Chapter 116: Mother, do you believe me?

"I've taken note of it." Jiang Yun Chu glanced at the hearty madam, her impression of her improving a bit.

In this era, everyone's days are tough; people who are jealous and scheming are everywhere.

But seeing the relationship among these neighbors, she felt a bit more appreciation for them.

"Miss, these candied haws are ready; the extra ten I'll give you, and the few remaining I'll divide among those who helped." The madam wiped her hands, saying somewhat embarrassedly.

Afraid she'd be angry, after all she'd bought one hundred fifty at once but still had six left undistributed; she said it with some embarrassment.

But Zhang Lao San is stubborn; having said he'd give them to everyone, he won't sell them.

Jiang Yun Chu smiled and nodded, "Then I'll take these ten candied haws."

"This is the silver for one hundred fifty; please count it."

He handed the copper coins directly to the madam, had Yingzi carry the candied haws, and left North Street.

"Mother!" Yue Yue had been waiting at the gate of the Wang Fu; seeing Jiang Yun Chu's carriage approach, she ran out of the manor and sprinted toward the carriage.

The little bell on her head kept jingling nonstop.

"Stop the carriage." Jiang Yun Chu called out quickly, fearing the carriage might hurt Yue Yue.

"How did you run out? Where's your brother?" She jumped down from the carriage and directly embraced the running Yue Yue.

The lead carriage stopped, the two behind also stopped; the twelve children successively disembarked, walked to stand behind Jiang Yun Chu, and eyed her water-blue dress, the pale pink bell on her head tinkling with each movement.

Several children stared curiously, wondering, "Is this the young lady of the Wang Fu?"

She's so adorable.

Her chubby face, big eyes blinking, each blink seeming to reflect scattered stars; her gaze at people held undisguised curiosity.

"Greetings, Miss." Upon speaking, he dropped to one knee.

Their indenture contracts were signed to the Wang Fu, making them the manor's slaves, thereafter to follow its orders.

And the person before them is the young lady of the Wang Fu, and also their master.

The eleven people behind them, realizing this, immediately began to salute, though their salute was not standard.

Yet each person's gaze carried respect.

Jiang Yun Chu was still pleased with their reaction; she didn't care about rank, but……

If the Regent Prince's Manor had no hierarchy, it would descend into chaos—especially since Ning Hanmo and Ning Yue Xue are still young; for years the manor has protected them too well, making them prone to insolence toward superiors, which she absolutely does not want to see.

"Get up, let's head back home." Jiang Yun Chu smiled, pulling Yue Yue into her arms; the little girl didn't mind her dust-covered self, pressing her cheek against Jiang Yun Chu's shoulder, resting her head on her neck, and slowly rubbing, her mouth curving into an arc.

"Where's your brother?" Jiang Yun Chu asked.

Yue Yue hehe-laughed, "Mother's silly, brother has to go to class."

Jiang Yun Chu then realized today wasn't a day off; those little ones were at the academy.

"That's not right! Why are you here?" Jiang Yun Chu turned her head, holding her as she stepped back a bit, looking into her eyes.

Yue Yue covered her mouth, whimpering, "Mother's going to get angry."

"I…… Mother……"

The little girl's face showed she knew she was wrong, yet she wouldn't admit it, causing Jiang Yun Chu to harden her heart.

"Ning Yue Xue, think it over before you speak." Her voice turned cold, losing its usual gentleness and gaining a hint of severity.

Then she told the steward, "Arrange a courtyard near Chun Hua Xue Yuan for them, to let them get familiar with the surroundings."

This is the time for educating the young ladies; no one is allowed to watch the spectacle.

Yue Yue's face flushed a little; what to do, Mother really is angry.

"Mother……"

The little girl softly called out; previously Mother always held her in her arms.

But now Mother isn't looking at her at all.

Zi Su rushed in and saw a big and a small one facing off.

Zi Su opened her mouth, then said nothing; seeing Yue Yue's hopeful gaze, she turned and left directly.

The little girl's newly risen hope was suddenly dashed.

Although Jiang Yun Chu was busy with her own affairs, her attention remained on the little girl, her expression betraying nothing.

"Mother, Yue Yue was wrong." The little girl stepped to her mother's side and gently tugged at her sleeve.

Jiang Yun Chu turned and looked at Ning Yue Xue.

"Yue Yue, I've been married into the Wang Fu for over half a year; I ask myself, my fondness for you has never been less than for your brother, and indeed, because you're a girl, Mother dotes on you even more."

Seeing Yue Yue on the verge of tears, she spoke softly, but the words that needed to be said had to be made clear.

"Do you know why?" she asked.

Yue Yue shook her head.

"Because the Wang Fu has me and your brother, enough to uphold a sky for you; you don't need to be so weary, you don't need to strive so hard."

Jiang Yun Chu spoke earnestly, lowering her head to meet Ning Yue Xue's eyes, letting the little girl feel her present emotions, her care and affection for her.

"But Mother will grow old, Brother will marry and have children, building his own home; then you'll need to stand on your own."

"Skipping school makes you happy, you can be lazy, but look at your older siblings—what are they doing?"

"They are studying, they are cultivating their abilities; when they finish their studies someday, they won't need to rely on anyone."

"Because they are strong enough."

Jiang Yun Chu ruffled Yue Yue's hair; her hair was soft, carrying a faint fragrance.

"But what about you?"

"What do you want to do in the future?"

She knew that what she had just said was too early for a four-year-old.

But……

She had to say again, if it keeps going like this, Yue Yue will develop a habit, and then it won't be easy to change later.

It would be better to nip it in the bud right from the start.

Even if she doesn't understand now, one day she will understand these words, and understand her mother.

"I don't know." Yue Yue shook her head; she didn't know what she wanted to do, each day just wanting to eat tasty food, each day just wanting to see her mother, each day just wanting to play with her little companions.

"You'll know in the future." Jiang Yun Chu gave a faint smile, her face hiding her worry.

"Mother, I will study hard; from now on I will never skip school again."

At that moment, Ning Yue Xue suddenly spoke up, assuring.

"Mother, you believe me."

Yue Yue wanted to cry a little, but didn't dare; she spoke firmly.

She didn't understand her mother's words, but she knew that the best person in the world was her mother, and anything her mother said was surely right.