This topic seems to have hit a dead end.
The atmosphere in the room was rather stifling, and Mrs. Zhao’s smile was forced. As she was contemplating taking her leave, she suddenly heard the heavy chi of the Western clock. She turned her head to take a look and said, "Oh, it’s already this ti. Miss, you must be planning to go to Qinghui Garden? I won’t delay your important matters any further. I’ll take my leave first."
"Very well," Du Yunluo nodded, her face full of smiles, as if the anger from before had completely vanished, making Mrs. Zhao’s face even more ashen. She instructed Jin Rui, "See Mrs. Zhao out. Mrs. Zhao, I’m sorry for not entertaining you well today, and for not having any snacks prepared. Next ti you’re free, do co again for tea."
Mrs. Zhao stood up, tidied her clothes, and bowed, "You’re too kind, Miss. I will definitely co again for tea."
With the crisp sound of beads clinking, Mrs. Zhao left the East Wing, not bothering to look around the middle room, and directly lifted the curtain and exited the main room.
Outside, the setting sun painted the sky red.
On sumr evenings, without any rain for the past couple of days, the air was particularly stifling, making one sweat after just a few steps.
Standing under the sun, Mrs. Zhao felt a lot more comfortable.
She didn’t know why, but just now in front of Du Yunluo, even though she spoke her mind without any pretense, yet Du Yunluo’s gaze...
Mrs. Zhao felt a chill, as though Du Yunluo was looking at her, but also not looking at her, making her neck and back turn cold.
"Alas..." Mrs. Zhao sighed, squinting at the sun, while a maid greeted her fawningly. She replied curtly and, walking outside, pondered deeply on where exactly she had offended Du Yunluo.
Mrs. Zhao had been in the manor for many years, adept at reading people and gauging her masters’ moods; otherwise, she wouldn’t have managed so smoothly for so long. She could see that Du Yunluo didn’t like her.
Leaving aside that mischievous little nephew, their elder nephew was clearly excellent.
Decent appearance, reliable, obedient, and diligent; he did well in the shop. In the future... could Du Huaiping truly replace the Zhao father and son?
If Jin Ling were to marry into the Zhao family and beco a shopkeeper’s wife, it would be an imnse blessing and dignity.
After all, Jin Ling was a maid without roots, with her family dragging along two burdens, a sickly brother and a half-blind mother. Whoever married her would essentially have to dig into their pockets to fill those two pits.
The mother could be overlooked, as her age made her indifferent to food and drink, but the sickly brother was a bottomless pit; in the future, they’d need money to find him a wife too.
For a maid like Jin Ling, having soone willing to marry her would be a blessing from Amitabha Buddha. Yet, Du Yunluo’s intentions were unclear, letting things drag on as if the Fifth Miss ant to provide for the whole family herself?
In the end, it was Jin Ling’s misfortune. Missing this opportunity ant losing it altogether. The Zhao family certainly didn’t insist on Jin Ling, especially after Du Yunluo already declined. Mrs. Zhao wouldn’t co asking again.
It seed like Jin Ling wouldn’t be able to marry out in the future.
Mrs. Zhao thought with resentnt.
Upon returning to her own room, she found Housekeeper Zhao sitting on the bed waiting for her.
"The Fifth Miss said to reconsider, but from her expression, it’s clear she won’t agree." Mrs. Zhao said.
"The Fifth Miss declined? Did you say sothing wrong that upset her?" Housekeeper Zhao knocked his pipe on the table, anxious, "Didn’t I tell you to persuade Jin Ling first, to have her speak with the Fifth Miss? What weight do you think your old face carries with the Fifth Miss?"
Mrs. Zhao, having endured anger at Anhua Courtyard without daring to argue with her master, returned ho only to be scolded before even sipping her tea, imdiately feeling displeased. Hands on her hips, she retorted, "Did I say sothing wrong? Is my face undeserving? If you’re so capable, why didn’t you go yourself to plead? Let tell you, it’s not my fault; your own little rascal’s reputation is known to the lady. What more could I do? It’s truly disgraceful!"
Housekeeper Zhao’s eyes widened as he loudly retorted, "What nonsense! How could the lady know..."
"The lady knows!" Mrs. Zhao shot back, "In the future, it’s not just that rascal but even our elder nephew who’ll be affected. Complaining about Jin Ling’s two bottomless pits at her ho, does your gambling addict have any less of a pit?"
Housekeeper Zhao’s face turned dark as coal. After taking a couple of heavy puffs from his pipe, he asked, "She truly knows? Just how did you speak with her, tell in detail."
"Why? Either way, we’re refused, so stop dreaming of that unattainable match." Mrs. Zhao sat heavily on the bed, mocking.
"Is your family stupid or ignorant!" Housekeeper Zhao fud, "Who is that? That’s the precious one of the manor! Don’t you hear everyone saying how kind and easygoing the Fifth Miss is now? Think back six months ago, where she’d show no leniency if displeased by soone."
Mrs. Zhao paused, recalling her few interactions with Du Yunluo; though limited, she knew the girl’s temper – it was indeed...
"You an..." Mrs. Zhao tentatively began.
Housekeeper Zhao nodded heavily: "No one knows what’s in the Fifth Miss’s heart. If today you offended her and she lightly ntions it to the Old Madam, it’ll be enough trouble for us."
"Is it really that severe..."
"How can it not be!" Housekeeper Zhao snorted, "Why else would she outright refuse, showing no courtesy? Clearly, she dislikes you. A maid must marry soone; what’s wrong with our family?"
"Perhaps, perhaps..." Mrs. Zhao stamred, an idea striking her, "Oh dear, could it be she’s saving her for the future in-law? Jin Ling has no roots and entirely depends on the Miss, making her easy to control, plus she’s attractive."
Housekeeper Zhao, hearing this, agreed it made sense. They analyzed together and beca more convinced it was indeed the case.
If Du Yunluo was reserving her for the in-law, no wonder Mrs. Zhao got a cold reception.
In Qinghui Garden, Du Yunluo was unaware of the Zhao couple’s speculations, excitedly talking to Mrs. Zhen about visiting Fa Yin Temple.
Mrs. Zhen rubbed her forehead and said, "I know it’s been a while since you went out, and you’re eager, but there’s no need to be so eager."
Du Yundi wanted to tease her but reconsidered, thinking how the sisters, confined daily in the manor, naturally had different expectations of outings than n did, and felt more sympathy. "I heard the vegetarian als at Fa Yin Temple are quite good. Mother and Fifth Sister can have their fill then."
Du Yunluo gave Du Yundi a sidelong glance, protesting, "Fourth Brother is guessing my thoughts again. I’m going to pray for Eldest Sister, not for those als. Don’t speak nonsense, or people might find out and laugh at ."
Mrs. Zhen listened to the siblings’ banter, shaking her head with a smile.
Leaning against Mrs. Zhen, Du Yunluo cooed, "Mother understands best. I simply wish to go out."
Going out, to Fa Yin Temple on that very day; if all went well, she could et the person she had longed for decades to see. How could she not feel excited, anticipated, and nervous?
These thoughts, she could not share with anyone, only keeping them in her heart, experiencing the bittersweetness alone.
In Fa Yin Temple’s releasing pool, what was once a dual plunge into water would not happen again this ti.
However, upon seeing that person again, what should she say?
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Just noticed yesterday that "author’s notes" are not visible on the app client. Every ti I ask for votes, recomndations, rewards, and thanks, app readers don’t see any of it.
So today, I’m writing it here.
Last Chapter before it’s available for sale tomorrow, please support, dear readers.
Thank you for the gifts from book friends fayeer, and Nan Mu Zitan~~~
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