Chapter 341: Chapter 121: Conflict_3

Because the paper was quite thin, Yueyao would copy one sheet and lay it on the ground to dry; after all the sheets had dried, she would then sew them together. Hua Lei presented the completed volume to Yueying and said, “Eldest Miss, this is the copy our miss has transcribed.”

Yueying was not truly going to check the work; she had spoken too hastily earlier and said feebly, “Third younger sister, I have just finished copying the second volume.”

Upon hearing Yueying’s words, Yueyao’s voice softened, “Eldest sister can give me two volumes, I can handle them.” Giving her two more would still leave two volumes’ worth, enough to tire out Yueying.

After Yueying left, Yueyao asked Nanny Hao, “What kind of person do you think Eldest Sister is?”

Nanny Hao shook her head and said, “Miss, maintaining a superficial relationship with the Eldest Miss is enough; you can’t become close with her.” Nanny Hao thought Yueying was the type who was particularly selfish and only thought of herself, someone unreliable. However, Nanny Hao could not speak ill of her masters directly. She wasn’t like Hua Lei, who spoke so candidly.

Yueyao thought for a moment and then asked a question that had been on her mind for a long time, “Nanny Hao, do you think Eldest Sister is similar to Loo Ying?”

Loo Ying lived in Ma’s Mansion with caution, always trying to please others, yet neither Lady Cheng, Ma Linlin, nor the Eldest Cousin-in-law liked her. Yueyao believed that Loo Ying was just ignorant, not malicious, but such people are unlikable nonetheless.

As for Yueying, Yueyao really did not know how to assess her worth. She had helped Yueying with such a big favor without expecting anything in return; she merely hoped that Yueying would not cause her trouble in the future. Yet unexpectedly, Yueying caused her problems at the first opportunity, and on the mountain, she continued to create issues for her one after the other. Even a maid dared to be insolent in front of her, while she stood by, showing only a feeble demeanor–whether it was genuine weakness or an act, Yueyao did not care to find out. However, today’s incident showed Yueying to be very petty.

Yueyao was holding back a fire in her heart. It was not appropriate to speak her mind in front of Hua Lei and Qiao Lan, but she felt no need to hold back with Nanny Hao and said, “I used to think that Eldest Sister only wanted to maintain her status, and the incidents that happened later, I thought they were caused by Maternal Aunt Chen forcing her hand. After Maternal Aunt Chen left, I was thinking about trying to get along if possible. But just now, I’ve realized that Eldest Sister seems unable to tolerate others being better or stronger than her.” The Cousin Miss once told her to be “round on the outside but firm on the inside,” but she is square both inside and out, which is very inappropriate. She tried to change to be friends with Yueying, but today’s incident convinced her that Yueying was truly not a person worth befriending.

Nanny Hao did not offer more commentary on this and said, “Miss, you really don’t need to think too much. Whether it’s the Cousin Miss from the Loo Family or the Eldest Miss, their behavior has nothing to do with you. Just getting along superficially with the Eldest Miss is sufficient.” They were not blood sisters, so as long as they did not publicly fall out, maintaining a superficial relationship was enough.

Yueyao’s lips moved slightly, but she did not speak. It was not so much that it had nothing to do with her, but rather that getting along with them offered no benefits and could bring many disadvantages–at least, it would add to her troubles. She had enough on her plate without seeking out problems.

Yueyao looked at Nanny Hao and said, “Then tell me, what kind of people are Second Sister and Fourth Miss?” She was actually more interested in hearing Nanny Hao’s opinion of the Fourth Miss, but asking directly would be inappropriate and might arouse Nanny Hao’s suspicion.

After thinking for a while, Nanny Hao said, “Second Young Lady is also very smart, but as a legitimate daughter, she’s a bit spoiled and impetuous; however, having been privately guided by Nanny Wang for so long, she’s become more tactful. Fourth Miss used to seem dull, but she actually had her own calculations in mind. Yet after the recent calamity, Fourth Miss’s cunning became overt, and she ended up worse off. Miss, regardless of whether it’s Second Young Lady or Fourth Miss, you can only maintain a superficial relationship with them. There’s no need to mention Second Young Lady; she’s the legitimate daughter of Eldest Madam, and Fourth Miss’s mother, Maternal Aunt Su, is a staunch loyalist to Eldest Madam. The Third Young Lady is doing well within the household.” Nanny Hao’s meaning was clear: even with the young ladies in Lian Mansion, one could not form deep relationships, but only keep up appearances, avoiding idle gossip.

Yueying’s hand ached intermittently as she wrote, stopping after just two lines as Cai Lan persuaded her to rest. Writing would leave scars on the hand, and the hands of ladies from prominent families were incredibly precious. Yueyao might be indifferent, but Yueying could not afford such indifference. She could not let her hands develop scars or calluses, for it would surely become a subject of ridicule when she went out to social events in the future. Yet not copying the scriptures was causing her distress. Yueying felt very annoyed. Had she known, she would have disregarded her pride and given all the scriptures to her third younger sister. Truly a case of “saving face but suffering for it”.