Chapter 1388 - 1355: A Life Gone Astray 2
Chapter 1388: Chapter 1355: A Life Gone Astray 2
Anning was deliberately trying to provoke Chu Hong.
Not only did she provoke Chu Hong, but later, she even planned to find someone so Chu Hong could marry off early.
Chu Hong wasn’t a simple maid; she was someone specifically planted by Mrs. Miao to spy on Anning.
Mrs. Miao feared that after Anning married into the Wei Family, she wouldn’t treat her grandson well, so she bribed Chu Hong to be a dowry maid to follow Anning to the Wei Family, always watching her, and if Anning harbored any ill intentions, Chu Hong would quickly report to Mrs. Miao and the Miao Family could deal with Anning.
Mrs. Miao thought everything was under her control, unaware that Chu Hong had her own designs.
Chu Hong intended to climb into bed and become a concubine; she stirred trouble, making the two children in the Wei Family dissatisfied with Anning, while also making Mrs. Miao think Anning was incompetent. In her previous life, Anning suffered a lot because of this maid.
This time, Anning did not plan to keep such a scheming maid around.
According to Anning, Mrs. Miao’s thinking was rather shallow.
She thought that because Anning’s concubine mother died early and that Anning was incapable, it was safe to marry Anning into the Wei Family.
Yet she didn’t realize, because Anning’s concubine mother died early, she actually had no ties in the Miao Mansion. If she truly had nothing to lose, she could cause a ruckus, and what could Mrs. Miao do to her?
Anning used the excuse of feeling unwell and went to bed early at night.
The next morning, she didn’t go to pay respects to the Old Madam and instead slept comfortably until daylight.
After waking, Anning asked a maid to call a doctor for her, only saying she had a terrible headache and wanted a proper check-up.
It had only been a short while since Anning married into the Wei Family, and with Xin Lan not yet married in, there was no one to drive a wedge between her and the Old Madam, so naturally, her days at the Wei Family were fairly tolerable.
As the lady of the household, if she was ill, it was natural that a doctor would be called.
Not only was a doctor called, but the Old Madam also came personally.
When the Old Madam arrived, the doctor had just finished checking the pulse, and as she entered, she asked, "Doctor Li, how is my granddaughter-in-law’s health?"
Doctor Li paused and then explained in general terms that Anning had been weak since childhood due to poor nutrition, and because she caught a chill at night, an evil wind entered her body causing her discomfort.
"Doctor Li, please prescribe some medicine."
Hearing this, the Old Madam quickly asked Doctor Li to prescribe medicine and then instructed the maid to fetch and prepare it.
When Doctor Li left, Anning, pale-faced, struggled to sit up, "I truly am useless, causing the Old Madam to come see me in such a state; I really feel guilty."
The Old Madam presented a kind face, "Don’t overthink it; just focus on nurturing your body."
Anning nodded, "I will listen to you and make sure to recover in the next few days."
She held the Old Madam’s hand with a look of utmost trust and admiration, "Falling ill at such a time, when I’ve only just sorted out the relationships within our home, gaining some understanding of everything. Yet my body failed me, falling sick and leaving matters inside and outside... plus, Su and Xing’er, I truly can’t put my mind at ease. I may need to trouble you to look after them more."
The Old Madam chuckled, "It’s nothing. As their great-great-grandmother, it’s only right that I look after them."
Anning also chuckled, "Marrying into the Wei Family and gaining a kind grandmother like you is my blessing from past lifetimes. Initially, when I married in, nothing was clear to me. I didn’t dare speak much, but now seeing how the Old Madam cares for me so much, it’s like my own grandmother, so I rashly speak my shallow views."
Seeing Anning suffering so much that sweat covered her brow and her face was ash-white, the Old Madam urged her not to worry and to rest first.
Anning, with tearful eyes, said, "I don’t know when I’ll recover from this illness. If I don’t speak now, I truly worry. Please allow me to say it."
The Old Madam nodded, "Go ahead."
"The thing I most worry about is the upbringing of the two children at home. Xing’er is not young anymore, yet I see he doesn’t even have a teacher. And for Su, it’s appropriate to have a nanny. I care for both children just as the Old Madam does, but it’s precisely because we love them that we should consider their future. As a wife of the Wei Family, I should think for the Wei Family, for the master. The upbringing of the children is fundamental to the whole family, and it can’t afford any mistake. I hope the Old Madam will see clearly."
Anning’s heartfelt words greatly moved the Old Madam.
She patted Anning’s hand and said, "Good child, it’s hard for you to have thought of everything. I’ve become old and didn’t really look after the two children; it’s my neglect. Your master and Yuan’er are busy outside all day, not having time for the inner residence matters, and didn’t think of these things. If it weren’t for your words, none of us realized the children had grown so unnoticed."
Anning, panting, lay down, "It’s truly because you and the master, as well as the master, love the children too much, always seeing them as young."
The Old Madam laughed, "You’re right."
Anning took a few deep breaths and then closed her eyes.
The Old Madam, knowing she was in much discomfort, said, "Yuan’er will return today; let him handle this matter."
"If the master returns, nothing could be better."
Anning, with closed eyes, weakly said this and then furrowed her brow.
The Old Madam stood up, "Rest well, and if you lack anything, let someone tell me. Whatever you feel like eating, just let the kitchen know. Don’t exert yourself any further."
Anning, with eyes shut, raised her torso slightly, "I am mindful, grandmother."
The Old Madam quickly had someone calm her down, "Stay still, I’ll be leaving now and visit you another day."
After the Old Madam left, Anning sent away the maids and the old woman from the room.
The Old Madam returned to her own courtyard and asked the elderly servant who had been with her for many years, "Hao Lin, what happened to Ningning? Why did she get chilled?"
Hao Lin took a step forward and softly said, "A few days ago the young master played a prank on the Granny by pouring a basin of cold water on her. It seems she caught a cold because of that."
The Old Madam snorted, "Xing’er isn’t a child who acts out of turn; who instigated this... Oh, right, the people serving Xing’er and Susu were all sent by the Miao Family, weren’t they? It seems the Miao Family has their thoughts."
Hao Lin quietly replied, "Today, neither the young master nor the young miss brought their servants into the young madam’s room. The young madam considered the servants serving the young master and young miss as being irresponsible and in a fit of anger punished them."
The Old Madam laughed, "She still counts as smart and decisive. I reckon she noticed something wrong with the people around Xing’er and Susu, which is why she brought up the matter of the teacher and nanny with me. Oh well, she is sincere, so we might as well go along with her."