"So they made a move..." Jin Rui was drowsy and didn’t grasp the words at first. She mumbled a few words, and as soon as she realized, most of her sleepiness dissipated. "Did you see clearly? How did they make a move?"
Jin Lan whispered, "I don’t know what they said, but if they did make a move, it shouldn’t have been excessive. Mrs. Ma saw Cangzhu afterward, and her face was clean, not looking like Yu Zhu hit her."
Jin Rui turned over and laughed, "Yu Zhu isn’t a hothead. Even if she hits someone, she wouldn’t hit the face. Leaving marks on the face, then if Madam sees and asks about it later, Yu Zhu would have a hard time explaining herself. She can’t just tell Madam, ’She plotted against me, so I made a move,’ now can she?"
"Should we tell Madam about this matter?" Jin Lan hesitated.
"I will mention it to Madam," Jin Rui pondered for a moment, "but for now, don’t worry about them. Yu Zhu knows her limits."
Having made up her mind, Jin Rui quietly reported to Du Yunluo the next day.
Du Yunluo leaned against the pillow, squinting as she said, "Is it about the pastries that day?"
Jin Rui nodded, then shook her head. "I only know about that incident, but since Cangzhu was able to step on Yu Zhu in front of me, I suspect she might have stirred up trouble at other times too. But that’s just my guess."
Du Yunluo slightly nodded, her fingertips tapping on the couch intermittently before she said after a pause, "Those who love to stir up trouble can’t sit still. I think Yu Zhu is sensible, let her handle it."
In Du Yunluo’s heart, she didn’t like people like Cangzhu who stirred up trouble behind others’ backs.
But she had only been married into the family for just over a month, and Cangzhu hadn’t committed such a grave mistake that she couldn’t tolerate for a moment. To change personnel now would seem like making trouble out of nothing.
Du Yunluo didn’t want to leave such an impression on Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou.
Even if she wanted to replace Cangzhu, it was better to wait a while.
Jin Lan came in from outside with Granny Zhang from Baijie Hall following behind.
"Why did you come, Ma’am? If there’s anything, just send a little maid over." Du Yunluo smiled.
"Madam, you flatter me. I’m no dignitary. Being able to run an errand and show my face in front of Madam is my blessing." Granny Zhang said.
Her words made everyone laugh.
"A few days ago, Old Madam pickled a jar of candied preserves. Today, she received them and knowing Madam loves sweets, sent me to ask you to come over and have a taste."
Du Yunluo smiled brightly, "Just mentioning it makes my mouth water. Granny, please inform Grandmother, I’ll head over right away."
Granny Zhang accepted the reward money and went back to report. Du Yunluo slightly tidied herself and went to Baijie Hall.
In Baijie Hall, maids and old nurses were busy greeting her, and Granny Zhang came forward, "Madam, Second Lady is in the room talking with Old Madam, you..."
Du Yunluo understood. The topics that the Lian Family and Madam Wu were discussing weren’t suitable for her to hear. Though curious, she wasn’t foolish enough to eavesdrop, so she said, "I saw the apricot trees in the garden blooming on my way here, I’ll go pick a few branches to put in a vase for Grandmother."
"Madam is thoughtful," Granny Zhang said with a smile, "Please wait a moment, I’ll go fetch scissors and a basket."
Jin Rui took the basket.
Du Yunluo strolled back to the apricot trees in the garden.
She may be there to pick branches, but how could Du Yunluo reach the branches and leaves of the apricot trees? She just needed to select them, and a Flower Supervisor’s old nurse would go up with scissors to cut them.
Jin Rui and Lian Qiao helped to pick the branches together.
Du Yunluo glanced lightly at Lian Qiao.
Lian Qiao was from Baijie Hall, and if she wanted to find out what Madam Wu and the Lian Family were discussing, Lian Qiao was the most suitable person.
However, Lian Qiao was especially loyal to Madam Wu, and Du Yunluo wasn’t sure if she would help gather information.
Lian Qiao was perceptive, and just from that glance understood what Du Yunluo meant. She quietly said, "I’ll ask Banqiao later."
Du Yunluo gave her a deep look and nodded, saying, "Alright."
When they returned to Baijie Hall, the Lian Family had already left.
Du Yunluo entered with the basket, smiling as she said to Madam Wu, "I saw the flowers blooming beautifully in the garden, so I’ve come to offer flowers to the Buddha with them."
Madam Wu laughed heartily, watching her arranging the vase, and praised her several times, then instructed Nanny Shan to bring out the candied preserves.
Seeing it, Du Yunluo noticed that Madam Wu had made candied Buddha’s hand.
"I alone have liked this flavor, but oddly enough, no one else likes it. All these years, I’ve been the only one tasting it," Madam Wu said with a laugh, "Now with you, I won’t keep it all to myself anymore."
Madam Wu loved candied preserves and would prepare various kinds according to the season each year.
"When summer comes, I’ll have some bayberries picked from the south. Candied bayberries are also delicious," Madam Wu said, squinting her eyes.
Du Yunluo laughed, "Being with you, I’m in for a culinary treat."
Since it was afternoon when Du Yunluo arrived at Baijie Hall, Madam Wu ordered two extra dishes for dinner and asked someone to send word to let Mu Lianxiao come directly over when he returned home.
At the dining table, Mrs. Zhou, seeing that Madam Wu was in a good mood, couldn’t help but say, "It’s more lively with more people. In the future, let Lian Xiao and his wife come to accompany you too."
Madam Wu shook her head, smiling, "This old woman is getting up in years and can’t digest too much food at night. When they come, I can’t control my mouth. You see, I’ve already had half a bowl more today, so let’s forget it."
Mrs. Zhou couldn’t help but laugh, but didn’t persuade further.
Madam Wu looked at Mu Lianxiao and asked, "The Holy Emperor’s intention is for you to leave in May, right?"
Mu Lianxiao respectfully replied, "It’s expected to be the start of May, May 5th at the latest."
Madam Wu thought for a moment and said, "In that case, after Qingming, if you’re still free, accompany your wife to Tong City. Last time was rather impolite of us."
Upon hearing this, Du Yunluo was momentarily stunned. When Madam Wu mentioned this last time, she thought it was just offhand remark from the Old Madam, not expecting it to have been taken to heart.
Mu Lianxiao naturally had no objections and agreed.
Madam Wu instructed Mrs. Zhou, "Lian Cheng’s wife’s maternal family is too far away and hasn’t interacted with us, so this time don’t use public funds. Let the long room prepare the gifts themselves, so that they can manage the weight and importance accordingly."
Mrs. Zhou’s eyebrows slightly lifted, and she nodded.
When back at Shaohui Garden, taking advantage of the time Mu Lianxiao was washing in the cleansing room, Lian Qiao came to report.
"Old Madam and Second Lady were discussing matters about Lady and Mr. Si," Lian Qiao whispered in her ear.
Mu Lianyu is already fourteen, and the Lian Family is considering looking for a suitable match for him. If a suitable family is found, they could finalize things and start preparing.
Madam Wu didn’t have much opinion on this, but when it comes to marriage, Mu Lianhui naturally can’t be avoided.
Mu Lianhui is not young, and being a girl, Madam Wu would shake her head whenever she spoke about this.
The Lian Family was also at a loss with Mu Lianhui. She’s now a bit inscrutable, and the relationship between mother and daughter isn’t as close as it was a few years ago.
After spending three years on Putuo Mountain, it seems that even the mother-daughter relationship with Mu Lianhui has worn down.
"Old Madam said, ’Parent’s mandate and matchmaking, regardless of what Lady thinks, Second Lady, as a mother, must come up with a decision. And only Second Lady can make this decision with Old Madam overseeing, without going through others, to avoid a mess like with Madam and First Lady,’" Lian Qiao said in a hushed voice.