Chapter 13 Maternal Home

The two maids with other ideas pursed their lips upon hearing Mrs. Li's words, one of them rolling her eyes haughtily and saying:

"Mrs. Li, don't think that just because you're going back to visit family, Young Master can't do without you. Didn't we used to take care of the previous wet nurse's work?"

"Exactly, as if anyone can't live without you. Your husband did just fine without you for a month," another maid added insultingly.

Mrs. Li was in a good mood today and didn't mind their sarcastic remarks; a month of association had already made her aware that these two were difficult to get along with.

"That is very good; I can visit my family with peace of mind."

When Mrs. Li got to her room, she didn't bother about breakfast—that would be the final straw if Young Master woke up, saw her about to leave, and started crying to make her stay.

Having seen Young Master grow so attached to her over the past month, she didn't believe what the maid had said, that Young Master wouldn't cry if she left.

Mrs. Li took two bundles with her, one larger bundle filled with things to take back home, and a smaller one with things for her parental home. After spending a month in the confined space of the county, she longed for her mother as well.

In the past, all the money earned by her and her husband was managed by her mother-in-law, and she hadn't given it much thought before, believing that since everything she needed was provided at home, it didn't matter who controlled the money…!

However, since giving birth a month ago and then enduring such a miserable plight—when the family treated her like a pig or dog—it dawned on her that even sick animals get a veterinarian, yet she, a woman in childbirth, wasn't even allowed the aid of a midwife.

Was it her wish to bear sons and daughters for their family and branch out the family tree?

Mrs. Li felt somewhat disheartened, but what about the few children at home—what would she do without them?

In the past month of working here, she had learned a lot and heard others casually talk about saving private money.

At that time, Mrs. Li thought that if she hadn't been so honest, if she had saved a bit of private money, her children wouldn't have had to suffer so much, and neither would she have endured such heartache.

The reward money she received twice from the Madam couldn't be carried on her person, nor could it be left in the room in the courtyard, so she came up with a solution—to return to her parental home and leave the reward money with her mother to keep. Even if her mother used it for herself, it would still be a gesture of filial respect.

Over the years, she had always given birth to daughters, and her own mother had given her no small amount of support.

Sometimes she felt Mrs. Lai was right when she berated her for being a money loser, always taking from her marriage home!

Mrs. Li exited through the side door and there stood an ordinary coach; the coachman greeted her cordially with a nod. Because men and women should not have too much contact, it was inappropriate to say too much and risk being misunderstood.

Mrs. Li merely nodded in return. She had seen this coachman once before when he had transported her to the mansion. As she settled into the coach, she said to the coachman:

"Driver brother, please take this little woman first to the ancient village, as there's something I need to do there."

"Alright, you direct me. Mrs. Li, today wherever you wish to go you can command me, but you must return after hour chimes, as per the housekeeper's instructions."

"Understood; we'll do as the master says. If there is anything improper about what this little woman does, please remind me, driver brother."

"Hmm, we both are servants; all understood."

The carriage didn't move very fast, but it was smooth, and even on the uneven parts of the road, it did not jolt too much—testament to the coachman's skill.

During Mrs. Li's previous tear-filled trip to the county, she had not taken the time to enjoy the scenery along the way. Perhaps it was different going home today, feeling an eager anticipation that allowed her to appreciate the view and the realization that the life of the wealthy really was different from that of the poor.

Even she, a mere ordinary wet nurse, had the luxury of a coach ride home. In the past, she definitely would have made the long journey on foot, a distance that couldn't be covered in less than an hour.

She also saw people carrying things to sell in the county, their steps hastening along.

Mrs. Li felt different, and the things she saw felt different too.

This trip to the county had broadened her horizons and made her timid temperament a bit stronger.

Mrs. Li asked the driver to stop at the entrance to the old village and took both cloth-wrapped bundles with her; it wasn't that she didn't trust the driver, but the things inside were for her children.

When she arrived at her family's house, most of the households at that hour were out working in the fields, leaving only the elderly and children at home.

Mrs. Li reached her family's door and knocked; shortly thereafter, several footsteps ran out, the sounds indicating they were children. When the door opened and the children saw her, she wasn't wearing the plain, sun-darkened clothing of before.

In that one month, Mrs. Li's skin had become much fairer. Naturally fair-skinned with clear brows and fine eyes, now she stood at the doorstep, the children were hesitant to call out, afraid they might mistake her for someone else.

"Don't you recognize your second aunt anymore? You don't call me second aunt after a few months?" Mrs. Li was the second eldest in her family, with one older brother, one elder sister, and a younger brother, whose male child was just over a year old.

"It's second aunt, haha."

"Grandma, second aunt is here!"

The voices of the boys and girls ushered out an elderly lady with graying hair, holding a boy of a little over one year in her arms.

"Mom, your daughter has come." Mrs. Li saw Grandma Qi, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Come in first. Did you suffer much in the county?" Grandma Qi was concerned about her daughter, especially over the past month, having heard from villagers that someone took her to be a wet nurse.

Grandma Qi worried not only for her daughter's children but also for her daughter's safety in the household of a wealthy family. Born into a poor family, how could she know all the rules of a grand household?

Today, seeing Mrs. Li dressed nicely and with a healthier look, her face a little plumper indicating she had been eating and living well, was a sign of improved color.

Mrs. Li, under the watchful eyes of many children, untied one of the small bundles.

"Is this a treat?"

"Yes, it's very tasty!" Mrs. Li brought treats for the children, delivered the previous night by the Madam. These treats could last a day or two and were soft and sticky, suitable for the elderly and children to eat.

Mrs. Li distributed the treats to the children, giving a piece to Grandma Qi and another for the child she held.

"It's good enough just to see you back. Why buy treats? We can't spend money like that even if we have it; we must think of the children." Grandma Qi remarked on the fancy treats, unwilling to eat them without reservation.

"Mom, the Madam of the household specifically prepared these for my visit home. Before coming back, I thought of you all first. I also have something else… Let's talk in the room." Mrs. Li wanted to continue speaking, but seeing the half-grown children around, she feared they might let something slip.

"Alright," Grandma Qi set down the toddler, asking his siblings to watch over him, and followed Mrs. Li into her small room.

"Tell me, what's on your mind?" Grandma Qi sat down on the bed and gestured for her daughter to sit on a small stool in front of the bed.

"Mom, during my time with the household, the Madam rewarded me with money twice. I can't take this money back with me; I want to leave it with you."

Mrs. Li said as she took off a purse from around her waist and handed it to her mother.