Chapter 549 - 548: Proud

Chapter 549: Chapter 548: Proud

Jin Rui listened quietly; this wasn’t the first time Mrs. Xue Si had mentioned these things.

The reasoning was clear, but Mrs. Xue Si’s meaning was even more straightforward.

Working by Du Yunluo’s side, Jin Rui wouldn’t lack silver; her in-laws wouldn’t dare to bully her, and her money could support her natal family.

"I understand," Jin Rui replied.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xue Si didn’t say more. Having finished dealing with the meat, she turned to the fish and said, "I’m going to clean the fish now, step aside to avoid getting the fishy smell on you."

Mrs. Xue Si was swift in her work. She gathered her things and, holding a basin, walked past Jin Rui towards the well.

Jin Rui stood there for a moment, raising her hand to press her brow.

Mrs. Xue Si had her considerations, and didn’t Jin Rui also have hers?

She had told Jin Ling before that big maids like them had only a few paths ahead. If they didn’t think things through, their future days might be filled with suffering.

Mrs. Xue Si hoped Jin Rui would stay by Du Yunluo’s side, and Jin Rui thought so too.

She liked having silver in her hands, whether to spend for herself or subsidize Mrs. Xue Si, or quietly give Xue Ping’er some — it was up to her discretion.

If there came a day when her hands were tied, Jin Rui wouldn’t feel comfortable either.

Thinking this way, naturally, staying in the estate was best.

However, Jin Rui truly wasn’t in a hurry. Du Yunluo wasn’t rushing to marry off the big maids, so she wouldn’t be in a fire rush to get married.

Today’s fish and meat were bought back by Jin Rui. Mrs. Xue Si was in a great mood, cooking with extra zest, generously using a bit more oil to make braised pork and frying some peanuts with the fish oil, steaming a basket full of hot buns.

When Xue Si came back and saw the dishes on the table, he gave Mrs. Xue Si a skeptical look.

Xue Bao grinned foolishly, "Big sister bought them all, she even bought me a roast chicken."

Mrs. Xue Si gently patted her son’s head, "Hurry and sit at the table to eat."

Xue Bao had a hearty appetite, consuming half a roast chicken and two large buns soaked in meat juice.

Mrs. Xue Si poured Xue Si a bowl of wine, saying, "To eat well and live richly, we rely on Sister Rui. Rely on you? Hopeless."

Having been married for over ten years to Xue Si, whose temperament was like a clay doll, he never got angry at his wife’s words. He took a sip of wine and a bite of fish, smiling, "Who on the street doesn’t know Sister Rui is good? I heard people gossiping about her big bags when I came home today."

Mrs. Xue Si was smug; she knew what people were talking about, and there was sure to be some sourness from others.

The more envious others were, the prouder Mrs. Xue Si felt.

They should give birth to a capable daughter too if they had the ability.

Mrs. Xue Si picked a piece of braised pork for Jin Rui, her eyes narrowing with satisfaction.

"Sister Rui rarely comes back, and with Ping’er about to get married, it’s hard to say how many meals all five of us can share together..." Xue Si sighed.

Mrs. Xue Si rolled her eyes at him, "You’ve had some wine and started talking nonsense, hurry and eat."

After lunch at the Xue’s house, Jin Rui got up to return to the estate.

Mrs. Xue Si walked her to the street’s entrance, saying, "Don’t ignore what I told you before.

Truthfully, your age isn’t considered young anymore, but since you’re serving the madam, there’s no worry about finding a good match.

You’re clever, you’ve traveled far with the madam, and your perspective is better than mine. Pay attention so you won’t miss signaling to the madam if she wishes to match you with someone good.

Oh, and find a slightly better-off match; the betrothal gift should be more than Ping’er’s, or else the neighbors will laugh at us, won’t they?"

Jin Rui blinked and said, "If the betrothal gift is more, the dowry will also have to match."

"Don’t fool me!" Mrs. Xue Si tapped Jin Rui’s waist in jest, "The madam won’t shortchange your dowry. I won’t be fooled as in the past."

Jin Rui smiled and spoke a few nice words, making Mrs. Xue Si satisfied, urging Jin Rui to return to the estate early.

As she stepped into Shaohui Garden, she saw Hongfu waiting outside the main room.

Jin Rui asked her, "Is the madam resting?"

Hongfu replied softly, "Mrs. Hong is speaking with the madam inside."

Jin Rui understood and lifted the curtain to enter.

Du Yunluo heard the sound and knew Jin Rui had returned, quickly calling her into the west side room.

Hong Jinbao’s wife sat smiling by the Arhat Bed.

"We were just discussing Banqiao’s matter," Du Yunluo told Jin Rui, "Grandmother has selected someone to promote Qingsong from Baijie Hall to a higher position indoors."

Banqiao had mentioned to Madam Wu some days ago about her marriage agreement with the steward, Little Zhuo, from the front courtyard. Originally intending to talk about the wedding date before spring, the matter had been delayed by Mu Lianyu’s affairs.

Lian Qiao had told Du Yunluo that Banqiao would surely marry by autumn, no later.

Fearing the Lian Family would secretly place their people in Madam Wu’s quarters, it was unexpected that Madam Wu herself selected the person.

Since it was the Old Madam’s decision, Du Yunluo couldn’t say much, so she asked Mrs. Hong to check Qingsong’s background.

According to Mrs. Hong, Qingsong’s uncle and aunt were attendants of Mrs. Lu. She lost her parents when she was seven or eight and lived with her uncle and aunt.

Mrs. Lu noticed she had proper features and allowed her to start working in the estate, beginning as a helper in the main kitchen before being promoted to second rank in Baijie Hall.

Knowing she was with Mrs. Lu, Du Yunluo felt more at ease.

The second house had been quite obedient lately; without Du Yunluo’s two lifetimes of experience, no one would suspect the tumult beneath the calm surface.

After discussing some estate matters with Mrs. Hong, Du Yunluo asked Jin Rui, "How’s your family? Ping’er’s wedding is next spring, right?"

Jin Rui nodded, "We had someone choose an auspicious date, set for March 6th. When I returned home, they were busy with embroidery."

Du Yunluo nodded, then asked, "With her getting married, do you have any plans?"

Jin Rui was slightly stunned at the question, but quickly composed herself, waving her hands, "I haven’t thought about it. Madam promised to let me choose when I meet someone suitable."

"Didn’t I promise you? Why would I deceive you?" Du Yunluo suppressed a laugh, "Look at you getting all anxious. Afraid I’ll kick you out?"

Jin Rui tilted her head, pursing her lips, "Afraid of being kicked out."

Du Yunluo knew a bit about the Xue family, and seeing Jin Rui wasn’t joking, she stifled her smile and said, "Marriage is a lifetime decision. I wish for both you and Jin Ling to marry well. There’s no rush; take your time."

Jin Rui felt warm inside and covered her mouth to laugh, "Madam is just like the Empress Dowager, hoping for harmonious pairs. No wonder the Dowager wants you as a matchmaker."

Du Yunluo thought it was true, chuckling, her eyes crescented, "You reminded me. I should write to Miss Huang and see what she’s thinking."