Transmigrated as A Farm Girl Making Her Family Rich-Chapter 132 - 131 An Unexpected Surprise
Chapter 132: Chapter 131 An Unexpected Surprise
The request of the young grandson could certainly not be granted by Madam Tang, for the grandson’s travels must definitely include a guard, and a multitude of maids and old women, which would be a bother at a commoner’s birthday celebration.
Having not gained his grandmother’s consent, Tang Shunyan could only hang his small head, and then, as the wet nurse went out, he stared fixedly at her receding figure.
Maid Jinhua from his grandmother’s courtyard accompanied him back, but instead of heading to the study, she needed to return to her own room first.
Mrs. Li returned to her room in the courtyard to fetch a small bundle, just as she was about to leave…
“Wet nurse, please give this to your father for me,” Tang Shunyan dared not give gifts from others as presents; he only dared to give the monthly salary he had received as a birthday gift for his wet nurse’s father.
The last time he visited the wet nurse’s home, he had brought gifts for her youngest sister, which he clearly saw that she did not accept. He didn’t know why some gold had gone missing, a mystery that both the wet nurse and he were puzzled by. They kept this secret to themselves and dared not speak of it to others.
“Young Master, you’re just a child, you don’t need to give adults gifts; the wet nurse will figure something out,” she said.
Mrs. Li thought about how she had no money on her, but she had left some with her mother. She would have to buy on credit at the shop and repay later—an intention she would not share with the young Master.
“Wet nurse, this represents a piece of my heart. You must deliver it. First, you take this money. You really don’t need to give my gift to anyone else. It won’t be late to return it in the evening. Is this arrangement okay?” he asked.
Tang Shunyan, so young, already knew that the wet nurse had no money on her, so how could she buy a gift?
He knew the wet nurse was honest and would not accept things given by others, especially the belongings of a little child like him.
Mrs. Li and Tang Shunyan were both unaware that Housekeeper Tang had already arranged for the gift, or they would not have been worrying about it together.
“Thank you, Young Master. The wet nurse will find a way. If others knew that the young Master gave money to the wet nurse, it would be inappropriate. I must go now, I will come back in the evening!” she said.
In the end, Mrs. Li still did not accept help from the young Master. With eyes everywhere in the courtyard watching, she truly did not want to cause any complications on such an auspicious day.
“Well… okay then! Please wish my grandfather a happy birthday for me,” he said.
“Mm, Young Master, please be good at home. The wet nurse will come back early in the evening,” Mrs. Li replied.
As Mrs. Li spoke, she didn’t leave right away but turned to Maid Jinhua, who would take care of the young Master in the absence of Madam Tang that day, and said:
“Miss Jinhua, the young Master is in your care today. I can’t elaborate on every detail of the young Master’s daily schedule, but his personal maids fully understand it. The young Master will obediently follow his usual study routine. Just take care of his food and daily needs.”
“Mrs. Li, go ahead to the birthday celebration without worries. I’m aware of the young Master’s daily study routine. As for taking care of his needs, I will do it well. Rest assured, when you return in the evening, I’ll ensure you find a healthy young Master,” she assured.
Jinhua was Madam Tang’s personal maid, and every action of the young Master had been reported by the eyes of Madam Tang’s side, Madam Tang was aware of any little schemes as long as they didn’t harm the young Master.
Since Madam didn’t trust the maids around the young madam to take care of the young Master—a mistrust rooted in a previous occasion when Mrs. Li visited home and the young Master fell ill under strange circumstances that remained uninvestigated—the blame was laid on Mrs. Li.
As the grandmother, Madam Tang began to doubt the loyalty of those around the young madam, and thus had arranged for her own people to be placed in the young Master’s courtyard, effectively stationing informants.
Mrs. Li left with a small bundle in her arms after receiving Jinhua’s assurance.
News that Mrs. Li was going home for a birthday celebration spread throughout the estate. Everyone was quite envious. They were still unaware of the housekeeper’s arrangement for a carriage and gifts, otherwise their jealousy would have been even greater.
Xiu Zhi and Maid Mei Zhi muttered to each other upon hearing that Mrs. Li was going back for the celebration. Once Mrs. Li left the Tang Family, they planned to pull some small tricks.
But with Jinhua, the maid from young Master’s side who also served beside Madam Tang, around, they didn’t dare to make a move. Jinhua was more formidable than Jufeng, who served the young madam; if Jinhua discovered their scheming, punishment would be the least of their worries—they could even be beaten to death.
As Mrs. Li left young Master’s courtyard, not entitled to exit through the main door because of her status as a servant, she headed towards the side gate instead. Two guards stationed there spoke to her:
“Mrs. Li,” the guards said, “Housekeeper Tang’s men have told us that the carriage waiting at the gate is for you, to take you back to celebrate with your husband and child at your mother’s house. You will return in this carriage tonight. The driver will accompany you throughout the day. Wherever you want to go, just instruct him.”
“A carriage?” Mrs. Li had been prepared to go by ox cart first to her mother’s house and wait for her husband and child’s arrival.
“Yes, the carriage right at the entrance is the one,” they confirmed. “Housekeeper Tang arranged for it. Why would this be a joke? It has been waiting for a while now. Go ahead, go ahead!”
These two guards had heard that Mrs. Li’s husband was collaborating with the Tang Family. Such a significant matter was not likely to escape them. They belonged to the same circle of guards and had shared the news amongst themselves, which is why their treatment of Mrs. Li was respectful and polite.
“Thank you very much!” Mrs. Li expressed her surprised and joyful emotions to the two young guards.
“Hehe, no need to thank us!”
Mrs. Li left through the side door and approached the carriage. She had heard the guards’ words, but she wanted to confirm it with the driver as well.
“Excuse me, sir,” she asked the driver, “is this carriage prepared by Housekeeper Tang?”
“Hehe, Mrs. Li, I’ve been waiting here for quite some time. Indeed, the carriage is arranged by Housekeeper Tang for you, and there are also gifts inside the carriage for you to take to the birthday celebration.”
“Gifts?” Mrs. Li had not expected such a grand surprise. She couldn’t be blamed for her greed, as she, who had no money, desperately needed transportation and gifts to offer for the birthday wishes.
An old saying goes, “The thought behind a gift is more valuable than its price.” But that’s just an ideal; surely, the gifts people give won’t be disgraceful. More importantly, being able to bring such fine gifts to her mother’s house would win her family prestige and honor.
Mrs. Li, a rural woman, indeed had her vanities. She didn’t have the means before, but now, for some reason, she did. And though she knew it wasn’t her honor as a wet nurse that granted her such glory on this day of celebration, it might have been her connections with her husband and children that made a difference.
Mrs. Li was aware of her own worth. A wealthy family wouldn’t make such arrangements for a mere wet nurse without further reasons. At this moment, she did not ponder these reasons deeply.
Upon entering the carriage with a joyful and anticipative heart, she remained silent as it journeyed towards her home.
The driver was not a chatty man either. Those in their line of work were always well-informed. Mrs. Li’s honors were partly due to the young Master and, perhaps, other reasons as well.
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They could guess that the Tang Family’s business partner must have offered considerable benefits to afford her such respect.
Mrs. Li, the wet nurse, would not always remain a wet nurse—someday, she might become the wife of a boss.
