Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 69 A Bold Conjecture

Meng Shu: ...That makes sense.

But with the old man gone, Aunt Wen couldn't have a child even if she wanted to!

Ever since that day at Fu'an Residence, when the old lady personally said that she would appoint Donggua to work at Yunyi Courtyard in the future, Steward An has been even more attentive to Yunyi Courtyard. He also treats Meng Shu, who is on good terms with Donggua, as an apprentice. As a result, Meng Shu has the opportunity to hear her talk about many old stories in the mansion, including the story of Aunt Wen almost risking her life to give birth to twins.

That was the first year that Concubine Wen entered the mansion. The eldest son of Madam Yun was already eight years old and was receiving his early education at the Yun family mansion in the capital. Concubine Liu gave birth to the eldest daughter born out of wedlock. Madam Yun became pregnant for the second time and gave birth to the second daughter born out of wedlock. As for Concubine Lu, she had no children at that time.

Concubine Wen was able to enter the mansion because the old lady took pity on her and sent someone to bring her in for refuge (as mentioned earlier). During the more than six months she lived in Fu'an, Concubine Wen was respectful and filial to the old lady, and to Madam Yun...

"It's quite servile, making us servants ashamed," said Steward An.

Back then, the old lady had a worry: after giving birth to her second daughter, Madam Yun couldn't conceive again for two years. Aunt Liu was infertile, and Aunt Lu, who spent her days in the courtyard making incense, also couldn't get pregnant. The Tang family had few male heirs, and the old lady, upon receiving a letter from the Yun family saying that her grandson Tang Lin was exceptionally talented, feared that he would have no one to help him in the future.

One day, the old lady took Concubine Wen out to a banquet, intending to find her a suitable husband. However, she overheard someone at the banquet say that Concubine Wen was plump and full-figured and therefore a lucky person.

Aunt Wen was indeed born with a slender waist and full hips, and looked like she could easily bear children.

These words not only reached the old lady's ears but also touched her heart, leading her to do, almost inexplicably, the thing she would regret most in her life.

Using her maternal instincts and the pretext of having more children, she forcefully arranged for her son to take a concubine, Wen.

The following year, Aunt Wen also became pregnant as she wished. When she was three or four months pregnant, the doctor diagnosed her with twins. The old lady was overjoyed and prayed to the gods for protection. All kinds of tonics were sent to Lanting Courtyard in a continuous stream.

Aunt Wen was overjoyed when she was pregnant with twins, but she was also devastated after giving birth to her daughter. In fact, the difficult delivery even damaged her health. Over the years, she sought medical treatment everywhere, and this news was not kept from anyone; everyone in the mansion knew about it.

Getting back to the point, Meng Shu closed her eyes and recalled Aunt Wen's actions over the past ten years. Based on this, she deduced that having a son was indeed Aunt Wen's obsession and desire, and it was even very likely that this seed was planted in her heart when she entered the mansion.

If even after conditioning her body she still can't conceive, then... isn't there just one ready-made in this mansion?

This speculation was too shocking. Although Meng Shu had always been a bit of a conspiracy theorist, her little brain still exploded in shock, and she immediately sat up.

Based on this speculation, the conclusion is obvious: Aunt Wen may very well have the idea of ​​leaving the mother behind and keeping the child!

The second young lady was about to go to sleep when she was startled to see Meng Shu suddenly sit up. "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?" She patted the bed and said, "Come up and sleep. It's getting cold today."

Meng Shu stiffly turned her head, not telling the Second Miss her deduction. Firstly, it was too shocking and she had no evidence. Secondly, there were still many things she couldn't understand.

For example, with Madam Yun still in power, how could Aunt Wen guarantee that she could win over the second young master and raise him herself after the deed was done?

The only thing Meng Shu was certain of was that if someone became obsessed, they were capable of anything. Then she chuckled to herself for being a bit presumptuous tonight, thinking so much based on just a small matter mentioned by the Second Miss... She apologized to the Second Miss, turned away from the thought, and focused on the possibility of seeing Sister Huanyun tomorrow before finally falling asleep peacefully.

Both girls are actually very smart, but one is too lazy to think and the other thinks too much. These two completely different personalities reflect the influence of two completely different environments on a person. No matter what era, this influence may last a lifetime.

Neither of them knew that Madam Yun's question yesterday was not unfounded. The entire inner quarters of the Tang family were under her control, and Madam Yun had already figured out Wen's thoughts as soon as they emerged.

The next day, Yun Guiyuan.

Because the old lady has been reluctant to move around lately, she has been exempted from paying her respects for a few days. Therefore, all the concubines and young ladies paid their respects to Madam Yun at Yun Gui Courtyard, sat for a while, and then dispersed. Madam Yun kept only the second young lady behind.

The second young lady also had something to report. She mentioned that she wanted the steward of the outer courtyard to go to Chunfeng Tower to redeem Huanyun from her servitude. Madam Yun's eyes were sharp. When she paid her respects, she noticed that Meng Shu's gaze was always fixed on the second young lady. It was a kind of careful and meticulous attention that she had never shown before. Not to mention the relationship between master and servant, any kind of affection in the world can always be seen from every little thing.

Madam Yun was very satisfied.

“It’s good that my son thinks this way. Since that Miss Huanyun is loyal and affectionate with Meng Shu by your side, it’s good to help her out. But it’s not appropriate to let the people in the manor handle it.”

Meng Shu listened with a heavy heart, her anxious and uncertain expression revealing her true feelings.

Madam Yun quickly spoke up: "Mother Wei will personally deliver a message in a moment, asking Uncle Yongzheng of Yongzheng Shop to go there in person."

The last time, the old lady sent the steward of the outer courtyard to Chunfeng Tower to bring back Meng Shu and the other two girls, which was nothing unusual; they were just a few young girls around ten years old. Huan Yun, however, was different. Although she wasn't the most famous girl in Chunfeng Tower, she was renowned for her mastery of both music and chess. Now, with the eldest young master preparing for next year's imperial examinations, Madam Yun would never allow anyone to spread any negative rumors about the Tang family.

It would be most appropriate to have Second Uncle handle it. His reputation is well-known in Lin'an, and Chunfenglou knows about his relationship with the Tang family, so they won't object. That's enough.

Meng Shu finally breathed a sigh of relief. She had figured out Madam Yun's concerns and felt admiration for Madam Yun's caution. She hurriedly knelt down to express her gratitude.

"Just like Wan-jie said, it's just a little money. Get up quickly. If you kneel for too long, even our Wan-jie will feel sorry for you."

Madam Yun rarely made a joke, which made the maids and servants serving in the main room chuckle a few times while clutching their handkerchiefs.

Meng Shu was not ungrateful. She knelt on the ground and said sincerely, "The Tang family is kind and the Second Miss has treated me well. I will repay her kindness with my life. But I am also grateful to Madam and the Old Madam for their kindness. I thank Madam and Miss on behalf of my uncle and Sister Huanyun."

Madam Yun and Wei Mama exchanged a glance. This girl was truly eloquent. She spoke tactfully and clearly in just a few words, demonstrating that she understood the mistress's intentions. Furthermore, she even included the old lady who hadn't appeared yet, implying that she was grateful for the old lady's trust and assignment to serve at Yunyi Courtyard.

Wei Mama was Madam Yun's wet nurse and a very shrewd and capable woman in the mansion. At this moment, she couldn't help but look at her niece Mengzhu. She saw Mengzhu standing obediently behind the second young lady, her eyes devoid of any liveliness.

I sighed heavily in my heart. It's true what they say, comparisons are odious... It's better not to compare; you simply can't win...