Chapter 36: Inexperience Leads to Unreliability

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The first update of the day, and I continue to summon pink votes and PK votes~

Yu Ziqi picked up a piece of drunken chicken and placed it in Ning Qian’s bowl. “Eat more. You’ve lost quite a bit of weight lately. Are these dishes not to your taste? I should have realized sooner—there ought to be a small kitchen in the courtyard. I remember you told me that Nianyu and Shuni are both skilled cooks, aren’t they? Tomorrow, I’ll have someone arrange this. From now on, whatever you wish to eat, just instruct them, and they’ll make it for you.”

“Thank you, Master. I know what to do now.”

Only then did Yu Ziqi resume his meal, but he had barely taken a few bites before Nianyu spoke from outside, “Young Master, Madam, Lady Jiao, who serves the Old Lady, requests an audience.”

Yu Ziqi set his chopsticks down and exchanged a glance with Ning Qian. “Let her in.”

Jiao entered, bent low, and performed a deep bow. “Your servant Jiao greets Third Master and Third Madam.” She was quick-witted, recognizing that she had interrupted Yu Ziqi’s meal, so she hurriedly paid her respects—after all, excess courtesy does no harm.

Yu Ziqi picked up his chopsticks again, listening to Jiao’s words without reaction, continuing to eat. It was Ning Qian who felt a pang of guilt; Jiao was, after all, the senior maid by the Old Lady’s side. Offending her might bring trouble in the future.

“Rise quickly; there’s no need for such a formal greeting. Nianyu, serve the tea.”

“Madam, there’s no need. I’ve only come to deliver a message from the Old Lady and must return to serve her soon. The Old Lady says that in half a month, it will be the Master’s fiftieth birthday. She asked me to come and inquire if Third Master has any good ideas for this year’s celebration. And…"

“And what else?” Yu Ziqi asked impatiently.

Jiao shrank back a step, lowering her head and eyes. “Third Master, the Old Lady also asked me to find out when the funds for the Master’s birthday celebration will be delivered to her.”

“Very well. Go back and tell Mother that tomorrow I’ll have my wife send it over.”

“Yes. Then I shall take my leave.”

“Nianyu, see Jiao out.” Politeness was necessary, for Jiao served the Old Lady; they saw each other often, and it wouldn’t do to strain relations now.

After Jiao departed, Ning Qian said, “Master, why are you so cold toward Jiao? She is the Old Lady’s close maid, and I’ve heard she’s served her for many years and is much favored. With your attitude, the Old Lady is bound to notice. Why make her unhappy?”

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Yu Ziqi awkwardly set his chopsticks down. He didn’t wish to behave this way, but he simply couldn’t bring himself to like those who served the Old Lady. “Enough, my dear. This isn’t something that can be changed overnight.”

Ning Qian nodded, knowing Yu Ziqi harbored a knot in his heart; unless it was untied, he would never truly be happy. “By the way, what did Jiao mean about the funds? Isn’t the money for Father’s birthday celebration meant to come from the family accounts? Why do you have to contribute as well?”

“You’re not aware. Every year, when Father celebrates his birthday, the family funds cover a portion, but the remaining expenses are shared equally among the three brothers. The celebrations grow increasingly lavish and costly each year; the family funds are never enough. My dear, tonight I’ll give you five hundred taels of silver. Tomorrow morning, when you pay your respects, take the money to Mother.”

“Alright, I understand.”

“That’s enough—I’m full. You finish your meal; I have things to attend to and will return late tonight.” If it weren’t for wanting to eat with her, Yu Ziqi would not have made the trip back.

Seeing his weary face, Ning Qian felt a pang of compassion. “Master, take care of yourself. All this running about day after day will wear you out. If it’s not too important, let Xiao Liu handle it.”

“I’d like to, but some matters require my personal attention. Don’t worry—I know what to do.” He waved his hand and walked out.

Once he left, Ning Qian lost her appetite. She had Nianyu clear away the dishes, then went to the study. She unfolded a sheet of letter paper and wrote a letter. After sealing it, she called for Nianyu.

“Nianyu, have Xiao Liu deliver this letter to my father at the Ning household. It must be handed to him personally. Tell him it’s confidential and must not be seen by anyone else.”

“Madam, is Xiao Liu trustworthy?”

“Well, actually, I’m not entirely sure. But Master said Xiao Liu could be entrusted with tasks—he’s Master’s man, so there shouldn’t be any issue. Go quickly; this can’t be delayed any further. We must plan ahead.”

“Yes, I’ll go right away.” Nianyu took the letter and hurried out, found Xiao Liu, and relayed Ning Qian’s instructions.

Xiao Liu grinned, “Miss Nianyu, rest assured. I’ve served the Young Master for so long; such a simple task is nothing to me.”

“I think you’re all talk and no action. I’ll trust you when you’ve completed the task. Hurry—the Madam says it’s urgent.”

“Yes, I’m on my way.” Xiao Liu was no fool; he knew the importance of the matter.

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Xiao Liu reached the Ning residence in record time. After being announced, he entered the manor. In the front hall, he met Ning Qian’s father, Ning Qian. He quickly bowed, “Your servant greets Master Ning.”

“Rise and speak. You’re from the Yu household?”

“Yes, I serve at the side of Third Young Master. Today, I’ve come at Third Madam’s command to deliver a letter to Master Ning.”

“Oh? Let me see the letter.”

Xiao Liu stepped forward and handed over the letter. “Master Ning, here it is.”

Ning Qian opened the envelope in Xiao Liu’s presence. After reading the letter, his expression changed slightly. “Very well, wait here while I write a reply for you to take back to Third Madam.”

“Yes, sir.” Ning Qian instructed his servants to take Xiao Liu to have tea and gave him a red envelope, while he himself took the letter to the inner hall.

He handed the letter to Ruan Qi, saying, “This is a letter from Qian Qian—read it.”

Ruan Qi’s face lit up with joy. She hurriedly opened the letter, and after reading, she said with some confusion, “Master, this is quite strange. How could such a thing happen?”

“I don’t quite understand either, but since Qian Qian wrote about it, there’s a sixty percent chance it’s true. In large families, what can’t happen? Though suspicious, it’s not without precedent.”

“Master, perhaps you should write back for clarification, or we could discuss it face to face?”

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