Chapter 284: Chapter 285: Ideas

After finishing the meal, the two of them entered the Warm Pavilion together. The maid served tea, and only then did Wu Xueqin reveal her intention.

“On the way here, I was thinking that it would be better to build a greenhouse here. This way, we can grow some vegetables inside, as I noticed there were very few green vegetables on the dining table just now. It seems that vegetables here must be quite expensive. Marquis wouldn’t care about these small expenses, but I thought since Madam doesn’t have much to do in the manor, maybe setting up a greenhouse to grow flowers and vegetables would be more interesting than just staying inside during the winter. Madam might feel bored otherwise.”

Wu Xueqin’s idea was very innovative and thoughtful. Lin Youning was not surprised after hearing her say this, “Your idea is quite good, but you’ve seen the weather around here. It’s snowing heavily outside right now, and it might be difficult to set up a greenhouse. How will we maintain the temperature inside the greenhouse? If it’s all done by burning charcoal, then it would cost a lot of money.”

“I already have some thoughts about this, but I’m not sure if they will work. If Madam trusts me, I can go back and write up a plan. I’ll detail everything on paper, and Madam can take a look.” Wu Xueqin spoke with ease, her face full of confidence. “It won’t cost much Silver Coin, Madam can rest assured on this point.”

“If it can be done that way, it would be even better.” Lin Youning did not stop her.

She also understood that Wu Xueqin was merely trying to attract her elder brother’s attention. Even though she felt jealous, Lin Youning quickly suppressed it. She and her elder brother were just siblings; logically, Wu Xueqin was her brother’s woman, and it should be Wu Xueqin feeling angry and jealous, not her.

She wondered what right she had to feel jealous here.

With the approval, Wu Xueqin naturally did not linger. She exchanged some polite words and then took her leave.

When Wu Xueqin was speaking, Shanmoi and Hailan were serving in the room. Once she left and Hailan went out to accompany her, Shanmoi was about to speak.

Lin Youning reached out and stopped her from speaking, “As for Aunt Wu, you may act as you see fit. Whatever she wishes to do, as long as it doesn’t go too far, let her do it. There’s no need to stop her.”

Shanmoi wanted to ask but realized that if she kept asking like this, the lady would be annoyed, so she held her tongue.

Lin Youning truly had her own thoughts. She felt that keeping Wu Xueqin tied to her side would accomplish none of her goals. Rather than this, she might as well let go and allow her to do as she pleases, to see what she actually intends to do.

Or what her true purpose might be.

Wu Xueqin returned to her yard and asked Yangtao to prepare pen and ink. Wu Xueqin had thought it over; everything needed to be constructed with mud bricks, allowing sunlight to pass through paper-covered windows to warm the interior. Even without plastic sheeting, vegetables could be grown in such weather after planting seeds.

Moreover, the bed of bricks could simply burn straw, saving charcoal and minimizing Silver Coin expenditures, simply by purchasing more firewood.

Wu Xueqin always wondered why people in ancient times didn’t search for coal? If there was coal, it would be even better.

After she finished writing down how to construct it and what materials to use around the sides, she saw that it was already late outside, so she washed up and went to sleep.

Having traveled for several months by carriage, Wu Xueqin’s body felt scattered. Naturally, she didn’t rise too early the next day, and upon waking she heard that Marquis returned last night and stayed in the main courtyard.

Thinking of Lin Youning’s attire, she didn’t let Yangtao add hair accessories to her coiffure, “Just like this is fine. Madam didn’t bring anything with her, and if I wear something, it wouldn’t be good for Marquis to see it.”

Yangtao thought about it and felt the lady made sense, “Should Madam change into a plain garment then?”

“There’s no need. Madam likes to eat richly but dress plainly. I prefer wearing vibrant colors while I can. When young, wear the colors you can, otherwise, when older, you wouldn’t dare to wear them.”

Yangtao saw her lady speaking, and laughed, saying only that the lady’s words made sense. After dressing up, the master and servant duo headed to the main courtyard, with Wu Xueqin bringing what she wrote yesterday.

When she arrived, they had already finished breakfast in the main courtyard, and Gu Yifeng was heading to the front courtyard. As he was leaving, he ran into Wu Xueqin in the courtyard.

With grace, Wu Xueqin gave a deep bow, while Gu Yifeng, without halting his stride, only nodded, not even glancing at her, and briskly walked out of the courtyard.

Wu Xueqin stood in place, watching until Marquis had exited the courtyard, then turned to leave for the city.

The one who came to hold the curtain for her was Shanmoi, who glanced at Aunt Wu with a peculiar smile. Wu Xueqin pretended not to notice, stepping swiftly into the house.

She knew that Lin Youning’s two maids looked down on her, thinking she constantly came here just to seize the opportunity to see Marquis.

Wu Xueqin admitted she indeed had such thoughts. She wasn’t like the women of ancient times, pretending to be virtuous while waiting for men to favor her.

She wanted to showcase herself, allowing the man to see her beauty. She didn’t believe she, as a modern woman, couldn’t surpass an ancient little maid.

In Wu Xueqin’s view, Lin Youning didn’t have much to make her likable, apart from her face, nothing stood out.

Men would eventually tire of looking at a face. Thinking this, Wu Xueqin’s eyes couldn’t help but wander to Lin Youning’s face.

She wondered what she’d be like when Marquis became tired of her.

Lin Youning felt Wu Xueqin inspecting her and lifted her head to meet Wu Xueqin’s gaze, “Aunt Wu, did you finish writing? I already spoke with Lord this morning. Lord said that whatever you want to do, just go ahead, and when you need help, just ask Li Si.”

Zhang Wu had returned to Capital on the third day after they arrived in the border city, carrying a letter, heading straight to Capital.

So now, the matters of the inner court were all managed by Li Si.

Upon hearing she could instruct Li Si for everything, Wu Xueqin’s eyes flashed with anticipation. She stood up and expressed her thanks, sitting for a while longer before returning to her yard, and then had Yangtao find Li Si.

Li Si soon arrived with Yangtao, and Wu Xueqin sat upright on the chair, “I want to build a greenhouse, Madam said for any matters to directly instruct you?”

Li Si had already received instructions from Marquis, and upon hearing Aunt Wu’s words, he respectfully acknowledged it.

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