Chapter 320 - 319: Eerie (Monthly Votes 270+)

Chapter 320: Chapter 319: Eerie (Monthly Votes 270+)

As soon as July began, the weather grew even hotter.

On the seventh of July, Madam Wu, in a rare moment, started nagging about Mu Lianhui’s marriage in front of her.

Mu Lianhui lowered her head without saying a word. Madam Wu spoke for a long time, but it was unclear how much she had absorbed, leaving Madam Wu feeling irritated, and she looked discontentedly at Lian Family.

Lian Family felt a deep sense of distress and said, "Madam, I’ve thought it over, and there are scarcely a few suitable gentlemen in the Capital."

Madam Wu chuckled, "Just a few? So there are still some, right?"

"It’s hard to reach an agreement..." Lian Family said with a bitter expression.

She had worn herself out over Mu Lianhui’s marriage, and had even tried making inquiries, but to no avail.

It was either Lian Family who found others unsuitable, or they shirked and avoided.

The reason behind this, Lian Family actually understood. There were only so many families of dukes and marquises in the Capital, each with its own pathways. Mu Lianhui had lost favor in Cining Palace, a fact clear to all.

Unless they couldn’t marry a girl of equal standing, everyone would weigh their options.

Madam Wu also understood and sighed, "Then don’t get married in the Capital. Didn’t Princess Hui marry into the Pingchuan Prince Mansion far away?"

Lian Family’s smile froze on her face.

How could Mu Lianhui be the same as Princess Hui?

Princess Hui was a concubine’s daughter. Princess Rui sought to suppress her and any concubines; she pleaded with the Empress Dowager to marry Princess Hui far away, seeming to match equally, but actually to send her out of the Capital.

But Mu Lianhui was her legitimate daughter.

Lian Family certainly hoped she would stay in the Capital, stay by her side.

If she married far away like Mu Yuanjing, how would she know if she was cold or warm on ordinary days...

Her son fighting on the battlefield already kept Lian Family on edge; she was unwilling to add a daughter to her worries.

Lian Family glanced at Madam Wu, seeing her serious expression, not suggesting it offhandedly, she had to swallow her pleading words and agree.

"Do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking?" Madam Wu frowned, "You want to agree first and then slowly choose in the Capital?"

"Madam..."

"Go ahead, take your time selecting," Madam Wu said sternly, "whether in the Capital or outside, it’s up to you, but you must come to a conclusion for me. Right now, it’s July, you have half a year, and if there’s no resolution by next January, I will enter the palace to speak to the Empress Dowager and let her designate a family outside the Capital."

Lian Family hastily agreed with respect.

When she lifted her head to look at Mu Lianhui, Lian Family’s heart twisted again.

While exchanging words with Madam Wu, Mu Lianhui remained completely detached, as though her mind had wandered far away.

Lian Family glared at Mu Lianhui.

Mu Lianhui was entirely unaware and, after a long while, stood up, said "I’m going back," and then truly strode out.

Madam Wu didn’t stop her. With a teacup in hand, she took a sip and asked, "I heard from Ah Dan that the household management tasks have been nearly all taught?"

This was another concern!

Lian Family put on a brave face, squeezing out a smile: "All the affairs in the mansion have been taught. Lian Xiao’s wife is clever and learns quickly; now she also manages quite decently. She has also learned well about dealing with the shops and estates outside. I think in one or two months, she’ll be able to handle everything."

Du Yunluo had been learning household management, accompanied daily by either Nanny Shan or Nanny Su, leaving Lian Family no room for other thoughts but to teach meticulously to avoid Madam Wu finding faults.

Madam Wu, now pleased, smiled, "In a few days, it will be the Zhongyuan Festival, and the mansion will perform rituals. Lian Xiao’s wife hasn’t managed it before, so guide her."

Lian Family agreed.

In Shaohui Garden, the young maids were all excited.

Three months had passed since the incident with Cangzhu, and the initial fear and dread had mostly dissipated.

As Du Yunluo looked out from the window, she saw them huddled together, cheerfully discussing their plans to worship the moon at night and catch a blessing spider to test their skills.

Yan’er cheerfully said, "I heard from Sister Jin Rui that Yun Qi’s wife once caught a blessing spider, and when opened at dawn, it had formed a dense web."

"That’s because she’s skillful. Ask Mrs. Shen; in Willow Tree Alley, everyone praises her deft hands."

The young maids chatted animatedly.

Resting her chin on her hand, Du Yunluo softly asked Jin Rui, "Is everything arranged?"

Jin Rui lowered her eyes, "Rest assured, Madam."

Du Yunluo’s lips curled into a smile, "Let them go to the kitchen to receive some fruits and seeds as a treat from me."

Jin Rui acknowledged and went off.

Seeing Jin Rui share the news with the young maids, Du Yunluo watched them cheerfully bow in thanks from afar.

On the night of the Qixi Festival, Du Yunluo went to bed early and had a good night’s sleep.

When she rose the next day, Jin Rui attended her, saying, "Madam, last night, Hongfu twisted her ankle."

Du Yunluo nodded lightly.

After breakfast, Du Yunluo headed to the Flower Hall.

The Flower Hall was abuzz with chatter. From the veranda, Du Yunluo could hear the voices of the steward women talking incessantly.

"Lian Xiao’s wife, what happened here?"

Upon hearing the voice, Du Yunluo turned and saw Lian Family approaching. After exchanging greetings, she said, "Second Aunt, I’ve just arrived too, so I don’t know what they’re discussing."

The two entered together, and Lian Family’s expressionless glance silenced the Flower Hall instantly.

"What’s all the excitement about? Do share with me." Lian Family sat on a chair, half-smiling.

The steward women exchanged glances, nudging one another. Before Lian Family could get angry, Granny Jia, responsible for procurement, chuckled and said, "Second Madam, Madam, this is what happened.

Yesterday for Qixi, many maids were in the garden worshipping the moon and catching blessing spiders.

Everything was fine initially, but someone suddenly saw a shadow and screamed in fright.

After that, it all went haywire, some cried in fright, and others fell..."

"What shadow?" Lian Family spat, "Don’t talk nonsense in July."

Granny Jia shrank back and murmured, "Isn’t it because July is when it’s spooky!"

Lian Family’s face turned pale.

Du Yunluo frowned, "I heard this morning that Hongfu in my courtyard twisted her ankle. I thought she was careless, but it seems it was chaos last night."

"In the dark, they probably mistook tree shadows. Once one screamed, everyone got frightened, a case of the rumor spreading like wild fire." Lian Family said.

The steward women looked at each other in bewilderment.

Du Yunluo calmly said, "Second Aunt is right. I know you believe or disbelieve in different things, but it all boils down to ’If you do no wrong, don’t fear the ghost knocking at your door,’ right, Second Aunt?"

A stern look flashed in her eyes briefly but soon vanished; Lian Family’s smile was unchanged as she nodded, "Exactly that saying."

"The mansion will soon perform rituals, even if there’s something, it will all be purified. Don’t scare yourselves, surely the nanny’s courage surpasses that of young maids." Du Yunluo said with a smile.

The upcoming rituals became a calming assurance for everyone, and the matter was temporarily set aside.

However, the next morning, anxiety intensified as the two stewards who patrolled the garden the previous night also saw a fleeting shadow, nearly fainting on the spot.