CHAPTER 125: CHAPTER 125: TAKING ACTION (5)

Nanny Fang’s eyes twinkled, and she asked, "What’s wrong with the girl? Why are you crying again for no reason?"

"There’s nowhere for this servant to express my sorrows!" Caitao cried so pitiably, holding a handkerchief to her eyes. "The Lady’s decree has come down; I know she’s following the rules of the household, and there’s really nothing to dispute. What’s more, a servant like me is in no position to speak on such matters. But I’ve grown up in the household since I was a child. While I’m not a houseborn like Xinzhu, nor have I been here as long as you, Nanny, my feelings for this place are no less than anyone else’s. Just thinking about leaving here makes my heart ache so much, I wish I could just crash my head against the wall and die right here. Yet I fear if I startled the Master, it would be my fault." She paused, teary-eyed, and looked at Nanny Fang imploringly. "Nanny, you’re the only one the Lady listens to. I beg you to put in a good word for me. This servant is willing to work like an ox or a horse in this household, just please don’t send me away."

"Maid Xiuzhi, don’t cry like that. To speak out of place, the house rules were set by the Grand Dowager. Even if Lady can’t help it, how can an old woman like me do anything?"

Caitao’s gaze paused, inwardly calling her an old woman, but cunning. In this household, if not the Lady, who else would be in charge? Certainly not a concubine. However, her intention wasn’t to argue with Nanny Fang about this. Naturally, she bowed her head and continued to cry, saying, "This servant understands what Nanny means, but I really can’t bear leaving. I hope Nanny can help plead with the Lady. This servant will work like an ox or horse for Lady’s great kindness and virtue in this lifetime."

Work like an ox or horse? Nanny Fang nodded with slight reluctance. "Alright, I’ll talk to the Lady, but whether it works or not, don’t get your hopes too high, Miss. Ultimately, it still depends on what the Lady decides."

Caitao nodded quickly: "As long as Nanny is willing to help, there is hope."

Nanny Fang nodded slightly to her, motioning for the little maid to carry the food box. She turned around and re-entered the Zhui Garden.

Once Nanny Fang and Caitao had both left, Zijuan’s silhouette appeared on the corridor. Seeing there was no one around, she turned around and fetched a pot of hot water from the room and then stepped into the main room. Through the curtain, she could hear the Lady and Nanny Fang talking in the side room, their conversations reaching her intermittently as she stood with the hot water outside the curtain.

"I dare say she wouldn’t have the guts, but still sneaking around behind my back! She audaciously thinks she can marry Caitao to Fugui, just to say something in front of the First Master. Imagine that!" the Lady said with unabated scorn about Madam Mei. Zijuan listened quietly, her heart growing heavier.

"Don’t rush to respond to her about this; I want to see what other tricks she has up her sleeve. She wants to go to Yongzhou but doesn’t even consider her current situation."

Nanny Fang said nothing, and the Lady continued, "As for Zijuan, later you should mention it to her briefly, lest she causes other troubles at the last minute. And... don’t forget to give her that soup."

As Zijuan listened, cold sweat broke out across her back, dampening her underclothes, though she was oblivious, her face ashen as she walked out from the main hall.

She and Maid Xiuzhi and Sujin entered the household together, but she was fortunate to have been assigned to the main house, staying for many years before she finally advanced to a first-class maid. For this, she once feigned illness to have Lady send Zihuan to Yongzhou, allowing her to take Zihuan’s place in the household, her monthly silver raised from five hundred qian to one tael, and her family’s situation improved under her assistance. She had believed the Lady valued her and would keep her for a few more years. She hadn’t been eager to marry out of the household since leaving would only bring hard times. She would rather stay in the household for life than return to the days of hunger.

She thought, when the Lady mentioned Fugui, that she intended to pair her with Fugui. She rejoiced secretly for two days, comforting Sujin and Maid Xiuzhi when they came to cry in despair, inwardly thankful. Her future seemed more hopeful, until realizing the Lady had no intention of marrying her to Fugui but planned to send her to Yongzhou with the First Master.

Had she wished, she could have become a concubine in the household a year ago, not waiting until today.

What chilled her the most was that the Lady wanted Nanny Fang to make her take medicine. What kind of medicine? The night before Zihuan left, she had personally witnessed Nanny Fang’s methods. The medicine was fierce and poisonous; once taken, she would never bear children in her lifetime.

With weak legs, Zijuan returned to her room and collapsed to the floor, eyes filled with emptiness and despair.

By afternoon, the First Master returned from court, his face somewhat less gloomy. He went straight to Zhui Garden and sat in the main hall. The Lady, hearing the First Master had arrived, immediately came out to greet him and hurriedly inquired after Nanny Fang had made tea: "Has something happened at court?"

The First Master slowly sipped his tea, looked towards the Lady, and said, "The appointment document has already been approved by the Emperor and should arrive at the residence in the next couple of days."

The Lady’s heart sank, her expression turning unnaturally stiff. The First Master added, "I will be saying farewell to my colleagues in the next couple of days and won’t be at home. If there’s anything, have someone take word to me."

The Lady remained silent, her rigid expression seemingly brewing emotions. Placing the teacup on the table, she asked in a subdued tone, "Are you really going to Yongzhou?" Despite already knowing his decision, the years of suppressed anger couldn’t help but erupt at such a moment. "The Second Master tried so hard to persuade you, and even my brother-in-law visited repeatedly. Why are you so stubborn? I know you have your reasons for making comprehensive considerations, but court affairs have always been like this, ever since ancient times. It’s about competing for what each sees. If you don’t try, how can you determine the outcome?! The household matters, sometimes I want to discuss with you too, Xihua’s health, Shenzhi’s marriage, even the fourth girl is of age for marriage talks, and the third girl is getting married next year. I need you to decide on each of these matters..."

The Lady spoke with agitation, and seeing her state, Nanny Fang quickly sent the servants away and also retreated herself.

"I know you’ve been sleeping in the study these days and must be resenting me. To speak unapologetically, just as you resent me, I also resent you!"

The First Master’s face darkened slightly, holding the teacup, taking another leisurely sip. Only after the Lady finished speaking did he raise his eyes to look at her, his gaze flickered, and he sighed softly: "These years have truly wronged you." He slowly walked over to hold the Lady’s hand: "It’s common for people to have different views on court matters. I have nothing to say about Second Master’s decision, but if you want me to be like him, that simply cannot happen. As the conflict intensifies on both sides, the best way to avoid involvement is to keep a low profile." He paused and added, "Shenzhi will also finish his studies at the Hanlin Academy next year. If three of us from one household stay in the Capital, it’s just too conspicuous."