Mu Qiu stood to the side, full of concern, yet she knew Yueyao's temperament well, persuasion would be futile. The maids and old nannies who served Yueyao all knew that once the young lady made up her mind about something, she wouldn't change it. This was precisely what had worried Hua Lei in the beginning.
So she didn't try to persuade, only watched carefully from the side. She hoped above all that there wouldn't be a fall, fearing that the young lady might tumble and hurt both herself and the child.
Nanny Zheng watched Yueyao's behavior with confusion in her heart. Everyone in the household knew of the Third Young Lady's talents and her lofty character, which greatly resembled that of the Second Old Master. But now, seeing how she treated her brother in such a way, where was the loftiness? The rumors were completely unreliable.
Nanny Zheng pondered Yueyao's behavior, doubt filling her eyes. The young lady, aside from occasionally visiting the Old Madam to pay respects, would shut herself away in the courtyard, copying Buddhist scriptures. How could there be such a drastic change?
Yueyao walked very slowly; to be honest, she, too, now seldom ventured beyond her own threshold. She was not like her previous life when she took great care of her health in the Nunnery. Back then, she could have traveled a thousand miles back to the Capital City alone for an explanation without a hitch. But now her body was weak, compounded by an illness just a few days ago. Carrying Young Master Zheng for a while, she began to break out in sweat on her forehead.
Young Master Zheng, seeing Yueyao's struggle, said carefully, "Sister, let me walk on my own! I can walk."
Yueyao, hearing such heart-warming words, felt both moved and guilty. What a mess she had made of things in her past life. No matter how poorly Young Master Zheng was born, they were still blood-related siblings. How could she have abandoned him without a care in her past life? How could she not have known to take proper care of Young Master Zheng!
Before Yueyao could speak, Hua Lei was the first to say, "Young Master Zheng, let this servant carry you. Let the young lady rest for a while, shall we? Don't worry, young master, the young lady will always be by your side."
Young Master Zheng didn't understand why Yueyao was crying, but he wiped away her tears with his little hand and said, "Sister, I'll let her carry me."
Yueyao nodded; she really couldn't hold on any longer. Continuing to carry him might result in her fainting. Fainting wasn't a problem, but what concerned her was that her grandmother might think she was too weak to take care of Young Master Zheng. She was apprehensive about leaving him in the front courtyard without a reliable person around.
After Yueyao set Young Master Zheng down, Hua Lei carried him, and Mu Qiu supported Yueyao; the group soon returned to the Lanxi Courtyard.
The maids guarding the courtyard were surprised to see Yueyao bringing back a little boy. But when Hua Lei announced it was Young Master Tingzheng, everyone calmed down. Hua Lei immediately commanded, "Clean out the side room."
Nanny Gu, upon hearing the news, thought Yueyao was merely acting on a whim. However, when she came out and saw Yueyao genuinely bringing Young Master Zheng back, her face turned ashen.
Yueyao, observing Nanny Gu's uncertain demeanor, remembered that it was she who whispered in her ear, calling Young Master Zheng low-born, slow-witted, and a fool. Because of these words, her own high opinion of herself led her to look down on Young Master Zheng from the bottom of her heart. Nanny Gu mentioned him several times later, but due to her disdain, she still ignored Young Master Zheng. He met an early demise, and this treacherous woman was half to blame.
A harsh light flickered in Yueyao's eyes. She truly didn't want to see this dishonorable creature seeking personal gain around her any longer. It seemed she had to take action sooner.
Mu Qiu instructed from the side, "Go get some hot water."
After thinking it over, Yueyao said, "Dong Qing, go and bring out that piece of green satin. Start working at once and make some proper clothes for Young Master Zheng. His current outfit won't do." Summer was here, and summer clothes were simple— the maids could sew one or two sets in a day.
Yueyao had two senior maids by her side, Mu Qiu and Hua Lei; and four second-class maids, Dong Qing, Dong Mei, Xi Juan, and Xi Yu. All six maids were carefully selected by Madam Ma for Yueyao.
Dong Qing hurried to the storeroom to look for cloth. Madam Ma's dowry, including the deeds of the Tian Zhuang stores, was in the hands of the Old Madam. However, Madam Ma's other dowry items, such as satin and jewelry, were kept in Lanxi Garden, left under Yueyao's own care with intention.
Yueyao personally took Young Master Zheng to bathe. Xi Juan and Xi Yu helped on the side. Mu Qiu, Hua Lei, Dong Qing, and several second-class maids genuinely welcomed Young Master Zheng to stay. Each day the young lady didn't seem to care or do anything but copy the Classic of Filial Piety, steeping herself in sorrow every day. As a result, her health deteriorated, to the point she had fainted twice. The young lady kept them on tenterhooks day after day with her condition. Now that Young Master Zheng had come, the young lady would have to take care of him. Having something to share her attention, her grief would consequently be lessened.
While Yueyao was talking to Young Master Zheng, she heard that Lady family had arrived.
Yueyao personally went out to welcome Lady family, seeing that she had changed into a fragrant-colored butterfly and grape pattern jacket, paired with a plain Hangzhou pleated skirt. On her face hung a kindly smile, the visage of a Bodhisattva.
Yueyao bowed to Lady family: "Auntie."
Lady family approached with a face full of affection: "My child, why so formal with your auntie? Just tell me if there is anything, no need for such courtesy."
Yueyao had to exert great effort to suppress the disgust in her heart, speaking timidly with her head lowered: "Auntie is already working so hard managing estate matters. How could Yueyao trouble you with such minor issues? It would be far too unfilial." If she truly cared, why did Tingzheng not have fitting clothes to wear? Everyone at the bottom only toadied up to those above. If Lady family really had the intention, Tingzheng wouldn't have to suffer like this. Actually, in her previous life, she fell into a misconception; many details revealed that Lady family was not truly kind-hearted.
The word "filial" caused Lady family's face to twitch. While it sounded nice, her words seemed somewhat awkward. "Filial" was generally used only for one's own parents. It wasn't a word that should apply to an auntie like herself.
Lady family patted Yueyao's hand with a smile, "I know you are a filial child, and a sincere one at that. But even if your auntie is busy, it's not to the extent of neglecting your affairs. Tell me the truth, Yueyao, has anyone bullied you these past few days?"
Yueyao shook her head: "With Grandmother and Auntie looking after me, who would dare to bully me? Moreover, no one in the estate would have the gall to disrespect their master like that." Her words were indeed true. Before the Shen family called off her engagement, even as all her money was being taken away, no one in the estate openly mistreated her. As long as she had utility value, Lady family would not mistreat her.
Lady family, seeing that Yueyao spoke from the heart, hesitated and then spoke. The old nanny had given the orders; she just wanted to test Yueyao's attitude.
Lady family couldn't understand why this girl suddenly wanted to take that fool by her side. She looked down on Young Master Zheng a hundred times over. With his silly appearance, it was shameful to say he was a child of the Lian family. What had gotten into Yao Girl, always so proud and aloof? Could it be instigation by those around her? That shouldn't be the case! Lady family couldn't quite grasp Yueyao's intentions.
Seeing Lady family in deep thought, Yueyao figured that she had come especially because she was worried that Young Master Zheng's stay might cause some trouble. She might be thinking of ways to move Young Master Zheng elsewhere. Since she hadn't yet placed someone she could trust by Young Master Zheng's side and the siblings had just met, she wouldn't let Tingzheng out of her sight.
Yueyao clenched her hands, her face showing a sorrowful expression: "Auntie, I was very upset when I saw that old nanny bullying Young Master Zheng earlier. I, as his sister, did not even know that my brother went hungry every day, had to endure an empty stomach, and was scolded and even beaten by the maids below. Thankfully, Mother visited me in a dream. Otherwise, if anything happened to Young Master Zheng, Father's only bloodline would be gone. What use would there be in copying more Classic of Filial Piety?" Without needing any props, the tears simply fell plop plop.
Lady family was taken aback.