Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 429 - 153: Bai Yi_2

Chapter 429: Chapter 153: Bai Yi_2

The person who brought the child over was a middle-aged woman, who took care of her at the manor. The woman, pulling the little girl, knelt on the ground and said, "Xiao Tao, greet the young lady."

After Xiao Tao greeted her, Yueyao waved her hand and said, "You all may leave now!"

When only three people were left in the room, Yueyao pointed at Nanny Hao and said, "Xiao Tao, this is your grandmother." She did not want Nanny Hao to interact with Xiao Tao as a stranger and then tell her the truth after they had become attached.

Yueyao felt that this approach was not good, precisely speaking, it was a form of deception. If the child grew up, she would not understand why she was not told earlier. Therefore, Yueyao directly broke the news about their relationship, the worst outcome being that Xiao Tao would not accept it, but with time, acceptance was always possible.

When Nanny Hao heard this, fear appeared in her eyes; she was afraid that Xiao Tao would acknowledge her. However, Nanny Hao’s worry was unnecessary, as Xiao Tao did not even know she had a grandmother: "Grandmother? My grandmother has long been dead!"

What Nanny Hao did not know was that when her children moved to a new place, they also told others that their parents had died. They told the children the same.

Nanny Hao’s son’s wife had been injured during childbirth and could not have more children, so to have an heir, her son took a concubine, and not long after the concubine bore a son, his wife died. As for whether she died from illness or something else, no one knew.

Yueyao softly spoke, "Your grandmother is not dead, she just left home. She knew you were suffering and specifically asked me to take you here." Yueyao had heard that Xiao Tao had to do many chores at home, was often beaten, and suffered from hunger and cold. Given her past hardships, she believed the child would be grateful to Nanny Hao for helping her escape from her misery.

Xiao Tao looked up and asked, "Are you really my grandmother?" Deep inside, Xiao Tao still believed what Yueyao had said. If she were an unrelated person, why would she provide her with good food and clothing? She initially worried there might be some harm intended towards her, but since she was her grandmother, she wasn’t anxious anymore.

Nanny Hao, unable to speak through her tears, sobbed, "Yes, I am your grandmother. Poor child, you have suffered." The child had been raised in the manor for a few months and was still so thin; it was evident how much hardship she had endured previously.

Yueyao discreetly left the room, giving the grandmother and granddaughter some privacy.

In the evening, when Ma Chengteng came back and heard about the day’s events from his son, he was surprised. Mr. Yu Shan felt that Yueyao’s execution was not forceful enough, but he also knew Yueyao, after all, was still just a ten-year-old child and could not be too demanding. He did not expect Yueyao to take it so to heart and think about a solution.

Ma Chengteng now blamed Yueyao’s request for a female guard on this issue, completely forgetting that the timing did not match. Ma Chengteng asked, "Is that person reliable?"

Ma Peng had not met Bai Yi: "According to Ruo Lan, this person was personally selected by the Heir of Marquis Jingning to protect Third Miss Luo. He should be trustworthy." Ma Peng believed the person was reliable.

Finding a woman with good martial skills and who was trustworthy was genuinely difficult; otherwise, Ma Chengteng would have found one earlier. Ma Chengteng thought for a moment and then said, "Tell your wife to ensure that the people in the mansion don’t spread word of this." Since Yueyao did not want outsiders to know, they would help her keep it concealed.

That night, Yueyao called Nanny Hao over and said, "My cousin-in-law has already agreed that once I return to Lian Mansion, Xiao Tao will be placed in Begonia Garden. What do you think, mother?" Yueyao did not mind feeding another maid, but she felt that bringing her to Lian Mansion was not appropriate. Yueyao had intended this originally, but seeing how the grandmother and granddaughter were getting along, she felt somewhat distressed at the idea of separating them.

Nanny Hao felt this was very good: "Thank you for your concern, young lady."

Yueyao felt guilty and thus asked Nanny Hao, "If you really can’t bear to part with her, you can bring her back to Lian Mansion." Yueyao knew that her actions were not wrong, as she did not harm Nanny Hao or Xiao Tao in any way. However, causing their separation gave her a sense of guilt. In fact, this guilt proved Yueyao was too kind-hearted.

Nanny Hao immediately shook her head, "Young lady, let Xiao Tao stay in Begonia Garden! It’s quiet here, and with the young lady looking after her, I believe Xiao Tao will be just fine." Xiao Tao would be safe in the quiet Begonia Garden, unlikely to be involved in any disputes. If taken back to Lian Mansion, the young lady would live in constant fear, unable to rest easy every day. If Lady Cheng ever learned that Xiao Tao was her husband’s illegitimate daughter, with her ruthless nature, who knew what she might do.

Seeing that Nanny Hao herself was reluctant, Yueyao felt somewhat relieved. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Let’s not let anyone else know about Xiao Tao’s relationship with you for now. My cousin-in-law has been very kind to me, but my aunt, Lady Cheng, dislikes me very much. Knowing this relationship might harm Xiao Tao later on." Although Lady Cheng was not currently in Capital City, her uncle could not make her stay back in her hometown forever. When Ma Yue got married, the aunt would definitely return. Since Lady Cheng disliked her, she might take her anger out on those below her, and Yueyao could not help if something really happened, being away in Ma’s Mansion.

Nanny Hao quickly agreed, "All right." As long as her granddaughter was well looked after, she would be content to watch her grow up and eventually marry into a good family.

Yueyao also had plans for Xiao Tao’s future: "Mother, rest assured, I will not treat Xiao Tao unfairly in the future. When she grows up, I will prepare a generous dowry for her. By that time, you can also go out with Xiao Tao and enjoy some peaceful years." Of course, this was contingent on Nanny Hao remaining loyal and not betraying her.

Nanny Hao understood there were preconditions, but she harbored no other intentions besides. Moreover, given the careful steps the young lady had taken over the past year or so, she dared not betray her. The consequences of betrayal were not something she could bear.

Alas, Nanny Hao sighed once more, wishing the young lady were a boy. Then, the Old Madam would not have to worry from beyond the grave. Unfortunately, not only would the young lady not revitalize the Lian family, she had also distanced herself from them.