CHAPTER 283: CHAPTER 283: ARE YOU WILLING TO SUPPORT HER FOREVER?

Little Feng’s mind turned quickly; she had never considered her future so deeply in the past decade or so.

"Besides the registration, I have other requests."

"Go ahead," said Meng Yao.

As long as it’s not excessive, let it be a good deed.

"I want to stay at the Zhao Family as a maid, but I won’t sign a lifelong contract, just a working contract. Once I’ve saved some silver, I’ll find my own way," said Little Feng.

Stay at the Zhao Family as a maid?

Meng Yao didn’t want to keep such a time bomb by her side.

"Our family doesn’t need a maid," Meng Yao refused.

"We can..." Zhao Dahe began.

"What can you do?" Meng Yao interrupted Zhao Dahe.

"I can do laundry, sewing, cooking, and work in the fields," said Little Feng.

"In that case, I’ll find you a job. As long as you do it well, supporting yourself and saving silver won’t be a problem," said Meng Yao.

"I want a proper job and won’t go to any messy places. Besides, I want to marry in the future," said Little Feng.

"It’s not a messy place, rest assured," said Meng Yao.

"One more thing, if the Song Family or my uncle and aunt come to trouble me, you can’t ignore it," added Little Feng.

"Naturally."

"I’m just afraid that if I don’t do as they say, my uncle and aunt will sell me off for a dowry," said Little Feng.

"Don’t worry, we won’t let them have that chance," said Meng Yao.

"Thank you, Aunt," said Little Feng gratefully.

"Stay here for a few days first, and I’ll find you a job with accommodation. Then you can move out," said Meng Yao.

Little Feng nodded and then walked apologetically to Song Xiu’er, "Sister Xiu’er, I’m sorry. I was foolish before, and I’ll never do such a thing again."

Song Xiu’er sighed, "I’m her real daughter, and she could ignore me. Do you think her so-called kindness toward you is genuine? If you manage to stay with the Zhao Family, in the future, they’ll cling to you like leeches you can’t shake off. Do you think you can live a good life with the Zhao Family that way?"

"In this world, there’s no unprovoked good, and no unprovoked bad. Little Feng, I hope you’ll think twice before rushing into anything and don’t let yourself be deceived again."

"I will remember, Sister Xiu’er."

Meng Yao turned to leave, and the others followed suit.

Zhao Dahe asked Meng Yao, "Why not just give her some silver to settle it? Why go to all this trouble?"

He wanted to say that earlier, to give her silver and be done with it. However, his mother interrupted.

"Teaching a man to fish is better than giving him a fish, and a pound of grace becomes a bushel of resentment. Clearly, she wants to stay in the Capital City. If she doesn’t have a job to sustain herself and we give her silver this time, what happens when she runs out? Besides coming back to us for more, what other options does she have?" Meng Yao rolled her eyes, "Or are you willing to support her forever?"

Zhao Dahe quickly waved his hands, "I was thinking the wrong way. You’re the thoughtful one. So, what kind of job are you planning to find for her?"

"She knows laundry and sewing, so I’ll ask at Hundred Embroidery House," said Meng Yao.

As long as she isn’t lazy or greedy, given Meng Yao’s face, this job could last her a long time.

Initially, she could be assigned to cook at the Medical School, but Meng Yao didn’t want too much interaction with Little Feng.

"Thank you, Mother," said Song Xiu’er, her eyes filled with tears.

"We are family, no need for such formality. Now, hurry back and rest," Meng Yao gently patted Song Xiu’er’s shoulder, "Get a good night’s sleep, and by the time you wake up, all the bad things will be forgotten."

"Xiaohua, keep an eye on Little Feng," said Meng Yao.

"I understand, Mother," Zhao Xiaohua replied.

You must remain vigilant. Although Little Feng agreed in the end, who knows if she’ll change her mind and scheme again?

"Did Dajiang and Xiu’er come? Should we see about going to Duke Qi Mansion together?" Zhao Ting asked.

"Wait until we’ve settled that matter with Xiu’er," said Meng Yao.

It’s not that she thinks ill of others, but the wealth and honors bestowed upon her family are indeed excessive. As the person involved, she still feels a bit bewildered. If Little Feng learns of their situation, there’s a high chance she will change her mind.

"I visited the General Mansion the other day and mentioned to Mother about changing the child’s surname," said Zhao Ting.

Meng Yao was puzzled, "What?"

"Your parents only have you as a child," Zhao Ting said. "Now that you’ve returned to your roots, you need to consider their situation."

Meng Yao understood Zhao Ting’s meaning.

"My father was an outsider. When he was with my mother, he took my mother’s surname and adopted a Han name," Meng Yao said.

"Among Dajiang and Dahe, who do you think should change their surname to Qi?" Zhao Ting asked.

"Why not Xiaoshu?" asked Meng Yao.

Zhao Ting hesitated for a moment and said, "There’s something I’ve just remembered, concerning Xiaoshu."

"Hmm?"

"The time spent during Xiaohua’s birth was too long. Another child was born weak, and while he was taking the child to find a doctor, the child died halfway. He buried the child in the mountains and found a little baby there," Zhao Ting said.

So Xiaoshu isn’t the original’s child?

If that’s the case, it seems to explain why the original treated Xiaoshu and Xiaohua so differently?

"Did Xiaoshu know his true background, so he left?" Meng Yao murmured.

All of this, the original didn’t know until her death in her past life.

So, is this a butterfly effect caused by her arrival?

"Dahe told me about the situation at the time, so I judge that it was probably his family who found him," Zhao Ting said.

"Xiaoshu has always been a decisive person. If he chooses to leave, it means he’s willing to accept being found by his family," Meng Yao said after a moment of silence.

Of course, there’s another reason; perhaps the people who found him threatened him with Dahe and the others’ safety, so he had to leave.

"Ask Dajiang and Dahe about their opinions," Meng Yao said, "but as for Xiaoshu, as long as he hasn’t explicitly said he wants to cut ties with us, he’ll always be part of our family."

Zhao Ting nodded, "I’ll have someone keep an eye on Xiaoshu’s whereabouts."

——

The next day, Meng Yao went to Hundred Embroidery House, spoke with the shopkeeper, who had someone bring Little Feng over. After a simple skill test, they decided to take her on.

The shopkeeper explained the rules, issued her the uniform for embroidery girls, arranged a place for her to stay, and even appointed a senior embroidery girl to guide her.

Meng Yao mentioned to the shopkeeper that Little Feng was alone and had no support, so the senior embroidery girl was also specially chosen by the shopkeeper, who had no children.

As long as Little Feng studies diligently, the senior embroidery girl will surely pass on all her skills.

The two would rely on each other.

Little Feng expressed her gratitude to Meng Yao over and over. After a few reminders, Meng Yao left.