The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 618 - 584: This Maid Has a Request

"Uh..." Nanny Qian hesitated, "This isn’t something I can decide. You’ll have to ask Madam about how to make the change."

Nanny Zhou snorted, "Wasn’t the duty roster something the three of us initially discussed privately? I’ve asked Nanny Qian before, and she said it was fine. Now it’s up to you to decide."

Seeing Nanny Qin remain silent, Nanny Zhou continued, "This is your first time being a mother, isn’t it? Sister Qian and I have experience, and it’s for your sake that we suggested you take care of the girl during the day. Just look at you; after only a few nights, your eyes are ringed with shadows. You must rest properly; you can’t wear your body out at such a young age."

Nanny Zhou spoke for a long time, but Nanny Qin remained unmoved, keeping her head lowered and stubbornly said, "I’ll go meet Madam after I finish washing clothes and report to her."

"Fine, go report then," Nanny Zhou said with a smile, but inside, she couldn’t help but curse.

Nanny Qin ignored her, put Wen Wan’s gifted jacket and skirt back at the bedside, and carried the wooden basin to the well.

...

After hanging up the clothes, Nanny Qin dried her hands by the stove in the laundry room. It was lunchtime, and a kitchen maid brought some food over, including peanut pig’s trotters, red date stewed flower gelatin, and stir-fried shrimp. After eating most of it, she went to the Qingteng Residence to see Wen Wan.

Jinbao had returned after sweeping the snow, and Wen Wan was dining with him. When Yun Cai mentioned Nanny Qin was seeking an audience, Wen Wan didn’t hesitate and allowed her to come in.

After entering the room, Nanny Qin paid her respects and stood aside with her head down, still wearing the same dowdy clothes. On the street, she’d be the least attention-grabbing, but in the Song Mansion, this humility stood out.

After all, maids her age were typically dressed in bright colors, yet she chose an old-fashioned, dull color with no style, appearing very plain.

This kind of visibility made it impossible for her not to be noticed in the Song family.

Wen Wan snapped out of her thoughts and smiled, "I already gifted you a set of winter clothes. Why haven’t you changed into them?"

Nanny Qin replied frankly, "Before coming over, I noticed Nanny Zhou was wearing a set too. I thought Madam might have rewarded us, but the fabric was different from what I received. I’m worried it was a mistake, so I don’t dare to wear it."

Wen Wan said, "There was no mistake; it was meant for you. I’ve heard from the Master that you’ve been very diligent on night duty these days, especially last night when Qi Bao was restless and kept crying. You soothed him with much effort. I’ve raised children before and know night duty isn’t easy, so I specially rewarded you with top-quality fabric. Please continue to devote yourself to your duties."

After speaking, she glanced at Nanny Qin, "Do you not like it?"

Listening to Wen Wan mention that the Master praised her, Nanny Qin felt a stir of emotion and lowered her head even more, hurriedly expressing her gratitude, "Thank you, Madam, for your reward."

Wen Wan put down her chopsticks and called Yun Cai, "Go to my dressing box and retrieve the red gemstone hairpin."

Yun Cai went to the inner room in response and soon returned with the hairpin as instructed.

Wen Wan beckoned Nanny Qin over.

When Nanny Qin approached, Wen Wan stood up and personally pinned the hairpin into the bun at the nape of her neck, finally seeming satisfied and smiling, "You are only eighteen, and dressing too conservatively doesn’t suit you. Take my advice, change your clothes, and spruce yourself up. With such a lovely face, not dressing up would be a waste."

Nanny Qin could only express her gratitude once more with a curtsy.

After sitting back down, Wen Wan, recalling that Nanny Qin had come of her own accord, inquired, "Is there something you need?"

Nanny Qin nodded, "When Sister Zhou delivered the clothes to me, she asked if we could change the duty shifts, but I dare not make the decision myself, so I came to ask Madam’s opinion."

Wen Wan received the teacup from Linglong, rinsed her mouth slowly, and wiped the water off her lips, "How should it change?"

"Sister Zhou suggested I handle the daytime duties, while she and Sister Qian take turns at night."

"That won’t do," Wen Wan clearly disagreed, "They aren’t as detail-oriented and clever as you. Night duties are long, and if Qi Bao becomes unwell, you can handle it. Besides, night duty can harm one’s health over time. I can’t let them take night duty continuously. Tell them the duty rotation will remain the same, swapping every ten days."

As Wen Wan spoke, she glanced at Nanny Qin from the corner of her eye, noticing her head was always lowered, obscuring her emotions.

She waved her hand, "You have to be on duty tonight; go rest so you don’t lack energy."

After Nanny Qin left, Yun Cai said, "No wonder Madam values her so much; Nanny Qin is indeed quite capable."

Wen Wan took a sip of tea and merely curved her lips without responding.

Nanny Qin returned to the servant’s quarters to find Nanny Zhou sitting idly at her door, seemingly waiting for a while.

Upon seeing her return, Nanny Zhou quickly rose from the stool, "How did it go? Did Madam agree?"

Nanny Qin shook her head, "Madam said it’s not feasible; it would be too hard on the two sisters."

With a slight shake of her head, the hairpin on her bun swayed back and forth, causing an edge to appear in Nanny Zhou’s gaze. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

She set out with nothing on her head and returned with a hairpin. Despite claiming that Madam disagreed, it was clear this little troublemaker had gone to Madam to ask for rewards and perhaps badmouthed them to get favors, leaving Madam with no intention of agreeing.

Nanny Zhou tugged at her lips, "The hairpin on your head looks really nice, a reward from Madam, right?"

Before Nanny Qin could speak, she sourly said, "Neither I nor your Sister Qian got this, which shows you’re favored by the madam. You must be diligent in your duties from now on."

"I understand." No matter how Nanny Zhou mocked her, Nanny Qin remained timid and respectful.

After Nanny Zhou snorted and flounced out, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief and opened the door.

Originally, she planned to take a nap in the afternoon, but now she had completely lost her drowsiness.

The water-red embroidered begonia jacket was still on the bedhead. Nanny Qin took off the hairpin, removed the headband, letting her black hair down, and then sat in front of the copper mirror, staring blankly at her reflection for a while.

During her night shift, she indeed changed into that jacket and skirt. The water-red color accentuated her fair skin. Although the size was slightly big, it clearly outlined her curves compared to her previous loose, old clothes.

When Nanny Qin went to the main room to carry Qi Bao, she happened to encounter Song Wei coming out.

Song Wei did not recognize Nanny Qin at first glance, thinking she was some noblewoman visiting Wen Wan, but then found the woman somewhat familiar.

This familiarity came from the clothes and hairpin she wore, which he had seen Wanwan wear before.

Song Wei was puzzled, his gaze lingered on the jacket and skirt, but he said nothing and walked away with hands behind his back.

Nanny Qin was already blushing with a pounding heart under his gaze.

Afraid Wen Wan inside might discover, she stood outside for a long time before calming herself, opening the curtain, and walking in.

Jinbao was fussing to hold his sister as Wen Wan was teaching him. Seeing Nanny Qin enter, she asked if she had eaten dinner.

Nanny Qin nodded and said she had.

Wen Wan gestured to her, "Sit down, it’s still early. Qi Bao doesn’t seem to want to sleep yet; let Jinbao play with her for a while."

Yun Cai, being quick-witted, brought over an embroidered stool.

Nanny Qin sat down, as if accustomed to keeping her head low in front of others, always appearing meek and compliant.

While keeping an eye on Jinbao to prevent him from falling on Qi Bao, Wen Wan chatted with Nanny Qin, "I heard your husband is no longer here. Who is taking care of the children at home?"

"My elder sister from my parental home is helping," Nanny Qin said, "She just recently gave birth."

"You’re so young and already widowed, you must have it tough?"

Nanny Qin whispered, "Thanks to the understanding of the master and madam, they gave me this job."

Wen Wan looked at her, "Have you thought about what to do in the future?"

"I still have in-laws to support, so I must earn more silver while I’m young, to provide for my son’s education and hope for his success," Nanny Qin replied.

Wen Wan raised her hand to refill her tea, "You’re still so young, haven’t you thought about remarrying?"

"No, that’s impossible," Nanny Qin hurriedly said, "As long as my in-laws are alive, I can’t remarry."

Wen Wan smiled faintly without pressing her further. She only asked Nanny Qin to take Qi Bao when she began to yawn from sleepiness.

As usual, Song Wei stayed up late in the study before returning. Tonight, Qingteng Residence was surprisingly quiet. When he entered, the West Wing was dark, but after a few steps, light suddenly streamed from the window.

Worried about Qi Bao having an emergency, Song Wei stood still.

Soon, the West Wing door was pushed open, and Nanny Qin came out. Her water-red jacket and skirt looked particularly striking in the snowy light.

Song Wei finally remembered who he had seen when he went out. He stood motionless, his voice carrying the chill of the winter night, "Why are you out in the middle of the night instead of staying inside?"

"I...I came out..." She struggled with the words, almost lowering her head to the ground.

Song Wei changed the topic, "Is Qi Bao okay?"

"The young miss is sleeping well."

Seeing Song Wei about to leave, she suddenly called out to him, "Master..."

Song Wei paused.

Nanny Qin said, "I... I have a request."