Little Red, wagging her two little pigtails, took two pieces of candy from her purse and handed them to Brother Cheng and Sister Yu.
Seeing that they accepted it, she said, "Eating some candy will make you feel less sad. In the past, I could only eat candy during festivals. Now that I'm in the main house, the old lady's teeth aren't very good, so she gives all the candy to us little maids. When I'm unhappy or homesick, I just take a couple of pieces to sweeten my mouth."
“I used to only think about going to Wutong Garden, where there are many vacancies, I can get a raise, and I can send more money home. I never expected you to come... Now that you are going to live at Master Cheng’s house, how can the old lady and the marquis feel at ease? Even if Young Master Cheng hadn’t mentioned it, the old lady would have wanted me and Sister Zihe to go with you to take care of you.”
Cheng Ge'er snorted and stuffed the candy into his mouth.
Yu Jie'er also put it in her mouth.
Xiao Hong smiled and took a piece of candy from her purse, putting it in her mouth and sucking on it. She mumbled, "Don't cry after you've eaten candy. Everyone likes smiling people. When I first came here, I cried because I missed home. Rong Mama said that if I cried all the time, the old lady would think I didn't like serving her and would send me home. Young Master Cheng, Yu'er, we're all going anyway, so why not go and stay happily at Master Cheng's house?"
Before Cheng Ge'er could speak, the curtain outside rustled, and soon a series of hurried footsteps could be heard. Rong Mama rushed in and said with a smile, "Xiao Hong, so you're here. Quickly come out with Young Master Cheng and Miss Yu to greet the guests."
Cheng Ge'er asked in surprise, "Granny Rong, what kind of guest do you want to see?"
Rong Momo smiled and said, "Master Cheng's family has arrived. Madam has ordered people to paint and repair the courtyard over there. They will be able to move in at an auspicious time in the next couple of days. They are discussing the date for the family reunion banquet with the old lady. You must go and see them!"
Brother Cheng and Sister Yu had no choice but to go with them to meet the person.
This was the first time that Madam Dai had seen the two children. She had heard so much about them from Gu Jingcheng, but when she finally saw them, she felt that she had been too happy too soon.
These two don't seem easy to get along with, no wonder they can't live peacefully in the Marquis's mansion.
Dai muttered to himself, but remained outwardly kind and friendly.
Gu Jingcheng chuckled and patted the two children's heads, exchanging a few affectionate words with them. Old Madam Gu, sitting at the head of the table, smiled happily upon seeing this.
Cheng Ge'er took Xiao Hong's words to heart and did his best to deal with the couple in front of him. After sitting for a while, he was led out.
After Old Madam Gu and Madam Dai set the date for the family reunion banquet, Gu Jingcheng said, "Auntie, I'm going to talk to the Marquis."
Madam Gu said, "Go ahead, your wife and I will have a good chat. After you've seen the third son, you can leave on your own. I'll send someone to take her back."
Madam Dai smiled and said, "Madam, you have so many things to tell me. I'm getting flustered."
Gu Jingcheng smiled and agreed, stood up, said a few more words, and then left.
Madam Gu asked Madam Dai to sit down next to her, and then took her hand and said, "Men are careless. They are out socializing and handling official business all day long. How would they know anything about the affairs of the inner quarters? I can tell that you are serious about raising these two children and planning for your own future. There are some things that need to be made clear in advance."
Madam Dai asked with a blank face, "Is what Auntie is going to say the same as what the Lady of the Marquis said? If there are any arrangements, it would be better to just say so. I can handle it."
Madam Gu then asked, "What did Yuan'er say?"
After Madam Dai explained in detail, Old Madam Gu smiled and said, "This child is meticulous and thinks things through clearly. I figured their mother would cause trouble sooner or later. You've been through this before, so you naturally know the stakes involved."
Madam Dai nodded. “Your nephew was also a soldier who went to the battlefield back then. Even if we women didn’t see it, we’ve heard a lot about it. If the men are fighting outside, how can we women support the family like soft-legged crabs? Don’t laugh at me, I’ve always been strong-willed, and the only thing I’ve suffered in this life is not having children.”
Madam Gu said, "That's good. The third son is still too soft-hearted. I'm afraid this matter will fall on you two. These two children were spoiled in the past. The third son received kindness from their father and always raised them as his own children. Who knew that their mother would have other thoughts, and in the end, it made everyone look bad. If Zhao hadn't caused trouble, everyone would be happy. But I think that woman is ruthless. I'm afraid she won't let it go. The sooner we find that woman, the sooner everyone will be at ease. The Marquis's Mansion will never treat you two badly."
Madam Dai laughed and said, "Auntie, what are you saying? We are already grateful that we were able to move to live next to the Marquis's mansion. Without children, we didn't have a smooth life living in the Ninth House. To be honest, Auntie, the thought of being able to move here, live in a bright courtyard, and manage our own affairs makes me feel much more relaxed. I don't have to feel uncomfortable watching my sisters-in-law showing off their children, and I always feel inferior to them."
Madam Gu patted her hand and sighed, "Then I'm relieved. Be careful in everything you do, and don't let them find out. You'll have to suffer until these two children settle down."
Madam Dai said, "Who knows if this is fate between us? I've heard the elders say that children help each other. They have twins, a boy and a girl, what a good omen! Maybe they can bring me a child, a boy or a girl, and our master will have an heir."
Madam Gu smiled and said, "If only that were the case. You are still young, so there's no need to rush. As long as you are destined to have a child, you can have one even at fifty."
Then he told some stories of women who prayed for children and were granted them to comfort Dai.
Mr. Dai felt pleased to hear this.
When he got home, he found that Gu Jingcheng had already returned and was personally instructing the servants to pack up their belongings.
Several uncles and sisters-in-law were standing nearby, asking all sorts of questions about the courtyard at the Marquis's residence.
Only then did Madam Dai realize that she had been so engrossed in chatting with Old Madam Gu that she hadn't even thought to visit the new house.
Gu Jingcheng beamed and said, “Very good. You all know that Auntie is generous and Madam is meticulous and thoughtful. The house has been completely painted, a new pond has been dug in the yard, and we are waiting to see what to raise. The wooden bridge and pavilion are all ready-made, and even the window screens in the house have been pasted on.”
Those around them were incredibly envious.
Madam Dai was secretly pleased with herself and said with a smile, "After we move, I'll invite everyone over for a visit so you can get acquainted with the place. When you visit the old lady, you can also come and sit in our room."
Her sisters-in-law, who usually liked to subtly criticize her, looked sour.
After everyone left, Madam Dai relayed the old lady's words to Gu Jingcheng.
Gu Jingcheng laughed and said, "The Marquis has also confided in me. Among the people who came with the child, there is an old woman who is probably a fake. The Marquis ordered that they are preparing to catch a big fish. I originally wanted to keep it from you, but I was afraid that you would not be able to keep it a secret."
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