Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Madam Tang's intentions were always this direct, though Nanny Jin had phrased it as tactfully as possible—the underlying meaning was still that she wanted Pei Yun to bring Qin Pan to the banquet at the Rong manor.

There was even an implied hope that Pei Yun might help look into potential marriage prospects.

After all, Qin Pan's most impressive credential now was not being a young lady of the Duke Su's mansion, but being the full sister of the Marquis of Huai'an—the connection of being Qin Chu's sister was far more useful than being a daughter of the duke's mansion.

Not to mention that Pei Yun, as the emperor's own niece, would be personally putting in a good word for her—most households in the capital would feel obliged to show some courtesy.

That was why Madam Tang had swallowed her pride and humbled herself to ask Pei Yun for help—all for her daughter's future.

Pei Yun had planned to attend anyway; she just wanted her mother-in-law to stop being so stubborn and not cause any trouble out of spite toward the Princess Consort of Rong. Her original plan had been to casually mention a list of eligible young men from prominent families who would be attending the Polo Club, which would have made Madam Tang come around on her own—for her daughter's sake, she wouldn't have made any more trouble.

But unexpectedly, Madam Tang had caught on much faster this time—no more scheming needed. Since her mother-in-law had come to her senses, and Pei Yun had a favorable impression of Qin Pan, she smiled and agreed.

"That would be wonderful. Please tell Mother that tomorrow I plan to visit our family's shops, and I'll bring Pan Jie'er along."

Pei Yun's answer wasn't what Madam Tang had wanted to hear. Nanny Jin knew that the matriarch had hoped the princess would agree to bring Pan Jie'er to the Polo Club, but Pei Yun was playing dumb, and as a servant, Nanny Jin couldn't push the issue. She could only acknowledge and take her leave.

Nanny Xu appeared at just the right moment, carrying in a bowl of angelica and lamb soup. Pei Yun had been weak since recovering from her cold, and since she refused to take medicine, Nanny Xu could only try making nourishing soups in different ways, hoping the young mistress would at least drink a few mouthfuls.

Pei Yun was examining the household tally when Nanny Xu set the soup down on the table and said with a helpless sigh: "Princess, this show of goodwill from the matriarch isn't easy for her to make. We should know when to take what's offered and be content."

Their household's matriarch was simple and impulsive—with someone like that, you can't be too indirect, because no one knows what she might do when provoked. That was why Nanny Xu had offered the reminder.

"It's fine. I just want a couple of days of peace. I know what I'm doing, don't worry, Nanny." Pei Yun tossed the tally back onto the tray and said with a smile.

Nanny Xu said: "As long as the princess knows what she's doing."

With that, seeing that the tally and account books had finally been delivered, she couldn't help but remind Pei Yun to meet with the household stewards tomorrow.

"These people—especially those from the main branch—are full of lazy, sneaky characters. Most of them are old family retainers. Though they're servants, their family connections are all tangled up." Nanny Xu watched Pei Yun drink the chicken soup, then took the damp silk handkerchief that had been prepared and handed it over, continuing: "Eight out of ten are troublemakers. Our foundation here is shallow, and we haven't dealt with them before. The princess should keep that in mind."

"The household's purchasing of servants has all been arranged by Nanny Jin on the matriarch's side. Most of the servants' contracts, except for those close to the masters, are held in her hands." Nanny Xu reminded: "Princess, this is the most critical matter."

With the contracts in hand, one could sell or marry off servants at will—it wasn't an exaggeration to say they held the servants' lives in their hands.

And that naturally gave them control over the servants.

Pei Yun finished the chicken soup and found it slightly too salty today. Though the flavor was still delicious, she couldn't help sticking out her tongue and drinking two cups of warm water to wash it down before waving her hand and saying: "I understand. Don't do anything about Nanny Jin for now. Tomorrow morning, have the courtyard sweepers, kitchen staff, buyers, and garden keepers all come see me first. I'll decide after meeting them."

Now that she was taking over household management, there was much more to worry about—beyond familiarizing herself with all the servants, there were the income and expenses of the shops and properties outside, as well as the daily supplies for all the family members. Everything required her review. Managing a household was truly demanding work.

It wasn't that it was difficult, but having to consult others on every matter felt confining.

Nanny Xu hadn't been idle during the months since accompanying Pei Yun to the Duke Su's mansion. Even when they weren't in charge of the household, she had gone through most of the maids and matrons, and now she gave Pei Yun a rough rundown of their various temperaments.

Just then, Qin Yue finished her bath, changed into pale pink pajamas, and was carried out of the inner room by a maid, barefoot.

"Mother!"

Qin Yue waved at Pei Yun with a smile from halfway across the room.

Pei Yun set aside these miscellaneous matters for the moment and took the soft, warm little bundle who smelled like flowers from her bath. Qin Yue's black hair hung loose, already dried except for a slight dampness, with the scent of osmanthus oil.

Pei Yun smiled and kissed her tender cheek, settling her on her lap. Nanny Xu's expression softened at the sight—every time the princess held Yue Jie'er like this, it reminded her of when Pei Yun was that age, and the princess would hold her the same way.

In the blink of an eye, Pei Yun had married and become a mother herself.

Pei Yun had Bixiao fetch a peachwood comb and began combing Qin Yue's hair while asking: "Did you have fun playing with your older brother and sisters today?"

"It was fun!" Qin Yue happily kicked her little legs, smiling sweetly: "Second Sister gave me a little rabbit!"

A rabbit?

She hadn't seen one.

Sang'er, the maid who had served Qin Yue since childhood, quickly explained that it wasn't a live rabbit but a jade pendant carved in the shape of one. Qin Ying had seen that Qin Yue liked it and generously took it off to give to her.

She then brought it over for Pei Yun to examine.

Pei Yun looked at it—a mutton-fat jade pendant the size of a child's palm, exquisitely crafted. The rabbit's eyes were set with rubies, carved as a jade rabbit pounding medicine. Below it was tied an auspicious knot with colorful silk threads. Many young ladies liked to hang such pendants at their waists, the ornaments making a pleasant tinkling sound.

Pei Yun examined it and found nothing wrong with it, so she had the maid put it away. She smiled and said to Qin Yue: "Second Sister gave you a gift, so you should give something in return. It's good to give back, so you can remain good sisters."

Qin Yue nodded obediently, but she thought for a long time and couldn't figure out what to give in return.

She had plenty of jewelry and toys, but most were gifts from Pei Yun, so she was reluctant to part with them. Pei Yun laughed at the sight of her chewing on her finger and racking her brains, then offered a suggestion.

"Tomorrow, go to Mingde Court yourself and invite Second Sister to come for lunch. That can be your gift in return—how about that?"

Qin Yue was delighted at the idea and agreed immediately. She then snuggled into Pei Yun's arms, chattering on about how she had won at pitch-pot today, and that Second Sister and Third Brother couldn't beat her.

Pei Yun listened patiently to Qin Yue's cheerful recounting of her accomplishments, praised her appropriately, and then asked about the incident at the lake.

"Yue'er, I never asked you—what happened between you and County Lady Changning yesterday? How did you both end up falling into the water?" Pei Yun lowered her head and asked softly.

Qin Yue blinked and shook her head, being honest: "I don't know either."

"I was by the lake watching fish, and the county lady came over to talk to me." At this point, Qin Yue tugged at her pajamas, hesitating for a long time before whispering: "Then she grabbed me, and we both fell in."

After falling into the water, Qin Yue had been rescued quickly but her head was still muddled, so when Princess Qinghe questioned her, she couldn't think much and could only tell the truth. Then she had fainted from the princess's harsh scolding.

When she woke up again, she was already in her own bed at Moxiang Studio. Her father, mother, and brother hadn't brought it up again.

Qin Yue was a very clever child. She realized that Qin Chu and Pei Yun had deliberately not asked because they worried it would scare or upset her if they brought it up, so she hadn't mentioned it either.

This matched what Pei Yun had guessed. Asking what the county lady had said to Qin Yue was pointless—she had asked only so she could tell Qin Yue that others might bring up the matter again in the future, and how she should respond.

"Yue'er, if anyone asks you again what happened that day, you say you were too scared to remember—that you might have slipped and accidentally fallen in. Remember that?"

Pei Yun rubbed Qin Yue's soft hair and told her.

Qin Yue nodded obediently: "Yue'er will remember."

Though Qin Yue was young, Pei Yun knew she understood everything—that the county lady had deliberately pulled her into the water and then set her up afterward. But because Pei Yun said so, she agreed without complaining.

Pei Yun's heart melted at her clear, innocent eyes. She held her close and promised: "Yue'er, Mother will definitely make things right for you."

"It's just that this matter can't be settled openly with right and wrong laid out plainly, so we have to let our Yue'er put up with it for now. In the future, if you want to go somewhere or visit someone, just tell Mother—don't worry about bothering me, understand?"

Qin Yue wrapped her arms tightly around Pei Yun's neck and said she understood.

Pei Yun felt the soft, short new hairs on her forehead brushing against her chin with a slight tickle, then heard Qin Yue whisper: "Because the county lady is Princess Qinghe's granddaughter, so we can't say anything bad about her, right, Mother?"

"Yes, Yue'er is very clever." Pei Yun smiled. Though Qin Yue's words were a bit unclear, Pei Yun understood her meaning and added: "Remember this for the future too—anyone connected to His Majesty, you must never say bad things about them in front of outsiders."

"Because the Emperor is very concerned about saving face."

Qin Yue giggled, tilting her head adorably as she said, "Then Mother is family to the Emperor too."

"That's right, so you see, no one dares to say anything bad about Mother either, right?" Pei Yun raised an eyebrow and said.

Qin Yue thought about it seriously, and it did seem to be the case.

Nanny Xu watched from the side as Pei Yun taught the child, nodding inwardly in approval. Though the commandery princess had never given birth herself, she had a very systematic approach to raising children. Yu Ge'er and Yue Jie'er growing up under her care would surely become outstanding individuals in the future.

It was just a pity that the commandery princess had yet to have a child of her own blood.

The mother and daughter talked for a bit longer before a maid came to announce that the Marquis had returned and gone straight to the main house, not to Moxiang Studio.

"I see." Pei Yun nodded lightly, then smiled and coaxed Qin Yue, "Alright, it's getting late. You should go to sleep now. Tomorrow Mother will take you out to play."

Hearing that she could go out tomorrow, Qin Yue's eyes immediately lit up, and she nodded her little head eagerly before obediently going to bed.

Pei Yun took her time settling Qin Yue down before returning to the main house. Though it was already late, the courtyard was still brightly lit, with maids and young servants each busy with their tasks. Several young male servants carried three or four mahogany buckets out of the room, and Pei Yun recognized them as the buckets used to hold hot water for bathing, so she raised her hand to stop them.

"Has the Marquis finished bathing?" she asked casually.

Unexpectedly, the servant replied with some hesitation, "Reporting to the Commandery Princess, it seems the Marquis's old injury has flared up. He's feeling a bit unwell right now, so he had us withdraw first."

Pei Yun: ?

She glanced suspiciously toward the main room, suspecting that Qin Chu was putting on a pitiful act in advance because he was afraid she'd confront him about getting him drunk.

It was exactly the kind of thing someone as scheming as him would do.

Author's note:

None.