CHAPTER 78: CHAPTER 78: PUNISHMENT (5)

Nanny Han sat down with her body half-turned.

Lady smiled and said, "Nanny has come personally, is there something important?"

"Quick, bring the items over." Nanny Han took a few packets from the maid’s hands with a smile. "It’s Mingqian Longjing that the Count brought back from Hangzhou a few days ago. Our madam thought that since you are from Jiangnan, you might like it, so she sent me to bring you some."

Lady was quite flattered and hurried to let Nanny Fang receive it, smiling, "How can I accept this so easily!"

Nanny Han sat down again and quickly surveyed the room’s layout: the Zitan wood "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" screen, the Dobao Pavilion in the corner with its translucent jade and exquisite white jade—all extraordinary items. She nodded secretly, confirming the rumors that the Tong Family, though of merchant descent, was indeed quite wealthy.

Now that Second Master Tong is favored by the Emperor and First Master has joined the Hanlin Academy, with three members of the family holding official positions, the status of Tong Mansion is bound to change dramatically within a few years.

With these thoughts, Nanny Han’s smile became a little more humble: "No need to be so polite, madam. Although our two mansions did not interact much before, now that we have established ties, frequent visits are only right. Our madam also mentioned that when you have time, you should bring the young misses over frequently. Since that day, she often speaks fondly of the well-mannered young misses at your mansion. If it weren’t for being so caught up with trivial matters, she would have come to visit you herself."

At this point, if Lady did not understand, it would be unreasonable. Could it be that the Countess knew that First Master was returning to the capital to report his duties, Second Master has been promoted, and even their brother-in-law is a high-ranking official in front of them, so she reconsidered the marriage proposal?!

"I’ll surely visit when I have the chance," Lady smiled. "It’s this hour already, Nanny, don’t head back now. Stay here for a meal before you leave."

Nanny Han politely declined but then agreed with a smile, "In that case, I’ll respectfully comply."

Lady immediately instructed Nanny Fang to prepare the food and personally stayed to chat with Nanny Han.

A young maid hurriedly ran back to the East Cross Courtyard.

Since Madam Wang learned about the incident at Count Wujin’s mansion and Tong Xiyang was confined by Lady, she seemed like a dying person whose last straw broke, laying in despair without eating or drinking for days. It was the news of First Master’s return that slightly revived her. Now, this news from Nanny Qiu was like a giant bomb of joy, and upon hearing it, she fainted.

After a flurry of activity from the maids and women around her, she slowly came to, but her face was still filled with fear and anxiety: "Quickly, go to the outer courtyard and give some silver to Laiwang’s wife, have Manager Lai fetch Master so he can return to the mansion quickly."

Nanny Qiu showed confusion: "First Master will be here in a few days anyway. Why the hurry for these two days, Madam?"

Madam Wang’s face darkened, and she glared at her: "What do you understand? The Sixth Girl beat the Third Miss at Count Wujin’s mansion. The Countess cannot be unaware of that. Logically, this marriage should have been called off, and both mansions should have forgotten about it. But now the Countess sent a reliable woman here, though I don’t know what she talked about with Lady, it seems this marriage proposal still has a nine-in-ten chance of happening."

Nanny Qiu frowned. She had been quite unsettled by Madam Wang’s fussing these days, subconsciously feeling that Madam Wang was becoming obsessed with this marriage. As she thought this, she couldn’t help but mutter, "Even if there’s hope, it’s the Sixth Miss’s matter. Why is Madam so anxious?"

Madam Wang showed her anger at Nanny Qiu’s perceived foolishness: "You’ve lived for so many years in vain. The Countess comes from a prestigious family, and Count Wujin Mansion is a noble household, having seen many such good matches. The Sixth Girl’s ill-mannered demeanor, how could she be seen fit?! The Eighth Girl is too young, and Lady would never let the Fourth Miss from the legitimate line go as a second wife. In this mansion, who else but Third Miss can it be?!"

Nanny Qiu finally understood, her face showing tension: "Then... then I will immediately send someone to the outer courtyard." But Madam Wang stopped her: "This matter is still just my speculation. Don’t let it slip!" She thought for a moment and instructed, "Just say my illness has worsened, and I’m yearning to see First Master one last time. Have him send someone to bring him back."

Nanny Qiu responded promptly and hurriedly instructed the maid to go out and handle it.

Xiqiu had also received the news. Sixing paced back and forth anxiously in the room and then stopped to look at Xiqiu with fear and unease: "Miss... I saw that nanny the other day at Count Wujin’s mansion, and she seems to be the Countess’s capable nanny." Seeing Xiqiu’s calm demeanor, as if she hadn’t heard, she continued, "Is the Countess considering proposing this marriage again?"

You mean reconsider the marriage?

That day at Count Wujin’s mansion, she saw the Countess’s attitude clearly. Why would she suddenly have a change of heart? Count Wujin’s mansion, being such a noble house, why would they insist on marrying an ill-mannered illegitimate girl?!

Even if they can’t find a match within the Capital, outside the Capital, there are many families eager to wed their daughters into noble mansions. While it’s hard to marry into a prestigious family, finding a dignified and virtuous girl isn’t difficult.

Sitting with her brows furrowed, she thought through all possible scenarios. Had she overlooked something? Or was Nanny Han visiting just for socializing with no other intentions?

It didn’t make sense. Being by the Countess’s side, busy all day long, why would she make a special visit to the Tong Mansion? Lady doesn’t have such strong connections.

Suddenly, a thought struck her.

Lately, Second Master has been favored by the Emperor, and there are rumors that his entry into the cabinet is imminent. The Tong Family is on the verge of producing a cabinet minister. Also, First Master is returning to the Capital to report his duties, and her brother is quite appreciated at the Hanlin Academy by Grand Scholar Min. Even the Emperor has praised him, and Cousin Xu Tianqing is staying in the mansion for the autumn examination. Such a rising household, it’s not unrealistic to foresee great wealth and prominence!

If... if the Countess saw the potential of Tong Mansion and decided to propose the marriage but found her unsuitable, what would she do?

Of course, find someone else. With so many young misses in the Tong Mansion and not only her of marriageable age.

Yes, if it wasn’t her who married, then everything would make sense!

On that day at Count Wujin’s mansion, she was rude, but Tong Xiyu was not. Could the Countess have decided to propose for the Eighth Sister as a compromise?

But Tong Xiyu is too young. By the time she comes of age, Third Master would have been a widower for decades, which is not appropriate, especially for such a noble house.

Another possibility... Tong Xiyang!

Even though they had a conflict that day, if the maid who spied in the peach forest didn’t hear the entire conversation and only saw her bullying Tong Xiyang, would that not change Tong Xiyang’s image entirely in the Countess’s eyes?

However, this is all just her feelings and assumptions, not completely certain!

"Miss... please think of a way." It was so hard to have this marriage set aside, and now it seems both mansions are reconsidering it. What will happen to Cousin if Lady really intends to marry Miss off to Count Wujin’s mansion?!