Chapter 8: Sisters

The Old Madam was assisted to her feet by a maid, looking at the orchid placed in the room. Her son's favorite was the orchid, the noble orchid.

Lost in her memories, Nanny Zheng approached and said to the Old Madam, "Old Madam, the Third Young Lady had a nightmare last night. She was possessed by a nightmare. According to Nanny Gu, after the nightmare, the Third Young Lady stopped interacting with her."

The Old Madam burst into a rage, "Why didn't you call the doctor?" What kind of household is Lady managing? The child is sick, had a nightmare, and you don't even think to call a doctor to have a look."

Nanny Zheng hurriedly said, "Old Madam, Mu Qiu replied that since getting up, the Third Young Lady has been fond of daydreaming. Apart from daydreaming, everything else seems normal." They've been in the courtyard for most of the day; if there were anything amiss, they would have noticed it.

The Old Madam, hearing the word 'nightmare,' always felt something was off: "Although this child was not very close to Lady previously, she wouldn't show such fright. Moreover, the child's color looked much better today." Since it's said that everything has been normal these past few days, that must mean there is little to worry about. But the Old Madam always felt some incongruity.

Nanny Zheng pondered for a moment and then said, "Old Madam, the Third Young Lady's improved complexion shows she is easing her mind. That's a good thing. Old Madam, you should be happy about this."

The Old Madam leaned back on her silken pillow, "If only the Third Girl could come to her senses, I wouldn't worry anymore. Everyone says I'm this old granny still clinging to the power within the mansion. They think I love power so much. If I could enjoy a few days of peace, why would I bother so much."

Nanny Zheng said a few words of comfort, then added, "Old Madam, I think the Third Young Lady is right. It's August now, and the weather is gradually cooling. It's a good time for the Old Madam to walk outside; it's much better than always staying indoors."

The Old Madam didn't respond, but nor did she object.

Inside the main house, the old nanny who had been sitting in the corridor to cool off saw a group of people approaching from afar. She immediately stood up, respectfully bowing to one side.

The Eldest Madam didn't even glance at the old nanny by the door, and went straight back to her own courtyard to sit down and have a bowl of chilled sour plum soup. She said to her trusted old nanny, Nanny Lau, "What do you think has happened to the Third Young Lady? I feel something odd about her."

Nanny Lau nodded, "The Third Young Lady indeed is acting strange. Yet just a few days ago, she was fine. After seeing the Old Madam, she started to be distant with the Madam. I wonder if the Old Madam said something to the Third Young Lady." Apart from this explanation, I really can't think of why the Third Young Lady has changed so much.

Lady shook her head, "Unlikely. Although the Old Madam doesn't like me, she would never slander me in front of the younger generation. There must be some other reason. Have someone inquire carefully." This girl thinks only of copying scriptures every day, not caring at all about outside matters.

Lady suddenly remembered the look the Third Girl gave her; there was hatred and even anger in the Third Young Lady's eyes. Although it was just a fleeting moment, she definitely captured it. With this thought, Lady shivered, "Have someone ask Nanny Gu. What exactly is not right with the Third Young Lady?" Why would this girl suddenly harbor resentment against her? Perhaps she knew something.

After having lunch, Yueyao went to the Small Buddhist Hall to copy the Classic of Filial Piety. She also needed to copy scriptures to calm her mind now.

After finishing copying the scriptures, Yueyao washed her hands and walked out of the Small Buddhist Hall. Seeing Yulei hesitant, she said directly, "Just speak your mind." It seemed that previously she hadn't managed things closely, nor had she taken Hua Lei's words seriously. Otherwise, she wouldn't have let Hua Lei end up like this.

Yulei cautiously said, "I just heard from a maid that she saw Nanny Gu speaking with Eldest Madam's accompanying maid, Nanny Hua. Madam was blunt with the Eldest Madam in the morning, and in the afternoon Nanny Hua went to find Nanny Gu, I am worried..."

Yueyao nodded internally. Mu Qiu was straightforward, but Yulei was clever. Thinking of Hua Lei's words, her heart grew cold. So Nanny Gu was already colluding with Lady 's people, "How long has this been going on?"

Seeing that her mistress wasn't blaming her for overstepping, Hua Lei cautiously said, "Not long after coming back, Nanny Gu started walking with Nanny Hua." Hua Lei had mentioned it before, but her mistress had not taken it seriously. It seems her mistress was listening now.

Yueyao was very pleased. This maid was indeed very perceptive. In her previous life, she warned herself several times, but unfortunately, she was too naïve back then; she felt Hua Lei really shouldn't speak ill of elders, which seemed very provocative, and for that, she scolded Hua Lei several times. She hadn't expected Hua Lei to see through things so early. "I know about this. No need to act for now. Just keep an eye on them." Nanny Gu was her wet nurse, and without any wrongdoing, it wasn't good to dismiss her; it would harm her reputation.