Chapter 390: Chapter 387: I Don’t Want to Make Things Difficult for Her, Nor Do I Want Her to Pity Me

At the street corner, a carriage stood quietly for a long time.

A well-maintained hand lifted the curtain, taking in all the movements on the other side.

Jiasan was slightly lost in thought, emotions surging beneath her eyes.

This child is far more clear-headed and understanding than she had imagined.

"She has been taught exceedingly well."

"Although the Yu Family is not of noble origin, when it comes to teaching and insight, and the way of dealing with people, I am ashamed of myself."

"If she were alive..."

The old woman beside Jiasan thought she would say.

— "If she were alive, the two families could visit each other intimately, accompanying the child together."

Or perhaps.

— "If she were alive, the child wouldn’t have unresolved issues, and I could hear her call me mother."

But she heard Jiasan say.

"Yaoyao would surely be extremely happy."

The old woman sighed heavily in her heart, whispering, "The young lady loves snacks; she ate most of them at the teahouse and peeled quite a few peanuts, her mouth never stopping."

"Mistress, rest assured, the old servant has already spoken with the teahouse shopkeeper."

The old woman remembered Jiasan making several pots, picking carefully to finally get a small plate of intact and undamaged snacks to bring over, afraid that Yu Tingwan would refuse them, which made her heart ache.

Jiasan nodded and continued to look at the girl standing gracefully in the distance on the street; she wore a crimson cross-collared short jacket, the skirt layered and embroidered with silver cloud patterns, draped with a knee-length embroidered robe in lychee pink.

The amber earrings were light in quality, warm in color, and gentle. Like two drops of condensed fat, swaying softly by her ears.

"Wei Zhao has also raised her exceedingly well."

The old woman gently advised, "Madam, will you go down to meet her?"

Jiasan saw Yu Tingwan returning to the teahouse and then slowly put down the curtain: "You heard what she said just now, you should know this child is more sensitive than anyone."

"When my mother passed, I was still young. If not for my aunt treating me like her own, I..."

She said, "I know better than anyone the importance of a mother’s role in a child’s eyes."

"Fu Ju and I haven’t had a good night’s sleep for days. I dare not imagine the depth of the shadow the fire has left on her."

"The most loved one turned to ashes before her eyes. She is no longer afraid of fire now, yet how did she force herself to overcome it."

"She knows I miss her and also knows that I nearly went insane when I almost lost her. But Fu Ju and I are only her biological parents, we’ve never raised her for a day."

The old woman, who had served her for many years, was present at the time of childbirth.

Hearing this, her heart ached even more.

"Mistress."

Jiasan lowered her eyes: "I don’t want to make things hard for her, nor do I want her... to pity me."

She said no more.

Silence fell within the carriage.

Jiasan’s hand rested on her knee, clutching the hem of her garment tighter and tighter.

Upon closer inspection, there was a newly added scar on her fingertip.

Left from learning to make snacks these past days.

She rarely cooked.

In fact... Yu Tingwan is very much like her.

Not just in appearance, but in other ways.

Jiasan closed her eyes, her heart feeling stifled.

"Let’s return."

The old woman responded and was about to instruct the coachman.

When Jiasan lowly said, "If you were in the same situation as Second Madam Cao, what would you do?"

Even though the old woman had served beside Jiasan for many years and could often guess her thoughts, this question left her bewildered.

However, after pondering for a moment, she dared not make casual remarks.

"The old servant is innocent and would not be willing to die for some scoundrel. My parents’ family is willing to support me for life, but with my reputation ruined, I could never lift my head, unable to pass over the psychological barrier, only daring to live like a mouse hiding in the dark, afraid to go out."

Jiasan was not surprised at all.

"You are my attendant."

"You have seen many grand occasions with me, even when meeting nobles in the palace, you would not show fear."

Jiasan: "Even you are like this."

The old woman was stunned.

Indeed.

When could she not buy rouge? Why did Second Madam Cao still have to go out?

Especially so soon, before the case was settled?

This was obviously unusual.

Ordinary women, more likely than not, would be hiding in their rooms crying, uninterested in dressing up.

The old woman was surprised: "This... this confuses the old servant."

Yang Weiweng is now working with He Xuran, and before entering the Capital, he had visited the house. Later, due to the girl’s familiarity with him, he was summoned by the mistress and master for detailed questioning.

The old woman naturally knew him.

And she was aware that he was engaged, and the previously mentioned girl by Second Madam Cao was Yang Weiweng’s fiancée.

Therefore, she had inquired about some matters.

"Miss Chun’s birth mother passed away early, and that year, the Chun Family held two funerals in one month, which caused Imperial Censor Chun to turn white overnight. Even though he cherished his daughter, the Imperial Censorate was busy, and court matters could not be delayed. Being a man, he feared inadequately caring for her, often sending Miss Chun to the Shu Family."

"Miss Chun and Second Madam Cao practically grew up under the same roof, closer than biological sisters."

"Though Second Madam Cao is a few years older, she worried about her quite a bit. It was said she hugged her cousin to sleep every night and kept her company daily, like half a mother."

"She was probably buying rouge for Miss Chun."

After all, Chun Yao was a bride-to-be, and her attire was indeed a bit plain.

The old woman was puzzled, speaking out: "But even if it was for Miss Chun, it needn’t be in such haste."

Chun Yao was not getting married until next year.

The old woman suddenly thought of something: "Oh yes, yesterday the cloth shop under the mistress’s name got a new batch of stock, and you had the old servant go over and check it. The old servant ran into Second Madam Cao taking Miss Chun there to select fabric."

The fabric must be for the wedding dress.

In Shangjing, if a woman was skilled in embroidery, she would make her wedding dress herself.

"The old servant heard Second Madam Cao advising Miss Chun from time to time."

— "This fabric color is just right, cousin thinks it suits Ah Yao extremely well. In the blink of an eye, the little sister who used to cry in my arms has promised herself to someone."

— "Don’t blame your father. He has worn himself out worrying over you."

— "Your husband works at the Imperial Censorate and seems to be a strict and principled gentleman, but I don’t know if he minds the household."

— "There’s no in-laws above you, and once there, you’ll be in charge. If your husband is considerate and treats you well, don’t throw a childish tantrum. Live harmoniously and long with him as a couple."

— "An Imperial Censorate salary isn’t much, but your husband has only just come to the capital and is short on cash. He borrowed money from He Yushi to buy a place to live, though not large, it’ll suffice for the two of you. If he’s successful, the good days are ahead. Be thrifty, manage household affairs with care. You must bear and raise children to continue the Yang Family lineage."

— "Once the fabric is chosen, head to Jinluo Pavilion to look at jewelry. Your cousin fears leaving anything out, running out of time to add, so better to prepare everything in advance to avoid a later rush, only hoping for your well-being."

At the time, it didn’t seem notable, but now reminded by Jiasan, the old woman found it odd.

Not to mention anything else, this going out was a bit too frequent.

The words sounded like... last words.

The old woman: "This..."

"Could it be she’s having dark thoughts?"