Chapter 89 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM

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 Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion

 Chapter 89: 

Household Matters

She and Prince Huan didn't meet by chance.

So, there's no blame on the arrangement made by the people at Chi Xiang Si.

A dignified prince like Prince Huan and a small temple—could they dare to go against his will?

When Lin Yunwan went to find Chang Gong, she didn't blame the abbot.

"Madam Lin, the young master of your noble house writes excellent regular script."

This was praised personally by the abbot.

Lin Yunwan had anticipated that he would bring this up, so she smiled and instructed Tao Ye, "Donate some incense money for the young master." 

Tao Ye handed over a small bag of silver.

The little novice monk beside the abbot came to collect it.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lin Yunwan asked the abbot, "Did Siddhartha Gautama truly dream of a spider and a lizard?"

The abbot was momentarily stunned, thinking he might have missed something in his studies.

Lin Yunwan immediately understood.

All of Qi Lingheng's talk about participating in meditation with the abbot was just a pretense. Lin Yunwan explained to the abbot, "It's nothing. I heard a rural story and mentioned it casually. Abbot, don't take it to heart."

Lin Yunwan bid farewell to the abbot and prepared to take Lu Chang Gong back. The novice monk came to see them off.

Perhaps because of the silver, this time, he spoke many auspicious words for wealth and longevity. Lu Chang Gong was quite concerned about that silver. He jokingly remarked, "This son's calligraphy is now worth a fortune, literally a thousand pieces of gold for a single character."

Unfortunately, it was a pity that his mother had to spend money to acquire it. If someone else were to pay for his calligraphy as a gift for his mother, that would have been even better.

Lin Yunwan couldn't help but chuckle. She patted his shoulder and said, "Since when did you become reluctant to spend money?"

Lu Chang Gong blushed. He explained, "It's not that I'm stingy..."

He just didn't want his mother to spend money for his sake.

Lin Yunwan said, "In the future, there will be even more expenses in matters like this. Rewarding them is as important as rewarding subordinates. Though the people in the temple are not part of the secular world, they often associate with the powerful. You never know which government official they have good relationships with in private."

"I would rather spend more money than offend them." This is the wisdom she has gained in her twenty years as the mistress.

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Lu Chang Gong listened attentively, nodding and saying, 'Son understands.'

The interactions within prominent families involve quite a bit of social niceties.

He looked at Lin Yunwan's face, feeling fortunate that he had a mother.

After returning to the guest room, originally planning to leave the next day, however it began to snow heavily that night. 

~

The following day, even before dawn, the temple started delivering breakfast, allowing the servants to eat first.

Lin Yunwan hadn't woken up yet. When she woke up, she heard Ping Ye say, "Big Madam, the road is blocked. The people from the temple have already gone down to clear the snow. We can't leave now."

They had agreed to return to the Marquis's residence today.

And if she couldn't leave, Prince Huan couldn't either!

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

Ping Ye replied, "The soonest would be tomorrow. Please have your meal first."

Lin Yunwan nodded and called Lu Chang Gong to join her for breakfast.

Lu Chang Gong wasn't idle; he woke up earlier than Lin Yunwan, reciting books in the room.

Since he didn't bring paper and pen, he wrote in the air with and with his fingers on the tabletop.

He only stopped when it was time to eat.

Lin Yunwan had no plans to go out to worship Buddha today; she stayed in the room all day.

Early the next morning, a guest official came and said, "The road is clear now; you can use it."

Their words were considerate; they wouldn't say something that sounded like chasing guests away. Lin Yunwan rewarded them with some money, instructed the servants to pack up, and returned to the Marquis of Wu Ding's residence.

Prince Huan should be leaving as well...

When going down the mountain, Lin Yunwan noticed traces left by previous travelers, realizing that he must have left before dawn. Moreover, he traveled lightly, indicating that he didn't intend to disturb many people.

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Perhaps only she and the abbot of Chi Xiang Si knew that Prince Huan had also visited the temple two days ago.

~

Back at the Marquis of Wu Ding's residence, Lin Yunwan began to handle matters related to Lu Chang Gong's stay in the backyard.

"Go and call Yuan Mama over."

She already had a suitable candidate in mind, having observed her for a while. Now, she planned to have a personal discussion with Yuan Mama.

Yuan Mama arrived, and although Lin Yunwan no longer managed the household, she politely addressed her, saying, "Big Madam."

"Mama, come in; let's talk."

Aunt Yuan lifted the curtain and entered the innermost room. The furnishings in the Big Madam's room reflected her personality—steady and elegant. The room was filled with a faint fragrance, as if it emanated naturally from Big Madam's everyday belongings, giving a sense of innate harmony.

She took a quick glance and then lowered her head, asking, "Does Big Madam have any instructions for this servant?"

Lin Yunwan directly stated, "Chang Gong has grown up, and I want to find someone to attend to him."

Yuan Mama was delighted, but she didn't show it too openly.

Still with her head lowered, she smiled and said, "I wonder what I can assist Big Madam with? Should I instruct a few maids for Big Madam, or..."

In her heart, Yuan Mama understood clearly that Grand Madam didn't specifically summon her just to ask for help in training maids.

As expected, Lin Yunwan continued, "Your daughter-in-law is handling her duties quite well. I'd like her to take on the role of the house manager for Chang Gong's residence."

"I haven't personally selected the servants in the front courtyard. It's time to send away a few and choose some smart and clever ones. Your grandson is about the same age as Chang Gong, and if I recall correctly, he's a bright child. If you're willing, he can serve Chang Gong..."

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"I'm willing!"

Bowing, Yuan Mama replied, "It's our child's good fortune if Big Madam regards him highly!"

Lin Yunwan nodded and said, "Talk to your daughter-in-law and son. Bring them to see me."

Yuan Mama was eager to go immediately.

The Marquis of Wu Ding's residence was no longer the same as before! Everyone knew that Young Master Chang Gong was the hope of the household. If her daughter-in-law and grandson could serve Young Master Chang Gong, that would be a promising opportunity!

Lin Yunwan instructed her, "Bring a few newly trained maids from the residence. Choose those slightly older than Chang Gong, and bring them along with Tao Ye for me to see."

"Yes."

Lin Yunwan emphasized, "Avoid picking those who are frivolous. Assess carefully; if they are not of the right age and harbor inappropriate intentions... I will hold you accountable."

"Big Madam, rest assured! I will definitely not choose maids with lofty and reckless hearts."

Lin Yunwan added, "Handle Second Young Master's matters the same way as Chang Gong's."

She might not manage the household, but she couldn't evade her responsibilities as the stepmother. However, there was no need for her to worry too much.

Yuan Mama understood well. She smiled, saying, "Big Madam, rest assured. I have experience in these matters."

After leaving, Yuan Mama called her daughter-in-law to discuss the two major matters concerning the young masters. In private, she said to her daughter-in-law, "Handle both matters the same way. Young Master Qing Ge'er is just an illegitimate son with the demeanor of a playboy. How can he compare to Young Master Chang Gong, the legitimate eldest son!"

"Just pick a few attendants for him casually. As long as they are presentable, don't stir up trouble with the Old Madam and Master."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law discussed and decided on their course of action.

~

Lu Zhengliu returned when the sky was already dark, slightly intoxicated.

The next day, when Old Madam Lu heard about it, she was furious. She scolded the housekeeper, "He went out drinking again yesterday? Bring him to me!"

The housekeeper replied, "... Master has already left with the attendants."

Old Madam Lu felt a pang in her heart. Her health was delicate, and incidents like these almost drove her to the point of exasperation.

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With a stern expression, she remarked, "He's resorting to alcohol for such trivial matters!"

"Sigh. Is the future of the Lu family really going to rely on Chang Gong?" After all, he was not her own child.

Yan Mama comforted Madame Lu, "Don't worry too much. Master isn't a foolish person. Perhaps he's handling something important outside?"

Old Madam Lu remained unconvinced and told Yan Mama, "When he returns, ask him to come see me promptly."

Lu Zhengliu went to Jialing Building to have drinks with someone. It was one of the best restaurants in the capital.

Yan Mama was correct; he wasn't just out for leisure.

~

"Sir, please come in."

He entered the private room and courteously entertained his guest. Following him up the stairs were two individuals, Qi Lingheng and Zhang Cifu, walking side by side.

"The yellow wine at Jialing Building is excellent. You should definitely give it a try later," Qi Lingheng recommended, appearing to be a regular at Jialing Building.

Politely, Zhang Cifu responded, "If you recommend it, I must taste it."

They chatted amiably, but until they entered the room, their conversation revolved around trivial matters, displaying a great deal of caution.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

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