Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 342 - Chapter 342: Chapter 121: Conflict_4

Chapter 342: Chapter 121: Conflict_4

Cai Lan noticed Yueying’s concerns and said, “Miss, don’t worry. Later, I will deliberately say in front of Hua Lei and the others that you’ve got blisters from copying scriptural texts and can’t hold a pen. I think even if the scripture isn’t finished tomorrow, the Third Young Lady won’t be able to complain.”

The courtyard was tiny, something known with just a turn around. As Cai Lan muttered that Yueying’s hands were blistered and she couldn’t hold a pen, it was hard for Hua Lei and Qiao Lan to ignore even if they wanted to.

After receiving stern admonitions from Nanny Hao and Qiao Lan, Hua Lei didn’t say anything to her face. However, back in her room, she scoffed and said, “The Eldest Miss’s hands are valuable, and our miss’s hands aren’t?.” Hua Lei didn’t want her lady to overexert herself, but alas, her lady wouldn’t listen, doing whatever she needed to do without taking Hua Lei’s words to heart. Now, her lady’s hands were covered in thin calluses.

It wasn’t until the fifth day that someone from the Ma Family came. The Ma Family wasn’t as quick as the Lian family, but they sent no fewer items. Ma’s Mansion sent many types of goods, including main staples like rice, flour, Japonica rice, and Job’s tears, as well as other various food items like shiitake mushrooms, black fungus, eggplants, dates, and peanuts; as well as mung beans, red beans, and black beans; and good-to-store vegetables like pumpkins and wax gourds.

In addition to these items, they left a chest, the contents of which were unknown for the moment. The gifts from the Ma Family were very comprehensive, including the Silver Frost Charcoal the Lian family hadn’t sent, amounting to four baskets full. These items filled two large carts.

This time, not only did the Ma Family’s second steward bring the items, but Ruo Lan’s Personal Maid, Cai Yun, came as well.

Cai Yun had people carry in six chests. The first chest contained packets of medicinal herbs, prepared for use in case of headaches or fevers in the mountains, with clear labels of their uses. The second chest also contained packets, which Cai Yun did not explain one by one to Yueyao: “Miss, these are all tonics. Life in the mountains is harsh; you mustn’t ruin your health.”

Yueyao was startled by the packets labeled with Bird’s Nest, Sea Cucumber, Cordyceps, and Snow Clam – these items were too precious. She said, “Cousin-in-law is pregnant now and should be the one taking tonics. How can we afford to give these fine items to me? Please take them back immediately.”

Cai Yun smiled and said, “The young lady knew you wouldn’t want to take them. She asked me to tell you that she couldn’t possibly finish all these supplements herself and for you to consider it as helping to lessen her burden.” Regarding her first child, both Old Master and the Eldest Young Master were very attentive, and supplements were plentifully provided; additionally, the Duke Mansion and Zhuang Residence also sent many nourishing items.

Yueyao was somewhat worried when she heard this and said, “Cai Yun, tell my cousin-in-law that it’s necessary to supplement during pregnancy, but not to overdo it. Eating too much can make the baby grow too large, which could complicate delivery.” Giving birth was a critical moment – many women, out of ignorance, over-nourished themselves, which led to oversized babies and fatal complications during childbirth. She didn’t want everything to revert back to how it was before.

Cai Yun was puzzled for ten seconds and asked, “Where did you learn this from?” Cai Yun knew that such oversupplementation was something discussed by doctors and mothers, but where could a sheltered young lady like the Third Young Lady have learned this?

Yueyao blushed and mumblingly replied, “I read it in a book and immediately memorized it.” That was indeed a slip.

Cai Yun, touched by the attention Yueyao was paying to Zhuang Ruolan, said, “Don’t worry, miss. The doctor and several nannies also said it’s not good to supplement too much. They even asked you to walk around the courtyard daily to stay healthy.” Cai Yun had only recently understood the benefits of her young lady’s choice. Being pregnant apart from dealing with the troublesome Lady Xiao Ma was smooth. Who in the Duke Mansion didn’t have countless problems when pregnant, with backstabbing and other nasty matters often happening? Yet, in Ma’s Mansion, things remained utterly peaceful without any issues.

There were six chests: one filled with medicinal herbs, one with tonics, two with snow-white paper, and the last two with daily necessities like candles, all things Yueyao could use.

Moved by what she saw, Yueyao realized these items were meticulously prepared; there could be no attention to detail this thorough without genuine care. Yueyao asked Cai Yun about Ma Chengteng and everyone’s condition, and knowing that all was well, she asked no further. She returned to the study to write a letter expressing her gratitude towards Zhuang Ruolan, which must certainly be her cousin-in-law’s doing; surely the two older men such as her Uncle Master and big cousin wouldn’t have been so thoughtful.

Cai Yun, looking at the papers lying on the ground, each filled with written words, expressed her astonishment, “Are all these scriptural texts copied by you, Miss?”

Yueyao nodded and confirmed, “Yes.”

Observing the still-wet sheet of paper on the table, with elegant and neat handwriting, and looking back at Yueyao, who had noticeably thinned, Cai Yun softened her voice and said, “The young lady said if you are missing anything here, just tell me. If I don’t come next time, tell the steward. Miss, you mustn’t be too hard on yourself; otherwise, Old Master, Young Master, and young lady would all be distressed.”

Yueyao smiled broadly and said, “I will take good care of myself.”

On her way down the mountain, the old nanny accompanying her remarked to Cai Yun, “Miss Cai Yun, I heard from the steward mother by the Cousin Miss that ever since she came to the temple, she’s been following the temple’s bell-ringing schedule for lessons daily, spending the rest of her time copying the Scripture Scrolls. If this is true, the Cousin Miss is indeed extraordinary.”

Cai Yun nodded and agreed, “That is extraordinary.” It required not just patience but also perseverance and consistency. Yet, Cai Yun wondered how long Yueyao could keep it up.

Hua Lei, having registered the items in the ledger, showed it to Yueyao, saying, “Miss, the items sent by Uncle Master’s family are not only varied but also of the highest quality.”

Yueyao looked at the stored chests in the room and instructed, “Let’s not record these items.” It was okay to share food stuffs with everyone, but these tonics and medicinal herbs didn’t need to be shared publicly.

Hua Lei naturally praised this decision.

Watching the people from Ma’s Mansion carrying the items pack by pack into the opposite room, Cai Lan always heard that Lord Ma doted on the Third Young Lady, constantly sending items every now and then; now, seeing with her own eyes, she genuinely knew he cared deeply for the Third Young Lady, given all the packages and chests brought over.