"The weather is so hot, I have no appetite."
Though autumn had arrived, the heat remained oppressive, grating on everyone's nerves.
"The kitchen has chilled mung bean soup, but Sister Ye can't have anything cold since she's nursing the young master," Li'er said regretfully.
At the mention of chilled mung bean soup, Ye Yunniang couldn't help but swallow—she loved it dearly.
"The main kitchen is also preparing red bean soup. Should I fetch you a bowl of the warm version?" Li'er suggested.
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Ye Yunniang was tempted.
"Just slip the kitchen staff a few coins," Li'er explained. The main kitchen managed meals for the entire household, with fixed standards for both masters and servants. But for extra requests, a little money could get them to prepare something special.
"Look, Sister, this is pear candy I asked the kitchen to make for me." Li'er opened her pouch, revealing a small oil-paper package.
"You coughed a bit yesterday—have a piece." She handed half of the pear candy to Ye Yunniang.
Ye Yunniang’s throat had been dry lately, so she accepted and popped one into her mouth.
The subtle sweetness of pear soothed her throat instantly.
Not wanting to take Li'er’s kindness for granted, Ye Yunniang opened a drawer and pulled out a string of copper coins for her.
"I gave it to you as a treat! I can’t take your money," Li'er protested.
"Use this to buy more pears and make extra pear candy for us to share," Ye Yunniang insisted. Li'er finally accepted the coins.
"Rest for now, Sister. I’ll go to the main kitchen." Li'er gathered her tray and left.
Savoring the pear candy, Ye Yunniang pushed her worries aside. She’d deal with things as they came.
After drinking the warm red bean soup, she headed to Fanghua Courtyard.
Tonight, she was on duty for the latter half of the night.
As Jiang Tingjun grew older, Fourth Madam Jiang believed it was time to bond with her son. Every morning, she had someone bring him over to play for a while.
Chunyao was preparing to return home, and Shi Liu was set to leave for another region, so neither competed for the task.
Ding Fang, however, had ambitions of becoming Sixth Young Master’s personal nurse. She seized every opportunity to impress, taking the morning shifts.
Ye Yunniang preferred to stay out of the masters’ sight, so she, Chunyao, and Shi Liu rotated afternoon and night shifts.
Ding Fang usually took the mornings.
Tonight, Ye Yunniang was responsible for the first half of the night.
After that incident, no matter how sweltering it got, she never dared to leave the window open.
She played with Jiang Tingjun, lulling him to sleep, then stole a moment to rest herself.
Unbeknownst to her, as she slept, someone pried open the window just a crack, standing silently to watch her slumbering face.
Ye Yunniang stirred slightly, as if sensing something, and turned over, nestling closer to the bed.
Only when Jiang Tingjun whimpered did she wake.
"Young Master is awake." She reached out to lift him.
Hungry, Jiang Tingjun fussed impatiently, tugging at her clothes before she could adjust them himself.
Ye Yunniang obliged, loosening her garment for him.
He drank greedily, some milk spilling from the corners of his mouth, even staining her collar.
Thanks to the nourishing soups she consumed daily, her milk supply was abundant.
After finishing one side, Jiang Tingjun had his fill and only took a few sips from the other before refusing more.
Ye Yunniang winced at the discomfort of engorgement.
When she tried to encourage him to drink more, he bit down in protest.
"Ah, you little rascal." Gritting her teeth, she pulled away, dressed herself, and cradled him upright, gently patting his back while humming a lullaby—one she used to sing for Pan’er.
Only at night, when no one else was around, did she dare sing these melodies.
Jiang Tingjun seemed to love it, listening with closed eyes. He even grumbled when she stopped.
Ye Yunniang continued until he drifted off, then tucked him in again.
Usually, he’d sleep soundly till dawn.
Yawning, she blew out most of the candles, leaving just one burning.
She lay down on the makeshift bedding at the foot of the bed and closed her eyes.
Unaware, in her sleep, someone pushed the door open and entered.
Jiang Mingzhe had once again taken the hidden path to meet Jiang Mingrui.
After their discussion, he detoured to the courtyard window and paused.
The window was shut but not latched—a gentle pull would open it.
Standing by the sill, the candlelight illuminated the room’s interior.
He watched as Ye Yunniang changed Jiang Tingjun’s diaper, nursed him, and sang softly.
Jiang Mingzhe was different—he’d been aware since birth. He knew Old Madam Jiang resented him for the difficult labor she endured, sparing him little affection.
Handed to a wet nurse immediately, he saw his mother barely once a month.
With the mistress indifferent, the servants followed suit. His nurse let him cry through the night, neglecting to change his diapers or feed him promptly.
Soiled and uncomfortable, he endured the damp and stench until morning brought relief.
His first words, once he could speak, were to dismiss that nurse.
This only cemented Old Madam Jiang’s belief that he was cold-hearted, further distancing her.
Now, he envied his nephew, who had a nurse who doted on him wholeheartedly.
As Ye Yunniang slept, Jiang Mingzhe opened the window and stepped inside, approaching the bed where she lay curled up.
He sat beside her, studying her face before reaching out to brush her cheek—as smooth and delicate as he’d imagined.
She swatted vaguely in her sleep but didn’t wake.
A noise outside startled Ye Yunniang awake.
Jiang Tingjun still slept soundly.
She chastised herself for dozing so deeply and quickly folded her bedding away.
When Ding Fang entered for the shift change, Ye Yunniang handed over duties and returned to Zhiyu Pavilion.
Li'er brought breakfast.
After eating and changing, Ye Yunniang noticed her underclothes were soaked—she’d leaked milk.
Once she finished washing her clothes, she went back to bed.
At noon, Li'er woke her for lunch.
In the afternoon, she and Shi Liu worked on embroidery in the courtyard.
Ye Yunniang had mainly learned the qizhen stitch, while Shi Liu excelled in Suzhou embroidery, her designs so lifelike they seemed to move with the wearer.
Seeing Ye Yunniang’s admiration, Shi Liu didn’t hold back. She shared techniques and guided her.
Grateful, Ye Yunniang offered to formally apprentice under her, but Shi Liu declined, saying she only gave pointers—the rest was up to Ye Yunniang’s diligence.
A quick learner, Ye Yunniang stitched a kitten playing with a ball and gifted it to Shi Liu.
Over time, she’d learned Shi Liu adored cats but broke out in rashes upon touching them, making it impossible to keep one.
Delighted by the handkerchief, Shi Liu became even more invested in mentoring her.
Ding Fang observed Ye Yunniang’s rapport with Chunyao and Shi Liu with silent scorn. What use was currying favor with two nurses about to leave?
With Fourth Madam Jiang pleased by her care of Sixth Young Master and rewarding her generously, Ding Fang was certain her plans—and her sister’s—were nearing success.
Unaware of Ding Fang’s thoughts, Ye Yunniang carried on with her routine.
By the end of August, Chunyao and Shi Liu had departed one after the other.
The moment they left, Ding Fang eagerly moved into Shi Liu’s old room—brighter and more spacious than the others.
Ye Yunniang, comfortable where she was, stayed put.
