Chapter 227 - 226: Vanguard
But what about Yun Qi over there?
After all, Yun Qi has a younger sister who is only slightly younger than her. In the next two years, it will also be necessary to arrange a marriage and prepare a dowry. Surely, Yun Qi, being a man, cannot handle all these affairs, can he?
If she keeps postponing the wedding date, will it become like what Mrs. Duan said, making Du Yunluo caught between a rock and a hard place?
Jin Ling turned her head towards Jin Rui and said, "So you’re saying, it’s better for me to marry sooner? If I go before the young lady’s wedding, they can promote someone in her room to learn for three to six months and still be useful when brought over."
"Moreover," Jin Rui leaned closer and spoke plainly, "During the plum blossom appreciation at Wangmei Garden, both our young lady’s and the fourth young lady’s snow jackets were stained, remember? Although our young lady didn’t elaborate in front of us, Qian He has heard the fourth young lady complain that Lady, the Princely Heir’s sister, is difficult to get along with.
I’ve been thinking, we don’t know anything about the relationship inside the Marquis Mansion’s fourth family. Once the young lady marries in, won’t it be like stumbling in the dark?
If you arrive at the Marquis Mansion before the young lady’s wedding, even if you don’t move around with the masters in the inner courtyard, you can still get to know many people, inquire about many things. At the very least, with your good nature and the ability to make good relations, you can pave the way for our young lady."
Jin Ling’s eyes lit up.
Seeing her response, Jin Rui knew she had persuaded Jin Ling.
For the two of them, as Du Yunluo’s big maids, their future respectability or ridicule did not solely depend on themselves; most importantly, it depended on whether Du Yunluo could establish herself firmly in the Marquis Mansion.
Currently, due to the Princely Heir’s mother, Mrs. Zhou, not being in good health, the second wife’s control of the household finances in the Marquis Mansion is assured, but it will surely be reclaimed in due time once Du Yunluo enters the household.
When the Princely Heir inherits his title, Du Yunluo will become the Marchioness. How could things be handled by the aunt in the rear courtyard?
It is similar to the Du Mansion, where everything prioritizes the Miao Family, but if the first wife from the Yang Family returns to the capital, she can rightfully take over, unless she refuses to manage it.
Considering this, Jin Rui believed it was necessary to understand the situation inside the Marquis Mansion in advance. After all, with Mu Lianhui being hard to deal with, and the Lian Family being Mu Lianhui’s mother, if Du Yunluo entered the Marquis Mansion confused and got tricked, what would she do as the maid?
For Du Yunluo, for Jin Ling, and for herself, Jin Rui believed it was very reliable to let Jin Ling marry in early to scout the "enemy’s" situation.
Jin Ling bit her lower lip gently and said, "Let me mull it over."
Jin Rui nodded repeatedly: "Once you’ve thought it through, tell the young lady. We maids getting married isn’t as elaborate as the masters, but we still need to prepare. There’s not much time, don’t delay too long."
Jin Ling responded softly.
Seeing the hour was about right, Jin Rui took a lantern and went to Qinghui Garden to wait for Du Yunluo’s return.
After all, it’s a major event in life; although Jin Ling understood the pros and cons, she still pondered for another two days.
This time, she didn’t go home to ask Mrs. Duan, because she knew Mrs. Duan’s answer; anything beneficial to the young lady would have her full support.
Gradually, Jin Ling began to discern something in Jin Rui’s words.
Marrying Yun Qi is not just about her own marriage; it’s also about working for Du Yunluo. Even though she wouldn’t serve personally beside the young lady for daily needs, it was still a very important task.
To do this well, one must be loyal and personable. Jin Ling asked herself and believed she could do it well. Given that, why shouldn’t she do it?
Jin Ling finally made her decision. Since it was the Mid-Autumn Festival and the household was busy with ancestral rituals, she didn’t mention it to Du Yunluo.
In the evening, Du Yunlan pulled Du Yundi to release lanterns.
Xia Anxin, feeling too hot and unwilling, chose not to go, and so did Du Yunlang.
Du Yunying, close to her wedding, had no chance to go out, and Du Yunluo, not fond of crowds, also gave up the idea.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Jin Ling mentioned it to Du Yunluo, not stating she was going to pave the way but simply expressing she didn’t want the young lady to unnecessarily lack a useful maid at her wedding.
Du Yunluo didn’t say anything, lightly tapping her fingers on the table.
She was aware that Jin Ling was not very young anymore. In the past, when there were no suitable candidates, delaying for a few more years had been fine, but now that someone was settled, an earlier marriage was a good thing.
Du Yunluo nodded at Jin Ling.
Entering the study, Du Yunluo picked up the pen and wrote a reply to Mu Lianxiao, handing it to Du Yundi to pass on.
Du Yundi glanced at the envelope back and forth and said, "Aren’t you afraid I’ll peek this time?"
Du Yunluo, unflustered, said verbally, "How could Brother be the kind of person who peeks? I don’t believe it."
"..."
Last time, there was a pretense of fearing he’d peek, and now speaking like this, Du Yundi was helpless.
The letter soon reached Mu Lianxiao’s hands.
Yun Qi knew it was Du Yunluo’s letter, feeling itchy with anticipation but dared not rush Mu Lianxiao, only stretching his neck to wait beside him.
Mu Lianxiao opened the letter and took out the paper inside.
The handwriting on the paper was delicate and elegant, completely different from when she imitated his writing, making Mu Lianxiao find it very intriguing.
Tracing the strokes carefully with his eyes, Mu Lianxiao then focused on reading the letter.
The letter mentioned Jin Ling’s matter, stating that as long as Yun Qi was sincere, she would agree to the marriage. If Yun Qi were to wrong Jin Ling in the future, she would not spare him just because he was Mu Lianxiao’s servant.
Imagining Du Yunluo seriously writing this letter with her pen, Mu Lianxiao couldn’t help but smile and looked up to say to Yun Qi, "Make sure you treat Jin Ling well."
"Huh?" Yun Qi didn’t get it at first, staring wide-eyed in confusion. When it dawned on him, he was overjoyed, "Master! So, does this mean Miss Du agreed? She’s willing to let Miss Jin Ling marry this servant?"
Yun Qi’s joy was so straightforward, like suddenly possessing the whole world, infecting Mu Lianxiao with his happiness, making him laugh aloud.
Mu Lianxiao pointed at the letter paper and added, "Yunluo’s intention is to have the wedding sooner. When are you planning to propose?"
Yun Qi, overwhelmed with joy, originally thought that Miss Du’s consent was already good news. To have it settled so quickly and to marry the lovely Jin Ling sooner was utterly delightful.
"This servant will, will invite a matchmaker tomorrow." Yun Qi said.
Mu Lianxiao chuckled, "At least pick an auspicious day."
Yun Qi blinked several times, then nodded vigorously, "Master is right, this servant will find a good day and then invite the matchmaker."
"Look at how delighted you are," Mu Lianxiao waved his hand, "Get back to work."
Yun Qi left with a wide grin.
Mu Lianxiao looked down at Du Yunluo’s letter, his gaze growing deeper.
He and Du Yunluo had been betrothed for over a year, yet the wedding date was still not set, while Yun Qi zoomed right ahead of him.
Outrageous, truly outrageous!
He decided to imitate the Holy Emperor; next month during the Mid-Autumn Festival, he wouldn’t award Yun Qi any reward silver, saving it all to give to his wife once she entered through the door.