She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 147 - 146: But It Was Worth It

Chapter 147: Chapter 146: But It Was Worth It

She directed Hongzhi to the rear hall, "Young master, please go in and have a seat," and then quietly instructed Xinger who was not far away.

Hongzhi, who had been entrusted with this awkward errand for Jinrong, dared not sit. Seeing that the rear hall was empty, he quickly bowed and said, "I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. Nanny, I’m here on a task from the Sixth Master."

"Please speak, young master," Nanny Jin nodded. It must be a task from the Sixth Master; otherwise, if a personal servant of the house, along with a bunch of maids and old woman servants, swaggered through the streets like that, it meant you’re finding life too comfortable.

Hongzhi composed himself and said, "The four old woman servants and the two maids outside are people from our Sixth Master’s Mansion. Especially those four old women, they are capable housekeepers of our mansion. The two maids have also been properly instructed by our supervising nannies."

Nanny Jin nodded again, her confusion deepening. They were servants from the mansion, yet they were explaining everything so clearly to her, an outsider. What was this about?

Suppressing a sense of impropriety, Hongzhi continued earnestly, "Our Sixth Master heard that Nanny was looking for maids for Lady Qi and urgently had these servant women transferred from Yuyuan Prefecture’s estate. These people arrived yesterday afternoon, and were drilled by our mansion’s Uncle Wan, and today I was sent to lead them here."

Could there really be such a thing? Nanny Jin couldn’t wrap her mind around it for a while. What did buying maids have to do with the capable maids and old woman servants from the mansion? What was this supposed to mean?

And how did the Sixth Master know that her family was buying maids?

"No, not at all, wait a moment, young master Hongzhi," Nanny Jin struggled to gather her thoughts and asked, "Your prince... I mean, why did Sixth Master Rong send his servants to our Ye Zi? Why?"

Hongzhi’s earnest expression crumbled into a wry smile, "Nanny, you’ve also stayed in a grand mansion before; these are matters between the masters. Even if we are attendants who serve close to the masters, and even if we understand the masters’ intentions, we wouldn’t dare speak recklessly without the masters’ permission—right?"

Nanny Jin was even more bewildered; by the sound of Hongzhi’s explanation, was this a matter between the masters? Could it be that the young miss knew of His Highness Prince Yu’s intentions?

"Young master, since you’ve already spoken to this point, I, Nanny, will speak frankly too. Right now, our situation is quite difficult, and the relationship with our young miss is intimate, inseparable. But as servants, we must know our place. I have the responsibility to supervise and instruct the young miss, yet I cannot make decisions for her."

Nanny Jin looked apologetically at Hongzhi, "It’s not that I don’t wish to give young master face, but without words from the young miss, I dare not take the people from your Sixth Master’s Mansion back with me. Besides, we do not have enough rooms to accommodate all these people—right?"

Hongzhi exhaled silently. Nanny Jin seemed much more approachable than when they were in the capital, not showing any annoyance or displeasure for having people pushed into her household without advance notice. This would make things easier.

Hongzhi hurriedly smiled and said, "Nanny is unaware; our Sixth Master said that no matter where the Sixth Master is, anyone who appears more than three times around him can’t avoid the eyes in the capital. Nanny just needs to convey this message to Lady Qi, and she will certainly not refuse our Sixth Master’s goodwill."

It was a serious matter! Not only would the young miss not refuse the Sixth Master’s goodwill, but Nanny Jin herself, after hearing Hongzhi’s words, was sweating profusely.

How could they have overlooked such an important matter! Jinrong, being an imperial prince, even if known for his idleness, was still an imperial prince. Even within the capital itself, one couldn’t know how many eyes were watching Jinrong. Let alone now that Jinrong was away from the capital, the forces of the other princes there would undoubtedly be even more attentive to his movements.

How could the young miss, who was already entangled with Jinrong in many ways, evade the surveillance of the capital?

Seeing Nanny Jin’s face changing and finally settling into calmness, Hongzhi quickly bowed and said, "How about this, Nanny, you take the people back first? As for accommodation, I’ve heard from Liu Qing that there are many work shacks at the cattle farm; we should be able to free up a room or two, right?"

Nanny Jin remained silent for a long time before she finally addressed Hongzhi with a bow, "This old servant thanks Sixth Master and Young Master Hongzhi. I can only take these people back for now, and as for what attitude Lady Qi will hold, it’s not up to us to decide."

Given the current different situation, Nanny Jin could only leave the servants from Prince Yu’s Mansion behind. The princes of the capital knew of the young lady’s existence, and Duke An’s Mansion surely knew as well, and they would have known quite early on. To maintain the face of Duke An’s Mansion, the Duke wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate a granddaughter who had been forsaken. Having several people from the royal mansion at the young lady’s side would make her much safer.

"You are too courteous, Nanny," Hongzhi repeatedly returned the bow, "Just take the people with you. If Lady Qi insists on sending them back, of course, no blame falls on you."

The two of them then quietly discussed the identity and names of the six servant women outside, as well as other important matters, before heading together to the dining hall of the snack shop.

In the dining hall of the snack shop, Qi Ercheng and another waiter were busy wiping and cleaning as usual, while occasionally glancing over at the rows of girls and old woman servants. They couldn’t help but grumble to themselves, "We’re all wearing rough common clothes, so why do they look so much more imposing when they wear them?"

Hongzhi let Nanny Jin take the lead to the six servants from the royal mansion and said concisely to the girls and old women, "This is Nanny Jin, who serves Lady Qi personally. You all just follow Nanny Jin to meet Lady Qi. I will now return to report back to the Sixth Master."

One of the old woman servants among the six stepped forward, gave a slight nod to Nanny Jin, and said, "My surname is Liu, and I hope for Nanny Jin’s guidance in the future."

Nanny Jin hurriedly returned the gesture, "Elder sister, you are too kind. We all serve our masters diligently, desiring only their joy and satisfaction. We, the servants, should all help each other."

Seeing that the two had started talking, Hongzhi bowed to Nanny Jin, "Thank you for handling the remaining matters, Nanny. I shall leave now."

Nanny Jin picked up a large box of pastries that Xinger had left on the counter, already wrapped up, and said to Hongzhi, "The things from the shop are nothing special. Young Master Hongzhi, take them back and share with the other young brothers at the mansion."

When Hongzhi looked over, he saw that it was the cream cake that the dairy farm manager had sent to his Sixth Master just the day before. Hongzhi hurriedly waved his hands, "Nanny, it’s not proper. This item is now very rare, not just any common thing. Even if you offer silver, it might not be available for purchase. I dare not take such kindness for myself so casually."

Nanny Jin forced the box into Hongzhi’s arms, scolding, "Young Master, you are too polite. What’s so rare about something we made ourselves? It’s all packed up already, do you expect us to open the package and sell it to other customers?"

Hongzhi kept thanking her as he took his leave.

After sending off Hongzhi and turning back, the six people from the royal mansion still stood respectfully in place, as if nailed to the ground. Not far away, Qi Ercheng and the other likely thought it was incredible, eyes glued to the sight.

Nanny Jin turned back to the group and said, "Ladies and Nannies, according to Young Master Hongzhi, you have all been traveling for several days and must be weary. Sit down and have some tea, rest a bit. Then we’ll find a carriage and head back to the countryside to see Lady Qi."

Nanny Liu was the first to bow and thank her, then she and the group of six gathered around the table that Nanny Jin indicated for them to sit at.

Nanny Jin told Qi Ercheng, "Ercheng, go outside and hire two carriages to come back. Let the Nannies rest well, so they can ride back."

Turning back, she ordered another waiter to bring tea and snacks.

Although Nanny Liu was a capable housekeeper of Prince Yu’s Mansion and had been admonished by Uncle Wan, the chief steward, she knew to be careful before serving Lady Qi and naturally did not dare to neglect Nanny Jin, who personally served Lady Qi.

At this moment, seeing Nanny Jin from this remote little place also seemed to carry the grace of a hereditary servant from a great household, she marveled at the arrangements made by Nanny Jin. Being able to be so self-possessed and independent as a servant, even if belonging to a smaller household and rank, was indeed valuable.