Chapter 40: Chapter 18: Rubbings
Yuebing glared fiercely at Yueyao. Her mother had taken great pains to carefully select Steward Mothers and Maids and young servants for her, yet this cousin didn’t seem to appreciate it at all. Had she known, she wouldn’t have let her mother go to such trouble; such an ungrateful person didn’t understand devotion.
Old Madam acted as if she hadn’t seen Yuebing’s unfriendly gaze, “Brother Zheng’s mother has been decided; do you have any thoughts about the Maids by his side?”
Yueyao lowered her head, pretending to ponder for a mont before speaking, “I plan to place Mu Qiu and Dong Qing by Brother Zheng’s side. We can carefully select the rest if needed.” Mu Qiu was too simple-minded, which would actually be better for Brother Zheng. Hua Lei couldn’t be let go; she was clever and intelligent, and there would be many matters relying on her in the future. Plus, being a Family-born Servant, without any mishaps, she would definitely need to make good use of Hua Lei and her family. Dong Qing was lively and would complent Mu Qiu, and for the gloomy Brother Zheng, having such a spirited person by his side would be quite good.
Old Madam looked thoughtfully at Yueyao. Nanny Deng was experienced and capable; Mu Qiu was loyal and genuine; Dong Qing was lively and active, but lacked experience of course. Without Nanny Deng, Mu Qiu and Dong Qing would not be sufficient as Personal Maids. With Nanny Deng there, and after so further training, the two would definitely complent each other – such arrangents would have been hard to make had Yueyao not put careful thought into it.
Yueyao’s other Personal Maid, Hua Lei, was from the Lian family, born into the family service. Compared to Mu Qiu, who was bought in without roots, keeping Hua Lei was naturally the best choice. Furthermore, this Maid was intelligent and very clever, carefully picked and trained by Second Son’s Wife for two years before being given to Yueyao. Moreover, the Second Son’s Wife owed Hua Lei’s family a great favor. Although Hua Lei’s parents were on the manor, her uncles and other relatives were serving in the estate. These people, if put to good use, could beco a significant support in the future.
Old Madam looked at Yueyao; this child had already begun to guard against Lady Mo’s family. It seed her guess was right – Second Son’s Wife must have talked about more than just Brother Zheng’s affairs. Old Madam heaved a slight sigh. The flesh of her palms and the backs of her hands were both her flesh; she could not bear to part with either.
Seeing that Old Madam was looking at her for a long ti without speaking, Yueyao’s heart pounded, but she maintained a calm expression, “Grandmother, is there anything inappropriate about Yueyao’s arrangents?” She worried that Old Madam might not agree. Once Yueyao made a decision, even if Grandmother disagreed, Yueyao would still take people from her side to give to him.
Old Madam smiled, “The arrangents are very good. It’s just that this leaves you without a Senior Maid and a second Maid by your side. In that case, let Qiao Lan co to you. Qiao Lan has always been with , sensible and handling matters appropriately. I’d feel at ease with her serving you.”
As soon as Qiao Lan heard this, she imdiately stepped forward and paid her respects to Yueyao. Qiao Lan was a First-Class Maid by Old Madam’s side. She wasn’t old, just fourteen this year, and had been promoted less than a year ago. She had a fair and clean lon-seed face, with clear, bright eyes. When she smiled, her lips curled like a peaceful crescent moon.
Yueyao smiled coyly, “Yueyao thanks Grandmother for her generous affection.” Yueyao didn’t have much impression of Qiao Lan, but since she was given by her grandmother, naturally, she would be good.
Yuebing muttered discontentedly, “Grandmother really dotes on the third younger sister.” Not only were the nannies carefully selected, but even the Maids were chosen perfectly – she really thought it through. Grandmother was biased, always had been – favoring Maternal Auntie Chen before and letting her always go against her own mother. Now she’s entirely favoring the third younger sister, always so biased.
Old Madam glanced at Yuebing, who was frightened enough to shrink her neck back. Old Madam wasn’t prepared to say anything to Yuebing and would tell the nurturing nanny to strictly discipline her upon her arrival. Since it was useless to speak now, she wouldn’t make things uncomfortable for herself, “I am tired; you all may go back.”
Yueyao puzzled, she still wanted to ask Grandmother who her steward was! Why hadn’t she been sent over yet? She wondered who on earth this person was.
After Yueyao left, Old Madam asked Nanny Zheng, “How long have Lady Mo’s accompanying Granny Hua and the Third Girl’s Wet Nurse Old Granny Guh been associating with each other?”
Nanny Zheng replied, “For about half a year.”
Old Madam leaned against the bambo-ash colored silk embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns on a large welcoming cushion. If Lady Mo knew sothing, how would Old Madam not know? What Lady Mo didn’t know was that Dongbo had written Old Madam a letter when he was seriously ill, telling her that most of the second branch’s family assets would go to the public fund, leaving the rest for Yueyao by her side. As for how much was left, Old Madam guessed it would be around 30,000 taels.
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