Chapter 60: Chapter 25: Nanny Deng_4
Nanny Deng remained silent. She was well aware of this fact. The second branch had declined. The future of the Lian family depended on Lian Dongfang as well as the Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master. The Old Madam would, at most, secretly warn the Lady family or suppress them, but she would absolutely not disgrace the Lady family openly, nor would she allow the Lady family to be notorious for plotting against her niece’s inheritance. Quite simply, if the Lady family fell, Tingli and Tingyi’s futures would also be damaged. The Old Madam, who had toiled for the Lian family all her life, would not stand by and let this happen.
Nanny Deng said with a sigh, “When the madam was alive, she used to say that Eldest Madam was kind-faced but harsh-hearted. But I never imagined she would stoop so low.” Half of the family assets of the second branch were already in the hands of the Old Madam. Actually, these assets, in the hands of the Old Madam, would sooner or later end up with the main branch. The Second Old Master was too well aware of this, so he left a part of the silver coin for the young lady to carry. But I never imagined that they would stoop so low as to not even spare a bit of the young lady’s carry-on silver.
Yueyao shook her head, thinking that the Lady family could do even more despicable things than that. But saying this now, no one would believe her. And
Nanny Deng, after thinking for a moment, said, “Miss, the Old Madam has her concerns, but we still have Uncle Master. Uncle Master won’t let you be bullied.”
Seeing Yueyao not speaking, Nanny Deng hurried to say, “Miss, Uncle Master adores you so much. He will definitely stand up for you.” Uncle Master and Madam were siblings, very close since childhood, and he was extremely fond of Miss. There was no reason he wouldn’t stand up for her.
Yueyao nodded. Although Lady Cheng was unbearable, she had to admit that her uncle was indeed good to her. But no matter how good her uncle was, she did not plan on telling him about these things. Her uncle’s surname was Ma, hers was Lian. She couldn’t drag her uncle into the Lian family’s internal affairs. As long as her uncle was there, and she maintained good relations with the Li family, having someone to support her, she wouldn’t be afraid of the vicious, cold-blooded, and ruthless Lady family. But thinking about her uncle’s accidental death when she was ten years old made her feel uncertain again.
Nanny Deng stood by the bed.
Now Yueyao was wondering what had caused her uncle’s death that year. Unfortunately, she really didn’t remember much; it seemed he had died of an illness. What illness, she did not know.
Just then, Qiao Lan brought in tea. Yueyao took it and drank two cups in succession. After finishing, Qiao Lan left.
After a long time, Yueyao finally spoke, “We cannot rush. As long as Grandmother can suppress the Lady family, they won’t dare make any serious moves.”
But Nanny Deng was somewhat worried, “Miss, now that the Lady family knows you have a considerable amount of silver, they won’t just let it go. Miss, we must find our own way,”—the so-called way was essentially finding a strong backer. Nanny Deng thought of Uncle Master Ma Chengteng.
Yueyao shook her head, frowning, “Mom, do you know whether there’s a place where things can be hidden, unknown to others? Even if people knew, except for me, no one else can touch them.” She wanted to hide the valuable items her father had left her. But this place must be safe and reliable. She couldn’t think of one for the time being.
Although Yueyao was cautious, once the Old Madam passed away, the backhouse of the Lian Mansion would become the domain of the Lady family. By then, who knew what the situation would be.
Yueyao feared the worst. Losing the silver would be inconsequential, but she wanted to properly preserve these treasures.
Upon hearing this, Nanny Deng hesitated at first, “Perhaps, you could give them to Uncle Master.”
Yueyao shook her head. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her uncle, but she couldn’t be sure her uncle would peacefully survive that ordeal. If her uncle died, those items would fall into the hands of Lady Cheng. Falling into her hands would be like a meat bun hitting a dog, gone without trace. Moreover, having items pass into another’s hands wouldn’t bring the peace of keeping them in her own.
Seeing Nanny Deng silent for a long while, Yueyao felt disappointed. These were the assets she and Brother Zheng needed for establishing themselves. She didn’t want to entrust them to others. The uncertainties of life and the fickleness of human hearts made her wary of gambling on others.
Seeing Yueyao’s resolve, Nanny Deng finally said after thinking for a while, “Miss, Huiyuan Money House, the largest money shop in Capital City, can store items on behalf of others. However, I heard that a small box costs five hundred taels of silver a year just for safekeeping,”—if they really wanted to store it there, it needed to be for at least eight to ten years. The expense was too high.
Yueyao suddenly brightened, why hadn’t she thought of storing the items at the money shop? She had been too foolish. As far as she knew, Huiyuan Money House was the top money house under heaven, with top-notch credibility. No accidents had ever occurred there.
Yueyao finally relaxed. Yes, only a place like the money house was the most reliable. Such places operated under strict regulations. As long as she declared at the money house that except for her, no one else could retrieve the items without her consent, not even the Lady family could obtain them no matter how cunning they were.
Such an important matter, she couldn’t trust others to manage; she must handle it herself. For now, she couldn’t leave, but with this plan in mind, she would eventually find a chance to leave the mansion. As long as she managed it before her grandmother passed away, it would be settled.
After Yueyao relaxed her furrowed brow, Nanny Deng finally asked about Nanny Hao and Qiao Lan’s backgrounds. Nanny Deng meant that one must be cautious. For now, it was better not to entrust them with important tasks. Wait longer and see their behavior over time.
Yueyao felt the same, “Grandmother conferred them upon me out of a heart full of kindness. Mom, be a bit cryptic about some things.” After all, it was Grandmother’s considerate intention. If they acted excessively, letting Grandmother learn of it would surely make her uncomfortable. Actions must be discreet and cautious.
As for these matters, Nanny Deng was of course more experienced than Yueyao. But listening to Yueyao’s commands, her heart felt extremely heavy. When had the young lady come to understand these worldly affairs so thoroughly? This last half-year, how much has the young lady suffered!
After helping Yueyao to bed, Nanny Deng let Hua Lei keep watch for the night. Then, she went to seek Mu Qiu.
Mu Qiu said, time and again, that Yueyao was simply overly grieved by the passing of the Old Master and Madam; there was nothing suspicious, nor was anyone mistreating Miss. This puzzled Nanny Deng. Without enough hardship, why did the young lady seem to have endured endless tribulations? Otherwise, why did her entire demeanor reveal a maturity far beyond her years?