Chapter 121
“Not yet!” Nanny Tong held onto her hand and whispered, “But yesterday, Chun Yan came to me crying, saying she knew she was wrong and wanted to return to serve you. She even slipped a gold bracelet into my hand, which I accepted.”
Inside the vermillion lacquered, intricately carved corridor, the white lanterns hanging under the eaves swayed gently with the wind.
Bai Qingyan held a hand warmer, her expression calm and gentle.
Everyone in the Duke’s residence knew why Chun Yan was moved out of Qinghui Courtyard. Naturally, no one would treat Chun Yan kindly. Without the items and silver Bai Qingyan had rewarded her with, Chun Yan probably wouldn’t even have a sip of hot water to drink.
Watching as the things she owned were almost entirely stolen by those opportunistic servants, Chun Yan finally realized the benefits of Qinghui Courtyard.
Since her rebirth, Bai Qingyan had been pondering how King Liang managed to plant those forged letters in her grandfather’s study in her past life.
…
There were not many people who could enter her grandfather’s study. Besides her grandmother, the Eldest Princess, there was only her.
After much thought, she considered Chun Yan, whom she trusted greatly in her past life. Chun Yan and Chun Tao were her most favored servants. If Chun Yan had an excuse to take or return something from her grandfather’s study, she could have hidden the letters there.
When the letters were found in her grandfather’s study in her past life, she had already been sent out of Dadu City by Mrs. Dong. The exact details were unclear and based purely on speculation.
Now that she had set up a trap, she decided to bring Chun Yan back to her side and have someone keep a close eye on her.
After a moment, she spoke softly, “I’ve been craving the flavor of that oil tea the past few days, but neither the big kitchen nor the small kitchen, nor Chun Tao or Chun Xing, could make it taste right.”
Nanny Tong, having lived to understand such nuances, immediately got the hint. “In the past winters, Chun Yan liked to make oil tea and received many rewards from you. Since you miss the taste, I’ll go remind her. It’s the least I can do after accepting her bracelet!”
“Go ahead, nanny! Chun Tao can accompany me to the mourning hall,” she said.
·
Upon hearing from Nanny Tong that Bai Qingyan wanted oil tea today, Chun Yan burst into tears and kowtowed to Nanny Tong. “Thank you, Nanny Tong! Thank you for guiding me!”
“It’s not easy for us servants to save up some valuable items. I couldn’t just accept your bracelet in vain.” Nanny Tong’s expression carried a hint of severity. “But let me be clear. If the Eldest Young Lady truly allows you back to Qinghui Courtyard out of sentiment, you’d better behave! If you mess up again… I will deal with you myself. Don’t say the nanny was heartless then.”
“Understood! Understood! Please rest assured, nanny! I will wholeheartedly serve the Eldest Young Lady!” Chun Yan said, handing over a few gold peanuts that Bai Qingyan had rewarded her with the previous year. “This is the last of my personal stash. Take it as my thanks, nanny!”
Nanny Tong accepted the gold peanuts with a small laugh, saying, “The Eldest Young Lady is keeping vigil in the mourning hall. By the middle of the night, she will surely be cold and hungry!”
Chun Yan’s eyes lit up, and she kowtowed deeply. “Thank you, nanny, for the reminder!”
Midnight had just passed.
Bai Qingyan allowed the injured Bai Jinzhi and her three younger sisters to go rest, while she, Bai Jinxiu, and Bai Jintong stayed in the mourning hall.
Nanny Tong came in carrying a black lacquered food box, quietly kneeling behind Bai Qingyan. “Eldest Young Lady, you and the Second and Third Young Ladies should eat something. Otherwise, you won’t be able to hold on.”
“Mm,” she nodded. “Jinxiu, Jintong, come and eat something.”
The three sisters sat aside and watched as Nanny Tong opened the food box. Drawn by the aroma, Bai Jintong moved closer. “Smells so good…”
“Oil tea!” Bai Jintong exclaimed in surprise.
Nanny Tong smiled and served each of them a bowl, taking out a few plates of freshly made pickled vegetables from the food box.
Bai Qingyan tasted a spoonful from her small bowl and turned to Nanny Tong. “Who made this oil tea today? It tastes just like Chun Yan’s.”
Nanny Tong, kneeling with her hands folded over her stomach, responded softly, “It was indeed Chun Yan! When she heard the Eldest Young Lady requested oil tea but found the taste off, she made some and brought it over, knowing how hard you’ve been working keeping vigil.”
Bai Jintong laughed lightly, eating Chun Yan’s oil tea without any hesitation. “She just wants Eldest Young Lady to let her return to Qinghui Courtyard! I’ve heard she’s had a tough time lately.”
Bai Qingyan, finishing her bowl of oil tea, wiped her mouth with a cloth before asking, “Where is Chun Yan?”
“She’s still waiting outside,” Nanny Tong replied.
Bai Jintong sneered, “I knew it…”
“If she wants to return to Qinghui Courtyard, let her. Tell her to behave and stay out of my sight,” Bai Qingyan said, standing up to continue her vigil, her emotions unreadable.
After Bai Jinxiu and Bai Jinzhi had finished eating, Nanny Tong gathered the dishes and carried them to the Chuihua gate. Chun Yan, leaning against the wall, hurriedly stepped forward. “Nanny! Did the Eldest Young Lady say she wanted to see me?”
Nanny Tong handed Chun Yan the food box, dabbing her mouth with a cloth. “The Eldest Young Lady remembered old times. This is your fortune! Pack up and return to Qinghui Courtyard. Behave yourself and avoid drawing her attention. If you can be good for a year or so, the Eldest Young Lady might consider promoting you again.”
“Thank you, nanny! Thank you for your guidance!” Chun Yan cried with joy, covering her mouth with her hand.
“Enough! Go pack your things. Return to Qinghui Courtyard first thing in the morning.”
“Alright!” Chun Yan expressed her gratitude profusely, leaving with the food box, feeling like her harsh days were finally over.
Nanny Tong watched Chun Yan’s unsteady figure with cold eyes, shaking the cloth before turning back to the mourning hall to report to Bai Qingyan.
“I’ve instructed her to return to Qinghui Courtyard first thing in the morning. Given her vengeful nature, now that she has the Eldest Young Lady’s permission, she will surely return with fanfare,” Nanny Tong whispered.
Bai Qingyan didn’t tell Bai Jinxiu or Bai Jintong to leave while Nanny Tong spoke.
Bai Jintong’s eyes widened. “Eldest Young Lady? So you let Chun Yan return not out of sentiment? Are you plotting something?”
Bai Qingyan respectfully placed the incense and knelt down to pray before responding, “Nanny has someone watching Chun Yan. Chun Tao, get close to Chun Yan these days. As my most trusted servant, if you are close to her, she will spread it as if you were even closer.”