The wet nurse looked at Zhong Liangshu, a pang of heartache rising in her heart. She nodded gently, "Third Young Madam is right. Even if we pass by Luoyang, we won't return to the Luoyang Royal Mansion."
Everyone in the Luoyang Royal Mansion was a snobbish and heartless bunch, fond of fawning over the powerful and despising the weak. Third Young Madam, being born of a concubine and her mother not of high birth, was often neglected and mistreated during her maiden years. It was only after marrying into the Dai Royal Mansion that she enjoyed a better life, but who would have thought the Dai Royal Mansion would fall into hardship.
Third Young Madam was truly unfortunate!
She wondered what Third Young Madam's plans were for the future. Previously, when they were lodging at the inn, before serving Third Young Madam and her daughter for the night, she had asked Third Young Madam about it. Third Young Madam had said she hadn't thought about it then.
However, due to her upbringing, Third Young Madam had always been adept at planning for herself. With the Dai Royal Mansion in trouble and their current predicament, she was surely already making plans for herself.
Thinking this, the wet nurse couldn't help but ask, "Third Young Madam, do you have any plans for the future? You should make plans soon."
Her face was full of concern, showing that she was thinking of Zhong Liangshu's well-being.
Before Zhong Liangshu could speak, the wet nurse continued, "Although, because of the Eldest Young Lady, we are spared the hardship of exile and are well-fed, clothed, and housed, this cannot go on forever. m..oΓg
Although we are living well now, once we reach Lingping and are under the supervision of the Lingping officials, things will surely not be as good. I don't know where the Lingping officials will arrange for us to live. It would be terrible if they put us in a jail.
Moreover, you are still young, not even thirty, and so beautiful and talented. You cannot remain a widow forever. It would be too tragic to spend your life alone in an empty chamber. You should make plans for your future."
Zhong Liangshu remained silent. Did the wet nurse think she didn't know or didn't want to know these things?
But in her current situation, she couldn't return to her maternal home. If she secretly left Huangfu Yue and the others and tried to live alone, her fate would not be good. She was now a criminal, and if her identity were discovered, she would be in grave danger.
Therefore, it was best to obediently follow Huangfu Yue and the others. By following them, with Huangfu Yue and Consort Dowager Zheng, they would shield them from the wind and rain.
Judging by the methods and capabilities Huangfu Yue had shown so far, even under the supervision of the Lingping officials, she would ensure they lived well, and there was no need to worry.
As for finding another husband, now was not the time to think about such things. They needed to settle down in Lingping first.
Seeing Zhong Liangshu's silence, the wet nurse wanted to say more, but Zhong Liangshu interrupted her by raising her hand. "I have it all figured out, wet nurse. You don't need to worry."
Seeing that Zhong Liangshu appeared unwilling to discuss the matter further, the wet nurse couldn't say anything more and closed her mouth.
"Let's go check on Wanqian's room," Zhong Liangshu suddenly said, standing up from her chair.
"Yes." The wet nurse immediately agreed, not questioning why Zhong Liangshu was going to see Yang Wanqian. Zhong Liangshu had the best relationship with Yang Wanqian among all the sisters-in-law and enjoyed spending time with her the most.
Zhong Liangshu, with the wet nurse, left their sleeping quarters and headed for Yang Wanqian's room. Yang Wanqian's room was not far from theirs, in fact, it was quite close.
Yang Wanqian's room was separated from Zhong Liangshu's only by Xu Yujing's room. Once past Xu Yujing's room, they would arrive.
As they passed by the door of Xu Yujing's room, Zhong Liangshu faintly heard Jiang Shangyun's voice.
Her wet nurse also heard it and looked at her, her eyes asking if she wanted to stop by Xu Yujing's door and eavesdrop. Zhong Liangshu shook her head.
There was no need to stand at the door and eavesdrop; she could guess what Jiang Shangyun was saying inside. It was definitely words of flattery and excessive attentiveness towards Xu Yujing.
Zhong Liangshu signaled to the wet nurse to move forward and find Yang Wanqian. She didn't know that her guess was wrong. Jiang Shangyun was not flattering Xu Yujing or showering her with excessive attentiveness at that moment.
Jiang Shangyun was currently flattering and being attentive to Xu Yujing's daughter, Huangfu Ying, in the room.
"Miss Ying, didn't you ask me before what I would weave with grass? I said I would give you a surprise, and now I've finished it. I specifically came to give it to you," Jiang Shangyun said to Huangfu Ying with a smile, his face full of paternal kindness.
Upon hearing Jiang Shangyun's words, Huangfu Yue's round, bright eyes sparkled. Her face lit up with joy and anticipation, and she sweetly thanked him, "Thank you, Uncle Jiang. What have you woven?"
Jiang Shangyun didn't answer her. Instead, he took a butterfly from his sleeve, a grass-woven butterfly. Although it was woven from grass, the butterfly was very beautiful and eye-catching.
"It's a butterfly!" Huangfu Ying exclaimed in surprise, her mouth opening wide. She immediately reached out, took the butterfly, and called out to Xu Yujing, who was sitting beside her, "Mother, it's a butterfly!"
Xu Yujing was also surprised to see the butterfly. A flicker of joy flashed in her eyes, and she couldn't help but ask Jiang Shangyun, "Why did you think of weaving a butterfly for Ying'er?"
"Earlier, I saw Miss Ying was disappointed that she hadn't caught a butterfly, so I thought of weaving a butterfly to give to Miss Ying." Jiang Shangyun's gaze shifted from his daughter to his mother as he smiled and answered Xu Yujing.
Hearing his reply, a warm current flowed through Xu Yujing's heart, and she felt even more favorably towards him.
"Miss Ying, you play with this butterfly for now. Later, I'll catch a real butterfly for you to play with." His gaze returned to Huangfu Ying.
"Thank you, Uncle Jiang, you're so kind!" Huangfu Ying said with a grateful expression, smiling brilliantly and looking extremely happy.
Looking at Huangfu Ying, the smile on Jiang Shangyun's face deepened.
He not only wanted to win over Xu Yujing and make her like him, but he also wanted to win over Huangfu Ying and make her like him. Only then would his plan proceed smoothly.