Chapter 219: Chapter 220: The General Situation

Seeing the things moved into the courtyard, Wu Xueqin gently and graciously expressed her gratitude and sent off Nanny Chi, who had come to deliver the items, before turning back into the house.

Yangtao peeked at the arranged items with wide eyes, “The Marquis really treats the girl well, look at these things, even the eldest miss in our mansion hasn’t had such things.”

Wu Xueqin glanced indifferently at those items, then turned and sat back on the soft couch, “These are just common things, look how you’re acting as if you’ve never seen the world. You mustn’t behave like this outside, lest you make me lose face.”

Yangtao understood that the girl wasn’t blaming her, and smiled as she made a bow, “My lady, should we go to Mrs. Gu Sr. to give thanks? You saw the person who came to deliver the things just now, she is one of Mrs. Gu Sr.’s people.”

“The items were sent in the name of the Marquis. If we are to express gratitude, it should be to the Marquis. But a man like him wouldn’t be in the inner chambers at this hour, we’ll wait until the evening.” Wu Xueqin didn’t say much more.

The fact that the Marquis didn’t visit her on the wedding night was a huge slap to everyone, making it impossible for this concubine to stand her ground in the mansion.

Wu Xueqin understood this and noticed the looks from the servants cleaning the courtyard were all the same.

Yangtao nodded, “You always think things through, but I didn’t consider these aspects.”

Wu Xueqin smiled faintly, “Alright, it’s not early anymore. Let’s tidy up and go pay our respects to Madam.”

Wu Xueqin did not display her displeasure on her face, and unlike other servants, Yangtao’s lack of sharpness was her only merit. Even when she lost face like this, Wu Xueqin could find other excuses and reasons in front of her, but with others, this wouldn’t necessarily be the case.

Yangtao quickly helped her lady tidy up her things, and the master and servant duo headed towards Yingshui Courtyard.

Mrs. Dong was in a good mood. Hearing Wu Auntie come to pay her respects, she slightly curved her lips and allowed them to enter.

Once the greetings were exchanged and they were seated, Mrs. Dong smiled and said, “There aren’t many rules in this Marquis Mansion. Aunties only need to come to pay respects on the first and fifteenth of each month. Originally, you should have had tea with the Marquis today, but you see, Mrs. Gu Sr. over there isn’t feeling well, and the Marquis can’t leave. Our Marquis Mansion has wronged you, but I’m sure Mrs. Gu Sr. had Nanny Chi deliver some things to you, so just accept them at ease.”

“I am merely an auntie, how could I deserve Madam saying it wrongs me?” Wu Xueqin quickly stood up.

Her understanding of the rules did not particularly satisfy Mrs. Dong, as the two other aunties in the mansion were similar.

When her gaze landed on Lady Wu’s youthful skin, Mrs. Dong’s pupils tightened slightly. Then she smiled, “Look at you, you’re too observant of formalities. There is no need for such manners in our mansion; please sit down. Our family has a simple household, as you should know. We have only two other aunties, including you that makes three. The Marquis usually stays at Woodland Pavilion, and when attending to different rooms, we follow a schedule. If the Marquis has other matters on a day he’s supposed to visit your courtyard, it gets skipped rather than made up for. Keep these things in mind.”

Wu Xueqin blushed slightly and replied softly, “I’ve just arrived at the estate, and there are many rules I am not acquainted with. I will need Madam’s guidance in the future.”

“Don’t worry, you are clearly someone who understands proper conduct,” Mrs. Dong replied politely.

The two of them exchanged a few more words before Mrs. Dong yawned, and Wu Xueqin understood this was a cue to leave, so she rose to take her leave.

Watching Wu Xueqin’s figure disappear from the courtyard, Mrs. Dong withdrew her gaze indifferently, “She has poor timing, arriving when the Marquis is in a bad mood. Now she has to be wronged.”

Because of the matter of that banquet, the Marquis has been in a bad mood, staying at the Woodland Pavilion, and rarely visiting the different courtyards.

Even with the nuptial chamber last night, the Marquis didn’t step foot in it, bringing Mrs. Dong some relief, she always thought the Marquis might have been very pleased. But now it seems, even with Lin Yongning at the Gu Family, the Marquis wasn’t that happy.

“What grievance does she have? She’s just a small concubine’s daughter. If she births a child, she might be elevated to a concubine. I think it’s her fortune from several lifetimes to meet such a good Madam like ours. Go inquire around the Capital; no one has a temperament as mild as our Madam’s or is as generous to aunties,” Jingfu remarked approvingly beside her.

Mrs. Dong smiled and said nothing more, implicitly agreeing with Jingfu’s words.

On another side, Wu Xueqin, walking with her maid back to her courtyard, wore a faint smile on her face, yet felt nothing but disdain in her heart.

She was putting up a front, giving Mrs. Dong due respect. Mrs. Dong, in turn, put on airs, but she is just a woman who has had no children all these years, what does she have to be proud of in front of her?

Yangtao followed behind, sensing her lady’s displeasure, though she said nothing.

At Shi’an Garden, Mrs. Gu Sr., having heard Nanny Chi’s report, merely waved her hand and did not say much.

Her son used her health as an excuse not to visit Mrs. Wu’s courtyard. Upon hearing this, Mrs. Gu Sr. sent Nanny Chi to deliver some items to Mrs. Wu’s courtyard.

Now, with the fierce rivalry between the Eldest Prince and the Crown Prince, what was initially just a minor concubine’s daughter couldn’t be easily ignored. In the future, even if that side births a son, it may be used by others.

Mrs. Gu Sr. slightly squinted her eyes, “If in the future there truly is no legitimate son on this side, then a few kids should be brought over from Sister Ning’s, after all, they are Dalang’s children.”

Nanny Chi was slightly surprised, “What’s wrong with such thinking, but I fear the First Madam might not agree. Wouldn’t both sides have Sister Ning’s children then?”

“What is there to disagree with? If she can’t bear children of her own, and no legitimate son arises from the aunties, what does Brother Xuan matter? A concubine’s son like him can’t inherit the title in the future,” Mrs. Gu Sr. said more and more confidently. “Seems I need to take good care of myself, to at least see Sister Ning have the child and bring him over here. Otherwise, once I’m gone, Mrs. Dong naturally won’t agree.”

Nanny Chi didn’t dare to speak more, worrying that even if the old Madam agreed while alive, Mrs. Dong wouldn’t.

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