44 The Su Family’s Past Affairs 2 Side Story

In the afternoon, Yuejiu was chasing butterflies in Jingshui Pavilion. Next to her, Nanny sat under the osmanthus tree and was embroidering with a needle and thread. Yuejiu ran over and leaned on Nannys shoulder, giggling, Nanny, come play with Jiuer!

The weathers going to be cold, Im making a cloak for you, my lady. Its going to be ready soon! Osmanthus petals fell on young Nannys hair, and her gaze was gentle.

Yuejiu giggled as she touched the embroidered pattern with her small hand, depicting a chick pecking at rice.

Is Nanny here? Suddenly, a voice rang from the gate of the courtyard.

Nanny got up and saw Nanny Qin coming in. She immediately smiled and said, Its you, Nanny Qin. What can I do for you?

After Nanny Qin approached, she saw Yuejiu and bowed hurriedly. Greetings, Eldest Young Lady!

Yuejiu was still looking at the chick and answered distractedly.

Nanny Qin, is something the matter? Nanny asked.

Yes, I saw that you bought a piece of pink silk satin yesterday. I also want to buy one for our Miss Yueqiu to make a skirt. Where did you buy it? Nanny Qin asked, smiling.

Oh, I got it from Fuqing Silk Satin Shop.

Fuqing? Nanny Qin thought, Oh, I havent really been to this shop. If youre not busy, could you bring me there?

Well, Nanny hesitated, Our mistress is busy, and I have to look after Miss Yuejiu!

Lets take Miss Yuejiu with us. Well be back soon anyway!

Nanny looked at Yuejiu and was still hesitant.

Nanny Qin went to Yuejiu with a loving face. Miss Yuejiu, shall we go to the streets? Ill buy you candied fruit and sugar figurines.

As soon as Yuejiu heard this, her eyes brightened, Sugar figurines?

Her mother wont let her eat sugar, so every time Yuejiu saw others eating sugar, she would be really curious.

Yes, the biggest sugar figurines, fairies, rabbits, whatever you want! Nanny Qin tempted her.

Jiuer wants them all. Yuejiu turned to Nanny and looked at her with her big eyes. Nanny, lets go out to the streets, shall we?

Where is Jiuer going? First Mistress left her room and walked down the stone steps.

Greetings to the First Mistress! Nanny Qins gaze flickered and she bowed her head.

Yuejiu ran over, holding First Mistresss sleeve with her little hand and said with a sweet smile, Mother, Jiuer wants to go to the streets with Nanny.

Four-year-old Yuejius height has not yet reached First Mistresss waist. Her hair was combed into twin tails, wearing an emerald silk dress. Her pair of big eyes were like grapes, black and bright. Her face was pink and chubby with baby fat and was particularly likable.

First Mistress crouched down, caressing Yuejius hair and laughing, Alright, go play, but dont have too much fun. Come back soon!

Yuejiu grinned, stretching her arms around her mothers neck, and said with a giggle, Mothers the best!

Smelling the scent of milk on her daughter, First Mistress suddenly felt a little uneasy, but she attributed it to the worries in her heart and she didnt think much about it. She kissed Yuejius face. Dont be naughty and listen to Nanny!

Mm-hmm, Jiuer knows! Yuejiu smiled as she left her mothers arms, and went over to hold Nannys hand. Lets go!

Well be back soon!

Mm, watch Yuejiu. We will leave tomorrow, buy some of Yuejius favorite pastries so we can bring it on the journey tomorrow! First Mistress reminded.

Yes, I will remember!

Nanny put the needle and thread away, brushed her sleeve and led Yuejiu out.

Looking at the big and small figures, First Mistress stepped forward and shouted, Jiuer, come back early!

Yuejiu turned back and waved, her big eyes shining.

Mother, Jiuer will bring back candied fruit for you!

Until the three left the yard and faded into the distance, First Mistress turned to the house and continued to pack up for tomorrow.

Nanny Qin and Nanny took Yuejiu to the busiest long street in Fuyang. At this time, there was a lot of hustle and bustle in the street, and all kinds of vendors shouted one after another.

The trio went to Fuqing Silk Satin Shop to buy cloth first. When they came out, there happened to be a funeral procession of a big family. They were leaving the city through the streets to carry out the burial, clanging on the cymbals as cries reverberated in the air. There were spectators at the sides of the streets and the crowd pushed each other as they walked forward.

As soon as the crowd squeezed over, Nanny Qins eyes flashed and she pulled Yuejius hand with more force, carrying her in her arms. Nanny was lost in the crowd and reacted frantically, shouting, Miss?

The three were dispersed in the crowd, as Nanny Qin hugged Yuejiu and shouted to Nanny, Dont worry, Miss Jiuer is in my arms. Im carrying her!

As she spoke, she deliberately leaned back towards the crowd and walked further and further away from Nanny.

Nanny was relieved to hear Nanny Qins words, and went forward to find the two. Suddenly, someone tripped her and everyone crowded over. She was stepped on a few times, and had to clamber several times before getting up to avoid being trampled. She looked around hurriedly, but Nanny Qin and Yuejiu were nowhere to be seen.

Nanny Qin walked quickly through the crowd carrying Yuejiu and hurried to the East City.

Let me go, Im going to Nanny! Yuejiu lay on Nanny Qins shoulder and yelled frantically.

Miss Jiuer, dont make a scene. Ill take you to buy the biggest sugar figurine. Nanny will follow in a minute! Nanny Qin coaxed.

Yuejiu saw Nanny Qin turn into the alley, choosing remote places to walk in as they were farther and farther from the busy long street. Her eyes turned back to her captor and she shouted, I dont want sugar figurines anymore, I want Nanny, let me go!

Almost there, almost there!

Im not going. Let me go! Nanny, help! Yuejiu kept kicking, but she was too small, and her strength was not as strong as that of Nanny Qins arm holding her. She kicked for a long time but to no avail.

After a while, Yuejiu quieted down and looked at Nanny Qin with tears in her eyes. Nanny Qin, where are you going to take Jiuer? Lets go home, didnt you say Little Sister Qiuer likes the pair of butterfly vases in my room. When we get back, Ill ask my mother to give it to my sister.

Nanny Qin was out of breath from running and grinned, Miss Jiuer is such a clever child that she knows to buy people off at such a young age!

Nanny Qin, Jiuer needs to use the latrine. Wont you put me down? If not I will pee on you.

Sure, go ahead! Nanny Qin laughed coldly.

If you dont let go, Ill bite you!

Yuejiu turned pale, grit her teeth, and then bit Nanny Qins ear.

Oh, you little brat! Nanny Qin felt a sharp pain in her ear, only to feel something warm flow down her cheek. She almost threw Yuejiu down. Her gaze turning vicious, she hit Yuejius neck.

Yuejiu blacked out and immediately lay on Nanny Qins shoulder.

Nanny Qin hugged Yuejiu to herself all the way to the river. A woman in satin approached and immediately hugged Yuejiu. She pinched her little face and looked at her, smiling. Yes, shes really a beauty. But why is she passed out?

Shes disobedient, so I knocked her out. Quickly take her onto the boat, leave Fuyang immediately and never come back! Nanny Qin wiped the blood on her face and said hastily.

Dont worry, after being sold to a place like that, shell never come back! The woman grinned chillingly, revealing her yellow teeth. She handed over a purse to Nanny Qin. Shes not bad, Ill give you a good price!

Nanny Qin looked around and quickly kept the silver into her sleeve. Hurry up and go!

The woman wrapped Yuejiu in her arms in a cloak and walked quickly to the boat.

Watching the boat leave immediately from the river bank, Nanny Qin smiled coldly, touching the silver in her sleeves, and turned to walk into the city.

On the long streets, Nanny was anxiously looking for Nanny Qin and Yuejiu. Her efforts were futile after searching for close to two hours, and she was at an utter loss. As she was panicking, she saw Nanny Qin sitting under a corner, crying bitterly.

Nannys heart jolted, as she hurried over. Nanny Qin, what are you doing here? Wheres Miss Jiuer?

Seeing Nanny, Nanny Qin cried louder. I deserve to die. Miss Yuejiu said she wanted to eat sugar figurines, let go of my hand and ran away. When I caught up, I couldnt see Miss Yuejiu. I dont have the face to see First Mistress, I should just die!

Nanny fell to the ground on her buttocks, her face ashen pale. Her vision turned black, and she almost fainted.

No, no, no, she said in disbelief. Miss wouldnt run away!

In saying so, Nanny hurriedly ran into the crowd to look for her.

However, soon it grew dark and she still could not find Yuejiu.

At Su Manor, First Mistress saw that Yuejiu had not yet returned and was about to go look for her anxiously when Nanny came in.

She knelt down at First Mistresss feet and cried, Mistress, Miss Yuejiu is gone!

What are you talking about? First Mistress staggered a step back and looked at Nanny in a daze.

Mistresswe lost our young Miss!

Lost? What do you mean, lost? First Mistress trembled, as she quickly ran to the door to look around, and screamed frantically, Jiuer? Jiuer?

The servant girls followed and supported the First Mistress. Mistress!

First Mistress pushed the servant girls away and returned to the yard. She grabbed Nannys collar, her eyes bloodshot, You get up and explain yourself. Where is Yuejiu? Wheres my Jiuer?

Nanny cried bitterly. Mistress, please kill me, I lost Miss!

There was a buzzing in First Mistresss head. Her eyes closed and she fell backwards.

Mistress!

Mistress!!

The servant girls yelled worriedly as Su Wenqian and Surin came to find out what was going on, going pale with shock at the news.

While sending someone out to find Yuejiu, they asked people to find a physician.

When it was dark, First Mistress woke up and ran out to look for Yuejiu. She searched for a night, and fainted in the streets before she was found by the Su family. When she woke up, it was as if she had fallen into a trance, and she began wandering in the streets day after day.

Three days later, an autumn rain fell and it became colder and colder.

Pedestrians in the street walked hurriedly. In the teahouse, people drank tea and chatted.

One person said, What an eventful autumn. Have you heard that the Eldest Young Lady of the Su family has gone missing?

Who doesnt know in Fuyang City? First Mistress Su looks for her daughter in the streets every day. I hear she has gone mad with worry.

She must have been abducted. I have seen Miss Su. What a lovely little girl!

How pitiful!

Not only did something happen to the Su family, but two days ago, a boat capsized on the river, and everyone on the ship could not be rescued. Twenty or thirty people had died, thats pitiful!

It has been eventful lately, so dont go out so frequently!

Yes, yes!

Its going to rain again. Lets all go home! someone shouted in the teahouse, and everyone got up and went out. In just a short moment, the lively teahouse became silent.

Fallen leaves wrapped in autumn wind blew through the silent long street, as the cold breeze blew. Far away, a ladys yells could be heard. It reverberated in the cold autumn rain for a long time.