Chapter 396 - 388: Shopkeeper
Lin Youning waited for Big Brother to finish instructing Zhao Wu, then quietly asked, "Is the Eldest Prince also sending someone to keep an eye on us?"
Gu Yifeng had a mocking smile on his lips, "Don’t worry, there are Hidden Guards all around. If the Eldest Prince sent people to follow, they would have been dealt with by the Hidden Guards long ago. However, we still need to be cautious; if any word gets out, it will be troublesome."
Lin Youning nodded, "Doesn’t the Emperor know about the Eldest Prince doing these things?"
"The Eldest Prince went to the border under the Emperor’s orders, but now he acts on his own. However, the Emperor turns a blind eye, otherwise he wouldn’t have sent your grandfather out again." Gu Yifeng understood the Holy Emperor’s intentions better.
No doubt the Holy Emperor wants to use this matter to make the Eldest Prince’s actions more conspicuous, so that his people can be handled thoroughly, preparing for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne.
But such things are not easy to speak of openly.
Lin Youning nodded, "It seems the Emperor favors the Crown Prince in the end, not the Eldest Prince."
"As both are Princes, if the Eldest Prince remembers his duties, he would naturally have his own glory and wealth. However, he longs for things he shouldn’t have, and whatever outcome he faces is of his own making. He can’t blame others," Gu Yifeng gazed at Sister Ning in his arms, contemplating her potential bloodline connection with the Crown Prince, and couldn’t help but feel a headache.
He wasn’t afraid of getting involved with the Royal Family, but considering Sister Ning’s nature, he wasn’t sure if the Emperor would take pity on her.
"Why does Big Brother keep staring at me?" Lin Youning snuggled in his arms, "Do you have something you’re hiding from me, Big Brother?"
"How could that be? Alright, you should rest a while, I’ll wake you up when we arrive, otherwise, you won’t have energy once we reach the manor." Gu Yifeng gently patted her.
Lin Youning said, ’I’m not a child,’ but obediently closed her eyes. When she awoke, she found herself on the bed at the manor, and sat up immediately upon realizing it.
"Miss, take it slow." Hailan was startled and quickly came forward to remind her.
Lin Youning hurried to get out of bed, "Where is that old woman? Has she woken up?"
"Is Miss referring to the shopkeeper at the border?" Hailan supported her down, answering as they moved.
"Shopkeeper?" Lin Youning was puzzled.
Hailan nodded, "Yes, I saw her on the road. That old woman was indeed the female shopkeeper at the tavern at the border, the one who provided food for you. She was Wang Er’s foster mother, as Uncle mentioned."
Lin Youning nodded, "I remember arguing with my brother over this matter, feeling like he wasn’t telling me the truth; turns out, it was her. No wonder her demeanor was like someone from a wealthy family, and she spoke with the Capital’s accent. Now, I finally understand. Where is she arranged now? Did the Marquis go to question her?"
Hailan laughed, "After the Marquis arrived at the manor, he took Zhao Wu out. The shopkeeper has also awoken. She said her surname is Wang. Upon hearing that Miss was pregnant and still sleeping, she didn’t allow me to wake you, only saying she would come meet you once you awoke."
"Then quickly have someone bring her in." Lin Youning didn’t inquire much about Big Brother’s matters, knowing he must have something going on.
Hailan agreed with a smile and went out to arrange for a maid to call for Nanny Wang.
Lin Youning heard Hailan’s manner of address and laughed, "Why don’t you call her Aunt Wang? Still calling her Nanny Wang?"
"Nanny Wang said it herself; she’s in the mansion now, so she follows the mansion’s rules and asked me to call her Nanny Wang." Hailan hadn’t thought much of it.
Lin Youning found Hailan amusing, thinking how clever she was, yet sometimes adorably simple-minded.
After Lin Youning finished a bowl of bird’s nest, Nanny Wang entered; she had washed up and seemed a bit worn, but was tidy and clean.
"Nanny, please have a seat." Lin Youning invited Hailan to bring a small stool for Nanny Wang.
Nanny Wang thanked her and then sat down, "I met Miss at the border before, but due to certain circumstances, we never got acquainted. Young Master instructed me to explain everything to Miss, so she could mentally prepare, and assured me that once in the Capital, the Marquis would send a transfer order to bring Young Master back."
Lin Youning nodded, not asking but understanding that the Young Master in her speech was her own brother, and from this title, confirming that this nanny was a Zhao Family servant.
Thinking of this person’s connection to Prince Shou, Lin Youning gripped her handkerchief tighter, holding certain suspicions but finding them implausible.
"Miss is clever; Young Master said that as soon as I spoke to Miss, she would understand. I left the palace with Prince Shou back then. After living as a commoner, Prince Shou once met a lady from the Prime Minister’s Mansion and fell in love at first sight. The Prime Minister’s Mansion opposed, but Miss Liu was determined. She didn’t mind Prince Shou’s commoner status, thinking he was merely a craftsman, and eloped with him. They lived together in a small village outside the Capital. Wang Er, who follows the Young Master, was an orphan I took in, and has been living under Madam. Even after Madam passed, he remained unaware of Prince Shou’s identity."
"Distraught over Madam’s death, Prince Shou revealed his identity to the Young Master, then left to search for the lady. For years, his fate remains unknown, saying only to tell outsiders he had followed Madam."
"When Young Master grew up, I followed him to the border. To avoid drawing attention, I undertook small business ventures there. Only Wang Er stayed by Young Master’s side. Until Young Master married, I never returned to the Capital. Fortunately, Lady Liang was kind, and I’ve no regrets toward Madam in the afterlife."
As Nanny Wang spoke of this, her eyes reddened, "After Young Master found the lady, he wrote to me. I wanted to return to the Capital then, but learned people were inquiring at the border, hoping to learn about the former Shou Wu. To avoid attention, I concealed my identity and stayed at the border."
"Later, seeing the lady at the border reminded me of Madam’s resurrection. I was afraid of drawing attention and thus never revealed myself to the lady, nor did I receive any confirmation from Young Master about whether she was truly the lady acknowledged by the Prime Minister’s Mansion, until I learned afterward."