Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 399 - 139: Nanny Wang Returns

Chapter 399: Chapter 139: Nanny Wang Returns

Yueyao walked to the backyard and, observing the thick layer of snow that covered the bamboo, went forward and shook it, causing the snow to pitter-patter as it fell.

Xi Juan was about to laugh at Yueyao’s childlike behavior, but then she saw Yueyao pick up a bamboo leaf, put it to her lips, and a melodious tune began to resonate throughout the Lanxi Courtyard.

In her previous life, Yueyao had also dabbled in musical instruments; she was most proficient with the zither, followed by the flute. However, it was in the Nunnery that she had learned to play music with leaves. Life in the Nunnery was monotonous, and once, with nothing to do on the back mountain, she took it up as a pastime. Later, whenever she had free time, she would go there to play tunes for fun. Because of this, the Great Grandmaster never allowed her to take the tonsure, claiming that her worldly attachments were not yet severed.

Xi Juan asked dumbly, "Young Lady, when did you learn to play music with a leaf?" She had been at the young lady’s side for so many years, knew the young lady had learned the zither for a few days, but was unaware of when she had learned to play music with leaves – and play so enchantingly at that.

Yueyao replied with a smile, "I’m self-taught." Actually, listening to music occasionally is good for one’s mental and physical health, and with this in mind, Yueyao would indeed play a tune from time to time after her period of mourning ended.

Xi Yu came over and said, "Young Lady, the Peng Family and the Li family have brought their young ladies over." Xi Yu was aware that some new faces would soon be joining the courtyard.

Yueyao looked over the three maids who were brought to her, around seven or eight years old, not much different in age from herself. As Nanny Hao had previously met with them, Yueyao trusted Nanny Hao’s judgment. This meeting was just for her own confirmation; after seeing them and asking a few questions, she agreed to take them in. After hearing the three girls’ names, Yueyao thought it over and then renamed them, calling them Ruo Cui, Ruo Mi, and Ruo Xiao respectively.

The three maids were quickly taken down by Nanny Hao. They would first have to learn the proper conduct from Nanny Hao, and only after mastering it could they truly start serving.

The next day, the shopkeepers from the two shops brought their account books to meet with Yueyao.

Upon meeting with the shopkeepers and hearing about the profits of the two shops, Yueyao’s face remained impassive, "Last year, the two shops made a total profit of 14,600 taels, but this past year they’ve earned only 5,300 taels." Both shops were located on East Street, one at the center and one on the outskirts, both with excellent positions. By just leasing them out, each shop could bring in at least four or five thousand taels in rent each year. There was no need to run a business; living off the rent would be better.

The excuses from both shopkeepers were the same: business was difficult. After finishing, they presented their account books to Yueyao, saying, "Young Lady, indeed, business is hard. If you do not believe us, you can look at the account books."

Yueyao did not even take the account books, simply having Nanny Hao receive the silver notes, and spoke indifferently, "I know, you may go back."

Yueyao did not understand business well but knew a bit. Unless someone was coveting the shops or maliciously suppressing their business, under normal circumstances, after many years of operation, the supply and sales channels of the shops were well established, and their business would not suffer just because the owner was away. However, since Yueyao had no interest in managing a business, and since they dared to present the account books for her inspection, she was sure there must be no problems with them. She planned to review last year’s accounts when she was ready to lease out the shops, and that was why she did not feel the need to settle accounts with the shopkeepers at the moment.

The shopkeepers did not expect that Yueyao would not even look at the account books. If she hadn’t asked that previous question, they might have felt a bit more at ease. But the fact that she noticed something odd and yet asked nothing raised suspicions. They glanced at each other and saw worry in the other’s eyes. The Third Young Lady’s reputation for intelligence had long since spread; now she didn’t even ask a single question, how could they not be worried?

Lady Mo sneered, "She thinks managing a shop is that easy. But these two men are greedy enough, pocketing most of the profits." Lady Mo was actually somewhat pained by the loss of this money. If she were managing the two shops and the shopkeepers dared to embezzle like that, she would have sold them off long ago – greedy and untrustworthy servants.

After the New Year, a moderately significant event occurred in the Lian Mansion: Nanny Wang returned. But this time, Nanny Wang did not come back to be a nurturing nanny; she had directly become the steward mother for Yuebing.

Yueyao’s face showed a worried expression; many things had not changed and remained the same as in her past life, with Nanny Wang becoming Yuebing’s steward mother.

Nanny Hao also expressed her concern, "This Nanny Wang used to only teach the young ladies of wealthy families proper etiquette; how did she suddenly become the Second Young Lady’s steward mother? Young Lady, shouldn’t we investigate?" It was indeed suspicious.