The torment was, she probably had to serve this "little ancestor" today.
The thought of the endless official road and the blisters on her feet made Nanny Zhao feel somewhat apprehensive.
"Mother-in-law, the Eldest Miss seems to have a fever, and it doesn’t look good."
He Tiantian came over, carrying Wei Yuanniang, with Feng Yanting obediently following behind her.
She looked at Nanny Zhao and said with some concern, "I think it’s better for me to take care of her."
"First, sitting in the carriage is somewhat easier, as it avoids the wind and the sun, and the Eldest Miss can suffer less."
"Second, Mother-in-law, you are getting on in years, and your health isn’t good. It’s hard enough to take care of yourself, let alone serve the Eldest Miss!"
He Tiantian’s words were reasonable and well-thought-out, and even the honest Feng Zhongliang couldn’t help but nod in agreement.
Yes, having the Eldest Miss ride in the carriage was not just for her sake, but also to allow Nanny Zhao some comfort. Follow current novᴇls on NovelHub(.)net
In these days, whenever Feng Zhongliang saw his own mother, who was quite old, still serving Mrs. Zhang and carrying the Eldest Miss, he said nothing, but his heart ached.
But he was slow-witted and even slower of speech, only capable of feeling foolishly distressed, unlike his wife who easily thought of a perfect solution.
Nanny Zhao: ...What you say makes sense, and the logic is sound, but there’s just a strange feeling.
Yet, for the moment, Nanny Zhao could not put her finger on what was amiss.
Mrs. Zhang and the other female relatives were expelled from the inn and tumultuously made their way onto the official road.
Feng Zhongliang drove the carriage, following at a moderate distance.
Mrs. Zhang habitually looked for Feng Yanting, only to discover, to her astonishment, both Feng Yanting and Wei Yuanniang inside that dilapidated little cart.
Mrs. Zhang’s face immediately darkened.
Because she realized that, while in the same carriage, Feng Yanting was sitting by himself, whereas Wei Yuanniang was being held affectionately in "Gu Xiuniang’s" arms like a precious treasure!
Wasn’t Gu Xiuniang supposed to be serving Yanting properly?
Her Yanting was the noble young master of the Marquis Mansion, meant to be held aloft and served by everyone like a distinguished personage.
What was Wei Yuanniang?
How did she deserve to ride in the same carriage as Yanting? And to receive special treatment?!
Mrs. Zhang’s chest suddenly filled with anger, and she turned her head and scolded Nanny Zhao irritably, "...How did Yuanniang end up on the carriage?"
Nanny Zhao, sensing Mrs. Zhang’s anger, albeit without understanding why, reacted out of habit by admitting her error.
"It’s all this old slave’s fault, I failed to consider everything properly, only thinking about the Eldest Miss’s injury, but overlooking other matters!"
As for what she had overlooked, Nanny Zhao truly did not know.
But as a slave, when the master was angry, it must certainly be their own fault.
So, confess first, and then wait for the master’s cues.
"So you also realize you thought wrongly?"
Mrs. Zhang, restraining her anger, lowered her voice, "The Marquis Mansion is now in disgrace, and being discreetly assisted by Feng Zhongliang is a slight conscience on the part of the Qian family."
"Yuanniang, as the Eldest Miss of the Marquis Mansion, should have been with everyone else, but instead, she’s gone to ride in the carriage. Isn’t that overstepping? Attracting the dissatisfaction of the soldiers?"
"Moreover, the Marquis Mansion doesn’t have just one child; not to mention the several illegitimate daughters of our first branch, the second and third branches also have young children. It’s unfair that only Yuanniang rides in the carriage, while other children have to walk. What do you say—"
"With the Marquis in trouble, the whole Marquis Mansion will be questioned. The second and third branch already bear plenty of resentment towards our first branch. Now, with Yuanniang’s precedent, who knows what trouble they will stir up!"
Mrs. Zhang wasn’t wrong. As she was scolding Nanny Zhao, the Second Madam and Third Madam had already brought their youngest children to the carriage.
"Feng Family’s, our Third Lady, Qilang, and Ninth Lady are also young and can barely walk. How about letting them go up and accompany Yuanniang?"
The ladies of the second branch spoke politely, but in reality, they were subtly hinting: if Wei Yuanniang could ride in a carriage, then other children of the Wei Family, especially those younger than her, ought to ride as well.
However, He Tiantian did not pick up on the hint from the Second Madam, suddenly interjecting, "Second Madam, although my mother-in-law serves in the Wei Family, my husband is no longer a slave."
"My husband is not a nobleman, yet he has some capabilities. When he’s out and about, people respectfully call him ’Uncle Feng.’"
After saying that, He Tiantian remained silent.
The Second Madam and Third Madam reddened in the face.
They weren’t fools, of course; they understood the implication behind He Tiantian’s words.