Chapter 14: Thin Maternal Affection

Though her features were not particularly striking, her simple, pale green attire could not hide her dignified bearing.

Even a young lady raised in a prestigious household from birth would be no different, yet this woman had been cast into the countryside for over a decade, having never once received guidance from a governess or tutor.

How could this be so strange...

Nanny Zhao could not fathom it, but she did not pause her steps, leading Yu Linlang and the others to the entrance of Yuchun Court.

"Please wait here for a moment, Miss."

Nanny Zhao turned and gave a meaningful glance to a young maid standing at the door. "Go inside and announce that Miss Yu has arrived."

Having said that, she turned back to look at Yu Linlang. Seeing that her expression was calm and devoid of displeasure, Nanny Zhao couldn't help but feel curious.

An ordinary girl, having been abandoned by her family for so many years and finally returning home, could not possibly remain so unruffled no matter how much she pretended.

This appearance—devoid of sorrow, joy, resentment, or anger—made one feel as though something was missing.

Nanny Zhao had an indescribable feeling.

After standing silently outside the gates for a moment, the little maid hurried out, glanced at Yu Linlang, and said with a smile, "Nanny Zhao, the Madam said she is a bit tired today. Since it is getting late, she requested that Miss Yu return to her own courtyard to rest well, and that they discuss matters tomorrow."

Nanny Zhao shifted her gaze back to Yu Linlang. Seeing that her expression remained calm, she couldn't help but mutter to herself.

If it were anyone else, having been abandoned by their parents for years only to be treated with such estrangement by their biological mother, they would surely have broken down in tears by now.

But this Miss Yu’s heart seemed as still as a lake without a single ripple; her expression was indescribably normal!

She did not seem surprised by her biological mother's coldness. Turning to Nanny Hu, she said, "Lead the way."

Nanny Hu had been peeking sideways to watch the drama. Seeing Yu Linlang's gaze approach, she quickly straightened her expression and pulled at the corners of her mouth. "Yes."

Seeing this, Nanny Zhao hurried forward to escort her out of the courtyard, smiling to smooth things over. "Actually, the Madam has been mentioning you constantly these past two days; she just didn't want you to be delayed on the road and arrive so late. As the mistress of the household, she is quite exhausted after a full day's work and likely does not wish to receive Miss Yu in a state of fatigue."

"Please do not take it to heart. You have endured wind and sun on your journey and are weary from travel. Rest and wash up well today, and the Madam will certainly summon you tomorrow for a mother-daughter reunion."

"Mhm." Yu Linlang nodded faintly. "You may stop here, Nanny."

As the group walked toward the corridor entrance, a scent of rouge and powder wafted toward them.

A group of chirping young maids was surrounding a beautiful girl with bright eyes and white teeth, walking toward the entrance of Yuchun Court.

The girl wore her hair in double-ring buns and was dressed in a wide, water-red robe and skirt.

The embroidery on her clothes was exquisite; the peonies and emerald bamboo on the hem were lifelike. As she walked, the hem swayed gently, casting a brilliant red shadow in the glow of the setting sun.

Upon seeing each other, Nanny Zhao, Nanny Hu, and the others all put on smiles and stepped forward to greet her warmly. "Oh, Miss has arrived!"

"The Madam thought Miss might not come. Quick, quick, invite Miss inside."

"The tutor kept me in the lecture hall today, so I arrived late. Mother hasn't rested yet, has she?" the girl in the red skirt asked, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.

"No, no, our Miss is the most filial; you visit every morning and evening without fail. The Madam will certainly be waiting for you."

The girl in the red skirt smiled and walked to Nanny Zhao's side, following her inside.

As she passed Yu Linlang, she cast a brief, sidelong glance at her with a slight arch of her brow, then continued walking away with the nanny, smiling.

"Nanny, who is that?"

"Oh, that is Miss Linlang, who just returned today."

"Oh~ so it's her." The girl's voice rose slightly, carrying an indescribable hint of mockery.

Jiujin clenched his stiffened fists, thinking to himself, *What a piece of work,* and turned to throw a harsh glare at the retreating group.

Nanny Hu stole a glance at Yu Linlang's expression. Seeing that the plain face still wore a look of indifference, she felt a sudden sense of boredom.

Seeing that Yu Linlang had not spoken for a long time, Nanny Hu couldn't help but speak first. "That person just now is our manor's most outstanding Miss, Yu Pianpian. She has been raised in luxury under the Madam's care since childhood and is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

"Currently, Miss Pianpian studies at the Weizhou branch of the famous Shuyun Women's Academy in the capital, and she achieves top marks every year."

"With Miss Pianpian's talent, beauty, and knowledge, she would be among the best even in the capital."

As Nanny Hu rambled on, her small eyes darted incessantly toward Yu Linlang.

However, she was soon disappointed.

This Miss Yu was truly composed.

An ordinary person, upon first meeting the girl who had usurped their status and identity, might not be consumed by jealousy to the point of tearing her apart on the spot, but they should at least show some emotion.

Yet, Miss Yu showed no emotional fluctuation at all, like... an emotionless stone statue, as if nothing could stir her heart.

Speaking of which, it had been a mistake of fate that Miss Pianpian had been mistakenly brought into the manor years ago.

Unexpectedly, the Madam had grown fond of her through raising her. Even after learning that Miss Pianpian was not her biological daughter, she simply decided to let the mistake stand.

This was perhaps what they called a predestined bond between mother and daughter. It was unlike this Miss Linlang, who was born with a thin connection to the Madam; no matter what, they could never get along.

"Is the courtyard here yet?" Jiujin asked with a dark face. "How much longer?"

Nanny Hu's heart skipped a beat, fearing the brat would raise his fists to beat her again. She hurriedly said, "It's just ahead."

"Follow me to the front courtyard in a moment. Call more servants to move all my lady's potted plants to her new residence."

Nanny Hu couldn't help but curl her lip at that. "I'm afraid there isn't enough space for all those flowers and plants."

Jiujin had endured enough nonsense on the way. Unable to restrain himself, he stepped forward and landed a punch on the old woman's head. "If there's no space, I'll feed them to you!"

Nanny Hu let out a startled cry, clutching her head and shrinking back. "Well, I was only telling the truth! Look, look, it's right ahead, that courtyard."

"Our manor isn't large to begin with. Previously, the Eldest Miss and Second Miss had to squeeze into Yulan Court together. Later, the Madam felt bad for the Second Miss, Pianpian, and allocated more than half of the west side of the garden to her for new buildings."

"Now, Miss Yu's room is the original east wing where Miss Pianpian used to live."

"How much can you fit in such a tiny courtyard?"

"Stop babbling! Just move them!" Jiujin glared at her and stepped forward to assist his lady into Yulan Court.

It was indeed an extremely small courtyard. A corridor connected the east and west wings, with a tiny courtyard in the middle containing a stone table and three stone stools.

This place was originally intended to be the manor's study, but because the Prefect's residence was crowded, almost every room was packed with people.

For those like the unfavored concubines, they likely didn't even have a private courtyard like this to live in.

As the master and servant pushed open the door to the east wing, both of them couldn't help but frown.