Chapter 63: Chapter 62: Schemes
The first time Mrs. Zhao entered Du Yunluo’s room.
Lifting the beaded curtain and bending to enter, she saw four paintings of plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums hanging on the north wall of the central room, separated from the study by li-flower wood shelves with porcelain, jade, and stones placed on top.
The most eye-catching was a coral carving. Mrs. Zhao recalled that if she remembered correctly, this coral carving was originally from the old ancestor’s room but was later rewarded to this room.
Between it and the East Wing, there was a six-panel screen depicting the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, with beaded curtains at the entrance that jingled crisply when Jin Rui lifted them.
Du Yunluo entered the East Wing, Mrs. Zhao followed, immediately noticing a Western clock on the shelf and a blue porcelain vase in the corner flower stand, with some flower branches inserted, adding a touch of interest.
Her eyes swept over the tables, chairs, and couches, and Mrs. Zhao thought to herself: These are indeed the best things left by the old ancestor. Whether in material or workmanship, they are top-notch. Over the decades, the wood has acquired a natural sheen. No wonder Old Mrs. Xia gave Chunhua Courtyard to Du Yunlang and Xia Anxin previously, making the Liao Family so angry in private.
"Mrs. Zhao, please sit."
Hearing Du Yunluo’s soft voice, Mrs. Zhao quickly acknowledged and sat on the edge of a stool.
Jin Rui served tea, and Mrs. Zhao took it, sipping and smiling, "The tea in the young lady’s room is different from anywhere else."
Du Yunluo nodded with a smile, not indulging in pleasantries, and directly asked, "It’s rare for you to come here today, are you here for Jin Ling? Is there something going on at her home?"
"There’s nothing at her home, it’s just that I..." Mrs. Zhao put down the tea cup, sat up straight, and said, "Miss Jin Ling is truly a paragon, trained by the young lady’s side. Her temperament and appearance, a blessing from birth, out of all the maidservants, none can compare to her. Seeing her truly brings joy to the heart."
Jin Rui stood with her hands at her sides, frowning slightly.
"It’s a good thing Jin Ling isn’t here to hear all this praise from you, she would be terribly embarrassed." Du Yunluo chuckled lightly.
"I’m speaking the truth. Even in front of Miss Jin Ling, I would say the same," Mrs. Zhao laughed awkwardly before saying, "I came today originally wanting to ask Miss Jin Ling’s opinion first and then come to seek a favor from the young lady. Since I’ve seen you, I have the audacity to mention that I have a nephew, seventeen this year, diligent in work, decent in appearance. If he could marry Miss Jin Ling, I would really..."
Jin Rui glanced at Du Yunluo silently, thinking this is why Mrs. Zhao was extolling Jin Ling to the heavens—it was all for this proposal.
Housekeeper Zhao is a house-born servant in the Du Mansion, serving since his grandfather’s time. Currently, he holds a lucrative position in managing affairs, considered a person of standing among the servants. Housekeeper Zhao also has a brother managing the family’s clothing shop, leading a good life.
In Jin Rui’s opinion, if marrying a house-born servant is considered, the Zhao family is not a bad match, living more decently than a small merchant’s wife ordinarily would, but still...
Though it’s up to the master’s decision and the proposed match seems fine, if Du Yunluo doesn’t inquire with Jin Ling and agrees directly, Jin Rui feels a bit fearful.
If she can treat Jin Ling this way, she might do the same to her in the future.
Jin Rui pressed her lips together, believing her young mistress is a kind person and wouldn’t do that. She quietly recited a Buddhist prayer, hoping Du Yunluo wouldn’t agree to it.
Du Yunluo didn’t notice Jin Rui’s expression. She looked directly at Mrs. Zhao and said calmly, "Your nephew? Is it the one helping Housekeeper Zhao with errands?"
Mrs. Zhao was taken aback, not expecting Du Yunluo to know her family matters so well, but upon hearing mention of the errand-running nephew, she quickly waved her hand, "Young lady, the errand runner is my younger nephew. I’m not ashamed to admit, that boy is not presentable. I want to match Miss Jin Ling with my older nephew, who is currently working at the clothing shop with his father."
Now it was Du Yunluo’s turn to be surprised.
In her previous life, Jin Ling married that younger nephew.
At the time, Du Yunluo didn’t investigate thoroughly, Mrs. Zhao asked her a few times, and she agreed.
Later she found out that the rascal exploited his errand-running to roam around, glib-tongued, fond of gambling; Jin Ling couldn’t control him, leading to complaints from her mother-in-law.
Jin Ling was deeply troubled, eventually falling ill, becoming pregnant when weak, and ultimately perishing at the Ghost Gate, losing both her life and the child’s.
By then, Du Yunluo was already married. Jin Rui went to see Jin Ling off, returning to cry for three days and nights, saying the once beautiful person had become skin and bones, unrecognizable.
Whenever recalling this, Du Yunluo felt as if a knife twisted in her heart.
If she hadn’t been so muddleheaded, how could Mrs. Zhao have taken Jin Ling away?
And now, Mrs. Zhao was talking about the older nephew, of whom Du Yunluo was unaware, so she said, "I only know you have a nephew running errands in the household; the one at the clothing shop, I truly do not know."
Mrs. Zhao’s face turned red upon seeing Du Yunluo’s disdainful expression; she knew everything about the younger nephew had been exposed, silently cursing the rascal for his waywardness, shaming them before the master.
Smoothing her hair awkwardly, Mrs. Zhao forced a laugh, "Young lady, I know what kind of person that rascal is; I wouldn’t dream of matching him with a respectable person by your side. That younger nephew, if he doesn’t end up a bachelor for life, it’d be Amitabha Buddha, how could he dare dream of someone as decent as those beside you? My older nephew is completely different, honest and steady, set to inherit the clothing shop when his father retires. Should Miss Jin Ling marry him, she would be the shop owner’s wife in the future."
Anger flared within her, and Du Yunluo clenched the hem of her garment, restraining herself from an outright confrontation.
This Mrs. Zhao was indeed a schemer.
She wondered how the younger nephew turned into the older nephew; now it became clear.
In the past, Mrs. Zhao saw Du Yunluo losing favor, her temperary, offending everyone, and plotted to take Jin Ling under her wing to marry the younger nephew who couldn’t find a wife. Now, being the most cherished Fifth Miss of Du Mansion and the unmarried Heir’s Wife of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, of noble status, Mrs. Zhao didn’t dare to scheme but tried to pair Jin Ling with her more presentable older nephew, ensuring a prosperous future leaning on Jin Ling.
These strategic plans were indeed cleverly devised.
Du Yunluo glanced at Mrs. Zhao sideways, finding her smile unbearably false, and scoffed, "Mrs. Zhao, the shop is managed by your family now, but who takes over in the future should depend on Uncle and Aunt’s wishes, right? How can you assert your nephew will inherit it? Uncle will be displeased with your presumptions."
Mrs. Zhao’s smile froze, sensing undisguised aloofness and displeasure in Du Yunluo’s eyes, making her shiver.
"You’re right, young lady; it was wrong of me to say so." After a moment, Mrs. Zhao apologized.
Du Yunluo said indifferently, "As for Jin Ling’s affairs, I haven’t thought about them yet, no rush to decide, wouldn’t you agree, Mrs. Zhao?"
Mrs. Zhao quickly agreed, realizing in her heart that Du Yunluo’s words meant complete refusal.
