Du Yunluo was diligently learning and with guidance from Nanny Shan, she gradually gained some understanding.
In Baijie Hall, Madam Wu inquired about the situation.
Nanny Shan smiled and said, "Though the lady is young, she is wise, careful, and reliable. I believe she’ll become an excellent housekeeper after a year or so."
Madam Wu laughed, "Since even you say so, I can be at ease."
The voice of Banqiao came from outside, announcing Lian Family’s arrival.
Nanny Shan lifted the curtain for Madam Lian.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted for a while, and the conversation gradually turned to Du Yunluo.
Madam Wu squinted her eyes and said, "Speaking of which, it was you who chose Lian Xiao’s wife. As it turns out, you picked wisely; she is stable and intelligent."
Madam Lian smiled wryly, "I must admit, I regret it."
"Oh?" Madam Wu was curious, "And why is that?"
Madam Lian pursed her lips and smiled, "I knew she was good, but had I known she was this good, I wouldn’t have let my sister-in-law have her. I have a bachelor son myself."
Madam Wu pointed at Madam Lian, amused, "We should keep such words behind closed doors; if your sister-in-law hears, you’ll be in trouble."
"Madam Wu, you truly care for me," Madam Lian smiled on the surface but couldn’t muster a smile internally.
She genuinely regretted it.
If she had known Du Yunluo was so capable, she would never have arranged this marriage.
Now it’s like swallowing Huang Lian, bitter and unspeakable.
Yet Madam Wu praised her for it, and she truly regretted it to her core.
After Madam Lian left, Madam Wu’s smile vanished instantly.
Nanny Shan noticed and cautiously offered, "Madam, the second lady didn’t mean anything by it."
Madam Wu closed her eyes, showing some fatigue, "I know, but it’s exactly because it’s unintentional that it pains me."
"It’s all in the past..."
Madam Wu sighed, "But to Yuan Ming’s wife, it’s not just the past."
At the mention of Mrs. Xu, Nanny Shan was also filled with emotion, lowering her eyes and saying no more.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Shaohui Garden was a bit gloomy.
It was Cangzhu’s seventh day since passing, and while the older Madam Ma and Mrs. Shen were indifferent, some of the younger maids were uneasy.
Du Yunluo noticed and gave some instructions to Hong Jinbao’s family.
With Mu Lianxiao not in the Capital, Du Yunluo turned off the lights early at night.
Seeing the main house go dark, the westernmost door of the side room quietly opened, and a small figure bent low and ran out. Taking advantage of Madam Ma’s bathroom break, she quickly ran out.
The person ran all the way to the small garden in the backyard, took out two white candles from her bosom, and lit them with a fire-striker.
In the candlelight appeared a fair face.
Hidden in the shadows following her, Hong Jinbao’s family cautiously peeked out and saw that it was Hongfu.
Hongfu bowed three times to the candles, trembling slightly, and whispered, "Cangzhu, I’m timid. Even if you come back tonight, please don’t scare me.
We were good sisters, and I’ve done nothing to wrong you...
I was wrong, there was something I did wrong to you.
When something happened to you, I didn’t dare to speak up.
You went to find Zizhu, right? You asked me before if I knew her well and had me introduce you.
But besides the time I introduced you, you went to look for Zizhu later on. Was it for that golden bracelet?
Mrs. Shen was right. Zizhu is from Mr. Si’s courtyard, and how would Mr. Si have a golden bracelet to bestow on her?
If Mr. Si really gave her the bracelet...
Don’t blame me for not speaking. I wanted to, but who could I tell? If it’s really related to Mr. Si, the second lady runs the house, how could I dare involve Mr. Si?
If you have grievances, go to Zizhu, would you?
Tonight we’re in the mansion, I can only light candles for you. When I go home, I’ll certainly burn paper money for you, lots of paper money, just don’t scare me..."
The more Hongfu spoke, the more her voice trembled.
Already feeling guilty, she was only illuminated by two candles, the rest was enveloped in darkness.
Whether it was tree shadows or something else, they seemed to morph into ghastly figures, terrifying her entirely.
She crouched by the candles, shivering until most of the candles burned down before extinguishing them.
Once surrounded by darkness, Hongfu buried her head and ran back towards Shaohui Garden, reaching the entrance. Not worrying about being seen by Madam Ma, she hunched and ran back to her room.
Hong Jinbao’s family returned unhurriedly.
Madam Ma stuck her head out from the gate, pointed to the west side, and whispered, "Went in."
Hong Jinbao’s family nodded, turned, and closed the courtyard gate.
Madam Ma asked, "What did she go out to do?"
Hong Jinbao’s family entered the gatehouse and said, "She went to light candles for Cangzhu. I gathered she shared a room with Cangzhu and was afraid of Cangzhu coming to find her at night. Seeing her shake so much, I didn’t call out to her, fearing I might frighten her further."
"You’re kind-hearted," Madam Ma laughed, "When you asked me to leave the gate open before, I didn’t know why, turns out it was for this timid girl."
Hong Jinbao’s family didn’t elaborate further.
With her mind unsettled, Hongfu didn’t consider that by this time of night, the main residents would have retired, the courtyard gate should’ve been closed, letting her come and go was unusual.
Early the next morning, Hong Jinbao’s family reported to Du Yunluo what she had overheard the previous night.
Du Yunluo frowned slightly and said, "So according to Hongfu, was Cangzhu pushed into the well by Zizhu? How did Cangzhu know about the bracelet? What did Mrs. Shen say?"
Having figured it out, Hong Jinbao’s family explained, "It seems someone from the Lu Family in the alley said that Zizhu had taken a bracelet from Mr. Si’s courtyard, which Mrs. Shen told Mrs. Ma as a joke while standing under the veranda of the side room, probably overheard by Cangzhu then."
Du Yunluo nodded, pondering what exactly had been said between Cangzhu and Zizhu that led Hongfu to suspect Zizhu’s involvement.
Moreover, Zizhu was in the front courtyard. How did she manage to push Cangzhu into the well in the back garden?
Du Yunluo looked up and saw Yu Zhu passing by the open window, suddenly recalling what Yu Zhu had told Madam Lian.
Yes, on Qingming, there were many people coming and going through the hanging flower gate, it’s possible there were lapses.
The well wasn’t far from the gate, Zizhu could have stealthily approached the backyard and then returned to the front courtyard unnoticed.
Du Yunlo instructed Hong Jinbao’s family, "Go find out how Zizhu has been lately, and have someone send a message to Willow Tree Alley to bring Jin Ling to see me."
Hong Jinbao’s family agreed and left.
When Du Yunlo returned from the Flower Hall, Hong Jinbao’s family came to report.
"Madam, a while ago Zizhu’s mother came to the mansion requesting favor; it turns out Zizhu had been committed some years ago and the family pushed for the marriage to take place soon. The second lady agreed, and Zizhu is no longer in the house."
Du Yunlo was taken aback, "When did this happen?"
Hong Jinbao’s family replied, "Earlier this month, two days before the Princely Heir set off."