The next morning, Lixia sent Shangyuan to explain to Nanny Liang: she was feeling unwell and wanted to delay her home leave for a few days, switching her rotation with Shangyuan.
Nanny Liang naturally had no objections, and even sent someone to ask Lixia whether she needed a skilled physician to come examine her.
Lixia remarked to Seventh Miss with feeling, “Nanny Liang is truly a warmhearted person.”
Seventh Miss smiled. “If we were still living our days in the South Side Courtyard, do you think she would still be this warmhearted?”
That was the way of great households—people fawned over the favored and trampled the fallen. It was human nature.
If Seventh Miss hadn’t gradually gained the Grand Madam’s trust and affection over these past few years, Nanny Liang wouldn’t have allowed her to give her maids rotating time off at all.
Those who were favored found everything went smoothly; those who weren’t found every step difficult…
To maintain this situation would depend on Seventh Miss’s own efforts.
Early that morning, after entering to serve the Grand Madam her medicine and keeping her company for a while in idle conversation, following lunch, the Grand Madam sent Seventh Miss back to rest.
“It’s the New Year—you should rest yourself as well and have some fun with your sisters. I’m going to take my afternoon nap.”
Seventh Miss could only smile and graciously comply.
Just as she emerged from the room, she ran into Second Brother and Third Brother coming toward her.
“Second Brother, Third Brother.” Seventh Miss dared not be negligent and greeted them with complete propriety.
Second Brother and Third Brother smiled warmly as they greeted Seventh Miss. “Where are you headed, Seventh Sister?”
“Back for my afternoon nap.” Seventh Miss smiled. “Mother just went to sleep. Second Brother, Third Brother, your timing is rather unfortunate.”
Second Brother showed a trace of embarrassment. “We came at the wrong time.”
But Third Brother paid no mind to this, noisily pulling Second Brother along. “Let’s go talk with Fifth Sister.”
Third Brother’s birthday was only a few days apart from Fifth Miss’s. If one set aside the conflicts over adoption, their personalities were actually quite similar—both straightforward and efficient.
Seventh Miss’s eyes flashed. Her estimation of Third Brother rose a few notches.
This child looked innocent, but his mind was actually quite clear.
After all, he was already eleven years old…
Seventh Miss didn’t pay further attention to her two cousin brothers and returned to the West Side Courtyard with Bailu.
Bailu was also somewhat indignant. “Coming to our place every single day, yet they still know shame…”
“They have no choice in the matter either.” Seventh Miss casually sighed, then turned the topic to Xiaoxue. “How is Xiaoxue doing? Can she get out of bed and walk around?”
“That’s not difficult.” Bailu pondered. “She’s clearly wasted away and is very weak! But she hasn’t reached the point where she can’t get out of bed. However… if we summon her in for questioning, it will be noticed by others.”
Seventh Miss couldn’t help but sigh. “Living in the West Side Courtyard, nothing is convenient.”
Understanding the unspoken meaning, when Seventh Miss asked about Xiaoxue, she naturally wanted to meet this key figure.
To accomplish this while evading the Grand Madam’s notice would not be easy.
Seventh Miss contemplated for a moment, then looked at Bailu.
“Does Nanny Liang have a habit of taking afternoon naps?” she asked Bailu.
Bailu froze, reflexively glancing at Seventh Miss.
Seventh Miss’s expression was calm, her face showing this was perfectly natural.
Bailu naturally replied, “Winter days are short, and my godmother never takes afternoon naps… Right now she’s probably resting in the side room, waiting for the Grand Madam to wake from her nap before going in to report matters.”
“Then please ask Nanny Liang to come over.” Seventh Miss instructed Bailu.
Bailu crisply acknowledged and left the room, slowly entering the small path leading to the main courtyard.
Seventh Miss was becoming increasingly decisive… and increasingly unrestrained with her.
Previously, Bailu had felt that she and Seventh Miss were less like mistress and servant and more like neighbors living under the same roof. Although Seventh Miss’s clothing, food, housing, and daily needs were all managed by her, she had never interfered with her activities.
Now, Seventh Miss was treating her as a proper maid… when speaking with her, gradually adopting a tone of command.
Bailu smiled slightly and quickened her pace, entering the main courtyard.
She was indeed a maid to begin with. Ever since entering the West Side Courtyard, her fortunes and misfortunes had been determined by Seventh Miss’s circumstances.
Given Seventh Miss’s way of conducting herself, in the future, there would be plenty of opportunities for her to benefit from following Seventh Miss!
#
Bailu soon brought Nanny Liang into the West Side Courtyard.
Nanny Liang was somewhat surprised.
Though Seventh Miss was courteous to her, she rarely came to her with personal requests.
Speaking of the two most favored nannies serving the Grand Madam, Seventh Miss was actually closer to Nanny Wang.
This was natural—their half-year of keeping house together through shared hardships had naturally brought them closer.
But over these past two years, through Bailu, Nanny Liang and the West Side Courtyard had maintained cordial relations and developed some rapport.
“Seventh Miss.” Nanny Liang smiled before speaking and moved to bow.
“Nanny Liang, please don’t stand on ceremony with me.” Seventh Miss also smiled while stepping forward to personally help Nanny Liang up. “I’ve interrupted your rest.”