Days as a Wet Nurse in the Jiang Mansion

Chapter 7

Ding Fang's matter-of-fact tone displeased Ye Yunniang greatly."Sister Ding Fang, are you in a hurry to wear it?"

"You don’t want to make it?" Ding Fang’s voice turned cold.

"I’ve received many rewards from the mistress, and I’m endlessly grateful. I wanted to pick out some fine fabric to make clothes for the young master. If Sister Ding Fang isn’t in a hurry, I’ll make yours after I finish the young master’s." Ye Yunniang explained softly.

"Ye Yunniang, if you don’t want to do it, just say so. Using the young master as an excuse—I misjudged you." Ding Fang flung her handkerchief aside and stormed back into her room.

Ye Yunniang followed a few steps, wanting to explain, but Ding Fang slammed the door shut, refusing to listen.

Returning to her own room, Ye Yunniang first washed her hands and tidied up before busying herself with laundry and hanging the clothes to dry.

Once done, she sat down to sew.

For the young master’s clothes, she worked especially slowly, taking great care with every stitch.

Ye Yunniang’s embroidery skills had been taught by a seamstress specially hired by Cai Damei.

The top was simpler, adorned with auspicious cloud patterns at the hem and collar, but the qilin (Chinese unicorn) on the trousers required much more time and effort.here daily for her use.

Ye Yunniang entered, fetched undergarments, a basin, and fragrant soap, and began washing her clothes.

Wetting the soap, she worked up a lather and scrubbed the fabric.

Only after coming to Jiang Mansion had she learned that laundry wasn’t limited to soapberries and wood ash—there was also sweet-smelling fragrant soap.

This soap had been sent by Shanhu, scented with camellia flowers, and smelled lovely.

After hanging the laundry to dry, she resumed embroidering the qilin.

Stitch by careful stitch, she imagined how handsome the young master would look wearing it.

At noon, Li’er arrived with a food box. "Sister Ye, I’ve brought lunch."

"Such hot weather—you’ve worked hard, Li’er. Have some water." Ye Yunniang poured her a cup.

Li’er drained it in one gulp, clearly parched.

Opening the food box, Ye Yunniang laid out four dishes, a soup, and a large bowl of rice.

Again, she invited Li’er to join her, and again, Li’er agreed.

Midway through the meal, Li’er suddenly set down her chopsticks.

"Sister Ye… why aren’t you angry with me?" The question made Ye Yunniang pause before putting her own bowl down.

"I am angry."

"Sister Ye, I didn’t want to! Nurse Ding Fang’s sister serves in the old madam’s courtyard. Once Xiangling marries, she’ll be promoted to head maid. I’m just a lowly errand girl—I…"

Ye Yunniang stopped her. "I’m not angry. I was teasing you earlier."

Li’er blinked in confusion.

Ye Yunniang took out a handkerchief to wipe Li’er’s tears. "Over this past month, we’ve gotten along so well. I’d even started thinking of you as a little sister."

Though disappointed Li’er had helped Ding Fang keep things from her, she didn’t blame her.

"Sister Ye, I’m sorry. I won’t hide anything from you again." Li’er burned with shame. Ye Yunniang was the kindest person she’d met in Jiang Mansion, yet she’d given away her chance to gain the mistress’s favor.

Li’er had seen maids elevated overnight after catching their masters’ eyes.

She’d once dreamed of such luck herself.

"Li’er, if such opportunities come up again, let Nurse Ding Fang have them." Ye Yunniang’s words baffled her.

Ye Yunniang repeated her earlier explanation.

"Sister Ye… you truly don’t want to stay in Jiang Mansion?"