Long Yue raised her eyes, looking at them. Nanny Chen exhibited a meaningful smile, while the steward squinted, assessing her.

Long Yue knew that any further refusal was impossible now.

She smiled gently and curtsied, saying, "This is my home, and I ask that you please wait a moment while I gather my belongings."

"Gather what? Everything is at the mansion. The young lady just needs to come with us,"

Nanny Chen nodded.

With just a few simple exchanges, Nanny Chen could tell this young lady was poised and graceful.

Originally, she had worried this country girl might disgrace the mansion, but now it seemed she had worried too much.

Thus, Nanny Chen softened her demeanor a little.

Long Yue said, "There are some keepsakes, like my mother’s relics, that I must keep close no matter how times change. When the full moon is overhead, they will serve as my final reminiscences, so I ask for your patience."

Ugh!

The tone was truly refined and articulate!

Nanny Chen couldn’t help but take another look at this Wei Yunyan, her small face marked by calmness, neither humble nor pushy, indeed making one satisfied.

Nanny Chen said, "Very well, go ahead!"

"Thank you, Nanny!"

"Ah!"

Out of nowhere, You’er popped out. Nanny Chen’s gaze turned cold and pointed at him, "Who is this?"

You’er was startled by her fierce look and quickly snuggled closer to Long Yue.

Long Yue protected him and apologized, "Sorry, Nanny, this is an orphan I have taken in. My mother passed away early, and over the years, he has been by my side through thick and thin."

"Ah!"

You’er was quite clever; with Long Yue’s words, he pitifully cried out, and those innocent eyes gazed at them blankly.

Such a simple and straightforward child made it truly hard for people to dislike him.

However, Nanny Chen, coming from a noble family, looked at things without much emotion. Though slightly moved, she maintained a cold face, "Orphan?"

"Yes, we usually address each other as siblings."

Siblings?

Nanny Chen understood. She seriously asked, "Young lady, do you intend to take him along?"

This question seemed calm but was actually informing Long Yue that the young boy could not be taken.

However, Long Yue ignored the hidden subtext and continued, "Yes, we have lived together for years, close as siblings. I’m uneasy to leave him here alone."

Nanny Chen looked deeply at Long Yue, "Young lady, if this was a girl, perhaps she could accompany you as your maid, but he is a young boy, which might damage your reputation."

"Ah!"

You’er hugged Long Yue’s arm tightly upon hearing this.

"Nonsense, men and women should not touch casually!"

Nanny Chen scolded sternly. You’er was frightened into letting go immediately.

Long Yue took hold of You’er’s hand, "Nanny, my days have been difficult over the years. Once, when facing wild beasts in the forest, it was You’er who saved me! To rescue me, he almost got bitten by wolves, this kindness I can never forget!

Moreover, I once swore to share joys and hardships with You’er, so... I request your favor!"

Nanny Chen kept her face cold, just looking at her.

Long Yue said nothing more, matching her gaze.

After a long pause, Nanny Chen chuckled, "Alright, alright, alright!"

She repeatedly said "alright," looking at Long Yue with a complex gaze. "A girl who values emotions. Bringing you back to the mansion is the old madam’s wish. She hopes you remember her kindness in the future!"

The words seemed to reveal some distinct information, but Long Yue dared not think much, quickly curtsying, "Thank you, Nanny, for your guidance."

"Then hurry and pack up to go back with me!"

...

The garden behind Duke Wei Mansion.

It was now April, spring with blooming flowers, everywhere birds and swallows dancing. Beside the fake mountain in the garden, in the pavilion, a dignified lady was reclining on a soft chair, with thin gauze outlining her graceful silhouette.

Beside her, maids handed her delicious fruits and some kneaded her shoulders and legs, to her utter satisfaction.

"Madam, the old madam sent someone to fetch the young lady today."

At this moment, an older maid approached and whispered in her ear.

The noblewoman slightly opened her closed eyes, her long lashes moving lazily. "The previous matters were dealt with?"

The maid was silent for a moment, saying, "Those people haven’t returned."

The lady’s eyes widened suddenly, "Haven’t returned? They didn’t even come for the last portion of Silver?"

"Yes!"

"Why didn’t you tell me earlier?"

"Madam, this maid thought the deed involved no more than killing a defenseless girl, certainly no problem for them. As for not coming for the Silver, perhaps they went somewhere leisurely first and would come back when spent. Hence, not..."

"Slap!"

Before finishing, the noblewoman swiftly stood up, harshly slapping her.

"Wretch! With no confirmed news, how dare you assume the task complete? Now the old madam has people fetch her; if she were a corpse, it’s one thing, but if she’s truly brought back, you wouldn’t escape death!"

The maid hastily knelt and kowtowed, "Spare me, Madam, spare me! It’s my failure, I’m guilty!"

The woman’s icy gaze cut across her, gritting her teeth, "Punishing you now, what good does it do? Get up quickly, go check at the front, did they bring that little wench back?"

"Yes, I will go right away. Madam... if she..."

"Better dead. If alive, everything has to be reconsidered! You, go inform the young lady at Dai Chun Pavilion."

The noblewoman instructed another maid.

The maid quickly responded and turned to leave.

The elderly maid hurried out. Watching her departure, the noblewoman’s previously calm, leisurely mood was disrupted. She returned to her room.

She waited for a full hour before the elderly maid entered, pale-faced and trembling, "Madam... the young lady... she has been brought back!"

"Bang!"

The noblewoman was about to raise the teacup to calm her anger. Hearing this, the teacup fell directly.

She glared at the maid, coldly asking, "Really brought back?"

"Yes... Madam, she... she came back! Right now, they are welcoming her outside!"

The noblewoman, none other than the First Rank Madam of the Duke Wei Mansion, took a deep breath and slowly regained her composure.

Since things have reached this point, it will have to be accepted.

"Let’s go, we’ll properly welcome the young lady back to the mansion."

Her words carried an eerie chill that sent shivers down one’s spine.

At this moment, Wei State Duke Mansion’s gate slowly opened. Sunlight fell on the bronze lions at the entrance, reflecting two glimmering rays. Alongside lined up maids and servants who bowed and chanted, "Welcome young lady back to the mansion!"

Long Yue gazed at the deep mansion entrance, took a deep breath, and walked in calmly.

Here, yet another new battlefield awaits!