Chapter 41 Bamboo Has Integrity "Sooner or later, I'll teach her a lesson."...
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Xiuyi had already stepped inside.
Lu Xiu suddenly walked in with his hands behind his back, catching everyone off guard. Madam Zhuang was the first to laugh, "On your wedding night, where did Yi-ge go instead of being in his room with his bride?"
Lu Xiuyi glanced at Meng Yu with a faint expression. She saw that her eyes were lowered, the redness in her eyes had faded, and her expression had returned to its usual calm. The anger that had been suppressed surged up again.
She recovered quickly.
From beginning to end, he was the only one who lost control.
His eagerness to return has now become a laughing stock.
Despite thinking this way, Lu Xiuyi still made up a reason: "Chuze had something important to report, so he went to the study for a while."
Madam Zhuang didn't ask any further questions, but simply smiled and instructed, "It is, after all, your wedding night. Unless it is something extremely important, Yi-ge should stay in the bridal chamber with his new bride."
Lu Xiuyi nodded and went down the steps.
"Yi-ge'er is getting married today, and I don't have much to give as a gift. The only presentable thing is a hairpin that the Princess once bestowed upon me."
As she spoke, Madam Zhuang took an exquisite mahogany box from Diexue's hands, opened it, and inside was the gold hairpin with ruby and sapphire double pearl patterns. She handed it to Meng Yu and said with a smile, "I hope Madam will not find it offensive."
The hairpin is exquisitely crafted, with a blood-red gemstone that is crystal clear and free of impurities. It shimmers and glows in the candlelight, exuding an air of opulence.
Such a hairpin is hard to find even on the market. Moreover, upon hearing that it was a gift from the Princess to Mother Zhuang, Meng Yu quickly raised her hand to refuse: "Regardless of whether it was given to Mother by the Princess, I cannot accept it simply because it is so precious."
Just as Huaiyin was about to translate, Lu Xiuyi spoke up first, saying, "Since it's your mother's kind intention, why refuse? If you don't accept it, she won't feel at ease. Just accept it."
Mother Zhuang also took her hand: "What Yi-ge said makes sense. If Madam refuses to accept it, I'm afraid I won't be able to get a good night's sleep tonight."
She smiled gently, her eyes full of kindness, without a trace of calculation, and seemed to be a person who was not difficult to get along with.
Meng Yu nodded, took the hairpin from Zhuang's mother, and told Huaiyin to keep it safe.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, and seeing that it was getting late, Madam Zhuang told the two of them to rest well, then had someone close the door for them. Only after seeing that all the lights in the room were off did she feel at ease and go back.
Darkness descended, making it impossible to see one's hand in front of one's face. Thinking of what had just happened, Meng Yu took a few steps back in terror, but her body suddenly bumped into the round table. She subconsciously looked down and saw several teacups on the table. In a panic, she wanted to pick up the teacups for self-defense.
Before her hand could even touch the lamp, a mocking laugh suddenly rang out in the darkness, tinged with a barely perceptible self-deprecation and disdain: "Meng Yu, what do you take me for? A dog that's always in heat? Or a well-dressed beast? I'm not as despicable as you think. If I don't turn off the light, Aunt Zhuang will definitely not leave."
Then came the sound of chests and cabinets being pulled open, followed by the muffled thud of several quilts being thrown on the ground.
His few words caught Meng Yu off guard. When she realized that his actions were merely an attempt to send Aunt Zhuang away, she felt ashamed, but what followed was an indescribable sense of peace.
That's strange!
Just half an hour ago, she was afraid because Lu Xiuyi was pressing down on her, but now she feels at ease because of a single word from him.
As her eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, Meng Yu lay on the couch and looked through the curtains. She saw Lu Xiuyi lying on the floor with the bedding spread out on the ground, his back to her.
She closed her eyes peacefully and slept soundly through the night until dawn.
As dawn broke through the thick clouds, a few golden rays shone into the Longxiang Pavilion. The sound of light footsteps echoed outside the window, and maids filed in. Huaiyin drew back the curtains and said with a soft laugh, "Madam, it's time to get up."
Without her mother-in-law to control her, Meng Yu became the mistress of the house after marriage. Without the previous morning and evening greetings, she was actually able to sleep better.
Lu Xiuyi got up early, and before leaving, he pretended to instruct the servants: "Madam was too tired yesterday, so don't disturb her and let her sleep until she wakes up naturally."
Upon hearing this, everyone covered their mouths and chuckled, naturally responding in unison.
Huaiyin estimated that Mengyu should be awake by now, so she had the maids prepare washing and toiletries before going in and pulling back the bed curtains.
Meng Yu turned over and opened her eyes to see the morning light filtering through the bed curtains, gently scattering down. She had slept soundly, and when she got up, all the fatigue from yesterday's ceremony had vanished.
Besides Huaiyin and Zhimian, there were seven maids standing in the room, each carrying a basin, towel, tea, spittoon, and other washing utensils.
Meng Yu looked utterly astonished, furrowed her brows, and raised her hand to Huai Yin: "So many people are serving me?"
“Not just,” Huaiyin said with a smile. “These are just a few who serve inside the house; there are many more outside. Because there are so many people, I’m not quite sure how many there are exactly. However, Madam Zhuang sent someone to deliver a message, saying that she will bring the roster later and also explain to Madam the household affairs that will need to be managed in the future.”
Meng Yu: "...What household chores?"
“Of course it’s a family matter of the General’s Mansion!” Huaiyin blinked.
Upon hearing this, Meng Yu just wanted to cover herself with the blanket and go back to sleep.
Before she could even react, Zhi Mian had already helped her sit down at the dressing table. She quickly finished her hair and makeup, followed by washing up and eating.
Breakfast was quite plentiful, including roasted mutton, ham hock, peach blossom pastry, lotus seed gourd duck, and tamarind cake, but when Meng Yu thought about the household chores she had to take care of, she lost her appetite and only tasted a bite of each dish before putting down her chopsticks.
After the food was cleared away, and they rested for another half hour, someone came from outside to announce: "Madam, Granny Zhuang is already waiting in the front yard."
Although Meng Yu was very reluctant to deal with those family matters, she thought that since she was already here and couldn't get away for the time being, she might as well do more things to make Lu Xiuyi lower his guard.
Yes.
From the moment she accepted the marriage in place of another yesterday, she never intended to spend her life confined within these four walls of a secluded mansion. She knew the outside world was not easy for a woman; she could either burn her bridges and forge her own path, or die a miserable death within the confines of this grand mansion.
People have ambition, just as bamboo has integrity. She preferred the former, at least having bloomed brilliantly.
***
When they arrived at the front yard, Aunt Zhuang was already waiting there. There were four rows of people standing in the yard. Meng Yu quickly asked someone to bring another chair so that Aunt Zhuang could sit under the eaves.
“This is from the heart. Before Madam entered the manor, she assisted me in handling the affairs of the manor. She is very familiar with both accounting and personnel matters,” said Madam Zhuang, pointing to a pretty maid beside her. “So I asked her to introduce the manor’s stewards to Madam.”
Ying Congxin curtsied slightly to Meng Yu, saying, "Madam, our household has a total of 238 people. There are 82 maids serving in the Longxiang Pavilion alone, namely 12 first-class maids, 18 second-class maids, 29 third-class maids, and 23 fourth-class maids. There are 45 servants serving in the front courtyard, and the rest are assigned to various courtyards. In addition, the general owns six estates, 3,000 mu of fertile land, and 36 shops, all of which were transferred to Madam's name as betrothal gifts on the day of the wedding."
Meng Yu looked shocked and somewhat incredulous.
Lu Xiuyi gave her all of such a huge fortune.
As she spoke, Ying Congxin stepped down the stairs, pointing half a palm at the middle-aged man who was first in the front row: "This is Cui Zhuangtou, who manages the three villages in the eastern suburbs."
"This is Du Zhuangtou, who manages the two villages in the western suburbs."
"This is Zhang Zhuangtou, who manages the village in the northern suburbs."
After Ying Congxin finished introducing the four rows of people, a maid brought over the account books. Meng Yu glanced at them and immediately felt a headache coming on. She gave Huaiyin a look, and Huaiyin immediately said seriously, "Madam can't finish looking at these account books in a while. She'll call you over to retrieve them after she's finished looking at them in a few days. Madam is a little tired now, so you may all leave for now!"
Seeing that Meng Yu was troubled, Madam Zhuang quickly waved for everyone to leave and teased her, "It's the first day of your marriage, and you must have been tired yesterday. You should rest well today and have them show you around the mansion after your afternoon nap. As for these account books, you can look at them when you have time."
Mrs. Zhuang's thoughtfulness made Meng Yu a little embarrassed, but since the words had already been spoken, there was no reason to take them back, so she nodded in agreement.
***
Xiying.
The military tent was filled with solemn silence. Sensing that Lu Xiuyi was in a bad mood, the people reporting below all held their breath and pushed each other for a long time, but no one dared to step forward first.
There wasn't a single person in the entire capital who would return to handle military affairs the day after his wedding like him. He must have been tormented by his wife and was taking it out on them.
Lu Xiuyi paused in his hand as he flipped through the scroll, then raised his voice expressionlessly: "General Shi, you first explain why, during my nearly half-month trip to Tongzhou, those who made mistakes were not punished, and why they were kept in the military camp?"
As the cup emptied, a deep voice fell to the floor. A scruffy-bearded man stepped forward tremblingly and explained, "Those men are all cooks. They're poor; some have elderly mothers to support, while others have several children crying for food. If I were to drive them out of the camp, they would have no way to make a living and would likely starve to death on the streets. So, so..."
As he finished speaking, General Shi's voice grew even lower, as if he knew he had done something wrong.
Sure enough, a deep shout came from above: "Where is your military law? By my order, Shi Yin and the six soldiers who made the mistake shall be given thirty strokes of the cane, the six soldiers shall be expelled from the camp, Shi Yin shall be demoted three ranks and sent to guard the city gate for seven days."
Shi Yin didn't dare say anything more, and simply responded and left.
After dismissing everyone, Lu Xiuyi, supporting his brow, calmly instructed, "Chuze, this afternoon go to the manor and fetch three thousand taels of silver. Go and see if those soldiers need any help. Also, go to the storeroom and get two bottles of wound medicine for them."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ze paused slightly, feeling a sudden surge of emotion, and quickly responded.
After a moment's hesitation, Chu Ze asked awkwardly, "Young Master, did you not sleep well last night?"
How can I sleep well after lying on the floor all night?
Lu Xiuyi was about to speak, but when the words reached his lips, he felt deeply that if this matter got out, wouldn't he lose face?
He straightened his brows and said seriously, "Who said I can't sleep well? With a beauty in my arms, I sleep like a log. It's just that your wife is too stubborn. I'll teach her a lesson sooner or later."
In the end, Lu Xiuyi still couldn't help but grit his teeth.
Chu Ze looked completely bewildered. When did Meng Yu become his wife?
Listening to Lu Xiuyi's grumbling, he couldn't help but think to himself, "He keeps saying how bad she is, but yesterday when he heard that Aunt Zhuang had gone, he immediately dropped the wine pot and ran back. It was as if if he was a few breaths slower, she would be bullied by Aunt Zhuang."
What are you cursing in your heart?
Just as he was silently grumbling to himself, the atmosphere suddenly turned cold. Chu Ze was startled and turned his head toward the source of the sound. After a pause, he stammered with feigned innocence, "No, I didn't say anything!"
Lu Xiuyi raised his chin, watching him with his left hand across his chest and his right hand touching his earlobe: "You still say you're not cursing? Every time you curse someone in your heart, you do this. It's a good thing only I can understand your little tricks, otherwise, if I took you out, things would go wrong sooner or later."
Chu Ze was stunned by what he said and stood there blankly. He hadn't even realized that he had this bad habit. No wonder Lu Xiuyi could tell at a glance whenever he was thinking about other people.
He had no choice but to be more direct and frank: "I just think what you said makes sense, young master. Madam does need to be taught a lesson. She's just a woman. I support you in teaching her a lesson."
The gazes of those around him, sharp as knives and carrying a chilling undercurrent, suddenly swept over. Chu Ze looked over, his voice growing softer and softer, like flowing water.
Lu Xiuyi raised an eyebrow: "She's my woman. If anyone's going to talk about her, it's me. Who gave you the right to talk about her?"
A rhetorical question left Chuze speechless, and he hurriedly smiled awkwardly, "Yes, yes, I was being nosy."
That's really unfair...
***
After taking a nap, Meng Yu remembered what Zhuang Mama had said, so she asked one of the maids serving in her room to take them on a tour of the various parts of the mansion. However, before they had even gone halfway, her legs started to ache.
"The General's mansion wasn't originally this big. Later, the Emperor bestowed a marriage upon him and granted the General these places in the back mountain. The General said that his wife loved pear blossoms, so he had many pear trees planted in the back mountain." A maid with her hair in double buns pointed to the lush green grove in the distance.
Huaiyin helped Mengyu sit down in a pavilion. The maid was named Miaoqiu, who was bought by Chuze before Lu Xiuyi and Mengyu got married.
Seeing that she was clever and didn't have many ulterior motives, Chuze appointed her as a first-class maid to serve in his room.
Meng Yu didn't know where Lu Xiuyi got the information, but assumed she liked pear blossoms. Suddenly, she saw a patch of orange-red flowers peeking out from a courtyard wall in the southeast direction, with a few rays of golden light slanting across their surface, making them look like rosy clouds fallen to earth from afar.
Huaiyin followed her gaze and asked Miaoqiu, "What are those plants over there?"
"Trident creeper," Miaoqiu said with a hint of pride, "I heard that the General planted them himself. They cover an entire wall; they're so beautiful. It's the season for trumpet creepers to bloom now. Would you like to go and see them, Madam?"
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