Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 198 - 80: Lady Xiao Ma_2

Chapter 198 -80: Lady Xiao Ma_2

Nanny Deng couldn’t hold back and sighed again.

Just as Yueyao picked up her brush, she heard Qiao Lan’s voice from outside, “Cousin Miss, I hope you are well.” From these words, she knew that a guest had arrived.

Hua Lei walked in and whispered, “Miss, Cousin Miss from the Loo Family is here.” She didn’t like Ma Linlin, and she didn’t like Loo Ying either.

Yueyao went out to see Loo Ying and was startled; Loo Ying was wearing a water-pink dress, adorned with gold and silver jewelry from head to hand. Wearing gold accessories was normal, but wearing too much was not, making her look like a nouveau riche.

Yueyao still frowned slightly. She wondered whether Loo Ying’s maid knew how to match clothes and jewelry properly; such attire was a loss of face for the Ma Family.

Although Yueyao felt uncomfortable inside, she did not show it on her face, “Cousin, have you come for something? I was just getting ready to go see my Auntie and cousin to prepare for my return.”

Loo Ying looked around at the scenery of Begonia Garden, envy evident in her eyes. The place she and her mother stayed in wasn’t even half as big as Begonia Garden; in their yard, let alone many beautiful and valuable begonias, there wasn’t even a single small flower or blade of grass.

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Nanny Deng, catching the expression on Loo Ying’s face, looked at her disdainfully. Back when the Madam was still a maiden at her maternal home, Lady Xiao Ma had quite often taken advantage out of her Maternal Auntie’s influence, even coveting their own cousin-in-law; did she not realize that their own Madam was the legitimate daughter, out of her league? Later on, when Lady Xiao Ma’s husband passed away and she came to rely on her maternal family, Uncle Master was very disdainful due to past events, yet he couldn’t just turn a blind eye and cast her out, leaving her helpless. Out of concern for reputation, he couldn’t ignore her, so Ma Chengteng conveniently became a hands-off shopkeeper and left her to Lady Cheng. With Lady Cheng’s character, how could she treat Xiao Ma well? One only needed to observe how Ma Linlin treated Loo Ying to understand.

Yueyao, sensing Nanny Deng’s gaze, sighed inwardly. If only Nanny Hao were more capable, she might support Nanny Hao to take on more responsibilities; Nanny Deng, just wasn’t suitable!

Loo Ying, feeling Nanny Deng’s unfriendly gaze, had a sudden pang in her heart. She quickly turned to Yueyao and said, “My mother didn’t get the chance to see Cousin on her previous few visits, and this time, hearing that Cousin was here, she especially wanted to see you. I wonder if Cousin could come to see my mother.”

Nanny Deng’s expression darkened upon hearing this. What kind of remark was that, insinuating that their miss was disrespecting her elders?

Yueyao looked surprised, “Uncle Master said Maternal Auntie was bedridden and needed rest, so it wouldn’t be good to disturb her. I wouldn’t dare to intrude rashly.”

Loo Ying was taken aback; her mother and Uncle Master had argued several times before, and on the last occasion, Uncle Master threatened to send them back. Her mother claimed to be ill to avoid leaving but had not expected even Yueyao now to disregard her mother.

Yueyao initially didn’t really want to go. She had never met this Maternal Auntie all these years. However, considering all the maids and old nannies in the courtyard, if she did not agree to visit after being asked, it would certainly tarnish her reputation for disrespecting her elders. That might not have mattered on an ordinary day, but on such a special day, spreading such a word would not be good for her reputation or for the Lian Family. Old Madam would undoubtedly have a field of complaints if she learned of it.

Yueyao, accompanied by Tingzheng, followed Loo Ying to her small courtyard. Loo Ying’s yard was rather small, only a third the size of Begonia Garden, and the yard was bare, with nothing but stone steps.

Yueyao’s eyes flickered; this Maternal Auntie, who had always ignored her, suddenly having Loo Ying ask her over, must have had some ulterior motive. Her mother and Nanny Deng had never mentioned this Maternal Auntie, hinting that their relationship was not harmonious.

Together with Loo Ying, Yueyao entered the house and, before even reaching the bedroom, was hit by a strange smell. Yueyao was accustomed to the scent of medicine from regularly attending Old Madam, but this was more than just a medicinal smell.

Upon entering the bedroom, Yueyao understood why there was such an unpleasant smell; all the windows in the room were shut, dark and gloomy inside while it was sunny outside.

Seeing Lady Xiao Ma lying on the bed, Yueyao’s suspicions suddenly escalated, but she still proceeded to pay her respects, bringing Tingzheng with her.

After coughing for a while, Lady Xiao Ma finally spoke to Yueyao, “Sister Yaoyao, I didn’t expect you to have grown so much in the blink of an eye.” Her daughter was three years older than Yueyao, and at twelve this year, she stood nearly as tall as Yueyao, but her complexion was not as good as Yueyao’s.

Yueyao looked at Lady Xiao Ma, who only mentioned her and treated Tingzheng as if he were nothing, her expression darkened a bit. No matter what, even if an elder did so, it was excessive.

Nanny Deng was furious at Lady Xiao Ma for referring to Yueyao as “Sister Yaoyao.” Yueyao cut in before Nanny Deng could speak, “Sister Yaoyao? This is the first time someone has addressed me like this, quite a novel appellation.” Yueyao had no dealings with this maternal aunt in her previous life, so she didn’t know this person’s disposition. But from the recent slip of the tongue, Yueyao gathered insight into the maternal aunt’s character, enough to decide that this was someone with whom she should not associate.

Once Yueyao had finished speaking, the maids and old nannies that accompanied her had very stiff expressions. Nanny Deng even glared viciously at Lady Xiao Ma, while the maids attending Lady Xiao Ma all bowed their heads.

Lady Xiao Ma realized her mistake as soon as she spoke, and just as she thought to retract her words, Yueyao had already sharply pointed it out, making it clear to her that this niece was not easy to deal with. Previously, because Old Madam Ma did not like this daughter born of a concubine, while Old Master Ma was alive, he had indulged her, and after he passed away, she continued to be confined. Social conventions were beyond her grasp, and she was not quick-witted, always acting on a whim – and that was fundamentally why she didn’t fit into her husband’s family.

Yueyao smiled and said, “My uncle said my maternal aunt was not in good health and needed to rest, which is why Yueyao did not dare to disturb my maternal aunt previously. I hope my maternal aunt won’t take offence.” Yueyao was blatantly lying; Lady Cheng had never said such a thing, but no one bothered to verify it.

Lady Xiao Ma replied with a somewhat stiff face, “My illness has much improved. You should visit me more often when you have the time.”

After smiling, Yueyao replied, “Certainly.”

However, Nanny Deng didn’t want her young lady to have much contact with Lady Xiao Ma, “Miss, it’s time to go back. The Eldest Madam and the three Misses are waiting for you in the front courtyard.”

Upon seeing that Nanny Deng was urging Yueyao to leave without even having sat down, Lady Xiao Ma directed, “Xiao Xue, send someone to inform our in-laws, just say the Miss is here with me.”

Nanny Deng said through clenched teeth, “The Second Great Aunt should focus on her recuperation. Our young lady has many affairs to attend to and cannot afford delays.”

Yueyao, with a smile, said, “My maternal aunt, I will visit you again next time.” It was clear from her words that she intended to leave.

Lady Xiao Ma, looking at Yueyao, blurted out as if seeing her legitimate daughter, “Yueyao, your cousin Loo Ying is alone in the mansion, I beg you to look after your cousin more in the future.” Based on how much Yueyao was favored by her elder brother, one could see Yueyao’s capabilities.

With a cold face, Nanny Deng retorted, “The Great Aunt and Great Uncle are no longer with us, leaving only our Miss and the Fourth Young Master to rely on each other. The Miss cousin at least has the Second Great Aunt as her birth mother, and yet you expect our young lady to look after the Miss cousin. Not to mention that the Miss cousin is several years older than our lady; it’s audacious of the Second Great Aunt to even suggest such a thing. If word gets out, people might laugh to death.”

Nanny Deng, in truth, knew what Lady Xiao Ma was thinking—seeing the favor from the Uncle Master bestowed on her own Miss, she hoped for a few good words to make Loo Ying’s life in the mansion better. It was a beautiful thought indeed.

Lady Xiao Ma’s eyes could almost shoot out fire as she glared at Nanny Deng.

Yueyao serenely said, “My maternal aunt, I will visit you next time.” Then, taking Tingzheng’s hand, she left the courtyard.

Lady Xiao Ma watched Yueyao turn and leave, fuming with heavy breaths. She couldn’t stand that the young girl dared to show her displeasure so openly.

Loo Ying’s face flushed with anger. If Ma Linlin had the audacity to offend her mother, she didn’t expect Yueyao, an orphan girl, to do the same: “Mother, the cousin is too haughty.”

Lady Xiao Ma bitterly smiled, “Who made you be born from my womb? If I were my brother’s full sister, your uncle would surely cherish you as he cherishes her.”

The few maids attending Lady Xiao Ma sneered upon hearing this – although they did not serve in Begonia Garden, they had heard that the Lian family’s Cousin Miss was genial and generous, a stark contrast to a destitute household they couldn’t hope to match.