Hearing the words of her mother-in-law Cai Damei and her sister-in-law while tending to the child, Ye Yunniang felt a stirring in her heart. "Mother, I want to give it a try."
During this time, the Zhou Family had been helping them find work, and Ye Yunniang had taken notice.
The easy jobs that paid well never fell to them, a widow and her daughter-in-law. As for the backbreaking work that paid little, Ye Yunniang didn’t want Cai Damei to take it on.
Pan'er had already started eating solid food, and Ye Yunniang had discussed with Cai Damei about weaning him off breast milk.
Now, she was willing to use her now-unneeded milk to earn some money.
"Would you really part with Pan'er?" Cai Damei still felt reluctant.
"Of course not." How could Ye Yunniang bear to leave the son she had carried for ten months? "But Mother, please let me try. If I’m not chosen, I’ll still get 500 coins—enough to buy some fabric for you and Pan'er to make new clothes."
Cai Damei sighed. "Alright, go ahead and try."
With her mother-in-law’s approval, Zhang Cai'er went to her own family.
Madam Zhang made a special trip to the Zhou Family to confirm that Ye Yunniang indeed had abundant milk and agreed to mediate the arrangement.
The night before she was to leave for Jiang Mansion, Ye Yunniang nursed Pan'er one last time.
Watching her son suckle hungrily, her nose stung with unshed tears.
Cai Damei, watching from the side, felt the same ache in her heart. If only her son and husband were still alive, her grandson wouldn’t have to be deprived of his own mother’s milk.
"Mother, I’ll do everything I can to secure this position. Once I start earning wages, I’ll send money back to you. Please ask Auntie to rent a place nearby so you can stay close," Ye Yunniang whispered after putting Pan'er to sleep.
"I understand," Cai Damei replied, gently patting the sleeping child. Pan'er was her lifeline now.
After a while, Cai Damei pulled out a small pouch from her robe and handed it to Ye Yunniang.
"Mother, what’s this?" Ye Yunniang was puzzled.
"I’ve been asking around these past few days. Wealthy households are full of unsavory dealings. Take this money with you. If anything goes wrong, I’ll move heaven and earth to get you out," Cai Damei urged.
"Mother—" Ye Yunniang threw herself into Cai Damei’s arms, tears streaming down her face.
Ye Yunniang had lost her mother young. After her father remarried, the stepmother turned him into a stranger to her.
Thankfully, her late mother had been close to Cai Damei, who arranged her marriage. Throughout her childhood, Cai Damei had ensured she never went hungry. To Ye Yunniang, Cai Damei was her true mother.
"Don’t cry, child," Cai Damei soothed, wiping her tears.
"I won’t. And you mustn’t either." Ye Yunniang dabbed at her mother-in-law’s cheeks with her handkerchief.
The two women talked late into the night.
The next morning, Ye Yunniang rose early to prepare breakfast. Cai Damei’s younger sister and her family also woke to see her off.
After the meal, Cai Damei carried Pan'er and walked Ye Yunniang to the shop entrance.
With one last glance at her son and mother-in-law, Ye Yunniang steeled herself and turned away, following Zhang Cai'er.
As if sensing her departure, Pan'er burst into loud wails.
Cai Damei hurried him inside, afraid the cold wind would make him choke on his tears.
Ye Yunniang first went to the Zhang residence, then accompanied Madam Zhang to Jiang Mansion.
"Cousin, my daughter-in-law is unfortunate—she has no milk, leaving my grandson without. This is a sister from Cai'er’s in-laws. Her milk is plentiful and rich, and her own child is plump and fair, a delight to behold."
Madam Zhang pulled Ye Yunniang forward for Granny Tian’s inspection, nudging her. "Quick, greet Auntie Tian."
"Auntie Tian," Ye Yunniang murmured, lowering her eyes and submitting to the scrutiny.
Granny Tian squinted at her. "Follow me."
Madam Zhang gave Ye Yunniang a push. "Mind your auntie well."
Ye Yunniang trailed behind Granny Tian, winding through a small garden and past courtyards until they reached an unnamed compound.
Granny Tian, who had walked proudly before, now hunched slightly as she entered. Moments later, she reappeared at the gate and beckoned Ye Yunniang inside.
Stepping forward, Ye Yunniang glanced around the courtyard—two rows of young women stood waiting.
"Go, stand over there." Granny Tian pointed.
Ye Yunniang took her place at the far end of the second row.
The faint milky scent from the women around her confirmed they were all here for the same purpose—to become wet nurses.
Soon, seven or eight more women arrived.
After another quarter-hour with no new arrivals, the gate slammed shut with a heavy thud.
The matrons stationed around the courtyard sprang into action, inspecting each candidate.
"Lice in the hair," one announced, and a servant dragged the woman away.
"Dirty nails," another declared, and off went a second.
"Rough hands."
"Bad breath."
…
When it was Ye Yunniang’s turn, the matron barked, "Show your hands."
Ye Yunniang obeyed, enduring the scrutiny of each finger.
"Lower them. Bend your head."
She crouched slightly as the woman combed through her hair.
"Open your mouth."
Ye Yunniang complied, and the matron leaned in to sniff.
"Turn around."
She turned, and rough hands probed her neck, waist, and legs.
"Wait inside."
Head bowed, Ye Yunniang entered the house, where a maid pulled her behind a screen for a full-body inspection.
As she endured the humiliating process, she heard other verdicts: "Large birthmark," "body odor," "excessive body hair," "foul smell below"…
Once cleared, Ye Yunniang was shoved into a tub, scrubbed raw, and dressed in Jiang Mansion’s provided garments.
Clothed, she followed another matron through gardens and pavilions to a grand courtyard.
Passing an ornamental wall, they entered the main hall via a covered walkway.
Ye Yunniang and five other women first underwent a physician’s examination. Two were dismissed for minor ailments, leaving four to stand before the lavishly dressed Fourth Madam Jiang.
The lady ordered each to express a bowl of milk.
Four maids stepped forward with bowls.
The women hesitated at the prospect of baring themselves.
"Stop dawdling!" snapped a maid behind Fourth Madam Jiang.
One woman reluctantly complied, followed by Ye Yunniang.
The four bowls were presented to Fourth Madam Jiang, who sniffed each before selecting three. "Let Jun'er taste these."
The unchosen candidate was led away.
Soon, a maid returned with the verdict.
"All three of you will stay. Serve my son well, and you’ll be rewarded. Betray us, and you’ll regret it," Fourth Madam Jiang declared.
The first to express milk spoke up eagerly, "It’s an honor to nurse the young master. We’ll devote ourselves fully."
Pleased, Fourth Madam Jiang commanded, "Shanhu, settle them in. Each gets ten taels to arrange their affairs."
"Thank you, my lady," the three chorused sincerely.
Following Shanhu out, they traversed corridors and a pebbled path to a small courtyard.
Pointing to two side rooms, Shanhu said, "Sort your accommodations among yourselves."
