At the Marquis of Jingning's mansion, Liu Yulian divided the things she had brought from Hainan, keeping some for her grandmother. Her grandmother, Old Madam Xue, lived with Second Master Xue and his family, and she never asked too much of Liu Yulian.
Old Madam Xue did not ask Liu Yulian to take better care of the second Miss Xue, nor did she ask Liu Yulian to help anyone.
Liu Yulian's grandmother was also a pitiful person. Old Madam Xue was schemed against so many times by the deceased old Uncle Xue.
"Just go visit your grandmother. It doesn't matter if you bring food or not," said Liu's mother. "It would be great if you could make some cakes yourself. Your grandmother said a few days ago that she missed your cakes. You can make some when you visit."
Old Madam Xue was old, and when she wanted to eat something, Mrs. Liu wanted to try her best to satisfy her.
During the time when Liu's mother was at her parents' home, it was Old Madam Xue and the others who took care of her. Liu's mother didn't ask Liu Yulian to cook every day, but occasionally asked her daughter to make some cakes for Old Madam Xue.
"Sure." Liu Yulian thought it was something else. It was just some pastries, which wasn't a difficult task for her. "I asked my second cousin if she wanted to bring anything back, but she said no, so I didn't help."
"Your second cousin didn't want to let you take your things because she saw that they weren't good," said Liu's mother. "It's almost New Year, and they're going to send New Year gifts to Beijing. If they're going to send them, why bother you?"
"That's right." Liu Yulian nodded. "I also brought back some seeds. We can plant them next spring."
"Can things from Hainan be grown here?" asked Liu's mother.
"I don't know, I'm just giving it a try," Liu Yulian said. "The greenhouse isn't perfect. Some crops will be frozen to death before frost even arrives."
Liu Yulian certainly didn't want the crops to freeze to death, but without electricity, the greenhouses weren't as effective as they would be in later generations, where high-tech heating lamps were used to raise the temperature.
In ancient times, people mostly raised the temperature in the greenhouse artificially, which was not a simple task.
Liu Yulian didn't have to grow those plants in the capital. She just wanted to give it a try. If it didn't work, that was fine. If they didn't try, they would never know if they could succeed.
"I heard that Liu Yuqin got engaged again." Liu's mother suddenly said.
"Did my elder sister say that?" Liu Yulian asked.
"She mentioned it," said Liu's mother. "She meant that Liu Yuqin should settle down somewhere else. It's unlikely that Liu Yuqin will ever come back to the capital. Even if Liu Yuqin does come, it will be several years later."
"Oh." Liu Yulian didn't care when Liu Yuqin would return to the capital.
When Liu Yuqin returned to the capital, Liu Yulian thought that she was not in the Jingning Marquis Mansion.
"Your eldest sister enrolled her daughter in Nanlu Women's College," said Mother Liu. "Nanlu Women's College is not bad. The headmaster there actually has people teach the girls about various subjects, rather than just going through the motions. Some colleges just provide instruction and don't test the students much, and the teachers who teach there aren't paid very well."
Liu's mother had inquired about it. She also wanted to let Liu Jia go to study. "Where do you think Jia Jie can go to study?"
"It's all right." Liu Yulian had no objection. The academy's school hadn't produced any results yet, but because the teachers were good, many people wanted to send their children to the academy. "The academy's school is also fine."
"I'm worried she's not studying well at the academy," said Liu's mother. "You're the director of the academy. Maybe Jia Jie is still thinking about you as her aunt. She thinks those teachers are not good enough."
"I'm worried she'll be naughty." Liu Yulian smiled. "Few children are like that. Children do ask a lot of questions, and adults don't always know the answers. She can do well in the school at the research institute. My sister-in-law goes there from time to time, so she can keep an eye on her."
"She is still young. Let her go in two years." Mother Liu thought about it and decided that her granddaughter was too young. It would be better to let her study in an ordinary school first, and then let her go to the school of the research institute later.
"All is fine." Liu Yulian didn't care.
At Duke Chengguo's Mansion, after Old Lady He learned that He Xiyuan had returned, she came over and asked a few questions.
"Have you sent Rongning back first?" asked Mrs. He.
"Yes." He Xiyuan said, "How could I not send her back first?"
It was impossible for He Xiyuan to come back first, so it was impossible for him to let Sister Lian send him back first. They didn't separate at the city gate. At most, he would have someone send the things back first, and he would take Sister Lian to Jingning Marquis Mansion.
"Grandma, your grandson just came back and you're asking this question." He Xiyuan said with a smile. It's not that he felt that Mrs. He didn't care about him, but Mrs. He's current attitude was completely different from the attitude when she asked him to cancel the engagement.
"Why would I ask that? You're standing here perfectly still, why should I ask how you're doing?" Old Madam He asked, "How did you feel about going to Hainan? Did you have any arguments?"
"There was no quarrel, and Sister Lian didn't want to cancel the engagement with me, so you can rest assured." He Xiyuan said, "My grandson is not that unreliable."
"That's fine," said Madam He. "I'm just worried about you two. Young people who have been together for a long time may not necessarily feel that they are so good together."
"You are worried that you will lose an excellent granddaughter-in-law." He Xiyuan said.
"That's good to know," said Madam He. "When you went to Hainan, your mother went to the Marquis of Jingning's mansion and talked about your marriage. But it hasn't been finalized yet. The Marquis of Jingning's mansion hasn't agreed. When you come back, I'll ask your mother to take you there to discuss it."
Old Madam He thought it would be better to let Liu Yulian marry into the family as soon as possible. If Liu Yulian did not marry into the family, who knew what would happen in the future.
"You are more anxious than I am..." He Xiyuan sighed.
"It's urgent, extremely urgent, understand?" Madam He said bluntly, "It's hard for a woman to marry after a broken engagement, and it's also hard to marry after a divorce, but it depends on who it is. If it's someone like Rong Ning, there must be many people willing to marry Rong Ning."
“…” He Xiyuan had heard these words many times, and he didn’t know when Old Madam He fell in love with these words.
The next day, Liu Yulian made pastries. She also brought some things back from Hainan to visit Mrs. Xue.
Old Madam Xue was sitting in the yard basking in the sun. The sun was shining brightly today, so the old lady came out for a walk.
"You just came back yesterday, why are you here today?" Madam Xue looked at Liu Yulian, "This must be too much work. I wonder if you can take a few days of rest."
"After a few days of rest, there might be other things to do, and by then it will be the New Year. It's better to come earlier and see you." Liu Yulian didn't feel very tired. When they were on the road, they also rested at night and didn't have to travel all night.
In ancient times, there was abundant forest vegetation and wild animals.
If they travel at night, they might encounter some ferocious wild animals on the road. They would stay in the town if possible instead of sleeping in the wild.
"Try some of the cakes I made," Liu Yulian said. "This is yam and jujube paste cake, and there are also coconut bars made with coconut."
Liu Yulian made two kinds of pastries and also made desserts with specialties brought from Hainan.
"It tastes good." Madam Xue tasted a piece of yam and jujube paste cake. "It's the same cake, but you always make it so delicious."
Old Madam Xue had eaten a lot of cakes in her life, including those from the palace, but she always thought the cakes made by her granddaughter Liu Yulian were delicious. Her daughter knew that she liked the cakes made by her granddaughter, so she often brought cakes made by her granddaughter to visit her. Even if her daughter didn't come, she would have cakes delivered to her.
Mrs. Xue thought Liu Yulian was a very filial person. Liu Yulian was the director of the research institute and had a lot of things to do, but she also made cakes for them personally.
If it were someone else, that person might find them troublesome.
"You did a good job." Mrs. Xue said again.
"As long as you enjoy your meal," Liu Yulian said, "as for you, just eat and drink well now. If you want to eat something, just tell us. We will definitely make it for you if we can."
"What others cook isn't as delicious as what you cook. Aren't you afraid that I will stare at you and make you cook it?" Old Lady Xue joked.
"Don't worry." Liu Yulian said, "I want to eat too. I make it every now and then. How much can you eat by yourself?"
Liu Yulian didn't make a lot of cakes each time, but she would still make three or five plates. She'd share some with the family and give a few to Old Madam Xue. As for the others, she didn't get much. Even for the Madam of the Duke of Cheng's mansion, Liu Yulian didn't often have cakes delivered.
Liu Yulian had not yet married into the Duke Cheng's Mansion, so there was naturally no need for her to do that. Even if she had married, there was no need for her to always send things to Old Madam He.
If you're someone's daughter-in-law or granddaughter-in-law, you shouldn't give gifts too frequently. While filial piety is a good thing, some people will think you're trying to please them and treat you less well. That's why the ancients always advocated for modesty, and this is where modesty is necessary.
"If there's any kind of pastry you like, please have someone tell me, and I'll make that kind next time I make pastries," said Liu Yulian.
"Don't you think it's tiring?" Old Madam Xue asked, "You usually have to be busy outside."
"It's not so bad." Liu Yulian said, "I have a high status and no one is pressuring me to do those things. It doesn't matter whether I do it or not."
"It's not as good as before." Old Madam Xue asked, "Will people say you are incompetent now?"
"Good things can't be researched at any time." Liu Yulian chuckled. "I studied for so many years before, not just one or two years. If I really have to rely on the time I study, then I should study for a few more years, take a few years off, and then come up with something."
Actually, Liu Yulian wasn't idle. She continued to prepare culture solutions for different crops, aiming for better growth. These things could be taught to others, but embroidery and the like weren't as important. Embroidery depended on individual ability, and it wasn't a necessity.
"Don't worry," Liu Yulian said, "These things are nothing."
"Yes." Madam Xue nodded slightly. "I'm old and don't understand these things."
Old Madam Xue just asked a few questions and didn't go into deeper details.
After a while, Madam Qin Da Shao also arrived. She came because she knew Liu Yulian was coming to see Madam Xue. Madam Qin Da Shao had already figured out that she was just an ordinary woman in the inner house. She didn't have the ability of her younger sister, so she couldn't envy her younger sister's ability.
"I heard you were here, so I came to see you too." Madam Qin smiled at Liu Yulian.
Liu Yulian noticed that Madam Qin's attitude seemed much warmer. You know, when she left the capital, Madam Qin's attitude towards her was already a little cold. However, Liu Yulian didn't pay too much attention to Madam Qin at the time. She was not someone who lacked love, and even if she did, there was no need for her to stare at Madam Qin.
"Okay, come and sit down." Old Madam Xue waved to Madam Qin, the eldest young master's wife.
Old Madam Xue didn't know what happened between Madam Qin and Liu Yulian. She only knew that the two were sisters from the same mother, and she thought there should be no problems between them.
"Rongning just said she'd make me some cakes," Old Madam Xue said. "I told her she was so busy, she didn't need to make cakes all the time. Guess what she said? She said she loves food herself, too, and is a bit of a glutton."
"Yes, eat it yourself." Liu Yulian nodded, "I just want to eat something better, so I made it."
"My younger sister is a great cook. She's very capable in both the living room and the kitchen. She's truly amazing." Madam Qin said, "Among us sisters, my younger sister is the best."
When Liu Yulian heard what Madam Qin said, she couldn't help but look at Madam Qin a few more times.
"I'm telling the truth." Madam Qin Dashao noticed the look in Liu Yulian's eyes. Perhaps Liu Yulian didn't quite believe she'd actually said such a thing. "Now I wish I'd read more of those books when I was a kid, but then I think, without your cleverness, I still wouldn't have been able to learn."
"Learn more, and maybe you will understand something." Liu Yulian said.
"Some books are simple to you, but to us, they are heavenly books." said Mrs. Qin.
Madam Qin Dashao did not say much about Liu Yuqin, nor did she say anything bad about Liu Yulian, nor did she tell Liu Yulian what to do.
When Madam Qin Da Shao and Liu Yulian were walking alone in the courtyard, Madam Qin Da Shao said, "Little sister, I was blinded a few days ago. Please forgive me."
"It's okay." Liu Yulian didn't care about these things.
Liu Yulian didn't know that Madam Qin had given Young Master Qin a maid as his concubine, and her mother didn't tell Liu Yulian about this either.
Liu's mother believed that the matter of the maidservant was already a foregone conclusion, and besides, that was how women were. Young Master Qin had been married to Madam Qin for more than ten years, but he had not yet taken a concubine. In the eyes of outsiders, Young Master Qin had treated Madam Qin very well.
Therefore, Liu's mother didn't say much.
Madam Qin Da Shao didn't know whether Liu Yulian knew about those things, and she didn't say those things in front of Liu Yulian. This was the Qin family's business, and Liu Yulian was not a member of the Qin family. Liu Yulian had no right to interfere in those matters.
Madam Qin knew that even if Liu Yulian knew about those things, she wouldn't rush to the Qin family to make decisions for her. This is how the world works; men can have three wives and four concubines.
Liu Yulian didn't know why Madam Qin changed her attitude, so she didn't ask any further questions.
When Liu Yulian returned to the Marquis of Jingning's Mansion and met her mother, she said that Madam Qin had changed a lot.
"It's because her husband asked for a maidservant." Mother Liu said, "The previous maidservants were given by your eldest sister. After your eldest sister gave birth, she sent them away. This time, the maidservant was given by her mother-in-law. Who knows, she might become a concubine in the future."
"How could this happen?" Liu Yulian opened her eyes wide.
"I guess they just think your eldest sister has nothing to do all day and is just messing around." said Liu's mother.
"This isn't a good reason to give it to a maidservant." Liu Yulian said, "Besides, what is Big Sister doing?"
"Your eldest sister is dissatisfied with you, jealous of you, and she's siding with Liu Yuqin." Liu's mother said, "Your eldest sister is also stupid. She's so obvious about it, afraid that others won't know that she's not on good terms with you."
"That's a matter between my elder sister and me. Why do they treat my elder sister like that?" Liu Yulian really felt that the Qin family shouldn't do that.
"That's how it works in the inner house. The mother-in-law wants her daughter-in-law to settle down and stop doing other things, so she sends a woman to her son." Mother Liu said, "This is the most direct method used in the inner house."
“…” Liu Yulian was silent.
"You are different from your elder sister. You have a high social status." Mother Liu patted Liu Yulian's hand. "Because of your great reputation outside, the Chengguo Mansion dare not send a woman to your husband. After you get married, you will live in the Princess's Mansion. The people in the Chengguo Mansion also said that if He Xiyuan dares to do you wrong, they will break his legs."
"You're just joking. There's no way his leg would really be broken." Liu Yulian said.
"That's what they said, put it nicely." Liu's mother said, "Even if they really broke He Xiyuan's leg, it's nothing. You also cured his elder brother's leg."
"This..." Liu Yulian didn't know what to say.
"They treat you so well only because you're capable," said Mother Liu. "If you weren't so capable, it wouldn't be easy for your husband to stay with you alone. They might think he should take a concubine, thinking he's the legitimate son of a Duke and how could he be so shabby. But you're a princess, so that's different."
Anyone with a clear mind in the family would know that they cannot send a woman to the princess's husband, unless the princess has no children. Only then would they ask the princess if they can send a maid as a concubine.
If those people sent women without the princess's permission, it might make the princess unhappy and the royal family unhappy.
Madam Qin sent a maid to Young Master Qin without telling his wife. Others cannot say that Madam Qin did a big mistake. At most, they can say that Young Master Qin's wife did not do a good job, which is why Madam Qin acted like this.
"Your eldest sister is the first child of the Marquis's family, so it's inevitable... Alas." Mother Liu sighed, "Things have come to this point, so I hope your eldest sister will be more open-minded. With a family like the Qin family, it's hard for her husband not to take a concubine. Her husband already has illegitimate brothers and sisters, so how could she not have them too? It's just a matter of time."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com