Wufu invited Xiao Li to sit down and had Hongyu serve tea.
"The house is modest, and we don’t have any fine tea," Wufu said with a smile.
Xiao Li chuckled and replied, "Miss, you jest. As a mere servant, how could I distinguish the quality of tea? Even plain water would not be scoffed at."
"There’s no need for self-deprecation in my presence. You are Ninth Master’s favored attendant; what haven’t you seen of the finer things?" Wufu gently chided, deducing from Ah Jiu’s demeanor that he must be the son of a significant household.
Servants from such families would certainly not lack discernment, would they?
Xiao Li grinned broadly, "Miss, you flatter me!"
Wufu smiled, then spoke earnestly, "In fact, I have a request to ask of Ninth Master. Please listen and relay the message for me."
"Please speak, Miss."
Wufu glanced around her humble home and said, "It’s nothing else but that. My family needs to move out of here; we are thinking of relocating to the county town. Since we’ve made the decision in haste, we haven’t found a suitable house yet. I heard you’re currently settled in the county?"
Xiao Li nodded, seemingly guessing her intention.
"You’ve been living in the county longer than us. Could you possibly help me find an intermediary to locate a house?" Wufu asked. "It’s rather urgent. We’ll probably need to move there in the next couple of days."
Xiao Li pondered for a moment before asking, "Does Miss wish to rent or to purchase?"
Wufu calculated the silver she had on hand. Although it wasn’t quite two thousand taels, it should suffice to buy a place, which would be more convenient.
"If the price is reasonable, buying is an option. Perhaps several hundred taels?" Not being well-acquainted with the property prices in the county, Wufu added, "We don’t have many people, so there’s no need for a large house."
She thought since she was in a hurry, there was no guarantee of finding a suitable place on her own, and since she already owed Ah Jiu a favor, what harm would there be in owing one more?
Although Wufu did not understand the rationale behind Ah Jiu’s friendliness, she had nothing to offer in return for any planned solicitation. If he truly asked for something, she’d help if it was within her capacity.
Xiao Li understood and repeated the request. Wufu then took a silver note and handed it to Liu Jin, asking him to accompany Xiao Li.
Liu Jin had been standing by, listening to the entire conversation.
Thus, Liu Jin left with Xiao Li for the county to look for a house.
Not long after their departure, Zhou Xueli and Lady Liang arrived, holding a wrapped bundle of something unknown.
Upon seeing the Zhou family members, Wufu wore a displeased expression and stopped them at the door, "What brings you here?"
"Wufu, we’ve come to see how your mother is doing. Is she well?" Lady Liang asked with apparent concern.
The hostility in Wufu’s eyes softened somewhat, yet she still didn’t let them in. "Thanks to you, she won’t die."
She was like a prickly hedgehog, her eyes filled with wariness and animosity for all to see.
Zhou Xueli then held out the bundle, "This is brown sugar, for your mother to regain her strength." He added, "Wufu, please rest assured and stay as long as you need. Whatever your uncle says, you don’t have to listen to him. He wouldn’t truly force you to leave; it’s all talk. This house was promised by your grandfather for you to live in. Stay as long as you like." He didn’t expect his elder brother would actually do such a thing.
Wufu looked at the brown sugar being offered, but did not accept it. "Unfortunately, he has already come to drive us out. And we have decided to move away. So, you don’t need to come here anymore. My mother is no longer a part of the Zhou family." And she even less so.
Zhou Xueli’s face changed.
Seeing his uncomfortable expression, Wufu asked further, "Where is Zhou Dajun? Can you inform me?"
Zhou Xueli’s eyes narrowed as he pursed his lips.
Seeing this, Wufu showed a mocking smile, "Thank you for the brown sugar, but we have no need for it." With that, she slammed the door shut.