After Lanfang had settled Xie Chenghui, she came out and saw her young lady looking at her in admiration.
"Lanfang, you're really amazing!"
Lanfang pursed her lips and stepped forward to tidy up Xie Fengran's clothes, which had been messed up by Xie Chenghui's struggle. She said with a smile, "Before I entered the mansion, I helped take care of my younger brother at home. Young lady, don't worry. Young Master Chenghui is not familiar with you yet. He'll be fine in a few days."
"I hope so!" Xie Fengran sighed, picked up the teacup and took a sip. Suddenly, she remembered the wet nurse of Xie Chenghui. She stopped Lanfang's movement and said, "Go and call the wet nurse in."
"Yes!" Lanfang turned and walked out of the door.
The wet nurse, who had been stopped outside the door, was looking anxiously into the room. When she saw Lanfang coming out, she quickly walked over. "Miss, does the eldest young lady have any instructions?"
Lanfang sized her up and down and nodded. "Come with me!"
The wet nurse was overjoyed and followed Lanfang into the room.
Seeing Xie Fengran sitting upright on the upper seat, she quickly knelt down. "This servant greets the eldest young lady and pays respects to the eldest young lady."
"Get up, nurse."
"Thank you, eldest young lady." The wet nurse got up nimbly, with a beaming smile on her face as she looked at Xie Fengran. "The eldest young lady is as beautiful as a flower. This servant is really delighted to see you."
"Nurse, if you take good care of Chenghui, that's the real delight." Xie Fengran's tone was calm. There was no sign of harshness, but she had an imposing manner that commanded respect without getting angry.
The wet nurse met Xie Fengran's gaze and felt as if she was being seen through. In just a moment, cold sweat was streaming down her face. She didn't dare to be presumptuous anymore. "The eldest young lady is right. This servant will surely do her best to take good care of the young master."
"That would be the best." Xie Fengran picked up the teacup, blew on it gently, and took a slow sip.
Her movements were extremely graceful, but the wet nurse's heart was in her throat. The lid of the teacup hitting the cup seemed to scrape against her heart with each sound, and she didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
Seeing that the wet nurse had become obedient, Xie Fengran continued, "You were specially found by the old madam to serve Chenghui. I'm sure you have your merits. You probably don't need me to teach you how to take good care of the young master. I didn't care how you took care of him in my mother's place before, but now that you're in my courtyard, you should follow the rules here. I wonder if you can do that, nurse?"
"Yes, this servant can surely do it."
"Good. Since you're so straightforward, I won't pursue what happened before. Let me put it bluntly. If something like what just happened occurs in the future, don't blame me for not showing mercy."
"Don't worry, eldest young lady. This servant will surely do her best to take care of and protect the young master."
A smile appeared on Xie Fengran's face. She nodded. "It's good that you can think like this, nurse."
The wet nurse felt relieved when she heard Xie Fengran's tone soften.
She quietly wiped the sweat off her forehead and thought to herself that the eldest young lady, having grown up beside the old madam, was even more imposing than the madam.
Seeing that the wet nurse had been sufficiently disciplined, Xie Fengran didn't continue to make things difficult for her. She told Lanfang to take the wet nurse down to be settled.
"Chenghui will stay in my room tonight. After the side room is cleaned up tomorrow, you can take him to live there. Since you were in charge of those maids and servants serving Chenghui before, you'll still be in charge now. I have high hopes for you, nurse, and I hope you won't let me down."
The wet nurse had thought that Xie Fengran would directly deprive her of power, but unexpectedly, there was a pleasant surprise. Immediately, she loudly promised, "Don't worry, eldest young lady. This servant will surely keep them in line."
Lanfang couldn't help smiling and pushed the wet nurse gently. "Nurse, keep your voice down. Don't wake up the young master."
The wet nurse felt a bit embarrassed and pretended to slap her own mouth. "Look at this servant's mouth. It deserves a slap."
"Alright, nurse. Go and rest early."
The wet nurse bowed and followed Lanfang out.
After everyone had left, Xie Fengran went to the dressing room to freshen up and then returned to the bedroom.
Looking at the naughty boy sleeping sprawled out on the bed, with his little arms and legs everywhere, she was really afraid that she would crush him in her sleep at night.
After thinking for a while, she called a maid to make up the bedding on the arhat bed and made do for the night.
The next day, Xie Fengran, who had slept so that her back ached, was woken up by someone pulling her hair.
Opening her eyes, she saw Xie Chenghui holding a lock of her hair in his hand and pulling it hard.
"Ouch, you naughty boy!"
Xie Fengran rolled off the arhat bed and, bare - footed, picked Xie Chenghui up and put him on the bed. "Let go of your hand!"
Xie Chenghui was not afraid of the angry person at all. A mischievous smile appeared on his face, and he pulled hard again.
Xie Fengran felt a sharp pain in her scalp. She couldn't bear it any longer and forcefully pried open Xie Chenghui's hand to rescue her hair.
"Xie Chenghui!"
Xie Fengran had never dealt with children before. Her only younger sister had always tried to smear her with tears but had never been so direct.
Fortunately, Lanfang and the wet nurse came in time and took Xie Chenghui away to wash up.
Xie Fengran rubbed her scalp and sat down in front of the dressing table angrily. "Lanfang, why is he so naughty?"
Lanfang tried to hold back her laughter while combing Xie Fengran's hair. "Young lady, children are usually quite naughty. If you teach him well in the future, he'll surely be fine."
"I hope so!" Xie Fengran didn't hold out much hope.
She picked out a pure and smooth white jade hairpin from the jewelry box and handed it to Lanfang. "Do a simple hairstyle. I've made an appointment with Yuelan to go to the teahouse today."
Lanfang took the hairpin, considered where to put it in the hair, and then said worriedly when she heard this, "Young lady, if the old madam finds out, you'll be punished again."
"The old madam won't find out. This time, let Liuyi go with me. You stay and watch the courtyard. Don't let Chenghui go out, and don't let outsiders in. If anyone comes to visit Chenghui, turn them away."
Among her two maids, Lanfang was steady and sensible, while Liuyi was straightforward, assertive, and bold.
If she left Liuyi at home, she was afraid that Liuyi would be deceived.
Lanfang knew who Xie Fengran was referring to and immediately promised seriously.
Xie Fengran looked at herself in the mirror, nodded in satisfaction, and let Lanfang serve her to wash her face. After getting dressed properly, she went to have breakfast.
The wet nurse was already waiting at the dining table with Xie Chenghui. However, Xie Chenghui was not very cooperative. He waved his arms and legs, wanting to get down and run.
The wet nurse had a hard time coaxing him and was hit by Xie Chenghui several times.
Xie Fengran narrowed her eyes, and her expression was not good.
Although she had never been in contact with children, she knew that children were naughty, but they shouldn't be so domineering, right?
However, this was the first time they had breakfast together, so Xie Fengran decided to observe him further.
After this chaotic meal, Xie Fengran quickly left the mansion with Liuyi.
After getting into the carriage, both the mistress and the maid looked a bit grim.
"Liuyi, do you think all children are like this?" Logically speaking, Xie Chenghui was already three years old and should be able to understand reason. How could he have such a domineering personality?