Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 213 - 86 Leaving Beijing
Chapter 213: Chapter 86: Leaving Beijing
Chapter 213 -86: Leaving Beijing
April 10th was the anniversary of Yueyao’s birth mother.
Nanny Deng reminded Yueyao, suggesting she should inform Old Madam Lian, “Miss, if possible, we can go to the temple to offer incense on Madam’s behalf.” She would tell Madam that her family’s young lady was in good health.
If Nanny Deng hadn’t reminded her, Yueyao would have truly forgotten, but as for offering incense, Yueyao shook her head. She wouldn’t go to offer incense; after more than a year of copying scriptures, she had roughly over five hundred scrolls. In her previous life, it took her more than a year to copy a thousand scripture scrolls; this life, over five hundred scrolls should be more than enough.
Nanny Deng asked in surprise, “Miss, why don’t you go to offer incense?”
Yueyao looked at the copied scripture scrolls, “Nanny, I want to burn these scripture scrolls in front of my parents’ graves.” She had stayed at the Nunnery before and understood early on that not all monks and nuns were as kind-hearted as the Great Grandmaster. Of course, Grand Master Pu An wasn’t necessarily bad at heart but she hadn’t cleansed her desires and didn’t escape worldly thoughts. Therefore, Yueyao would never go to Hualin Temple again. If she ever went to another, she would only go to the more serene Imperial Temple, Zhaohua Temple.
Nanny Deng looked at the mountainous pile of scripture scrolls and also believed that there was no need for the Miss to continue copying them. If the Miss kept on copying scripture scrolls as Hua Lei had said, it would scare her into falling ill, “Just hire someone to take them back and burn them in front of Old Master and Madam’s grave!”
Yueyao shook her head, “I don’t feel assured leaving it to others; I want to go myself.” Lian family’s ancestral home wasn’t far from the Capital City, and the round trip by horse carriage would take roughly six days.
When Nanny Deng heard that Yueyao wanted to go herself, she knew that the Miss had made up her mind, and it was pointless for anyone else to object. The so-called ‘easiness in changing a kingdom but difficulty in changing a person’s nature’ meant that a person’s character doesn’t change just because they have been reborn.
Old Madam Lian didn’t agree at first, but Yueyao knelt on the ground and wouldn’t get up, “Grandmother, this is the last thing I can do for my parents, please let me do this.” In her previous life, she had become seriously ill after completing a thousand scripture scrolls. Those scripture scrolls were burned at her parents’ graves by people arranged by Lady Mo; it was during that illness that Lady Mo stayed by her side day and night, not leaving for a moment. After she recovered, Lady Mo herself fell seriously ill, which made her feel guilty and touched. Since then, she had regarded Lady Mo as her own mother, without any guard. But in this lifetime, that would no longer be the case.
Seeing her granddaughter’s stubborn look, Old Madam Lian felt as though she was seeing her younger son. Yueyao didn’t only resemble her son in appearance but also shared his stubborn nature, “Since you insist, wait until the day after tomorrow, and I’ll have your eldest brother take you back to your ancestral home.” Luckily the ancestral home wasn’t far, only three days’ journey from the Capital City. If it took three or four months for the round trip, Old Madam Lian would definitely not agree.
Tingli was sixteen this year, old enough to independently manage his own household. It was just a three-day journey, and with long-time faithful servants by his side, adding a few more people for peace of mind wouldn’t hurt.
Yueyao showed a relieved smile.
Old Madam held Yueyao’s hand, brimming with emotion, “Third Girl, that stubborn nature of yours must change, otherwise, you will suffer greatly in the future. Remember, everything is about adapting; knowing how to be flexible is the only way not to lose out.” Too much stubbornness wasn’t good for a young lady. With the Second Son’s Wife gone, and the Eldest Son’s Wife unreliable, and her own health failing, Old Madam Lian was genuinely worried.
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Yueyao nodded repeatedly, “Grandmother, don’t worry, I will take good care of myself and Tingzheng.” Adaptability was necessary when the time called for it, but that time wasn’t now.
Upon hearing that Old Madam Lian intended for her eldest son to take Yueyao to the ancestral home in Qi County, Lady Mo immediately suggested she could take Yueyao instead. Tingli still had to attend classes, and since he failed his exams this time, he should study every minute he could to prepare for the next imperial examination.
Old Madam Lian waved her hand, “These few days won’t make a difference. Besides, we can consider it as a break for Tingli. The decision is made; no need to say more.”
Lady Mo held back a breath of frustration and didn’t let it go until she was back in her room with only her trusted confidantes left, “This girl manages to stir up trouble every other day; there’s never a moment of peace.” Last time, she came over to question her about an issue with the courtyard, and now she has kicked up this commotion.
Granny Hua suggested, “Let the Third Young Lady not go. If the people back at her ancestral home see her burning so many scripture scrolls, won’t they all praise her filial piety?” A good reputation for the Third Young Lady wasn’t necessarily a good thing for them.
Lady Mo sighed; this wasn’t something she had the power to thwart if she wanted to: “Let’s just bear with it!” She would no longer have to hold back once she was in charge of the household.
Having obtained Old Madam Lian’s consent, Yueyao sent word to Tingzheng, asking him to accompany her. This time it was nominally to burn scripture scrolls, but Yueyao actually intended to visit the graves.
Filial piety is the foremost among all virtues, and once the teacher heard it was for tomb-sweeping, he naturally let people go. It was Lady Li who felt a sourness in her eyes upon hearing that they were going to the old home to visit the graves, and prepared many things for Tingzheng, but regrettably, Tingzheng didn’t accept any of it.
The reason Tingzheng refused was quite simple, “Auntie, I can’t accept these things. If my sister finds out I accepted them, she will punish me again.” The last time his sister found out he had received something from Li Han, she reprimanded him fiercely, telling him not to take anything from the Li family ever again. He dared not accept anything after that.
Lady Li smiled and said, “Your sister is just too polite.” Lady Li complained that Yueyao was too formal with them. Since Tingzheng had been staying at the Li Mansion, everything he wore and used had been prepared by Yueyao herself, as if she was afraid of taking advantage of them. Although Lady Li had some complaints about Yueyao’s over-politeness, Yueyao’s behavior only made her more pitiable.
Tingzheng was very happy, “Sister, how long will we be staying at our old home this time?”
Yueyao smiled and said, “The round trip should take about ten days!”
Tingzheng was overjoyed, having six days to accompany his sister was wonderful, “Sister, where is our old home? Brother Li Han said their old home is very close, just a day’s journey away.” The main branch of the Li family was only a day’s journey from the Capital City, even closer than Yueyao’s.
Yueyao laughed and said, “Our old home is in Qi County, and it’s also my first time going there. Tingzheng, we are going to the old home to pay respects to our parents’ graves.”
Yueyao’s intention to visit the ancestral graves soon spread throughout the Lian Mansion. For ladies who rarely had the chance to travel far, this was an attractive outing, and Yuebing directly requested to join.
Seeing that Lady Mo disagreed, Yuebing coquettishly pleaded, “Mother, I’ve never traveled far. Oh, Mother, just let me go out this once.” She thought about going to the countryside, where she could fish and enjoy the scenery, which sounded nice.
Lady Mo decisively refused, “You should be learning manners diligently with your nanny. After so much time spent on manners, you’re still the same jumpy and easily muddled girl as before, blocked by anyone’s mere two words. This is only passable at home, but if you behave like this when you go out to socialize in the future, what would others think?” Lady Mo also knew about Yueyao distributing the Satin to everyone to make clothes, which had taken her aback. The household income was meager, but expenditures kept rising; despite this, the Third Girl was reckless with spending. Lady Mo’s annoyance with Old Madam grew – she had never seen such favoritism. With the mansion’s tight expenses, all the money was used to pamper the Third Girl. Sighing, Lady Mo refused to think further; it would only worsen her mood.
Aside from Yuebing, Yueying and Yuehuan also wished to visit the old home.
Yuehuan envied Yueyao, “Maternal Auntie, Third Sister gets to do whatever she wants. That must be nice.” She wanted to do things but could never accomplish them, not even allowed to lift the curtain to look outside when going out. To this day, she was still unaware of the outside world, only knowing that this dynasty had been altered by a transmigrator who opened up ocean trade and brought modern items like glass and soap.
From these, Yuehuan deduced that the transmigrator must definitely be a student of science, which was a pity because though she was a student of the liberal arts, she had no talent for Poetry and Songs. Poetry and such were manageable, Yuehuan had no ambitions to become a talented lady; her greatest desire was to make money, as life was unbearably stifling. Just the other day, her and Tingchao’s daily sheep milk was cut off – the reason was simple: there was not enough sheep milk, even for the Second Young Lady and the Third Young Lady. Yuehuan knew it had nothing to do with the Third Young Lady; it was the Second Young Lady’s doing.
Thinking back to last winter, when Yuebing and Yueyao used Silver Frost Charcoal, and here she couldn’t even get enough regular charcoal for heating. While there were no cuts on food and clothing, the quality had dropped several tiers. The meals were getting worse, comparable to pig feed. She had to change this situation; it had to change, as it was too suffocating.
Yueyao glanced at Yuehuan oddly, “What do you mean I can do whatever I want? I am going to pay respects at our parents’ graves, not going on a pleasure trip.”
Yuehuan was caught off guard and wanted to say more but saw Yueyao wearing a cold expression and ignoring her. Yuehuan hadn’t expected Yueyao to have such a temper; she hadn’t said anything wrong to merit this anger.
Maternal Aunt Su, seeing the envious look on her daughter when talking about the Third Young Lady, said, “Fourth Miss, you are not the same as the Third Young Lady.” Birth determined different treatment; even though the Third Young Lady was orphaned, she still had her maternal family to rely on while she, just a Maternal Auntie, had not only her own and her child’s future in Madam’s hands but also her family was still dependent on the Mo Family. If she disobeyed, the fate of her whole family would not be pleasant.
Yuehuan felt somewhat disheartened, not knowing how much longer she had to endure such life. No, she had to make a change; she could not continue living like this.
When Yueyao set out, she did not just bring clothes, but also brushes, ink, paper, inkstone, and books, all of which were indispensable. These were not excessive; what truly counted the most were the scripture scrolls, more than five hundred volumes, filling several chests.
Yuebing pouted, “Just going out for a trip, and it’s such a grand show.” Yuebing was secretly envious to death of Yueyao, silently resenting her mother for not allowing her to leave for just over ten days – it would not be such a disruption, but she was unwilling to let her go.
