Capítulo 81: Chapter 38: Traveling_2

This night, Yueyao lay in bed unable to sleep and got up to put on her clothes. Nanny Deng was startled awake immediately and came over to ask, "Miss, what's wrong?"

Yueyao smiled and said, "Nothing, I just can't sleep."

Nanny Deng was unaware of the worries in Yueyao's heart and reassured her, "Don't worry, Miss. The Lady family might harbor impure thoughts. As long as we are vigilant, there will be no trouble."

Yueyao forced a smile but said nothing more. Having experienced a previous life, she knew that the truly untrustworthy one was not the Lady family, but her granduncle. So much had happened in the past life, she did not believe the granduncle was ignorant of it all. The real decision-maker of the Lian family was the granduncle, not the Lady family. Thus, the Lady family who appeared upfront was not to be feared, but rather the granduncle scheming behind the scenes.

If everything went smoothly tomorrow, she thought, in reality, it would not change anything. Her uncle could be relied upon now, but if something happened to him, what would she do then? Therefore, she had to seek a powerful external alliance. However, such an alliance was not so easily found.

The family was above all else; even if the family asked you to die, you could not frown. If she were to break away from the Lian family, she might not find a foothold in Capital City. Society was just that cruel and heartless.

After Nanny Deng's words of comfort, Yueyao returned to bed. She lay there silently reciting scriptural texts, and after who knows how many recitations of the Heart Sutra, Yueyao finally calmed down and fell asleep.

The next day, Yueyao was getting ready with the help of Hua Lei. Nanny Deng brought over a Veil Cap, and Yueyao looked at the veil's white gauze hanging down, capable of covering even her hands.

The Money Shop was a place with all sorts of people coming and going. To Nanny Deng, such an item was essential. Seeing the Veil Cap, Yueyao couldn't help but think of her previous life. She had traveled thousands of miles back to Capital City. At that time, why did she need a Veil Cap: "Nanny, I'm only eight years old now; why would I need to wear this?" Typically, it was grown women who wore this. She was still so young; there was no need for her to take such precautions.

Nanny Deng had her own concerns, "Miss, if the Old Madam finds out the Uncle Master took you to the Money Shop without even wearing a Veil Cap, it might be difficult to stay in the mansion next time." It was always beneficial to stay for a few days at Ma's Mansion. At the very least, it showed the Lady family that the miss had support, and she could act without much apprehension.

Yueyao thought for a moment and nodded. After she was fully prepared, she said to Brother Zheng, "Brother, I have to go out with uncle today to take care of some business. Be good and stay in the yard until I return, okay?"

After spending some time together, Brother Zheng was no longer as anxious as before. Hearing Yueyao say she had matters to attend to, "I will wait for sister to come back."

Yueyao was still very pleased with Brother Zheng's well-behaved and understanding nature. Even if he did not grow up to become a great talent, just remaining quietly and guarding the family fortune was an achievement.

Yueyao had breakfast in Begonia Garden and then went to pay respects to Lady Cheng in the Upper Chamber. Just as she had greeted Lady Cheng, an Attendant announced that Ma Chengteng was waiting in the front courtyard.

Lady Cheng looked at Yueyao with suspicion. This preparation, it seemed she was about to go out. Lady Cheng was not aware that Ma Chengteng was planning to take Yueyao out today.

Yueyao, smiling, said, "I want to find a character primer to practice writing, but I have been unable to find one to my satisfaction. Uncle said he was going to the bookstore today to exchange some items. It would be perfect to take me with him; maybe I can find one to my liking there."

Lady Cheng, born into a newly-rich family, had a grandfather who was a butcher and a father who was a farmer; only her father began to prosper, and her mother was a merchant's daughter. Due to her family environment, Lady Cheng believed that it was enough for a girl to recognize a few characters; learning more was useless. Being able to understand the accounts was sufficient. Her mindset resulted in Ma Linlin also being much more carefree. Naturally, she frowned and said, "A girl should just recognize a few characters. There's no point in being literate but blind. Why search for a character primer?"

In that era, it was generally fathers who taught their sons, and mothers who taught their daughters. Thus, Linlin's handwriting was so bad it was unbearable to witness, yet no one bothered to correct it.

Yueyao said with a smile, "Aunt, you misunderstand. It's not for me to seek, but for Brother Zheng." Yueyao knew that Lady Cheng believed that a woman's lack of talent was a virtue. However, in the scholarly Lian family, if a girl from their household only knew a few characters, it would be a disgrace. In the Lian family, apart from Yuehuan who was a special case, which girl didn't start reading and recognizing characters from the age of three? But as they did not need to participate in the imperial examinations, the requirements weren't excessive. Yet, producing a talented lady would be an affirmation for the clan.

Nanny Deng felt both contempt and a sigh. She had once thought the aunt narrow-minded, but now she seemed downright short-sighted. If the daughters born of a concubine knew but a few characters, that might be excusable. But if the legitimate daughters knew the same, it would surely be the subject of ridicule. Ah, how did they choose such a vulgar woman to be the stepmother... If Nanny Deng knew Ma Linlin also recognized only a few characters, she would probably faint.

Upon reaching the front courtyard, Yueyao saw her Uncle Master wearing a bamboo-green silk shirt with his hair tied neatly under a net cap, exuding an air of refined elegance. Yueyao called out with a beaming smile, "Uncle Master."

Upon seeing Yueyao in a moon-white coarse cotton dress covered by a pale blue robe and wearing a lake-blue pleated skirt, with just a string of floating cloud 'hundred blessings' beads at her waist, Ma Chengteng nodded his head in satisfaction at her simple elegance that hinted at tranquility.

When she got on the carriage, Yueyao noticed a small table in the middle with tea and several plates of refreshments. Around it were arranged tables and chairs. The four walls were covered with green silk, and a small window was opened on the right, with grey-green curtains hanging outside.

Yueyao felt at ease looking around; the carriage must have been temporarily arranged with consideration for her mourning status. Otherwise, it would fall short of the extravagance of Ma's Mansion.

After traveling for half an hour, the outside began to bustle. Yueyao heard the cries of vendors and guessed they were probably at the center of the market. She asked Nanny Deng to lift the curtains. Seeing Nanny Deng's objection, Yueyao smiled and said, "I'm only eight years old this year. If you're worried, I'll put on my veil cap."

Nanny Deng strongly opposed. At eight, one was already aware of social proprieties. It must not be allowed for house servants to gossip back at the estate.

However, Yueyao insisted and lifted the curtain herself, gazing at the scenery outside. At that moment, a young man riding in a carriage passed by. Yueyao was just drawing back the curtains when, unexpectedly, the young rider's eyes met hers.

Their gazes locked for three seconds. Yueyao waited until the young man turned around and rode away before coming back to her senses. She also thought about the young man's icy stare and felt a twinge of fear. Who was he? Why did such a young boy have eyes that seemed filled with such deep sorrow and resentment?

Nanny Deng nudged Yueyao, "Miss, what's wrong?"

Yueyao shook her head, "It's nothing."

Unknown to Yueyao, after taking a few steps forward, the young man couldn't help but look back over his shoulder at the carriage where Yueyao sat.

The young servant beside the boy asked, "Young Master, what are you looking at?"

The young man replied coldly, "I'm not looking at anything. We'll return to the villa before dark." Not back to the villa, but staying in the residence and facing that bunch of hypocritical and vicious women would indeed be sickening.

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