Before Mrs. Grant had even passed the seventh day after her death, Henry Bolton and a group of more than ten people moved into the other courtyard. Along with them came two maids that the matchmaker had just brought yesterday, both around fourteen or fifteen years old. In recent years, the Yellow River had frequently flooded, and common folk often couldn’t survive and had to sell their children. Upon learning that these girls had all been willingly sold by their families and had signed death contracts, Henry Bolton chose two plain-looking ones from the eight brought by the matchmaker, paying no attention at all to the pretty girl with an apricot-shaped face and rosy cheeks who tried her best to please and curry favor when answering.

She was going to one of the most prominent noble families in the capital—the Gu family, which had produced two marquises. If a girl was too beautiful, whether she caught someone’s eye or was herself dazzled by such wealth and status, it would always cause trouble. Just like herself—now she wished she had been born more ordinary. Perhaps then, in the past, Mrs. Grant would never have chosen a plain-looking girl to accompany her daughter, and she wouldn’t be in her current predicament.

Henry Bolton learned that these two maids were only called by their birth order at home and had no proper names, so she gave them names: one was called Fangcao, the other Grace—both common maid names in large households, nothing special, but it still made the two girls happy for most of the day. The two maids chosen for Emily Bolton, however, were personally selected by Mrs. Smith and approved by Charles Bolton. One was a hereditary servant of the Zhang family, called Ningxiang, and the other was Mrs. Smith’s husband’s niece, called Yingcao, both reasonably well-mannered. In addition, Mrs. Smith, considering that she was the only one left from the old marquis household, also selected four more servant women to join.

The people were all assembled, but since it was all put together in a hurry, Henry Bolton naturally hurried to teach Fangcao and Grace the rules, and Mrs. Smith was also busy inside and out. However, every time Henry Bolton tried to visit Emily Bolton, Mrs. Smith always blocked her. This day, Henry Bolton couldn’t hold back any longer. Taking advantage of Charles Bolton’s arrival, she brought it up in front of him. Mrs. Smith finally couldn’t find another excuse and, with a sullen face, personally went to unlock the two tightly closed doors.

The moment she saw Emily Bolton, Henry Bolton almost didn’t recognize her. Although Emily Bolton had always been small and hadn’t grown up yet, at least she used to have some flesh on her cheeks. Now, after just a few days, she looked almost skin and bones. Henry Bolton turned to look at Mrs. Smith, but Mrs. Smith spoke first: “Since the young lady couldn’t even keep vigil for the dead, she had to move to the other courtyard to recuperate. How could it do without a bit of grief and decline? She’s only gone hungry for two days. Starting tomorrow, she’ll gradually eat a little, and she’ll recover soon enough!”

Seeing that Charles Bolton only frowned slightly, Henry Bolton sneered and said, “Even if you want to put on a show, why use such a stupid method? What kind of status does my sister have? Back when people from the marquis household came, she didn’t even want to meet them. If she really can’t handle it now, then just don’t let her see anyone! Now her own mother has passed away—grief is one thing, but does it have to be like this? Besides, if people from both marquis households see such a lost and broken young lady, she won’t look like a frail and sickly girl, but rather as if the Zhang family hasn’t treated her foster mother well and now doesn’t even care for her daughter!”

Since she and Mrs. Smith were already mortal enemies, Henry Bolton naturally didn’t care what reaction Mrs. Smith would have to her words. Sure enough, before Mrs. Smith could retort, Charles Bolton said in a deep voice, “Let’s do as Little Henry says. If she starves and something goes wrong, it’ll be a much bigger problem!”

“Master…”

Henry Bolton didn’t even glance at Mrs. Smith, just bent her knees and said, “Master, I heard the people from the marquis household will arrive in the next couple of days. I’d like to say a few words to my sister. You know, she and I have always been the closest.”

“All right, go ahead and comfort her.” Charles Bolton, seeing Emily Bolton’s dazed and muddled state, also felt something was wrong and agreed without hesitation. Then, in a gentle tone, he added, “The people from the marquis household will be here soon. You should change how you address me. Since you used to call me godfather, keep calling me godfather in the future. If you keep calling me ‘master’ all the time, won’t that make people suspicious?”

Though she felt waves of nausea and disgust inside, Henry Bolton still lowered her head and agreed. Once Charles Bolton had taken the reluctant Mrs. Smith out, Henry Bolton instructed Fangcao and Grace, who had come in with her, “You two stand guard outside, and tell the kitchen to make some porridge. If anyone comes, give me a heads-up—whether it’s the master or Mrs. Smith.”

In no time, the empty room was left with only her and Emily Bolton. Seeing the usually timid girl, who would beam with joy at the slightest kindness; the one who was always meek, yet that night had spread her arms to shield her; the one who had been slapped by her legitimate sister and told she wasn’t worthy to be a Zhang family daughter—now sitting blankly on the bed, Henry Bolton couldn’t help but rush forward and tightly grip those frail shoulders.

“Sister, Emily meimei… wake up and look at me, I’m Sister Henry, I’m your Sister Henry, I’ve come to see you…”

She called out several times, but Emily Bolton didn’t react at all, making her feel extremely anxious. She didn’t know how much time had passed before she finally felt a slight tremor under her hands. Looking down, she saw that Emily Bolton’s eyes had some response, her chest heaving violently. Henry Bolton quickly patted her back gently, soothing her, “Let it out, you’ll feel better if you cry…”