Chapter 57: Chapter 25: Nanny Deng
The fierce sun hung in the sky, the ground seemingly ablaze with heat. The delicate flowers in the garden drooped their heads, while the lush leaves curled from the bake. The cicadas, usually incessant, were silent today. Everyone had retreated indoors, even the old nannies guarding the gate had taken shelter in the corridors.
Yueyao was in the study, tutoring Brother Zheng. A tub of ice was placed in the room, yet it remained searingly hot. Nearby, Hua Lei and Dong Qing were fanning the air.
Qiao Lan entered and announced, “Miss, Nanny Deng has returned to the mansion.” Qiao Lan was aware that Nanny Deng was a confidante of the Second Madam. Nanny Deng held a different place in the young lady’s heart.
Yueyao was overjoyed, originally intending to greet Nanny Deng. However, she was stopped by Nanny Hao, “Miss, the sun outside is harsh. It would be bad if you suffered a heatstroke.” Nanny Hao had somewhat overstepped her bounds today but she meant well for Yueyao. No matter how trusted, she was nonetheless a servant. It was appropriate for her to greet Nanny Deng just outside but going beyond would break the rules. The Old Madam wouldn’t be pleased if she knew.
Having said this, Nanny Hao looked at Yueyao somewhat nervously. She worried Third Young Lady might blame her. Having been at Lanxi Courtyard for a few days, she still couldn’t quite gauge Third Young Lady’s attitude. Previously she thought Third Young Lady had changed, becoming savvy and capable. Yet in Lanxi Courtyard, she found her to be as the rumors described; aside from visiting Old Madam, she either tutored Young Master Tingzheng in his letters or was in the side rooms copying scriptures. She was uninvolved with other matters and struggled to understand Third Young Lady.
This remark from Nanny Hao snapped Yueyao out of it. The initial excitement settled down. She smiled faintly, “Thank you for the reminder, Nanny Hao.”
Seeing that Yueyao wasn’t offended and had quickly calmed her emotions, Nanny Hao was relieved. Before she came here, Old Madam had entrusted Third Young Lady to her care, asking her to look after her well. She had been worried before, but not anymore.
Old Madam had shown her great kindness with the hope that she would take good care of Third Young Lady. She had naturally agreed. Yet if Third Young Lady were unmalleable clay, no amount of help from her as a mere servant could truly assist. Over time, however, she dismissed this idea. Although to the eyes, Third Young Lady appeared naive about the world, upon closer observation, she discovered that her thoughts were profoundly deep, beyond her understanding. This did not alarm her; rather, it reassured her. Such a Third Young Lady wouldn’t be easily deceived, and could live securely in the future.
Amid Yueyao’s anxious waiting, Nanny Deng finally arrived.
Yueyao looked at Nanny Deng, dressed in a sandalwood-colored outfit, hair neatly combed and not a strand out of place, wearing a silver filigree hairpin and a string of peach wood beads on her wrist. Her skin was slightly tanned, her frame slender. As Yueyao gazed at Nanny Deng’s kind face and those familiar shallow crow’s feet, tears involuntarily began to swirl in her eyes. However, Yueyao soon realized this was improper and fiercely held back her tears.
Nanny Hao noticed Yueyao’s emotional turmoil. Unexpectedly, Third Young Lady quickly regained her composure, which profoundly shook Nanny Hao. Everyone had misjudged her, including Old Madam.
Upon seeing Yueyao, Nanny Deng joyfully exclaimed, “Miss.” She had wanted to return to serve the miss after recovering from illness, but there had been no response from the mansion, which worried her greatly. Now that she had received word to return, she was overjoyed.
Yueyao smiled and invited Nanny Deng to follow her into the room. The others discreetly left. Once alone, Yueyao could not hold back her tears and said, “Mother.”
Nanny Deng hurriedly asked, “Miss, has someone wronged you? Why do you look thinner and darker than when you were in Jiangnan? Madam and Old Master had always doted on you, afraid that even a little discomfort might hurt you. But now, with both Madam and Old Master gone, and Old Madam unwell, you alone in the Lian Mansion must be having a hard time.”
Yueyao, choking back tears, shook her head, “No, I just miss my parents.” She couldn’t reveal anything about her past life. It was not a matter of trust, but of unimaginable danger. The more people who knew, the greater the risk.
Nanny Deng stroked Yueyao’s head, “Miss, to speak presumptuously, you are like my own daughter whom I’ve watched grow up. How could I not know what’s on your mind? Miss, tell Mother what troubles you. Even if I can’t make decisions for you, there’s still Uncle Master!”