Zhenzhen, with a tone of earnest advice, said, “When the heir returns, we must make sure to properly present our case to him. Don’t be so impulsive in the future. Confronting Madam Wang directly won’t yield good results, but in front of the heir, we can present our case as we see fit.”

Rongrong listened silently to Zhenzhen’s advice, not responding.

She understood Zhenzhen’s thoughts, or rather, understood the thinking of both Zhenzhen and the original owner.

The heir, Xie Yuanchu, was a refined gentleman who loved poetry, fine wine, and beautiful scenery.

Naturally, he was particularly lenient with the beautiful maidservants around him.

Zhenzhen and the original owner, who had been close to him, had not suffered much but had instead received his care and attention.

Over time, they had developed aspirations to rise in status.

However, having experienced the nightmare of her past life, Rongrong knew that becoming a concubine was never as simple as it seemed.

It was better to seek stability and a peaceful life rather than exhaust herself trying to climb the social ladder.

“…Since you’re ill, as long as you truthfully express your grievances to the heir, I will support you by recounting what happened. The heir will understand how malicious that woman is. We won’t need to confront Madam Wang head-on; we can deal with her indirectly.”

Zhenzhen’s plan seemed better than the original owner’s ambitions, but in Rongrong’s view, it was still not a perfect solution.

Seeing Zhenzhen’s determined expression, Rongrong advised, “Since I’m not in serious trouble, let’s avoid creating more issues in front of the heir. We should be cautious and avoid giving anyone a reason to criticize us.”

“Why let it go?” Zhenzhen asked, puzzled. “Are you frightened by Madam Wang? She bullies us only because the heir isn’t here. As long as the heir is around, we have nothing to fear.”

Rongrong didn’t share Zhenzhen’s view.

Although she knew from the original owner’s memories that Xie Yuanchu favored the two maidservants, she also understood that he was not the kind to favor a concubine over his wife.

Moreover, they weren’t even concubines—just maidservants.

“Have you really given up?” Zhenzhen inquired.

Rongrong knew that the original owner had been determined to become a concubine.

If she suddenly changed her mind, it might arouse Zhenzhen’s suspicion.

So, she played along and said, “Since Madam Wang is so petty, she’ll never allow us to become concubines. It’s best to accept our current situation.”

“So, we both need to work hard to gain the heir’s favor. After all, his word is final. If we both stay by his side and support each other, we can have a place in this manor.”

Seeing Zhen Zhen’s determined eyes, Rong Rong knew that nothing she said would change her mind.

But it was difficult for Rong Rong to imagine speaking ill of the heir’s wife in front of Xie Yuancho.

Just as she was at a loss for words, someone knocked on the door: “Sister Zhen Zhen, the heir has returned to the manor and is waiting in the study!”

Xie Yuancho really returned today?

“I’ll go serve the heir first. Remember what I said. You look pitiful enough, just say what needs to be said.” Zhen Zhen smiled, gave Rong Rong a meaningful look, and quickly walked out.

With Zhen Zhen gone, Rong Rong was left alone, her mind swirling with troubling thoughts.

She worried about finding her child, what Wang Shi might do to sell her off, and how she should handle Xie Yuancho.

“Young master, this way please,” came Zhen Zhen’s voice from the courtyard.

Xie Yuancho was here?

Rong Rong’s heart tightened, and she couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

Xie Yuancho was indeed attentive to his maids, coming to the side room as soon as he returned.

Moments later, the door opened, and a tall, sturdy man walked in.

He wore a black brocade robe with gold embroidery on the cuffs and a gray-green cloak, exuding nobility.

“Young master,” Rong Rong struggled to rise and greet him, feeling a surge of complex emotions.

“Don’t move.” Xie Yuancho’s brows furrowed as he quickly stepped forward to support her.

His broad, strong hand made her feel as if she were half-embraced by him.

Rong Rong felt embarrassed and weakly pushed him away, “Young master, I am still ill. I don’t want to pass the sickness to you.”

Xue Rongrong, being ill, looked paler than usual, with a slight redness on the tip of her nose, which made her appear especially pitiable in Xie Yuanchu’s eyes.

“If you can’t even handle this little illness, how could I trust you to lead troops?” Xie Yuanchu said with a dismissive smile, his tone becoming gentler.

Not only did he say this, but he also moved his hand from Rongrong’s shoulder to her waist.

“Young Master!” Rongrong quickly pushed his hand away, not caring about formalities.

Xie Yuanchu was taken aback.

Among the two maids, Rongrong was usually more proactive than Zhenzhen in front of him.

They had a close and even somewhat ambiguous relationship, so he didn’t understand why she was reacting so strongly to such a slight touch.

Zhenzhen, seeing this, thought Rongrong was scared by the punishment and was therefore resisting, so she stepped forward and said gently, “Young Master, Rongrong is still sick. You promised to call the house doctor.”

When Zhenzhen spoke, Xie Yuanchu understood that Rongrong was just feeling shy with her present.

He felt a bit smug.

Although Rongrong and Zhenzhen were not from noble families, Xie Yuanchu kept them around for their company and charm.

“I haven’t forgotten my promise. I’ll have Xinzhu call the house doctor right away.”

Zhenzhen tried to give Rongrong a hint, but Rongrong pretended not to see it and hurriedly declined, “Young Master, I’m fine. I can go back to work tomorrow. There’s no need to trouble everyone.”

Seeing Rongrong’s firm refusal, Xie Yuanchu said, “Fine. Rest for now. If anything feels wrong, report it to me immediately. Don’t be shy about seeking medical help. And don’t rush to go back to work; I don’t lack for attendants.”

Seeing that Rongrong wouldn’t complain, Zhenzhen spoke up herself, “Young Master, Rongrong and I both serve in the study. If the Lady assigns us tasks or punishes us, we accept it. But in this cold weather, she was punished by kneeling outside and was unconscious for three days before she woke up.”

Xie Yuancho’s expression remained unchanged as he heard Zhen Zhen’s words.

He responded calmly, “The lady of the house manages the inner court, and it is her duty to handle rewards and punishments.”

“So, does the young master no longer care about us? Rong Rong is on the verge of death from all this torment!”

“How could I not care?” Xie Yuancho said with a smile, trying to reassure her. “Rong Rong, you don’t need to work for the next few days. Just rest. If you feel unwell, call the household doctor.” With that, he began to leave.

Upon his return to the manor, Xie Yuancho had come straight to the side room upon hearing that Rong Rong had fallen ill, without even changing his clothes.

Zhen Zhen, knowing he still needed to pay respects to the Marquis and the Marchioness, quickly nodded at Rong Rong and followed him out.

“Young master, you saw how Rong Rong is. She can’t even bear to look at you now,” Zhen Zhen said as she helped Xie Yuancho change into his regular clothes.

Xie Yuancho’s expression remained unmoved. “Once she recovers, she’ll be just as she was before.”

Despite his words, Xie Yuancho began to ponder.

He was aware of the his ‘s wife Wang Shi’s dissatisfaction with the two head maids.

He had asked Wang Shi was merely causing minor inconveniences while he was away and had checked on Rong Rong primarily to appease the maids.

He hadn’t intended to involve Wang Shi.

Before seeing Rong Rong, he had anticipated her tearful pleas for justice and had prepared to console her.

To his surprise, she didn’t mention Wang Shi at all and seemed very wary of him.

He considered the possibility that Rong Rong was trying to play hard to get, but she wasn’t known for such cunning.

Moreover, her genuine anxiety and distance couldn’t be faked.

He wondered what Wang Shi had done to make the girl so afraid of him.

Zhen Zhen, standing by, noticed the change in Xie Yuancho’s expression and curtsied.

After he left the room, she quickly returned to Rong Rong’s side room.

“Why are you back so soon?” Rong Rong asked.

“The young master went to pay respects to the Marquis. He’ll be staying at the Rongkang Courtyard tonight, so I have some free time,” Zhen Zhen said with a forced smile, her mood clearly subdued.

She sat next to Rong Rong, “Good thing you were smart and didn’t follow my misguided advice. Now I understand that someone as sharp as the young master won’t be swayed by tears and complaints. Even without saying much, he can guess you’ve suffered greatly.”

“What did the young master say?”

“Not much, but I could tell he wasn’t happy.” Having served Xie Yuancho for five years, Zhen Zhen could read his moods even if she didn’t fully understand him.

Rong Rong felt at a loss for words.

Trying to complain about the heir’s wife in front of Xie Yuancho might only make the heir’s wife more determined to get rid of her.

As mere maids, she and Zhen Zhen were relying on Xie Yuancho’s slight favor.

How could they compete with the his wife?

Thinking of the affectionate look Xie Yuancho had given her earlier, Rong Rong felt an overwhelming sense of dread.

She was convinced her days were numbered.