In the evening, Ren Yaoqi came out from the main room. Madam Li instructed her personal maid Xier to personally carry the lantern and escort her back.
Xier had been frequently visiting Ren Yaoqi’s west wing recently, and she had scolded all the maids in the room, so they were all afraid of her.
That day, she once again kept the maids in the room busy running around, while she herself supported Ren Yaoqi back to the inner chamber and helped her change into her indoor casual clothes.
When the maids Qingmei and Xueli came in carrying a copper basin, Xier was leaning close to Ren Yaoqi’s ear, whispering something. Seeing the two maids enter, Xier straightened up as if nothing had happened, frowning and scolding, “Couldn’t you have made a sound before coming in? What if you startle the mistress with such recklessness?”
Xueli lowered her head and obediently replied, “Yes.” Qingmei initially looked somewhat defiant but ultimately held back and said nothing.
Ren Yaoqi had already regained her composure from her earlier surprise and coughed lightly, “I’m tired. Help me wash up.”
Xier beckoned the two maids forward, personally attended to Ren Yaoqi’s washing, and then bowed before leaving.
Not long after the maids Qingmei and Xueli had also left, Nanny Zhu came in.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi leaning against the headboard, flipping through some book by the light of the bedside table’s candleholder, Nanny Zhu’s face broke into a loving smile as she stepped forward and curtsied, “Miss, why are you still reading so late at night? You must take care of your eyes.”
Ren Yaoqi glanced up at Nanny Zhu, covering her mouth with her right hand as she let out a small yawn, but she did not put down the book in her hand. Her tone was lazy, “Father tested me on an allusion today, and I couldn’t answer it for a moment. I vaguely remember it might be from this book, ‘The Legend of Qionglin.’”
“Oh—Miss, are you aiming to become the top scholar in the imperial exams?”
Nanny Zhu laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. Seeing that Ren Yaoqi looked listless and didn’t respond, she leaned in closer and said, “As for why, among the three young masters and misses in our courtyard, only you have won Third Master’s favor—others may not know, but after serving you for so long, I understand perfectly. You’ve done plenty of late-night studying! Even the Sixth Young Master can’t compare to you in this regard.”
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi paused. She had actually anticipated Nanny Zhu’s visit and had casually picked up a book to wait for her. She had almost forgotten that she had indeed spent many late nights studying and writing diligently as a child.
To earn her father’s affection and to outshine her older sister, she had worked hard and strived for excellence in her youth. Ren Yaoqi shook her head with a wry smile.
“Miss, did I say something wrong?” Nanny Zhu, thinking Ren Yaoqi disagreed with her words, observed her expression and asked cautiously.
Ren Yaoqi looked up at her and smiled slightly, “Mm, you’re right, Nanny. It’s getting late, and I should rest. Otherwise, I’ll wake up late tomorrow and be the last to pay respects to Grandfather and Grandmother again.”
Nanny Zhu took the book she handed over and said with an apologetic smile, “Shall I help you settle down for the night?”
Seeing Ren Yaoqi nod, Nanny Zhu quickly placed the book in her hand aside and stepped forward to help Ren Yaoqi undress.
“Was it Xier from Madam’s room who escorted you back earlier?” Nanny Zhu asked with a smile.
“Mm,” Ren Yaoqi nodded casually."It shows that Madam truly cares for you, Miss. Xier is practically your personal maid now." Nanny Zhu helped Ren Yaoqi out of her outer garments, gently assisting her into bed as she spoke with a smile.
"Would you like me to stay and chat with you, Miss?" Nanny Zhu tucked the quilt snugly around her and stood respectfully by the bedside.
Ren Yaoqi nodded with her eyes closed. "Alright, Nanny, sit down and talk with me. I’ll fall asleep as we chat." Children often liked having someone nearby when they slept, and Ren Yaoqi had been the same way when she was young.
"Of course!" Nanny Zhu replied cheerfully, taking a seat by Ren Yaoqi’s bedside.
"Are you close with Miss Xier?" Nanny Zhu continued.
"She’s fine. Sister Xier is very kind." Ren Yaoqi turned over, facing the outer side of the bed, and replied with her eyes still closed.
"Has she ever mentioned anything to you?" Nanny Zhu leaned in a little closer.
Ren Yaoqi lazily opened her eyes to glance at Nanny Zhu before closing them again.
Nanny Zhu smiled apologetically and spoke cautiously. "Miss, I was just asking casually. After all, the maids serving in the main quarters know much more than we do. I was just a little curious."
Ren Yaoqi yawned again and mumbled, "What’s there to be curious about? It’s just about that external affairs nanny position—nothing interesting."
Nanny Zhu’s heart stirred, and her smile grew even warmer, regardless of whether Ren Yaoqi could see it with her eyes closed. "That’s true, it’s not interesting. Wasn’t it already decided? It’s either Nanny Wei or Wife Niu!"
Ren Yaoqi pursed her lips. "That’s not necessarily the case."
Nanny Zhu leaned in even closer. "Miss, are you saying Madam has changed her choice?"
Ren Yaoqi frowned and finally opened her eyes. "What if she has? It doesn’t concern us anyway."
Nanny Zhu quickly replied, "How could it not concern us? We’ll have to deal with the external affairs nanny sooner or later. Knowing earlier would help us prepare."
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment. "Xier said she heard it from Mother, and though she told me, she made me promise not to spread it."
"I won’t tell anyone!" Nanny Zhu immediately assured her.
Ren Yaoqi seemed a little annoyed by her persistence. "I heard that because of the busy New Year preparations, two nannies will be temporarily assigned to our courtyard. After the New Year festivities, whoever is more suitable will officially take the position. Mother and Father discussed it and decided on Wife Niu and Nanny Liu, who manages the hot water in the small kitchen in the backyard."
Nanny Zhu was taken aback. "Not Nanny Wei? Why was it changed to Nanny Liu?"
Ren Yaoqi replied impatiently, "How should I know? Probably because they think Nanny Liu is more suitable."
Nanny Zhu pondered for a moment before cautiously asking, "Miss, is this information reliable?"
Ren Yaoqi glared at Nanny Zhu. "Xier heard it directly from Mother! The announcement will likely be made tomorrow morning. If you don’t believe it, why bother asking me?"
By now, Nanny Zhu was convinced. She smiled apologetically while silently scheming about how to turn this to her advantage.
Ren Yaoqi turned over again, facing the inner side of the bed. "Nanny Liu is quite lucky. Nanny Wei was already decided, but she managed to step in at the last moment. People will probably think she pulled some strings."
Hearing this, Nanny Zhu’s interest was piqued, and she leaned toward the inner side of the bed. "So Nanny Liu didn’t use any connections?"Ren Yaoqi said impatiently, "What connections? When Mother and Father were discussing it, Father just randomly picked a name. No one outside knows about it. Does she really have the ability to pull strings with my father?"
Nanny Zhu suddenly understood—Third Master had done such things many times before, and his reasons for making decisions were always varied and unpredictable, such as a name sounding pleasant or someone's fingernails looking nice... and so on.
Moreover, Ren Yaoqi's words reminded her that she might actually be able to take advantage of this opportunity to make some money.
"Miss, I won't disturb your rest any longer. I'll call Qingmei in to keep watch," Nanny Zhu said eagerly as she stood up. She had to get things done before tomorrow.
Ren Yaoqi seemed drowsy and waved her hand dismissively. "Go on. Just have Qingmei wait in the outer room. No need to come in."
Nanny Zhu quickly agreed and withdrew.
Ren Yaoqi listened as her footsteps faded from the room. Though her eyes remained closed, the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
If you want others to follow the path you've set, you must first understand what they're thinking and what they want.
Over these past few days, she had observed Nanny Zhu closely and knew that she was as greedy as life itself, never missing an opportunity to make money.
If you're always thinking about gaining benefits from someone, you must also be prepared to pay a price.
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