In Shaohui Garden, the lights were brightly lit.
Jin Rui was leaning on the table, feeling a bit drowsy.
She was on night watch yesterday and kept worrying that the masters might have instructions in the middle of the night, so she forced herself to stay awake. However, she was busy all day and couldn’t hold out any longer, not knowing when she fell asleep in a daze.
At dawn, she sent Du Yunluo into the palace, and she didn’t rest much during the day. By the evening, her eyelids were getting heavier.
But Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao hadn’t returned, so she couldn’t sleep yet.
The door was gently knocked, and a crisp voice from outside said: "Sister Jin Rui, it’s me, Cangzhu."
Jin Rui shook her head to clear her mind, then opened the door to let her in.
Cangzhu was a second-class servant in the courtyard, with a red mark on her forehead adding a touch of liveliness and allure to an otherwise plain face.
Jin Rui had inquired about her. Cangzhu was born in the household; her father worked in the front yard and managed to get her a job as a rough maid in Madam Wu’s courtyard. When Shaohui Garden needed more people, she was assigned here.
Cangzhu held out a handkerchief and said, "Sister Yuzhu just distributed some snacks, so I thought I’d bring some to you."
Jin Rui smiled and said, "Thank you."
"No need for thanks, I’m just ’borrowing the flowers to offer Buddha’," Cangzhu said with a light laugh.
Jin Rui poured her some tea and invited her to have some snacks together. Seeing Cangzhu’s innocent smile, Jin Rui’s eyes turned icy.
Such little tricks, she had seen them plenty in the Du Mansion.
To be serving in the much-coveted Anhua Courtyard, and as Du Yunluo’s big maid at that, Jin Rui had seen many tricks.
"Borrowing the flowers to offer Buddha," well said.
First, making Jin Rui realize that Yuzhu ignored her while distributing snacks, causing possible dissatisfaction toward Yuzhu, and second, endearing herself to Jin Rui to strengthen their bond.
Jin Rui glanced at Cangzhu from the corner of her eyes, thinking it was fine if it was just that.
But once she and Yuzhu developed a rift...
Whether she nagged to Du Yunluo about Yuzhu or subtly competed with Yuzhu, the outcome would only hurt Du Yunluo.
This was different from her rivalry with Jin Ling.
With Yuzhu being her husband’s family servant and she being her family’s dowry, no matter how impartial Du Yunluo tried to be, gossip would inevitably circle.
Jin Rui sipped her tea and wondered if Cangzhu honestly just wanted to get close to her, or was she aiming for bigger trouble?
For now, she couldn’t tell.
Unfortunately, regardless of which, Jin Rui wouldn’t let Cangzhu have her way.
She didn’t wish to be close friends with Cangzhu, nor would she cause trouble for Du Yunluo even if Cangzhu just arrived.
Cangzhu ate while asking: "Sister, have you always served beside Madam? Is Madam easy to serve? What does she like to do?"
Jin Rui smiled, but before she could answer, voices outside greeted the return. She quickly stood up and said, "The Heir and Madam are back, I should go and serve."
Cangzhu was taken aback, and seeing Jin Rui looking at her, she hurriedly nodded and left Jin Rui’s room.
The main house suddenly became busy.
Jin Rui helped Du Yunluo wash her face and brush her hair before stepping back out.
Tonight, it was Lian Qiao’s turn for night watch. The schedule was managed by Lian Qiao, who had privately told Jin Rui that Jin Lan was too young to serve the Princely Heir and Madam at night.
Jin Rui was slightly surprised at first, but recalling the red marks all over Du Yunluo’s body she saw in the morning while helping her dress, she dared not let Jin Lan serve them.
Leaving the main house, Jin Rui saw Yuzhu.
Yuzhu was standing under the veranda, giving instructions to a chambermaid. Just as she was about to return to her room, she looked up and met Jin Rui’s eyes.
Jin Rui walked over with a smile and said: "Were those snacks from the big kitchen? I tried the lily cake, and it tasted quite similar to those made in the Du Family kitchen. I think Madam will like it."
Surprise flickered across Yuzhu’s face before she looked annoyed: "Look at my memory! I thought you and Jin Lan went with Madam to Baijie Hall, so I didn’t have someone call you. Did the lily cake suit Madam’s taste? I have left some red bean paste cake, water tower cake, and red bean pastry in my room for you and Jin Lan. Try them and let me know which suits Madam’s taste, I will have the kitchen make a note."
Jin Rui nodded: "That would be great, our Madam has a sweet tooth."
Jin Rui took a small food box from Yuzhu’s room and Yuzhu softly asked her: "Which little smart-ass brought you the lily cake?"
"Cangzhu," Jin Rui replied.
Yuzhu’s long eyelashes quivered, but she said nothing more.
Jin Rui returned to her room. Jin Lan had just finished washing up and picked up a piece of red bean paste cake while frowning in thought. Finally, she couldn’t resist having a bite: "I’ll rinse my mouth later."
Jin Rui couldn’t help but laugh. She sat beside Jin Lan, whispering to her about Cangzhu: "She might come to cozy up to you later."
Jin Lan’s delicate brows furrowed: "Why cozy up to me? Sister Yuzhu is easy to bully?"
Jin Rui covered her mouth, laughing. This girl had her charm, and the past few months of lessons weren’t wasted.
"Take the lesser of two evils. Isn’t Yuzhu easier to deal with than Lian Qiao?" Jin Rui picked a piece of water tower cake and said, "This one’s good, doesn’t stick to your teeth. Our Madam dislikes sticky snacks."
Jin Lan also tried a piece, thinking to herself that Cangzhu was in for a hard time ahead. Regardless of why she tried to please Jin Rui, she shouldn’t have stepped on Yuzhu to do it.
Yuzhu had suffered a secret loss, and she wouldn’t laugh it off.
Not a single person in this courtyard was someone to be trifled with.
Du Yunluo was unaware of the scheming among the maids.
She was nestled in Mu Lianxiao’s embrace, thinking about returning home the next day.
In the past, her return visits were unpleasant. She remembered Mrs. Zhen threatening with death, refusing to speak cordially, and the visit ended badly.
After causing a scene at the Du Family, she returned to Dingyuan Marquis Mansion with no smile on her face.
In Shaohui Garden, a maid broke a flower pot, and she used it as an opportunity to throw a fit. Since then, everyone knew the newlywed Heir’s Wife was hard to get along with.
Tomorrow, she wouldn’t be the same as before.
She slept soundly until morning.
When Du Yunluo opened her eyes, she found herself alone in the inner room.
She knew Mu Lianxiao had gone to practice martial arts. He used to do this, never neglecting his practice no matter how much they fussed at night.
Du Yunluo called Lian Qiao in, got dressed and her hair done, then took a hand warmer and left the room.
In the courtyard, Mu Lianxiao was training with vigor and strength with each move, but upon hearing the maids and servants greet Du Yunluo, he turned his head.
Their eyes met, and both smiled.
Mu Lianxiao took a few steps towards her, gently saying, "It’s cold outside, you should go back in."
With shining eyes and a slight smile, Du Yunluo replied, "No, I want to watch you practice here."