No matter whom the Grand Princess sent, it would be fatal for Yan Changfeng and her father, Yan Chuanxing, because there wasn’t a single easygoing person around the Grand Princess. Every time someone came, they would thoroughly discipline the entire Yan Family.
Despite their despair, the father and daughter still had to rush over eagerly to welcome the visitors, hoping to make a good impression from the start.
The dock was crowded with boats of all sizes, but the Grand Princess’s ship stood out like a crane among chickens, exceptionally noble and extraordinary. The first to disembark were a group of attendants, about ten in number, followed by two maids supporting an elderly nanny, and behind them were two unfamiliar elderly gentlemen.
Yan Changfeng recognized the nanny—she was the most capable head nanny serving her maternal grandmother. If the visitors were to be ranked by status, this nanny was undoubtedly the most distinguished, second only to the Grand Princess herself.
“It’s over, Father. Our good days are probably coming to an end.” Yan Changfeng wasn’t fearless, and Nanny Li was one of the people she feared.
Nanny Li was stern and rigid, with a face that naturally resembled the King of Hell. Every wrinkle on her face seemed to have grown in accordance with rules, family laws, and the teachings for women. As the head nanny, she managed everything from the princess’s residence to the marquis’s estate with impeccable order. She was indeed capable, but also truly terrifying.
Yan Chuanxing was deeply troubled. If he had known this old woman was coming, he would have fled no matter what. “Second Daughter, I’m not sure if the matters in Fengyang Prefecture have been properly handled. Maybe I should go check on them.”
Yan Changfeng couldn’t bear to discourage him. “With this mess at home, even if you run away, she can send someone to bring you back. Then she’ll tell Grandmother that the son-in-law is lax in managing the household, neglectful of his wife and children, and absent when trouble arises. She might even suggest bringing Madam and the young lady back to the marquis’s estate to live…”
“Alright, stop talking. I understand.” Yan Chuanxing sighed in resignation.
As they spoke, Nanny Li had already arrived before them. Her posture was upright, exuding an aura of integrity. Upon meeting them, she first performed a proper bow. “Greetings to the son-in-law and the young lady. How have you both been lately?”
“Ah!” Yan Changfeng sighed before her father could speak. “To be honest, Nanny, since Eldest Sister’s incident, we haven’t had many good nights of sleep. We’ve been in a daze. Look at my father—he’s lost weight. If we’ve been remiss in any way, please bear with us.”
She thought to herself, with the family in such a state, this old woman probably wouldn’t have the heart to torment them too much, right?
Nanny Li didn’t say anything more. With a stern face, she quickly stepped into the sedan chair, saying, “Then let’s return to the estate first. Have the two imperial physicians examine Miss Changying.”
Imperial physicians?
Yan Changfeng and her father exchanged glances, both feeling a hint of concern.
So the two elderly gentlemen who came with them were imperial physicians from the palace, specifically to examine Yan Changying. This wasn’t unusual—when Yan Changying or Lady Yao fell ill in the past, the Grand Princess often sent for imperial physicians.
But this time, the letter clearly stated that Yan Changying was suffering from madness and couldn’t be approached by ordinary people. Why send imperial physicians? Could it be that the Grand Princess didn’t believe it?
The father and daughter returned to the Yan estate with unease in their hearts. From afar, they saw a row of people waiting at the entrance.
A young servant had already returned to the Yan estate to deliver the news, so Lady Yao had instructed Nanny Feng to welcome the visitors at the gate, making quite a grand display.
As the sedan curtain was lifted, Nanny Feng exclaimed in surprise, “Oh, it’s actually Nanny Li!”
Nanny Feng was a dowry attendant from the Marquis’s household and knew Nanny Li’s status well. "Why did the Grand Princess send you here? Can she manage without you by her side?"
"It’s fine." Nanny Li was stern and unsmiling, and her mind was on the eldest young lady. After this brief exchange, she said, "First, take me to see Miss Changying."
Nanny Feng was taken aback and looked inquiringly at Second Miss and the master behind her. How could the eldest young lady, in her current state, meet strangers?
Yan Changfeng was also at a loss. It was clear that Nanny Li had come under the "orders" of her maternal grandmother, and no one could stop her. She could only signal with her eyes for Nanny Feng to first fetch Lady Yao.
Without even taking a sip of tea upon entering, Nanny Li hurriedly made her way to Yan Changying’s courtyard. Lady Yao, having heard the news, arrived first and managed to stop her in the courtyard.
"Greetings, Eldest Miss." Nanny Li was always meticulous in her manners, no matter where she went.
"Oh, they said Nanny Li had come, and I didn’t believe it. It really is you." Lady Yao immediately tried to usher her away. "You must be tired from the journey. At least come with me for a cup of tea first, and let me explain Xiao Ying’s situation to you slowly."
Nanny Li had no intention of going for tea. "The letter from the young mistress was quite clear. The Grand Princess said you dote on your daughter and might be reluctant to let a physician examine her closely. If there’s any illness, delaying treatment would be unwise. Regardless of whether there are symptoms or not, let the imperial physician examine her first before deciding. If it’s not a physical ailment, we may need to invite the master from Huguo Temple to take a look."
This made it quite clear: the Grand Princess did not fully trust what Lady Yao had written in her letter. It wasn’t that she thought Lady Yao was lying, but rather that she feared her judgment might be inaccurate.
The Grand Princess had been strong-willed all her life, always wanting to keep everything under her control. Because her daughter was mediocre, she felt the need to oversee and make decisions for her in all matters. Sending Nanny Li this time was likely because she feared others wouldn’t carry enough weight to handle Lady Yao.
"But she really can’t be seen!" Lady Yao’s heart raced at the thought of her eldest daughter’s screams, and she never wanted to hear them again. "As soon as a stranger enters, she harms herself. You haven’t seen how she bashed her head until it bled. If she does it again, she might be disfigured!"
"But we can’t let Miss Changying continue like this." Nanny Li’s words hit the mark.
Better to endure short-term pain than long-term suffering. We can’t let her continue in her madness just because we fear she’ll hurt herself.
Lady Yao was momentarily speechless because, deep down, she also hoped her eldest daughter would recover quickly. Especially since she trusted her mother, always feeling that the old lady’s judgment was correct.
Yan Changfeng chimed in, "Eldest Sister has actually been improving lately. Her condition needs to be treated gradually; any stimulation will worsen it."
"According to what you say, Young Miss, how long must we wait? If she isn’t cured quickly, her marriage will surely be delayed." Nanny Li proposed a compromise. "How about this: let those who can get close to her go in first to calm Miss Changying. If necessary, restraining her is also acceptable. The imperial physician’s examination won’t take long, and we won’t let Miss Changying suffer."
Yan Changfeng frowned. The truth was, those who hadn’t witnessed it firsthand would find it hard to believe. If they didn’t let the imperial physician confirm the situation today, this matter would never end.
"Then let me go in and talk to Eldest Sister first."
Nanny Li nodded. "Thank you, Young Miss."
With a heavy heart, Yan Changfeng entered her eldest sister’s room.
Yan Changying, perhaps having heard the commotion outside, was curled up in a corner with her knees hugged to her chest, watching the person entering with wariness. Only when she saw it was her sister did she relax slightly.
"Xueyi, who is it? Are they here to take me to Beidu? I don't want to go! Hurry and chase them away!"
Yan Changfeng couldn't help but feel utterly helpless. While she could chase others away, she truly couldn't drive off anyone sent by her maternal grandmother.
She had no choice but to step forward and console her: "Sister, don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one can take you to Beidu. It's just that Grandmother is worried about your health, so she sent Nanny Li from her side to check on you. She's traveled a long way at her age—we should at least see her, don't you think?"
"Nanny Li? Grandmother's person? What is she doing here! She must be here to take me away… I don't want to see her! Make her leave, make her leave!" Yan Changying clutched her head and shouted loudly.