This day could only be described as thrilling. After returning to Yaoyuan Building and changing clothes, Xiao Yao planned to go out again.
"Sister, where are you going?" Xiao Yuan originally wanted to take a fragrant milk bath with her sister! It seems that there is no hope today.
"I'll be back soon. You can play by yourself for a while." After saying that, he left without stopping.
"Knock, knock, knock." There was a knock on Nanny Ruan's door.
Nanny Ruan, who was sitting on the couch beside the bed reading a book, curled her lips and smiled. This child was indeed insightful and did not disappoint her.
"Come in." A soft and shallow voice sounded.
"Mammy, I'm here to apologize for what happened today."
"Does today's incident have anything to do with me?" Nanny Ruan looked at Xiao Yao and asked calmly.
"Ever since the day you began teaching me, we've been closely connected in the eyes of outsiders. When people mention you, they think of me as your disciple, and when they talk about me, they naturally say you're my master. If bad news gets out about what happened today, your reputation will surely suffer because of me, so I must apologize."
"Why do you still do this when you know it will implicate me, your master?"
"There really was no better way at the time. Of all the people, I was the only one who could stand up and prevent the Xiao family from being blamed."
"I understand your feelings, but I don't agree with the methods you used. Since you are only thinking about your family, let's forget about what happened today. But you must promise me that there will never be a next time.
My reputation as Madam Ruan has been built through decades of hard work. I won't allow anyone to destroy it, even if it's someone I favor the most. Do you understand? "
"I understand. I'm sorry, Master." For several months of getting along, Xiao Yao had always addressed her as "Nanny", but today she suddenly changed her address and called her "Master". The word "Master" invisibly brought the two closer together and confirmed Nanny Ruan's position in Xiao Yao's heart.
"You kid." She really has a smart mind. She always knows how to avoid punishment without leaving any trace.
"Ping'an, since you call me master, I hope you will listen carefully to some of my words. Reputation is as important to a woman as life. You must not only know its importance, but also carefully cherish and protect it." The little apprentice is still too young, so this is all I can say for now.
"I understand. Just like what happened to Miss Yu today, not only did she ruin her own reputation, she also brought trouble to her parents and family. We can't just think about ourselves when we live. We must protect the reputation of our parents, siblings, and family."
"I'm glad you think that way," Nanny Ruan said with relief, her hands unconsciously caressing Xiao Yao's face. "How rare! It's truly rare. Beautiful women are often proud, their eyes too high. But this child hasn't let her beauty blind her. Instead, she sees clearly, sees through things. With such insight, how could her future be anything but good?"
Tong Mingyu, who was standing outside the door, heard her daughter's words and smiled as she quietly signaled the maids to leave. After looking at the door again, she turned around and tiptoed back to Yayuan.
"It's getting late, you should go back and rest."
"Then Master, you should rest early. Don't read after dark."
"Okay, I understand."
"Disciple is leaving." Xiao Yao called out mischievously, turned around and disappeared.
"Naughty little girl." Nanny Ruan smiled and shook her head, muttering to herself.
As soon as Xiao Yao stepped into her room, she was bumped into by Xiao Yuan.
"How are you, Miss?"
"Second Miss, please be patient."
Several maids hurriedly helped their masters up, and checked them from head to toe. They were relieved to find that the two were neither injured nor bumped into anything.
In the Xiao family, it doesn't matter if the young masters bump into things, but such situations must not occur between the two young ladies. Otherwise, everyone serving in Yaoyuan Building will inevitably be scolded and punished.
"Ruyi, what are you doing in such a hurry?"
"Did you go to see the nanny just now? Were you scolded or punished? If the nanny punishes you to copy books, I will share half of it." Xiao Yuan patted his chest and promised.
"Don't worry, I didn't get scolded, let alone punished, so thank you for your kindness." Can't you just hope for yourself? Really.
"Do you know what I admire most about you, sister? It's that every time you are about to be punished, you always find a way to escape. Why can't I do that?" Xiao Yao hurriedly asked the maids to leave. Ruyi was too honest. How could she say everything in her heart? The image she had worked so hard to establish in front of the maids was probably ruined today by Ruyi's mouth.
"I'm not telling the truth, do you understand?"
Xiao Yuanyao, I have only learned to tell the truth. My sister only went to Nanny Ruan's room one more time than me, but she has learned a new skill. How smart!
"Sister, what do you think will happen to Miss Yu when she returns home?"
Xiao Yao didn't want to think about that person, nor did she want to mention her, but one thing was certain, the Yu family would be very lively today.
The Yu family is now more than just bustling. First, Mrs. Yu smashed the living room into a mess in a rage. When Yu Xianrong was brought back and the mother and daughter met, even the flower pots under the corridor outside the living room were not spared. The scene was so tragic that it was comparable to what had happened after being looted by bandits.
"Come here, bring out all the maids and servants in the young lady's room. Give them thirty lashes and sell them off."
"Yes." A maid took the order and went down to carry out Madam Yu's order.
"Oh no, oh no, Vanilla jumped into the well and committed suicide."
Yu Xianrong suddenly stopped all movements. Vanilla was dead. The maid who had been with her since she was ten years old was dead. It was all the fault of the Xiao family. If they were willing to accept her, everything would be different and Vanilla would not have died.
"Let her die. This useless girl will only waste food if she stays here." Madam Yu said gritting her teeth.
All the servants in the yard lowered their heads. This was their master, and she didn't treat the servants as human beings at all. The death of a few maids was nothing, and she didn't care at all.
"You've made enough of this. From today on, I'll have Madam Cao personally guard you. You're not allowed to go anywhere except your own courtyard. If what happened today happens again, all the male servants in the young lady's courtyard will be beaten to death, and the female servants will be sent to the lowest place, where you'll be subjected to a life worse than death. Do you understand?"
"I understand." All the servants answered in unison.
"Mom, you can't do this to me."
"Mother only regrets not treating you like this sooner." Not only will you ruin yourself, but you'll also ruin the Yu family's reputation. How will your grandchildren navigate Kyoto in the future? And Master, I wonder if his career as an official will be affected.
Lord Yu seemed numb to the clashes between his wife and daughter. Was he embarrassed? He'd already lost face when he'd surrounded several Xiao family officials in Kyoto. Did he regret it? He hadn't noticed. He'd never made the calls or the say in the family. His sons and daughters were superior to him. As someone who'd never had decision-making power, he'd never made any decisions, so there was no question of regret.
The sons and daughters-in-law of the Yu family had a lot of complaints but they dared not express them at all. They were exhausted physically and mentally by the torment they suffered every day from Madam Yu and her daughter. Although they would become the laughing stock of the whole capital after today, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Their mother was finally irritated by their younger sister and would never let her do whatever she wanted again. Their younger sister could no longer make trouble, and apart from marrying far away, she had only one choice but to become a nun. As sons and brothers and sisters-in-law, they no longer had to live in fear from now on.
Mrs. Yu did not miss the expressions of her husband, son and daughter-in-law. It seemed that she had been wrong all along. Unfortunately, it was too late to regret now. What should she do with her daughter next?
If I marry far away, where should I marry?
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