Chapter 10 Entering the Mansion 4

The two walked silently when suddenly Granny Wu clutched her stomach and said to Yu Qingci with a pained expression, "Third Miss, this old servant is suddenly feeling unwell and needs to go to the toilet. I'm so sorry to wait here for this old servant for a while, Third Miss. I'll be right back."

Without waiting for Yu Qingci's reply, he left in a flash.

Yu Qingci stared coldly at Wu Mama's retreating figure with a blank expression, while Tong'er muttered unhappily, "It seems the servants in this Earl's mansion aren't very well-behaved either; even leading the way can cause so much trouble."

Yu Qingci didn't speak, but her hands, hidden under her sleeves, were clenched tightly into a fist.

Before the two could say anything more, they heard footsteps behind them. The two turned around and saw a young man dressed in satin cotton robes walking towards them.

Although she already knew that what was coming would eventually come, Yu Qingci's pupils still contracted sharply upon seeing this person, and her expression turned extremely cold.

The person who came was none other than her husband from her previous life, Qiao Yuantao.

That was how it was in her previous life, except that the person leading the way was another old woman by Qiao's side. That old woman also made an excuse to slip away halfway and then arranged for her and Qiao Yuantao to "bump into" each other on the way.

This place is quite secluded; apart from the two of them, the mistress and servant, and Qiao Yuantao, there was no one else around. They really knew how to choose a location.

However, Yu Qingci knew that this chance encounter was just a plausible excuse for what was to come, and the main event was still tonight, so Qiao Yuantao wouldn't do anything to them right now.

Thinking of this, she steadied herself, took a few steps back, turned away, and refused to look at Qiao Yuantao again.

At this point, she didn't know this man, so she simply treated him as a stranger and ignored him.

Tong'er, looking wary, stood in front of her mistress, trying her best to prevent the newcomer from seeing her, hoping the person would pass by quickly.

To everyone's surprise, Qiao Yuantao stopped in front of the two of them, first bowing politely with his hands clasped, and then asked, "Is this the third young lady of the eldest branch who has just returned to the manor?"

Tong'er stared wide-eyed at Qiao Yuantao, wondering how he knew.

Qiao Yuantao seemed to see through Tong'er's thoughts, and with a well-timed smile, he continued, "I am Qiao Yuantao, the nephew of the Lady of Nanping. I have come to visit my aunt today. My aunt said that my uncle was going to bring a cousin who is as beautiful as a fairy back to the mansion to meet his relatives. Now that I see that you have an extraordinary temperament and are unfamiliar with the girl, I think that must be it."

Hearing his words, Tong'er's wary expression softened. She turned to look at her mistress with a questioning gaze, but seeing that her mistress still had a cold and aloof expression, she understood. She then curtsied to Qiao Yuantao and said, "Greetings, Young Master. My mistress is tired from her journey and is about to go back to rest. Please go ahead, Young Master."

Qiao Yuantao was in no hurry to leave and asked again, "Why are you here alone, young lady? Are you lost and don't know which way to go? Although I am just a guest, I am quite familiar with the Nanping Marquis's residence. Why don't you tell me and I will show you the way?"

Yu Qingci had no choice but to say, "No need, please go ahead, young master."

Despite her cold voice, Qiao Yuantao showed no sign of backing down and continued to make conversation.

He could only see half of Tong'er's figure behind her, but even that glimpse made him unwilling to look away, as if he wanted to see through Tong'er to get a better look at the person in front of him.

Yu Qingci knew that Granny Wu should not have gone far and should be nearby, so she said to Tong'er, "Tong'er, since Granny Wu has something to do, let's go find her ourselves."

As they were talking, the master and servant stopped paying attention to Qiao Yuantao and were about to leave when they heard Wu Mama's voice coming from the moon gate.

"Third Miss, this old servant is back. I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

As she approached, she said apologetically to Qiao Yuantao, "I have neglected you today, young master. My wife was quite busy and could not spend much time with you."

Qiao Yuantao politely replied that it was no problem.

Granny Wu glanced at Yu Qingci and introduced her to Qiao Yuantao: "Young Master, this is the third daughter that our Lord brought back from outside today. She is also the Lord's biological daughter. Her name is Qingci. She will be added to the family genealogy in a few days. From now on, she and Young Master will be cousins."

Qiao Yuantao's voice became even gentler: "I guessed it was my third cousin earlier. Now that I've officially met her, I hope she is well."

After saying that, he performed another standard gentlemanly gesture.

In front of Granny Wu, Yu Qingci could not lose her composure, so she turned slightly around, curtsied, but still kept her head down and did not say a word.

Qiao Yuantao and Granny Wu exchanged a few more words before taking their leave.

As Wu Mama watched Qiao Yuantao's retreating figure, she smiled and said, "Young Master Qiao is a scholar with a degree in the imperial examinations. He is currently studying under a renowned teacher in the capital and will participate in the autumn examinations next year. With his talent, he is sure to pass the provincial examinations and become a Juren. His future is limitless."

Yu Qingci smiled faintly and said, "It's getting late, please continue to lead the way, Granny."

Seeing that she didn't respond to what she had just said, Granny Wu secretly curled her lip and led the way without saying anything more.

"Granny Wu, it seems we've been here before."

As they passed through another moon gate, Yu Qingci kindly reminded Granny Wu in front of them.

Granny Wu stopped and looked around, her face showing some unease. She chuckled and said, "Is that so? This old servant doesn't remember. I was happy to meet the Third Miss for the first time, and I just wanted to tell her to familiarize herself with the various courtyards of the Marquis's mansion so that she wouldn't get lost on her first visit."

Perhaps she was tired from walking, because Granny Wu was clearly out of breath when she spoke. Although she was a servant, as Qiao's capable assistant, she lived a life served by maids and rarely had such a hard time.

Yu Qingci said gratefully to Granny Wu, "Thank you for your consideration, Granny Wu. However, if we pass by those courtyards again, Granny Wu, please give me some directions so I can remember them more clearly."

Granny Wu's face stiffened, then she gave a dry laugh and continued leading the way.

This time, we arrived at our destination very quickly.

Standing at the entrance of the Wisteria Garden, Yu Qingci looked up at the three large characters painted in gold on a black background above the gate. This was the courtyard that her father had personally chosen for her. It was not far from the main courtyards in front of her. The houses inside were neat and grand, and the layout of the buildings was well-arranged. It was in no way inferior to the courtyards of the Yu Qingyan and Yu Qingying sisters.

Granny Wu gathered all the servants in the courtyard together to acknowledge their master.

There weren't many servants assigned to the Wisteria Courtyard. There was a head maid, personally appointed by the Earl of Nanping, a senior maid named Siqin, who was originally a second-class maid by Qiao's side, and four rough maids and four old women.

Including Tong'er, who was brought by Yu Qingci herself, that's about all there are.

Most of these servants were assigned by Madam Qiao, probably because she was planning to marry off her daughter soon and wouldn't stay at home for long. Therefore, the number of servants assigned by her was nearly half that of the servants in her two daughters' courtyards.

Yu Qingci understood Qiao's plan. She wasn't afraid that the servants would disobey her. Before things turned sour, these maids and old women were still useful, at least they served her quite well.