Old Madam had not suspected Yueyao's influence behind the scenes. Before, Ma Chengteng had sent people several times to invite Yueyao to stay briefly at Ma's Mansion, but Yueyao herself was unwilling to go. Sending someone again this time naturally did not raise any suspicions.
Yueyao looked at the visitor, a man in his forties dressed in teal brocade, looking neat and efficient. She recognized him at a glance, the Chief Steward of Ma's Mansion, Ma Yuan. No wonder her grandmother wanted her to come over.
As soon as Ma Yuan saw Yueyao, he immediately gave her a bow, "Cousin Miss, Uncle Master is very concerned about you. He hopes that Cousin Miss could stay at Ma's Mansion for a couple of days."
The visitor was indeed Ma Chengteng's confidant, the Chief Steward of Ma's Mansion, Ma Yuan. It had been him who delivered Yueyao's letters to Ma Chengteng. At that time, he found it strange that the Old Master had sent people several times to invite Cousin Miss to stay at Ma's Mansion, but she had refused each time. This time, when a letter was actually sent, he thought that Cousin Miss might have been mistreated at Lian Mansion. He still harbored this thought until he saw Yueyao, but seeing her looking well made him somewhat suspicious.
After the ceremony, Yueyao said, "It has been a long while since I last saw my uncle, and I wonder if he is well. When my mother was alive, she would worry about my uncle's legs hurting whenever it rained." Ma Chengteng suffered from rheumatism, which flared up during rainy days.
Ma Yuan felt much reassured hearing this and didn't resent the previous rejections from Yueyao to stay at Ma's Mansion as much. "Miss, rest assured, the Old Master is well, but he misses you greatly." If he didn't miss her, it wouldn't be likely for him to send his Chief Steward to fetch her.
Filled with guilt, Yueyao said, "It's unfilial of me to have Uncle worry so much." After saying this, she turned to the Old Madam and said, "Grandmother, since Yueyao returned to the Capital City, I haven't yet paid a visit to my uncle. To trouble Uncle with daily concerns is my unfiliality." In such a situation, Yueyao knew her grandmother wouldn't refuse.
The Old Madam was somewhat surprised but agreed nonetheless.
Yueyao knew Old Madam wouldn't refuse. Although Lady Cheng had many improprieties, but as they say, 'the god of thunder reigns in the skies, the uncle rules on earth.' Since the uncle had sent someone, Old Madam could hardly refuse.
Seeing the look on Old Madam's face, Yueyao knew she was not pleased, so she smiled and said, "Grandmother, this time I would also like to take Brother Zheng to Uncle's house, to let Uncle meet Brother Zheng. I will return in three to five days." She was visiting Ma's Mansion, firstly to see her uncle, and secondly to take a trip out to deposit something in the Money Shop. She wouldn't stay long. She knew of her grandmother's prejudices, who believed the Ma family's atmosphere was unsuitable. It was true indeed, best not to mention the stepmother.
When Old Madam heard Yueyao mention staying for just three to five days, she nodded. It wouldn't matter much to return in just three to five days; short as it was, it wouldn't likely result in picking up too many bad habits. Old Madam still had that much confidence in her granddaughter, but if it were longer, that could not be guaranteed.
Old Madam looked at Ma Yuan and said, "Today is too rushed, let's go tomorrow!" Although it was only for three to five days, there was still need for some preparations.
Naturally, Ma Yuan would not refuse.
After everyone had left, Nanny Zheng came up and whispered some words into Old Madam's ear. After listening, Old Madam fell into deep thought.
Old Madam kept playing with the Jadeite Jade Buddha Beads in her hands. It took quite a while before she finally said, "What exactly has Madam Ma entrusted to this girl in her dreams?" Old Madam truly couldn't understand why Yueyao had changed so much. She was indeed better than before, but it made Old Madam somewhat baffled.
Seeing Old Madam looking very tired, Nanny Zheng walked up to her and massaged her shoulders. Old Madam closed her eyes, her thoughts inscrutable.
When Yueying came over, she was holding a tray with a white porcelain bowl. Yueying giggled, "Grandmother, this is the bitter melon barley bone soup specially simmered for you by the kitchen."
The Old Madam's mood was not very good, and it showed on her face. She waved her hand, letting Yueying go. Yueying hesitated for a moment, set down the soup, and quietly left.
Listening to Yueying's light footsteps, Old Madam felt she had indeed made a good choice in picking her. Although a bit scheming, her nature was good and she was obedient.
On the way, Yueyao pondered what to take. Once back at her courtyard, she took a Pear Blossom Wooden Box out of her trunk. Inside the small Pear Blossom Wooden Box were sixteen books, ancient texts that her father had collected with much effort.
Then, Yueyao took out an Agarwood Wooden Box carved with Buddha's hand from the trunk. Other than Yueyao, no one knew what was inside. Yueyao's mother, Madam Ma, was the legitimate eldest daughter and a favorite child of the grandmother. Aside from the dowry that covered ten miles, this small box also contained a priceless treasure that wasn't listed in the dowry. As Yueyao opened the small box, the room suddenly lit up significantly.
Contained within the box was a luminous pearl the size of an egg. Yueyao had heard from her mother, Madam Ma, that it was originally brought out of the imperial palace by her ancestors. The first Marchioness of the Ma family was an adopted daughter of the founding Empress.
Yueyao held the box silently for a long time. Finally, she wrapped the Luminous Pearl in a brocade cloth and placed it inside the Pear Blossom Wooden Box. She thought about also putting some jewelry inside but eventually decided against it. The jewels were registered, and any missing items could cause quite a dispute.
After arranging everything, Yueyao looked at the Pear Blossom Wooden Box and planned to deposit this wooden box at Huiyuan Money House. Yueyao was not at all worried about any problems with leaving it in Huitong Money House. Huitong Money House was praised for its reputation throughout the Great Yuan Dynasty. With over a hundred years of history since the founding of the Yuan Dynasty, it was reputed for fair dealings, without a single dispute to its name. That's why wealthy families liked to store their silver coins or valuable belongings there, which was why Nanny Zheng recommended it right away.
Having arranged the items, Yueyao locked the box with a small lock. She strung the key on a red cord and hung it around her neck. She felt secure only when the key was with her.
Yueyao had forewarned Nanny Deng. With Nanny Deng's help, she could take out the items without arousing suspicion.