Chapter 38: The Escort (Part 2)

  Two doors.

  "In the past, there was a rule in this mansion that female servants without official duties were not allowed to enter the second gate. Do you understand the rules? Not to mention Third Miss, even if it were Third Ancestor, it wouldn't be allowed! Although the mansion is currently experiencing difficulties, that doesn't mean we can abandon our old rules. The young misses don't know any better, and if older people who understand the rules don't manage this, then things will become even more disorderly..."

  The mother, originally not of good temperament, now put on airs and scolded those who thought the second house was bound to decline, leaving them stunned. The Chu family's few people were angry and anxious, but they had the strength, yet their tongues were far from being able to keep up, several times opening their mouths, unable to say two words before being shut down, at a loss for what to do next.

  "Is Mother blaming us sisters for mismanaging the household and making a mess of this vast estate?"

  Just as she was about to say a few more harsh words, she suddenly heard a faint voice behind her. Turning around, she saw Chen Lan standing there with a calm expression. If it were in the past, she wouldn't have put this masterless and helpless young lady in her eyes, but now that the second house had lost its title, Chen Lan was favored by Zhu Shi, so she had to restrain herself a bit. However, after losing face these past few days, she intentionally wanted to intimidate those two-faced people today, so she refused to back down easily.

  "Third Miss is joking, how dare I say so? It's just that the rules at home are..."

  "What rules? If Madam wants to talk about rules, I'd like to ask too. What happened to the old rules of the Hou Mansion's consolation and rewards for those who followed Old Master Hou on the battlefield and made countless contributions in the past? Where did they go in recent years?" Seeing Madam speechless, Chen Lan took two steps forward, her tone calm but with a sharp edge that brooked no argument. "Since those rules can be ignored, now that they've received Old Lady's rewards and their children have gotten jobs, coming to the mansion to pay respects to Old Lady is just master-servant etiquette. What right do you have to stop them? You're not new to the Hou Mansion either. Knowing full well what's been going on at home, why are you causing a big commotion at the gate? What kind of propriety is this?"

  Her mother had always thought that Chen Lan was gentle and easy to control, but when she heard that she had handled the affairs of the Chu family in the Water Mirror Hall so beautifully, she still didn't believe it, thinking it was just Green Lotus's prompting. Now, being blocked by these few words, she couldn't say a word, and only then did she realize her mistake. She had wanted to retort with a few more sentences, but seeing Chen Lan step forward, seemingly waiting for her reaction, she felt a little flustered.

  "Third Miss says where words, I am also worried about family members not obeying..."

  "The old lady is kind to her family, who dares to disobey!"

  Chen Lan kept pushing Zhu's family to the forefront, and with Zhu's mother already being criticized, none of the women who were watching from the side of the flower gate dared to say another word. At this time, Chen Lan completely ignored Zhu's mother, whose face was pale one moment and red the next, and glanced at the women of Chu Si's family before turning around and instructing Xuan Fang: "From now on, remember that when following the old lady's instructions, don't be so timid!"

  Zhu's mother's face turned even uglier as she listened, and seeing that Chen Lan was no longer paying attention to her, but only giving orders to the Chu family, she stood there feeling even more annoyed. She stomped her foot and walked away in a huff. The several women standing at the door looked at Zhu's mother's retreating back and exchanged a glance with each other, each of them having their own thoughts.

  The second house is really gone. Otherwise, how could Zhao's mother, who has always been arrogant, have such a day of humility?

  The children brought by the maids of the Chu family were all examined by Housekeeper Liu Qing, and they were all around the same age, still in their childhood, with the oldest being only twelve years old. However, each of them was sturdy and robust, clearly having a good foundation from practicing martial arts since young. At this moment, due to their mothers' instructions, they were all kneeling on the ground, not daring to lift their heads. Chen Lan had originally wanted to bring the children for Zhu Shi to examine, but after being disturbed by Zhu Ma just now, she changed her mind.

  If Madam Zhu was really paying attention at home, she wouldn't have let these people mess around until now. Whether these children are skilled in martial arts or not, I'm afraid none of them are on her mind. The reason she agreed to her request is probably because she didn't want anything to happen at home and also feared that the three branches would take people away. Since it's like this, she simply let Chen Yan see the four companions and just took the Chu Si family to kowtow.

  She thought to herself, then looked at the sky and had one of the wives bring those four servants to meet with Liu Qing, the housekeeper. After Chen Yan returned from school, she would see them again. She signaled for the four maidservants to follow her to Lianxiangyuan. As they walked, she casually asked a few questions about their families and the people felt grateful for her kindness, even Chu Sihua's family who had some difficulties walking were extremely thankful.

  It wasn't until Chen Lan asked one by one that she knew the old families were all sparse in population - after all, when they followed Old Master Hou to guard Gansu, they couldn't bring their families. So among those four young attendants, two were the only children, and the other two had only one younger sister each. Chen Lan thought for a moment, then promised that if there was a shortage of little maids in the mansion in the future, she would find a way to add two more, which made several people feel grateful and tearful.

  As Chen Lan had expected, when they arrived at the East Warming Pavilion of Lianxiangyuan, Madam Zhu paid no attention to these shrinking maidservants, letting them retreat after kowtowing. She only kept Chen Lan behind for a brief conversation and finally pointed westward saying: "I promised Bao'er's grandmother that she would follow you and Wu Nian to broaden her horizons in the next few days."

  This was indeed unexpected, Chen Lan had no good impression of Su Wan'er's grandmother Chen Shi, and it was hard to believe that Zhu Shi would promise such a thing to Chen Shi. However, seeing that Zhu Shi didn't intend to explain, she smiled and agreed, and naturally also brought up the matter of letting Su Wan'er choose her clothes and accessories.

  "It's all trivial matters, she and your second sister are about the same size, just give her a few pieces of clothing and accessories, no need to be too luxurious. However, you have to dress up properly, although there are family affairs, it's not as interesting as those rich girls, but you can't let people look down on you either. Be dignified and elegant in your demeanor, don't give others a chance to criticize you, it's better to follow your older cousin around more often, this way even if there are unpleasant words they won't reach your ears. If possible..."

  Zhu suddenly paused, but still didn't say the important thing. Some things are better left unsaid to her; although Chen Lan looks calm, who knows what strange thoughts might arise and it wouldn't be good. So she only emphasized: "Remember, now that your second uncle has lost his title and doesn't have an heir, as the eldest daughter of the main house, you must understand the burden on your shoulders. For the sake of your sister and brother, and for Yun'er's future, more than half of it depends on you."

  Chen Lan responded with a bow, and waited until she met up with Hong Luo, who had come to deliver the potted landscape earlier. Only after they left the Lai Xiang courtyard together did she reveal a hint of a cold smile. Chen Yan was still young, and even if he were lucky enough to inherit the title, once he got married, he would become a puppet on strings controlled by his mother-in-law, and probably have to give up any future prospects. However, in the following days, she would also have to bring Su Wan'er along, and if it was just to show off the old lady of the marquis's household being kind to the elderly and poor, that would be a bit too ridiculous...

  When passing by Fangfei Hall, Chen Lan stopped for a moment and let Qin Fang go in to ask around. She found out that Chen Yan had not returned yet. Thinking that it was already time for school to be over, she probably stayed outside the institute with those companions. After a brief thought, she sent Qin Fang to inquire again at the second gate, only bringing Hong Luo back to Jinxiu Pavilion.

  As expected, less than half a time later, Chen Yan rushed in with a whoosh, without saying a word, picked up a cup of tea that had almost gone cold and took a big gulp. Only then did he wipe his mouth and sit down opposite Chen Lan, his face flushed with excitement: "Sister, thanks so much! Those four companions are awesome! They're about the same age as me, one can lift a 40-jin stone lock, and another's spear dance is watertight! Sister, please ask Old Lady to pick out a martial artist for me too!"

  Looking at Chen Yan like that, Chen Lan smiled and said, "What about school?"

  "Scholarship is gone, martial arts are practiced!" Chen Yan clenched his fists and said word by word, "I don't ask for both literary and military talents, I just hope that after becoming an official in the future, I can be of some use and protect us two!"

  "Alright!" Chen Lan finally put down the heavy stone in his heart and nodded heavily, "Since you have a good intention, I will take care of this matter for you. There is only one condition: whether it's studying or practicing martial arts, don't give up halfway!"

  "Sister, don't worry!"

  P.S: There are really few round egg people... Today is also updated as usual