Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

After about a quarter of an hour, footsteps could be heard approaching briskly.

The window opened a crack, and Du Yunluo saw a figure in a light blue jacket pass by. Then, the wooden door creaked open and shut, leaving no other sounds.

Si Shui was quick-witted, slipped out to take a look, and came back saying, "Madam, Miss, that was Miss Shi who just entered Mr. Shi’s room."

Mrs. Zhen nodded.

After a short while, the sound of bamboo poles being knocked was heard. Du Yunluo leaned by the window, cautiously peering outside.

Shi Lian’er set up a simple rack, turned around, and carried out a quilt, skillfully tossing it on the rack to sun.

At that moment, Shi Lian’er was different from the impression Du Yunluo had of her.

Her attire was no different from that of ordinary city folk—the Shi Family hadn’t prospered yet and relied solely on her father, a poor scholar, without enough silver for meals. Besides, they still had to gather funds for Shi Shiren’s tuition, and Shi Lian’er frequently earned money to supplement the household.

These tasks of drying clothes and sunning blankets were done by her with ease and skill, contrasting sharply with the later Aunt Shi who pointed at servants with a shrill voice.

If it weren’t for her melon-shaped face and those shrewd phoenix eyes, Du Yunluo might have feared she had mistaken her for someone else.

Mrs. Zhen heard the commotion, knew Shi Lian’er was sunning the quilt, and said softly, "She certainly knows how to work."

A girl of ordinary background does not fuss over such things; never mind drying things, she’s also adept at chopping wood and lighting fires.

In this world, people are born differently, but as long as they’re living an honest life, Mrs. Zhen doesn’t despise these efficient girls. However, no matter how capable, they are not suitable for Du Yundi.

To put it bluntly, the Du Family doesn’t lack servants. A wife who’s like a servant girl—now that would be amusing.

Shui Yue leaned down and whispered, "The sun is good today, Madam, should I also bring Mr. Si’s quilt out to dry?"

Mrs. Zhen glanced at Si Shui.

Si Shui quickly said, "Madam, just yesterday we dried it."

Mrs. Zhen nodded, and said, "Shui Yue, this is Si Shui’s job. If you take it, what will he have to eat?"

Si Shui nodded repeatedly, "Good sister, I can only tidy up things for Mr. Si and lead the horse. If you take half of it, then I’ll..."

Shui Yue seeing this, did not mention it again.

Outside, Shi Lian’er, quick-handed, finished sunning the quilt, swept the room, and only then was she done, pacing the corridor back and forth.

Du Yunluo didn’t want Shi Lian’er to notice her now, so she moved away from the window.

Mrs. Zhen sat waiting; she wanted to see how Shi Lian’er would speak to Du Yundi when he returned from school.

Coming over, Mrs. Zhen had thought carefully.

A girl at this age having someone she fancies isn’t anything peculiar.

Du Yundi is well-born, scholastically accomplished, and handsome—it’s natural for someone to think of him; if no one liked her son, Mrs. Zhen would find that strange.

Young girls longing for love, as long as they don’t overstep, it’s fine if they’re proper.

Si Shui and Chang An had made complaints, but just based on their few words, questioning a girl’s honor, after the initial excitement, Mrs. Zhen still needed to weigh the considerations.

If Shi Lian’er hasn’t thought it through, Mrs. Zhen doesn’t mind giving her some hints—a scholar’s daughter, unless stupid, ought to know to retreat when faced with difficulty.

If Shi Lian’er intends to seize the opportunity to climb high...

Then let’s wait and see.

While Mrs. Zhen took a cautious approach, Du Yunluo was much simpler.

Having lived a lifetime, knowing how much tears Shi Lian’er will bring to the Du Family, Du Yunluo wanted nothing more than to cut off ties quickly, severing connections between Shi Lian’er, Shi Shiren, and Du Yundi.

Class was dismissed, students returned in groups.

Mrs. Zhen did not instruct Si Shui to go and greet them, so Si Shui could only stand by the wall with eyes seeing and perceiving only what he should.

Shi Lian’er tidied her hair and clothes, then carried out a basket of dates, going up to greet them.

Knowing Shi Lian’er’s focus wouldn’t return to the window, Du Yunluo slightly pushed it open, allowing Mrs. Zhen to see clearly too.

Du Yundi, along with a few classmates, came over talking and laughing, one of whom Du Yunluo found familiar; upon closer inspection, he was a young gentleman who traveled with Mu Lianxiao from Fa Yin Temple. The other two, a taller one was Shi Shiren, and as for the rest, Du Yunluo didn’t recognize them.

Seeing Shi Lian’er, Shi Shiren beamed, "You’re bringing dates?"

Shi Lian’er nodded with a smile, "They were just picked from the tree this morning, they’re very sweet."

Shi Shiren reached for one, inviting Du Yundi and the others to taste them as well.

Shi Lian’er pursed her lips, smiling, "Who eats standing in the courtyard? Brother, I’ve left your share in your room, let me divide these among the gentlemen."

From Du Yunluo’s angle, she could clearly see Shi Lian’er’s profile.

While speaking, Shi Lian’er’s gaze remained glued to Du Yundi, seemingly wanting to stick to him.

Du Yundi appeared oblivious, politely thanked her, instructed Chang An to grab a handful, then considered the matter done, heading straight towards the room.

The door swung open, Si Shui stood by the wall, grinning as he called "Master Si," but his gaze kept darting towards the inside.

Du Yundi followed the look, immediately spotting Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunluo, eyebrows raised in pleasant surprise, he was about to go up and greet them when Shi Lian’er’s voice came from behind.

"Mr. Du, don’t be so formal. There are still many dates, let me pick some and put them on your table," Shi Lian’er said as she stepped inside.

Du Yundi hadn’t expected her to enter, was momentarily stunned and didn’t pull her back. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Shi Lian’er took a couple of steps, then halted, directly staring at Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunluo seated at the table, unable to advance or retreat.

If Mrs. Zhen had any reservations before, seeing Shi Lian’er dare to step into Du Yundi’s room so casually, she instantly soured her face.

It seems, just as Nannan said, Shi Lian’er is shameless.

Not mentioning strict rules of high families, the Shi Family is supposedly educated, right? Even for the sake of livelihood, if a girl must show her face, none would directly rush into a man’s room!

This, this is simply unacceptable!

Mrs. Zhen’s face showed displeasure.

Du Yunluo cast a glance at Shi Lian’er, calling out, "Si Shui, what are you standing there for? Miss Shi brought dates, take them quickly and escort her out. Miss Shi has to deliver dates to other gentlemen’s rooms too; what are you delaying with your lazy hands? Have you forgotten the decorum?"

Inside, the decorum, Si Shui knew Du Yunluo was chastising Shi Lian’er, didn’t dare show discontent, responded promptly, approached Shi Lian’er, grabbed a couple of handfuls of dates and stuffed them to Chang An, bowed and gestured courteously towards Shi Lian’er, "Miss Shi, don’t let us delay you, please."

Shi Lian’er bit her back teeth, glaring at Du Yunluo.

With that noble family attire and sharp, oblique words, Shi Lian’er thought, this must be the arrogant Fifth Miss of the Du Family.