Chapter 39 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM
FlamingoBees
Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)
Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion
Chapter 39:
Loneliness
Ge Bao'er truly left the Old Madam bewildered. What was her identity, and what were her true intentions? Didn't she understand them herself? Suddenly expressing a desire to leave the Lu family was undoubtedly an attempt to stage a drama!
Unfortunately, Ge Bao'er's identity couldn't be revealed. Old Madam couldn't vent her anger in front of Lin Yunwan. She stared at Ge Bao'er with a livid expression and reluctantly asked, "Is it because you can't get used to living here? It's okay, you'll adjust after some more time."
"Why the sudden urge to return home?" Lu Zhengliu walked in and also pretended to inquire.
Ge Bao'er glanced up at him, then quickly lowered her head again, saying, "Old Madam, Cousin, I, I miss home."
She twisted her handkerchief in her hands, wearing a bamboo bracelet on her fair wrist.
Lu Zhengliu gazed at her wrist, his eyes fixed.
That bracelet was their "token of love".
...Now that she could only stay alone in Yu Shou Tang, he couldn't help but feel guilty for her.
It's no wonder she wants to leave.
Lu Zhengliu spoke gently, "If the servants didn't serve well, we can handle it by punishing them. If my cousin returns home alone, outsiders might think our Lu family mistreats relatives."
Ge Bao'er quickly waved her hand, saying, "No, the maids take good care of me."
Yan Mama also came over to smooth things out, "What the young master said is true. It must be the maids not taking proper care. This old servant will go and deal with them. Miss, please rest assured. Leave the rest to this old servant."
Old Madam Lu also took a step back, holding her prayer beads, and said, "You may feel bored staying at home. The rules in the Lu family are stricter than in the countryside. How about this, I'll have Yan Mama accompany you to go out, light some incense, and relax. Let's not mention leaving again."
Lin Yunwan joined in, "If you miss your parents, you can light perpetual lamps for them or set up an ancestral tablet for worship. There's no need to return to your hometown."
Everyone tried to persuade her, and it seemed that Ge Bao'er, feeling overwhelmed by their kindness, kept her head down without saying a word.
However, there was no mention of leaving anymore.
Seeing that the situation was under control, Lin Yunwan took her leave. She specifically told Ge Bao'er, "Old Madam cares for you. If you have any requests, feel free to mention them to Old Madam."
Ge Bao'er nodded shyly.
Lin Yunwan left with her maids and Lu Chang Gong.
As for what happened later in Yushoutang, she didn't bother to inquire. However, Zhuqing, being attentive, sought out information and came to her saying, "Yan Mama is taking the Miss outside to burn incense; they said they would be away for three days."
Lin Yunwan replied indifferently, "Perhaps she truly felt bored staying at home. After all, the Marquis' residence is still the Marquis' residence; there's no rural freedom here."
Zhuqing continued her needlework by the side.
Once, in the Marquis' residence, women were expected to learn needlework and female crafts. Despite neglecting these skills on her family estate, Lin Yunwan's proficiency remained. She gradually picked up these activities again and was currently knitting a pair of socks for herself.
Zhuqing, who was skilled in needlework, spoke with a lowered gaze, "Madam, please don't blame me for being meddlesome. This servant feels..." She hesitated, trying to deliberately arouse Lin Yunwan's curiosity.
While Lian Yunwan wasn't particularly curious, Ping Ye was extremely intrigued. With her head leaning forward, she asked, "What does Little Madam think?"
Zhuqing glanced at Ping Ye and smiled, "Young Miss is still a young girl. There are some things you don't know and are not suitable to know."
"Ping Ye, you can leave first," Lin Yunwan dismissed her.
Ping Ye was bursting with curiosity but had no choice but to leave. However, she and Tao Ye stood outside the curtain, eavesdropping on the conversation by the wall.
Speaking softly, Zhuqing said to Lin Yunwan, "Young Madam, the Old Madam mentioned that Miss Ge's marriage has been delayed for four or five years and that she's only twenty this year, but I don't believe it. Having seen many women after they have experienced childbirth at the estate, Miss Ge doesn't seem like a twenty-year-old maiden."
"Madam, this servant suspects that Miss Ge has some issues... This time, making a fuss about wanting to leave, she's probably unable to endure the loneliness of needing... Well you know young girls and married women are fundamentally different," Zhuqing said. "Madam should understand what this servant means."
Lin Yunwan responded vaguely. Although she hadn't experienced such matters herself, having seen the teachings on love and passion in the book "Avoiding the Fire" in her previous life and hearing some indiscreet words, she had a rough idea.
Zhuqing felt she had spoken too much and quickly added, "This servant is just speculating without evidence, not intending to slander Miss Ge. Madam, please don't misunderstand."
Lin Yunwan didn't blame her because what Zhuqing said was entirely accurate.
How could Ge Bao'er endure twenty years of loneliness? In the previous life, Ge Bao'er often went to temples to "eat vegetarian meals and chant Buddhist scriptures".
Lin Yunwan had thought she was a filial and charitable woman, even contributing money from her own purse for her deceased parents' memorial tablets.
Never did she imagine that Ge Bao'er was secretly meeting with Lu Zhengliu.
Lin Yunwan expressed her concern, stating, "Miss Ge is not officially a member of the household, so I can't intervene directly. If something does happen, it may affect all of us."
Zhuqing sighed, "This servant is worried about this as well."
Lin Yunwan cautioned, "Be cautious and stay away from any unclean matters. You are the only concubine in the household, and if anything suspicious happens, everyone will suspect you first. You won't be able to explain yourself even if you had ten mouths."
"After we return today, I will make sure to warn everyone in the Yue Xing Ting to be vigilant," Zhuqing replied.
She wanted to remind Lin Yunwan to be careful as well, but she refrained from saying it aloud. The Young Madam had always been strategic in her actions, and nothing could touch her.
"I'll take my leave now and tighten security when I get back," Zhuqing said before departing.
Lin Yunwan nodded and let her go.
As soon as Zhuqing left, both Ping Ye and Tao Ye hurriedly avoided her, their cheeks flushed red and the color lingering.
Seeing the two of them, Lin Yunwan knew they had been eavesdropping on Zhuqing's conversation.
She simply told them, "You two should do the same, keep a close eye on the courtyard gate. Elder Sister's family will be returning to the capital before long, and they will first stay at the Lu residence. The Xia family has quite a few relatives, and with so many people around, it's not a big deal if something goes missing, but we must avoid any unwanted incidents. Otherwise, it will be embarrassing for everyone."
"Understood."
Lin Yunwan continued, "Loss of face is a minor issue. If the rules are violated and any scandalous affairs occur, it might lead to loss of lives."
The two maids were frightened and immediately widened their eyes, solemnly declaring, "We understand, and we will make sure there's not even a hint of error in the Chui Si Tang."
Lin Yunwan nodded.
A young maid who just entered the courtyard quickly approached. After Ping Ye went outside for a moment, she returned with a sigh and said, "Madam, Miss Xiliu is in a pitiful state."
"What happened to her?"
Ping Ye explained, "She got punished, a beating. Miss Ge insisted on leaving, and since the young master mentioned disciplining the servants, Xiliu, being the first maid serving by Miss's side and the eldest among the maids, bore all the hardship alone."
She really got physically punished?
Lin Yunwan furrowed her brow.
Ping Ye continued, "Madam, can I take some medicine to Xiliu?"
"Go ahead."
Lin Yunwan added, "Advise her to endure a bit more. There are ways to overcome difficulties. Don't let her lose heart so quickly."
Ping Ye returned, panting, and said, "Madam, you're truly insightful. Xiliu is terribly wronged. If I hadn't pulled her away, she might have bashed her head against something."
Lin Yunwan nodded, "It's challenging when dealing with the people arranged by the Old Madam. We should be cautious in our advice, even if we're trying to console them."
Tao Ye sighed, "We should be careful with our words, especially in front of the Old Madam."
Ping Ye replied, "Do you think I'm foolish? I know the boundaries."
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