Testing Inner Thoughts

Nanny Feng knelt with both hands on the floor and her forehead pressed to the ground. Her thin body trembled as though she could bear no more reproach.

Those last words finally brought her to her senses. Only now did she emerge from the fog that had clouded her mind, drenched in sweat as though she had walked through the underworld. Fear and regret overwhelmed her.

Seen with a fairer eye, Shen Lantang's actions were beyond reproach. She had never mistreated Nanny Feng or the young master since entering the household. Today alone, she had shown quick thinking and clever strategy while keeping the family's interests in mind. By comparison, Nanny Feng's selfishness looked shameful.

If Nanny Feng had been an outsider, she would have had to praise the young madam's resolve today.

How could a mistress like that have failed to see through her everyday schemes?

"This old servant was wrong. I truly was wrong!"

Nanny Feng burst into tears. She blamed herself, and she was terrified that she had nearly harmed the only child her young mistress had left behind. If the young master suffered for this, no number of deaths could atone for her fault.

"I was wrong, I was wrong! Young mistress, I nearly harmed the young master!"

At this point, Xie Madam had not kept her behind merely to scold her into seeing sense. She would count what she had said as the last courtesy owed between mistress and servant.

"Fang Hua brought you here, and this family has always regarded you as one of the Zheng Family's people. Sending you back would create a rift between our families and give others grounds to say that Hongwen's maternal family failed to discipline its servants. Fang Hua has passed away. Her reputation must not suffer because of you. She had a Suburban Manor among her dowry properties. You will be sent there and are not to set foot outside it again. Do you have anything to say?"

Nanny Feng pressed herself even closer to the floor.

"This old servant has nothing to say. I accept my punishment."

Xie Madam hardened her heart and continued, "You will leave today. There is no need to wait."

"Madam!" Nanny Feng faltered, wanting to beg for a chance to say goodbye to the young master.

"There is nothing more to discuss!"

"...From now on, this old servant will pray day and night for the young madam and the young master, and ask that they live in peace and happiness!"

"You may go."

"This old servant thanks you, Madam!"

After kowtowing three times, Nanny Feng finally staggered out of the room.

Only after Nanny Feng had been dealt with did Shen Lantang emerge from the inner room. Xie Madam looked at her and announced calmly:

"Nanny Feng will go to another estate today. Someone else will care for Hongwen from now on."

Shen Lantang had heard everything from inside. Xie Madam was more ruthless than she had expected. She had thought she would need to push harder.

Xie Madam pressed a hand to her chest.

Don't get angry. She's the daughter-in-law I chose. I'll have to put up with her.

Shen Lantang added, "Once Nanny Feng leaves, we'll need another nanny who can look after a child. I have no one suitable, so I'll leave the arrangements to you, Mother."

"Leave it to me."

"Thank you, Mother. I'll take my leave, then."

"Go on."

Xie Madam sighed inwardly. Yes, go on. Let me catch my breath!

Xie Madam watched Shen Lantang leave, then stepped back and sat down. An old servant came forward to massage her shoulders.

"The young madam acts decisively. She has courage and cunning, and carries herself like a mistress of a great household."

"Yes," Xie Madam said.

"I never expected Lantang to be so capable. I'd heard that the Shen Family's daughter was generous in spirit and managed several shops. I thought anyone who could run shops must be sensible and poised. Back then, Jin'er's father and I worried that the Shen Family held only a low Sixth Rank office and that her family wasn't a great one. We hoped only that Lantang would make no serious mistakes. We could teach her anything she lacked over time. She's surprised me."

Remembering the things Shen Lantang had said in her heart, Xie Madam sighed again. "That daughter-in-law of mine has grand ambitions."

Nanny Feng packed a few belongings that day and was escorted to the manor by members of the Xie Family. When Xie Father returned that evening, Xie Madam told him what had happened.

Xie Father agreed with his wife about Nanny Feng. The news startled him, and he was deeply impressed by how thoughtfully Shen Lantang had handled the matter.

"Our family has wronged Lantang. We should make it up to her properly."

Xie Madam shot him a sidelong glance. "Only us? What about your son?"

Xie Father thought, Hold on. What do you mean, my son? Isn't he your son too?

He did not care for that remark, so he said:

"He should make it up to Lantang too!"

Testing Inner Thoughts

Curtains covered the windows on all four sides. With the hour growing late, the room was dim.

Xie Hongwen had missed his midday nap and fallen asleep only in the afternoon. He slept until dusk. When he woke and did not see Nanny Feng, he did not call out. He looked left and right for a long while, but when he still could not find anyone, his mouth began to turn down—

Shen Lantang lifted the curtain and came in from the outer room. Xie Hongwen's pout vanished at once.

"Mother!"

Children were simple. Nanny Feng had spent so long telling him that stepmothers were unkind, yet Shen Lantang had still "won him over." After playing with her all morning, he was affectionate with her again.

Shen Lantang sat beside the bed. Xie Hongwen stood, bounced toward her, and threw himself into her arms.

She supported his little bottom with one arm. How is this little rascal so heavy when he looks so small?

With only the two of them in the room, Shen Lantang finally did what she had wanted to do all along—pat his little bottom.

Mm. Just as nice to pat as I thought.

Xie Hongwen looked at her with shining eyes. "Why are you here, Mother?"

"Nanny Feng has left the Residence. I was afraid you'd cry if you woke up and couldn't find her."

Hearing that Nanny Feng had left, Xie Hongwen first pouted in distress. Then he caught himself and hid it well, asking only in an aggrieved little voice:

"Why did Nanny leave?"

Shen Lantang was silent for a moment before answering, "Nanny is getting old, and looking after you was too tiring for her. She's gone home."

"Really?"

Xie Hongwen still felt hurt, but he was sensible enough to puff out his little chest and say firmly, "If Nanny is tired, she should go home and rest. Hongwen can look after himself."

Rankings

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Time-Travel and Rebirth Romance

One True Love

Jiang Ciyu

Mind Reading

Laid-Back Life