Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Let me help you with the fire, Master Yuyan.”
Although she had never used such a clay pot before, it should not be too difficult. Since Master Yuyan would still need to fetch the water and clean the vegetables, she volunteered to help light the fire.
“Young mistress, you cannot do that.”
Both Yuyan and Yu Niang immediately refused her offer to help light the fire.
Yuyan strode quickly towards Yu Shuya before Yu Niang could speak.
“Young mistress, you can’t do such a thing. You are the daughter of a wealthy family. You cannot do these tasks meant for a servant.”
Yu Shuya was dumbfounded at the solemnity of Master Yuyan.
Why was Master Yuyan even more anxious than Yu Niang?
A fallen noble was worse than a commoner. The world was full of people like Miao Jun and her gang. Even if they did not add insult to the injury, they would still snort at them.
As for Master Yuyan, not only did she have a good impression of the young mistress who had fallen out of grace, she nagged even more than Yu Niang on the tasks a young mistress should not be allowed to do.
Since both the women refused to let her do any chores, she could only sit on the stool by the side.
Yu Shuya noticed that Yuyan stood straight and proper, although she did not appear efficient. She was light-footed when she walked and was graceful when she raised her hand. She seemed to take good care of her hygiene as she would gently fold her sleeves up and tried her best to avoid the dust and water droplets touched her when she handled the vegetables.
Yu Shuya found it strange that she could see the charm of a classic beauty in a person dressed so shabbily. She narrowed her eyes when she observed the gentleness Master Yuyan exhibited when she spoke.
Master Yuyan certainly wasn’t an ordinary person before she became a nun. She should be a girl who had a good upbringing.
Judging from the way she talked about what a young mistress should and should not be doing, could Master Yuyan, too, came from a wealthy family before she became a nun?
She knew her guess was correct as she continued to observe the behaviors of Master Yuyan’.
“Young mistress, are you tired?”
Yuyan had long noticed that Miss Yu’s sight followed her around the kitchen. But every time she caught a glance at the little girl, she would see her nodding from time to time. Was she sleepy because she woke up too early today?
Yu Niang immediately stopped the chores she was doing when she heard of Master Yuyan’s words.
“Young mistress, let’s go back to our house if you’re tired. I’ll send you back right now.”
She watched Yu Niang kneaded her forehead, wanting to send her back to the shack.
Yu Shuya shook her head.
“I’m not tired. I find Master Yuyan to be so good-looking that I was so captivated by just looking at her.”
The two worried women were stunned, more so for Master Yuyan. She automatically touched her face, wanting to confirm Miss Yu’s words were true.
Yu Shuya continued to speak when she saw Master Yuyan’s reaction to her words.
“Master Yuyan, I think the way you move looks so graceful as if you’re dancing. You look like you’re playing the piano when you are cutting vegetables.”
Yu Niang gazed at Master Yuyan as well.
Words from Yu Shuya reminded her of the time she first met Master Yuyan a few years back. She noticed the similarity between Master Yuyan and her mistress.
It was not only in their appearances but also in their postures and how they carried themselves.
However, her mistress was a talented lady raised by an aristocratic family of officials in the capital city. So, how could she compare Master Yuyan to her mistress?
Yu Shuya blinked her eyes to show the sincerity of her words. She found Master Yuyan beautiful.
“Good girl, you have a way with words.”
Master Yuyan turned her head away and focused on the vegetables instead of talking to Yu Shuya. But she was trying hard to keep the tears from rolling down her cheeks.
Yu Niang was too focused on getting the fire up to notice the change in Master Yuyan’s facial expression. Yu Shuya turned away and pretended not to notice.