Chapter 4 [4] What should the lady do?

【4】

The next day, three cockcrows marked the dawn.

Marquis Changxin, who had to attend the early court, lifted the quilt carefully, for fear of disturbing his sleeping wife.

Just as he stood up and put on his boots, the woman between the bed curtains also sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"Did I wake you?" Marquis Changxin turned around and said, "It's still early, Madam, please sleep a little longer."

Zheng shook her head: "No, I'm up too."

Marquis Changxin was puzzled: "It's not even daylight yet, why are you up so early?"

Zheng came out from the couch and said, "I'm worried about something. I'm always worried that Ranran won't be used to it when he first arrived in Chang'an. Don't look at the child who always smiles, he is a precocious and insightful person."

Marquis Changxin fell silent.

After a while, he said, "The child just came back, so it will take some time to slowly adapt."

"I know, but I've gotten used to it over the years. Even though I'm in the mansion, I still can't help but miss you."

Zheng smiled bitterly, "To be honest, I'm still dreaming right now. I can't believe my daughter is really back."

Marquis Changxin sighed, put his arm around his wife's shoulders, and patted her: "It's all in the past. From now on, we will be a happy family and never be separated again."

The couple was affectionate for a while, then washed and changed their clothes.

After breakfast, the maid who was sent to the west courtyard to inquire also came back.

"When the first cockcrows, the young lady gets up."

The maidservant looked very excited: "When I went over, the young lady was practicing boxing in the yard. She was very energetic!"

"Boxing?!"

The Marquis of Changxin and his wife were both shocked.

Zheng put down her chopsticks and said, "I'll go take a look."

Marquis Changxin stood up and was about to follow when Zheng turned to look at him, "What are you following? Hurry up and go to court. If you're late, you might get reported by Old Man Yang again."

Marquis Changxin: “…”

Although he wanted to see his daughter boxing, he thought of the narrow-minded Censor Yang Jian and had to put on his official hat. "When I get back from my duty today, Madam will explain it to me."

The couple walked out of the main courtyard, one to the east and the other to the west, and went their separate ways.

Yun Ran’s Tingxiaxuan is on the west side of the Marquis’ Mansion, close to the garden. The location is quiet but not remote.

When Zheng arrived, Yun Ran had already finished a set of Tai Chi and continued to practice Ba Duan Jin.

The light in the summer morning is not yet glaring, and a layer of fine golden light seems to float in the soft air. In the courtyard full of lush flowers and trees, a girl in an ivory-white nightgown is doing a horse stance, leaning forward, shaking her head slowly.

When the maids saw Zheng coming, they hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Madam."

Yun Ran heard the noise and turned his head to look, but did not stop his movements. He only said in a crisp voice, "Good morning, mother. I have only two or three moves left to complete. Please come in and have a seat. I will be here later."

"No hurry, no hurry."

Zheng smiled and said, "I just had breakfast. I'm standing here just to help digest the food."

She watched Yun Ran practicing martial arts. Although she was an amateur, she could see that her daughter's horse stance and movements were very solid and not acquired overnight.

After finishing a set of Eight-Section Brocade, Yun Ran's face was flushed and his eyes were clear.

It was just the right time for the sky to brighten up and the sun to rise high in the sky.

Zheng brought Yun Ran into the main room and wiped her sweat with a handkerchief. "Look, you're sweating from practicing so early in the morning."

"My master said that the Chen hour is when Yang energy begins to emerge, and the intestinal meridians, stomach meridians, liver meridians, and spleen meridians are also active. Practicing Kung Fu at this time is the best way to maintain health."

Yun Ran wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked, "Why are you here so early, mother?"

Zheng: "I heard you got up early and were practicing boxing, so I came to see you."

"Is that so?" Yun Ran suddenly realized, "Does A-niang also get up early every day? If she gets up at about the same time, she can practice with me, which is good for her health."

After years of being a daughter-in-law, she finally became a mother-in-law and no longer had to get up early: "... Let's talk about it later."

Fearing that her daughter would continue to persuade her, Zheng quickly changed the subject and asked, "How did you sleep last night?", "Do you recognize your bed?", "Do you like the incense?", "Is the maid obedient?", "Is there anything missing in the courtyard?"

After hearing Yun Ran's answer, "Everything is fine," Zheng was relieved. She then looked at Qing Ling, the head maid standing beside her, and asked, "Has breakfast been brought from the kitchen?"

Without waiting for Qingling to answer, Yun Ran said, "No hurry, my daughter wants to finish her morning lessons before eating."

Zheng frowned: "Morning class?"

Yun Ran nodded. "Before, I was always on the road, so it was hard to calm down. Now that I've settled down, I plan to use the empty room next door as a Taoist temple. I'll buy a statue of the ancestor and make it convenient for daily chanting and repentance."

Upon hearing this, Zheng's expression became a little subtle.

Yun Ran noticed something, her long eyelashes trembled, and her voice became softer: "Mother?"

Looking at her daughter's delicate and fresh face like a flower bud, Zheng hesitated for a moment, feeling that some things had to be said immediately.

"Ran Ran, Mother knows that you grew up in a Taoist temple and are exposed to these things every day. But you are now a noble lady in a marquisate, so you don't need to be a Taoist priest anymore."

Zheng raised her hand and gently lifted the strand of black hair that was on Yun Ran's rosy cheek. "These things of chanting scriptures and worshiping gods are not what a young lady like you should do."

Yun Ran was slightly startled: "Then...what should the lady do?"

Ever since she could remember, she had been doing the exercises with her master and sisters morning and night, spring, summer, autumn and winter, without missing a beat. It could be said that these things were etched into her daily habits.

But now, A Niang said she shouldn't do this.

If she doesn't do these, what will she do?

Zheng was also stumped by the question for a moment.

After a while, she called her personal nanny and instructed her, "Go to Wan Niang and ask her if she is available today."

Yun Ran was a little puzzled: "What does Mother want to see Sister-in-law?"

Zheng said, "Before your sister-in-law married, she was a model of a noble lady, praised by everyone in the major families. Follow her and see what she does in her daily life, and you will know what a noble lady should be like."

Yun Ran: “…”

Although it feels a bit strange, Taoism advocates going with the flow, so let's take a look.

-

After understanding her mother-in-law's intention from Liu Ma's message, Li accepted it with pleasure and did not feel it was troublesome at all.

Firstly, as the eldest daughter-in-law and sister-in-law, it is her responsibility to discipline and take care of the sisters in the family.

Secondly, she also wanted to be closer to her sister-in-law.

The population of the Marquis of Changxin's mansion is simple, with more men than women. Apart from his mother-in-law Zheng, the only female master left in the mansion is his third brother's wife Qian.

Li came from a family of scholars and had been taught etiquette and manners since childhood, possessing a certain aloofness. Consequently, she looked down upon Qian, who came from a merchant family and had married into the family through inferior means.

But there were only two young women in the mansion, she and Qian. Sometimes Li felt bored and wanted to find a companion to play chess, arrange flowers, or play backgammon... but she disdained to associate with Qian.

Now, a sister-in-law appears out of nowhere.

She is still a beautiful girl with fair skin.

"Please tell mother that I am going out to buy spices today. If you are free, please come with me. It's a good opportunity to stroll around Chang'an City and get familiar with the customs and people of the capital." Li nodded and smiled.

"That's great. I'll go and reply right away."

Nanny Liu bowed politely and left.

When Yun Ran learned that she could go out shopping today, her eyes naturally lit up with joy.

After a quick breakfast, she changed into a light blue flowered silk skirt and went straight to the main room with her maid Qingling.

After a brief greeting with Li, the aunt and sister-in-law went out together.

Unexpectedly, when I reached the second gate, I saw Qian, who was wearing a bright red pomegranate skirt, coming from the opposite side.

The two sides bumped into each other head-on. Yun Ran, being the youngest, quickly greeted her, "Good morning, Third Sister-in-law."

"Good morning, little sister."

Qian smiled and nodded at Yun Ran. Her eyes fell on her eldest sister-in-law Li. Seeing that she still looked aloof and untainted by the dust of a Bodhisattva, she slightly restrained her smile, but still observed the etiquette and bowed: "Sister-in-law."

Li glanced at Qian's gorgeous red dress made of Shu brocade and said, "Hmm."

Qian: “…”

She rolled her eyes inwardly, turned to Yun Ran, and smiled again: "Sister, you are dressed so beautifully today, so bright and clear that it makes me feel cool inside."

Yun Ran smiled and said, "Third sister-in-law, your red dress looks great today. It makes you look like a peony, with a beautiful face and a natural fragrance."

"Oh, your little mouth is covered with honey—"

No one would be unhappy to be praised, especially by a beautiful sister.

Qian's lips curled up, and she raised her hand to touch the golden lilac pendant on her ear. "Although I have some looks, I am not worthy of the title of national beauty and heavenly fragrance."

"I can bear it, absolutely. Third sister-in-law is the most charming and beautiful woman I have seen since I came to Chang'an."

Yun Ran spoke sincerely, not forgetting his sister-in-law beside him: "Sister-in-law, you are the most dignified, gentle, and elegant woman I have ever met."

"I am so blessed. Not only do I have gentle and loving parents and a brother in Chang'an, but I also have two beautiful and outstanding sisters-in-law."

Yun Ran held her chin with both hands, looked at her two sisters-in-law with sparkling eyes, and sighed: "I envy myself!"

Seeing her exaggeration, Mrs. Li burst out laughing.

She caught a glimpse of Qian looking at her, and quickly raised her sleeve to cover her lips, regaining her dignified appearance, but a smile still lingered between her eyebrows: "Sister, you really know how to praise."

Yun Ran giggled.

Li smiled and shook her head, then looked at Qian: "Is my third sister-in-law going out too?"

"I heard that my sister-in-law was going out shopping with my younger sister. I have nothing to do in the mansion, so I also want to get closer to my younger sister."

Qian raised her eyes and asked, "Sister-in-law, do you mind if I come along?"

Li: “…”

Qian Sijin came for her sister, so there was no need to stop her for both moral and logical reasons.

"Third sister-in-law is joking. It's lively with so many people around. Why would I mind?"

Just before getting on the carriage, Li came up to Qian and reminded her, "Mother wants you to learn some etiquette and manners. As your sister-in-law, we should set an example ourselves."

Qian: “…I understand.”

It makes her sound like she is very unruly.

The three sisters-in-law went out together. It was just past noon, the sun was shining brightly, and the summer heat was at its peak.

After the carriage left Xuanhuafang, where the Marquis of Changxin's mansion was located, it arrived at Zhuque Street, the largest and most lively street in Chang'an City.

Tall, verdant elm trees lined the wide streets. The chirping of cicadas among the green leaves mixed with the sounds of footsteps, carriages, laughter, and hawking, creating a bustling atmosphere.

When the carriage arrived at the West Market, there were rows of shops on both sides of the market. Each shop had a brightly lit door and high flags, selling all kinds of silks and brocades, jewelry and porcelain, spices and tea...

There were all kinds of products, everything one could imagine. Yun Ran was dazzled by the sight and exclaimed repeatedly, "This is truly Chang'an."

She originally thought that Yangzhou City was prosperous enough, but now it pales in comparison.

"This is just the beginning. The West Market only has a wider variety of goods, but the shops are really average. The shops in the East Market are really grand and spacious."

Qian Sijin raised her chin and said in a delicate voice, "If I have time later, I'll take my sister to our main store in East Market to taste the new Biluochun tea."

Li Wanrong thought to herself that it happened again, fearing that others didn't know how big her shop was.

He didn't say much, just looked at Yun Ran and said, "I'm going to the Fragrance Pavilion to buy some spices first. If you're interested in the art of incense, you can come with me to choose."

After a pause, he said, "Of course, it's fine if my sister wants to go shopping around the West Market with my third brother's wife."

Yun Ran looked at the gentle sister-in-law on the left, and then at the enthusiastic third sister-in-law on the right.

Her brain raced, and she said, "I want to go to the spice shop first to see the inside, and then go shopping outside. Sister-in-law, Sister-in-law, is that okay?"

Looking at the well-behaved sister-in-law with a pair of bright eyes in front of her, Li Wanrong/Qian Sijin: "..."

The two sisters-in-law looked at each other and quickly turned away -

"Okay."

-

So next, Yun Ran followed her sister-in-law Li Wanrong to the Scented Fragrance Pavilion and identified all the spices she had never seen in her life.

After gaining a lot of knowledge, he said with admiration that he would definitely ask his eldest sister-in-law for advice on the art of incense when he had time in the future. Then he put on a sun hat and went to the West Market with his third sister-in-law.

"I really don't know what the point of making perfume is. It's a waste of money, time and energy. If I had the time, I could just buy a bunch of them."

Qian Sijin felt that this was just like the women from wealthy families who had nothing to do after eating and were bored.

Unlike Li Wanrong, who was so obedient to the rules, she warmly took Yun Ran's hand and said, "There are two clothing stores in the West Market that have nice styles. I'll take you there to have a look. If you find anything you like, I'll pay for it!"

The third sister-in-law's enthusiasm was even more intense than the scorching sun in midsummer, and Yun Ran was led in a different direction without being able to refuse.

But after taking only two steps, the axle of a wooden cart covered with black cloth that was passing by broke for some reason.

In an instant, the car body overturned, and the box covered with black cloth fell to the ground with a "boom".

The noise startled passersby, and when they realized what was happening, they all came forward to help enthusiastically.

Yun Ran also subconsciously rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward.

Before I could even take a step, I heard a panicked scream—

"Ah, what disgusting stuff is this!"

"Hurry up, pack it up!"

As everyone moved away, Yun Ran could see the scattered goods on the ground.

All I saw in the cages scattered all over the floor was a bunch of bald, pink-fleshed baby mice huddled together!

As luck would have it, the door of one of the cages was slammed open, and several mice were squirming towards them.

Qian Sijin's face immediately turned pale: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

The piercing scream made Yun Ran's ears buzz.

She quickly protected her third sister-in-law behind her, then looked at the two mice approaching, frowned, and kicked them back to the car.

"It's okay, sister-in-law."

Yun Ran turned around and comforted him, "They are just a few little mice. I kicked them back."

Before Qian Sijin could recover from the shock of "how dare such a cute and well-behaved sister-in-law kick a mouse with her bare feet", a vicious voice suddenly rang out from the side of the car: "You are so bold, little girl! You know which family ordered this product, and you dare to kick it casually!"

The author has something to say:

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Yun·Level 1 Balance Master·Wild Tamer·Ran: So what if I just kicked him? [Question mark]

This chapter is still a small red envelope, see you tomorrow~