Chapter 317: Chapter 116: Duty_4 Chapter 317: Chapter 116: Duty_4 Yueying shook her head, “It’s nothing.” Irritated by Cai Lan’s continued questioning, she added, “I said it’s nothing, why so many questions?”
Cai Lan was taken aback, wondering when her normally amiable lady had become so stern. However, due to Yueying’s outburst, she dared not say anything further.
Hua Lei, while washing Yueyao’s face, couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, why do you tolerate the Eldest Miss so much? She made you cry, and you shouldn’t let her bully you .”
Yueyao smiled and turned to Nanny Hao, “What do you think, Nanny?” trusting that Nanny Hao saw things more clearly than Hua Lei.
Nanny Hao was surprised that Yueyao would ask her opinion, but it was a good change if the lady was adjusting her approach from being either too distant or too tough. “The Eldest Miss knows well how austere life is in the mountains; her insistence might not truly reflect her willingness to go. The Old Madam had kept her close for such a long time that if she did not express herself now, people might think she is indifferent and ungrateful, which is why she has been pleading repeatedly with the Miss,” Nanny Hao speculated, convinced that Yueying had once again requested to go to the mountains.
Hua Lei also believed the Eldest Miss was instigated by someone else, and complained, “The mountains are harsh, there’s nothing good about going there. Her repeated requests make it seem as if our Miss doesn’t care about sisterly affection. It’s always her reaping the benefits, which is detestable.”
Yueyao’s eyelids twitched.
Nanny Hao’s eyelids fluttered as she pondered the significant regard the Miss had for this maid. The person behind the Eldest Miss’s actions was either Maternal Auntie Chen or the Madam. From her observations, it was most likely the Madam, aiming either to supervise the Miss or to ingratiate herself with the Miss to consolidate power. Unfortunately, the Eldest Madam’s plots were too obvious, and the Miss, being wary even towards her, was unlikely to trust the Eldest Miss.
Yueyao was getting ready to practice her plum blossom calligraphy style.
After hesitating, Nanny Hao said, “Miss, I would like to talk to you privately.” She knew Hua Lei was a competent maid who had the Miss’s complete trust and favor, but she truly felt Hua Lei’s current behavior was risky.
Yueyao, hearing Nanny Hao’s comments regarding Hua Lei’s behavior, was silent. This lifetime was different from her last, and so was Hua Lei’s fate, but her temperament had slightly changed. Hua Lei seemed unable to hold back anymore, which was very dangerous. It posed no threat to her, but was very dangerous for Hua Lei herself. A maid overstepping her boundaries was courting death, even her personal maid could not protect her.
Nanny Hao, although anxious to do what was best for her Miss, wasn’t sure the Miss would accept it.
Yueyao called Hua Lei in and stared at her, “Nanny Hao mentioned that you glared at the Eldest Miss in front of the courtyard’s maids and old nannies. Did this happen?” Indeed, not many had seen it, at least none from Yueying’s entourage.
Hua Lei instinctively wanted to deny it, but facing Yueyao’s cold expression, she found herself unable to voice any rebuttal. Hua Lei immediately knelt down, “It is this servant’s fault.” As a servant daring to disdain a master, being caught would only lead to death.
Yueyao said nothing further, “Nanny Hao, teach her what her place is.” With that, she went into her study to practice calligraphy.
Hearing this, Hua Lei’s face turned deathly pale. She had always thought she held a special place in her lady’s heart. Otherwise, Mu Qiu wouldn’t have been sent away while she remained; the Miss trusted neither Qiao Lan nor Nanny Hao as much as her. She thought she was different, but now she was shown otherwise.
Nanny Hao did not scold Hua Lei, knowing that someone who had served by the Miss’s side for so long and gained her trust was no fool, just momentarily blinded. Moreover, reprimanding Hua Lei in front of the other maids and old nannies would only undermine her authority, making it hard for her to manage the other maids later.
Nanny Hao employed a gentle strategy and spoke earnestly to Hua Lei for a long time. The essence was that a maid is a maid, whose duty it is to be loyal and maintain her place. Overstepping not only endangered herself but also posed a significant threat to her master.
Hua Lei knelt before Yueyao, “Miss, I was wrong.”
Yueyao didn’t say much, “Recognizing mistakes and correcting them is most commendable.”