Aunt Bi sneered coldly. Nurse Peng’s attempt to console her didn’t calm her, but instead stirred her emotions more fiercely. "Have you seen him favouring anyone over the years? There are not a few women in his chamber, some given by others, some by the old lady. Not to mention favouritism, he hasn’t conferred his favour on a single one. But now, for that woman, he dares to thwart the old lady’s will, and doesn’t even return home. How can I not worry!"
While Aunt Bi vented her sharp frustrations, she tugged mercilessly at the handkerchief in her hands. On her little face, as small as a palm, tears welled up like severed beads, quickly soaking through the large collar of her peony-patterned, azure Beizi.
Before, although he’d always treated her as coldly as ice, he’d treated his other concubines the same way. Although he had many concubines, he hadn’t favoured anyone. Hence, she always consoled and deceived herself with excuses such as his indifference, his lack of fondness for women, just to ease her heart.
But, suddenly, such a woman appeared. The news from these past few days caused her to collapse instantly. Her cousin, whom she’d deeply loved for many years, had actually fallen for the daughter of a scholarly countryside man, even bringing her to Bishui Villa. What was worse was that Nanny Xi from the Embroidery Bureau, released from the palace, was hired by him to teach the girl Shu embroidery techniques to win the girl’s favour!
He was so good to that woman. But he had never put any thoughts into her. Not to mention putting any effort into her, even the deep affection she had him - he had never reciprocated a shred of it, right?
She was his legally married, noble concubine!
The old lady had said, when he got married, she would be promoted to a wife.
But, even if she became a wife, if he didn’t even look at her, then what difference would it make?
Nurse Peng, who had been at the Huo Mansion for many years, had a degree of understanding for Huo Yuan. Today, she accompanied Aunt Bi here, and if the young master finds out, for the sake of the old lady’s face, he wouldn’t do anything to Aunt Bi, but he would definitely make an example of her to teach Aunt Bi a lesson.
Thus, every moment spent waiting at the entrance of Bishui Villa was absolute torment for Nurse Peng.
"Aunt, let’s leave. If the young master sees that we’ve come here, he will not be pleased!"
"Hehe, even if I don’t come here and just stay in the courtyard waiting for him every day, he isn’t pleased either. Since that’s the case, why should I be afraid of displeasing him?"
"But, aunt, you shouldn’t give up on yourself . How can you win the young master’s heart ? Look at the girl from earlier, how cheerful she was..."
Nurse Peng cut herself off abruptly, realising that she’d blurted out the wrong words in her desperation. She had inadvertently used Aunt Bi’s biggest enemy to provoke her. Aunt Bi was never known for her patience, and it seemed like she would have to bear Aunt Bi’s vent today!
"Aunt, please forgive me. The old servant made a mistake after being overwhelmed last night. Please spare this servant for talking nonsense!"
A torturous silence ensued.
Aunt Bi chuckled, laughing uncontrollably. Her shoulders shook from the laughter, startling Nurse Peng, all her hair standing on end.
"Aunt, you, you, what are you laughing about?"
Nurse Peng lifted her tremulous head, stealing glances at Aunt Bi’s enigmatically dark smile, her heart pounding in her chest.
Having laughed enough, Aunt Bi wiped away the tears of laughter and said, "How did I not think of this before? Seems like I really have to thank you for reminding me!"
"Hehe, aunt, you’ve made this old servant feel puzzled. What did this old servant remind you of? I don’t remember!"