Chapter 9 Old Acquaintance

  Guimei ignored her, picked up the handkerchief and basin, and returned to Songshi, saying firmly: "You can deceive your slaves, but you can't even deceive yourself, can you? I know, you're not counting in your heart!"

  The voice fell, and the house became quiet.

  A strand of hair slipped into her collar, causing a slight itch. Xie Shu'ning clenched her teeth and endured it, afraid that if she moved even slightly, her true nature would be exposed.

  It was not until much later that she heard Gu Mama say in a soft voice, "I'm clumsy and can't speak well, my brain isn't very clever either, I won't be able to help you with many things. In my opinion, you should write a letter back to let Jiang Mama hurry up and go to the capital."

  "The journey between Kyoto and Yanling is long, the wet nurse is old and her body is not good, how can she withstand this bumpy ride." Song Shi said in a low voice, "However, if there is a wet nurse by my side, I will be more at ease."

  Xie Shu Ning held her breath and listened, but somehow couldn't recall which Jiang Niangniang they were talking about.

  In the dim light, a thin and stern woman's image seemed to flash in her mind, but when she tried to look more clearly, it was gone. The more she thought about it, the more she couldn't remember anything else. In her past life, after returning to the Xie family, she seemed to have never seen this Jiang nanny again. Now, from her mother's words, Jiang nanny was ill, so this time she didn't follow them to Beijing.

  All diseases will have their recovery day.

  In her previous life, why did she never enter the capital?

  Or was it something that blocked his way and prevented him from entering the Xie family?

  For a moment, Xie Shuning's mind was filled with thoughts racing back and forth.

  Just by listening to what Gu's mother and Song said, she could tell that Jiang was capable. In any case, Jiang should at least be someone who is well-versed in household matters. And such a person, the more the better at this time! The most important thing is that in her past life, Song ended up dying in despair. Now if there's someone like Jiang by her mother's side, things might have turned out completely differently.

  Thinking so, she had an idea.

  Just as I was about to open my eyes, it seemed like a commotion had erupted outside.

  Someone hastily came in, "Madam, we have too many things and there's not enough space to put everything. Sixth Master has sent a servant to ask you whether the remaining items should be placed elsewhere or simply moved into this Zhīlánzhāi."

  "Can't even find a place to settle down?" Song Shi blurted out in surprise.

  "It's not possible, this mansion has only prepared a sparrow-sized land, how can it be enough?" is a slightly shrill female voice.

  Xie Shu Ning almost burst out laughing at the words, and in front of her eyes appeared the Xie family members staring dumbfounded at Song Shi's dowry and luggage.

  In the eyes of the three old ladies and Madam Chen, Mother was originally just a merchant's daughter, whose status and knowledge were inferior to others. This trip to Beijing from afar, probably wouldn't have brought many pieces of luggage. Little did they know, what they saw now was only part of it.

  She remembered that her mother was afraid of the long journey and the inconvenience of bringing too many things, so she only brought a part of them. The rest were divided into two parts, and those that were not convenient to bring along were left in Yanling, taken care of by others. Her mother's dowry, as well as some antiques, paintings, and other items, were sent to the capital via a security company. Calculating the days, it should be arriving around these days.

  A treasure trove of a convoy, it's no wonder the Xie family would be tempted. Who doesn't love wealth, and those in power even more so.

  Up and down, socializing, where can't use silver? Also self-proclaimed as a noble family, everyone is busy reading books and doing official business, not good at household chores, those shops and houses, how much income can they have in a year?

  The usual expenses of flowing water, how can a few broken officials afford it? The income and expenditure are barely balanced.

  A group of swollen-faced bastards!

  Xie Shu'ning secretly despised him, and in her ear, she heard Song Shi say: "In that case, I'll go myself."

  This time when they entered the capital, they didn't bring many people with them, so there were even fewer people available to attend to Mother. When Xie Shu Ning quietly opened her eyes a crack, she saw that Gui Mama had sent in the big serving girl, Qi Wei, who was originally waiting on her in her room, and had gone out herself to follow Mother.

  In an instant, the house was empty.

  It wasn't until the voices of people outside her window had all died down that Xie Shu Ning finally opened her eyes wide and looked around the room she was in.

  The Chen family values their reputation and would never mistreat anyone in these mundane matters, so the decorations that should be in the house were all carefully selected and arranged. They also knew they were arriving today, so the stove had been lit early, and perhaps fearing that people from the south would feel cold, an extra brazier was added to the corner. At this moment, a warm air was constantly emanating from it, warming up the whole room.

  "Xiang Wei, sister." Xie Shuning leaned over and called out to Xiang Wei, who was sitting on the stool.

  "Ah, miss is awake." Camellia heard the sound and raised her head, a pleased and slightly annoyed face, smiling brightly, "Miss, are you thirsty? I'll pour you a cup of water?"

  Waking up on the heated kang, she had sweated again and was naturally thirsty. Xie Shu Ning nodded in agreement.

  Camellia quickly got up and walked hastily to a low table by the wall, picked up a colorful teapot and poured a cup of water. She placed the cup on the kang and carefully helped Xie Shu'ning sit up, with one hand supporting her back, just about to feed her the tea when suddenly the curtain at the door was lifted and a woman with a long face came in, her voice clear: "Miss Eighth has woken up, I'm afraid I've come too late."

  "Mom Li!" Xie Shuning looked over and let out a low cry of surprise once she saw who it was.

  The woman with a long face saw her mouth moving and hurriedly walked closer, saying: "What did Eighth Miss say?"

  Xie Shu Ning was startled, and then secretly let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she had been far away just now, and she hadn't shouted loudly, so the newcomer hadn't heard her words clearly. She shook her head, turned around to signal to Qiang Wei to bring tea cups, but didn't notice that Qiang Wei was looking at her with a puzzled face.

  "Water!" Xie Shu Ning lowered her eyes and deliberately puffed out her cheeks, saying in a swollen tone.

  Camellia hurriedly went to fetch tea cups, but was preempted by a woman with a long face.

  "Miss Ba, drink slowly." With one hand holding the tea cup, she smiled at Xie Shu Ning and said, "Did Miss Ba sleep well? It was chaotic earlier, Sixth Master and Madame are busy now, so Madame sent me to take care of you. You can call me Li Mama."

  Hua Xi, Xie Shu Ning's face didn't change, but beside her, Qiang Wei suddenly turned pale. Fortunately, Li Mama, who was busy feeding water to Xie Shu Ning, didn't notice.

  Xie Shu Ning swallowed the warm white water in small mouthfuls until she finished a cup, then tilted her head to look at Li Mama with a smile and said: "Li Mama? But I already have Gui Mama taking care of me!"

  Mrs. Li's smile faltered, "Madam Gui followed Eighth Miss from Jiangnan and is not familiar with life in the capital, so she had to send a servant girl."

  She is not a member of the Song family.

  Xie Shu Ning knew that the "wife" in her mouth referred to Chen Shi, and a meaningful smile flashed across her chubby little face. She said softly: "Oh, I see." After finishing speaking, without waiting for Li's mother to react, she immediately asked again: "Then what can you do?"