She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 357 - 356 Packing

Chapter 357: Chapter 356 Packing

Ye Xinyan, seeing Qi Yougui looking at her as if he wanted to say something, hurriedly spoke before he could open his mouth, "Great Uncle is right, we’ve been delayed here for so long; there really won’t be anything to eat if we go back now." As she spoke, she turned her head and instructed Nanny Jin and Nanny Liu, "Nannies, go to the kitchen first to see if there are any oiled paper food boxes or the like. Collect the meals and ingredients we brought, making sure not to leave anything behind. See how much we can pack. Our entire family needs to eat their fill. Everything wrapped up and brought back means no need to bother with cooking again."

Nanny Jin didn’t feel much, but Nanny Liu was somewhat caught between laughter and tears. What kind of Miss was this? Even if they had really suffered some hardships after leaving the capital, it shouldn’t have come to this, right? Not wanting to let the Qi Yourong family take away the food, how could she not deal with it herself? But she insisted on having them pack it up to take away.

Was their household really lacking that little bit of food? If they took the meals back home, Sixth Master would probably die of laughter. At that time, the fault would be great on them, the servants.

But since Miss Ye had ordered it, they, as the servants, still had to obey. Nanny Liu was full of conflict, yet her face showed great willingness. She first apologized to Lady Wang and asked Lady Xu to help. Then she went with Nanny Jin, leading Nanny Ding and another old woman servant, to the kitchen to fetch the food boxes and gather the kitchen’s things.

Anshun’s household stood behind Ye Xinyan, imperceptibly twitching the corner of their mouth, somewhat taking pleasure in the misfortune as they watched Nanny Liu and Nanny Jin go out to the kitchen.

Madam Song was originally quite eager, ready to immediately go to the old house’s kitchen to pack up the utensils and the meals.

It was nonsense that the Second Branch family hadn’t prepared meals—did they think she didn’t know? The Second Branch had guests over since yesterday afternoon, intending to spend the New Year at their home; surely, they had extra meals prepared. It was her own family that hadn’t prepared meals, indeed not for tonight, nor for tomorrow.

However, Qi Ye had said to pack up their own brought meals and ingredients, taking everything back. Her family had come empty-handed, none of this belonged to the Third Branch.

Most importantly, she had considered herself a guest all day, not working in the kitchen and unaware of which food belonged to the Second Branch and which belonged to the First Branch.

The people from the Second Branch didn’t reveal what they had for lunch that day, each with a temper, and if she too rushed to pack the meals, and, in the uncertainty, packed the Second Branch’s food...—Madam Song glanced at several servants from the Second Branch, including the old woman servant whose palm was like iron tongs, and couldn’t help but shrink her neck.

After a moment’s hesitation, Madam Song still mustered up the courage and followed. She was just going to take a look; if the Second Branch disdained anything, she could still take it. As for whether those things were actually from the First Branch or unwanted by the Second Branch, it didn’t matter. The people from the First Branch were not enough for her to take seriously.

Qi Yourong was somewhat panicky when Ye Xinyan ordered the collection of the items, but seeing the two guards behind Ye Xinyan, he forcefully stretched his neck and swallowed the words that had reached the tip of his tongue.

Seeing Nanny Liu leading people to the kitchen, he anxiously observed the three fully set tables in the hall, worrying about whether the servants from the Second Branch would come back and take away the dishes on the table.

Qi Yourong didn’t hide his movements or gaze; Qi Yougui saw it all and felt embarrassed for him. All of today’s affairs started with him asking the second son for cheese. Now, things had ended on a bad note, and his Dongzi’s wife even got slapped by someone. At this point, as for the food on the table, he had lost his appetite and didn’t mention the cheese anymore.

This was a consequence of being too insubstantial and not commanding enough respect.

Qi Yougui took two steps back, turned around, and sat down on the edge of the bed, where he faced Qi Younian, who had just gotten down from the bed.

Qi Yougui wearily asked, "Are you leaving already?"

Before Qi Younian could stand still in front of Qi Yougui, he replied, "Yes, we’re leaving. I’ve been away for decades, and my character has grown wild. After much difficulty, I finally have grandchildren, and I can’t stand to see them mistreated. I fear that if I really get anxious, I won’t be able to control my temper. In the future, please take more care of Yourong for me, big brother. I’m not up to it."

Qi Younian wasn’t feigning his concerns; he genuinely felt that Qi Yougui, despite seeming like a kind elder, was so mild with Qi Yourong that it left an uncomfortable feeling in one’s heart. If they continued to mingle like this, he feared the day would come when he wouldn’t be able to contain his temper and would end up beating his whole family, regardless of age.

Qi Yougui patted the edge of the kang and said, "Sit for a while by the kang. You should at least wait to leave with Ye Zi and Brother Jia." He had noticed that Ye Zi and Yourong’s family were locked in a struggle, and without seeing all the food packed up himself, she wouldn’t leave early.

In the kitchen, the three food boxes delivered by Nanny Liu and Nanny Jin were being packed up efficiently by a few people, and soon the excess dishes from the kitchen were well arranged.

Nanny Liu and Nanny Jin discussed, "What does the Young Lady mean? Are we only taking these, or should we wrap up everything that’s still presentable in the main room as well?"

Then, catching sight of Madam Song, who seemed to be casually chatting with Lady Xu but was actually keeping a sharp eye on them, they immediately changed their tune and added with a feigned difficulty, "I’m just worried that there won’t be enough food to go around for everyone at home, since we have so many people."

Nanny Jin nodded seriously in agreement, "I’m also worried there won’t be enough. Let’s pack everything up and take it back. The Young Lady just said that we have a lot of people at home and told us to take as much as we possibly can."

Nanny Liu nodded energetically in agreement, but she was internally distressed, wondering how she would deal with all the food on the dining table if they also took it home.

Lady Xu, hearing their grave discussion, hastily lowered her head and looked around as if searching for something, yet she struggled to hold back her laughter because of the normally stern and proper nannies who were now being so mischievously funny.

Her servant Sanshun usually mixed in with the Second Branch family, practically taking root there, so when did Nanny Liu ever care about such matters? And when has the Second Uncle’s family ever lacked holiday food? These two nannies were simply too amusing.

Madam Song, however, was anxious. The kitchen’s food wasn’t abundant, but it was all untouched and in good condition. If packed and brought home, just a reheat in the steaming pot would turn it into decent meals fit for guests during the holidays, adding prestige to her own family.

The greedy old woman servants of the Second Branch had already taken away these complete dishes and were now even thinking of packing up the food on the main room’s dining table, showing no intention of leaving anything behind for others.

Madam Song, after holding back again and again, finally spoke carefully, "Actually, I think, Second Brother and his grandchildren are all precious people, and even you nannies are not of ordinary status. These leftovers and cold teas are hardly suitable for you, and consuming them would be beneath your dignity."

All four of Nanny Liu’s group turned their heads in unison, looking towards Madam Song with differing expressions, yet all with the same widened eyes and silence.

Madam Song instinctively moved closer to Lady Xu, offering a smiling apology, "Please don’t take offense, nannies. I was just considering the best for Second Brother and for you. No other meaning intended."