Caught in the middle, Yu Zhizhi felt a bit helpless, but more than that, she was moved.
Eight-year-old Yun Xiaocheng, seeing the scene before him, didn’t hesitate to hug all three of their legs tightly and burst into loud tears.
Yu Zhizhi wasn’t the original host, so her sense of immersion wasn’t that strong. Although she didn’t cry, she was still touched by their sincere emotions, and her heart stirred slightly.
She first comforted her mother, then her father.
Finally, she had to soothe her younger brother as well.
The family chatted happily for a full hour. If not for Aunt He coming to inform them that it was already lunchtime, Yun Haodong and Fang Lanzhu would probably have had much more to say.
After lunch, Yu Zhizhi still had important matters to handle and had to go out.
When Xiaocheng learned she was leaving, he wanted to go along. Seeing how clingy he was, Yu Zhizhi decided to take him with her.
Watching the siblings walk toward the door, Yun Haodong said to his wife, “Our real daughter isn’t like the rumors at all—arrogant and disrespectful. I almost believed those rumors.”
Fang Lanzhu nodded. “Yes. When I first heard that the Prime Minister’s residence had raised Zhizhi without discipline and that she caused trouble everywhere, I was worried sick. Fortunately, it was all just rumors.”
“My dear, go to the clothing shop later and buy some clothes for our daughter.”
“No need for you to say it—I already planned to.” Fang Lanzhu smiled gently, her eyes full of affection.
That morning, Uncle He had told them their daughter returned empty-handed, bringing nothing with her.
Even the clothes she wore just now had belonged to Yuqing before.
It made them both surprised and heartbroken.
Fang Lanzhu decided to head to the clothing shop immediately to pick out some beautiful outfits, hoping their daughter would feel the warmth of home.
On the way to the Prime Minister’s residence with her younger brother, Yu Zhizhi hummed a cheerful tune, completely ignoring the whispers and pointing from passersby.
The original host had always acted flamboyantly, and with He Yang as her conspicuous companion, many people recognized her.
Even though she dressed more modestly today, people still recognized her at a glance.
Someone in the crowd said, “Oh! Yu Zhizhi really has fallen on hard times. Didn’t she used to look down on candied hawthorn bought by that follower, the second young master of the He family? Now she has nothing better to eat?”
“Exactly! She’s eating hawthorn that costs only three coins a stick now.”
Yun Xiaocheng, who was also holding a stick of candied hawthorn and eating as he walked, clenched his fist and shouted, “Don’t speak badly about my sister! She doesn’t look down on candied hawthorn!”
Someone sneered. “Kid, don’t be fooled by her.”
Yu Zhizhi shot him a cold glance. “Try saying one more word!”
Why did her aura feel so different from before?
Forget it—it was better not to provoke her.
Yu Zhizhi gently patted Xiaocheng’s head and said softly, “Ignore them. Just like you, I love candied hawthorn very much.”
In truth, she wasn’t lying—but the version she loved came from the modern world, not this one.
Xiaocheng widened his eyes in surprise. “Really?”
Yu Zhizhi nodded without hesitation. “Of course!”
Hearing this, Xiaocheng was overjoyed.
Knowing that his sister shared the same preference made him incredibly happy.
He secretly made up his mind.
In the future, he would save all his pocket money to buy candied hawthorn for his sister.
If Yu Zhizhi knew what he was thinking, she would definitely regret her casual remark.
She didn’t actually like candied hawthorn that much.
After just one day, returning to the Prime Minister’s residence again, Yu Zhizhi decided to settle things quickly.
She hadn’t forgotten what she promised Xiao Tao.
Although Xiao Tao’s contract of sale was in the hands of the Prime Minister’s wife, this time, the wife didn’t appear personally. Instead, she sent Nanny Chen, who served by her side, to handle the matter.
Perhaps she didn’t want to see Yu Zhizhi again.
Xiao Tao came running out of the residence with her bundle, beaming with joy.
Her steps were light, and the moment she saw Yu Zhizhi, she couldn’t stop smiling.
“Hehe~ Miss, you’re so good!”
Then she started crying again.
“Waaah…”
She had thought Yu Zhizhi wouldn’t come.
After Yu Zhizhi left yesterday, the other maids had gossiped in front of her, saying the young lady had deceived her and wouldn’t return to redeem her, telling her not to daydream.
Seeing her both laughing and crying, Yu Zhizhi helplessly wiped her tears. “Stop crying—you look a bit ugly.”
Then she handed the contract of sale to Xiao Tao.
“Take it.”
Xiao Tao’s eyes widened like copper bells. Was this what she thought it meant?
Yu Zhizhi’s next words confirmed it.
“Take this contract to the authorities and restore your civilian status. If you still want to stay by my side afterward, you’re always welcome—and I’ll pay you wages.”
Yu Zhizhi knew Xiao Tao had no choice but to sell herself into the Prime Minister’s residence. Who would willingly become a servant at such a young age?
Tears welled up in Xiao Tao’s eyes again as she clutched the contract tightly, deeply moved.
Miss was so kind!
Much better than before.
Not only redeeming her, but also letting her return to being a commoner.
She would follow Miss for the rest of her life.
Xiao Tao raised two fingers and swore, “Miss, I still want to stay by your side. I swear, even after regaining my freedom, I will never betray you!”
Yu Zhizhi lowered her raised hand and gently patted her shoulder.
“I believe you.”
“I’ll give you a few days. Go to the authorities first, then return to Yang Family Village and tell your family the good news.”
Yang Family Village was about ten kilometers outside the capital—not too far.
In the past, Xiao Tao went home once a year.
Xiao Tao nodded vigorously. “Okay!”
After parting with Xiao Tao, Yu Zhizhi took her younger brother to the Sixth Prince’s residence.
Although both the Sixth Prince’s residence and the Prime Minister’s residence were in the Haidong District, one was in the east and the other in the west.
By the time they arrived, two quarters of an hour had passed.
Not just the child—even Yu Zhizhi herself felt her feet aching.
The weather was hot, the sun blazing overhead, and her throat felt dry as if it were about to smoke.
Yu Zhizhi’s gaze fell on the apricot tree in front of the Sixth Prince’s residence.
The tree was full of golden apricots, weighing down the branches.
Probably because no one picked them, the ground was covered with fallen ripe fruit.
What a waste.
Still, business came first. Yu Zhizhi pulled her brother along and walked up to the guards at the gate.