Chapter 78: Chapter 77: Losing Face
Jin Rui’s eyes brightened.
Nanny Jin was in charge of purchasing in the kitchen, and to have such a lucrative position, she maintained a respectable presence with the Miao Family and Mrs. Shen Changgen.
Mrs. Shen Changgen was part of the Miao Family’s dowry, and Nanny Jin was a direct descendant promoted by the Miao Family. In contrast, these third-generation servants from the Zhao family were the most difficult for the Miao Family to manage.
If they were obedient, that would be good; if not, the Miao Family couldn’t make them feel uncomfortable, and suppressing them would require considering the thoughts of other old servants.
The relationships between the servants in the mansion were intricate and complex.
Not to mention the Miao Family, even the maids and matrons in charge of personnel couldn’t clearly explain the connections between everyone.
Therefore, unless there was a major issue, the Miao Family was reluctant to make an example out of someone, lest Old Mrs. Xia hear about it and think they had ulterior motives.
However, this time, the trouble caused by the Zhao family was significant enough to keep her busy.
Yesterday, Dou secretly went to Shuifu Garden and quietly slipped Mrs. Shen Changgen some broken silver.
Mrs. Shen Changgen, who served in front of the master, wasn’t easily swayed by such a small amount of silver. She only listened patiently to Dou because of her identity.
Dou, with a facial expression full of flattery and smiles, simply inquired if Manager Zhao’s Clothing Shop would be taken over by his eldest son in the future.
Mrs. Shen Changgen found it strange and asked Dou where she heard such news.
Dou pouted and said, "The Zhao family wants to marry off their elder nephew, saying that the bride will become a shopkeeper’s wife and will be very prestigious. Sister Shen, give me the inside scoop. If it’s true, I’ll have my girl marry into their family, and I can enjoy the benefits later. After all, girls around the master’s side don’t fancy their family, better to bless my girl."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Shen Changgen laughed, asked Dou a few more questions, and then left, telling her it was all nonsense.
Whether it was true or not, Dou didn’t care; she wasn’t even serious about marrying off her daughter. As long as Mrs. Shen Changgen got the hint, her task was done.
Mrs. Shen Changgen was sharp, and remembering the phrase "girls around the master," she sent someone to investigate.
From this inquiry, the matter concerning Jin Ling reached the ears of Mrs. Shen Changgen, and thus the Miao Family came to know.
The incident at Fa Yin Temple had left her indebted to Mrs. Zhen, and it provided a chance to even the score.
The Zhao family was summoned to Shuifu Garden and was scolded. The Miao Family didn’t broach the rumors about Du Yunluo and Jin Ling, focusing instead on the shop.
The staff in Shuifu Garden were numerous and witnessed everything. The Zhao family, having never been so humiliated publicly before, were red-faced with shame, wishing they could dig a hole and hide in it.
The rebukes from Housekeeper Zhao echoed in her ears, blaming her for offending Du Yunluo.
The Zhao family secretly gritted their teeth in frustration since Du Yunluo clearly intended to promote Jin Ling. The widespread rumors weren’t spread by them, yet the blame fell on their shoulders.
But since they were the masters, the Zhao family could only suffer silently, unable to voice their grievances.
For such unruly servants, the Miao Family had endured much before. This time, they seized the chance to set an example, much to the delight of Mrs. Shen Changgen, who was happy to join Nanny Jin for a drink or two.
After listening to it all, Jin Rui thanked Granny Pan with a smile and returned to Qinghui Garden with the food box.
Du Yunluo was having breakfast as she listened to Jin Rui’s report. She finished her meal slowly, rinsed her mouth, and then remarked, "At least this should keep things quiet for a few days."
The servants in the mansion were adept at observing the winds of change.
After the Zhao family received a scolding, everyone was watching to see if Housekeeper Zhao and Manager Zhao would also be implicated.
Those who had heard rumors about Jin Ling would, with a little thought, realize that the Zhao family’s reprimand was likely linked to these rumors and dared not speak of it further.
In Qinghui Garden, Mrs. Zhen didn’t mention any of this to Du Yunluo. Both mother and daughter pretended not to be aware of the rumors. Together with Du Yunru, they packed Du Yundi’s belongings and summoned Si Shui and Chang An for instructions before sending Du Yundi back to the academy.
The Miao Family, after a busy few days, finally found some free time for a visit back home.
Having left early in the morning, they returned before noon, not even staying for lunch at their parental home.
When Shui Yue came to report this news, Du Yunluo was having lunch with Mrs. Zhen. Upon hearing this, she thought she and Du Yunnuo were right; the Miao family’s table must have been overturned by the Miao Family and Madam Miao.
On the night of July 27th, Du Yunluo was sleeping soundly when suddenly a loud clap of thunder startled her awake.
Jin Ling, who was on night duty, also woke up. Fearing the rain would wet the windowsill, she put on her clothes and got up to close the windows.
The thunder roared throughout the night until a heavy downpour began at dawn. When Du Yunluo got up, she felt a bit of a chill.
The heavy rain and strong winds prompted Old Mrs. Xia to cancel the daily greetings, instructing everyone to stay indoors safely.
Mrs. Zhen sat at the table, meticulously checking Du Yunru’s dowry list with Shui Yue and Nanny Zhao to prevent any oversight.
The normally shy Du Yunru had not been avoiding everyone in the past couple of weeks, as she was to be married off in about half a month.
Du Yunluo, playing with her leaf cards, smiled and said, "The Du family’s eldest daughter, Mother wishes she could fill every chest to overflowing."
"Keep talking," Du Yunru pinched Du Yunluo’s nose, "when it’s your turn to organize your dowry, I bet we’ll run out of space in this courtyard for your chests!"
The two sisters tumbled into a fit of giggles.
Seeing them so lively, Mrs. Zhen chuckled, handed the list to Nanny Zhao, and said, "Do as we discussed and inform Second Sister-in-law. It’s raining heavily, so take your time and go around the covered corridor, no need to rush."
Nanny Zhao took the list and left with a smile.
Mrs. Zhen sat next to Du Yunluo, leaning in to watch, "You’re better at leaf games than chess, it seems."
Du Yunru glared playfully, "Mother, she’s just equally unreasonable at both."
After a round of games, Nanny Zhao returned from outside with damp hems and sleeves from the rain, and her hair was tousled by the wind, missing some of her earlier composure.
Seeing this, Mrs. Zhen realized that Nanny Zhao hadn’t heeded her advice, having gone and returned in a hurry. In hindsight, she should have sent a younger maid instead to spare the elderly Nanny Zhao the trouble.
Nanny Zhao approached respectfully and reported, "Madam, when I reached Shuifu Garden, Second Madam had just gone out."
Mrs. Zhen was surprised, "In such heavy rain, Second Sister-in-law went out?"
To go out implied leaving the mansion.
Upon hearing this, Du Yunluo looked up at Nanny Zhao.
Nanny Zhao nodded and said, "According to some of the maidservants, someone delivered a message to Second Madam, but they didn’t know the specifics. Second Madam left in a hurry, taking only Mrs. Shen Changgen and Quan Yin."
Du Yunluo pondered deeply after hearing this.
At this time before, Dingyuan Marquis Mansion had just received an imperial decree, and she was forced to accept it, then confined by Old Mrs. Xia in Anhua Courtyard. She wasn’t aware of other matters in the mansion.
After much thinking, she still couldn’t recall if the Miao Family had left the house on such a rainy day before.
