Mira helped Riyo all the way, following the gatekeeper into the Lu family home.
Inside, it was even nicer than outside. There were fake mountains and small ponds, pavilions and swings, and many flowers she had never seen before, all blooming beautifully. On such a hot day, it made her feel cooler inside.
As they walked, many servant-like youths stopped to look at them with curiosity. Even the gardeners in the garden paused their work to watch from a distance.
The gatekeeper led them into the courtyard and handed them over to a maid to guide them.
Mira supported her father, feeling like she was like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden. Oh wait, by age she was more like Ban'er, and the one she was supporting was Granny Liu.
Riyo, not surprised by the surroundings, stayed calm and composed.
Mira suddenly remembered that her own home also had a big courtyard, with a similar layout. But she had never stayed there for more than three months before she had to run away with her father.
She calmed down immediately. Still, the Lu family had so many servants and even quite a few maids.
In this world, the number of maids in a family almost showed how rich the owner was.
Because there were more men than women, few girls wanted to be servants. Unless they had signed a slave contract or came from families of slaves, ordinary families would not want their precious daughters to serve as maids. Only very good conditions could attract people to apply.
When Mira was in the small village, she had gone to the county to check the situation. At that time, she had thought about applying to become the county magistrate's daughter's maid. After all, the conditions were very good and not a slavery contract, so it was tempting.
Also, Riyo often got sick because of their poor living conditions. Mira thought that if she became a maid, she could bring him with her and make life easier and more comfortable for him.
But when she mentioned this, Riyo refused immediately.
Her father, with his weak and fragile aura, cried pitifully. He said he was a burden who made his daughter suffer so much and that she was willing to be a servant, which was worse than dying.
Mira: ...
That was when Mira finally realized where she got her delicate appearance from.
After that, she never brought up the idea again and focused on living in the countryside with her father. She studied a little and found some small jobs in the county. Luckily, her father got used to the environment and stopped falling sick so often, which made Mira feel relieved.
Now, seeing so many servants again, Mira felt many emotions. She was glad her father had stopped her back then, or else her life would have been very different.
She was young then and did not think much. But if she had really been hired, she would have to put her mistress first in everything, never doing what she liked. Office workers get some time to relax, but maids don't.
Living in such a humble, submissive environment long-term, she might not have handled it well and would have lost herself.
The scariest thing Riyo had ever experienced was not his wife's change of heart or threats, but when they escaped to a village and Mira wanted to become a maid.
Now, seeing her staring at a maid kneeling on the ground, Riyo grew alert and whispered, "Mira, what are you thinking?"
Mira snapped back, confused. "Thinking? Nothing!"
But Riyo misunderstood and said, "Don't even think about it!"
He said it with clenched teeth, then started coughing violently.
Mira did not know what he was imagining but quickly helped pat his back.
Lady Lu was sitting in the main hall drinking tea.
A maid knelt on the ground and had just finished reporting when she heard a man cough, immediately frowning.
She thought this father and daughter did not know manners. They came but did not greet her. Their patience was very short. She only needed to handle a few things, yet they could not wait. This gave her a bad impression of them.
Not long ago, the maid brought Mira and the others into a large hall. She bowed to the woman sitting inside and said, "Madam Lis, Master Riyo and Miss Mira have arrived."
The elegant woman wore a dark blue silk robe and looked about thirty years old. When she heard the words, she only raised her eyes slightly. With willow-shaped eyebrows and phoenix eyes, she looked naturally powerful. Her red lips moved as she took a sip of tea.
A maid knelt on the ground reporting something. The woman did not mind and let the father and daughter stand and listen together.
Mira felt a bad feeling as soon as she met this elegant lady.
In her previous life, Mira dropped out of college and did all kinds of work to earn money. She learned how to speak to people well. She had a sweet mouth and could make many people happy.
Especially in this world, although she dressed as a boy, many people were naturally gentle to girls. This made her more likable.
But those people did not include this woman in front of her.
Mira immediately felt this elegant woman was a picky person who liked neatness and seriousness. She hated girls who talked too much like herself. When Mira worked as a clothes salesperson, she met a similar noblewoman.
The woman was well dressed, acted elegantly, was generous, but her behavior was not very graceful.
Mira tried her best to show her many clothes, explained details well, and praised her from head to toe. The noblewoman showed no bad reaction at the time, but after leaving, she complained about Mira.
Mira was confused. Later, the manager told her it was because the woman thought she was too noisy and made the shopping experience bad.
Mira thought: why bother? If she felt noisy, she could have said so, but she showed no bad reaction at all.
Their sales training said if customers want company and advice, they would stay with them. If customers wanted to decide by themselves, they would not disturb and only help when asked.
So later, Mira did not approach such customers to avoid trouble.
Because they might not buy clothes and could complain.
She even thought these people might feel their status was too high to talk to them. They acted like noble people above everyone else. Mira did not like them and even felt scared to get close.
Now seeing the elegant lady frown because her father coughed a few times, Mira suddenly felt anxious. Once bitten by a snake, afraid of a rope.
She started thinking about what she could do if she left the Lu house. This was not a small village or county, but under the Empress's rule. She had already seen the busy and rich city here.
She had hands and feet and many years of work experience. She should quickly help her father stand firm here and live a stable life.
Besides, she wanted to settle here, earn enough silver, and have freedom to marry as she wanted...
"Knock." The elegant lady put the teacup on the table. The sound broke Mira's long thoughts.
"You are Riyo, right?"