Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 398 - 138: Trust_4

Chapter 398: Chapter 138: Trust_4

Guan Jingshuo’s face turned ashen as he scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting? This is my mother’s letter and her portrait. If you ever spout nonsense without understanding the truth, don’t serve by my side anymore." Although Heping was very loyal, his mouth was indeed foul.

Upon hearing it was the Former Lady’s letter and painting, Heping shrank his head in. Heping truly felt wronged; how could he have known it was the Former Lady’s letter and painting? Alright, it was his fault. Even if he didn’t trust the Third Miss of the Lian Family, he should have trusted his own young master.

Guan Jingshuo got angry and his tense mood also eased a bit. He opened the letter and read them date-by-date, his expression turning as dark as the bottom of a pan by the end. His mother did indeed mention in the letters that she wanted to change people, a pity that the Duke Mansion did not agree. The letters also mentioned that Lady Xiao Ning could not part with the glory and riches of the Marquis’ household, so she was adamant about marrying into it. In these letters, Ning Yun expressed a strong sense of helplessness and sorrow.

In the last letter, Guans Jingshuo read that his mother mentioned everything had been properly arranged and told Madam Ma not to worry. Furthermore, she expressed that if something really happened to her, she hoped Madam Ma would look after her son in the future.

Guan Jingshuo didn’t know what his mother had ultimately arranged, nor did he want to know. But from these letters, he could tell that his aunt did not genuinely like or love him; it’s probably because the aunt had no children of her own, which is why she treated him well.

Guan Jingshuo was now thankful that he had grown up by his father’s side, which allowed him to grow up safely. Had he been raised by his aunt, he feared he would have been dead by now. Yet even so, he had nearly lost his life.

Guan Jingshuo calmed down and immediately went to find Marquis Yongding, saying, "Father, I plan to go to Peach Blossom Village tomorrow and return after the weather warms up." After two months of recuperation, Guan Jingshuo’s health had greatly improved. Doctor Li had already said that as long as he followed his method, within six months he could make Guan Jingshuo just like a normal person.

Guan Jingshuo had intended to wait until after the new year to go to Peach Blossom Village, but after reading these letters, he instinctively wanted to go to Peach Blossom Village and did not want to face Mrs. Ning. Moreover, at the village, everything was under his control; he was very clear about the state of the Marquis’ household, which was a mess. He had more half-siblings from concubines than just these, and every year several children were lost and several concubines died in the household, yet his father turned a blind eye to it all. Guan Jingshuo could only be thankful that he was his father’s only legitimate son; otherwise, it was questionable whether he could have survived until now.

Guan Jingshuo’s plans weren’t bad, to return in the summer when his health should have fully recovered. As long as he was healthy, he wouldn’t fear the covert attacks within the household.

After visiting the Lian Mansion, Yueyao went to Li Mansion. Yueyao was very close to Lady Li, grateful to Uncle Li and Lady Li for treating Tingzheng so well—gratitude she always kept in her heart.

Lady Li was very satisfied with Yueyao’s conduct, but at the same time, she felt a pang of sorrow. She was saddened by how sensible Yueyao was.

Yueyao did not dine at Li Mansion; she observed the proper etiquettes and then returned to the Lian Mansion.

Upon returning to Lanxi Courtyard, Yueyao went to see Hua Lei and Qiao Lan. After nearly half a month of recuperation, Hua Lei had regained her former vitality and was able to take care of herself, yet she was still unable to get out of bed. Qiao Lan lay in bed, still needing to be cared for, unable to manage her own daily needs.

When Lady Mo saw Yueyao, she came to greet her and took the opportunity to speak to Yueyao, "The two senior maids by your side are currently of no use to you; my Hong Lan is reliable..."

Yueyao interrupted Lady Mo before she could finish, "Auntie, after some rest, Hua Lei and Qiao Lan will be fine. It would be cruel to let them go now. There is no lack of attendance by my side; for now, Xi Juan and Xi Yu are filling in. I am planning to temporarily make Xi Juan and Xi Yu my personal maids, but not at the expense of Hua Lei and Qiao Lan’s positions. I don’t want to dismiss them just because they are injured; that would be too disheartening. The doctor also said that as long as they rest for half a year, they will recover, and we are not lacking the money; let them stay in Lanxi Courtyard!" Allowing Lady Mo’s people at her side was like letting a wolf in, and she was not that foolish.

Lady Mo furrowed her brow and asked, "But the maids attending to you now are too few. How could just Xi Yu and Xi Juan be enough?"

Yueyao thought for a moment before replying, "Auntie, previously Peng Chun’s family wanted to send their daughters to my courtyard. At that time, my courtyard had plenty of servants, but now that we are short of help, it’s a good opportunity to choose two from them."

A cold light flashed in Lady Mo’s eyes, but the words she spoke were still rather pleasant, "Two are too few, you are short of three positions for third-grade maids, you should choose five to fill the vacancies. If you don’t want the maids from the mansion, you can pick from the traffickers."

Yueyao shook her head, "No need, auntie, I already have someone in mind." Since Hua Lei and Qiao Lan had been injured, Yueyao was already considering adding more people. What Yueyao was wary of was Lady Mo planting people into Lanxi Courtyard. She had already chosen the candidates; one was Peng Chun’s younger daughter, Cuicui; another was Madam Ma’s daughter from her dowry, Little Sister Mao; and another one was the daughter of Sister-in-law Mi who used to help Nanny Deng manage the backyard. Little Sister Mao and Mimi, whose biological mothers were both maids from Madam Ma’s dowry, were both currently at the manor of Ma’s dowry. This was also after a long period of observation; both families were quite loyal to her mother, otherwise Yueyao would not have employed them.

Lady Mo wanted to object, but she couldn’t. Last time, her husband had sternly warned her to treat Yueyao well and avoid unnecessary trouble.

Yueyao received a letter from Ma’s Mansion. After reading the letter, she summoned Nanny Hao to the study and asked, "Do you want to know about your children’s situation?" If Nanny Hao wanted to know, Yueyao wouldn’t mind telling her, but if Nanny Hao didn’t want to know, she wouldn’t say anything.

Nanny Hao shook her head and said, "When they said they wouldn’t recognize me as their mother, I treated it as if I had never had them." Nanny Hao had been deeply hurt, but whether she had truly let go, only she knew.

Yueyao saw that she hadn’t truly let go; otherwise, she would not have become so agitated upon hearing that she was looking for a grandchild to bring to Nanny Hao. To relieve her heartbreak and disappointment, bringing grandchildren to her side filled the emptiness and loneliness, and also provided a sense of security for the future.

Yueyao naturally didn’t further discuss the current situations of Nanny Hao’s son and daughter but simply told her one thing, "The child has already been picked up and is currently at the manor of Ma’s Mansion. Next time I go to Ma’s Mansion to stay, I will have them bring the child into Ma’s Mansion, then you can reunite with your grandchild." Yueyao would not leave this child at Lian Mansion; in case Lady Mo found out about this child, she might use the child to control Nanny Hao.

Yueyao planned to keep this child at Ma’s Mansion, where she would visit every year, allowing Nanny Hao and the child to spend more time together and develop a bond. Yueyao believed that Nanny Hao would not dare to betray her easily.

Nanny Hao was a bit excited, "Good." This made Nanny Hao somewhat eagerly hope that Yueyao would reside in Ma’s Mansion soon, so she could see the child.

After speaking, Yueyao smiled, "I forgot to tell you, your granddaughter is called Xiao Tao. Um, that child ... you’ll know when you meet her." Yueyao had not yet met the person, but the person who bought her said the child was very pitiful, barely fed at home, and looked like skin and bones when bought.

Nanny Hao trembled and quickly asked, "Miss, is the child alright?"

Yueyao nodded and said, "The letter mentioned the child had suffered some hardship before, but I have already instructed someone to take good care of her; don’t worry."

Nanny Hao looked forward to seeing her granddaughter soon.