After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

Upon returning to the Yin family home, Yin Huaixi was immediately arranged to stay in her original room by Yin Baishuang.

"Since you left, your eldest sister hasn't touched any of the furnishings in this room."

"I just hope that one day you can come back and see it for yourself."

Because they had grown up together, Yin Baishuang could sense that Yin Huaixi's emotions were subtly off.

However, she did not press Yin Huaixi about what had happened in the past. Yin Baishuang and Yin Qingyue had different views on this matter concerning Yin Huaixi.

However, there is one thing: the two of them have always stood on the same side.

That is, the Gu worms in Third Sister's body must be removed.

No matter the cost, no matter the means, Third Sister cannot be bewitched by that Miao woman again.

...

Looking into her elder sister's eyes, Yin Huaixi could understand the unspoken words she wanted to say.

After all, she's been away for so long, and many things are completely different from before.

"I know, elder sister, don't you have important matters to attend to?"

"The family shop is more important; I'm fine with Qingmei by my side."

The girl standing to the side, sobbing uncontrollably, was the maid who served Yin Huaixi.

During the days that Yin Huaixi was missing, Qingmei stayed by his side and kept cleaning his room. Even more so, when rumors spread in the Yin mansion, she got into a fight with the servants who spread the rumors that Yin Huaixi had died outside long ago.

Yin Baishuang: "Alright, you should get some rest."

"I'll also write a letter to your second sister; she'll be returning home soon."

"If you two have any disagreements at that time, just speak your minds."

Knowing that she was still angry after the big fight with her second sister, Yin Huaixi lowered her head thoughtfully.

Slightly guilty, she said, "Yes, elder sister, I understand."

"I will apologize to my second sister."

Knowing that she had also barely escaped with her life, Yin Baishuang sighed softly and walked out the door without saying anything.

Finally, she remembered something.

He asked a question that Yin Huaixi had anticipated, but which still startled her.

"Huaixi, what is the background of that Miao woman who cast the curse on you?"

Yin Huaixi didn't know how to tell her elder sister. She remained silent for a long time, and the drafts she had prepared all seemed to have many flaws.

She knew that Yin Baishuang had spent her whole life dealing with businessmen, so how could she not see through her clumsy lie?

He was about to speak.

Yin Baishuang stepped across the threshold.

"Fine, if you don't want to talk about it, then don't. Your elder sister won't force you. We'll talk about some things when your second sister comes back."

Only after the figure completely disappeared did Qingmei dare to breathe a sigh of relief, and she quickly poured Yin Huaixi a cup of tea.

"Miss, the head of the family has been very concerned about your whereabouts during the time you were missing, and he has lost a lot of weight."

"Besides, it's only natural for the head of the family to worry about the young lady."

She knew Qingmei was trying to persuade her.

Yin Huaixi slumped onto the bed, arms outstretched in despair. She grabbed a pillow from the side but didn't take the tea that Qingmei offered.

"Qingmei, tell me... if you had a beloved and ideal man who abandoned you, would you go looking for him?"

That's a strange question.

Qingmei almost dropped the teacup in her hand; she froze for a moment.

"Miss, where would I find such a perfect husband? I intend to serve you for the rest of my life, never leave you, and be with you forever!"

Yin Huaixi couldn't help but laugh when she heard her start to pledge her loyalty again. She moved her body and looked at Qingmei, who was standing obediently in front of the bed waiting for her to get up.

He said, "I mean, hypothetically."

"What if you had a perfect husband?"

Qingmei placed the teacup back on the table, scratched her head with her finger, and frowned in thought: "Then I'll probably give up on that man."

"My mother said that no matter what, we should never belittle ourselves. If we keep clinging to someone, it means we don't respect or love ourselves."

Qingmei was engrossed in talking, counting on her fingers, completely unaware that a small insect was hanging upside down on the roof beam, motionless.

...

Inside the temple.

The abbot, dressed in a monk's robe and holding prayer beads, addressed a group of ragged refugees who had just returned from the Silver Moon River.

"You are all orphans who came to the city hoping to find work, but instead you got on that heartless man's cart and were captured by the Miao people?"

The little girl, her face dark and grimy, gripped the steamed bun tightly, swallowed hard, and replied tremblingly, "Bodhisattva... it's like this."

"We are grateful to the Bodhisattva for allowing us to stay in the temple for so many days. We will definitely repay the Bodhisattva in the future and come to the temple to burn incense more often."

Chunzhi has a sweet tongue and is very eloquent.

She's good at making people happy.

Therefore, this group of people elected her as their leader to negotiate with the people of the temple, hoping to stay a little longer and eat more vegetarian meals before finding a way out.

Although the vegetarian meals at the temple were bland and tasteless, they were enough to keep you from going hungry.

For them, it was already heaven on earth.

Abbot: "Young lady, there's no need for thanks. Saving lives and healing the wounded is simply what we monks should do."

"Well, recently a human trafficker came to me and said he could find you a decent job in the Lingshui Mansion. But you have to be quick-witted and get past her first hurdle before she can take you to the mansion to work for the master, mistress, young master and young lady."

Hearing this good news from the abbot.

Everyone immediately beamed with joy.

When they heard that the abbot was coming, they breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the abbot was going to send them away.

They were all dejected.

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be a way to find a source for them.

So everyone kowtowed, and the abbot and the young novice monks behind her quickly helped her up.

Among the piles of straw, only Sang Che, leaning against the straw heap, did not express his gratitude to the abbot like the others.

Her carefully braided hair came undone, and she had no silver ornaments on her head. She was wearing tattered clothes, and although her face was covered with soot, making it impossible to see her original skin color.

However, even a single glance reveals Sang Che's handsome features.

When the human trafficker arrived as promised, he immediately took a liking to Sang Che's face.

You should know that it's not so easy to get into the homes of high-ranking officials and wealthy people.

Born with an ugly face, no matter how meticulous one is in doing things, one is not worthy to linger in front of the master and mistress, the young master and young lady. One can only be sent to the woodshed and stable to do some rough work.

But such a beautiful maid cannot be presented to the master and mistress.

She doesn't need to say it aloud; everyone understands.

With such delicate features, he's perfect for serving in the boudoirs of young masters and ladies. No matter what kind of service he provides, as long as the master is satisfied, that's all that matters.

As luck would have it, this human trafficker had recently taken on a big job.

The head of the Yin family in Lingshui said he wanted to find a pretty, intelligent maid for his third young lady who had returned home.

A generous reward will be given once the matter is accomplished.

The slave trader thought about it over and over and concluded that it must be related to the Third Miss's "romantic affairs" outside.

The head of the Yin family wanted to find a considerate and attentive woman to help the third young lady settle down.

The slave trader became more and more satisfied with Sang Che and beckoned to him.

"Good child, come here."

"Have you read any books?"

Sang Che shook his head, feigning ignorance: "I've never read it, I only knew a few characters when I was young."

Her face was so deceptive that even the most experienced human traffickers couldn't detect anything amiss.

The slave trader couldn't help but smile, his eyes crinkling. Being too literate wouldn't do; the best candidates were those who knew a word or two, the kind that would allow the young lady to showcase her talents. They were truly chosen talents.

"Okay, you're the one."

"Would you be willing to come to the manor to serve the young lady?"

Sang Che continued, "Which family's young lady is she?"

Human trafficker: "The third young lady of the Yin family in Lingshui is from one of the wealthiest families."

"This immense wealth and honor will soon be yours."

"Young lady, don't forget your mentor in the future."