Seeing Jinzhan had no intention of leaving, Meng Shuping sighed, resigned. He'd count his money later.
He turned to Miao Bi. "Miao Bi, what's the procedure for calling a doctor in our household?"
Miao Bi asked with concern, "Is Fifth Young Master feeling unwell?"
Meng Shuping quickly shook his head, feigning nonchalance. "Not me, it's Sixth Brother. I'm worried he might genuinely have fertility issues."
Relieved, Miao Bi replied, "If someone in the household falls ill, we must report it to the steward's office, and they will arrange for a doctor."
Meng Shuping asked again, "Do we have to pay for it ourselves?"
"No need for that," Miao Bi said.
Meng Shuping looked visibly relieved. No personal expense was good; if he had to pay, he'd drop the whole idea. He instructed Miao Bi, "Then have a maid go to the steward's office to request a doctor. Keep it quiet."
Seeing Meng Shuping's apparent ignorance of the maids' nature, Jinzhan, uncharacteristically, offered a reminder. "Fifth Young Master, you haven't lived in a wealthy household before, so you might not know this, but the maids here love to gossip. If you send them to call a doctor, they'll spread the news everywhere in no time."
Meng Shuping replied with a smirk, "Oh, I know that."
*Ah, how naive of her. I want this news to spread! If someone is trying to pin this on me, they shouldn't walk away scot-free.*
*Hahaha, just thinking about Meng Shuyang being grilled about his... situation by others makes me laugh so hard!*
Jinzhan was stunned, feeling as though she had completely misjudged the situation earlier. Why had she bothered reminding him? It was a waste of breath.
Seeing that Meng Shuping knew what he was doing, Miao Bi said no more. A moment later, she summoned a maid named Lu. Upon hearing Miao Bi's call, the maid quickly straightened her clothes, plastered on a wide smile, and entered the room. "What can I do for you, Fifth Young Master?"
Miao Bi said, "Fifth Young Master has a task for you. Don't breathe a word of this to anyone."
Madam Lu patted her chest. "Fifth Young Master, rest assured, my lips are sealed."
Miao Bi continued, "Yesterday, Fifth Young Master got into a fight with Young Master Yang from the third household. Third Mistress said his private parts were injured. The Master and Mistress are worried about his future fertility, and Fifth Young Master is also concerned. Go to the steward's office and have them send a doctor to ensure Sixth Young Master receives proper treatment. Oh, and while you're there, please inform Second Mistress about calling the doctor—she's very worried too!"
Watching Miao Bi speak so efficiently, Meng Shuping couldn't help but praise her. *Miao Bi is such a good girl, much better than the maid the old lady gave me. I really like having someone like her to be my spokesperson!*
Jinzhan glared at Miao Bi resentfully. What was the big deal? If she were the one speaking, she could do even better.
But was that all Fifth Young Master called Miao Bi for? Was there really a need for such a private discussion? Or were they hiding something because she was present?
No, she had to keep a close eye on both of them. She couldn't let Miao Bi steal her position as the head servant girl.
Madam Lu's eyes lit up, gleaming with gossip-fueled excitement. "Oh dear, this is serious business! Don't worry, Fifth Young Master, I'll go right away."
Big news, big news! Sixth Young Master had such a problem? She couldn't wait to share this with her close friends. As for keeping it quiet—well, best friends don't count as "others," did they?
Watching Madam Lu leave, Meng Shuping smirked. Now, let's see how Madam Sun and the others would deal with the fallout.
After settling this matter, Meng Shuping decided to take a walk. He wanted to familiarize himself with the surroundings, especially how to get to the back door.
The front gate had too many people passing by every day. If he left through the front, he would inevitably run into many people, and the thought of those awkward, silent encounters made him uncomfortable.
The back door was different. Although there were still people there, they were mostly servants, and few required him to greet them.
Besides, when he arrived yesterday, he had noticed that it took a long time to get from the front to his courtyard, which meant his place was likely close to the back door, making it more convenient to leave.
However, as soon as he walked out the courtyard gate, he noticed Jinzhan and Miao Bi following him. He asked, puzzled, "Why are both of you following me?"
Miao Bi explained, "I was worried Fifth Young Master doesn't know his way around the estate, so I thought I'd follow to remind you of things."
Jinzhan said with an air of superiority, "Fifth Young Master, this estate is very large, unlike where you lived before. If no one accompanies you, what if you get lost and can't find your way back? Besides, as a young master, it's only proper for us to follow you when you leave the courtyard so we can attend to your needs without delay."
Meng Shuping gave her a surprised look. *She thinks the estate is big? Has she never been outside?*
*Ah, now that I think about it, she's quite pitiful, never experienced the wider world.*
With that in mind, Meng Shuping's attitude toward Jinzhan softened. He said, "It's fine. Miao Bi can come with me. You go back and rest."
Jinzhan was stunned. She had clearly been mocking Meng Shuping for growing up in a small household and being so sheltered. How did he interpret it that way?
But now she suspected that Meng Shuping was trying to send her away again to speak privately with Miao Bi, so she didn't want to go back alone. She said, "Why not let Miao Bi rest? She didn't seem to sleep well last night and doesn't look well."
Miao Bi quickly said, "I slept quite well."
Meng Shuping looked at Miao Bi, then suspiciously at Jinzhan. *Is she trying to send Miao Bi away so she can be alone with me?*
*Hmm...*
*I've already made it clear I'm not interested in her. Why is she still hanging around me? Does she really want to set me up that badly?*
*But if that's the case, she's going to be disappointed. I'm a decent guy—I don't engage in shady business.*
*Ah, this is so frustrating. How can I make her give up? She's a girl, after all—I should leave her some dignity.*
Jinzhan felt like she could laugh bitterly. Not wanting Meng Shuping to get any more wrong ideas, she said bluntly, "Since Miao Bi isn't feeling unwell, let her accompany you. I'll go see if anything in the courtyard needs tending to."
Hearing this, Meng Shuping immediately breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly headed off with Miao Bi and turned east.
After asking Miao Bi for directions to the back door, Meng Shuping found a side gate leading outside after walking just a short distance. Once through the side gate and around a bend, he reached the estate's north gate.
Seeing Meng Shuping heading there, Miao Bi asked curiously, "Are you going out, Fifth Young Master?"
Meng Shuping shook his head. "Not today. I'm just looking around. Let's go back."
The two returned to the courtyard via another path. As soon as they entered, a young maid hurried over. "Fifth Young Master, Madam Dou from the tailoring department is here. She said she's come to take your measurements for new clothes."
Just then, a neatly dressed matron walked out of the room. Seeing Meng Shuping, she quickly smiled and bowed to him, then said, "Fifth Young Master, Second Mistress asked us to make you some new clothes, but we don't have your measurements yet. May I take them for you?"
Meng Shuping nodded. "Let's go inside to take them."
They all entered the room. Knowing that some people didn't like the tailors getting too close, Madam Dou handed a thin measuring string to Jinzhan. "Miss, could you help measure Fifth Young Master?"
Seeing this, Meng Shuping immediately said, "Let Miao Bi do it."
Jinzhan: "..."
Angrily, she tossed the string to Miao Bi. As if she cared about measuring that brat!
After seeing off the tailors, Meng Shuping had nothing else to do and sat down on the couch. "Miao Bi, tell me about the people in the household."
Miao Bi began introducing them. "Fifth Young Master, our household has four branches. The Eldest Master is the son of the late Mistress and married the daughter of the Pingxi Marquis. The Eldest Master has three sons and three daughters. Among them, the Eldest Young Master, Fourth Young Master, and Fourth Young Lady are all children of the Eldest Mistress. The Eldest Young Lady..."
Before she could finish, Meng Shuping felt a headache coming on. *Ahhh, help! There are so many people in this household? And the relationships are so complicated. Who can keep track of all this?*
He quickly interrupted Miao Bi. "Never mind, don't say any more. I can't remember all this at once."
Jinzhan gave him a haughty look. "Fifth Young Master, this is just the beginning. Our marquis estate is vast and prosperous, unlike the small household you came from, which had few people. Besides our estate, there are several other branches outside. When you go out socializing in the future, you'll need to know all the family's marital connections. So, you'd better memorize these relationships quickly, or you'll end up embarrassing yourself."
Meng Shuping's mind went blank. *Forget it, don't save me, just let me die!*
He would rather be a recluse and avoid going out unless absolutely necessary.
Seeing Meng Shuping's expression, Jinzhan was extremely pleased. After all, he grew up in a modest household and hadn't seen much of the world. Having been mocked by Meng Shuping several times, she had finally gotten even.
After a moment of despair, Meng Shuping came up with an idea. He instructed Jinzhan and Miao Bi, "Alright then, write down the people in the mansion and their relationships. I'll look it over later."
Miao Bi said very apologetically, "Fifth Young Master, I can't read much…"
Hearing this, Meng Shuping could only turn his hopeful gaze to Jinzhan. "Do you know how to read and write?"
Naturally, Jinzhan couldn't read either. She shook her head. "I don't know either."
Mockingly, she added, "Fifth Young Master, how about we explain it to you, and you write it down?"
Meng Shuping gave her an annoyed look. "If I wanted to write it myself, why would I ask you?"
Mainly, he didn't know how to write with a brush. He could use charcoal, but thinking about it, writing with charcoal would be quite inconvenient, so never mind.
Jinzhan feigned surprise and asked, "Fifth Young Master, could it be that you don't know how to read or write either? Ah, Fifth Young Master has truly suffered. Being lost for so many years, you didn't even have the chance to learn."
Meng Shuping was at a loss for words. *You've got to be kidding. Is she actually pitying me? At least I had the opportunity to go to school. She never even had that chance. Who should pity whom here?*
Jinzhan: "..."
Damn it, why did she feel like she still hadn't come out on top? She doesn't need to become an official or take the imperial exams—what use does she have for schooling?