Chapter 5: Preparation

Two days passed quickly. The Nanny came over to deliver the account books. After Yun Yi carefully examined them, she realized that the original owner’s maternal family was truly generous; judging by the items registered in these books, they had indeed doted on their daughter.

They were all top-tier items, and this didn't even include the shops and manors the mother had sold off half a year ago. It was no wonder so many people were coveting them. Hearing the wet nurse talk about it, it had truly been a scene of "ten miles of red dowry" and boundless splendor.

After finishing the account books, Yun Yi asked softly, "Nanny, where are our people from the previous shops and manors? How did Mother arrange for those stewards?"

"Little Miss, the stewards, manor heads, and their families who came from the Duke of Wu’s mansion have all returned there. However, the few families that the Mistress helped after she married into this house have all stayed behind.

"Originally, the Mistress’s intention was to let them choose: either follow the Duke’s mansion stewards back to the Duke’s mansion, or be granted their freedom to try and make a living on their own. But none of them were willing.

"The Mistress had specifically cultivated these families, and each could handle matters on their own. When she saw they truly didn't want to leave, she asked if they were willing to follow you, Little Miss, and pledge their loyalty to you in the future. They all agreed."

The Nanny paused for a moment before continuing, "So, the Mistress had me secretly purchase a sizable manor on the outskirts of the capital under your name, Little Miss. It’s just a pity that time was so tight; all the better manors near the capital are private villas of wealthy families and no one would sell them.

"I could only choose a manor a bit further away. The land is quite large, though one-third of it is forest and hills. The scenery is quite nice, and it’s a good place to escape the summer heat.

"The Mistress had me settle those families on the manor. She instructed me that, aside from you, Little Miss, not even the Duke’s mansion was to know about this." Sighing, she looked at Yun Yi’s expression and thought of her poor Mistress.

The Mistress had been raised in the lap of luxury, protected by the Old Madam of the Duke of Wu’s mansion in all things. When had she ever had to worry about such matters? This was the final trump card the Mistress had left for her daughter.

The Second Master would eventually remarry. The Mistress feared that the Little Miss would have a hard life in the future, and that she wouldn't even have a single capable person by her side. Truly, a mother’s heart is always full of pity.

Yun Yi thought for a moment and asked, "Nanny, how many people are at the manor now? Are they all our own people?"

"There are four families living on the manor now. The others are the original tenant farmers, who all live in a village not far from the manor," the Nanny replied, then took out a small box and handed it over.

Yun Yi took the box and opened it to find a letter, the land deed for the manor, and the indentures of those four families. She looked them over; the manor was indeed not small.

The forest and hills alone covered over three hundred mu, essentially a small hill. There were five hundred and eighty mu of land, most of which was medium-to-high grade—considered good farmland. Five hundred mu of that had been leased out.

The remaining eighty mu were farmed by those four families. The lease contracts were all inside. With a heavy heart, she opened the letter.

The letter was mostly filled with her mother’s reluctance to part with her daughter and her instructions. She repeatedly urged her that if she ever encountered a problem she couldn't solve, she must return to the Duke of Wu’s mansion to report it. She also said that no one but the Nanny knew about the manor, and that she should keep it to herself as a retreat in case of emergency.

Finally, she urged her that if she ever had the ability, she should not forget to search for her younger brother. If one day he was found, she should remember to light a stick of incense for her and send word.

After reading the letter, Yun Yi’s eyes turned red. When she took over the original owner’s body, her mother had already passed. While she had inherited the original owner’s memories, she hadn't experienced it firsthand, so the emotional connection was different.

But upon seeing this letter, whether it was the original owner’s lingering spirit or her own heart being moved by a mother’s love, she felt a sour ache in her chest, and her mood plummeted.

A quarter of an hour later, Yun Yi composed herself and asked, "Nanny, how did Mother arrange for you? Are you to return to the Duke’s mansion?"

"The Mistress told me to guard you, Little Miss, to guard the dowry she left for you, and to take good care of you. I must also wait for the Young Master to return, serve him, and watch you get married, Little Miss.

"I must guard the only two pieces of flesh and blood the Mistress left in this world," the Nanny said with sorrow, yet a firm expression.

"Nanny, I have something for you to do. Tomorrow, take the indentures of Lingxue, Lingyu, Lingshuang, and Linglu—the five of you—to the government office to have your slave status removed. I will have them pack their things and meet you at the city gate. Do as I say."

Thinking of something, she added, "Those four are not young anymore. When you get to the manor, see if there is anyone among those four families they fancy.

"If there is, let them start a family. It will be easier to get things done if they are all at the manor." Yun Yi smiled at the Nanny’s complex and conflicted expression.

She told the Nanny everything she knew and could share, including her general plans. Only then did the Nanny’s tense heart relax, but she then asked, "Little Miss, if we all leave, what will happen to the Mistress’s dowry? I expect there won't even be crumbs left by the time you return. If that happens, how will I face the Mistress in the afterlife?"

"Nanny, take the four of them to the manor tomorrow. Once they are settled, come back the day after. Before I leave, I will hand over the keys to Mother’s storehouse to whoever wants them.

"However, I need you to return and conduct a formal inventory with them. I will have them sign documents. They certainly won't suspect anything, thinking I’m just a child and it’s uncertain if I’ll even be able to return."

"Rest assured, I won't let them have an easy time. I will make sure they lose more than they gain. If anyone in the mansion asks about Lingxue and the others, just say they reached the right age, and my mother had previously promised them marriages. After the hundredth day of mourning for my mother, I let them go. Tomorrow, once you’ve handled the household registration, it’s best to change your appearances before leaving the city so no one recognizes you," Yun Yi instructed.

"Right, Nanny, draw me a map of the manor’s location. I will go see the place tomorrow night and meet the people there. Leaving the capital is a matter of these next few days. Once things are arranged, we might not be able to return for a long time, so it is better to be prepared."

After giving these instructions, the Nanny went out to handle the tasks. Yun Yi called the four maids in and explained the ins and outs of the situation to them.

Looking at the four, she said, "Doing this is to protect you. If you don't find anyone you fancy at the manor, it doesn't matter; you can look slowly. If you have other thoughts, you can bring them up before the lights go out. For the sake of our time as mistress and servants, I will grant your wishes."

After dismissing them, Yun Yi had them spread the word that she could sit up for a while and would be able to get out of bed in a few days. Yun Yi had made up her mind: since she had decided to leave, she would not drag things out.

***

**Qingfeng Courtyard, Heir’s Residence**

The Heir’s wife, Madam Feng, was sitting in the front hall, sipping tea just brewed by a maid, thinking about the mansion’s affairs. Suddenly, she thought of something, gestured for the maid beside her to come over, and said, "Go call the wet nurse."

The little maid respectfully replied, "Yes, Madam, this servant will go at once." She then hurried out of the main hall.

Before long, the wet nurse followed the little maid to the hall. Upon entering, she said respectfully, "This old servant greets the Heir’s wife. Does Madam have instructions for me?" She was old now and should have returned to her hometown to enjoy her twilight years.

However, she had no relatives left, so the Heir’s wife, out of years of affection, let her stay in the Marquis’s mansion to keep her company.

She would be taken care of for the rest of her life. Thus, she had stayed, doing no work, mostly just keeping the Madam company.

Madam Feng took a light sip of tea before saying slowly, "Word came from Zhudi Residence this morning that the Third Miss has recovered. Why don't you go and visit her on my behalf?" She smiled as she looked at Nanny Zhang.

Nanny Zhang replied respectfully, "Very well, this servant will go at once. I will certainly convey your care, Madam, and properly visit the Third Miss." Though she said this, the meaning in her eyes was quite different.

Madam Feng said, "Take a few of the trinkets rewarded by the palace the other day. While you're at it, drop a hint about Qingliang Mountain.

"Don't let the other courtyards in the mansion think we are bullying the Third Miss; just say this is the Old Madam’s intention." The calculating light in her eyes could not be hidden. She waved her hand, dismissing Nanny Zhang.

Madam Feng was still deep in thought when her youngest daughter, Yun Yu, came running in, crying. Before she even reached her, she said, "Mother, you must seek justice for me!" Her tears fell as if they were worthless.

Madam Feng felt a mix of heartache and annoyance. This youngest daughter had been pampered since childhood, truly living up to the saying that daughters are made of water.

She had been like this since she was small—whenever she was angry or displeased, the tears would flow. She didn't know what was wrong this time. In truth, she was a bit tired of her daughter crying at every turn, but what could she do?

Frowning slightly, she said, "What is it? What has made Yu'er so sad? Come, tell Mother." She gently pulled her daughter to sit on the chair beside her.

Seeing her daughter only crying and not speaking, she looked up at Yun Yu’s personal maid and said, "You tell me, what is wrong with the Second Miss?" The malice in her eyes could not be ignored by anyone.

The little maid knelt down nervously and said, "Replying to the Heir’s wife, yesterday morning, the Miss was invited to attend the flower-viewing banquet hosted by Princess Zijin at the Grand Princess’s mansion.

"Because many of the Second Miss’s friends and close companions were there, she played happily and lost track of time. It was quite late when she returned to the mansion. The Second Miss had walked a lot yesterday, so after soaking her feet, she went to sleep.

"But this morning, while dressing, she discovered that all the jewelry on her vanity, except for what she wore yesterday, had vanished. We searched the entire room and found nothing.

"Moreover, the pocket money and private savings the Second Miss had accumulated were all gone, as were the gifts she had received for her birthdays and festivals over the years. Please, Heir’s wife, you must seek justice for our Second Miss."

"What? Who is so bold as to steal in the Marquis’s mansion? Wenlan, take some people to find the steward and have him investigate this matter thoroughly. I want to see who is tired of living and dares to steal in the Marquis’s mansion." After speaking, she looked at her second daughter, who was crying endlessly, feeling utterly helpless.

Since such a big thing had happened, she couldn't scold her, so she had to coax her patiently: "Don't worry, Mother has already sent the steward to investigate. I believe there will be news soon.

"Mother will certainly seek justice for you. Alright, stop crying, or you'll become ugly." As she spoke, she patted her daughter’s back. After all, she was the child she had carried for ten months; how could she not love her?