Nanny Zhao initially hoped for the opening of the mansion, but later, she begged Sixth Lady Gu daily.
Yet Sixth Lady Gu was stubborn like a turtle with lead, refusing to relent, no matter the persuasion.
"Madam, you shouldn’t be so stubborn," Nanny Zhao said, looking at the bracelet loosely dangling on Sixth Lady Gu’s wrist, feeling quite distressed, "As long as the green hills remain, there’s no fear of running out of firewood."
Sixth Lady Gu replied weakly, "Good nanny, it’s alright, light more calming incense in the evening, the mansion will open in a few days, I can wait."
Nanny Zhao sighed and walked out, just in time to see Aunt Huang standing in the corridor enjoying the breeze.
"Is Qin asleep?"
Perhaps because her daughter’s illness was gradually improving, Aunt Huang’s complexion also looked much better, her skin becoming plump, and the yellowish tint fading away. The summer breeze lifted a few strands of her hair, giving her a gentle demeanor reminiscent of when she first entered the mansion.
Seeing Nanny Zhao speaking, she was startled, then smiled and said, "Yes, Qin is getting better these past few days, and she has a bit more free time than before."
Nanny Zhao casually mentioned, "That Doctor Li really has some skill."
Aunt Huang was full of gratitude and said, "Doctor Li is a miracle worker, he said that if Qin is slowly nurtured, she’ll be even better than before she fell ill. I heard from Xiao Dong by his side that these days he’s even teaching the Sixth Master the Five Animals Qigong, saying it can also help cure the Sixth Master’s chronic ailments."
Nanny Zhao sighed.
Aunt Huang asked, "What’s wrong? Is it the little miss..."
Nanny Zhao hastily said, "The little miss is doing well too."
Aunt Huang paused and smiled, "It’s my fault for speaking carelessly, Doctor Li is so skilled that he could save Qin, let alone the little miss. I remember the little miss was even healthier than Qin."
Nanny Zhao nodded, "Isn’t that true, the little miss will recover soon, she’s just a bit weak and loves to sleep."
Nanny Zhao usually didn’t talk much with Aunt Huang, but today, perhaps because of Sixth Madam’s illness, she felt uneasy, so she stood outside the corridor and chatted a bit more with Aunt Huang.
Inside, Sixth Lady Gu called for Nanny Zhao.
Aunt Huang was startled and immediately said, "Nanny Zhao, the Madam is calling you, I’ll go inside too, lest Qin wakes up looking for me, that child is even more clingy when she’s sick."
Nanny Zhao nodded and returned to the main room.
As soon as she stepped inside, a porcelain bowl was thrown over. Caught off guard, it hit her on the forehead, causing her to sway, nearly losing her balance.
"Madam, why?"
Nanny Zhao held her forehead.
Thankfully, Sixth Lady Gu was ill and didn’t have much strength, or else it might have drawn blood, making her lay down for days.
Sixth Lady Gu’s voice was urgent and hoarse, as if she had been infuriated.
"Do you see me as useless, going to mingle with Aunt Huang, thinking if I’m gone, the Sixth Master will elevate her?"
Upon hearing this, Nanny Zhao felt a wave of sadness.
Before her, Sixth Lady Gu’s haggard face was filled with panic and grotesqueness, as if she deeply resented the betrayal of those around her, yet helplessly struggled.
"Madam, I watched you grow up, there’s no way I’d betray you. Aunt Huang doesn’t even have a son, only Qin, and the Sixth Master has long disliked her. Nowadays, even Aunt Zheng has fallen out of favor, Madam, have you forgotten?"
There was a hint of astonishment in Sixth Lady Gu’s eyes.
After a long while, she said weakly, "Nanny, come closer and let me see, earlier I was confused, did I hurt you?"
Nanny Zhao walked over, forcing a smile and said, "No harm done, it’s just a red mark, I understand the Madam’s health isn’t good and it’s normal to overthink, but Madam should think of the young master and little miss, it’s best to broaden your mind."
Tears streamed down Sixth Lady Gu’s eyes.
Nanny Zhao said, "Crying too much harms the body, stop crying quickly. I’ll light a calming incense, Madam should sleep a while longer, this day will pass again."
Sixth Lady Gu nodded.
Nanny Zhao turned her back, and the expression on her face slowly became resolute. She went into the side room, took out the incense box sent by Qin Yuan, discreetly took one piece, and placed it in the incense burner.
In the afternoon, Sixth Lady Gu’s spirits seemed to improve somewhat, even her voice had a bit more energy.
"Nanny, why does this incense smell different from what we usually use?"
Nanny Zhao laughed, "The usual calming incense is gone, I figured out a way to get some from the Old Madam, I hope you find it suitable."
"My good sister-in-law handles the household affairs so well, even calming incense is so scarce. But indeed, the Old Madam’s things are better, this incense gives me some comfort at heart when it’s lit."
Nanny Zhao agreed, "Naturally, no matter how capable the Marchioness is, she’s only a teenager, there are bound to be oversights. Madam, take good care of yourself, the household matters will rely on you for perfection in the future."
Sixth Lady Gu smiled without speaking.
At night, she slept much more peacefully than usual.