The Exiled Villainess and Her Shopping Dimension

Chapter 132

Before long, they were all ready. Mu Heng had also bathed and seemed to have seen the children fetching water, so he went to help prepare the bathing water and made sure they were finished.

This manor was quite convenient with its water source, making it easy to fetch water. However, they were used to using a well with a pulley system at their previous home, so carrying water like this was quite cumbersome.

"Qian’er, go take a bath. Let the children set up the dining table," Mu Heng said. His beautiful wife nodded and entrusted the children with the task.

Xiao Long and Huan’er had become adept helpers, handling everything with ease. But Qu Yi was a bit slower. She didn’t quite know what to do, but fortunately, she wasn’t lazy. When she saw Huan’er carrying something, she would rush in to help, which was also a learning through observation.

However, she was quite pitiful. When she saw the food in front of her, Qu Yi’s eyes sparkled with an undeniable excitement, and her stomach growled constantly. It was as if it were announcing just how much she wanted the food!

How embarrassing. Unfortunately, she couldn’t stop the sound coming from her stomach.

The eight dishes were arranged in the pavilion in the center of the garden. This was the same pavilion where Yueqian had watched the children play earlier. It was almost in the center of the house, a fairly large octagonal structure that took up quite a bit of space but provided a good view of various parts of the manor.

No, it must be said that this pavilion offers a wonderful view of the various beautiful spots around the manor. Whether they were the small and large buildings around, although the abundant plant decorations obscured the view, showing only the decorated roofs. Surrounding the area were neatly arranged stones to make it easier for the residents to walk to the pavilion. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Behind it was a beautiful artificial waterfall, surrounded by a vibrant flower garden filled with bumblebees, bees and butterflies busy pollinating, adding to the natural ambiance.

Under the shade of large trees, with the chirping of small birds that sounded like a melody, the atmosphere here was remarkably pleasant. It was an ambiance that blended seamlessly with nature. This arrangement exuded an ancient charm, suggesting the artificial waterfall, pavilion, and the trees around were likely the brainchild of the first ancestors of the house’s owner.

He might have deliberately hidden it to keep this treasure for his own enjoyment. Throughout history, there is an old saying, "The jade is not at fault, but the fault lies with the one who possesses it." Without the power to face the world, possessing such a coveted treasure that that everyone desires could be suicidal.

Until one possesses such power, the secrets that should be kept must remain so.

Well, he must be praised for this. If it weren’t for the aura of the characters associated with the protagonist, this secret would likely have remained hidden. Well... after all, who would have thought there was a hidden mechanism leading to an underground area beneath the artificial waterfall? Such complexity would not easily come to mind, right?

Except for the yet-to-appear secondary character of the story.

"Let’s eat," Yueqian, dressed in a light blue outfit that made her look even more like a fairy, walked in. The children sitting around smiled sweetly in excitement. They hadn’t dared to start eating because their sister-in-law, who had worked hard preparing the meal, was still bathing. After several minutes of sitting and smelling the food, it felt like torture to them.

Xiao Long was the first to eagerly to dig into the meal. Therefore, his chopsticks moved the fastest. However, this clever child knew how to flatter and please. He even picked up his sister-in-law’s bowl first and served her some golden fried rice with flattery.

Not only that, but he also signaled to Huan’er, his younger sister, to handle their elder brother’s bowl. After getting nudged by her brother, Huan’er understood her second brother’s look and picked up their elder brother’s bowl, filling it with a heaping portion of fried rice before handing it back.

“Thank you, Big Brother and Sister-in-law, for taking care of us.”

Xiao Long said, sounding like a dutiful child. Indeed, he was a genuinely grateful and well-mannered boy. This act was described in the basic etiquette books. The child had read it once, understood, remembered, and immediately applied it. This was the desired etiquette of a scholar, so how could a child aspiring to be a scholar let it go unnoticed?

The examination to become a scholar included such content because scholars not only needed to be intelligent but also needed to know proper manners. Every government position required maintaining the dignified etiquette of a scholar and preserving their image. Otherwise, they would be looked down upon.

Moreover, in the presence of high-ranking officials, a young scholar was barely noticed. If they were also ill-mannered, they could forget about having a bright future.

“I Huan’er, thank you as well.” Huan’er was different; she didn’t aspire to be a scholar and didn’t care about such matters. However, the young girl was not foolish. Second Brother had done so much for them. If she didn’t say anything, wouldn’t that make her seem ungrateful?

“Good children,” Yueqian praised them both.

She, being a young miss from a prominent family, had learned many rules. Their actions were just basic manners for lower-class individuals. However, Xiao Long was not wrong either. He was just a young boy from a distant town. If he had no connections or power, such behavior was considered good manners.

At least, it proved that this child was worth teaching!

“Let’s eat before the food gets cold,” Yueqian said. The two children then set aside their manners. Even their saliva was almost drooling.

Gurgle.

Suddenly, as they were enjoying their meal, a loud rumbling growl, like thunder, echoed. Yueqian paused for a moment, glancing at Qu Yi, who had lowered her head to her chest in embarrassment. The young girl was nearby to serve, a common duty for a servant.

However, other servants wouldn’t let themselves go hungry until now, waiting for their stomachs to protest. Servants typically had their own schedule, slightly different from their masters. For example, in the Qin family, breakfast was served during the Mao period (5:00-6:59 AM), so the servants would eat either before or after their masters.

But today, they had traveled a long distance together, eating roasted meat and food given by soldiers along the way, along with a few buns out of politeness. It wasn’t surprising that Qu Yi now showed signs of extreme hunger.

“Go to the kitchen and eat until you’re full. There’s plenty of food set aside. Choose whatever you like. Today is the first day in our new manor; we can’t have anyone going hungry while we eat. Go on,” Yueqian waved her hand, pretending to give a mild scolding before sending her off.

The young girl felt a bit guilty, but she had done her best. Besides, her master was giving her the chance to find something to eat. How could she complain?

Qu Yi hesitated, unsure whether to go. Although she wanted to leave, she was still concerned about her master. So, Yueqian scolded her again.

“Are you going to keep standing there with your stomach growling? Are you cursing us to starve in this house, with not even enough money to feed the servants?” With that reprimand, the small figure quickly ran off.

“Poor Qu Yi. When she saw all this food, she seemed very excited. I believe she hasn’t had good food in a long time, Sister-in-law.” Huan’er, observed Qu Yi, spoke up.

Being a young girl herself, and since the other party was not much older, it could be considered that she was like her friend. Though she enjoyed playing with her brother, how could boys and girls have same interests? Meeting Qu Yi, Huan’er was delighted. Whatever topic she brought up, the other party responded well. Now, Huan’er secretly considered Qu Yi her friend.

Seeing her friend in such a pitiful state, Huan’er couldn’t help but speak up, hoping her secret friend would receive some kindness from her sister-in-law.

“Hmm, she is somewhat pitiable,” Yueqian thought for a moment before replying indifferently.

“But...” When the little girl saw that her sister-in-law didn’t respond as she had hoped, Huan’er’s face showed a desire to argue, though another part of her didn’t know what for.

Her sister-in-law had bought the other party with a large sum of money, so it was reasonable for her to be indifferent. In truth, freeing Qu Yi from her previous life was already good for her. Being given the status of a servant who had to follow and serve her wasn’t really a big deal, was it? After all, Qu Yi herself had wanted someone to buy her as a servant.

Yueqian smiled at Huan’er’s confused thoughts. The beautiful woman raised a delicate hand to stroke her sister-in-law’s soft hair.

“I know you’re not entirely willing to accept this. Qu Yi is around your age, so you might feel inclined to seek justice for her. However... while Qu Yi is indeed pitiful, she is not the most unfortunate. Besides, we cannot help people randomly, and Qu Yi doesn’t see herself as a beggar,” Yueqian said, then stopped here.

In the original novel, Qu Yi was portrayed just like this. She was straightforward, repaying kindness with gratitude, and held firmly to her principles. This steadfastness drove her to push herself to the limit.

Qu Yi didn’t want anyone’s help without repaying it. She had a strong sense of pride and self-respect. Even though her status was that of a servant, Qu Yi maintained her “humanity,” unlike some wealthy people who had turned from humans into "beasts."

“Huan’er, Xiao Long, you two still have much to learn. Not everyone in the world lives in happiness. Many people endure lives of extreme hardship. Don’t you wonder why there are so many servants? Why do so many people come to the market to sell themselves?”

“Qu Yi is fortunate that she didn’t have to walk around selling herself like that. With her abilities, she is a capable servant. One day, she might even receive recognition or be granted freedom from us, but that day is not today.”

“You’ve seen that I bought her for 20 silver taels. That’s a considerable amount, and both Qu Yi and her aunt surely see it that way. If I bought her for such a sum and then set her free immediately, what do you think Qu Yi’s pride would be worth? Wouldn’t it be akin to throwing money at them? Of course not. Qu Yi and I understand each other. She has tried so hard, don’t you understand?”“Qu Yi is striving to make herself useful in serving us. She wants to prove that she is not a beggar asking for money for nothing.”