Chapter 23: Nanny Gu Departs (Part 1)
Yueyao looked so dazed by the news to onlookers as if she'd been utterly stupefied by it. It was understandable, of course; a wet nurse was always the most loyal and intimate person. No one wanted to casually dismiss such a person.
Upon seeing this, Old Madam frowned and said, "Third Girl, you disagree? Since you disagree, then let it be." I thought she had finally seen sense, but it seems not. Keeping such an undecided servant close could lead to betrayal sooner or later.
Yueyao, upon hearing Old Madam say "let it be," started, coming back to her senses. She immediately knelt down beside Old Madam and said, "Grandmother, Yueyao truly cannot bear to part with Wet Nurse. But Yueyao cannot bear to separate Wet Nurse from her biological son either. Yueyao longs for her parents but cannot see them, suffering day and night, regretting not having been more filial. Now even if I wish to be more filial, it's no longer possible. Yueyao believes Wet Nurse's son must feel the same way. Grandmother, in the past, Yueyao has been selfish, not considering Wet Nurse's feelings. Now, Yueyao asks Grandmother to grant Wet Nurse this favor and let her leave to reunite with Wet Nurse's own family." As Yueyao spoke, she began to sob, crying very sadly.
Old Madam silently nodded her approval inside. It seemed that this girl had indeed come to her senses. Holding Yueyao's icy hand, her heart swelled with even more compassion, "Your considerate thoughts comfort me greatly. A family unable to reunite is something I too can empathize with. Since you agree, don't let your Wet Nurse leave at a loss." By this, she meant to give more silver coins when sending her off to prevent giving others a chance to gossip.
Old Madam had also been contemplating sending Old Granny Guh away but lacked a sufficient reason to do so abruptly; otherwise, it would reflect poorly on her. Now that an opportunity had presented itself, once Old Granny Guh left Lian Mansion, she would no longer be able to influence Third Young Lady. Old Madam believed things would get better in time.
Yueyao nodded emphatically, "Grandmother, rest assured, Yueyao understands." Yueyao looked at her grandmother, whose head was full of silver hair, and felt very downhearted. If her grandmother could live a long life, she would have one more person to protect her and her brother. But there was nothing she could do. Her grandmother was gravely ill; Doctor Tang, who now attended to her, was a retired Imperial Physician from the palace, with excellent medical skills. Doctor Tang said it was a severe heart condition compounded by old age and many illnesses. All Yueyao could do was to ease Old Madam's heart as much as she could.
All this while, Yueyao had been keeping quiet, not because she didn't want to act, but because it was not the time to act. Bringing Brother Zheng close had already drawn considerable attention. The whole point was to avoid arousing Lady Mo's suspicion anymore. In a few days when things had calmed down, she planned to seek external support from her maternal uncle's family. As for the Li family, it would depend on the circumstances. Her eldest uncle seemed not to get along with Uncle Li.
Yueyao believed her uncle would surely send someone to check on her after some time. She felt unfilial for not visiting her uncle since she returned; however, thinking of Lady Cheng, Yueyao's step-aunt, she quickly wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, not letting others see her distress.
Nanny Gu was struck as if by lightning upon hearing Old Madam was going to let her go. Being told to leave was like being cut off from her life sustenance. Her tears and snot flowing, she knelt on the ground, pleading for Old Madam's mercy, incessantly voicing how she couldn't bear to leave her grandchild whom she had nursed, nor could she bear to leave Third Young Lady.
Yueyao simply couldn't bear to see them separated.
Seeing that Old Madam was getting nowhere, Nanny Gu turned to Yueyao to plead her case. Clinging to Yueyao's dress hem, she implored, "Young Lady, if Wet Nurse leaves and you're bullied, what will you do? Young Lady, Wet Nurse can't leave. Wet Nurse can't feel at ease without watching over you! Young Lady, your letting me go is like gouging out my heart!"
Old Madam's face turned as black as charcoal at that. What did she mean, implying that she'd harm her own flesh and blood granddaughter? "What kind of decorum is this? The Young Lady is thinking of your benefit, and you cling to her like this? If that's the case, you need not return to Lanxi Courtyard with the Young Lady. Someone, inform the steward to notify her son to come pick her up directly."
Yueyao immediately knelt and kowtowed, "Grandmother, Wet Nurse did nurse me after all. I beg Grandmother to preserve Wet Nurse's dignity as she leaves the mansion! I implore you, Grandmother." After saying these words, she turned to Old Granny Guh and said, "Nanny, Yueyao is also extremely reluctant to let you go. But I cannot bear to hurt my foster brother's filial piety by separating you two. Nanny..." Her tears began to fall freely.
Fortunately, there was something dabbed on her handkerchief. Yueyao had prepared for an emergency, never imagining it would be put to use so soon.
Old Madam was very pleased with Yueyao's attitude. She would take charge of the situation herself: "Third Girl, you return first; Grandmother will handle this matter well."