CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59: ISOLATED

Chun Nuan wasn’t underperforming in making pastries, she was just absent-minded.

Right now, she desperately wanted to know the ins and outs of how her elder sister single-handedly stood up to the Wu family in the Capital, and how she managed to endure it.

At that time, out in the suburbs of the capital, Nanny Chen was tearfully applying medicine on Chunyu’s wounds.

"It’s been a month, and these scars are still here."

"Nanny, don’t cry, at least we’re still alive, aren’t we?"

As long as she wasn’t dead, there was nothing to be afraid of; the moment Chunyu decided to take this step, she had already resolved to see it through.

If Wu Yunping hadn’t been so ruthless, she would still be that gentle and weak Xiao Chunyu.

Since he left her no way out, she decided to drag his whole family to hell, exchanging one life for dozens, that’s quite worth it!

Fortunately, she made the right bet. Though sometimes lenient, the Emperor on today was not one to overlook justice — indeed, as a hardworking and people-loving ruler, after all, the Wus were threatening his empire: Lord Wu, as Minister of Public Works, had silently amassed wealth through bribery; Xiao Chunyu not only filed a complaint but also presented irrefutable evidence.

Lord Wu was thrown into the prison of the heavens, and the entire Wu family was imprisoned. Of course, several other families were implicated too, and for a time, everyone in the Capital spoke of Xiao Chunyu with fear, saying that this woman was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, not one to be trifled with.

Even the in-laws of the Xiao family were scared, wishing they had no ties to the Xiao family for eight generations; Xiao Chunyu had been isolated in the Capital.

Even though she settled into the Empress’s manor, there was no peace to be had.

It was either thieves or people setting malicious fires.

If it weren’t for the help of the household servants from the Xia Mansion of Great General Huaizhu next door, they wouldn’t have survived until today.

"Nanny, has the gift of thanks been sent to the Xia Mansion?"

"Yes, Miss, it has." Nanny Zhou sighed in her heart: "The Great General Huaizhu is not present, and the old lady did not accept it, saying it was too trivial to mention."

In fact, it’s not that it wasn’t worth mentioning, it’s that they didn’t want to be associated with our Miss.

When Nanny Zhou delivered the thanks to the Xia Mansion, she wasn’t even allowed through the door; they sent out just a maid to dismiss her.

"A life-saving grace, of course, should be remembered." Xiao Chunyu understood well: "Not sending a gift of thanks would be our lack of understanding, not receiving it is their issue."

Nanny Zhou nodded, fully aware that her Miss couldn’t step out of the house now, and was shunned by everyone in the Capital.

Only Mrs. Qiu and Miss Qiu still kept in touch with them secretly.

All in secret, because the Qiu Mansion still had to live in the Capital.

"Miss, what are your plans for the future?"

"..."

Xiao Chunyu fell silent.

"Nanny, how do you think Grandmother and they are doing in Shu City?" said Xiao Chunyu, "I have a feeling they aren’t doing well. So, I can’t think of going to Shu City to seek refuge with them, on the contrary, I must stand firm in the Capital, and when I’m strong enough, our family can reunite."

How difficult it is to speak of!

Previously, the Xiao family did have the chief of the Imperial Hospital as a fifth-rank, but under the feet of the Son of Heaven where royal relatives congregate, the Xiao family was just among the common masses.

For the eldest Miss to establish herself, she must choose either power or wealth.

Power, such a thing, cannot be dreamed of; the Xiao family descendants have been barred for three generations from entering the bureaucracy through the imperial exams, the shortcut is in making military exploits on the frontier, but Xiao family men are all literarily inclined, let alone fighting the enemy, they can’t even protect themselves.

Thus, generations have failed to produce a military general!

As for money, that heartless Wu Yunping kicked the Miss out, leaving her mother and daughter destitute, all dowry became Wu family’s property, and when the Wu family was confiscated, the dowry was also taken.

The Empress Dowager and Empress’s rewards were given on account of her great-grandfather and grandfather.

If it were not for the Empress dispatching people to escort her back to the manor, she might not have been able to leave intact.

The entire estate amounted to just a manor and a thousand taels of silver, how difficult it is to establish a footing?

"Nanny, any word from Nanny Yun’s side?"

Nanny Yun was also her dowry nanny; the family had originally lived in the manor. After Xiao Chunyu went through a near-death experience during childbirth, she began making arrangements and released Nanny Yun’s family from servitude, letting them move out of the manor and into the city, where they opened a small shop selling snacks.

Facts proved that keeping this way out was indeed very wise.

"No news yet."

Nanny Zhou was a bit worried that Nanny Yun’s family might not be able to manage, as this old companion was a bit timid. Her husband is also honest, and the two sons naturally aren’t very capable.

"Alright then, let’s wait a bit longer."

Xiao Chunyu sent a message to Nanny Yun, asking her to expand to a slightly larger shop and prepare for a business; having no news for so long likely meant things weren’t going smoothly.

Just as the two were speaking, they heard someone speaking loudly outside.

"Molan, what’s going on? Who’s making such noise outside?"

"Miss, it’s a beggar woman," Molan explained, still puzzled: "She says she’s hungry and wants food, Nanny Tian gave her food but she wouldn’t leave, asking for water, and after drinking it, she said she needed to relieve herself, persistently trying to get inside."

"Everyone has urgent needs," said Xiao Chunyu, "take her in, don’t give her a hard time."

"Miss, you are always so kind-hearted, but what if she’s a bad person?"

"Are you with so many people afraid of one old woman hurting me?" said Xiao Chunyu, "Those who can harm me are only the ones who look glorious, not a beggar woman asking for food and water."

"But what if she’s pretending?"

"You let her relieve herself, keep an eye on her, and if she can’t see me, how can she harm me?"

"Yes, Miss."

Molan left the inner courtyard and instructed Nanny Tian and Nanny Wan to take the old woman to relieve herself.

"Ma’am, you’re not familiar with this courtyard, just follow Nanny Tian and Nanny Wan."

"Young lady, do be kind, can you take me instead?"

Molan... wants you to relieve yourself, and you’d like me to take you?

She looked at the angry faces of Nanny Tian and Nanny Wan, and ultimately Molan’s heart softened: perhaps the old lady was afraid of being scolded by them.

"Alright, follow me."

Molan led her to the cleaner room in the servants’ quarters, and just as they turned two corners, the old woman suddenly spoke.

"Miss Molan, Miss Molan, do you still recognize me?"

Molan turned to look at this old woman?

"Who are you? How do you know me?"

The voice was familiar, but she couldn’t remember who it was.

"Are you...?"

"Miss Molan, take a look at who I am?" She lifted the matted hair from her face, revealing a very familiar, weathered face.

"You are... Nanny Ma?"

Molan was utterly surprised.

"It’s me, it’s me." Nanny Ma stretched her neck to look outside, and seeing no one else had followed in, let out a long sigh of relief: "Finally found you, finally got in."

"Nanny Ma, didn’t you leave with your entire family to go back to your hometown? Why are you here?"