Chapter 286 - 285: Returning to the Parental Home
Du Yunnuo heard their conversation and couldn’t help but laugh, her shoulders trembling incessantly.
Du Yunluo blinked her eyes and pointed under the table at Du Yunnuo, saying, "Big Sister, maybe only Fourth Brother-in-law can drink with the Princely Heir and not return sober."
Du Yunru’s big eyes curved into crescents.
Du Yunnuo looked up in surprise, her smile frozen at the corners of her eyes, her cheeks bright red.
With the elders all seated, their voices were low, like whispers, and even if she was embarrassed or upset, she couldn’t do anything about Du Yunluo.
After struggling for a while, Du Yunnuo finally gritted her teeth and said, "How do you know his drinking capacity? You’re just talking nonsense and making fun of people!"
Du Yunluo laughed along with Du Yunru; Du Yunnuo’s current appearance, even with a glare, had no power.
The women dispersed first, and Du Yunluo followed Mrs. Zhen back to Qinghui Garden.
She wasn’t worried about the situation at the other table; her brothers knew they couldn’t outdrink Mu Lianxiao and would smartly stop themselves.
Nanny Zhao served tea to a few of them.
Du Yunru entertained Sister Yi, who giggled, and Du Yunluo happily held onto Sister Yi’s hand, unwilling to let go.
Mrs. Zhen gestured for Nanny Zhao to guard the outer room, then softly asked Du Yunluo, "Nannan, have these two days at the Marquis Mansion been smooth for you?"
Du Yunluo felt a jolt in her heart, knowing what Mrs. Zhen wanted to ask, and glanced at Du Yunru with a raised gaze.
Du Yunru had also been "interrogated" by Mrs. Zhen when she returned home, and remembering that scene, her cheeks blushed. Not wanting to hear about her younger sister and brother-in-law’s matters, she stood up and said, "I’ll take the girl to see the plum blossoms in the garden."
Du Yunluo chuckled out loud, "I’m not afraid of you listening."
Du Yunru hesitated but felt the back of her neck burning: "Your skin is thick, but I won’t let Sister Yi listen."
With that, Du Yunru hurriedly left.
Du Yunluo laughed, holding her stomach; what could that little Sister Yi, still nursing, understand?
Mrs. Zhen was also at a loss for laughter, not wanting to discuss matters in front of Du Yunru. It was good for Du Yunru to understand and leave, but Du Yunluo’s unabashed face made it awkward...
"If she wasn’t holding onto the girl, she’d surely pounce on you and scratch you!" Mrs. Zhen lightly tapped Du Yunluo’s thigh.
Du Yunluo, having laughed enough, hugged Mrs. Zhen and said, "I’m not afraid of her scratching."
"Mother wants to talk to you about serious matters." Mrs. Zhen tapped between Du Yunluo’s brows, "How are things at the Marquis Mansion?"
Du Yunluo stopped laughing and said seriously, "At the Marquis Mansion, Old Madam and Mother-in-law treat me quite well. The two widowed aunts, I’ve heard, don’t like noise and probably won’t get involved in the future. As for the second branch..."
Seeing her hesitating to speak, Mrs. Zhen thought carefully and understood.
The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion is now controlled by the second branch. In the future, when Du Yunluo is to take over, it will be a conflict.
Not to mention rules, habits, or seniority, who willingly hands over the control of the household without a fuss?
Even in Du Mansion, if one day the main house returns and Old Mrs. Xia asks the Miao Family to hand back their power to the Yang Family, the Miao Family will also feel uneasy.
Control over the household is not only about power and status but also about benefits.
Who doesn’t like more silver?
Mrs. Zhen held Du Yunluo’s hand and advised in a low voice, "If it’s about household control, don’t rush it.
I’ve heard from Mrs. Shi that Old Madam is capable and insightful; she will likely arrange things step by step. Don’t rush, wait for Old Madam to bring it up.
Once Old Madam mentions it, don’t be afraid. Just take over as intended. If you refuse once, it won’t be easy to get it later.
You haven’t seriously learned about household management, but Hong Jinbao’s family was once by the old lady’s side when she was in charge. She knows the general matters, and you can ask her."
Du Yunluo nodded, "I understand."
Actually, her conflict with the second branch is not just about household control, but those matters are too involved, so Du Yunluo didn’t mention them to Mrs. Zhen.
First, there’s no evidence to speak of; second, she doesn’t want to worry Mrs. Zhen.
As for household management, she fully agrees with Mrs. Zhen’s words; it cannot be rushed.
The Lian Family has been managing the household for several years, and the key positions are all filled with her confidants. If Du Yunluo acts rashly, she’ll end up like the new wife at the Duke Jing Mansion.
If she changes people, she doesn’t know who would be suitable; if she doesn’t, those people’s hearts all align with the Lian Family.
A dilemma.
With such an example in front of her, Du Yunluo wouldn’t foolishly follow in those footsteps.
She needs to wait for Madam Wu to hand over control to the main house. With Madam Wu’s support, the issue of personnel will gradually be resolved.
Until then, she only needs to manage the affairs of the main house.
The main house has a small population; although Mrs. Zhou’s health has been poor these past two years, she can manage. Previously, because Du Yunluo was ignorant, Mrs. Zhou held onto control tightly, but in this life, Du Yunluo believes Mrs. Zhou is willing to let go.
In managing the main house affairs, Du Yunluo is confident.
In her past life, after Mrs. Zhou’s passing, the main house’s internal affairs were managed by Du Yunluo until she handed them over to her daughter-in-law.
That daughter-in-law, handpicked by Lian Family, ultimately became hostile to Du Yunluo, and under the Lian Family’s covetous gaze, the main house’s assets were gradually siphoned away until Dingyuan Marquis Mu Liancheng rightfully obtained them.
Reflecting on the past, Du Yunluo feels a dull ache in her heart.
If they had no descendants, part of the main house’s assets would have to be split among the clan. The second branch doesn’t want to give, and the clan leader couple also can’t do much about it, but they still want to keep a good name.
Adding a foster son to the main house means openly proceeding.
The Lian Family didn’t go to such lengths with the third and fourth houses, either.
Maybe she feels those houses’ assets aren’t worth the trouble.
But to Du Yunluo, the asset matters can be let go; what wounded her deeply was in the heart.
After struggling for ten years to raise a child amid rumors, he drifted further from her.
If it were her own son, it wouldn’t have turned out like this!
Du Yunluo took a deep breath.
Seeing her gloomy expression, Mrs. Zhen grew worried, "Nannan, did anyone at the Marquis Mansion make things difficult for you?"
Du Yunluo met Mrs. Zhen’s concerned gaze, startled, and quickly smiled, "There is one person, the widowed aunt. But the Princely Heir said, it’s because Aunt has a grudge against Mother-in-law and thus vents on me, advising me not to mind her."
Instead of making big assertions that everyone loves her, it’s better to be honest, making Mrs. Zhen believe her.
Mrs. Zhen’s frown eased slightly, quickly understanding.
A conflict between a widowed sister-in-law and an elder sister-in-law is very common and unsurprising.
For Du Yunluo, both were elders beyond her involvement; filial piety towards her mother-in-law is enough.
Mrs. Zhen comforted Du Yunluo, "In that case, don’t get involved. As for whether your mother-in-law or aunt is right or wrong, Old Madam will have her verdict."