Chapter 255 - 254: Petty
Du Huaili has social engagements with his colleagues and did not return home for dinner tonight.
Du Yunluo smiled as she gave Mrs. Zhen a piece of fish and said, "Mother rarely punishes the servants. This sudden action even scared Grandmother."
Mrs. Zhen smiled wryly, "Rewards should be given when due, and punishments when necessary. Clear rewards and punishments prevent chaos."
Du Yunluo slightly lowered her eyes, "I understand."
After dinner, Du Yunluo spoke to Mrs. Zhen about Mrs. Ying Jin’s visit, "The Assistant from the Central Army Commander’s Mansion, I could see Fourth Aunt was quite intrigued."
"Who wouldn’t be? If Yunuo marries well, it boosts her reputation, and it’s good for the family, your Fourth Uncle, and Yun Lan," Mrs. Zhen said with a smile, "But we don’t know how their family truly is. The Old Master and Old Madam will need to inquire more."
Du Yunluo replied twice in agreement, and seeing the night deepen, she stood up and returned to Anhua Courtyard.
On her way, an autumn breeze rustled through the trees, and Du Yunluo squinted to avoid the wind, suddenly recalling the yellow dust kicked up by horse hooves in spring...
Weren’t those people from the Central Army Commander’s Mansion playing polo with the Crown Prince and Mu Lianxiao at the racecourse that day?
Assistant Ying’s son, Ying Ji, also works at the Central Army Commander’s Mansion. She wondered if Mu Lianxiao knew him.
Back in her room, Du Yunluo called in Jin Ling: "I need to ask something of the Princely Heir. Later, could you deliver a message to Yun Qi for me?"
Jin Ling blushed, looking quite troubled: "Miss..."
Du Yunluo didn’t understand at first, but after a while, she finally figured it out and slapped her forehead.
She was indeed muddled. It was easier before, but now that Jin Ling and Yun Qi’s wedding date was set, with less than a month to go, how could a bride-to-be frequently visit her groom’s house? It would be laughable.
With Du Yundi not in the Capital, the next day, Du Yunluo had to ask Du Yunlan for help.
Du Yunlan looked at her, half laughing and half sighing: "You asked me just for this? There’s nothing strange written in the letter, right? I’ll deliver it for you, but if you cause trouble, my knees won’t be spared in front of Grandfather and Grandmother. I’m about to marry, I can’t afford to break a leg."
Du Yunluo gave him a fierce glare, then chuckled and whispered, "Do you think I’m that muddle-headed? This is important. If I told Fourth Aunt, she’d drag you along, do you believe it?"
"I believe, I believe!" Du Yunlan quickly responded.
Dare he not believe? It’s just delivering a message. This little girl really holds a grudge. It’s been more than half a year, and she still remembers him advising her not to do "foolish" things in Wangmei Garden.
So stingy, really stingy.
The letter was entrusted to Du Yunlan to deliver, and Du Yunluo was relieved, focusing on copying scriptures for the Imperial Consort.
In Anhua Courtyard, Hong Jinbao’s household took the place left vacant by Nanny Hua.
Before marrying, Hong Jinbao’s wife was a maid by Old Mrs. Xia’s side, meticulous in her work and very much liked by the Old Madam. After marrying Hong Jinbao, she no longer worked in the inner courtyard.
This time, after discussions between Old Mrs. Xia and Mrs. Zhen, Hong Jinbao’s household was transferred to Anhua Courtyard, preparing them to become attendants for Du Yunluo.
Upon learning this from the Lianfu Garden, the Miao Family wasn’t surprised.
Du Yunluo has a very "straight" personality, although she has become more restrained over the past year, at heart she remains straightforward. Old Mrs. Xia is concerned, fearing she might suffer in her husband’s household, which is easy to understand.
If it weren’t for Nanny Xu being indispensable and Lanzhi being too old, Old Mrs. Xia might have sent both to Du Yunluo.
Hearing the gossiping of the maids in charge of personnel, Mrs. Miao remarked, "What are you pondering over decisions made by the Old Madam? If you have time, hurry to Anfeng Courtyard and arrange the personnel to serve Yun Lan and his wife."
When the mistress speaks, no one dares to disobey.
With Du Yunlan’s wedding approaching, the serving personnel must all be arranged, but the Liao Family is picky, and has gone through several groups of candidates without deciding.
Fortunately, the Liao Family knows time is short, choosing two more groups that were then trained by the old nannies and big maids serving in Anfeng Courtyard.
On the first day of November, Du Yunluo went to Lianfu Garden early to pay respects, then prepared to head to the palace.
The scriptures that the Imperial Consort wanted were all carefully copied.
In the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager, feeling unwell, had already set up a charcoal brazier.
The Imperial Consort was conversing with the Empress Dowager and had a palace maid receive the scriptures, glancing at them.
"This size is just right, much more comfortable for me to read," the Imperial Consort nodded, handing the scriptures to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager glanced at them and nodded as well.
The Imperial Consort smiled, "The scriptures to be offered at the temple during New Year were also supposed to be copied by you, but you’re reaching your coming-of-age ceremony this month, right? Afterward, you’ll have many things to attend to, so we won’t delay you."
The matters referred to engagement dates and preparing dowries.
Remembering her previous life, Du Yunluo knew she was supposed to marry by March, realizing the time was indeed tight.
Hearing the Imperial Consort’s words, Du Yunluo smiled and slightly lowered her head.
After leaving the palace, instead of heading straight home, Du Yunluo’s carriage stopped in a quiet alley. After waiting for two quarters of an hour, she heard footsteps stop outside.
"Miss," Yun Qi’s voice came, "Our lord still has some matters to attend to. He was worried you might become anxious waiting, so he sent me to inform you to wait a bit longer."
Feeling slightly disappointed, Du Yunluo thought Mu Lianxiao had arrived, but she said, "I understand."
Yun Qi continued, "Our lord also sent this servant with a bowl of porridge for you to fill your stomach."
After Du Yunluo nodded, Jin Rui drew back the curtain and received the food box from Yun Qi.
Inside the box was millet porridge garnished with red dates and peanuts, steaming hot, especially delightful in late autumn.
Jin Rui served her a bowl, and Du Yunluo tasted it, nodding in satisfaction.
The porridge was soft, while the peanuts remained crunchy, with plenty of sugar, sweet and perfectly to Du Yunluo’s taste.
After finishing a bowl, her entire body felt warm and comfortable.
After waiting another half an hour, Mu Lianxiao finally arrived.
Seeing Mu Lianxiao about to board the carriage, Jin Rui hesitated, then decided to jump off.
Mu Lianxiao noticed the curtain fluttering, separating them from the outside world, leaving only him and Du Yunluo inside. He instinctively touched his nose, thinking the maids around Yunluo were quite perceptive.
Du Yunluo served a bowl of millet porridge to Mu Lianxiao.
Inside the warm carriage, the porridge hadn’t gone cold. Mu Lianxiao, with his warm constitution, didn’t feel the chill outside, and the slightly cool porridge suited him perfectly.
He drank it in a few gulps, remarking, "A bit sweet."
Du Yunluo laughed, "I think it’s just right."
"Yes," Mu Lianxiao put down the bowl, took out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, "I know you like it sweet, so I had them add more sugar."
Du Yunluo was slightly taken aback, glancing at Mu Lianxiao. How did he know? Did that piece of ginger candy reveal it to him?