The old maid stood her ground, completely unyielding. "Third Young Madam, please don't make things difficult for us servants. How can just anyone use the main gate?"
The implication was clear: the visitors were merely merchants, and completely destitute at that. How could they possibly use the main gate, which was strictly reserved for masters?
Xiao Shi Yu's face stiffened. She had almost forgotten this rule in Shangjing.
No matter what, her mother was an official's wife. However, her uncle's family were indeed merchants.
Being humiliated by an old maid in front of everyone was hard to bear, but she didn't dare challenge the head Madam. Left with no choice, she ordered a nearby maid to lead her guests through the side gate.
She then turned and walked through the main gate with her own mother.
"Mother," Tian Mi whispered, having never suffered such humiliation in her life. "Why don't we just leave?"
"How could we do that? We still have to count on them to save your father.
