Chapter 24 - 23: Scheming
Jin Ling hurriedly caught up with Lanzhi’s steps.
She thought to herself, when did the young lady ever prepare a copper bell for Yaya? That copper bell was clearly meant for the white cat that Nanny Zhao was raising in Qinghui Garden.
Mrs. Zhen loved cats, but due to her health, Nanny Zhao was taking care of it, occasionally bringing it over to play with.
Du Yunluo found that white cat lively and interesting, very affectionate, so she specially sought out a copper bell to attach to it.
Today, when it was said that the copper bell would be given to Yaya, Jin Ling was quite puzzled.
Thinking about it now, she finally understood.
Handing the copper bell to Lanzhi was clearly based on knowing that Du Gongfu always appreciated reciprocity.
Whenever Du Yunluo sent something over, there would surely be something returned, and Du Yunluo wanted Lanzhi to make this trip, to let her witness the sisters’ dispute firsthand.
After all, before Yunuo came over, Du Yunluo had already got the gist of what was happening outside from her mouth.
How could she end up so upset with Yunuo if she knew what was going on?
It must have been a staged act to fish for words.
Jin Ling was naturally clever, and after understanding these things, her eyes darted, and she sighed, "Just now the young lady sent me and Jin Rui to eat rice dumplings with the fourth young lady. It started out fine, but then somehow they started arguing, and by the time we went in, even the porcelain bowls were smashed."
Upon hearing that a porcelain bowl was smashed, Lanzhi was startled, and her steps quickened even more, "Was anyone hurt?"
"No one was hurt, no one was hurt, the bowl smashed on the ground and was quickly cleaned up," Jin Ling said.
Lanzhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, she had personally heard what Du Huaiping said in front of Old Mrs. Xia, putting herself in her shoes, if she were Du Yunluo, she would definitely be angry enough to make herself ill.
Given Du Yunluo’s temperament, just smashing the bowl on the ground instead of throwing it at someone’s face was already restrained.
Lanzhi chanted, "Amitabha Buddha."
Outside the room, Jin Ling lifted the curtain and loudly announced, "Young lady, Sister Lanzhi is here. She saw from afar in the garden that the fourth young lady left crying and came to see you."
"She’s crying! I’m crying too!" Du Yunluo shouted sharply.
She was calculating with Lanzhi, after all, today’s sisterly spat was meant to be relayed through Lanzhi to Old Mrs. Xia.
Sending Lanzhi to Du Gongfu and back was indeed Du Yunluo’s calculation, but she couldn’t control everything, like the timing of Lanzhi’s return.
Jin Ling’s words made Du Yunluo realize what Lanzhi knew, and she silently praised Jin Ling for her tact.
Lanzhi stepped into the main room and, through the bead curtain of the East Wing, saw Du Yunluo sobbing in Jin Rui’s arms.
Du Yunluo, with her good looks, still looked pitiable even while crying.
In this matter, Lanzhi naturally sided with Du Yunluo, and seeing her so wronged, she couldn’t help but frown slightly, "Young lady, it’s me."
Du Yunluo sniffed, her temper was fierce, but she wouldn’t embarrass Lanzhi, and said while sobbing, "Sister, why are you back?"
Lanzhi seeing that she was still willing to speak, felt relieved, smiling apologetically as she entered, placing a stone on the table, "Yaya really liked the copper bell, the old master played with it and was extremely pleased, this stone was given to you by the old master. But you, young lady, why are you crying so sadly? If the old master and old madam knew, their hearts would ache for sure."
Hearing this, Du Yunluo released Jin Rui and grabbed Lanzhi’s wrist, "Sister, tell me the truth, was my second uncle angrily wanting to lecture me because of the rumors outside? Is it because Princess An Ran fancies the Princely Heir, and since the family is discussing marriage between me and the Princely Heir, the Princess resents me as well?"
Lanzhi’s brow ached at this, whether it’s true or not, how could a maid like her speak on it?
"Oh, my dear young lady!" Lanzhi cupped Du Yunluo’s face, seeing her eyes swollen from crying, first told Jin Ling to fetch water, then continued, "Why say such things for no reason, young lady?"
Du Yunluo pouted, "Just now, Sister Losuo came to apologize, saying she revealed the marriage discussion during the County Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony for the sake of her reputation. She said she didn’t expect it to turn out this way. But I am really angry, her reputation matters, but what about mine? It’s spreading everywhere outside now, what should I do?"
Lanzhi comforted her kindly, "Young lady, the old master and old madam will handle everything, you should put your mind at ease."
Du Yunluo’s intent wasn’t to argue endlessly with Lanzhi, and seeing it was about enough, she stopped.
Lanzhi assisted Jin Ling and Jin Rui in freshening up Du Yunluo, said some more comforting words, and then hurried back to Lianfu Garden.
Du Yunluo leaned diagonally on the beauty couch to gather her thoughts.
After waking up, she had certainly cried heartily before, but sobbing from a mix of sorrow and joy was entirely different from this current crying outburst, one was genuine emotion, the other half-real half-fake.
Performing drama, it surely is exhausting.
Especially for an aged old lady, it really depletes energy.
Du Yunluo glanced at her fair, youthful hand. Having returned to her teenage years, her mind was much more open, but deep down, she still carried some of the demeanor of an old woman. Counting back, it had been half a lifetime since she had thrown a tantrum crying and smashing things.
But she couldn’t avoid doing it.
Du Yunluo hadn’t rested for long, then called Jin Rui and Jin Ling to her side, "Jin Ling follow me to Qinghui Garden, Jin Rui stay here. The earlier incident, I fear, will be known to everyone in less than half an hour, by then, many people will be coming to inquire. Jin Rui, you know what to say, right?"
Jin Rui smiled with curved eyes and nodded, being left behind by the young lady, and given such an important task, she was secretly pleased, "Young lady, don’t worry, I understand."
Du Yunluo was very satisfied, though Jin Rui had some petty rivalry with Jin Ling, she was still a loyal and smart one, as long as it’s healthy competition, she didn’t mind.
In Qinghui Garden, Mrs. Zhen had just received the news.
She always cared deeply for her youngest daughter, most of the people serving in Anhua Courtyard were related to those close to Mrs. Zhen. Even the smallest matters wouldn’t be reported carelessly, but such a major event of arguing and smashing things, no one dared to hide it.
Upon hearing Shui Yue’s words, Mrs. Zhen’s willow brows furrowed, "Did she argue with Yunuo? What happened?"
"What exactly happened inside, even Jin Ling didn’t make it clear. All I heard was a loud crash, then the fourth young lady left crying. Miss Lanzhi brought something from the old master and went inside to persuade her. I suppose by now, Old Madam also knows," Shui Yue answered.
"Go, send for either Jin Ling or Jin Rui, those two big maids, one of them should be able to explain clearly." Mrs. Zhen adjusted the shawl on her shoulders and urged.
Answering with a sound, Shui Yue went out to give orders, and saw Du Yunluo bringing Jin Ling along.
Having the little maid guarding the door inform Mrs. Zhen, Shui Yue hurriedly went to greet them, "Young lady, madam has just been thinking of you."
Du Yunluo replied with a dull sound.
The indifferent attitude made Shui Yue’s heart sink, this must mean she’s still holding a grudge, not happy.
Knowing Du Yunluo had arrived, hearing the footsteps, Mrs. Zhen raised her voice, "Nannan, come here to mother."
Du Yunluo rushed over to the divan, hugging Mrs. Zhen’s waist, her voice hoarse, "Mother, my marriage with the Princely Heir is being gossiped about everywhere, although both families are discussing it, if it’s blown up like this, how can I hold my head high? I wouldn’t even have face to marry over there!"