Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 176 - 72: Taking the Initiative_3

Chapter 176 -72: Taking the Initiative_3

Nanny Deng suddenly realized, she had been wondering why the young lady dared to offend Lady Cheng while meddling with the Ma family’s affairs, it turned out that Madam had appeared in her dream: “Young lady, what else did Madam say that you found unbelievable and hard to believe?”

Yueyao looked at Nanny Deng, her expression one of great difficulty, “Mother said a few words to me then, and I asked her what they meant at that time. She told me that I would understand the meaning of these words once I heard the name Yu Zida. Mother also said that this Yu Zida is a once-in-a-century talent. Mother, I heard from Hua Lei yesterday that there is a person named Yu Zida in this year’s imperial examination. He is a famous scholar from Jiangnan, ranked first in the child examination, first in the provincial examination, and I suspect he will also be first in the metropolitan and even the imperial examinations. Otherwise, mother wouldn’t have referred to him as a once-in-a-century talent.”

Nanny Deng, being a knowledgeable person herself, was stunned, “Does the young lady mean that this Yu Zida will pass the imperial examinations at the county, provincial, and national levels?” If so, that truly would be a once-in-a-century talent, as since the founding of the Great Yuan Dynasty until now there hasn’t been such a talent.

Yueyao nodded, “I do have such suspicions.”

Nanny Deng, still pondering over what Yueyao had just said, remained puzzled, “What do you mean by unbelievable, young lady? I did not quite catch your drift?”

Yueyao’s expression was complex, “Mother, I suspect that the few words mother spoke to me might be related to the imperial exams, and might even be the questions of the exam. Of course, this is just my guess. If it turns out to be true, I must tell Uncle Master, then my cousin would surely pass; but if it’s not, I’m afraid Uncle Master will be disappointed, and if others come to know, it could lead to a scandal.”

Nanny Deng did not share these concerns and, smiling after hearing Yueyao’s words, said, “Young lady, you worry too much. We will only tell Uncle Master about this matter. Aside from you, me, and Uncle Master, there won’t be a fourth person who knows. As for whether the questions are indeed genuine, we’ll just take a risk, especially as the Eldest Young Master doesn’t have much hope this time.”

Yueyao was still struggling.

Seeing Yueyao’s conflicted appearance, Nanny Deng smiled and said, “Young lady, if you’re afraid that leaking this might lead to the consequences you fear, there’s really no need. I definitely won’t reveal it, and Uncle Master won’t disclose it either. Moreover, we still don’t know if this really will be the exam question! Even if it turns out to be, so what? Young lady, as long as it isn’t a leak from the examination itself, if only the Young Master (cousin) independently succeeds, others will only envy the Young Master (cousin) for his good luck. Remember how during the provincial exams, everyone said the Young Master (cousin) wouldn’t pass and even the teacher said there was no hope, but he still succeeded. Young lady, that’s luck.”

Yueyao hesitantly added, “But mother, I feel that doing this violates the way of the gentleman.” A gentleman should be upright and open, and Yueyao felt she was now acting in a petty and low manner.

Nanny Deng looked at Yueyao speechlessly, “Young lady, this is because Madam can’t rest easy about the Ma family and appeared in your dream. This matter concerns the future of the Ma family and doesn’t conflict with the way of the gentleman.”

Yueyao then felt relieved, realizing that speaking out doesn’t harm anyone, thus it does not relate to morality, so she should choose benefit. Perhaps the cousin’s fate changed, as if predestined that he would have great fortune in life. Otherwise, even if the cousin didn’t succeed, knowing the examination questions would be futile, so she need not bear a psychological burden.

Yueyao thought seriously again, and there was no incident of cheating in Yu Zida’s imperial examination, so her last worry was also unnecessary: “Tomorrow, when I go to Uncle’s house, I will tell Uncle Master about this affair, and just let Uncle Master take the chance as if hoping a dead horse to act as a live one.” In fact, the best way would be for Yueyao to tell Ma Chengteng herself. The more people know, the greater the risk. But Yueyao currently being sick and even going to Ma’s Mansion was quite conspicuous, and if the cousin managed to pass unexpectedly, Yuehuan would definitely suspect her later.

Before Yuehuan’s test, Yueyao wasn’t worried that suspicions would fall on her. Nevertheless, Yuehuan’s recent trial had made Yueyao become cautious.

For this reason, Yueyao was very attentive in her daily life, trying her best to appear as a normal young girl and not give anyone reason to think otherwise. She didn’t provide Yuehuan with any evidence to attack her. Of course, this was to be prepared just in case, since she also had some leverage over Yuehuan. Yueyao believed that Yuehuan wouldn’t dare to act rashly, and it was best for the two to coexist peacefully.

Nanny Deng thought for a while and then said, “Young lady, the exams are only a few days away. Last time during the county exams, you sent a gift to your cousin. It’s an excellent reason for this old servant to make a run there again.” It’s normal for a cousin to send gifts, especially since you did last time, so it won’t attract undue attention.

Yueyao nodded, “Don’t forget the gifts for elder brother and second brother; I don’t want people to think I favor the cousin and neglect my brothers.”

Nanny Deng personally went to Ma’s Mansion to deliver the gifts. As long as she reported to Lady Mo, it was allowed. Not to mention that Old Madam was still alive, even if Old Madam had passed away, Lady Mo couldn’t stop Nanny Deng from visiting Ma’s Mansion. If Yueyao had gone herself, it could be said that young ladies shouldn’t venture out too often. Now sending a servant woman to visit her maternal uncle’s family was perfectly normal.

Yueyao wrote a piece of paper, not directly, but using a rebus. Of course, she explained the method to Nanny Deng.

Ever since being reborn, Yueyao had been tightly wound up, not allowing herself to truly relax. Concerned about the exam questions, she had been troubled for most of the day and was genuinely exhausted. After she finished instructing Nanny Deng, she fell asleep. And her sleep lasted for a good half of the day.

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Yueyao fell ill, and naturally, everyone came to visit. Lady Mo was the first to arrive, but she had many matters to attend to and left after a short stay. By now, Lady Mo no longer pretended to be charitable, for Yueyao didn’t fall for that act. Afterwards, Yueying, Yuebing, and three others came after their classes.

Speaking of which, Yueyao’s relationship with the daughters of the main branch wasn’t good. Following some issues with Yueying last time, Yueyao had kept only superficial contact. Yueying wanted to improve the relationship, but Yueyao, having heeded Nanny Hao’s advice, was unwilling to have further contact with Yueying.

Under Nanny Wang’s instruction, Yuebing knew that whatever the internal feelings, she must display sisterly affection in public, so she harbored intentions to befriend. Unfortunately, Yueyao was coldly indifferent, clearly showing unwillingness to interact with Yuebing, which frustrated Yuebing. However, she couldn’t do anything about it and didn’t overthink it since Yueyao’s demeanor towards Yueying and Yuehuan was equally cold, assuming that’s just how she was.

Yuehuan, on the other hand, actively stayed away from Yueyao. After learning from the past, she felt deeply the disparity between a daughter born of a concubine and a legitimate daughter. If she wanted herself, her mother, and her brother to live well, it was better not to get close to the disliked Third Young Lady. Her aunt also told her that if they wanted to live well, she should try to gain favor with the Second Young Lady. She couldn’t and didn’t disdain to do so, but staying away from Yueyao was still achievable.

The three tutors had observed for over half a year and clearly saw that all four young ladies were commendable, especially the Third and Fourth Miss, who were very smart. However, each had her own mind. In other families, even if sisters didn’t get along, they would still pretend to be affectionate, but the Lian family’s young ladies didn’t even bother to pretend. Leading them was the Third Young Lady; Nanny Wang kept telling Yueyao that family unity was important, that sisters should support each other. However, Yueyao continuously ignored these words, making Nanny Wang feel somewhat defeated.