She scurried back to the Bamboo Lodge, first wiping the sweat from her forehead.
Then, she took a deep breath, waiting for her breathing to steady before stepping inside.
"Nanny Li, this maid has something to report."
Nanny Li was sitting by the window reading a book. Hearing Pangya walk straight in, her face hardened.
"What have you done with all the manners I taught you?"
"Before entering a room, you must learn to knock! Out!"
Pangya hadn't expected that Nanny Li would show no interest in what she had to say and would instead shoo her out.
Seeing the nanny's stern expression, Pangya's face flushed crimson.
Pangya hurriedly retreated.
However, just leaving like that felt too unsatisfying for her.
Gritting her teeth, she turned back to the doorway, raised her hand, and knocked.
"Nanny, this maid has something to report."
"Come in." Nanny Li's tone was calm, as if nothing had happened.
Mustering her courage, Pangya entered and bowed to Nanny Li.
"Speak, what is it?" Nanny Li set down the book in her hand.
Pangya hesitated now; the nanny's earlier attitude had made her uncertain.
"Eager to speak in a fluster just now, but reluctant now?" Nanny Li's gaze was scrutinizing.
"It's not that, Nanny. It's Duoduo. This maid just saw Duoduo teaching the characters you taught her to someone else!"
Nanny Li pondered for a moment, guessing that Duoduo had probably gone to teach Lüdou.
"Teaching knowledge to others is also a part of the learning process."
Pangya showed a shocked expression. "Nanny, Duoduo taught what she learned to others without your permission. That's disrespectful to you!"
"This maid thinks you should give her a proper lesson. How can she just casually teach such precious knowledge to others?"
Nanny Li looked at the indignant Pangya but did not get angry as Pangya had imagined.
"Do you know that this learning opportunity originally belonged to someone else?"
Pangya opened her mouth to retort, "But she was already dismissed by you, Nanny!"
"She's a kitchen servant now, not qualified to study with you, Nanny. Only this maid is!"
"I taught you. As for whom you teach, that is your own affair. I do not interfere."
"Also, isn't it time to fetch the evening meal? Why didn't you bring it back from the kitchen?"
Pangya's face turned pale.
"You seem to have forgotten what your duties entail. Pangya, as punishment, you will have no food tonight."
"Reflect carefully on what should be in your mind. What should a maid's duties be?"
"If you still can't understand, you may leave tomorrow. I don't need someone with a muddled head to serve me here!"
Pangya was so frightened she fell to her knees with a "thump."
"Nanny, this maid was wrong! Please forgive me."
Nanny Li shook her head. "No. I've given you chances before, but you always fail to understand your place."
"Nanny, this maid was wrong! This maid will never do it again!" Pangya kowtowed vigorously to the nanny.
Nanny Li stared at the top of Pangya's head, silent for a long while.
"Seeing that you are sincerely admitting your fault, I will forgive you this time."
"However, this mistake of yours is noted here. If you make it again, I will combine the punishments. Are you convinced?"
"Convinced! This maid is convinced! Thank you, Nanny! Thank you, Nanny!"
Overjoyed, Pangya kowtowed several more times to the nanny.
"Enough. Go quickly and fetch the meal box. Duoduo is too young to carry it."
"Yes."
Even if Pangya had complaints in her heart, she dared not show them.
She got up from the floor, bowed to the nanny, and then hurried out.
Halfway along the path, Pangya saw Duoduo struggling to carry a large meal box, walking slowly.
Pangya gave a "hmph," walked over, and straightaway snatched the box from Duoduo's hands.
Feeling the weight lift from her hands, Duoduo looked up and saw Pangya, somewhat surprised.
Pangya stomped back angrily, and Duoduo hurriedly jogged to keep up.
Duoduo felt very uneasy. She knew Pangya must have gone to tattle to the nanny earlier.
Yet, judging by Pangya's expression, it didn't seem like she had succeeded.
Duoduo wanted to ask but was afraid of being snapped at by Pangya.
Hesitating like this, Duoduo made her way back to the Bamboo Lodge.
Pangya, carrying the meal box, entered the Bamboo Lodge first, placed the box on the table, and set out the food.
Then, she walked to the door of Nanny Li's room and knocked gently.
"Nanny, the evening meal is fetched and set out."
The door to Nanny Li's room opened, and she came out.
Nanny Li immediately noticed the anxious Duoduo but did not scold her. She sat down at the table.
"Alright, you two go and have your own meal. Come back later to clear up."
With that, Nanny Li picked up her chopsticks and began to eat.
"Yes."
Pangya bowed and withdrew.
Duoduo hesitated, looking at the nanny and opening her mouth as if to speak.
Nanny Li paid her no mind, lowering her head to eat quietly. Duoduo could only bow and retreat.
Nanny Li glanced up at Duoduo's retreating back but said nothing.
Duoduo returned to her room. After sitting for a while, she decided to confess to the nanny proactively.
Even if the nanny punished her, she wouldn't regret it.
Having made up her mind, Duoduo left her room and waited by the nanny's door.
Seeing Nanny Li put down her chopsticks, Duoduo picked up the teacup and went in.
Duoduo carefully placed the teacup on the side table and then tidied up the meal box.
Nanny Li took a sip of tea and saw Duoduo kneel down.
"Nanny, earlier when I went to fetch the evening meal, I taught the characters you taught me today to Lüdou."
"This maid acted on my own initiative. It was wrong. Please punish me, Nanny."
After speaking, Duoduo prostrated herself and kowtowed.
Nanny Li slowly sipped her tea, as if pondering Duoduo's words.
Duoduo lay prostrate on the floor, not daring to move.
"Enough, get up. Go and do what you need to do." Nanny Li waved her hand dismissively.
Duoduo looked up in surprise.
"Nanny, you're not going to punish me?"
A flicker of amusement seemed to pass through Nanny Li's eyes.
"Do you wish to be punished?"
Duoduo quickly shook her head. "This maid does not."
"Since you don't, why ask?" Nanny Li lifted her teacup again and took another sip.
The tea Duoduo brewed now was much better, at least palatable.
Duoduo hesitantly glanced at the nanny once more for confirmation.
"Thank you, Nanny!" Duoduo kowtowed.
"Alright. As long as you properly do the tasks assigned to you, I won't interfere with what you do during your rest time."
"Of course, if you cause trouble, don't expect me to rescue you. Remember that?"
"Yes, this maid remembers."
Assured that the nanny was not angry and would not punish her, Duoduo immediately became cheerful.
"Nanny, these are peach blossom pastries Lüdou made as a tribute to you. Please taste them to see if they're good. It's her first time trying to make them."
Duoduo pulled out a handkerchief-wrapped bundle of peach blossom pastries from her sleeve.
