Yueyao turned her head and gazed at Hua Lei, stared straight at her. Hua Lei's palms began to sweat, "Miss, is there something inappropriate with me?"
Yueyao shook her head, "No, I was just thinking about something. I'm not sure if you could handle it for me?" Yueyao wanted to drive Nanny Gu out, but she couldn't do it herself; hence, she had to use a more secretive method.
Hua Lei was surprised, "If there is anything you wish, Miss, please command me. As long as I am capable, I will not refuse." This was the first time Hua Lei had seen Yueyao with such an expression. It must be some significant matter. Hua Lei felt some suspicion in her heart.
Yueyao whispered to Hua Lei.
Hua Lei's mouth hung open in shock, and it took her a long time to respond, "Miss..." What had come over the Miss? Although Hua Lei knew that the Miss had grown to dislike Nanny Gu over the past few days, she had not expected that she would actually contemplate sending Nanny Gu away. According to Hua Lei, for such disloyal people, if you can't kill them, sending them away is a good solution. But for the Miss to be the one to propose it, Hua Lei found it exceedingly unexpected.
Yueyao also knew she had to give Hua Lei a satisfactory answer. Otherwise, if the maids around her started to have doubts, it would make her future actions more difficult, "Do you wonder why I have changed so much recently?" She knew in order to dispel the doubts in Hua Lei's heart, a sufficient and convincing reason was necessary. If the reason was not convincing, it would always be a source of endless trouble.
Hua Lei involuntarily nodded. The Miss had indeed changed a lot recently. She was glad for these changes in the Miss, as it meant she would not have to worry about the Miss being tricked by others in the future. But such a change in the Miss inevitably raised doubts. It was as if the Miss had suddenly become a different person.
Yueyao stood up and looked out the window at the swaying green bamboo, then raised her head towards the vast blue sky. Her gaze seemed to reach far, far away, as if piercing through the clouds to see her parents in heaven, "You heard Mu Qiu mention that I had a nightmare the night before you returned. That day, it wasn't a nightmare; it was Mother coming to me in a dream. Mother said the Lady family harbored ill intent towards me, that their kindness was targetted at our second branch's wealth, and she also told me that Nanny Gu was harboring deceit. Mother urged me to protect myself. If I continued to copy scriptures every day, she wouldn't be able to rest in peace in the netherworld."
Hua Lei covered her mouth with both hands. For a maid of a wealthy family, such a reaction was quite unseemly. But she couldn't help it; the shock was too great, and covering her mouth was the only way to prevent a scream.
Yueyao thought Hua Lei might not believe her and was just about to elaborate when she saw Hua Lei come back to her senses with tears and laughter, "I always said that the Old Master and Madam in heaven are watching over you, Miss. I never thought it was really the spirits of the Old Master and Madam." People in ancient times were very superstitious. When Yueyao said her mother had come to her in a dream, Hua Lei immediately believed it. Otherwise, there was no way to explain the Miss's abnormal behavior in the past few days. After she spoke, Hua Lei couldn't help but put her hands together and chant, "Amitabha."
Seeing Hua Lei had no doubts, Yueyao felt much relieved, "Nanny Gu harbors deceit; she can no longer stay by my side. But she is my wet nurse, and it wouldn't sound good if I were to send her away. So, we must use this method." One should confide in the people they can trust. That way, they can carry out actions more in line with their intentions.
Hua Lei nodded repeatedly. As long as the Miss didn't put her mind on those things, she believed that those people's schemes would not succeed. Now Hua Lei would listen to whatever Yueyao said.
Yueyao hastily instructed, "Money is not an issue. You must ensure that it is done without leaving a trace. No one must know about it. Have you found someone suitable?"
Hua Lei nodded, "Miss, my uncle is a decent man and very reliable. If the Miss trusts me, I would recommend my uncle for the task." Hua Lei was a family-born servant, and most of her relatives worked in the estate. Her uncle was also working at the outer yard, though he was in a minor role receiving a menial job lacking perks. The prestigious jobs, with something to skim off the top, were all held by the people from Lady family.
Yueyao thought about it for a while. She had no one else she could use anyway, so she had to agree to it, "Hua Lei, don't tell your uncle the specifics of the matter just yet. Just enquire if your uncle can handle it without a leak? Hua Lei, it's not that I don't trust your uncle, but I can't let anyone know that it's me executing this plan." It's best to measure one's abilities before taking on a task; she had to see if Hua Lei's uncle was up to it. If he agreed too readily without a detailed plan, then he couldn't be trusted. However, if there was a detailed plan, then she could put him to the test. After all, it wasn't about committing murder or arson; as long as he was careful, there would be no leak of their plans. This way, he would also not carry the reputation of being harsh and ungracious.