The day for the Wen family visit arrived in the blink of an eye. Tong Mingyu had chosen a nearly new hibiscus pink dress for her daughter. The only detail was a vivid kitten embroidered on the front hem, fluttering around with butterflies. Xiao Yao's hair, already turning dark, was styled in a bun, with no accessories except two headbands. She wore a pair of pink embroidered shoes studded with pearls, looking delicate and graceful.
Tong Mingyu took her daughter's hand, looked her over carefully, and nodded with satisfaction. She just didn't know if Nanny Ruan would be satisfied with her clothes and appearance. Tong Mingyu wasn't bragging, but she had never seen a child in the homes of officials she knew who was more handsome than her own Ping'an.
Tong Mingyu's mood has been fluctuating these past few days, and she has been worried about everything. Although she listened to her husband and did not tell her daughter, she has been very upset. Sometimes she believes that her daughter will be accepted by Nanny Ruan and taught various skills; sometimes she feels that her daughter does not look gentle and quiet enough, and will not be the best candidate in the eyes of those older and experienced Nannies.
Tong Mingyu felt nervous and conflicted, and she had reason to believe that if there was no conclusion to this matter, she would go crazy.
The mother and daughter walked out of the gate hand in hand and got into the carriage waiting on the side. They were silent all the way. Tong Mingyu was thinking about her own things, and Xiao Yao thought this was just an ordinary visit.
Neither of them said anything and the other didn't ask any questions. For a moment, the carriage was silent. Not long after, the carriage arrived outside the Wen family's gate.
Xiying and Xiwei lifted the carriage curtain for their master. The moment Tong Mingyu got out of the car, her heart calmed down. It would be best if her daughter could catch the eye of Nanny Ruan. Even if she was not chosen, she would still be her unique treasure.
The housekeeper beside Madam Wen and Xiao Yao's eldest cousin Zhou, who had been waiting outside the door, hurried over to greet them.
"Meet Mrs. Xiao."
"Meet my aunt."
"Hurry up, we are all family, no need to be polite."
"Meet my cousin, hello, mom."
"Ping'an has become more and more beautiful. My cousin's wife is embarrassed to appear in front of you." As Zhou said this, her hands had already touched Xiao Yao's face. The little girl's skin was so good, smooth and tender, just like a freshly peeled boiled egg. It was so lovely that people couldn't let go of it. Every time they met, they couldn't help but touch it.
Xiao Yao sighed inwardly, but she had to put on a proper smile. She felt depressed no matter how she thought about it, as she had to act happy even when she was being molested.
I really don't know if my well-mannered cousin knows that his wife is a slut, the kind who doesn't even let go of children. Looking at my cousin's wife with green eyes, Xiao Yao can only be the lamb to be slaughtered.
There was a sedan chair parked at the hanging flower gate. Xiao Yao got on the sedan chair and admired the scenery of the great writer's mansion through the small window.
Whether it is the courtyard, corridor, rockery or ancient trees, they all exude a simple and elegant charm. Every couplet and plaque makes people feel as if they are in a sea of books and a forest of ink.
The old man of the Wen family used to be the Grand Tutor. The current head of the family, Wen Zhiqiao, is a great scholar with many students all over the world. His wife, Jiang, is the niece of Concubine Jiang in the palace, so she knew and had contact with Nanny Ruan.
When the group arrived at the upper room, it was already crowded. Madam Wen was about fifty years old, dignified and elegant. Beside her sat a woman in her forties, elegant in manner, her every smile and frown a picture. She was dressed in a plain brocade dress, a silver comb tucked diagonally into her hair. She was calm, serene, and a little aloof. She was Nanny Ruan, a highly sought-after maid in Kyoto, sought after by many officials' families.
Several daughters-in-law sat at the bottom, while the granddaughters-in-law stood behind their respective mothers-in-law, waiting for orders.
Tong Mingyu greeted Madam Wen first, then exchanged greetings with the other Madams. Afterwards, he looked at Xiao Yao calmly, thinking, "Safety depends on your performance."
Xiao Yao came to Madam Wen first with a smile on her face, bowed solemnly and said, "Ping'an pays respects to the grandmother of the Wen family."
Madam Wen smiled and glanced at Nanny Ruan, who was quietly drinking tea beside her without any change in expression. Without saying anything, she turned back and waved warmly to Xiao Yao, saying softly, "You heartless little girl, you haven't been here for a while. Even if you don't miss me as your grandmother, don't you miss your aunt too?"
"Yes! You and your aunt both miss you, so we came today." Xiao Yao smiled even brighter.
"You are so sweet-talking. Come here and let grandma see if you have put honey on it." Madam Wen also wanted to let Madam Ruan observe Xiao Yao closely.
"Our family is just missing a little girl of your age. Don't go back today. Stay with your grandmother and your aunt, okay?" Mrs. Wen took Xiao Yao's hand and looked at her carefully for a long time. She really couldn't find any obvious shortcomings. If there was one, it was that her hair was not thick enough. This shortcoming could be compensated for later.
"Mother-in-law, if we have such an idea, I'm afraid we have to ask not only General Xiao, but also Minister Tong. As far as I know, Uncle Tong has been waiting in line for a long time, but he still hasn't taken his granddaughter home to live alone!" The eldest daughter-in-law of the Wen family joked.
"Really? It seems like the little girl is quite popular. Tell your grandmother why you don't go live with your grandfather?"
"Because I can't bear to leave my grandparents, mother and father, I will often visit my grandparents during the day, and spend time with my grandfather, parents and mother at night."
"Mrs. Xiao, your daughter is really sensible." Mrs. Wen Er praised.
"I'm sorry to embarrass you, but this kid is really bold in saying anything when trying to coax others." What he does is even more beyond your imagination.
"Little girl, do you know why you came here today?" Nanny Ruan, who had been silent the entire time, stared at the little girl in front of her calmly. Even though she had seen countless people, she had to admit that this child was very outstanding.
Nanny Ruan had drifted through life in the palace for half her life, growing tired and weary. By chance, she was offered the opportunity to leave the palace. Unaware of her family's whereabouts and childless, she sought a mentor who caught her eye, hoping to live out the rest of her life in peace.
Since leaving the palace more than ten days ago, I have seen several children, but I am not very satisfied with any of them. The reason why I am sitting here today is, firstly, because of my relationship with the Wen family, and secondly, because I heard that the Xiao family's backyard is quiet.
Children from such families are often cheerful, kind, and pure-hearted. Having witnessed so much deception and intrigue, she truly didn't want to enter such a disgusting environment again. Before coming, she had made the decision to accept any child who seemed generally acceptable, to avoid the tedious and stressful process of choosing. If the noble ladies racking their brains to invite Nanny Ruan knew that this was her primary criterion for selecting a partner, how would they feel?
To Ruan Ma's surprise, not only did the Xiao family's conditions meet her requirements, but the child herself was also outstanding in appearance, with clear eyes, quick thinking, and a graceful demeanor. Since everything satisfied her, Ruan Ma dropped her composure and prepared to ask a few questions that concerned her to see how she would respond.
Xiao Yao had already seen the woman next to Madam Wen and liked her elegant temperament. However, since no one introduced her, apart from a brief greeting, the two of them did not have any communication.
"Ping'an is here to see Nanny Ruan." Madam Wen was not surprised at her old friend's reaction. If even Ping'an was not to her liking, then she really didn't know how long it would take her to find someone who suited her.
"Greetings, Aunt Ruan." Xiao Yao walked over obediently and bowed, with a respectful and natural expression on her face. She looked like a child who was just listening to the elders and coming to pay respects to the guests, without any other thoughts.
"In reply to Madam, Ping'an is here today to visit the Wen family's grandmother, all the aunts, uncles, and cousin's wife."
This nanny's question was very strange. Could it be that she had some other purpose? Xiao Yao looked at Madam Wen inquiringly, seeking an answer.
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