After the Laba Festival, more than half of the people in the mansion had already left.
However, the old servants who had followed Lu Nianfu from the Lu mansion all remained. Aunt Cui, the cook, was particularly proud, "The young lady has loved my cooking since she was little, and the son-in-law also praises my beef noodles as the most delicious. If I didn't go, how could the young lady and the son-in-law get used to it?"
The four women from the embroidery room were also very enthusiastic, packing their belongings with extreme efficiency.
As for those serving in Jiyue Xuan, it goes without saying. Lu Nianfu watched Nanny An sitting among several maids, chattering about their lives in the capital, and couldn't help but pour a basin of cold water, "If everyone goes to the capital, who will stay to guard the house?"
The chatter stopped abruptly.
They looked at each other, speechless for a long time.
Finally, Qingya said, "Then you should stay, Nanny. You're older and not suited for a long journey. Besides, isn't Da Ren's wife just pregnant? You can stay and guard the house and also help take care of the grandchild!"
"Forget it, my daughter-in-law is quite fiery, and I can't get along with her." Nanny An had a sudden idea, "Young lady, why don't we ask Madam to help guard the house?"
Two years ago, Lu Fei decided to give up his studies in Yangzhou because of Li Chuanhu's affairs and return to Xiangshui County to accompany Madam Li. This had greatly worried Madam Li. Although she was greedy and foolish, and harbored deep malice towards Lu Nianfu, all this was ultimately for Lu Fei to seize more of the family property.
Seeing that Lu Fei was about to give up the opportunity to study at a good academy because of her past foolish actions, she couldn't sit still.
After much deliberation, she also moved to Yangzhou City to take care of Lu Fei from a close distance.
The dye workshop, after being mishandled by Li Chuanhu, had indeed lost its vitality. She couldn't bear to buy a house and shamelessly wanted to live in the Gu mansion, but Lu Nianfu refused. Then she hired someone to rent a house near Lumingshu Academy. Perhaps because they didn't live together, they had been getting along peacefully for the past two years.
When Lu Nianfu heard Nanny An's suggestion, she couldn't help but smile, "It's too late. Mother came to see me yesterday and said she wanted to take Xiao Fei to the capital with me to study."
No matter how good Lumingshu Academy was, it couldn't compare to the Imperial Academy in the capital.
Moreover, without her son-in-law Gu Yanchen, an official, by their side, what would happen if they, a widow and her children, were bullied?
Nanny An was stunned, "No way? Madam used to treat you as a rival, afraid you would snatch her son's family property. Now she's clinging to you? Isn't she afraid you'll swallow her whole, leaving no bones behind?"
Mian'er chuckled, "Nanny, what old news are you talking about? Madam is just tough on the outside. Who knows how grateful she is to the young lady in her heart?"
"That's true. If it weren't for the young lady, the young master would have been kidnapped by now, and she herself would have been quietly killed. Tsk, Li Chuanhu is truly a scoundrel. When the master was alive, Madam helped him from time to time, but in the end, he harmed her like this for money." Nanny An sighed, "Young lady, are you really going to take her to the capital?"
"It's definitely not possible this time. I'm completely clueless about the capital myself. But once we're firmly established in the capital, and if she's willing, bringing them to the capital would be acceptable. Father always wanted to see Xiao Fei succeed in the imperial examinations and change his family's fortune. As his elder sister, I wouldn't be stingy when I can help."
It seemed that having Madam stay to guard the house was out of the question.
Nanny An scanned the maids beside her one by one, feeling a sense of emotion. They were all old servants the young lady was used to. It seemed that anyone staying behind wasn't quite right.
Qingya was the first to wave her hand, "Nanny, don't look at me. I have to protect the young lady. The capital is an unfamiliar place. If we encounter hooligans and ruffians, and the son-in-law isn't around, won't we have to rely on me for protection?"
She even clenched her fist as she spoke.
"That's your only remaining use." Nanny An glared at her, then looked at Lu Nianfu, "Young lady, Qingmiao the maid likes quiet, is efficient, and although a bit timid, she is meticulous and careful. With her by your side, you won't have to worry about household chores, and it would be fine for this old servant to stay."
Lu Nianfu nodded, "To be honest, Nanny, you are about to become a grandmother. Going to the capital is a long journey, and who knows when you'll be able to return? You are different from them. They have no relatives and can leave without any worries. If I really take you away, your son might not be happy. Besides, young people are not as experienced and steady as you are. I wouldn't be at ease leaving this mansion to them, would I?"
Nanny An sighed.
She also knew this was the best arrangement, but she couldn't bear to part.
After so many years, she had spent more time with the young lady than with her own son. Facing separation so abruptly, she couldn't accept it for a while.