Busy, Every Time I See You You’re Covered in Wounds

There are plenty of women who hate Serena, and even more who love her. When they saw cart after cart of goods being delivered to Young Family Pharmacies, all those with pregnant women at home, or those hoping to buy a gift, sprang into action, just waiting for the Youngs to open shop.

Living in the Capital is never easy—it’s clear that anyone who resides here must have some family wealth. Forget a hundred taels of silver; even at two hundred taels a box, there are still plenty who can afford it.

As always, this isn’t something you need every day. For the sake of their children and the next generation’s health, people are willing to pay the price—it’s worth it.

Victor Yun is an impatient sort. With so many boxes of medicine, he made sure all the boxes were moved out before dark. When he saw that half a room was still left, Victor told the servants to stop: "Leave a little for gifting."

"I’ve already set some aside. Take the rest—all of it. Record the quantity, and set aside one hundred of each kind for your gifts." The same standard applied to Vincent Su.

Seeing Serena was truly sincere about giving him so much time off, the old steward’s eyes brimmed with tears. He tried to kneel in thanks, but Serena stopped him.

“Come on, running a business means smoothing things over up and down—I could never ask you to pay for everything. Besides, I’m the one taking the biggest share. Just deduct it from the total; it’s not just you, Vincent Su gets the same deal. Take it.”

Serena’s words carried a sense of closeness—she clearly saw Victor as a friend, treating him no differently than Vincent Su, never favoring one over the other. That immediately lifted Victor’s spirits, and he accepted right away.

“Miss, you have a kind heart—you’ll be greatly blessed.” The old steward was so moved, gratitude shining in his eyes.

Having a good mistress is a blessing for any servant. So…the old steward was suddenly energized, his spirits lifted. He began to teach Serena all the ins and outs of dealing with noble families, even sharing secrets from each house.

Serena didn’t insist, just reminded him, “Don’t overwork yourself. Don’t forget you’ve got surgery after the New Year. You can always earn more silver, but life is what matters most.”

It was a blunt bit of advice, but it warmed Victor’s heart. He nodded, “Don’t worry, I know my limits.”

Once the prenatal medicine was all carted away, Serena finally felt at ease. She’d done everything she could—the rest was up to Victor. If all the medicine sold, she’d make nearly a million taels in profit. She wouldn’t be short on silver for a while, even if Zuo An kept burning through money.

To attract the phoenix, you have to build the nest first. To keep Zuo An around, it’s not enough to offer him weapons or gadgets—those things won’t hold him for long. If she wanted him to stay for good, she’d have to give him a sense of belonging.

Serena walked around Feng Manor and finally chose the spot furthest from the operating suite, planning to renovate that corner and turn it into a workshop for Zuo An.

She’d thought about asking Ninth Royal Uncle for help, but decided against it. Just a couple days ago, she’d insisted on independence and strength, making her own decisions. If she turned around and asked him for help now, it’d be embarrassing.

She couldn’t ask Vincent Su either—getting help from him was no different than asking Ninth Royal Uncle. Fine, Serena decided: tomorrow, whoever comes to ask for prenatal medicine, she’ll ask them for help.

……

Yawning, Serena rubbed her eyes and forced herself to perk up, heading for the main house. After dinner, the old steward pulled her aside. According to him, they had to sort the gifts and plan the return presents tonight—if they waited until the prenatal medicine flooded the market, their return gifts would be worth much less.

Serena had no objections; it was something she’d have to do anyway. Staying up all night was nothing new for her, but she did feel a pang of sympathy for the old steward—he was getting on in years and still had to pull an all-nighter with her.

Seeing Serena truly felt bad, the old steward didn’t hold back and suggested, “Miss, if you really feel guilty, let me go home early on New Year’s Eve, and let me stay home a few extra days for the holiday.”

All the servants at Feng Manor are bound by death contracts—except for the old steward. He’s a hired worker, and his family lives right here in the Capital. Other than holidays, he rarely gets to go home.

“Once the New Year gifts are delivered, Steward Wu, you should go home early and reunite with your family. Come back after the Lantern Festival. Give your tasks to Tong Jue, Tong Yao, Chun Hui, and Qiu Hua.” Serena was generous with time off—she gave nearly twenty days’ leave.

“I couldn’t, I couldn’t, Miss—I’ll be back by the third day!” The old steward’s face was full of disbelief. Usually, he only got to go home on New Year’s Eve and had to return by the afternoon of the first day. Even without a death contract, servants were never truly free.

“It’s fine—come back after the Lantern Festival. Feng Manor isn’t like those big noble houses; I’m the only master here, and there’s not much going on. Spend more time with your family—this is the only chance you get all year.”

Seeing Serena was truly sincere about giving him so much time off, the old steward was moved to tears and tried to kneel in thanks, but Serena stopped him.

“Steward Wu, you’ve worked hard all year. You manage everything at Feng Manor, so a few extra days of rest won’t hurt. The rest of my staff have nowhere to go—otherwise, I’d let them rotate time off too.”

Ahem, Serena might be generous, but she was still sensible—she didn’t just wave her hand and give everyone time off. After all, a big place like Feng Manor couldn’t run without servants and guards. She’d be overwhelmed just keeping the house in order.

“Miss, you have a kind heart—you’ll be greatly blessed.” The old steward was so moved, so grateful.

Having a good mistress is a blessing for any servant. So…the old steward was suddenly energized, and began to teach Serena all the ins and outs of dealing with noble families, even sharing secrets from each house.

“The Count of Everpeace has an eldest illegitimate son whom he dotes on. If you send a New Year’s gift to this son, the Count will be delighted.”

“Don’t worry too much about the Marquis of Everloyalty. He’s a former dynasty vassal; the Emperor gave him the title to remind his family to stay loyal. They have no real power or imperial favor, so make their New Year’s gift three-tenths less than what you give other marquises—to show respect for the others.”

“Baron Rong is connected to the royal family, so don’t treat him like an ordinary baron. Add an extra tenth to his New Year’s gift.”

“Lord Gavin Lin is the Grand Preceptor’s student and enjoys his favor. It’s good for you to build ties with them.”

“Lord Gavin Lu was just dismissed from his post as Commander of the Bloodcloak Guard. He’s still alive, but the Emperor no longer trusts him. You can send a gift, but not right now—otherwise, it’ll look like you’re challenging the Emperor.”

……

All these twists and turns could wear down anyone’s patience, but Serena kept her head clear. She didn’t remember everything, but she got about seventy or eighty percent. Now she’d know how to handle these families going forward.

Even with the steward’s energy and cooperation, Serena worked straight through to midnight. Led by her servant, she yawned and headed for her own courtyard, planning to bathe and change—only for fate to intervene: the shadow guard reported that Vincent Su had arrived and was waiting in the operating suite.

Well, so much for sleep tonight.

At this hour, anyone coming to see Serena—and heading straight for the operating suite—could only mean one thing. Serena didn’t dare delay; she sent her servants away, told the shadow guard to wait a moment, changed clothes, grabbed her medical kit, and headed for the operating suite.