After repeatedly confirming with the two nannies that her son was fine, Daohua finally felt at ease. Only after she carefully laid her sleeping son on the bed did she turn to Fangniang: "Thank you so much just now."
Fangniang hurriedly shook her head: "Madam is too kind, I merely have more experience with children, nothing more."
Daohua smiled and said: "Experience is also a skill, Madam, you are too modest." Noticing that she was still carrying her child, Daohua added, "You can put your child down, it must be tiring to hold them all the time."
Fangniang, worried her child might fuss when put down, hesitantly declined: "Thank you, Madam, I’m not tired."
Seeing this, Guyu walked over with a smile: "Madam, our lady means well, put your child down so you can sit and talk with Madam."
Seeing that Fangniang still seemed reluctant, she could only say: "If you keep standing, our lady will have to talk to you looking up."
Hearing this, Fangniang finally put her daughter down.
"Oh, what a cute little girl!"
Fangniang sat on a chair brought over by Guyu, holding her daughter who was less than a year old. The little girl was awake, sitting quietly in her mother’s arms, her big black eyes curiously surveying everything in the room.
Daohua, awash with maternal love, found the well-behaved and adorable little girl to her liking and smiled at Fangniang: "May I hold your daughter?"
Fangniang quickly nodded: "Of course, but my daughter Qiaojie is a bit heavy, I hope she doesn’t tire you out."
Daohua laughed: "She’s so small, how could she be heavy?" With that, she reached out and took the little girl.
Qiaojie didn’t shy away, letting Daohua hold her comfortably.
"Qiaojie..." Daohua smiled at Fangniang: "She is so endearing and has a lovely name. She will surely be blessed when she grows up."
A smile immediately appeared on Fangniang’s face: "Thank you for your auspicious words, Madam."
The fortune-teller had said that her daughter had a strong fate which disregarded familial bonds, resulting in her in-laws heartlessly kicking them out. Now that her daughter had Madam Xiao’s approval, surely their future would be smooth sailing.
Daohua had Guyu bring over some toys suitable for girls and played with Qiaojie while listening to Fangniang’s stories about life in the city.
Before they knew it, most of the day had passed.
Seeing that it was getting late, Daohua didn’t keep Fangniang and her daughter any longer: "Madam, if you have time, do come visit the residence more often, I really enjoy listening to those stories from the city."
With that, she had Guyu prepare some gifts and then escorted the mother and daughter out.
Guyu personally walked Fangniang and her daughter to the gate and even arranged a carriage to take them back.
"Madam really likes Qiaojie, Madam, please bring her over again tomorrow."
Before leaving, Guyu reminded Fangniang.
Fangniang was taken aback, she had thought that Madam Xiao’s words were just polite, but now Guyu was actually asking her to come again the next day.
"Thank you, Miss."
Fangniang was not oblivious to social cues. Ever since she was cast aside by her in-laws, she had to raise her daughter alone, and only she knew the hardships she faced.
Being a discarded wife, she inevitably suffered some bullying, so the chance to visit the Xiao Residence often was definitely a good thing for her.
...
When Guyu returned to the room, Daozi had woken up. Daohua had just nursed him and was holding him, pacing slowly around the room.
"Are they sent off?"
Guyu nodded: "They are sent off. Fangniang said she would come over tomorrow to accompany Madam in conversation."
She knew the Madam had been feeling stifled lately, so she thought to suggest to Fangniang to come over, hoping that talking with her would lighten the Madam’s mood.
Moreover, she had the intention to help her.
Life in Xiliang was harsh and barren. For a woman to raise a child alone, it was very difficult.
Daohua hummed in acknowledgment: "What do you think of Fangniang?"
After thinking it over, Guyu said: "I think Madam Fangniang is quite a good person."
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