Affairs of the Inner Household

Her meeting with Prince Huan was not accidental.

So you can't blame the people at Red Elephant Temple for making such arrangements.

How dare the mighty Prince Huan and a small temple disobey his wishes?

When Lin Yunwan went to find Chang Gong, she did not blame the Abbot.

"Young Madam Lu, your Eldest Young Master's calligraphy is truly excellent."

It was praised by the Abbot himself.

Lin Yunwan had already guessed what he was going to say, smiled, and instructed Tao Ye, "Donate some money for the Eldest Young Master's incense oil."

Tao Ye gave away a small bag of silver.

The Novice Monk beside the Abbot came over and collected it.

Taking the opportunity, Lin Yunwan asked the Abbot, "Did Shakyamuni really dream of spiders and geckos?"

The Abbot was taken aback, thinking that he had not mastered the skills and had missed something.

Lin Yunwan immediately understood.

All that talk about meditating with the Abbot is fake.

She told the Abbot, "It's nothing. I just heard a story from the countryside and mentioned it casually. Abbot, you don't need to take it to heart."

Lin Yunwan bid Abbot to return with Lu Chang'gong.

The novice monks came to see them off.

Perhaps because of the money, they said many nice things about good fortune and longevity this time.

Lu Chang'gong was very interested in the silver, and joked to himself, "My son's calligraphy is worth a fortune now, practically a thousand pieces of gold per character."

It's a pity that his mother had to pay for it; it would have been best if someone else had bought his calligraphy for her.

Lin Yunwan couldn't help but chuckle.

She patted him on the shoulder. "When did you start being reluctant to spend money?"

Lu Chang'gong blushed.

He argued, "My son isn't stingy..."

He simply didn't want his mother to spend money on him.

Lin Yunwan said, "We'll need to spend a lot more money on these kinds of things in the future. Rewarding them is just as important as rewarding the servants. Although the people in the temple aren't worldly people, they usually associate with quite a few powerful and influential people. You don't know which mansion they have good relationships with in private."

"I'd rather spend more money than offend them."

This is a lesson she learned during her twenty years as a matriarch.

Lu Chang'gong listened attentively, nodded, and said, "Son understands."

There are many rules and customs surrounding interpersonal relationships within large families.

Looking at Lin Yunwan's face, he thought thankfully that he was fortunate to have a mother.

I returned to my Side Room, intending to leave the next day.

It snowed heavily that night, and before dawn the next day, the temple began sending Buddhist Meals over for the servants to eat first.

Lin Yunwan was still asleep. When she woke up, she heard Ping Ye say, "Young Madam, the road is blocked. The people from the temple have gone down to shovel snow, so we can't leave now."

I've already arranged to go back to the manor today.

Besides, if she can't leave, then Prince Huan can't leave either!

Lin Yunwan frowned and asked, "When can we leave?"

Ping Ye said, "It will be at least tomorrow. Please have your meal first."

Lin Yunwan nodded and called Lu Chang'gong over to have breakfast together.

Lu Chang'gong wasn't idle; he got up Lin Yunwan and was reciting his lessons in his room.

He didn't bring paper or pen, so he wrote in the air on the table with his finger.

They didn't stop until they came to eat.

Lin Yunwan didn't plan to go out to worship Buddha today; she stayed in her room all day.

The next morning, the Guest Reception Monk came and said, "The road has been cleared and is ready to use."

They are very considerate and would never say things like "You can leave now" to guests, which sounds like they're trying to get rid of them.

Lin Yunwan gave a few coins as a reward, then instructed her servants to pack their things and return to the Wuding Marquis Residence.

Prince Huan should be leaving by now...

On the way down the mountain, I saw the marks left by the previous person, which told me that he must have left before dawn, and that he was traveling light, clearly not intending to disturb many people.

It's likely that only she and the Abbot of Red Elephant Temple knew that Prince Huan had also visited the temple the day before yesterday.

Upon returning to the Wuding Marquis Residence, Lin Yunwan immediately began working on the matter of Lu Chang'gong residing in the backyard.

"Go and call Nanny Yuan over."

She already has a suitable candidate in mind, and has been observing them for some time. Now she plans to talk to Nanny Yuan in person.

When Nanny Yuan arrived, even though Lin Yunwan no longer managed the household affairs, she still greeted her politely, "Eldest Young Madam."

"Mom, come in and talk to me."

Nanny Yuan lifted the curtain and entered the innermost room. The furnishings in the Eldest Young Madam's room were just like her personality—steady and dignified. There was some kind of incense burning in the room, a faint scent that seemed to emanate from the Eldest Young Madam's everyday belongings, giving it a natural and harmonious feel.

She glanced at it, then quickly lowered her head and asked, "What business does Eldest Young Madam have with me?"

Lin Yunwan said directly, "Chang Gong is getting old, I need to choose someone to serve him."

Nanny Yuan was delighted, but she didn't dare show it.

She kept her head down, smiling as she said, "I wonder what I can do for Eldest Young Madam? Do you need me to train a few maids, or...?"

But she knew perfectly well that the Eldest Young Madam hadn't specifically summoned her just to help train the maids.

Sure enough, Lin Yunwan said, "Your daughter-in-law is doing a good job. I'm thinking of making her the Stewardess in the Chang Gong household in the future."

"I haven't even chosen any of the servants in the Front Courtyard. It's time to send some away and pick a few clever ones. Your grandson is about the same age as Chang Gong, and I remember he's a bright boy too. If you'd like him to serve Chang Gong..."

"This servant is willing!"

Nanny Yuan bowed slightly as she replied, "It's a blessing that the Eldest Young Madam has taken a liking to our child!"

Lin Yunwan nodded and said, "You and your daughter-in-law have already agreed to bring them to meet me."

Nanny Yuan couldn't wait to go.

The Wuding Marquis Residence is not what it used to be! Everyone knows that Eldest Young Master Chang Gong is the hope of the mansion. If his daughter-in-law and grandson can serve Eldest Young Master, then they will have a bright future!

Lin Yunwan instructed her, "Bring a few of the new maids in the manor who are slightly older than Chang Gong, along with Tao Ye, so I can take a look."

"Yes."

Lin Yunwan specifically said, "Don't go for the frivolous ones. Look closely, and if someone is underage and has inappropriate thoughts... I'll hold you accountable for it."

"Don't worry, Eldest Young Madam! This servant would never choose a girl who's so arrogant and reckless."

Lin Yunwan then said, "Second Young Master, just do the same thing as Chang Gong."

She may no longer manage the household affairs, but she cannot escape the responsibilities of being the legal mother.

But she doesn't need to worry about it.

How could Nanny Yuan not understand?

She smiled and said, "Young Madam, don't worry, I have experience."

After leaving, she called her daughter-in-law to discuss the two important matters concerning the young masters. Privately, she told her daughter-in-law, "Handle both matters equally. How can Young Master Qing, a mere illegitimate Concubine-born Son raised by a woman, compare to Young Master Chang Gong, the eldest legitimate son!"

"Just pick a few servants for him, as long as they're presentable and won't anger the Old Madam and the master."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law discussed and decided to do it this way.

Lu Zhengliu returned after dark, completely drunk.

The next day, when Old Madam Lu heard about it, she was furious and snapped at Nanny Yan, "He went out drinking again yesterday? Get him here right now!"

Nanny Yan said, "... Master has already gone out with his servant."

Old Madam Lu felt a lump in her throat.

She was just starting to feel better when she was almost driven mad with anger!

With a cold face, he said, "You're already drowning your sorrows in alcohol over something so trivial!"

"Sigh. Does this mean the Lu family will really have to rely on Chang Gong from now on?"

It's not their own child after all.

Nanny Yan comforted the Old Madam, "Don't worry too much. The old man isn't that senile. Maybe he went out to take care of something important?"

Old Madam Lu didn't believe it and told Nanny Yan, "When he returns, tell him to come see me as soon as possible."

Lu Zhengliu to Jialing Tower to drink with some people.

This is one of the best restaurants in the Capital.

Nanny Yan was right; he wasn't out having fun.

"Please come in, sir."

He entered the private room and treated his guests with great courtesy.

Two people followed them up the stairs; Qi Lingheng and Assistant Grand Secretary Zhang went up the stairs side by side.

"The Shaoxing wine at Jialing Tower is excellent; you should definitely try it later."

Qi Lingheng mentioned the wine here, and seemed to be a regular at Jialing Tower.

Assistant Grand Secretary Zhang said politely, "I must try what you recommended."

The two chatted and laughed, but before entering the room, they only spoke of trivial matters and were very cautious.