Yueyao's life had changed significantly. In the mornings, while Tingzheng was engaged in his morning readings, she would perform the Five Animal Frolics inside the house. As it would be unseemly for a lady to perform such ungraceful movements in the presence of others.
Hua Lei and Mu Qiu Qiao Lan said it was to improve her health, and later Doctor Tang also confirmed that it indeed had health benefits. When their discouragements failed repeatedly, they no longer protested.
After finishing the Five Animal Frolics, Yueyao began practicing her hand strength. To write beautiful characters, one must have sufficient hand strength. Otherwise, with weak hands, the characters she wrote would come out light and floaty, lacking in spirit.
Every morning, she would be covered in sweat and she had to bathe and change clothes before meals. With no small kitchen in the courtyard and water fetch spots being far, it was truly inconvenient.
Wiping the sweat from her face, Yueyao listened as Hua Lei mentioned the water temperature was just right. Smiling, she said, "It's alright, the weather is still hot. I will speak to my grandmother about it after a few days." Yueyao had refrained from discussing it with her grandmother because she was still in her mourning period, which would end next month after nine months. The weather was also favorable now, and there were no worries about cold meals. When the weather turned cold, it would be appropriate for her to raise the issue, especially when the kitchen was already sending her special meals. The Lian family everywhere knew that Lady Mo wished for her to eat more Bird's Nest, fully justifying her generous reputation.
Yueyao visited the Old Madam every day after breakfast to pay respects, taught Brother Zheng his studies upon returning, read some books at noon, and in the afternoon, she also taught Brother Zheng calligraphy. In the evening, she practiced calligraphy herself and would copy scriptural texts after finishing. In her spare moments, Yueyao was inseparable from the books, extremely busy.
Noticing Yueyao succeeding, Hua Lei decided not to bring up the topic again, but she couldn't help saying in a pained voice, "Miss, practicing calligraphy daily will harden your hands with calluses." A lady should maintain a pair of delicate hands; otherwise, being spotted by other ladies might lead to ridicule. A proper lady's fingers should never touch harsh substances, delicate and slender as they ought to be.
Looking at the blisters formed from grinding, Yueyao took the ointment that Qiao Lan handed her and applied it, "Writing requires hand strength. My hand strength is still insufficient and needs more work." Actually, she could have chosen other methods, but Yueyao believed this method not only exercised her hand strength but also her body. Sweating profusely every morning was actually beneficial for her health.
As for losing her delicate fingers in the future, it didn't matter to her anymore. They were not that rare anyway. She had seen too much in her life and had a different perspective on many things.
Hua Lei had mentioned it numerous times, but as the young lady wouldn't listen, there was nothing she could do: "Miss, you shouldn't tire yourself out." Hua Lei felt both happy and worried seeing her mistress so busy every day.
Yueyao chuckled, "I can only keep myself busy to avoid thinking about my parents. Otherwise, thinking of them makes me very sad." She just wanted to immerse herself in activities, absorbing more knowledge. That way, there was no time for idle thoughts. She found her current life fulfilling and peaceful.
Yueyao's words showed that she knew Hua Lei also didn't want her to dwell in sadness, as it benefited no one.
Hearing Yueyao in a good mood, Hua Lei whispered softly, "Miss, I don't know what agenda the Old Madam has, the steward hasn't come over yet."
Yueyao was not concerned: "Grandmother said she already has someone in mind, it surely won't be wrong. Nanny Deng might have been delayed by something, but she should arrive in the next few days." After pausing, Yueyao continued, "What has Nanny Gu been doing these past few days?"
After hearing Yueyao's comment, Hua Lei responded, "Miss, it's not right to always leave Nanny Gu hanging like this. I'm worried she might cause trouble for you someday. The Eldest Madam has been keeping an eye on you relentlessly. Without the Old Madam pressing her, who knows what would happen! But as the Old Madam's health worsens, I'm really worried."
While Yueyao had not openly discredited Nanny Gu, she was quite impatient with her, and all those around her were people Yueyao had brought from Jiangnan, naturally prioritizing Yueyao's wishes. To put it nicely, Nanny Gu was being well cared for, but bluntly, she was being isolated. Yueyao was busy every day, and Nanny Gu had no chance to grumble.
Yueyao lightly laughed, "How did your uncle handle the matter?" Last time after Hua Lei had gone to seek her uncle, they had found someone reliable to take care of the matter. It had been nearly half a month.
Hua Lei nodded, "Miss, my uncle said he has done as you instructed. Don't worry, my uncle isn't personally involved. No one knows about this." Her uncle had taken the Silver Coin given by the mistress to hire a trustworthy person for the job. After several maneuvers, it was unlikely anyone would trace it back. Especially since such a minor matter wouldn't be looked into by others.
Yueyao nodded, "I need to pay my respects to Grandmother." The Old Madam had mentioned that the journey was too long and pitied Yueyao for the exhaustion of tutoring Brother Zheng every day. She allowed her to visit only on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, yet Yueyao insisted on visiting the Old Madam daily.
Of course, except on rainy days.
As usual, Yueyao read out a passage of the Lotus Sutra to the Old Madam today. Currently, Yueyao could recite the scriptures without a book, which amazed the maids and old nannies around her. Yet, Yueyao mentioned it was due to her familiarity with the scriptural texts, having copied them for ten years—she joked that if she couldn't do it by memory by now, she might as well run headfirst into a wall.
After calmly reciting a passage from the Lotus Sutra and setting the scripture aside, the Old Madam spoke slowly, "Early this morning, your old nanny, Nanny Gu's son came over to ask to redeem her to bring her home. He said he couldn't bear to see his mother suffering and working hard for others any longer. Last time you didn't agree. Now, that boy has come again begging for a favor, stating he couldn't bear to see mother and son separated. Third Girl, what do you think?" Last time Nanny Gu's son came by, asking the Lian family to let his mother go. The Old Madam originally intended to honor the boy's filial piety, but Yueyao had been reluctant to let Nanny Gu go and had begged bitterly.
Yueyao was startled; she hadn't known that Nanny Gu's son had previously asked for this favor. No wonder Hua Lei wasn't worried about her schemings being exposed. Given the prior incident, who would have thought Yueyao would interfere? At that moment, Yueyao was both surprised and delighted, as this would be an ample opportunity to let Nanny Gu go.