Chapter 129: Good Deeds Bring Good Returns
“Speaking of it, there truly is one matter I would like to trouble you with. I simply do not know whether you can persevere.”
Nan’er’s eyes lit up at once, and his face immediately filled with excitement.
“Please give your orders, Young Miss. Do not look at how small I am. I am very strong!”
As he spoke, he deliberately pulled up his sleeve, revealing one thin, frail little arm. Perhaps feeling that this was not very convincing at all, he quickly pulled the sleeve back down again and revealed a shy smile. The small dimple by his cheek appeared faintly.
Mu Yunyao could not help smiling.
“All right. Come with me.”
Nan’er quickly nodded and followed Mu Yunyao’s steps into Jinxiu Garden.
As soon as they entered the garden and walked around the Xiangfei bamboo grove blocking the main gate, he could not help but let out a cry of amazement. Seeing Mu Yunyao look over, he quickly pinched the corner of his clothes.
“I was rude. Young Miss, please forgive me. This place is truly too beautiful. It is just like the immortal realm Sister Cai Qing spoke of. Those elder brothers and sisters are like immortals.”
As he spoke, he could not stop himself from sneaking a glance at the tea attendants brewing tea.
He was only a small orphan, yet his movements and speech were rather polite. Mu Yunyao grew even more curious about that Cai Qing.
“It is all right. Did Cai Qing teach you all your manners?”
“Yes. Sister Cai Qing said one must understand propriety and observe propriety. Only then does living have meaning. If one lives only to fill the belly, then one is no different from cats and dogs.”
“Your sister is quite an interesting person.”
Nan’er was small, and his body was thin and weak. Gradually, he began to fall behind Mu Yunyao’s pace. Yet he did not make a sound. Even when his face had gone pale, he still worked hard to keep up.
When they passed the winding nine-turn corridor bridge, Mu Yunyao stopped.
“There are many water birds by the lake, so in order not to disturb the guests, it must be cleaned regularly. If children like you were to do it, at least three or four people would be needed. Also, the tea sets used for brewing tea need someone specially assigned to clean and wipe them. That would require at least five or six people. In addition, the flowers, plants, and pathways all need people to tidy them. Take a look and tell me what you can do.”
Nan’er could not help widening his eyes.
“Young Miss, I can prune flowers and plants and sweep the paths. Could you let Sister Cai Qing help wash the tea sets?”
“You should know that washing tea sets is comparatively simple. Why do you not do it yourself and instead give it to Cai Qing? Clearly, she is older than you and has more strength than you.”
“Little Brother A'Mao was beaten and injured. Every day, Sister has to go help people wash clothes, and she is often bullied. She also has to take care of Granny and Li’er. It is truly hard on her. I want her to be able to have it a little easier.”
Hearing this, Jin Lan could not help feeling her heart ache. This child was far too sensible.
Mu Yunyao, however, did not immediately agree. Instead, she brought him to a garden that had not yet been opened to guests, pointed to a path, and said, “First go clean this path. I will see how well you do the work before deciding.”
“All right. I will go right now.”
Jin Lan helped bring over a broom, then followed Mu Yunyao to sit in a nearby pavilion.
“Miss, you seem to especially like this Nan’er.”
“His heart is pure. Being around someone like that always feels a little easier.”
Nan’er cleaned with exceptional seriousness. He carefully pulled out even the small grasses growing between the bricks, then swept the path clean. He even tidied the flower beds on both sides.
There were many flowers and plants in the flower beds that he did not recognize, so he did not dare touch them carelessly. He only carefully plucked away leaves that had yellowed or become damaged.
Seeing him work so earnestly, Mu Yunyao simply had Jin Lan bring over embroidery cloth and thread, then sat in the pavilion to embroider a beauty portrait.
Nearly an hour later, Nan’er finally walked over. Seeing that Mu Yunyao was busy, he did not dare speak or disturb her. He only stood carefully to the side, even making his breathing much lighter.
Seeing him like this, Mu Yunyao suddenly thought of the time when she had first entered the Su family’s Residence. She, too, had been this cautious, not even daring to breathe too loudly. Her heart stirred, and her expression became much gentler.
“Have you finished cleaning?”
“Yes, Young Miss. I cleaned it very carefully.”
Looking over from afar, Mu Yunyao could see that the little path was extraordinarily clean. Even the flower beds on both sides looked much tidier.
“Jin Lan, take him down to wash his hands, then bring him back to eat something.”
Although Nan’er was anxious to know whether his cleaning was acceptable, the moment he heard Mu Yunyao mention food, his stomach betrayed him and gave two loud growls.
In an instant, his face turned bright red. At a loss, he was led away by Jin Lan.
When Nan’er returned after washing his hands, the table was already set with many delicate pastries. Every single one was in a shape he had never seen before. Their fragrance filled the air and made one’s mouth water.
Mu Yunyao pushed the plates toward him.
“Sit down and eat. You helped me clean a path just now, so I am treating you to pastries. This is reasonable and proper. You do not need to worry about accepting rewards without merit.”
Nan’er could not help swallowing. His fingers rubbed helplessly against his clothes.
The pastries before him smelled so fragrant, and even the plates holding them were bright and gleaming. He was afraid that if he touched them, he would break them. Such exquisite plates. Even if he sold himself, he still would not be able to compensate for one.
Seeing that he did not move, Mu Yunyao picked up two pastries and handed them to him.
“Eat.”
Nan’er swallowed even faster, but he lifted his head and asked tentatively, “Young Miss, may I bring these two pastries back for A'Mao and Sister Cai Qing? A'Mao is covered in injuries. His whole body is burning hot, and he has not been able to eat for several days. Sister is unhappy every day too. Perhaps if they eat such delicious pastries, they will get better.”
“You eat yours. When you leave, I will have Jin Lan pack some for you to bring back.”
“Truly? Thank you, Young Miss!”
Nan’er could no longer hold back. Holding the pastries, he stuffed them into his mouth. Although he tried his utmost to restrain himself, he was still only a child. Having been hungry to the extreme, he could no longer care about manners and began wolfing them down.
Watching from the side, Jin Lan felt her heart tighten. She poured a cup of warm water and placed it by his hand.
“Eat more slowly. No one is fighting you for them.”
Nan’er’s mouth was stuffed full of pastries, yet his eyes reddened. He raised his hand and rubbed at his eyes, then worked hard to swallow the pastries.
“Thank you, Young Miss. I know you saw that I was pitiful, so you found an excuse to give me pastries. I only cleaned one path, and it took me a very long time. It is not worth the money for such delicious pastries.
“Young Miss, you are a good person. Good people will surely receive good returns.”
Seeing him like this, even Jin Lan could not stop her heart from aching.
Mu Yunyao smiled slightly and raised her hand to push another plate of pastries toward him.
“Eat until you are full before speaking.”
People always said that children from poor families matured early, but it was only because life forced them to. They experienced hunger and struggle too soon. Every step was filled with bitterness and hardship. How could they not mature early?
After eating two plates of pastries, Nan’er finally stopped, still reluctant. It was not that he did not want to eat more, but his stomach truly could not hold anything else.
“Thank you, Young Miss.”
Looking at the empty plates, Nan’er became uneasy again.
Would the young miss before him blame him for eating too much? Would she become angry and no longer be willing to let him come work in the garden?
“Young Miss, I usually do not eat much. Just two pastries are enough. If I eat two pastries, I can go a whole day without being hungry.”
It was all his fault for being greedy. Why had he not listened to Sister Cai Qing’s words and kept himself from being so greedy?
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ReplyDeleteAwww....the little boy is so cute!
ReplyDelete