Chapter 735 - 697: Living Well with the Young Master

Chapter 735: Chapter 697: Living Well with the Young Master

Mrs. Xiao Liu followed Rongrong and the household doctor to Old Mrs. Lu’s courtyard and saw her lying on the carved half-wall bed. She had just fainted and awoke, now appearing lethargic and lacking spirit.

Mrs. Xiao Liu stepped forward, asking with concern, "Old Madam, how are you feeling?"

Old Mrs. Lu held her forehead, "A bit dizzy and lightheaded."

Mrs. Xiao Liu looked at the household doctor, "Quick, have a look at the Old Madam."

Saying this, she moved aside.

The household doctor sat down, took Old Mrs. Lu’s pulse, then prescribed some Ganlu Pills, advising the servants to add ice in the Old Madam’s room moderately.

With her age, Old Mrs. Lu’s constitution wasn’t strong. Previously, she avoided the ice bucket fearing she wouldn’t handle it, opting instead for the maids to take turns fanning her. Unexpectedly, she still fainted from the heat.

After hearing the household doctor’s suggestion, Mrs. Xiao Liu quickly instructed Rongrong to fetch some ice from the ice cellar and had all the windows opened.

Once the Ganlu Pills were fetched, they were taken with ginger honey water, and only after a quarter-hour did Old Mrs. Lu’s complexion gradually improve.

Seeing Mrs. Xiao Liu, Old Mrs. Lu asked her, "Since you returned, Brother Bin hasn’t troubled you again, has he?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu had unspoken grievances, but she forced a smile and shook her head.

"That’s good." Old Mrs. Lu pulled Mrs. Xiao Liu to sit by her bed, holding her hand and not letting go, "When I first set my eyes on you, I knew you were a sensible child. In the matter with Aunt Su, Brother Bin indeed wronged you. Perhaps he was just confused in anger at the time, and didn’t mean to truly vent on you. Now, with Little Su gone, and only you in the rear courtyard, he should prioritize you on all things. After watching the dragon boat race yesterday, and hearing you didn’t agree to return, I thought about picking a day to go myself. But I didn’t expect you’d return today."

Mrs. Xiao Liu hesitated about how to respond to Old Mrs. Lu’s words when she heard her continue, "It’s the norm for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Brother Bin is still young and naturally finds everything fresh and exciting. After a few years, he’ll settle down and naturally see your value. You’re more mature and stable than he is, as the head wife, you should be more forgiving for the days to continue peacefully."

Mrs. Xiao Liu remained silent, not responding.

Old Mrs. Lu’s voice continued, "Nan is taking the local exam this year. If he doesn’t pass, I will talk to the Old Master, see if we can arrange a position for him in the Divine Soldier Bureau."

Old Mrs. Lu feared she’d mention something absurd like separation, thus, began with conciliatory measures.

Mrs. Xiao Liu pressed her lips, knowing the Divine Soldier Bureau, it’s the most mysterious government office in Great Chu, established recently but receiving great attention from His Majesty. Currently, the Old Master is in charge, and if Nan could enter, his future would undoubtedly be boundless.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Xiao Liu lifted her head, "Thank you, Old Madam, for your concern."

Overhearing this, Old Mrs. Lu’s eyes finally showed softness, "It’s good that you understand."

Mrs. Xiao Liu smiled bitterly.

What can she do if she doesn’t understand? Ultimately, she doesn’t live for herself. Once separated, the Song family and Duke Mansion would lose this connection, she fears how many things would be affected.

Back at Furong Courtyard, Mrs. Xiao Liu still appeared lost in thought.

Upon entering, seeing a stack of accounts on the long table, Lu Yanbin was no longer in the room.

Hong Xiang said, "These were just sent over by the Young Master."

Mrs. Xiao Liu responded with a sound, sat down, and started flipping through them.

Hong Xiang continued, "I noticed Young Madam doesn’t seem well. Why not rest before looking at the accounts?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu thought of something, asked her, "While I was away, where did the Young Master sleep?"

Hong Xiang replied, "The external study room."

Mrs. Xiao Liu sighed in relief, thankfully not in her room.

Hong Xiang seemed to see through her thoughts and laughed, "I told him not to sleep here."

Mrs. Xiao Liu was astonished.

Hong Xiang explained, "One day he flipped through the accounts, accidentally found a prescription, and called the household doctor for inquiry. That’s when it became clear Aunt Su hid her unfavorable pregnancy from him; the household doctor clearly explained, yet he didn’t realize he wronged Young Madam. I got angry, so when he wanted to sleep in Young Madam’s room at night, I kicked him out."

Mrs. Xiao Liu listened and couldn’t help but laugh, "Aren’t you afraid he’ll get upset?"

"I’m not afraid!" Hong Xiang scoffed, "I was by the Old Madam’s side, now serving Young Madam, able to inform her of any situation at any time. If he dares harm me, it’d be an affront to Old Madam. And if Young Master knows, he’d give him a good beating."

——

After lunch, Wen Wan brought Jinbao to the Duke Mansion, first visiting Old Mrs. Lu.

Old Mrs. Lu, upon seeing the little guy, wasn’t able to hide her affection, inviting him over and asking if he had anything he’d like to eat, ready to have the kitchen prepare it immediately.

The little guy was not shy at all and immediately said, "Great-grandmother, I want to eat cherries."

Old Mrs. Lu paused, "Cherries?"

"Mm-hmm, the cold ones."

Old Mrs. Lu playfully poked his forehead, "I sent some back with your mother several days ago, who ate them?"

The little guy replied earnestly, "Jinbao ate them."

"You ate all of them yourself?"

"And Duobao, he eats more than me." The little guy wasn’t willing to shoulder the blame alone, blinking his big eyes at the Old Madam, "Great-grandmother, are there more cherries?"

"Yes, they’re hanging on the tree." Old Mrs. Lu laughed, "I’ll have someone go to the estate and arrange to pick them fresh tomorrow morning and send them to your residence."

"Ah? Have to wait till tomorrow?" The little guy was already drooling.

Wen Wan, speechless, "The estate is far from here. Do you think Great-grandmother runs a fruit orchard where you can have them instantly when you want?"

Yet, Old Mrs. Lu was delighted, "It’s rare for him to ask me for something. It’s just some cherries, there are plenty on the estate. I’ll have people pick some and send them over, but Wan, this child is young and his digestive system is weak. Don’t let him overeat chilled things. If his stomach aches and he rolls around in pain, you’ll be worried again."

Wen Wan laughed, "Grandmother is right. I will be careful in the future."

She looked around, "Didn’t Shu just return, why haven’t I seen her?"

"That girl should be in Furong Courtyard now." The Old Madam said, "For her to think on her own to come home, you’ve accomplished a great feat."

Wen Wan felt something was off listening to this.

Mrs. Xiao Liu clearly said before leaving the Song family that she’d come to clarify separation with Lu Yanbin to the Old Madam. Yet, seeing the Old Madam’s expression now, it didn’t seem like that.

Frowning slightly, Wen Wan said, "Grandmother, why not let Jinbao accompany you for a while. I’ll go see Shuyuan."

"Alright." The Old Madam replied with a smile.

...

Leaving the Old Madam’s courtyard, Wen Wan navigated her way to Furong Courtyard, where Hong Xiang and Hong Ling were drying flowers outside. Seeing Wen Wan, their eyes brightened, "Greetings, Commandery Princess."

Wen Wan stopped, picked a half-dried rose petal to sniff, quietly asked, "Is your Young Madam in the room?"

"She is." Hong Xiang nodded, "Commandery Princess, please go in. I noticed Young Madam’s mood isn’t right, might need your comforting."

"I understand."

Wen Wan put down the petal and walked to the main room’s door, lifting the curtain to enter.

Mrs. Xiao Liu was sitting at the long table, engrossed in flipping through the accounts, not even noticing Wen Wan had entered.

Wen Wan stood by, watching her for a moment, suddenly said, "You’ve just returned to the mansion and you’re already eagerly handling affairs. No wonder you were handpicked by Old Madam as the virtuous wife and mother."

Mrs. Xiao Liu, hearing this, was taken aback, quickly put down the accounts, and lifted her head. Upon seeing Wen Wan’s smiling face, her brows relaxed, "Sister Wan, why have you come?"

Wen Wan sat beside her, "Our little one wanted cherries and urged me to come ask the Old Madam."

Mrs. Xiao Liu said, "There are plenty on the estate, just have the servants pick them and send them over."

"That’s what the Old Madam said." Wen Wan came to speak about more than cherries. She quickly changed the subject, "Have you seen Old Madam?"

"I have."

"What did you talk about?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu lowered her eyelashes, hesitated for a long while before saying, "She said it’s good I returned and to live well with the Young Master in the future."

Wen Wan was a bit stunned, "And what are your thoughts?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu didn’t answer further, idly tapping the abacus bead.

Wen Wan thought of the scene she saw upon entering. If she hadn’t decided to continue with Lu Yanbin, she wouldn’t be flipping through the accounts just after returning.

It seems the separation issue was never brought up.