Nanny Yao’s feelings were far more complicated than Yun Qiya could guess. Nestled close to her grandmother, Yun Qiya sat with a piece of fruit in her hands, listening intently as the elders spoke.
“Some things were not fit to be written in letters. Now that you’ve returned to the capital, there are matters you must pay heed to.” The Marquis began speaking of recent power struggles in the city, worried his second son might stir up trouble if he wandered about. “For the next half month, stay quietly at home. Only after you’ve understood the situation in the capital should you go out.”
Yun Zhongsheng agreed with a grin. Though nearly forty, his handsome features made even his playful smile seem charming rather than offensive.
The Marquis, disarmed by that look, could only sigh. “It’s enough that you’ve come home safely.”
If not for the deposed prince, this younger son’s family would never have been forced to leave the capital for so many years.
Seeing his father’s expression, Yun Zhongsheng immediately seized the chance to play the dutiful son—half flattering, half pitiful—until the Marquis’s heart softened completely.
When the servants brought in the gifts they had brought back from their travels, each of the four family members found a silver note.
“Out in the world, money is needed everywhere. Nothing compares to the comfort of home.” The Marchioness, seeing Yun Qiya clutching her silver note with a smile brighter than the flowers in the courtyard, handed her another. “You were still young when you left the capital. Keep more money on you. When you have time, stroll through the city and buy the things a young lady likes.”
“Thank you, Grandmother.” Yun Qiya happily tucked the silver notes into her pouch, her eyes shining as she gazed at her grandmother.
The Marchioness felt her heart soften under her granddaughter’s gaze. Looking at that fair, delicate face, she grew convinced the girl must have suffered greatly while away from home.
Her hairpins were not fine enough, her clothes not soft enough. Buy them—everything must be bought.
“Half a month from now is the Empress’s birthday. Yaya will accompany me into the palace to pay respects,” the Marchioness said gently to Wen Yuxiu. “There are no girls her age at home. I’ll take her out to meet more friends, so she won’t feel lonely in her boudoir.”
“Thank you, Mother, for thinking of her.” Wen Yuxiu rose to give thanks, but the Marchioness stopped her. “We’re family—no need for such formality. As her grandmother, it is my duty to make plans for her.”
“It’s only because Grandmother loves me that you’re so thoughtful,” Yun Qiya murmured, resting her head on her grandmother’s knee, her voice soft and sweet. “Thank you, Grandmother.”
Seeing her granddaughter so affectionate, the Marchioness’s smile bloomed. She carefully stroked the girl’s cheek, and when she noticed no resistance, she happily steadied her by the shoulders so she wouldn’t slip from her lap.
Leaning against her grandmother’s knee, Yun Qiya faintly recalled something from when she was five or six. One winter morning, she saw glittering icicles hanging from the eaves and clamored to break one off to play with. Her grandmother hadn’t scolded her for being childish; instead, she wrapped a thick cloth around one end and played with her indoors. Later, when the sun came out, the icicles melted—but she still remembered how they had shone, crystal-clear in the light.
While grandmother and granddaughter shared their tender moment, father and son were talking about the deposed prince.
“That reckless prince deserved to be punished by His Majesty,” Yun Zhongsheng said obsequiously, pouring tea for the Marquis. “Father, rest assured—now that we’re back in the capital, I won’t cause you any more trouble.”
“Let’s hope so.” The Marquis snorted, his gaze shifting to the granddaughter leaning against her grandmother’s knee. His tone grew heavier: “Qiya’s betrothal to the Zhou family’s second son may face complications.”
“Hm?” Yun Qiya lifted her head, curiosity shining in her eyes.
What complications—had he died?
“What sort of complication?” Yun Zhongsheng, who had never wanted his daughter to marry too early, immediately sneered, “Has he died, or become crippled?”
“Two years ago, the Zhou family’s second son ranked third in the imperial examinations and later entered the Hanlin Academy,” the Marquis replied, sipping his tea as though he hadn’t noticed his son’s sarcasm. “Young Master Zhou is said to be virtuous and kind. Three months ago, he took in a girl who sold herself to bury her father, making her his personal maid. Half a month ago, he redeemed a courtesan from a flower house and lent her money to open an embroidery shop.”
Sitting upright, Yun Luoqing frowned. So this was what passed for a tender-hearted man.
Nonsense. All men were the same—who didn’t know what such “kindness” really meant?
“Father!” Yun Zhongsheng wailed, clutching the Marquis’s leg. “Other families’ daughters grow up pampered, dripping in gold and jade. But our Yaya has followed me through wind and sun, climbing mountains and wading rivers, never knowing a day of ease. You can’t let her marry a man who doesn’t even uphold proper virtue!”
Out in the world, such a man might be praised for his compassion. But men understand men best. For one’s own daughter, such a match was far from ideal.
Wearied by his son’s theatrics, the Marquis turned to meet his granddaughter’s wide, glistening eyes. With a helpless sigh, he said, “Enough. You’re nearly forty, yet you howl like this in front of children. Take your wife and children back to your rooms. Leave this marriage matter to your mother and me.”
“Thank you, Father, thank you, Mother.” Seeing his goal achieved, Yun Zhongsheng released his father’s leg, wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and scrambled up from the floor. “Heh, home is best. With Father and Mother here, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Mm, mm.” Yun Qiya nodded vigorously beside him. “Grandmother and Grandfather are the very best.”
When the Marquis heard his granddaughter’s words, his stern face broke into a broad smile. “Yaya, rest assured—so long as Grandfather is here, you will never be wronged.”
“I believe Grandfather.” Yun Qiya nodded. “Mother often says that the money we used while traveling came from you and Grandmother. Wherever we went, you sent people with clothes, food, and silver, afraid we might suffer outside.”
The Marchioness hadn’t realized her second daughter-in-law often told the children such things. No wonder the grandchildren had kept sending gifts and letters all these years—they had always remembered them.
“As elders, it is only natural to think of the younger generation.” The Marchioness’s gaze toward Wen Yuxiu grew warmer. Worried the family might be exhausted from their hurried return, she added, “The Ministry of Rites is busy preparing for Her Majesty’s birthday banquet. Your elder brother will likely work until nightfall. For now, go back with your parents to rest. Tonight we’ll enjoy a proper family reunion dinner.”
“Alright.” Yun Qiya agreed obediently. “Grandmother, I still have so much to tell you. If I sleep too late, you must send someone to wake me.”
“Of course.” The Marchioness chuckled, pinching the little bun atop her granddaughter’s head. “Once you’ve rested, we’ll talk slowly, just the two of us.”
Her own granddaughter was the best—why, even her hair bun looked cuter than other girls’.
After Yun Qiya and her family left, the Marchioness’s smile lingered. She summoned her maid to open her storeroom and select fabrics and jewelry.
The Marquis sat beside her, keeping her company as she chose. “Now that the deposed prince’s household has been thrown into prison, my heart can finally be at ease.”
“Who would have thought that reckless prince was the mastermind behind the child-swapping case?” At the mention of him, the Marchioness’s smile vanished. “If not for him, Zhongsheng would never have had to leave the capital with his wife and children to escape disaster.”
“I won’t even bother speaking of that Zhou family.” The Marchioness sneered, flipping through the account book with a sharp rustle. “Tomorrow, when your elder brother has his day off, take him along to the Zhou household and withdraw the engagement. Our girl must not be delayed by a man so busy pitying every woman he meets.”
What nonsense!
“Miss, your courtyard is truly beautiful.” He Lu followed Yun Qiya inside, whispering in her ear, “Just now, while I was waiting outside the main hall, I noticed Nanny Yao’s face didn’t look too pleasant.”
“He Lu, you’re observant. I didn’t even notice that myself.” Yun Qiya led her into the inner court. “With you by my side, I feel so much more at ease.”
Hearing this, He Lu immediately brightened, puffing out her chest with pride and casting a triumphant glance at the other servants in the courtyard. Even though many attendants would surround her mistress now that they were back in the capital, she was still the chief maid—the one closest to her lady. No one could replace her!
Yun Qiya’s courtyard was exquisitely arranged, clearly decorated with care. After a refreshing two-hour nap, she rose to dress, only to have her grandmother send over a fresh delivery of fine fabrics and jewelry.
“Miss truly is the most lovable girl in the world,” He Lu flattered. “See how much the old Madam treasures you.”
“Oh, it’s nothing, nothing.” Yun Qiya cupped her cheeks, smiling radiantly at her reflection in the mirror. “He Lu, bring over the jewelry. I want to wear the pieces Grandmother just sent me.”
Grandmother would surely be delighted to see her wearing the jewelry she had gifted—and then continue sending her more pretty trinkets.
If Grandmother was happy, she was happy too. That was what you called a win–win.
“Alright then.” He Lu, ever eager to please, laid out all the jewelry boxes before Yun Qiya and opened each lid one by one. “Miss, take your time and choose.”
Inside, the ornaments glittered with gems and pearls, making both Yun Qiya’s and He Lu’s eyes sparkle like jewels themselves.
The Marquis’s main household lived in the East Court. After dismissing the servants from the main hall, Nanny Yao returned to her rooms to help the other maids sort through the piles of gift boxes.
The boxes contained all sorts of odds and ends—wood carvings, medicinal herbs, stones—items the second branch of the family had brought back from outside the capital.
Nanny Yao snorted in disdain. Worthless trinkets, really. Only the Marquis and Marchioness would treasure such rubbish.
“So this is the style of woodcarving from Linzhou.” The Eldest Madam noticed that each gift box carried a slip of paper noting its place of origin. She gathered the slips together and placed them carefully into a small wooden case.
Watching this, Nanny Yao sighed inwardly once more. The Eldest Madam truly was magnanimous—treating even the trifling offerings from the second branch with such respect.
“Nanny Yao, I recall there are several bolts of bright cloth in the storeroom, and two newly made pearl hair ornaments. Take two maids with you and deliver them to Qiya.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Terrible—once again the second branch had gained favor at her lady’s expense.
Nanny Yao dared not oppose the Eldest Madam’s orders. She took two young maids and headed straight for the West Court. Just as they reached the garden outside, Yun Qiya’s voice drifted over.
“Who manages this garden?”
At once, Nanny Yao halted. She knew it—this Miss Qiya was no simple girl. Newly returned, she couldn’t confront the Eldest Madam directly, so she was preparing to use her as a target instead.
Everyone in the Marquis’s household knew the gardens were overseen by her son. To bring it up now—wasn’t that a deliberate provocation? Fine then. Nanny Yao had her own tricks in household battles.
“Replying to Miss, it is Steward Liu.”
Nanny Yao’s cold smile deepened. See? The fox’s tail was finally showing.
“To keep the gardens so elegant and refined, Steward Liu must be quite capable.”
“Madam, Miss is praising Steward Liu,” one of the little maids said happily. Since the Marchioness favored Miss Xiya, if she spoke well of Steward Liu before her, that would be a tremendous boon.
“Ahem.” Nanny Yao coughed lightly, stiffening her face and raising her chin. “It is the duty of servants to ease their master’s burdens.” She looked at Yun Qiya standing in the garden, the corners of her mouth betraying a smile she couldn’t suppress.
Earlier in the main hall, her old eyes hadn’t seen clearly. Now, looking closely, she realized that Miss Qiya truly had a discerning eye—her taste was extraordinary.