She busily attended to the Zhao family as they ate, but no one was truly happy, each occupied with their own thoughts.
After breakfast, the five members of the Zhao family crowded into Room No. 3 on the ground floor, not missing a single person.
Originally, Lu He wanted to avoid the gathering, but the elegant Mrs. Zhao held her back: "No need, you should join us as well."
She responded with a nod.
Staying behind didn’t mean she had any leisure. She busied herself preparing charcoal pencils and paper for the Eldest Young Master, to facilitate communication.
She placed a cushion behind his back, so he wouldn’t be uncomfortable sitting on the stool and could lean back.
Third Young Master Zhao Qi glanced around the worn-out room – the mottled floor, the paint-stripped windows, the simple wooden bed, and the old table and cabinet. He lightly furrowed his brows but said nothing.
His disdainful expression was blatant.
The Zhao Mansion was the third wealthiest in Feng County, living in luxury, raised with a silver spoon. Such a drastic change was hard for these masters to accept.
Lu He realized this and was taken aback. She stepped forward in a low voice, explaining: "Third Young Master, because we need to cover the Eldest Young Master’s medical expenses and daily needs, we must save where we can. This room costs forty copper coins a night, which is a bit cheaper."
Zhao Qi, hearing this, tempered his disdainful expression, showing a smile: "Miss Tongqian, please don’t mind. I had no intention of looking down on you. You’ve put in a lot of effort to care for my brother over this period."
His courteous demeanor now was a stark contrast to the disdainful look earlier.
With a wave of her hand, Lu He forced a smile against her conscience: "It’s not a burden at all. The Eldest Young Master is easy to care for."
The truth was, he was quite difficult to manage and uncooperative in everything.
Old Master Zhao remained silent on the side, occasionally stroking his beard, lost in thought.
The entire family was present – parents and siblings – yet no one asked about Zhao Jun’s injury.
Silence reigned.
Mrs. Zhao carefully examined the well-featured girl in front of her, and after a while, said, "Miss Tongqian, you had a doctor see my son, didn’t you? What did the doctor say exactly?"
This!
Lu He glanced at the man with the broken leg, her expression conflicted, she wanted to speak but hesitated.
The lady’s question was obviously not a simple one, and for a moment, she remained silent.
Seeing this, Mrs. Zhao stepped forward, grasping her hand, and inquired gently, "No need to worry. I’m just asking casually."
Afraid to meet the woman’s gaze, she looked around erratically: "Rest assured, Madam, it can be treated, but it’s a matter of time."
Which meant they currently had no assurance it could be cured.
Old Master Zhao, having finished his contemplation, spoke calmly as he stroked his beard: "Jun’er, the Zhao Mansion is ruined. We are passing through Qingfeng Town this time to seek refuge with the Yun Family. The Yun Family Head is a close friend of mine and is willing to extend a helping hand in this time of crisis. It’s hard to find such a friend in one’s lifetime, truly a help in our time of need. They also wish to help our family make a comeback."
The Zhao Mansion was falsely accused and seized!
Old Master Zhao knew it was Prince An who made the move. Prince An wanted the Zhao family to join his rebellion, but Old Master Zhao refused.
The commoners can’t fight those in power; at least their lives were spared, but now they had to start from scratch in a small business.
"Wow, Old Master Yun is truly a good man, practically a living Bodhisattva," Lu He clapped her hands and cheered.
What should have been a joyous matter, yet apart from her excitement, everyone else wore heavy expressions.
Awkwardly, she put her hands down, lowered her head, and continued to listen.
Old Master Zhao, his eyes red, continued speaking in a slightly choked voice: "My Jun’er, it’s truly wonderful that you’re alive. Father is very happy. If it were not for protecting your father, you wouldn’t have surrendered yourself and ended up like this. It’s all because of my uselessness, all because of my uselessness."
The middle-aged man wept bitterly, his tears flowing like rain.