But luck seemed to be coming to her without her seeking it. As soon as she stepped out of the inn, she saw a crowd gathered around the bulletin board. Curious, she walked over and saw that the city lord’s mansion was looking for a wet nurse.
“Why is the city lord’s mansion looking for a wet nurse?” she wondered aloud.
A nearby woman glanced at her and said, “You’re not from around here, are you? Our little Miss Niannian is still young, and the lady of the house is not around, so naturally, they need to hire a wet nurse.”
Niannian again? Tao Yu’s mouth twitched, feeling this name had been appearing too frequently lately. Before she could probe further, another woman said disdainfully, “She stopped being our city lord’s wife when she left Wuhuan City. Why are you speaking of her so respectfully?”
“I’m just explaining for our out-of-town friend,” the first woman complained.
As the two women argued, Tao Yu couldn’t interject, but she quickly understood: Little Miss Niannian was just over three years old, the only daughter of the city lord and his wife who had run away, and now they were looking to hire a wet nurse.
…So when did she give birth to a daughter for Yue Linze? Tao Yu thought about this alternate personality who could curse her and trick her into pregnancy, and her eyes immediately became lifeless.
Never mind, that man was capable of anything. It wasn’t just a child; he could conjure up any strange thing he wanted.
Tao Yu clicked her tongue and asked, “I’ve just arrived and need work. I’d like to try my luck. Do you think I have a chance?”
“Are you sure?” the woman said. “This job requires staying in the city lord’s mansion daily, with high pay but no time to go home. Any woman with children can’t be away from them for so long, and those without children aren’t wanted by the mansion.”
Tao Yu laughed, “I’ve separated from my husband and left my child with his family. Now I’m alone. Such a good job would be worth trying.”
Her words immediately changed the women’s perception of her. Tao Yu didn’t care and turned to walk towards the city lord’s mansion.
At the mansion, there weren’t many applicants, but they all seemed capable. Tao Yu now felt uncertain, thinking she was only notable for looking ‘sturdy’ and otherwise unremarkable.
Majordomo swept a glance over her and apologetically said: “There is now only one young lady in the mansion who needs care, and the household servants are already sufficient. I’m afraid we cannot keep you.”
…Does this mean I didn’t pass the interview? Tao Yu sighed inwardly, feeling that her carefully prepared outfit was wasted. Fortunately, it was cold today, so her outfit wasn’t too uncomfortable. She could think of another way after leaving.
Just as she was about to leave, a servant suddenly reported outside: “Manager! Manager! The city lord has returned!”
Tao Yu and the manager were both stunned. By the time Tao Yu came to her senses, the manager had already run out. She twitched her mouth, momentarily unsure whether to stay and catch a glimpse of the alter ego or leave immediately and find another way to sneak in.
While she was pondering this, she suddenly felt something heavy on her leg. Looking down, she saw an adorable little girl, as cute as a New Year’s painting doll, hugging her leg and curiously staring at her face.
Tao Yu blinked and, inexplicably, blurted out: “You’re so chubby.”
As soon as she said this, she realized it was inappropriate. Just as she was about to make amends, the little girl’s mouth quivered, and she burst into tears.
Tao Yu panicked instantly, instinctively looking towards the door, afraid her parents might suddenly appear. And as if on cue, a man in a monk’s robe soon appeared at the doorway.Tao Yu licked her dry lips and followed his gaze, involuntarily blushing. She thought she could sneak into the city lord’s mansion by applying for a job, but with her skills, she might not even be selected to clean the sewers.
“Who made these?” Yue Linze asked.
The housekeeper paused, quickly pointing at Tao Yu. Tao Yu immediately knelt and gave an awkward smile to Yue Linze.
Yue Linze didn’t look at her, and after a moment of silence, he said calmly, “Keep her.”
Tao Yu was stunned, instantly thinking he was about to mockingly expose her.
“My lord?” the housekeeper looked surprised, not understanding his decision.
Yue Linze gently smoothed Nian Nian’s messy hair and explained calmly, “The previous wet nurses, which of them did these chores well? A wet nurse for Nian Nian doesn’t need to do such rough work.”
The housekeeper was taken aback, understanding he meant these trivial matters were unimportant. The previous wet nurses, no matter how good, ultimately didn’t make the cut. But something still felt off. He hesitated, “But if she can’t handle these small tasks, how can she care for the young miss?”
Yue Linze tapped Nian Nian’s nose patiently, “Nian Nian, from these people, who would you like as your wet nurse to accompany you for meals and play?”
Nian Nian only heard the last sentence and immediately smiled at Tao Yu. Tao Yu blinked her small, sticky eyes, unsure how to respond.
How could this adopted daughter of Yue Linze seem to like her so much?
The housekeeper, seeing Nian Nian choose so quickly, found it somewhat amusing. “My lord, isn’t this too hasty?” This woman was last in all the previous trials, and he didn’t think she could care for Nian Nian.
Yue Linze glanced at him and said calmly, “She was the one who held and comforted Nian Nian when she was crying.” He then turned and walked away with Nian Nian.
The housekeeper was speechless because of that sentence, and after a long while, he looked at Tao Yu with a complex expression. “You can both stay. Having two people care for her will be more stable.”
“Yes.” “Thank you, housekeeper.”
Both bowed, with Tao Yu walking slowly behind. After the other woman left, she couldn’t help but ask the housekeeper, “Sir, I’m clearly not as skilled as the previous candidates. Why did the city lord keep me?”
“Because the young miss just let you hold her,” the housekeeper sighed. Seeing her confusion, he explained, “The young miss doesn’t like people approaching her. You are the first person she’s been willing to approach besides me and the city lord.”
“…I see,” Tao Yu was speechless, never expecting to stay in the city lord’s mansion for such a reason.
The housekeeper glanced at her, “Since you’re staying, be diligent. The young miss likes you, so you won’t need to do much. Just keep her happy every day.”
“Yes,” Tao Yu curtsied slightly, relaxing after the housekeeper left. No matter what, she had successfully infiltrated the mansion. Compared to doing menial work, entertaining a child seemed easier and might come with better treatment.
Tao Yu thought this as she went to the inn to collect her belongings, planning to stay in the city lord’s mansion that day.
Tao Yu inwardly complained that this job sounded quite challenging – having to take care of and discipline a child while constantly remembering her own identity. She grinned and said, “Understood, head housekeeper.”
The housekeeper looked at her plump and broad appearance, and his previous dissatisfaction with her gradually dissipated. After giving a few more instructions, he let her stand to the side and personally went to invite Yue Linze and Nian Nian to dine.
Tao Yu stood idly by the table for a long time. When she heard footsteps, she immediately stood up straight, then relaxed upon seeing it was just a maid bringing dishes. She saw dish after dish being served, the spread so rich it rivaled a full imperial banquet. She thought about her time as a city lord’s wife, when she didn’t even eat half this well—
So back then, Yue Linze had been mistreating her, and she was too incompetent to even notice?
