Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 416 - 146: A Short Stay_2

Chapter 416: Chapter 146: A Short Stay_2

The room was devoid of ornaments, and even the essentials were of plain color, including the bedding. Zhuang Ruolan’s eyebrows knitted tightly, "This place you’re living in is too simple. If there are no decorations, write a list and I’ll have people provide them for you." Such spartan decor could not help but reveal the owner’s purist desires. A child of ten, already devoid of life’s pleasures, accustomed to such a simple and austere life—it made her worry.

Yueyao, smiling, said, "I have many exquisite and delicate things stored in my warehouse, but it is not appropriate to use them while I am in mourning. Moreover, I quite like it this way, simple and unadorned."

Zhuang Ruolan still felt it was too much.

Yueyao led Zhuang Ruolan to the study to take a look. The furnishings in the study were antiquated, the arrangement infused with the essence of elegance. Every item in the study might not seem conspicuous, but each had a history of at least a hundred years. It was this understated and reserved luxury that signified true wealth.

Ruo Lan’s gaze fell upon the entire wall of neatly arranged books, and standing below it, she could even smell the scent of ink, "How many of these books have you read?"

Yueyao had already read more than half of the books on the shelves, but this was not something she could openly declare, "I’ve just picked out some books that I find interesting to read."

Ruo Lan smiled, "You said you have a studio; let me see your studio." Yueyao was famed for her painting talent, yet she had never witnessed it herself!

Yueyao led her to the studio, which was even more simplistic. Apart from the easels and drawing boards, there were only tables and chairs, and the table was full of papers, paints, and other materials.

Ruo Lan, looking at the austere studio, laughed, "Cousin, Teacher Wen has praised you as a person with painting talent—how come such a large studio doesn’t have a single painting?" With such a talent, Yueyao had managed to improve her calligraphy so significantly in just half a year; Ruo Lan was curious what her most proficient skill, painting, would be like.

There were no finished paintings in the studio; Yueyao burned any work she wasn’t satisfied with. Occasionally she would examine the retained paintings to spot her mistakes and then burn those too. In the end, there were only a few pieces left, locked away in a cabinet.

Yueyao, with a smile, said, "Those are just rumors from outside. I merely consider painting a pastime. If you’re interested, cousin-in-law, I’ll let you see when there’s an opportunity."

She couldn’t help but laugh, "You’ve seen the front courtyard; let’s also visit the back. Today, we’ll take a good look around your unique mansion."

The backyard was filled with towering bamboo, under which a few sprigs of pretty and bright wintersweet flourished. Their slender green shoots set off the subtle yellow blooms, indescribably fresh, lively, elegant, and beautiful.

Ruo Lan inhaled the fragrance of the bamboo leaves and felt indescribably comfortable and peaceful, "Only a place like this could nurture a pure and graceful girl like you."

Yueyao, upon hearing this, laughed, "Cousin-in-law, you flatter me. The scenery of my courtyard may be fine, but it lacks the refinement of my uncle’s estate." Yueyao was not just speaking politely. Ma’s Mansion was once built as a princess’s villa and had been renovated by several generations; its landscape was truly first-rate, ranking among the best in Capital City.

Xi Yu brought over the tea.

Ruo Lan saw that Yueyao was drinking plain boiled water, "What, you are out of tea here?" The Lady family would not neglect Yueyao to such an extent.

Yueyao shook her head and smiled, "Cousin-in-law, there is still plenty of the Da Hong Pao you sent last time! I just usually drink boiled water and not tea."

Ruo Lan was somewhat curious, as there were still people who preferred to drink water rather than tea. A thought leapt to Ruo Lan’s mind, that this married nun surely only drank water, having no tea to drink. Zhuang Ruolan suppressed the odd feeling in her heart, "Yueyao, if anything happens within the mansion, you must not hide it. If you suffer any grievances, you must tell us, understood?"

Yueyao shook her head, "Cousin-in-law, I am fine and not aggrieved at all." If it weren’t for having no choice, Yueyao also wouldn’t wish to burden others with her troubles. Always appearing pitiable, no one would like that.

Zhuang Ruolan did not have lunch but returned home.

Ruo Lan couldn’t help but say to Cai Yun by her side, "Yueyao probably acts so cold and indifferent because she suddenly lost her parents, and was then thrown into this secluded place to live without contact with others. Eldest Lady Lian truly has ulterior motives, to actually let Yueyao stay in such a remote courtyard. What she is plotting, as if we don’t know." Yueyao was only ten years old, living in such a remote and quiet place; inevitably, she would dwell on her life’s misfortunes. At that time, Lady Mo would appropriately display care and affection; before long, Yueyao would surely be won over by her, and from then on whatever Lady Mo said would go.

Cai Yun shook her head, "Eldest Lady Lian has a good reputation outside, and she seems very amiable, but I didn’t expect her to be like this inside." Cai Yun also felt that Yueyao’s cold disposition was caused by the Lian family. Other girls at her age would be in their innocent and romantic phase, yet Miss Yueyao appeared to be as mature and composed as an adult.

Ruo Lan mocked, "Are we unfamiliar with people whose appearances belie their true natures? I suspect if it weren’t for Ma’s Mansion and my natal family, this Eldest Lady Lian might not have agreed so readily." Looking at her reluctant demeanor, she seemed to want to confine the child within the inner courtyard.

Zhuang Ruo thought of Yueyao’s situation and how she also had been cautious in her maternal grandfather’s home, and still had to remain cautious when she returned to her own home. Zhuang Ruolan sighed softly, "It’s not easy for anyone." Because she felt empathy for Yueyao, Zhuang Ruolan’s pity for her grew even more.

After seeing off Zhuang Ruolan, Yueyao returned to her courtyard and immediately ordered her things to be packed. As it was a short stay, there weren’t many things to organize. A few changes of clothing were enough. As for things like writing brushes, ink sticks, and ink slabs, Ma’s Mansion had all those, and even if they didn’t have something she needed, it could be purchased.

The majority of what Yueyao brought were books, selecting more than ten books and over twenty scripture scrolls. After she packed, she realized that she only had two trunks, one for clothes and one for books.

Xi Yu felt the things were too few, "Miss, you might stay there for a month or two; is this little bit of stuff enough?"

Yueyao laughed, "Don’t worry." Everything in Begonia Garden was well-provided for; there was no need to bring extra.

Nanny Hao felt that since Zhuang Ruolan personally spoke to the Eldest Madam about taking her to stay, there must be something behind it, "Miss, you just asked why Young Lady Lian suddenly took you to stay for such a long time." Two months was certainly not a short time.

Yueyao’s reason was very simple, "My uncle missed me, so he took me to stay at Ma’s Mansion. When I get there, I will have someone bring over your granddaughter. Then, you and your granddaughter can be reunited." Two months was enough time to cultivate affection.

Nanny Hao was very pleased.

When Lian Dongfang heard that Zhuang Ruolan had personally come to discuss this matter, he was very surprised, "It seems the Third Girl is quite favored by Madam Zhuang." Lian Dongfang did not like Yueyao, so he also could not understand why the people in Ma’s Mansion liked the Third Girl so much. But Yueyao being favored by Madam Zhuang was beneficial.

Lady Mo smiled, "Yes, the Third Girl has gained the favor of Madam Zhuang. Old Master, this time Ma’s Mansion intends for Yueyao to stay for two or three months. Old Master, both the Second Girl and Fourth Girl are poor with their needlework; I’ve already arranged for an embroideress to come next month to teach them. What do you think about calling Yueyao back then?" Actually, Lady Mo preferred to invite a teacher to instruct Yuebing in Guqin, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting. Yuebing had learned only the basics after a year of study, but she was still in mourning, and it wasn’t right to do so.

Lian Dongfang didn’t mind this trivial matter, "When the embroideress arrives, send someone to ask the Third Girl. If she is willing to come back, then good; if not, let her be." Lian Dongfang was quite impatient with these minor issues. In the past, Lady Mo wouldn’t have discussed such things with him, but ever since the scare from the horses, things had become more sensitive, and Lady Mo had been very cautious when dealing with matters concerning Yueyao.