Chapter 30: The Nanny Takes Action

Ye Shi looked somewhat sheepish, but with Dantai Jing still present, she refused to let herself be cowed. Thus she forced herself to stand her ground before Dantai Xuan and said, “My lord, Third Miss and Wang Ziyu made such a scene, and Wang Ziyu stood outside our residence for three hours. Yet both you and Third Miss were away, and you had confined me to my quarters. What else could I have done? For the sake of our Dantai family’s reputation, surely we could not leave Wang Ziyu standing outside the gates!”

Dantai Shanchang wished he could step forward and slap her twice. Even if Ye Shi had admitted Wang Ziyu into the residence as a temporary expedient, allowing him into the main courtyard, what of Dantai Xuan?

Dantai Xuan and Wang Ziyu had already fallen out so badly, yet Ye Shi had still managed to let them meet!

Pointing at Dantai Xuan, Dantai Shanchang cursed, “Very good! You even dare disobey me now! I was merely away from the residence during the day, and you already dared leave your courtyard. If I were away on official business for several days, would you turn this entire household upside down?”

Dantai Xuan cast a timid glance at Dantai Shanchang. She wanted to beg for mercy, but then she saw Dantai Jing standing behind him, smiling sweetly. The curve of her brows and eyes clearly betrayed her delight.

What was Dantai Jing so pleased about? Was she pleased that Ye Shi intended to betroth her to Wang Ziyu?

Dantai Xuan’s anger surged at once. Why? Why was every good thing, from childhood until now, always given to Dantai Jing?

She shot Dantai Jing a venomous glance and said contemptuously, “I was only trying to preserve our Dantai family’s dignity. Third Sister has already disgraced our entire household. Since someone must marry Brother Ziyu, why can’t it be me? Surely you do not intend to marry that mute girl, Third Sister, to him!”

Her words completely enraged Dantai Shanchang. He raised his hand and struck her across the face, sending her tumbling from beside the luohan couch to the edge of a small stool.

When Ye Shi saw blood seeping from Dantai Xuan’s temple, she let out a shriek and threw herself to her daughter’s side. Wailing, she cried, “My lord, are you trying to beat Xuan’er to death? If you truly cannot bear the sight of us mother and daughter, just say so! We will find a strip of white silk and hang ourselves. That will spare us from offending you!”

She then embraced Dantai Xuan and began sobbing, tears and mucus streaming down her face.

Trembling with rage, Dantai Shanchang pointed at mother and daughter and shouted, “I went to the academy first thing this morning and looked into the matter. There is no suppressing it now. What sort of people attend that academy? They will return home and tell the story as a joke before their brothers and sisters. Third Miss, Fifth Miss, and even Sixth Miss—none of them can hope to marry into a decent family in the future! And at a time like this, you actually let Wang Ziyu into the house!”

Ye Shi had never imagined that the matter would become so serious. It had been nothing more than a bit of childish mischief. With her husband’s position standing behind them, who would dare say anything? How could she have known that the affair would prove impossible to suppress?

She did not care whether Third Miss Dantai Jing could marry or not. In fact, it would be best if no prominent household wanted her. Then Ye Shi could marry Dantai Jing into a merchant family and obtain a handsome bride price.

But Fifth Miss was different. Ye Shi had borne only two daughters, Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss, and had not conceived again in the past ten years. All the hopes for the rest of her life rested on those two girls. If neither of them could marry well, how was she supposed to live out her remaining years?

Dantai Shanchang paced back and forth, stamping his feet as he raged, “A virtuous wife brings her husband fewer troubles! Ever since I elevated you to the position of principal wife, there has not been a single day of peace in this household…”

His face was flushed with fury, yet he could not bring himself to say anything further. Standing behind him with her head lowered, Dantai Jing listened and understood that Dantai Shanchang would not truly punish Ye Shi or Dantai Xuan.

She felt a faint disappointment, but she also knew that the matter could not be rushed. She glanced at Nanny Jiang and, seeing the older woman give her a slight nod, tugged at Dantai Shanchang’s sleeve and looked toward her.

Only then did Dantai Shanchang remember that Grandmother Dong had already sent someone over. Yet he also realized that Nanny Jiang was not technically a member of his household. The disgrace he had suffered today was truly immense.

Nanny Jiang was advanced in years and had come from the palace. There was little in this world she had not experienced. Seeing Dantai Shanchang’s expression, she immediately understood his thoughts.

She stepped forward, curtsied, and said, “My lord, the Grand Dowager Lady has assigned this old servant to Third Miss, saying that I am to assist her in handling the affairs of the inner household. May I ask whether this arrangement is indeed authorized?”

Ye Shi froze, then shot Nanny Jiang a covert glare. Even at a time like this, the old woman was still trying to seize power!

Dantai Shanchang naturally nodded.

He had been intercepted by Dantai Jing and the others at the administrative office. Suxin had reported that trouble had broken out at home and that Wang Ziyu was standing by the side gate. Third Miss had just hurried back from the Dong residence, and Grandmother Dong had assigned a palace nanny to accompany her. Yet, feeling that there was no man of the household present to deal with the matter, they had gone in search of Dantai Shanchang and asked him to return home when he had a moment.

Even at Dantai Jing’s young age, she understood the need for discretion. She knew that this matter required his personal intervention, whereas Ye Shi had acted without the slightest restraint, as though she feared the commotion was not yet great enough.

Having received Dantai Shanchang’s approval, Nanny Jiang straightened her back and continued respectfully, “Since my lord has already entrusted the affairs of this household to Third Miss, and the Grand Dowager Lady has sent this servant to attend her, allow this old servant to be presumptuous and ask my lord to return to the outer study and rest. Matters of the inner household have always been managed by the women. It would be improper for a court official such as yourself to concern himself with them.”

Dantai Shanchang was delighted to be rid of the matter. He truly could not stand the quarrels and hysterics of the inner household. When the Dong family had been in charge, the residence had never descended into such chaos. At that moment, he suddenly found himself missing the days when Dong Shi had still been mistress of the house.

“Then I shall trouble you to take charge of matters,” Dantai Shanchang said.

It was rare for him to address a servant in such a tone.

Ye Shi, hearing this from the side, grew anxious. If even her husband had to speak so deferentially to Nanny Jiang, then after he left, how could the old woman possibly spare her?

Hardening her heart, Ye Shi paid no heed to Dantai Xuan, who was crying out in pain beside her. She dropped to her knees and threw herself before Dantai Shanchang, weeping as she said, “My lord, are you trying to drive the two of us to our deaths? You actually intend to let a servant manage the affairs of this household! What authority would remain for me, the principal wife? If word gets out, it will damage your reputation as an official!”

When his own future was brought into question, Dantai Shanchang hesitated.

Nanny Jiang gave a cold snort inwardly, though her expression remained impassive. She did not take Ye Shi’s petty tricks seriously at all.

She bowed once more with perfect composure and said, “Madam Dantai, you are mistaken. If you continue making such a spectacle, then my lord’s reputation will truly be ruined. Besides, it is not this old servant who will be managing the household. The one overseeing the household accounts and provisions will be Third Miss. Third Miss is the eldest legitimate daughter. It is only right and proper for her to take charge of the household.”