Tang Rong quickly succumbed to Tao Yiran’s gentle attentiveness. Whatever lingering guilt he held toward Nanny Cai was swept away like smoke in the wind. He was eager to drown in Tao Yiran’s honeyed affection, speaking in a daze of passion, his words disordered yet sweet. Enchanted, she looped her arms around his neck, whispering his name with deep emotion, and he lost himself in her once again.
Tao Yiran had imagined a tender and bashful morning to follow. Never had she expected that as dawn broke, Tang Rong would summon Yingyue and announce, “Yingyue is proper and well-mannered. She has served faithfully. Today, you will accept her tea as a concubine. From this day forward, she will be known as Concubine Yue within the courtyard.”
The night before, Nanny Cai had paid a visit to Yingyue’s room, where the two spoke for nearly half an hour. Tao Yiran had harbored doubts, half-suspecting a scheme. But now, at first light, it had come true. Yingyue immediately kowtowed to both Tang Rong and Tao Yiran in gratitude, her heart brimming with even deeper appreciation for Nanny Cai.
Tao Yiran’s mind buzzed in disbelief. Just last night, they had shared such intimate harmony. He had even sworn, in the depths of his desire, that she was the only one for him in this life. And now he asked her to accept the concubine’s tea?
She nearly lost her footing.
Thankfully, Nanny Liu reacted quickly. She knew that, after punishing Nanny Cai, the heir likely still bore some resentment in his heart. Besides, Yingyue’s promotion to concubine was only a matter of time. She quickly offered congratulations, then added, “Today is an auspicious day for Concubine Yue. Go dress yourself properly. Later, the Young Madam will receive you in the main hall.”
Only then did Yingyue withdraw gleefully. Upon returning to her quarters, she knelt and kowtowed to Nanny Cai, who was already packed and prepared to leave. Nanny Cai helped her up and said gently, “Now that you can serve the heir openly, I can rest easy.”
“The Young Madam only seeks to enjoy herself. You must take greater care from now on. If the heir drinks outside, prepare the hangover soup in advance. If he returns late, wait at the door with a lantern. His clothing and shoes—anything you can manage—must always be in order. Do your utmost to conceive soon, and plant your own people in the household.”
In her bid to elevate Yingyue and unsettle Tao Yiran, Nanny Cai even handed over the fifty taels she had received from Tang Rong. “Once I’m gone, this courtyard will belong to the Young Madam. If you wish to secure your place, you’ll need money. Take this.”
Yingyue’s eyes turned red. She had never held much affection for Nanny Cai, yet now, an unexpected sorrow welled within her. Nanny Cai was formidable, yes, but while she remained in this courtyard, it was the servants of the Marquis’s Residence who held sway. Now, their fate would lie in the hands of the Young Madam’s dowry entourage.
“Nanny…”
She hadn’t known Nanny Cai could be so kind.
Having achieved her purpose, Nanny Cai departed with dignity, formally bidding farewell to Tang Rong and Tao Yiran. Soon after, her son arrived to help carry her belongings. The servants of Spring Blossom Courtyard watched from afar, unease in their hearts.
Meanwhile, in Autumn Harvest Courtyard, Xin An had just seen Tang Mo off to his duties. She set out with Chunyang and Chunlü to greet the Old Madam. On the way, Chunlü mentioned Nanny Cai’s departure earlier that morning.
Xin An paused for a moment. Had it been the day before, a knot might still have formed in her chest. But after Tang Mo’s words of comfort last night, she had come to see things more clearly.
Each person’s circumstances were different. Tao Yiran was favored by Tang Rong and had the backing of a powerful family—Nanny Cai could not easily control her, and that was only natural.
Besides, Tao Yiran had managed to twist Tang Rong around her finger in their past life, even sacrificing her own son for him. Clearly, she had mastered the art of manipulating him. Removing Nanny Cai was no great feat for someone like her.
Upon learning that Yingyue had been promoted to concubine, Xin An could only guess it was all Nanny Cai’s doing. A woman as proud as she was would never leave quietly. Most likely, this departure was merely paving the way for a glorious return.
What a pity that the storm-stirring Nanny Cai would be absent for a while. How dull life would be without her antics?
Chunyang sighed, “Honestly, the Young Master is still better. He may seem unreliable, but at least he knows how to make the Young Madam smile. That’s what truly matters.”
Xin An halted mid-step. “It seems you’ve forgotten all that Nanny Wang taught you. If you continue speaking so freely and without decorum, there’s no need for you to accompany me out anymore. Return and relearn your manners.”
Chunyang immediately bowed in apology. “It was this maid who spoke out of turn. It won’t happen again.”
Xin An withdrew her gaze and resumed walking forward. Chunyang and Chunlü’s lack of proper respect toward Tang Mo had started with her.
From the very day of their marriage, she had been anxious and uneasy, viewing Tang Mo—her former-life rival—with little courtesy. Some habits and subconscious notions were difficult to shed, and her two maids had naturally adopted her attitude.
But things were different now. Her relationship with Tang Mo had steadily improved, and she no longer wished to hear anyone speak ill of him.
Walking behind her, Chunlü cast a sharp glare at Chunyang. Utterly clueless. Had she not noticed how well the Young Madam had been treating the Young Master lately? Every time they met, there were smiles and laughter. Even Nanny Wang had said that this was a sign of blossoming affection and warned them not to speak recklessly. And yet Chunyang had dared to speak so carelessly in front of the Young Madam?
Even if he were frivolous—was it their place, as mere maids, to say so?
Chunyang kept her head low, wishing she could sew her own lips shut. Her tongue had truly run wild with no sense of propriety.
The Old Madam had gone to bed late the previous night and naturally slept in that morning. Xin An, seeing how beautifully the flowers in the courtyard had bloomed, decided not to leave. Caught up in the mood, she even took it upon herself to water them. By the time the Old Madam awoke, she had already watered every plant in the garden.
“Young people do enjoy sleeping in. You ought to rest a little more yourself,” the Old Madam said with a smile.
Though she knew well that Xin An’s frequent visits had ulterior motives, she couldn’t help but like her. In her mind, the girl was only drawn to her countless treasures—what harm could there be in that?
Xin An stepped forward to support the Old Madam. “It’s true that getting up in the morning isn’t easy, but I was worried about Grandmother’s complexion and came to see how you were doing.”
As she spoke, she gave her a careful once-over. Truthfully, she looked much the same as the day before, but after a comfortable night’s sleep, her spirits were higher and her complexion much improved.
“Grandmother truly has no need for anxiety. Your radiance and vitality far outshine many other noble ladies. Just look at your skin—so smooth, with hardly a wrinkle. Clearly, your blessings run deep. That’s something countless others could only envy.”
And she wasn’t merely flattering her. In her youth, the Old Madam had been the cherished daughter of a wealthy landlord, pampered and well-kept. After marriage, her husband spent his days on the battlefield, and she had no in-laws or sisters-in-law to contend with. Apart from longing for her husband, she had little to worry about. Eventually, he brought her honor and glory, allowing her to live an even more comfortable life. Though her sons and grandsons weren’t all exemplary, they weren’t disasters either. There truly wasn’t much to fret over—no wonder she had aged so well.
Time may steal beauty from the vain, but not from those who live richly and at ease.
The morning blossoms were particularly radiant, and the Old Madam’s mood equally so. She accepted Xin An’s praise without modesty and even used the opportunity to hint slyly at her true hopes. “If I may say so, my blessings are already considerable. But if you and the Second Boy were to give me another great-grandchild to toddle around this courtyard, then my fortune would be even greater.”
Xin An was momentarily taken aback, then gave a shy smile. “That may have to be left to fate.”
The Old Madam paused her stroll among the flowers. “This old woman can see things clearly. That Second Boy of mine surely holds you in his heart already. You two are well-matched in both temperament and looks—it’s a marriage blessed by the heavens.”
Then, with a playful glint in her eyes, she asked, “Tell me honestly—isn’t the Second Boy rather handsome?”
Xin An flushed faintly, but soon broke into a smile. “He is… quite good-looking.”