone back home?”

Ziyu pondered for a moment and said, “I was very young when I arrived at the Wen residence; I didn't even know how to work. They originally only wanted to buy my elder sister, but she insisted on taking me along. Because my sister and I had spent some time with traveling performers, they bought us together to the Wen family. I don't remember much about my life before that, only that my parents are gone. I suppose we have no relatives left, or we wouldn't have been sold off.”

Lin He nodded. That made sense; if they had relatives, they likely weren't the benevolent sort, or they wouldn't have been sold around. “Then, have you and Ziqing missed home all these years? If you have, once the New Year passes next year and things are a little lighter, I’ll grant you time off to visit your old village.”

Ziyu smiled and said, “Miss, there’s no need. After all these years, we consider Miss’s home our own. I don’t recall the exact location of my home very clearly anymore. Besides, you have treated us like family all these years; we have long forgotten our former home. Miss, please don’t worry about these things. My sister and I have always said that wherever Miss is, we will be, following you for our entire lives. Just don’t ever send us away.”

Lin He understood. They were so young when they left; how much could they possibly remember of the past? They rarely spoke of their old lives anyway. Now, her home was their home. Lin He smiled and said, “You and Ziqing have served me for so many years. Though you are maids by title, you have been with me longer than Chen'er and the others. I have long regarded you as family. Of course, I would take you wherever I go. Moreover, you’re accustomed to being with me; I wouldn’t be used to anyone else, so how could I ever cast you aside?”

Hearing Lin He’s words, Ziyu was deeply moved. These years serving the Miss, though nominally servants, the people in the Miss’s household had never treated them like typical maids; they truly treated them as kin, especially the Miss. Over the years, any good food or fine clothing, she always made sure to set aside a portion for the two sisters. Now that the Miss called them family, the emotion welling up in Ziyu was indescribable.

Lin He watched from her bed as tears gathered in Ziyu’s eyes. She hadn't realized the girl could be so sentimental. Smiling silently, she deliberately changed the subject. “When you were serving at the Wen residence before, did the people there treat you poorly? Their household is vast; surely their monthly stipends and rewards were much more generous?”

Ziyu knew Lin He was gently trying to draw her out in conversation, so she continued, “When we were at the Wen residence, Madam Wen managed things. I don’t know much about the others. But shortly after I arrived, I had no monthly wage. I mostly helped with stoking the fires and doing miscellaneous chores. Later, I was assigned to the Second Young Master’s side that I started receiving a stipend. The wages were tiered; since we weren't senior maids, the pay wasn't much, and rewards rarely reached us. However, my sister and I didn’t dwell on it much. Since we have no family, our food and lodging were provided by the master’s house, so we didn't have many expenses. It was just that the people in the Wen household were all two-faced and difficult to deal with.”

Lin He nodded. Although she hadn't experienced life in a large aristocratic family, she had watched plenty of dramas and read many books in her previous life. To thrive in such a household, whether master or servant, required a certain cunning. Even a simple lamb sent there for a few years, if it managed to survive, would surely transform into a great grey wolf.

“Back then, working as maids there, never mind other things, every month, the household staff would intercept a portion of our wages before it reached us. We only dared to be angry in our hearts, but dared not speak of it. By the time it reached us little maids, barely anything was left. But that was the way of it for servants,” Ziyu continued to explain.

However, as she spoke, Ziyu suddenly shifted tone. “Miss, what I just told you was the worst-case scenario; not everyone is like that. You shouldn't worry. If you marry the Second Young Master in the future, you will be the Second Young Madam, a mistress. And since the Second Young Master treats you well, no one would dare treat you ill. The Second Young Master holds considerable standing in the residence; many people must defer to him.” Ziyu knew Lin He was always worried about the complexity of the Second Young Master’s family situation, so Ziyu usually avoided discussing such matters in front of her. Having let it slip unintentionally, Ziyu quickly tried to backtrack, intending to comfort Lin He.

Lin He smiled at Ziyu. In truth, she was aware of these possibilities herself. If it came to that, there was no choice but to train herself; it was her choice to marry this man, and she must face whatever came, good or bad.

Seeing Lin He appear lost in thought, Ziyu dared not continue. She called out, “Miss, didn't you say you were sleepy and needed rest? Stop talking now. You sleep. I will dim the candle for you, and then I'll step out to the outer room. Just call me if you need anything.” Ziyu then walked to the bedside, tucked the quilt in properly for Lin He, dimmed the candlelight on the table slightly, and then left.