June's eyes opened wide in shock as he stared at Zora, his voice full of excitement, "My lady, are you serious? You really have a five-hundred-year-old ginseng? Could you sell it to me? I would do anything to repay your kindness, even if you asked for my life, I wouldn't hesitate!"
"You don't have to do that," Zora said calmly with a small smile. "What would I want your life for? I can't guarantee the ginseng will help your mother, but come with me back to my home. I'll give it to you as a gift, for the sake of our meeting."
Zora had thought about checking June's foster mother's illness herself. After all, she could cure most illnesses.
But she wasn't a real doctor, and they weren't family or close friends.
She had already helped June a few times these past days and didn't want to create more ties.
"Thank you, my lady," June said, bowing deeply. He didn't wait for Zora to tell him to rise — he quickly stood up on his own. He knew Zora disliked empty formalities, but he still wanted to show his gratitude.
June smiled, and for the first time, it was like he truly came to life. His deep blue eyes seemed to hold an entire galaxy, sparkling beautifully and shining brightly.
Without thinking, Zora reached out and patted June's head.
Both of them froze for a moment, then laughed, and continued walking together toward Mr. Bo's mansion.
Inside a carriage nearby, Sean coldly pulled down the curtain and ordered, "Mr. Shi, let's go."
Sean had witnessed the interaction between Zora and June. His chest tightened with a strange sharp pain. He placed his hand on his heart, took a deep breath, and quickly pushed the feeling away.
Outside the carriage, Mr. Shi glanced at the two leaving figures. They looked unfamiliar, almost like they weren't close at all.
...
When Zora and June reached the entrance of Mr. Bo's mansion, they happened to meet Madam Chen and Yeyin.
Zora frowned slightly in annoyance but still stepped forward and gave a polite greeting. "Good morning, Father. Are you and Yeyin going out? I won't disturb you. I'll head back to my courtyard."
"Zora, you're up early today," Mr. Chen said gently. "Your second sister is going to the academy. I just came to send her off."
He turned to Yeyin, speaking kindly, "Greet your big sister properly before you leave. Don't be late, or the teacher will punish you."
Madam Chen spoke very softly when facing Zora, making it seem like she favored Zora even more than Yeyin.
Yeyin, being obedient and sweet, smiled and greeted Zora, "Good morning, big sister. I'm heading to the academy now. I'll come visit you after school."
"Alright, go on," Zora replied. "Father, I'll head back first."
"June, follow me."
Zora looked impatient; she truly didn't want to play along with their fake niceness. After all the things that happened yesterday, she was exhausted — she woke up early, fought with people, walked for so long... she just wanted to collapse and sleep.
June quietly bowed and quickly followed her.
Madam Chen squinted her eyes, exchanging a glance with Yeyin. Both seemed curious and suspicious.
"June..."
Yeyin thought for a moment, then said in surprise, "Father, that man is a... a gigolo! Zora actually brought a gigolo home!"
"I know," Mr. Chen said calmly. "You don't need to worry about it. Go now."
Madam Chen smiled and turned back into the house.
---
Zora led June straight back to her courtyard.
Mana was sweeping the yard. When she saw Zora return, she quickly put down her broom and bowed respectfully.
Lisa and Ana, who were inside the house, heard the noise and quickly came out to greet her.
"Miss, you scared Ana to death! You weren't in your room and—"
"Greetings, Miss. Greetings, June. Have you eaten yet?" Lisa interrupted Ana before she could continue.
Lisa thought Zora had gone to find June on purpose. She looked at them knowingly.
Ana finally realized what was happening, looked at June, then at Zora, and began giggling like a mischievous kid.
June's face turned red with embarrassment, not knowing how to explain!
Zora waved her hand and said, "We've already eaten. Go back to your work. Don't clean the room yet. June, come with me."
"Alright, alright!" Ana said quickly, and after Zora and June entered, she sneakily pressed her ear against the door to listen.
Lisa tugged her arm and signaled her to leave.
---
Inside the room, Zora walked behind the screen. Pretending to search through her cabinet, she actually took out a seven-hundred-year-old ginseng from her secret space. She removed the glass packaging and placed it carefully inside a wooden box.
"Here, keep this safe. It's a seven-hundred-year-old ginseng. Go save your foster mother quickly. I'll have Lisa escort you back."
"I can go back by myself. No need to trouble Lisa."
"Ginseng is very valuable."
"Then... alright. Sorry for the trouble."
June's hands trembled as he held the ginseng tightly against his chest.
Zora handed June over to Lisa to escort him home, and then she didn't worry about him anymore.
She turned and flopped onto her bed, only wanting to get some much-needed sleep!
"Ana, I'm sleeping. No one is allowed to disturb me. If my mother comes back, wake me up."
Her eyes slowly closed...
---
Inside the carriage, June could smell a familiar grassy scent. He whispered to himself, "It smells like her... just like her room…"
---
Later that evening...
"Miss, are you awake? Madam Bai has returned," Ana whispered, pushing the door open and peeking in.
Zora opened her eyes tiredly, still half asleep.
"Help me get dressed and freshen up. I'll have dinner with Mother," Zora said, stretching out her hand.
Ana happily came over to help her, half dragging and half supporting her.
---
As soon as Zora stepped into the main hall, she saw Madam Bai sitting at the main seat with a furious face.
Zora was curious. Had her mother been bullied by those annoying officials again? She quickly asked, "Mother, what's wrong?"
BANG!
Madam Bai slammed her hand on the table.
Angrily, she said to Zora, "You! Are you trying to make me angry to death? You even brought a gigolo home today!"
"Huh? No, I didn't!" Zora said, confused.
Madam Bai was fuming, "Tomorrow, I'm going to fight that old hag! Today she dared to accuse me at court, saying I failed to teach my daughter properly!"
"She said my daughter is immoral, wasting her life partying every day! She even said you spent eight thousand taels to free a gigolo yesterday, and today you brought him home!"
Madam Bai was shaking with rage as she described what happened at court.
Zora finally understood and felt helpless...
Because... everything Madam Bai said was basically true! Just exaggerated a little.
Feeling guilty, Zora rubbed her nose and said softly, "Mother, please don't be mad. Yesterday, I helped June because someone asked me to."
"This morning, I happened to see him being bullied, so I helped again."
"Later, I found out his mother was seriously ill and needed a rare medicine. I happened to have it, so I brought him back to get it."