Chapter Nineteen: Can You Live in Harmony?

Luo Yunqiao saw the look on Jin Xin's face and understood the situation immediately.

"Regardless of whether the news is good or bad, tell me. Even if they are no longer alive, I must go to claim their bodies; they were, after all, once in my service."

Jin Xin nodded. "Miss, it is not as bad as that. They are all still alive, but... they have been sold to a brothel. My brother said the eldest young master forbade anyone from investigating the matter, so he dared not intervene and could only pass the news to me. He said that if you wish for more details, he can arrange for people outside to look into it."

Jin Xin looked at her mistress with concern. When she first heard the news, she had been terrified. Even respectable families, when selling servants, would never send them to a brothel; it was a matter of protecting the reputation of the household's own daughters. If those servants were to say anything, the reputations of the young ladies of the house would be ruined. Moreover, being sold to a brothel was more cruel than death itself; a family of standing would never do something so scandalous that would invite such public gossip.

Luo Yunqiao remained calm. She was well aware of these things, and it was precisely because she knew them that her disappointment in the Luo family deepened.

"I understand."

There was no emotion in Luo Yunqiao’s voice, yet Jin Xin sensed that her mistress was furious.

"Have your brother get me the address."

Jin Xin clutched the note in her hand. "I already asked him for it, Miss. If you intend to go, I will accompany you. No matter what, I must be by your side! As a maid, I should share in both the honor and disgrace of my mistress!"

Luo Yunqiao felt a warmth in her heart. Her lips curled slightly, and she answered inwardly: *Very well, we shall share in honor and disgrace.*

"Miss!" Yin Xin burst in, setting a food box on the table and breaking the atmosphere between the mistress and her maid.

Jin Xin walked over to lay out the soup and snacks.

"What is the matter?" Luo Yunqiao, thinking the kitchen staff had given her a hard time, reached out to pat her back.

"Oh, Miss, how can you be so calm? The Madam gave the second young master a full box of jewelry to present to Miss Yunzhen. She has only just reclaimed her status; why does she need so much compensation? You were the one switched at birth, suffering outside for all these years—why has no one given you any compensation?" Yin Xin sat down, fuming.

Luo Yunqiao found her indignation both exasperating and amusing. Jin Xin, too, could not help but smile.

"I just told you to be cautious in your speech and actions; why are you shouting again? Do you want to be made to kneel in punishment again like yesterday?" Luo Yunqiao shot her a sharp look. She saw the people of the Marquis’s residence for exactly who they were, and thus, she held no expectations that they would remember her, their own biological daughter.

Seeing Luo Yunqiao so indifferent, Yin Xin felt even more heartbroken.

Just then, Luo Zeting arrived, holding a small box. Judging by its shape, it contained a hairpin.

"Yunqiao, Mother is only feeling sorry for Yunzhen—after all, she raised her for so many years. Please do not blame her. This is a hairpin from your eldest brother; see if you like it."

He opened the box to reveal a crystalline jade hairpin. Subtle, intricate patterns were carved into the surface, and at the end of the pin, a magnolia bud was etched in fine detail. Such a thoughtful gift made it clear who it was truly meant for.

Luo Yunqiao looked at him coldly. "There is no need for the hairpin; I do not like it. However, I do need a favor from you, Brother." She poured a cup of tea and placed it before him. "I have been kneeling to recite scriptures at Zhaojue Temple for these past days, and there has been so much to deal with since I returned. I feel restless and wish to go out for a while to clear my mind."

Luo Zeting hesitated. "Yunqiao, your health has not fully recovered. You should be resting quietly!"

"My health is fine. Furthermore, getting out for a change of scenery is more conducive to my recovery than staying cooped up in the manor, don't you think, Brother?" Luo Yunqiao stared at him intently.

Finally, Luo Zeting gave in. "Very well, then I shall accompany you."

Luo Yunqiao did not refuse. She stood up and began to walk out, eager to see those people. Luo Zeting, not expecting her to be in such a hurry, was stunned for a moment. When he realized what was happening, she was already at the courtyard gate, and he hurried to catch up.

"Eldest brother is so good to sister!" Luo Yunzhen murmured to herself.

"What? Eldest brother is good to Yunqiao, but am I not good to you?" Luo Zefeng squinted at Luo Yunzhen, putting on a playful expression.

"Yes, yes, little brother is the best to me!" Luo Yunzhen laughed softly, pulling on his sleeve to coax him. Luo Zefeng tilted his head proudly and let out a soft snort.

The carriage pulled onto the bustling street, where the cries of vendors rose in waves. Among the passing crowd, many children played happily. Inside the carriage, Luo Yunqiao closed her eyes, resting quietly against the seat.

Luo Zeting felt a sense of unease. Before, Luo Yunqiao would always chatter away to him; he had sometimes found it annoying, yet he had allowed her antics. Now that she was quiet, he felt strangely uncomfortable.

"Let’s get out and walk. Several new jewelry shops have opened in the capital recently, and they have many novel items. See if there is anything you like, and I will buy it for you," Luo Zeting said, trying to appease her.

Luo Yunqiao lowered her eyes slightly. "As you wish."

Luo Zeting felt a lump in his throat; he had never imagined she would become so cold. He directed the carriage to stop at a jewelry pavilion and stepped out.

Jin Xin and Yin Xin, who were following the carriage, had heard the exchange. Jin Xin whispered in persuasion, "Miss, I heard your conversation with the eldest young master. I think you might consider getting along with him. After all, he is the only one in the Marquis's residence who treats you even slightly well. Even for your own comfort, you should do so. Living in the Marquis's residence, you cannot rely on yourself for everything; there are some things the eldest young master can handle much more easily than you can."

Thinking of the old matriarch's advice, Luo Yunqiao lifted the curtain and stepped out.

Just then, Luo Zeting returned carrying a box containing a clear white jade bangle and a pendant of imperial green jade shaped like a fox.

"See which one you like. These are the treasures of the house. I had them take them out for you to see." Luo Zeting’s tone was gentle, showing no signs of the earlier frustration.

Luo Yunqiao also felt she might have been too extreme, so she softened her attitude and began to examine the items carefully.

"Oh? Brother, these are beautiful! Yunzhen would love them, why not give them to her?" A figure pushed in forcefully and snatched the jewelry from Luo Zeting’s hands.

"The eldest brother gave these to me, and I like them very much!" Luo Yunqiao said, her tone cold as she looked at Luo Zefeng with hostility.