Chapter 75: Chapter 74: Rumors (Ningzhi Sea and He Shi Bi+)
Nanny Hua cast a glance at Jin Ling.
Today, Jin Ling was wearing a lake-blue sleeveless jacket, her hair adorned with two slender silver hairpins, and her small red lips delicately touched with rouge. Her melon-seed-shaped face was no larger than a palm. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, a girl is in the blooming stage of life, already blessed with good looks; when dressed up carefully, she appeared as if she had stepped out of a painting.
Nanny Hua laughed shrilly, "Otherwise, how could one say you have good fortune? In the future, when the young lady achieves great things, she must not forget about us."
The more Jin Ling listened, the more confused she became, saying, "What are you talking about, Nanny? The young lady is the kindest person, and as long as we perform our duties well, she will certainly not forget us."
Nanny Hua laughed even harder but said no more.
With a belly full of doubts, Jin Ling, mindful that Du Yunluo was still in Qinghui Garden, did not delay further and hurried off.
On this trip, more people than usual seemed to mention the Princely Heir in conversation, which left Jin Ling even more puzzled.
Frowning, she entered Qinghui Garden and saw Jin Rui coming from under the corridor. Jin Ling quickly approached and whispered, "Just now, several people asked me about the Princely Heir. What’s going on?"
Jin Rui rolled her eyes and snorted, "They asked you, not me. If even you don’t know, how could I know?"
With that, Jin Rui went straight to the small study.
Jin Ling stood there stunned, sighing after a while.
Since returning from the Fa Yin Temple, she felt that Jin Rui was increasingly impatient and cold towards her.
Initially, Jin Ling thought Jin Rui was blaming her for not taking good care of Du Yunluo and losing the pearls, but now it seemed to be something entirely different.
Her heart was full of confusion, but she had no one to ask. Jin Ling worriedly spent the entire morning.
That afternoon, free from duties, Jin Ling took her identification token and returned home.
In the dilapidated courtyard, Mrs. Duan sat under the eaves, squinting her eyes as she mended shoe insoles.
Jin Ling looked on with pity, greeting the busy neighbors in the courtyard before bringing a stool to sit beside Mrs. Duan. She took over the needle and thread for the shoe insole, saying, "Mother, your eyes are not good, so stop doing this. Although my monthly salary isn’t much, it’s enough to support you and my brother."
Mrs. Duan pursed her lips and said nothing.
"The big girl is really considerate," Aunt Di put down her water ladle and said, "I keep advising your mother, saying she has such a good daughter and will enjoy blessings in the future. Now, constantly mending clothes for others—how embarrassing if people talk about it."
Jin Ling frowned, wanting to say what was so laughable about mending clothes? Didn’t Mrs. Duan raise her and her brother with a needle in the past? There’s no stealing or robbing involved, so what’s shameful about it?
Before she could speak, Mrs. Duan seized her wrist.
Despite her poor eyesight, Mrs. Duan had a strong grip and dragged Jin Ling back into the house.
"Mother, don’t take Aunt Di’s words to heart," Jin Ling supported Mrs. Duan to sit on the heated bed.
"Jin Ling, listen to what your mother has to say," Mrs. Duan sighed, as if making a firm decision. "I know it’s not easy to work in the mansion. You’ve come this far all thanks to the madam and the young lady valuing you. As the young lady’s maid, you must do what she says, but always remember your identity and never be ungrateful. Remember that you and your brother’s lives were saved by the madam, and it’s the young lady who gives you a livelihood."
Jin Ling was confused. Although she understood and completely agreed with Mrs. Duan’s words, it felt just like the strange conversation with Nanny Hua that morning.
"Mother, has something happened that I don’t know about? Why do I feel that everyone’s words today are strange?" Jin Ling asked.
"Mother, is the eldest sister back?" a voice called urgently from the inner room, "Sister, sister, don’t become a concubine for that Princely Heir. Even if the young lady forces you, don’t agree."
Mrs. Duan’s face darkened, and she immediately went towards the inner room, admonishing, "What nonsense are you getting involved in? Be quiet!"
Jin Ling sat on the bed, motionless, as if struck by lightning.
What did becoming a concubine for the Princely Heir mean? And being forced by the young lady?
Nanny Hua and Aunt Di’s words echoed in her ears, and Jin Ling shivered as realization dawned on her.
"Where did such nonsense come from!" Jin Ling stood up abruptly, her cheeks flaming red, chasing after Mrs. Duan and urging, "Mother, who spread such rumors? This would make me want to dash my head in front of the young lady!"
Mrs. Duan firmly gripped Jin Ling’s wrist angrily, "What are you saying? Didn’t listen to a word I just said? The young lady trusts you and wants to elevate you, and you’re talking about seeking death! Jin Ling, I am also reluctant to see you serve the young master, but you are the young lady’s maid!"
"When did the young lady ever say she wanted me to..." Jin Ling couldn’t bring herself to finish, turning her head, "Mother, tell me first who started this nonsense. I’ve served the young lady for many years, I know her character; she wouldn’t want Jin Rui and me to..."
Mrs. Duan was taken aback and after a moment said, "Really, the young lady never said so?"
Seeing Jin Ling nod firmly, Mrs. Duan breathed a sigh of relief, "I didn’t believe it either. I thought a place as clean as the madam’s side wouldn’t let such thoughts arise. But yesterday, San Ya’s mother, who works in the mansion, said it so convincingly, and Aunt Di heard it too. They said any proposals for you to the young lady were refused outright because she wants you to serve the young master in the future."
Jin Ling felt choked, enraged all over.
Only the Zhao family, in or out of the mansion, talked vaguely to her about it. She hadn’t agreed, and when they came to Anhua Courtyard to ask the young lady, she was rewarded with tea, but the young lady had promised her that unless she found her own place, she wouldn’t randomly decide her future.
When the young lady said that, her voice sounded almost teary. Jin Ling believed she was sincere, wouldn’t deceive her, and would reject even if the Zhao family asked.
Could it be the Zhao family went back and concocted this outrageous story?
The more Jin Ling thought about it, the angrier she became. The Zhao family, well-established in the mansion, bullied her without shame, and presumed about the young lady’s mind!
"Mother, I’ll head back to the mansion, I’ll speak well in front of the young lady."
Mrs. Duan nodded, urging, "Quickly go back; since the young lady never said so, clarify things to avoid any misunderstanding with you."
Jin Ling carried her small bundle and rushed back to Du Mansion.
In the West Courtyard of Qinghui Garden, Du Yunluo had just woken up from her afternoon nap.
As Jin Rui helped Du Yunluo change clothes and comb her hair, she noticed the young lady was in a good mood, and tentatively said, "Young lady, this past few days, the Zhao family has frequently come looking for Nanny Zhao. Do you think she might..."
Du Yunluo raised her brows, sneering, "Do you mean that she’s harboring ulterior motives?"
Jin Rui murmured, "She calls Nanny Zhao her aunt."
"Clinging to false kinship!" Du Yunluo didn’t like the Zhao family and was frank in her disdain.
In the mansion, servants often established ties, hoping for a change in fortune by recognizing a prestigious godparent.
Nanny Zhao had a voice that could influence Mrs. Zhen, and shared the same surname with Housekeeper Zhao, so the Zhao family called her aunt affectionately.
"Even if she manipulates Nanny Zhao, I won’t agree to it."
Jin Rui opened her mouth to say more than abruptly paused upon hearing Jin Ling’s voice approaching from outside.
