Her mother had been Ms. Xie's dowry handmaiden. For her diligent service and honest, dutiful nature, she was graciously permitted to have her own children, but only after Ms. Xie had safely given birth to three sons.
But her mother was ill-fated. She suffered a severe hemorrhage during childbirth and was lucky to survive, but she struggled for six more years before passing away.
Before her mother died, she pleaded with Mrs. Xie to treat her well. Out of great magnanimity, Mrs. Xie officially registered the girl under her name and brought her to her own courtyard to be raised.
It was called being "raised," but it was more like keeping a kitten or a puppy—casually given a bite to eat and a sip to drink, and that was enough. If the mood struck, Mrs. Xie would have her brought over for a look. If not, it was normal for her to go ten days or even half a month without seeing Mrs. Xie.
