When Qin Liuxi was performing acupuncture on Mrs. Gu, Mrs. Wang gazed at the four-color pastries in front of her for a long while before sighing lightly.
"The Qin family indeed has some blessings." Otherwise, how could there be such a residence to live in, and bring up a girl with a sharp and detailed mind?
"Lady, are you referring to the blessings related to the young miss?" Nanny Shen presented a cup of tea to Mrs. Wang.
"Is it not?" Mrs. Wang took the tea and retorted, "Let's not speak of everyone in the entire residence, but just the third branch alone; if it weren't for her intervention, could this house and those red lanterns still be hanging?"
Nanny Shen understood the implication, knowing she was referring to Mrs. Gu and her three children. Without Qin Liuxi's help, that situation would not only have endangered both mother and children but would definitely have led to losses.
But now, both mother and children are safe, truly a fortunate thing.
"The young miss is indeed exceptional; no wonder the Old Master insisted on putting it in your name back then." Nanny Shen, with an inscrutable face, said, "Lady, looking at it now, was the young miss being put in your name back then and later sent back to the main house because the old Taoist had already predicted this trouble in the house?"
Mrs. Wang did not speak, merely stroking the rim of her teacup, lost in thought.
"If he really predicted the fortunes and misfortunes early on, why did he not mention them? If he had, our Eldest Young Master might not have ended up..."
Nanny Shen began to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes.
The Eldest Young Master she mentioned was naturally the eldest son of the main branch, the only legitimate son borne by Mrs. Wang, the true eldest legitimate grandson, who now suffers hardships together with his forebears in that cold and desolate land.
Just thinking about this made Nanny Shen feel as if her heart was being cut by knives.
She never had children of her own and served Mrs. Wang her whole life, treating her like her own daughter, and naturally cared for her children as her own grandchildren. That child, who should have been clad in fine garments and studying in school, is now exiled, suffering unknown illnesses and injuries.
Nanny Shen couldn't help shedding tears.
Mrs. Wang also felt a heart-wrenching pain, turned her head away, and wiped the tears from her eyes, saying, "What would have been the use of mentioning it? What is meant to be a blessing cannot turn into a curse, and what is a curse cannot be avoided. If we evade it today, can we also avoid it tomorrow? Nanny, it's hardest to contend with heaven; even the best calculations cannot surpass fate!"
"That's a reasonable point, but the old servant still feels sorry for the young master."
Mrs. Wang suppressed her sorrow and murmured, "Your heart aches, but as his mother, my heart aches more than yours. I only hate that I cannot suffer in his place."
Nanny Shen looked at her, seeing the lady she had known since childhood unable to hide her sad spirit, looking even more lonely and desolate under the light, with a haggard appearance.
Indeed, she is a mother, but she is also the main madam of the Qin family; no matter how hard and painful it is, she can only endure.
"It's my fault for upsetting you," Nanny Shen came forward and hugged her, patting her back.
Mrs. Wang wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "Don't blame yourself; you have endured these hardships alongside me, how could I blame you? Nanny, you really shouldn't have come with me back then."
"This old servant has no children and only this life; wherever I go, I would live my life. Even if it means enduring hardship with you, I have no complaints or regrets."
On hearing this, Mrs. Wang's mouth curved into a smile, saying, "Rest assured, I will provide for you in your old age."
Mrs. Wang then turned her attention to those pastries, perked up, and said, "Distribute some of these pastries to Aunt Wan and Chun'er, and also to the Old Lady, and send another portion to the third sister-in-law."
Mrs. Wang shook her head, "I don't need to indulge in these; if the second sister-in-law and others found out, they might have something to say."
Upon thinking of Second Madam's personality, Nanny Shen also fell silent.