Inside the room, Fourth Madam Jiang and Ye Yunniang, upon hearing the maid's loud cry, initially thought something had happened to Jiang Mingyue.
But then they learned it was Zhuang Meixue who had suffered a miscarriage.
Both let out a sigh of relief—thankfully, it wasn’t Jiang Mingyue in trouble.
However, they quickly realized that Fourth Madam Jiang's miscarriage was still a serious matter.
"Take good care of Tingjun," Fourth Madam Jiang said hurriedly before rushing off to Qu Shui Courtyard.
Ye Yunniang took a deep breath—that had scared her half to death.
Returning to the side courtyard, Ye Yunniang found Jiang Tingjun missing. Upon asking, she learned the little master had been fussing to go to the garden.
This little one never gave anyone a moment’s rest.
Ye Yunniang changed direction and headed to the open area near Su Liu Bridge, where she often took Jiang Tingjun.
But the child wasn’t there. She checked a few more of his usual spots, but he was nowhere to be found.
How strange—where had the little master gone today?
Muttering to herself, Ye Yunniang decided to return to Fanghua Courtyard and wait.
As she passed the garden pond, she heard someone shout, "Help!" followed by a loud splash.
Ye Yunniang hurried forward but then hesitated, ducking behind a bush instead.
Soon after, a figure in a blue-green robe—whose back looked vaguely familiar—dashed away in a hurry.
Then came more shouts: "Someone’s jumped into the water! Help! Quickly, someone!"
Servants, maids, and attendants rushed over at the commotion.
Ye Yunniang blended into the crowd and approached, watching from a distance as a maid was pulled from the water. The murmurs around her confirmed the worst—she was gone, lifeless.
The steward and Fourth Madam Jiang arrived swiftly, demanding answers.
Ye Yunniang was also questioned.
The drowned maid was Dongqing, one of Zijuan’s attendants.
Dongqing pressed Ye Yunniang for details.
Ye Yunniang recounted what she had seen.
"Did you see the person’s face?" Dongqing paused her note-taking.
"No."
"What were they wearing? How tall? What build? Hairstyle? Which way did they run?" Dongqing pressed further.
Ye Yunniang thought back.
"They ran east along the path. About my size, wearing a blue-green robe similar to yours. I didn’t notice the hair. Oh—they walked with a slight limp, as if one leg was shorter..."
She shared everything she could remember.
Dongqing recorded it all.
"Wet Nurse Ye, you’ve had a shock. Rest tonight at Zhiyu Pavilion."
"But what about the little master?" Ye Yunniang worried for Jiang Tingjun.
"Madam has already sent for Wet Nurse Chunyao to take over."
"Thank you for Madam’s kindness." Ye Yunniang expressed her gratitude.
Back at Zhiyu Pavilion, Li'er and Nanny Shi were cleaning an empty room.
"Is someone moving in?"
"Yes, an aunt will arrive tomorrow to stay here," Li'er said, leaning closer. "I heard from the senior maids that the Jin family paid a fortune to bring her in—a top-tier expert in child-rearing."
The Jin family was Fourth Madam Jiang’s maternal relatives.
Having been in the Jiang household for over half a year, Ye Yunniang was no longer the naive village girl she once was.
The earlier actions of Zi Yuan and others had made it clear—her time here was limited.
Now, with news of this aunt’s arrival, she understood her departure was imminent.
Li'er noticed her unease and reassured her, "Sister, most young masters in the manor are nursed until they’re two."
Ye Yunniang gave a noncommittal hum and excused herself, claiming exhaustion.
After a nap, she woke to voices in the courtyard.
Stepping out, she saw Shanhu directing servants to move furniture and decor into the west wing.
Clearly, Fourth Madam Jiang held this new nanny in high regard.
A night’s rest restored Ye Yunniang’s energy.
After breakfast, she returned to Fanghua Courtyard.
Chunyao was yawning while patting Jiang Tingjun’s little belly.
Spotting Ye Yunniang, she waved her over urgently—she couldn’t take it anymore.
"Sister Chunyao, did the little master fuss last night?"
"Barely slept a wink. Kept waking up crying. Only settled at dawn." Chunyao yawned again.
"That’s odd—he’s usually so calm at night." Ye Yunniang frowned, taking over the patting.
Chunyao agreed. Though she hadn’t tended to him overnight in months, she knew his temperament—once fed, he rarely cried.
"Keep an eye on him tonight. If it happens again, inform Madam," Chunyao instructed.
"Of course."
"I’m off to rest." Chunyao was dead on her feet.
"Go ahead. I’ll handle things here."
Jiang Tingjun slept for about an hour before waking. Ye Yunniang nursed him, then fed him some soft food before playing with him indoors.
That night, as Jiang Tingjun slept, Ye Yunniang dozed by the bed.
A sudden wail jolted her awake.
She scooped him up. "I’m here, little master. Hush now..."
He hadn’t soiled himself, and he refused milk—just kept crying uncontrollably.
Zi Yuan hurried in at the noise. "What’s wrong?"
"No idea. He just started." Ye Yunniang rocked him, humming a lullaby.
Zi Yuan reached for him, but Jiang Tingjun clung to Ye Yunniang’s neck, sobbing and refusing to let go.
Everyone knew the child was usually easygoing, happy in anyone’s arms.
This tantrum, fixated on his wet nurse, was bizarre.
"I’ll inform Madam and summon a physician," Zi Yuan decided, rushing out.
Fourth Madam Jiang arrived, distressed by her son’s cries. She tried to hold him, but he only wailed louder.
The physician diagnosed severe fright.
"Where did you take him today?" Fourth Madam Jiang demanded.
"He didn’t leave the courtyard. Yesterday afternoon, he played in the garden for over an hour," Zi Yuan answered.
Recalling the incidents at Qu Shui Courtyard and the garden, Fourth Madam Jiang paled. "Doctor, save my son!"
Jiang Tingjun’s cries escalated, his tiny hands flailing as if warding something off.
The physician prescribed a sedative.
Zi Yuan prepared the medicine, but Jiang Tingjun refused to let anyone near him.
"Let me try." A calm, older voice cut through the chaos.
Ye Yunniang turned to see a serene middle-aged woman—Aunt Jinlan—enter. She took the bowl from Zi Yuan and approached Jiang Tingjun. Without any visible effort, his sobs quieted, and he obediently drank.
"Aunt Lan, you’re incredible," Fourth Madam Jiang marveled. They’d been helpless, yet Aunt Jinlan soothed him instantly.
Aunt Jinlan remained composed, urging Fourth Madam Jiang to rest while she took over.
"Thank you, Aunt Lan." With that, Fourth Madam Jiang left, reassured.
