Chapter 105: New Marriage (3)

  Gu's mother couldn't help but sneer in her heart, Haiyu was given to the second master by the first madam early on. Everyone knew what the first madam meant - she was afraid that in the future, another maid would cause trouble for the second master. All these years, Haiyu had been receiving a double allowance, and the amount of silver she received each month was even more than what a normal family's daughter-in-law would get.

  When the young master marries his official wife, Haiyu's status will also be settled. The highest status she can attain is to become a concubine or a madam, what else can Haiyu expect? Otherwise, why did she look so gloomy when she saw the young master and the second mistress consummate their marriage?

  Gu's mother had other errands and said a couple of words before leaving from Old Lady's room.

  Hai Yu carefully combed the elderly woman's hair bun, put on a turmeric-colored jade forehead decoration, and inserted a golden-inlaid jade hollow peony flower hairpin into her hair.

  The old lady looked in the mirror, nodded with satisfaction, and smiled kindly as she pulled Haiyu over. "You're still ill, yet you came to attend to me early in the morning. It's hard on you."

  Hai Yu's lips were slightly pursed, and she obediently lowered her head, "The old lady has killed the slave."

  The old lady smiled kindly and said: "It's still your good craftsmanship that makes the hair knot look beautiful."

  Hai Yu smiled and said, "As long as the old lady likes it, I'll come every day to serve the old lady."

  The old lady pulled Haiyu's hand, her eyes clear, "You, just rest well these few days, don't think too much. If the young lady asks, I'll help you explain."

  Hai Yu's eyes suddenly lit up with joy.

  The old lady patted Haiyu's hand, "Go down and rest"

  Hai Yu squatted down and backed away.

  There was no one else in the house, and Li Mama, who was beside the old lady, came up and said: "The young mistress only asked a question last night and didn't pursue it further. I think maybe the young mistress is timid and doesn't dare to ask about many things."

  The old lady couldn't help but shake her head, and after a long time, she sighed, "If it weren't for Rui'er's upcoming wedding, and there wasn't a single maid who had been close to me by my side, I would have let you hint to Haiyu instead, who knew..."

  "Mom Li poured a cup of tea and brought it over: 'What about Haiyu?'"

  The old lady said: "Let's talk about it later."

  ……

  Rong Hua finished washing up and got dressed.

  Mugwort told Yung-hua what he had heard from Yanlian's mouth last night.

  "Haiyu and Jingyue both came from the old lady's place. Haiyu has been with Master Hou for the longest time, and she is in charge of all his daily needs, making her the head housekeeper in front of Master Hou."

  Rong Hua knew the weight of these few words "Da Ya Tou".

  "Even if he's ill, he should come over and pay his respects to the lady." Mu Jin said: "Otherwise, won't the lady summon her for questioning?"

  If there is no one backing her up from behind, she would just be a maid and wouldn't even have the guts to come and pay respects to the new master.

  Ronghua said, "Don't worry." As a new daughter-in-law, she had to serve the elders in the mansion and the marquis well. As for the two senior maidservants, she didn't have time to bother with them, so she called Chunyao, "Go ask about the marquis's eating habits and daily routine."

  Chun Yao replied.

  As long as Master Hou is well taken care of, it doesn't matter whether there's a senior maid by his side or not.

  "It's better not to ask about other things and don't let others suspect anything." Before figuring out the situation, being obedient and courteous is the first step.

  Xue Mingrui returned from the study, and Rong Hua was already dressed up and sitting on the couch reading a book. Xue Mingrui glanced over and didn't know what Rong Hua was reading, but saw that he looked very serious with his mouth pursed up.

  The maid in the house came out and said: "Master Hou has returned."

  Ronghua put down the book and handed it over to Yatou to collect. Xue Mingrui took a glance at the title of the book, "Tiāngōng Kāiwù".

  Xue Mingrui said: "Go and kowtow to your grandmother and mother."

  Rong Hua nodded slightly.

  The newlywed wife wore a peach-red cross-collared lotus-embroidered jacket, the peach-shaped collar was buttoned tightly around her neck, and the bright color set off a few points of tender charm on her face. "Young Master, do you want to change into another suit?"

  Xue Mingrui nodded, "Alright."

  Rong Hua's face showed a hint of a smile, "I'll go get it for Master Hou."

  Two people went to Tai Fu Niang's Jingfu Garden first, Ronghua had just kowtowed to Tai Fu Niang, Xue Fu Ren, Xue Er Tai Tai, Xue San Tai Tai and Xue Si Tai Tai all came together as if they had agreed upon it.

  Ronghua bowed his head to Madame Xue and then made a tea ceremony gesture of respect to all the ladies.

  Mrs. Xue smiled warmly, her smile revealing a hint of intimacy. The second lady laughed even more brightly and hurriedly invited her to sit down. The third lady's gaze swept over the second lady before falling on her, while the fourth lady gave a slight smile that was barely perceptible.

  After the family ceremony, the old lady had Ronghua sit beside her and smiled as she talked to her. Ronghua smiled and listened respectfully at her side.

  After chatting for a while, the old lady smiled and asked, "Did you get to know all the sisters at home yesterday?"

  The disturbance in the bridal chamber is just preparation for the formal recognition of kinship the next day.

  Mrs. Xue's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, looking at her second sister-in-law. When she was noisy in the room, she didn't think much about it. It wasn't until this morning when she asked Yijuan and Yijing that she knew they hadn't gone. She had thought that the old lady of the main house would be uncomfortable at most, but she didn't expect the old lady to ask about this matter.

  The second lady stared at her tightly, the third lady remained still with her head tilted to one side, afraid of missing something. Rong Hua smiled slightly and replied shyly, "We've met before." This was also true, as they had indeed met at the last banquet when the two misses from the third house were present.

  Mrs. Xue 2 slowly lifted the tea lid and continued drinking, Mrs. San was slightly disappointed, while Mrs. Si raised her head to glance at Rong Hua. Madame Xue seemed not to care about these things, just sitting beside them.

  Rong Hua lowered her eyes.

  Madam Xue laughed and said: "You brothers haven't met yet," she ordered, "Quickly let them all come over to get acquainted."

  The maids in the house heard this and quickly went to find the young masters and misses.

  Mrs. Xue said with a smile: "Ming Bai and Ming Yi have been busy with something these past few days, the two brothers left early."

  Mrs. Xue said: "Why suddenly busy."

  Madam Xue glanced at Wu Mu Hou and Madam Xue, smiling as she said: "These days are busy, meals are rarely eaten in the mansion, I don't understand what they're busy with. Originally wanted to keep one of the brothers at home, but Ming Bai said that these days' errands can't be taken lightly, no one can be an exception, can only wait until another day when I'll take the brothers to meet Second Niece again."

  Ronghua glanced at Xue Mingrui, whose face still had a faint expression, as if he hadn't heard.

  Although the eldest son inherited the title, the second son became the busiest among the children who went out to serve.

  Mrs. Xue smiled and said, "No need for that, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

  While everyone was talking, several young ladies and gentlemen had already entered the house. Everyone came forward one by one to greet Ronghua, who smiled and returned their greetings.

  Apart from Fourth Master, Fifth Master and Sixth Master whom they couldn't tell apart, all the other brothers and sisters were called out by their names without any hesitation.

  Madam Tai couldn't help but steal a few more glances at Ronghua.

  Everyone chatted for a while, and Sixth Miss immediately fell in love with the silk flower clusters on Ronghua's head and the rice pearl butterfly tassels.

  Ronghua smiled and said, "There's a maid in my house who can make these simple accessories. If Sixth Sister likes them, she can go to my house to take a look. There are many more clever designs."

  Miss Liu immediately took an interest, "I just like these little things, I'll definitely go to Sister's house to see them another day." Miss Liu and Miss Wu had the best relationship. Miss Wu always had a few points of guard against people. To get close to Miss Wu, one had to first win over Miss Liu. Moreover, Miss Liu was also a straightforward person, so Ronghua really did have a few points of liking for her.

  Miss Qi and Miss Ba also looked over with a hint of wanting to come over and chat, Rong Hua smiled: "Seventh sister, Eighth sister, if you have time, please come over too"

  Both Xiū and Ròu nodded in agreement.

  Ronghua couldn't help but admire Old Lady Tao's cleverness. If Hongying didn't have some tricks up her sleeve, it would be difficult for her to get along with the young ladies of the Xue household. She had a collection of beautifully crafted wool flowers, silk flowers, and satin flowers in her room. With everyone changing into summer clothes these past few days, except for Old Lady who was afraid of the cold, it was the perfect opportunity to change out the wool flowers on their hair.

  After dinner, the men gathered together to talk, while the women went to the old lady's room to chat.

  The old lady asked about the second wife's husband and third master what was wrong with them.

  Madam Xue said in a low voice: "I've only heard that His Majesty is going to Bishu to escape the heat."

  The emperor has been busy with government affairs for many years and hasn't gone to the summer resort in a long time.

  Mrs. Xue looked at Mrs. Xue, and Mrs. Xue seemed as if she hadn't heard what the second wife had said.

  Mrs. Xue shifted her gaze away from Mrs. Xue and asked Mrs. Xue the second, "Will Ming Bai and Ming Yi be going with us?"

  Mrs. Xue said with a smile: "It's not necessarily so."

  Mrs. Xue said: "Our family also has a house in Beijing."

  Mrs. Xue smiled slightly, "Yes, I've only been to your house once since I came here, that time..." She glanced at Mrs. Xue and stopped talking.

  Xue's wife suddenly didn't look very good.

  Mrs. Xue suddenly lost interest and stopped talking about the topic, letting someone bring over a walking stick made of agarwood, "The weather is nice today, why don't we go to the garden and take a look at the flowers."

  Everyone naturally followed suit and went with Old Lady Xue into the garden.

  Entering the garden, the young ladies gathered in twos and threes, chatting and laughing.

  Ronghua followed Mrs. Xue and others in one place.

  Mrs. Xue looked at the flowers in the garden and smiled: "The flowers are blooming exceptionally well this year."

  Mrs. Xue also praised those flowers.

  Xue Lao Furen walked around in a circle and got tired, so she had someone support her as she went back to rest.

  Before leaving, Mrs. Xue looked at Mrs. Xue II and said: "The dim sum made today is what Mingxiang loves to eat the most. I left a plate for him in my room, he can go there when he comes back."

  Xue's wife smiled complacently, "Mother is always thinking of him."

  The old lady left, and everyone else dispersed as well.

  Rong Hua returned to the house, and the maids beside the second lady, third lady, and fourth lady had already brought over the gifts given to Rong Hua. The gifts were placed together, with the hairpiece sent by the second lady being the most luxurious.

  Today, in front of Old Lady Tai, Second Lady also stole the show, especially when Old Lady Tai mentioned the house in Beijing...

  Ronghua instructed Jinxiu, "Today, we've moved into the new house, someone will surely say something, listen carefully and report back to me."

  Jinxiu nodded slightly.

  If she wasn't mistaken, this summer would be particularly unbearable.