Chuntao nodded and stepped out of the room.
Someone immediately approached her and asked, "Does it hurt a lot?"
"How is it? Is it serious?"
The women all knew that if one fell ill, it might be an embarrassing ailment, the kind one would not want others to see.
Chuntao pursed her lips, "It’s not too serious, miss said it can be healed!"
Everyone let out a sigh of relief, "That’s good, that’s good!"
It took Xie Zhinuan a whole day to diagnose and prescribe remedies for the dozen or so women.
After all, meticulous questioning was necessary, including checking their abdomens.
Most of them had harmed their health, and it was difficult for them to conceive again in the future, but Lu Yuyu didn’t have any problems.
Her external injuries had almost healed over the past few days.
"Miss, I... I’m alright, aren’t I?" Lu Yuyu asked softly.
"Nothing serious, don’t worry!" Xie Zhinuan said softly, glancing at Lu Yuyu; she hadn’t expected her to be so attractive, especially those fox-like eyes which were quite captivating.
This woman didn’t look like a typical peasant woman; looking at her hands, they were delicate and fair, and her skin seemed to have been well-cared-for.
It appeared she must be from a wealthy family, yet she was reluctant to divulge a single word about it.
After Lu Yuyu left, Xie Zhinuan finally said to Auntie Chen, "Ask Nanny Zhang and Nanny He to keep a closer eye on this Lu Yuyu. It would be even better if they can coax some information out of her!"
"Do you suspect her?" Auntie Chen asked.
"Not exactly suspicion, but seeing her tender skin, she’s different from the likes of Chuntao. I don’t want to keep potential trouble at home!"
This was Xie Zhinuan’s bottom line.
She was willing to let these people work for her and earn silver, but she didn’t want to keep a source of trouble close by. Even if they couldn’t harm her, they could still disgust her.
She saw that Lu Yuyu’s gaze was somewhat impure, full of cunning schemes and thoughts.
Nanny He and Nanny Zhang immediately understood.
Thinking about how Xie Zhinuan had treated them well these days, providing fine clothing and generous living conditions, and remembering how they each received a tael of silver, fabric, a pair of silver bracelets, and a silver hairpin on the day they arrived in the mansion, they were truly given respect.
Eagerly they replied, "Don’t worry, miss, we know what to do!"
Lately, Lu Yuyu had been trying to ingratiate herself with them, and they hadn’t thought much of it. But now, they suspected it wasn’t so simple.
The children were much simpler. Xie Zhinuan took their pulses, while Dugu Zhen examined their bodies. They all suffered from malnutrition and had minor ailments, yet nothing was serious. With adequate food, warm clothing, and gradual recuperation, they all could recover.
After the check-ups were complete, Xie Zhinuan instructed Shitou to take them down.
"..." Shitou stood still, looking at Xie Zhinuan as if wanting to speak but hesitated.
"Is there something wrong?" Xie Zhinuan asked.
"You haven’t given us names yet!" Shitou stated earnestly.
Xie Zhinuan was somewhat surprised and looked at Shitou, "Aren’t your former names fine?"
"Donkey Egg, Dog Egg, Iron Pillar, Stupid Donkey, Dead Dog, what does the miss think?" Shitou retorted.
He had been waiting for the master these past few days, but after several days, there was still no sign of him.
He also heard from the maids in the mansion that those who were trusted and liked by the miss would get new names. While he didn’t show it outwardly, he genuinely wanted to become closer to Xie Zhinuan.
She radiated a warmth that made him feel at peace whenever he was near her.
He had never experienced familial affection before, nor had anyone cared about their food or clothing, whether they were cold or freezing, or about their health, let alone if they could learn a skill. Now, there was someone who spoke plainly that her current generosity was something they would have to repay in the future. Even though it was quite straightforward, wasn’t it the same with one’s own parents? When they supported you, you would have to repay them when you grew up, right?
There was never such a thing as giving without expecting something in return in this world.