The maid could not touch such skincare products, assuming they were expensive items purchased by the family, unaware that the Lady herself made them.
The Ye family had two little maids whose service time was not long, although they helped with some chores, the two youngest Ladies and the Young Master often needed their assistance.
They only felt that the food here was good, the items used were also good, and the Ladies were knowledgeable.
They also felt quite envious, thinking that many ladies of wealth must be so capable and smart.
The two little maids had been trained by someone, taught that they should not inquire about things the household did not wish to disclose, to work more, and talk less!
Ye Shiqi stepped out of her room and noticed the weather was gloomy with drizzling rain; spring was approaching.
"Ah, it’s going to rain, can’t go out to play now!"
Ye Shiqi heard her elder sister Qing say this as she walked by her side, a smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, after all, they were young girls, loving nothing but to play, cherishing the good times of childhood.
The teacher would come to teach them after the 15th; today was only the ninth, leaving a few more days of leisure.
Ye Shiqi had activities to exercise or entertain herself with, and she was quite spontaneous about them.
She exercised after breakfast every day, something she persistently felt was part of not being lazy.
"Qing, father has made a toy for your younger brother!"
Ye Fengqi, the elder sister, stunned by what Qing said, then heard the laughter in the living room, the loudest being from their youngest brother.
"Oh, father is favoring that little one again!"
Ye Shiqi watched as Qing ran towards the living room and turned to the little maid beside her with a smile, saying, "Let’s go take a look too!"
"Lady, the toys the Old Master makes are definitely the best, you can tell just by listening to Young Master’s laughter."
The little maid referred to Hongji as Old Master and his father as Old Master. Yesterday, Old Master took a concubine, and the little maid thought it outrageous that a man of his age was still taking concubines just because he had money.
But she could only think this to herself, as this little maid was the one who went with Mrs. Lai to her home village that day; knowing how Old Master took a concubine better than anyone.
The Old Lady threatened her to not talk everywhere, and the household members didn’t ask her either; she was cautious these past few days, fearful of being sold, always living in fear, only now cracking a smile.
Ye Shiqi arrived at the entrance of the living room and saw her youngest brother in a baby walker, the little chubby boy seemed so happy moving and running around in it.
She examined the baby walker, noting it was made following her designs with the natural color of the wood.
It wasn’t that there hadn’t been time to paint the baby walker; probably father thought that young children should not use toys with a strong paint smell.
The little chubby boy seemed to notice her, avoided Qing and others, and ran over to the door in his baby walker: "Excuse me, excuse me!"
Ye Shiqi bent over to her younger brother and couldn’t resist pinching his cheek: "I don’t owe you anything, go ask father for money!"
The laughter in the living room was loud, spreading far enough to wake the still sleeping Mrs. Lai and the people in the neighboring room.
Ye Shiqi bent down to inspect the baby walker, noting the animal toys carved by her father on it.
This baby walker had an added thought by her father; it was turned into a small dining table for her brother.
She also looked at the wheels of the walker, all made of wood, just supplemented with screws and nails.
Ye Shiqi looked up admiringly at her father and complimented, "Father, you’ve done a marvelous job, congratulations on your prosperity!"
"Hahaha, my daughters also do very well, yes, congratulations on your prosperity!"
Hongji comprehended his daughter’s words, but he did not reveal to the family that it was her creation.
He had shamelessly taken credit multiple times before, all in a bid to protect his daughter.
"Let’s eat first, after breakfast, I’m off to make money!"
Hongji could barely contain his excitement, eager to finish breakfast and get to work.
"My husband, let’s wait for Mother-in-law and Father-in-law, shall we?"
Mrs. Li said so because it was possible the Father-in-law might bring that woman over for breakfast, or he might pay respects to Mrs. Lai with tea.
"No waiting, if you want to wait, go ahead; I’ve got things to do and I’m going to work now."
Hongji did not want family matters to impede his chance to prosper; it was better to avoid it as there might be turmoil preventing him from even leaving the house.
Saying this, he grabbed a steamed bun and was ready to leave, prioritizing making money over a full meal.
Seeing her husband’s actions, Mrs. Li knew that this man was focused on earning money to support the family and did not bother whether he ate enough. As a virtuous wife, how could she let her husband go hungry?
She immediately packed a food box with some steamed buns and pastries, and also filled a flask with water for him, so he could eat while walking.