Chapter 4 Chapter 4 I like it more and more than in my previous life
Chapter 4 Chapter 4 I like it more and more than in my previous life
Lu Xusheng led Cheng Yian through the ceremony in the ancestral hall and returned to Ningji Hall.
It was still early, and the two of them had not stayed in Rongzheng Hall for breakfast, so they told the servants to serve the meal.
Two maids came in.
A stranger but recognized by Cheng Yian, she is Madam Xu, the confidant of Second Madam Wang. In name, she is in charge of Lu Xusheng, but in reality, she is a spy planted in her son's room by Madam Wang.
The other one was naturally Cheng Yian’s companion, Nanny Li.
When a big family like the Cheng family marries off their daughter, the bridegroom has to be carefully selected. Her marriage to Lu Xusheng was a great honor for the fourth wife, so her grandmother chose two bridegrooms for her, one was Li Ma and her husband, and the other was Ming Saozi and her husband.
Nanny Li and her husband are in charge of the inner courtyard, and Cheng Yian's dowry is in Nanny Li's hands. Sister Ming and her husband are in charge of the outer courtyard, and they have not entered the inner courtyard at this time.
Seeing Nanny Li's shrewd face, Cheng Yian suddenly felt that it would not be easy to divorce immediately. It seemed that it would be difficult to deal with the fourth branch of the Cheng family, and it would require a suitable opportunity.
After breakfast, all the servants of Ningji Hall came in and kowtowed to the mistress.
Cheng Yian rewarded the servants of Yuanningjitang, and Lu Xusheng also rewarded Li Ma and others.
The two maids were doing things for their master, giving each of them rewards, and everything was going on peacefully. When they were about to order tea, the two maids spoke at the same time in a "tacit understanding":
This is a struggle for power. Who will have the final say in Ningjitang from now on?
Cheng Yian glanced at Nanny Li and signaled her not to argue.
She is leaving.
After drinking tea, Lu Xusheng went out.
Nanny Xu personally sent him to the second gate. She was Lu Xusheng's wet nurse and had a very respectable position in the mansion.
Before his death, Lu Xusheng told her to follow Cheng Yian's instructions on everything.
Nanny Xu just listened to this and didn't take it to heart.
Cheng Yian left Li Ma to talk in private, "Where is Sister Ming? Is she settled?"
After the young daughter-in-law came into the family and gradually took charge of the household, she placed her concubines and confidants in important positions. Since Cheng Yian wanted to divorce, he naturally had no intention of doing so.
Madam Li replied,
"She has been settled in the back porch. I asked her to get familiar with the customs and ways of the people in the mansion before we can discuss the theory."
Cheng Yian knew that Ming's wife and her husband were capable of great things, and thought,
"I have discussed with the Second Master that I will start the household affairs after the baby is born. For the time being, let the one from Sister Ming's family follow Uncle Li and manage the dowry shop."
Mrs. Ming's husband is efficient and smart, more capable than Uncle Li. Uncle Li is old and can be a shopkeeper but not a runner.
Nanny Li thought for a moment and said, "Okay."
"Then you take a rest first. I will take down the wedding dowry and put it away."
Cheng Yian's wedding dowry was still spread out on the corridor, waiting for her, the housekeeper, and Madam Xu to take it away.
Cheng Yian felt a little headache after hearing this, and coughed lightly, "Don't worry, put the box in the east room first."
Those things are not needed for the time being, and it would be troublesome to put them back together after taking them apart.
The west wing of Ningji Hall is used to receive foreign guests, and the east wing is prepared for children to live in, but it is empty now.
Nanny Li frowned immediately, "How can this be possible?"
Nanny Li thought Cheng Yian didn't understand, so she sat next to Jinwu at her feet and said earnestly,
"Girl, the first thing you should do after you get married is to sort out your dowry. This is the first thing. Secondly, you can also take this opportunity to ask about your aunt's private property and personal belongings. By the way, what did your aunt say last night? Did she give you the key to the warehouse?"
Young masters of wealthy families all have their own private treasury, and capable ones even have small storehouses. In Li Ma's opinion, Lu Xusheng is in a high position of power and has received many awards, so his private treasury must be considerable.
Cheng Yian didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he still explained it seriously.
"My aunt and I have our own theories on this matter, so don't worry."
Cheng Yian's tone was unquestionable, so Nanny Li didn't dare to say a word.
She looked at Cheng Yian deeply, thinking that life was indeed different after a girl got married and could be the head of the household.
Madam Li asked about another important matter.
"Look, young lady, does your aunt have a concubine?"
Logically, the concubine should serve tea to the mistress the next day.
When the maid came over to kowtow just now, Li Ma deliberately glanced at her and saw nothing.
It has to stand out, and I am still confused about this.
Cheng Yian replied with certainty.
"The Second Master said no."
This is the saving grace of Lu Xusheng.
In his previous life, Lu Xusheng never had a concubine. He had not slept with her for half a year after she gave birth. When he first started to have sex, Lu Xusheng had never touched a single maid. Not only that, he had never messed around with other women. Lu Xusheng had always been chaste, which was better than ninety-nine percent of the men in the capital.
Is it because he is not greedy?
No, this man looked cold on the outside, but he was extremely passionate in bed. If she hadn't been unable to bear it, he would have orgasmed several times a night.
A man who can control his lower body is reliable.
Nanny Li was relieved and became more and more satisfied with this marriage.
The key to the east chamber was in the hands of Madam Xu. Madam Li went to the back room and found Madam Xu. Madam Xu knew that she was there for the dowry.
She patted the melon seed shell dust on her hands, stood up and smiled at Madam Li.
"What's the matter, Mammy?"
The husband's family had to be present when the dowry was placed so that they could check whether the list was true. Aunt Xu was the one who helped check the dowry, and she might even get some rewards later.
But unfortunately, Nanny Li said to her, "Sister, where is the key to the east chamber? The young mistress is asking."
Aunt Xu was a little confused, but without saying much, she hurried to the side room at the end of the west wing to get the key. At the end of the corner of the wall was a six-layer cabinet inlaid with eight treasures, which contained the keys to the doors of Ningji Hall, account books of personal relationships, and the like. She took out the key to the east wing from one of the boxes.
Nanny Li stood at the door and did not go in. She knew that each person had his own territory, and it was obvious that Ningji Hall was under the care of Nanny Xu.
The sharp-eyed nanny nearby should have handed over all the keys and other things to the mistress as soon as she saw the young mistress come in, but Nanny Xu obviously didn't have this awareness.
Nanny Li thought that it would take some effort for her to gain a firm footing in the yard.
Nanny Li took the key and took the dowry maid to move the dowry box into the east room.
Aunt Xu was dumbfounded as she watched from the window of the back room.
The dowry is not put into storage?
What is this for?
He quickly left and went to the second lady's yard.
When the Second Lady heard this, her face was filled with surprise and dissatisfaction.
It is natural for the dowry list to be handed over to the husband's family and checked on the spot. Cheng Yian's dowry list had been given to the second wife early on, but it was strange that Cheng Yian did not check the goods.
Aunt Xu speculated quietly,
"Madam, is there something fishy about the dowry? After all, the fourth house is not the eldest house. I also heard that our second wife's mother died early, and the stepmother is in charge of the family, so she will definitely not be able to give anything good."
This is because they suspect that the Cheng family is falsifying information.
The Second Madam was not as indifferent as Madam Xu. She gave her a stern look.
"Shut up! How can you say such nonsense!" If you say it out loud, Lu Xusheng will lose face.
"Although the fourth branch of the Cheng family is not that good, this marriage was arranged by Cheng Mingyu himself. Can he tolerate such a thing happening?"
Cheng Mingyu is the head of the Censorate and the current Zuo Dushi. He is famous for his strictness and self-discipline, and he cannot tolerate any grain of sand in his eyes. The fourth branch of the Cheng family dared to commit fraud under his nose. Cheng Mingyu could overthrow the fourth branch without the Lu family stepping in.
In fact, the Second Madam also heard that when Cheng Yian got married, the eldest branch secretly gave her more dowry because she helped the Cheng family to marry into a wealthy family.
"But it's strange that she didn't open her dowry."
When they asked her seriously, the Second Madam was disdainful, as if they were plotting against the woman's dowry, and the Second Madam couldn't afford to lose face like that.
Out of trust in Cheng Mingyu's character, the second wife decided not to ask about this matter.
As soon as Madam Xu left, Madam Li noticed something and immediately came in to tell Cheng Yian.
"I saw that Madam Xu left the house. I'm afraid she went to file a complaint."
Cheng Yian was sorting his books behind his desk and laughed.
"Let her be."
Madam Li felt a little headache. "Young lady, this Madam Xu is too blind. I asked her for the key just to remind her to hand over the things, but she had dug them tightly."
Cheng Yian had already known what kind of person Xu Ma was. She smiled and comforted Li Ma.
"She is the second master's wet nurse. She is more respectable than the others. As the saying goes, a wet nurse is half a mother-in-law, and even more difficult to deal with than a mother-in-law. These wet nurses grew up with the young masters. They are the ones who make the decisions about everything in the young masters' house. When I came in, I took her place. It's strange that she feels good."
Since he couldn't stay for long, Cheng Yian didn't take it seriously. Instead, he told Li Ma, "Show me the dowry list."
She wanted to calculate how much money she could save and buy a house outside first. A woman should have a place of her own and not be controlled by her husband's family or her own family at any time.
She had lunch in her own room, and in the evening when Lu Xusheng returned home, they went to the second lady's courtyard together.
The Second Madam was not stupid. Lu Xusheng's behavior during the day made it clear that he would not let her embarrass Cheng Yian. This son was not the third son. He was a man who could take the heads of enemy generals on the battlefield. She could not go against him. Therefore, the Second Madam temporarily gave up the idea of setting rules for Cheng Yian and ate a lukewarm meal.
After the meal, the second wife asked Cheng Yian to go back first, and left Lu Xusheng to discuss the list of return gifts for tomorrow.
The interpersonal relationships among prominent families are governed by rules, and the Lu family will not be criticized for such matters.
Lu Xusheng checked the list and found nothing wrong with it. He reassured his mother that she should take it easy and went back to her room.
When they were about to reach the moon-shaped gate of Ningji Hall, they heard a quarrel coming from inside.
Madam Xu and Madam Li were facing each other in the corridor.
"Why would you add a painted bed to your new house? Isn't there enough space for a bed?"
Nanny Li didn't understand why Cheng Yian wanted to add a bed to the inner room, but as a servant her first duty was to obey. If she didn't listen to Cheng Yian's orders, who would take Cheng Yian seriously in the future?
Nanny Li's face gradually turned cold.
"Sister, this is what the Second Mistress ordered. We, as servants, can only follow her orders."
Aunt Xu disagreed.
"No, it's unlucky to have two bricks in a new house. We don't have this custom in the Lu family."
What is auspicious and what is unlucky, to put it bluntly, is a dispute over the right to speak.
Madam Li was so angry that she died.
"Our young mistress loves reading. When she has nothing to do, she likes to rest on the lacquer couch. Why, Madam, are you trying to overstep your authority?"
Madam Xu was accused of such a serious crime, her face turned pale, and she said in a sullen tone,
"Oh, you are from a rich family, you speak so well that you actually frightened me. I don't know what rules your Cheng family has, but our Lu family has always respected the elderly. The old maids in the mansion don't have to be polite when they see the brothers and sisters. The old lady often said that we old mothers have been with the old master and the mistress and have seen the world. If the brothers and sisters do something inappropriate, we have to advise them. This is the duty of a maid."
Madam Li was not to be outdone.
"You are right. This is also the case in our house. It is just that the master is lenient because he is generous. As servants, we should not forget our roots. What is roots? The difference between master and servant is the roots. Today, it was our young mistress who asked. If it was the second master who asked, would you have stopped her in the same way? Those who know know that you are the one who is working hard to relieve the master's worries. Those who don't know think that you are trying to show off your power to the new bride and make our young mistress lose face."
Aunt Xu's face turned red.
Before she could argue, she saw Nanny Li bowing behind her. She turned around and saw a tall figure standing under the corridor, casting a shadow over her. Nanny Xu was startled.
She was speechless at once. "Greetings to the Second Master. Why did you come back so early?"
In the past, Lu Xusheng would always be busy in the study until midnight before returning to his room to sleep.
These words implicitly announced their closeness. She wanted to tell Li Ma that she had served Lu Xusheng for more than 20 years and was the most capable person around the male master.
But Nanny Li curled her lips.
Aunt Xu has committed a serious crime.
Is it my business as a servant to ask whether my master returns home early or late?
As expected, Lu Xusheng waved his hand, signaling Madam Li to go back to her room, then pointed to the west wing and said to Madam Xu,
"Mammy, come in with me and talk."
Nanny Xu followed him into the main room of the west wing.
Lu Xusheng was born a military general. He stood like a pine tree and sat like a bell. He was never serious. When he sat at the desk, he felt an overwhelming pressure.
Even though she had raised Lu Xusheng to this age, Nanny Xu was still a little afraid of him. She guessed that Lu Xusheng had heard what she had just said and was afraid that he would be unhappy, so she hurriedly smiled and said, "Second Master, don't misunderstand me. I asked a few more questions because I was confused. Since Second Madam likes it, I will do as you say."
Lu Xusheng remained expressionless, but pointed at Jinwu in front of him, motioning for Nanny Xu to take a seat.
Nanny Xu sat down nervously.
Lu Xusheng's slender hands gently moved the teacup and asked her in a low voice,
"Mammy has been serving me for so many years."
This was the greatest pride of Aunt Xu's life. She raised her finger and said with relish, "It's been twenty-one years. Young Master is twenty-one this year, and I have been serving you for twenty-one years."
Lu Xusheng nodded slowly, "Thank you for your hard work, Madam."
When Aunt Xu heard him say this, she was immediately filled with mixed feelings, "This old slave is not tired..."
Just as he was about to complain, he heard Lu Xusheng slowly say, "From now on,
Then he returned to the back porch to live in comfort."
When Aunt Xu heard this, her expression froze and she stared at Lu Xusheng blankly.
"Second Master... this, this..."
During these years, she has been serving Lu Xusheng and taking care of all matters big and small in Ningjitang. She is the one who prepares clothes for Lu Xusheng all year round. She has made countless profits from him, which allows her to live a comfortable life. Isn't this cutting off her financial resources?
"Second Master, I have served you for so many years. Even if I have no merit, I have worked hard."
She was about to argue when Lu Xusheng glanced at her.
Nanny Xu was so frightened that she swallowed back the rest of her words.
This master had fought his way out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of fire, and he was famous for being a man of his word.
Madam Xu didn't dare to breathe and stopped talking angrily.
But in my heart I was thinking, this new Second Mistress is incredible, she has already bewitched Second Master in one night, she offended Second Madam in the morning, and now she is here to blame her again.
Lu Xusheng got up and left.
He had two reasons for dealing with Nanny Xu. First, the young master was getting married and it was time for the wet nurse to grow up. Second, there was no room for two tigers in one mountain and keeping her in Ningji Hall would easily lead to trouble.
In his previous life, he was devoted to his career, thinking about how to eliminate border troubles and resist foreign aggression. For a man who was very powerful in the court, these matters in the inner chamber were not worth mentioning, but in the end, he defended the border of Dajin but failed to protect his own piece of land.
In this life, he must protect his woman.
Lu Xusheng returned to the main house and went straight to the bathroom.
After a while, he came out after changing his clothes, and saw a little face poking out from the bed, looking at him pretentiously.
"Second Master, did you chase Aunt Xu away?"
Just now, Nanny Li came in and told Cheng Yian that Nanny Xu handed over all the keys and favors, then rolled up her bags and left Ningji Hall.
A palace lantern was burning on the low cabinet beside the bed, and the yellow light was softly swaying on her cheeks, reflecting the dark almond eyes that were bright and clear. She was not wearing any makeup, her skin was fair and her eyebrows were delicate, her black hair was spread behind her head, and she was only wearing a middle-length dress. Her slender arms were holding her cheeks, her big eyes, long eyelashes, and indescribable elegance.
Lu Xusheng tightened his throat, looked away, and walked towards the painted bed.
"If I don't let you go, will I keep you here to annoy you?"
Lu Xusheng turned his back to Cheng Yian and took off his boots and got on the bed.
Cheng Yian blinked. Why did this guy become more and more pleasing to her eyes than in her previous life? After Nanny Xu left, she felt relieved.
"Even so, if you chase people away as soon as I enter the door, I'm afraid that the old lady and the mistress will blame me later."
Lu Xusheng said unhappily, "What are you afraid of? Don't you have me?"
Cheng Yian was stunned.
Yes, there is also Lu Xusheng, what is she afraid of?
Who is Lu Xusheng? He is a second-rank military general of the Governor's Office, the leader of the nine border towns, and the most popular person in front of the emperor. The glory of the Lu family does not rely on the eldest master, but on Lu Xusheng.
Anyone in the mansion who has good vision should try to curry favor with her.
What is she afraid of? Just walk sideways!
It's a pity that I didn't see through it in my previous life, and I should have been careful with my words and actions, and done my duty. But sometimes people just can't be too honest.
Cheng Yian suddenly became enlightened.
"As you wish."
She blew out the light, moved into bed and continued to sleep, but after sleeping for a short while, she got up again, lifted the curtains and looked in the direction of Lu Xusheng.
"But you chased him away, and when I left, who did you call?"
After all, Aunt Xu was someone Lu Xu was used to calling.
After these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room became less harmonious.
In the darkness, the tall man rested his hands on his head and closed his eyes, refusing to answer.
"Go to sleep. You have to go back home tomorrow."
He turned his body away and didn't want to pay any attention to Cheng Yian.
When it came to returning home, Cheng Yian suddenly became serious.
In her previous life, she was plotted against by the fourth branch of the Cheng family. Tomorrow she will have to eliminate this hidden danger.