Yaoniang didn't dare to pick up the necklace. She said with trepidation, "Your Highness, this is too expensive."
Consort Jin did not speak. Zi Yan, who stood at the side, said with a smile, "Nanny Su has a good character. With your hardworking and sincere attitude, you deserve this reward. Besides, this isn’t for you, but for the child.”
With these words spoken, Yaoniang could only accept the gift. “This servant thanks the Consort for the reward.”
With Yaoniang’s acceptance, it meant that she was now one of their own people. Zi Yan's attitude became much softer.
Zi Han asked Yaoniang, "Nanny Su, what is your child's name?" After receiving Yaoniang's answer, she smiled and said to Consort Jin, "Your highness, look at how handsome this child is. He lives up to his name*. "
Zi Meng nodded earnestly. "You don’t say! Nanny Su is very fortunate."
Xiaobao was the main topic of the ensuing chatter and he garnered much praise from the servant girls. After a while, Yaoniang had the illusion that she had a good relationship with all of them. Consort Jin spoke very little from the beginning to the end, but she kept a smile on her face. She appeared to be someone who enjoys indulging her maids.
When the consort was tired, she waved at Yaoniang to leave.
Zi Han offered to walk Yaoniang out.
At first, Yaoniang refused, but her refusal was not accepted. She could only walk out with Zi Han.
"Nanny Su is very blessed. This is the first time that I have seen the consort treat someone like this." Zi Han's smile was very meaningful. "But there’s one thing that definitely isn’t false. Those who follow the consort would never be treated badly,"
Yaoniang's eyes were in a daze. She lowered her head and said, "The consort is a good person."
Zi Han smiled and waved her hand, "It is also because Nanny Su's character is well regarded by the consort. I have never seen anyone else with this honour." She stretched out her hand and stroked Xiaobao's head, "What a beautiful child. In the future, your mother will count on you. You must work hard to gain honour and distinguish yourself. Then your mother wouldn’t have raised you all on her own in vain."
Seeing that Xiaobao looked a little uneasy, Yaoniang patted him twice and smiled a little shyly. "The child is still young. Who knows what it will be like in the future? I don't need him to be outstanding. As long as he grows up safe and healthy, that’s enough."
Obviously, Zi Han disagreed. "Nanny Su’s way of thinking is not good. This child is a good seed. What he will be like in the future depends on the teachings of the adult. Like a small sapling, you must carefully water, fertilize and weed it. When the wind blows and the branches become crooked, you must straighten them so that the sapling can grow bigger and taller. These words may not be pleasant to the ears. But Nanny Su, you are a servant who waits on other people. Are you willing to let your son serve others in the future? Isn't it better for him to work hard and rise above others?"
What a good saying, rising above others!
But what support was needed to get ahead? Obviously, it was not something Yaoniang can provide on her own as a wet nurse. Consort Jin and her people had said many good things about Xiaobao, all sorts of compliments. Which mother isn’t willing to hear other people say good things about their child? Naturally, she would rejoice when she hears it. But when one is happy, they would yearn for more. Then, tips and suggestions would follow.
No one hopes for their child to be a servant in the future. If she hadn’t experienced everything in her previous life… If Yaoniang was a typical simple-minded nanny… Perhaps these people would have already moved her.
What a pity…
"The consort really values Nanny Su."
Yaoniang's heart was as cool as a cucumber, but her face showed awkwardness. She hung her head and held Xiaobao tightly. Zi Han didn't say anything else. It wouldn’t be good if she went too far. She walked Yaoniang out of Siyi Courtyard.
Once she was far away from the courtyard, Yaoniang couldn't help but sigh and shake her head.
She wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but even she knew that this piece of pie was too good to be true.
The consort wanted to use her. The motive was obvious and the reward was Xiaobao's future. With a consort’s backing, no matter what Xiaobao does in the future, he will have good support. But the premise is that Consort Jin must be willing to keep her promise and that Yaoniang must remain useful.
But the problem was Xiaobao-
Yaoniang looked down at her son in her arms, who was looking at her with his large eyes. She couldn't help but kiss him on his forehead. He was too cute.
Xiaobao was only a few months old and there were still years and decades to come. What happened to the consort that caused her to be so desperate?
Xiaobao was suddenly attacked by his mother. He automatically reached up to touch his forehead with his chubby hand.
But it was a pity that with his small body, his arms were too short. With this cute action of his, Yaoniang was struck in the heart and she smiled until her eyes could no longer be seen. She stopped thinking about those messy things, hugged her son, and kissed him on the forehead. She teased, "Xiaobao already knows to be shy?"
Was he shy? Him? Shy? He, a dignified crown prince…
Fine, he was shy!
Xiaobao was so embarrassed that he didn't dare to face anyone. He held Yaoniang's neck and buried his little face in her neck.
It smelled so good. This was the smell of his mother.
What Yaoniang had just said sounded in his ears-
"…I don't need him to be outstanding. As long as he grows up safe and healthy…"
That empress from the Xu Family, who was under house arrest until her death, has a really big face. How dare she use him to instigate his mother!
Seeing Zi Han walk out with Nanny Su and her son, Zi Yan couldn't help but sigh. "I wonder if Nanny Su understands our meaning?"
If changed to someone else, they would have understood long ago. But this Nanny Su was extremely stupid. No matter what the consort said, she would look ignorant. Zi Yan didn't know whether she was too stupid or too cowardly.
Consort Jin smiled and looked down at her white and slender fingertips. "You really think she is stupid? She may not be the smartest, but that doesn't mean she’s stupid. If she is stupid, she wouldn’t have been so stubborn that day. She knew that even if she pulled me in, she wouldn’t have been able to protect herself. It’d be better to rely on no one, remain neutral, and give others an honest impression. This consort also has to acknowledge her goodwill."
"But if she understands, why is she pretending that she doesn’t?" Zi Meng asked, a little puzzled.
"This is a dumb solution that only dumb people can come up with. With her self-awareness, she doesn’t dare to aim too high. Unlike that one surnamed Hu, who is as stupid as a pig, but aims higher than anyone else. Under different circumstances, this consort would appreciate her prudence and honesty, but it's a pity…"
Unfortunately, they were not under normal circumstances.
Consort Jin desperately needed a helper. Someone who was valued by Jin Wang and serving at the little princess’s side. Who else could it be but the beautiful Nanny Su? She was the best candidate.
"Your highness, is it true?" Zi Die couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe that Consort Jin’s own father would do this.
Consort Jin's face darkened. She didn't speak, but stood up and went into the inner room.
Zi Die hurriedly followed. Zi Meng looked at Zi Die helplessly, "It's already reached this point. How could it still be a matter of true or false?"
"But–" But the consort was her father’s own daughter!
Zi Meng knew what Zi Die was thinking without even needing to guess. She said, "The letter was sent by her highness’s mother herself. How could it be fake?! Enough. You need to watch your mouth. Why can't you keep it shut? Always making the consort upset."
Zi Die touched her mouth aggrievedly and said nothing.