Chapter 4 Playing Truant

She was unfamiliar with the place and was a young woman; the risk of escaping alone was too great. According to the original host's memories, Nanny Jin had taken care of her since she was young and had truly tender feelings for her, committed to her well-being. If she could bring Nanny Jin along, not only could she protect Nanny Jin's life in case of losing the master, but she could also have an extra layer of security for her own journey ahead.

Having a deed of servitude would certainly be best, but if not..., there was nothing to be done. She could not possibly go to the wife of the heir apparent and ask for the deeds of servitude of Nanny Jin and the others.

Nanny Jin had just returned from the brink of death at Ghost Gate Pass and was now being scrutinized by her young mistress with an unprecedented calm gaze, which made her legs go weak with fear. She heard Ye Xinyan say, "Nanny, fetch me paper and ink. I need to leave a note for my mother."

Leave a note? Nanny Jin was greatly puzzled by Ye Xinyan's words. What could she not say face to face that needed to be communicated through a note?

Moreover, the young mistress had been spoiled since childhood and disliked the dull tasks of practicing calligraphy and painting. The wife of the heir apparent had persuaded her several times, but to no avail. Remembering that her social status did not necessitate learning such skills to please others, as long as she could manage the household, they stopped insisting. Thus, the young mistress knew few characters and did not enjoy writing or drawing.

But Nanny Jin's heart was still racing with fright, and she dared not ask further, hastily retrieving the seldom-used writing materials.

Ye Xinyan noticed Nanny Jin sneaking glances at her with confusion but offered no explanation, instead instructing her, "Nanny, start packing up; gather any valuable items in our room and wrap them into two innocuous and easily carried bundles that won't attract attention."

Nanny Jin, upon hearing this, was even more unsure, but the young mistress's tone brooked no argument, and so she commenced her hesitant busyness in the room, occasionally casting glances at Ye Xinyan, who was furiously writing.

To say furiously writing was not an exaggeration—Ye Xinyan was indeed putting tremendous effort into her writing. Although the characters looked awkward, as if she were wrestling with someone, they were rendered with concentrated and serious expression.

She had already spoiled several sheets of paper.

Whether for the original host or Ye Xinyan herself, handling a brush and traditional characters was a difficult matter. Yet leaving a written note was essential; regardless of the difficulty, she had to produce one.

Early the next morning, Duke's Mansion was going to send her away; time was pressing. Ye Xinyan had to escape tonight. The letter was for Madam Yin, asking her not to make things difficult for the servants in the courtyard.

Her words were emotive, recounting how she had acted without considering the consequences these years, rarely doing good deeds—that's why her life had always been troubled, leading up to the present painful predicament. She didn't want to waste away in the ancestral temple, nor did she want to live a hidden life away from the sun, so she had left home. After her departure, if her mother truly wished her well, she should accumulate merit, refrain from killing, not give the servants in the courtyard a hard time, that she might receive some blessings elsewhere.

With the valuables packed by Nanny Jin, Ye Xinyan had also finished her clumsy letter.

Confronted with Nanny Jin's puzzled gaze, Ye Xinyan opened the two voluminous bundles, re-examined their contents, taking out the clothes again, removing big and bulky jewelry that took up space, leaving only a few substantial pieces of jewelry along with some gold and silver.

After sorting through them, the two bundles were rearranged to look flatter.

Ye Xinyan had Nanny Jin remove her outer garment and demonstrated wrapping the bundle around her waist, then put the outer garment back on her.

"Mmm," Ye Xinyan nodded in satisfaction, "Now it doesn't show."

At this point, even a fool would understand what Ye Xinyan intended to do.

Nanny Jin's face turned pale, and her lips trembled as she said, "Mi... Miss, you... you must not do anything foolish in a moment of rashness. The wife of the princely heir said that if you endure for a while in the ancestral temple, she will be able to bring you out. If you run away, then… then..."

Nanny Jin trembled for a long while, unable to articulate the dire straits Ye Xinyan was about to face.

Ye Xinyan watched Nanny Jin quietly, and after a long moment, she spoke indifferently, "I have made up my mind. If Nanny does not wish to follow me, then stay behind." As she spoke, she indicated the sheet of paper on the table with her chin, "I have already left a letter for Mother, asking her to treat the servants in the yard well, as a way of amassing virtue for me, who is cast out. Even if Nanny stays behind, there shouldn't be any danger."

She genuinely hoped that the people in this yard would be safe and not harmed because of her.

Nanny Jin looked suspiciously between Ye Xinyan, the paper, and the bundle, wondering when the reckless and impulsive young mistress had learned to scheme and even consider the servants' well-being, leaving a letter to plead on their behalf to Madam.

Without Nanny Jin's help, Ye Xinyan truly was not confident that she could escape successfully. Given how much Nanny Jin cherished Ye Xinyan, Nanny Jin would surely not rest easy letting her leave alone and would follow her closely.

Seeing that Nanny Jin still gave no answer, Ye Xinyan took the opportunity to instruct her, "Nanny, go to the yard and find the old woman servant and the maids, look for a few pieces of worn-out clothes. After we leave, we will change into those tattered clothes to disguise ourselves—the more worn and tattered, the better. When looking for the clothes, tell them we are going to the ancestral temple tomorrow and are afraid of the bumps on the road, so we need something to pad the carriage with."

Nanny Jin's mouth twitched involuntarily when she heard the reason Ye Xinyan provided. The duke's mansion's young mistress, no matter how down and out, surely wouldn't lack for padding in her carriage, to the point of needing to find old clothes from the servant women.

Ye Xinyan cast her a sidelong glance and said disdainfully, "What is that expression for, Nanny? Even if the reason you give them isn't convincing, do you think they would dare to question you? As for any inquiries tomorrow, by then we will have already left. Whether your excuse has loopholes or is reasonable, what does it matter?"

The wrinkles on Nanny Jin's troubled face deepened, "Young miss, things aren't as easy as you imagine. You know very well how much influence our household wields. With so little time, we don't have the time to discuss and plan properly; it's simply impossible to escape."

Ye Xinyan was helpless too; the problem was, she only had this much time.

If she was sent to the ancestral temple, where oversight was strict, it would be like trying to fly with clipped wings. If Maternal Aunt Liu and Ye Xinyi in the mansion were to play more tricks, her status as the legitimate eldest granddaughter hadn't outdone them before, and now, in her dire situation, deprived of even her reputation and the servants by her side, it was possible she could end up dead at their hands.

"How will we know if we don't try? Just do as I say," Ye Xinyan said resolutely.

As for how to escape the pursuit of the Duke's Mansion, she still had a small plan; it was just not convenient to elaborate to Nanny Jin at this time.

"But," Nanny Jin still hesitated, "if we get caught and brought back, the young miss will be in even greater trouble."

"At worst, I will just go to the ancestral temple to reflect, or even become a nun directly. Is the grand Duke's Mansion really going to sink their own granddaughter in a pond?" Ye Xinyan spoke carelessly, "If Nanny can't make up her mind, I will just go by myself."

"How could that be allowed?" Nanny Jin's eyes immediately filled with urgency.

After all, Nanny Jin had been the one who had cared for her since she was young and watched her grow up. Though she had been spoilt and wilful, she held a special affection in Nanny Jin's eyes. How could Nanny Jin rest easy letting Ye Xinyan roam outside alone?

Fearing that Nanny Jin would remain indecisive, Ye Xinyan added, "If the mansion brings us back, Nanny can say she tried to persuade me, but I was so desperate that I threatened my own life, and you, fearing for my safety, could only follow me. I will say the same, and will not let Nanny be in danger."

"This servant is not afraid of being in danger myself. What I fear is that the young miss will face even greater hardships and might encounter misfortune outside," Nanny Jin said with a choked voice, truly moved. The young miss had finally become sensible and knew to consider others.

Before going to bed, as usual, Nanny Jin went to check the yard gate and the doors to all the rooms. While checking, she sent people away and secretly loosened the bolt of the yard gate.