Translator: Storm in a Teacup
A woman was huddling at bed, with her body stooping and back to the outside. Nanny Liu, only at middle age, breathing heavily, long hairs scattering randomly, seemed to be an old dying woman who was worn out overnight.An Rushuang stopped at the door, too sad to step into the room. She clenched her fists, tears nearly welling up her eyes. Although opening her mouth, An Rushuang couldn"t utter a single word.
It was an undeserved catastrophe for Nanny Liu, who would always protect her from any danger no matter now or in the previous life.
Merely within a moment, An Rushuang had shed tears. Hong Yu turned to look at Nanny Liu, a wisp of sorrow striking her heart. She rubbed her eyes gently before calling Nanny Liu, “Nanny Liu, Miss An is coming to see you.”
Nanny Liu"s body suddenly froze. She struggled to get up before combing her messy hair briefly with her hand. “Cough...Why didn"t you stop the lady,!” She scolded Hong Yu in an elderly voice.
Hong Yu, always good at retort, was speechless while lowering her head in silence.
Nanny Liu turned to look at An Rushuang, a streak of smile suddenly sweeping off the seriousness on her sallow face when seeing An Rushuang"s teary eyes. “What are you doing here? I can serve you two days later. There is no need for you to visit this boring place... Hong Yu, why not take the lady to have a sit at the pavilion outside...” Nanny Liu said tenderly.
An Rushuang, with a somehow complicated feeling pouring into her heart, was so exhausted that her eyes were extremely sore.
She came up to the bed before murmuring to Nanny Liu, “It was my fault that you got into this.” An Rushuang seized Nanny Liu"s lean finger, saying emphatically, “Believe me, this is the last time.”
Nanny Liu couldn"t help feeling heartbreaking upon hearing her words. Even if there was someone to blame, it would be the evil illegitimate girl who hadn"t been accepted by the An family, the muddleheaded Lord An or the vulnerable Lady An instead.
As young as twelve years old, Miss An was much more thoughtful than that evil girl. She was like her mother, too kind and vulnerable, not tough enough. However, Nanny Liu recently noticed that she had turned stronger, being able to shoulder more responsibility, which made Nanny Liu worried and care more about her.
Staring at the young girl in affection, Nanny Liu raised her hand slowly and touched An Rushuang"s cascading black hair softly.
“My lady, could you promise me something?”
An Rushuang, dwelling upon how to comfort Nanny Liu, was confused at her words. “Tell me whatever it is.”
Nanny Liu signaled Hong Yu by waving her hand, asking her to take the maids outside.
“Since you have already learned about that girl"s ident.i.ty, please promise me never to confront with her directly. She is quite calculating and sophisticated. You must tell me if anything happens. I am not afraid of death. I would rather kill her than watch you being bullied.”
An Rushuang, being stupefied, was greatly touched by Nanny Liu"s words, as if a huge tide struck her heart. She tried her best to withdraw her hand, but Nanny Liu refused to let go of her by seizing An Rushuang"s hand firmly with both of her hands.
“Promise me, my lady. Promise me...”
Nanny Liu repeated again and again.
An Rushuang raised her head slowly, staring at Nanny Liu with the corner of her eyes still a little red. “No way,” she uttered the two words in resoluteness by moving her cherry lips. An Rushuang gazed at Nanny Liu"s eyes which were filled with sorrow and held her hands fast, “Nanny, no matter how she is good at plotting against others, her tricks will be known to the public if we keep upright and honest. She would definitely be punished for all of her wrongdoings, including framing you up. I remembered clearly what she has done to us. There is no need for you to dirty your hands by killing her. I would make her pay the price someday.”
An Rushuang straightened herself, like a fearless general.
Deeply impressed by An Rushuang"s imposing manner, Nanny Liu couldn"t help nodding. Only after Nanny Liu regained her consciousness did she look at the young girl before her carefully. An Rushuang really had changed. Having no idea whether it was good or bad, Nanny Liu merely knew that such a girl could make her set her mind at ease.
Perhaps, it was good.
“My lady, you have grown up,” Nanny Liu nodded while taking a long sigh.
The beautiful girl just snickered by rippling her lips before holding mother Liu"s arms fast. “So you are willing to take my advice?” An Rushuang asked in a sweet voice.
Nanny Liu smiled, some vigor appearing on her sallow face. “Okay, okay. I will follow your orders when I recover from the disease,” she added then, “Go back as soon as possible, or as weak as you will catch disease at this gloomy room.”
Snuggling up to Nanny Liu, An Rushuang responded, smile gradually retreating from her lips. Sorry, Nanny Liu, she said in her heart.
I only lied to you this time.