Madam Jiang was reclining on a cushioned armchair, with the well - behaved Xiuqiu in her arms. Xiuqiu was sound asleep, and one could see the rise and fall of its chest.
Nanny Zhao was sitting on a daybed nearby, replying in a low voice, "It's indeed the person found by the Feng family. I heard that she lost both her parents when she was young. Her uncle took her in, but she didn't have a good life. There was only a mute aunt to take care of her..."
Madam Jiang's eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't say a word.
Nanny Zhao continued, "But this is too much of a coincidence. In my humble opinion, we'd better be cautious. How about moving Miss Gu to another place first? We can make further plans after the investigators come back."
Madam Jiang shook her head lightly. "No need. Let her stay."
"Madam?"
"Other things might be fake, but the fact that Xiuqiu survived because of her can't be faked," Madam Jiang closed her eyes, and a tear trickled down the corner of her eye. "Yue'er won't come back. Yingyue isn't Yue'er, and neither is she. But at least, their existence can ease my grief."
Nanny Zhao didn't say anything more and simply responded in a low voice.
Madam Jiang would have dinner with the Duke and others, so Gu Liyue had an easy time. Having nothing to do and not daring to wander around, she just went to the bedroom a few rooms away to find Yuan'er.
When Yuan'er saw Gu Liyue coming, she said with a long face, "The doctor said we should make it move around more, but it's so old and doesn't like to move. I've been trying to amuse it all day, but I couldn't make it move."
Xiuqiu was lying still. Hearing the commotion, it lifted its eyelids and glanced at Gu Liyue. Then it inched its way in front of Gu Liyue, stretching its neck, wanting her to pet it.
Gu Liyue stroked Xiuqiu and tried to amuse it with the toy beside her, but to no avail. She was helpless.
Yuan'er shrugged. "If it gets uncomfortable again later, Madam will be worried..."
Gu Liyue didn't know what to do. After staying for a while, hearing someone looking for her outside, she quickly told Yuan'er and went out.
It was Nanny Zhao leading Tangyuan over. Nanny Zhao said to Gu Liyue with a beaming smile, "Miss Liyue, Madam sent me to bring Tangyuan here. From now on, Tangyuan will take care of your daily needs."
Gu Liyue was startled and quickly explained, "Nanny, I'm used to doing things on my own. I don't need someone to serve me..."
Nanny Zhao laughed. "Miss, what are you saying? This is the Duke's Mansion, not an ordinary place. Of course, you need someone to serve you."
Gu Liyue automatically regarded this "serving" as "training" and nodded to express her gratitude.
Nanny Zhao gave Tangyuan a few instructions and then said, "By the way, I heard that your aunt is still in the Feng family. Madam means to bring your aunt here in a while and let her live in the Duke's Mansion. It will be convenient for you two to meet often."
Gu Liyue was overjoyed and almost knelt down to express her gratitude. She had no other requests but to worry about Yunniang who was still in the Feng family. Although Nanny Zhao didn't say exactly when, she thought that as long as she behaved well and made Madam happy, Yunniang would come to her side.
Tangyuan served Gu Liyue during her toiletries and talked to her at the same time. "I just inquired. From now on, your monthly allowance will be six taels of silver."
Six taels! Was it that much?
Gu Liyue felt embarrassed. "Sister Tangyuan, don't call yourself a servant. I'm not a master. It feels so strange when you do this."
Tangyuan giggled. "Madam has bestowed me upon you. Naturally, you're my master."
Gu Liyue squatted down with Tangyuan, looking at the clothes and accessories sent by Madam.
Tangyuan chattered away, "These clothes were originally prepared for the young lady. Madam saw that your figure is not much smaller than the young lady's, so she gave you some first. Tomorrow, the tailor will come to take your measurements."
Gu Liyue lowered her head and stroked the silk and satin. In the distant memory, she had also worn such things, and she seemed to have had pink hairpins too. But later? Later, she had nothing.
She was the kind of person who took things as they came, but such a life didn't make her feel at ease at all. It was like a floating duckweed, and she didn't know when she would be back to her original state.
Gu Liyue thought of that beautiful and delicate young lady and asked in a low voice, "Tangyuan, the young lady you mentioned... isn't Madam's daughter, right?"
Tangyuan explained, "The young lady was originally from a collateral branch of the Jiang family. Her father died in an accident when he was out on business with the Duke. Her mother was grief - stricken and passed away soon after, leaving her alone. I heard that she was only five or six years old at that time. The Duke took pity on her and had her brought here to be raised by Madam."
Five or six years old... Gu Liyue lowered her eyes. She also lost her parents at the age of five or six. This Miss Yingyue was really similar to her. However, the difference was that the young lady at least had her clansmen to raise her, the Duke to care about her, and Madam to love her. And she...
She had Yunniang, and that was enough.
Seeing a smile on Gu Liyue's lips, Tangyuan asked curiously, "What are you smiling about, Miss?"
Gu Liyue said, "I'm smiling at the young lady's good fortune. I also thought of my aunt who loves me. Just thinking that I'll be able to be with her soon makes me happy."
Tangyuan laughed merrily and quickly admonished, "But Miss, you must remember that Madam likes you and wants you to be with your relatives. But you mustn't be presumptuous because of her favor. You must respect Madam."
Gu Liyue was suddenly alert. She had lived a life of depending on others for so long. At least here, she had enough food and clothing and a comfortable life. She should be content.
Tangyuan continued, "Originally, the young lady didn't have her current name. There was a 'Yue' character in the name of Madam's eldest daughter who died young. So Madam changed the young lady's name to include this character."
Gu Liyue remembered Madam's melancholy when she heard her name today and couldn't help feeling sad. There was also a 'Yue' character in her name.
"The eldest daughter died young... Many years ago?"
Tangyuan nodded. "Yes, fifteen years ago. The eldest daughter was eight years old. She died of a serious illness. That day, there was a banquet in the mansion. Madam was so busy that she hardly had time to rest. By the time she found out that the young lady was gone, it was already too late... Actually, I don't know much about this. I heard it from the old maids in the mansion. After that, Madam cried every day and seriously damaged her health. It wasn't until Miss Yingyue entered the mansion that she got better. The Flower - viewing Festival is the eldest daughter's birthday and also her anniversary."
No wonder... All of Madam's strange behaviors today could be explained. She happened to be born on the third day of the second lunar month fifteen years ago. To Madam, it was like her daughter was reborn somewhere else.
At this thought, a twinge of pity welled up in Gu Liyue's heart. Even though Madam was a noble lady of the Duke's Mansion, she was just like an ordinary person. The pain of losing her daughter couldn't be relieved for so many years. Of course, Gu Liyue knew that she wasn't the reincarnation of the young lady of the Duke's Mansion. But if she could comfort Madam's heart because of this, it wasn't a bad thing.
Early the next morning, Gu Liyue let Tangyuan dress and groom her. Then she followed Tangyuan to the yard to wait for Madam to get up so that she could pay her respects.
She used to get up early to light the fire when she was in the Liu family, so she didn't mind getting up early. After waiting obediently for half a quarter of an hour, a maid came out and invited her in.
Just then, a clear female voice came from behind. "Has Auntie gotten up? Hey, who is this?"