After flirting with the aloof prince, the concubine ran away pregnant.

Changsong walked in from outside, carrying a wooden tray with a bowl of freshly brewed tea on it.

"Sir, it's late. How about having some tea to relax?"

Xie Xun hummed in agreement, picked up the teacup, but didn't drink it.

He looked out the window and suddenly asked, "Is everything settled at Zhenliu Pavilion?"

"Yes, sir, everything is in order," Changsong replied. "I personally led people to tidy up the place, and everything has been replaced with new items, matching the allowances for the concubines in the mansion."

Xie Xun nodded.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice low: "Tell me... was my punishment too lenient?"

Changsong's heart skipped a beat, and he lowered his head, not daring to reply.

His master's affairs were not something a servant like him could comment on.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Xie Xun didn't ask any more questions, and simply drank the bowl of tea that had already gone cold.

Zhenliu Pavilion is located on the west side of Shian Courtyard and is an independent courtyard.

The courtyard wasn't large, but it had everything you needed.

Several stalks of green bamboo grow in the corner of the courtyard, and a stream of water flows down from the back mountain, forming a small pond in the courtyard, with the sound of the water gurgling.

This place is neither too far nor too close to Xie Xun's main house; it's just a short walk away, making it convenient to serve while ensuring sufficient tranquility.

Bai Zhi's eyes lit up as soon as she entered the courtyard.

"Sister Afu, this...this is all for us?" She touched the stone table in the courtyard, then looked at the few red carp swimming in the pond, her words tumbling out in her excitement. "I...I can have my own house too?"

Afu nodded.

Accompanying them were two newly assigned maids, one named Xiaoyue and the other Xiaosu, both only thirteen or fourteen years old, and they looked somewhat timid.

There was also an old woman named Granny Xu, who was around fifty years old, slightly plump, and always had a smile on her face. She seemed like a kind person.

"Young lady, this old servant will be working in this courtyard from now on. Just tell me what you want to do." Granny Xu quickly put her bundle into the servants' room and came out to make her statement.

Afu smiled at her.

She knew in her heart that this courtyard and these people were all Xie Xun's "favor".

She didn't plan to stay in the Marquis's mansion for long, but that didn't stop her from taking advantage of the current conveniences to live a more comfortable life.

At least, with their own yard, they no longer have to depend on others for food, clothing, and daily necessities, and their privacy is better protected.

Bai Zhi, along with Xiao Yue and Xiao Su, had already started tidying up the house, chattering away.

Afu entered the main room.

The room had been cleaned spotlessly, and all the furniture was new. There was a pear wood canopy bed with a dressing table next to it, and a soft couch under the window, facing the pond in the yard.

Afu walked to the bedside, reached under the edge of the bed and felt around for a moment. With a gentle press, a bed board popped open silently, revealing a hidden compartment about half a foot square.

A slight thought crossed her mind.

These days at the Marquis's residence, her biggest worry has been how to store her money. Carrying it close to her body is inconvenient, and leaving it in the room risks attracting thieves. Now that she has this hidden compartment, she can put the money in with more peace of mind.

Just then, Changsong's voice came from outside the courtyard.

"Miss Afu, this month's allowance has arrived."

As Afu walked out, Changsong handed her a heavy purse.

"The young master instructed that, according to the concubine's allowance, she would receive four taels per month. In addition, this is six taels from the young master's private treasury, said to be for the young lady's health maintenance."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Afu accepted the purse and curtsied.

Afu returned to the house and emptied the silver from her purse. Ten taels of gleaming silver were stacked on the table.

She closed the door and took out all the belongings she had saved up from her bundle.

The fifty taels of gold Xie Xun had previously given her, plus the forty taels of silver she had saved up, after deducting her expenses during this period.

And those phoenix blood jade bracelets.

Afu took out the bracelet and examined it closely under the light, feeling that she needed to find out the market price, otherwise she didn't know how much it could be worth.

Living in Beijing is not easy. If you want to buy a house in the suburbs and live a stable life, plus A-Zhen's tuition fees, this amount of money is still a bit tight.

She carefully placed all the gold and silver, along with the pair of bracelets, into the hidden compartment under the bed and closed the wooden panel.

It seems we need to find a way to make money work for us.

.

Afu had only been staying at Zhenliu Pavilion for two days when Granny Cui from Ci'an Courtyard personally led a group of people to visit.

The arrival was quite a spectacle.

Two old women carried a half-person-high dressing mirror with a carved huanghuali wood frame. There were also two maids, one carrying a Suzhou embroidery screen with magpies perched on plum blossoms, and the other carrying a tray with several exquisitely packaged boxes of medicinal herbs, including ginseng and bird's nest, all of the finest quality.

Bai Zhi, Xiao Yue, and Xiao Su were all dumbfounded, standing in the courtyard, not knowing what to do with their hands and feet.

This display was far more valuable than the gifts bestowed upon Lady Hou when she heard that Tao Yao had donated blood.

"Miss Afu." Granny Cui smiled warmly, her gaze sweeping around the courtyard before finally settling on Afu.

"Greetings, Granny." Afu quickly stepped forward and gave a proper bow.

"Please don't be so polite, young lady." Granny Cui helped her up and pointed to the items, saying, "These are all gifts from the Madam. She said she remembers your contribution to the young master."

Granny Cui took Afu's hand and patted it affectionately: "Madam also said that you are a clever and insightful person. In the future, when you have free time, go to Cining Courtyard more often and keep her company."

The meaning behind those words couldn't be clearer.

Afu knew exactly what was going on.

The lady of the Marquis valued her son Xie Xun the most.

Previously, Tao Yao was her "savior," so she treated her with great respect. Now that she herself has become the new "medicinal ingredient," she naturally wants to be close to her as well.

Afu lowered her eyes, a mixture of fear and gratitude on her face, her voice soft and gentle: "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. I dare not take credit; this is merely my duty as a servant. As long as the young master is healthy, that is more important than anything else."

She paused, then added, "Please ask the nanny to convey to Madam that Afu will go to Cining Courtyard early tomorrow morning to pay her respects and express her gratitude."

Upon hearing this, Granny Cui's smile deepened.

This girl is indeed a smart one. She's neither arrogant nor impatient, and she even knows how to take advantage of opportunities.

"Alright, alright, I will definitely convey your kind intentions." Granny Cui nodded in satisfaction, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then left with her entourage.

In the courtyard, Bai Zhi stood around the large mirror, looking at herself from left to right, her mouth agape.

"Sister Afu, this mirror is so bright! It's much clearer than the bronze mirror we used in the servants' quarters!"

Xiaoyue and Xiaosu also surrounded the screen, marveling at it in hushed tones.

Granny Xu emerged from the kitchen, her face crinkling with joy as she gazed at the gifts scattered across the courtyard. "Young lady, you're so lucky! It's only been a few days, and the madam's gifts have already arrived. This old woman has finally found the right person to serve, and I've got a warm welcome!"

Seeing their excited expressions, Afu's smile faded slightly.