The Good Concubine of the Qing Dynasty [Red Mansion]

The backyard is now equally divided between Bitao Courtyard and Lanxin Courtyard. Lin Ruhai has come to Lanxin Courtyard many times. Apart from anything else, the attitude of the kitchen is very obvious.

Her meals are always generous in portion and always come with extra goodies above and beyond the allotted amount, and when she gets snacks, they are always delivered quickly and well.

In contrast, the food at Meixiangyuan will be placed at the end if you don’t pay extra.

Aunt Mei often loses her temper.

Before, she received her meals earlier than Lan Xinyuan.

Songbaiyuan naturally knew what happened in the backyard, and Nanny Wang would report it to her one by one.

Although the old lady had no interaction with the two concubines, she always had people watching them to prevent them from being harmed by someone with ulterior motives and being unable to have children.

In addition to this, the old lady is also concerned that her son cannot stay in Bitaoyuan all the time.

She knew that it would take several years before Jia gave birth to a weak daughter, and then more than ten years later, the daughter would die in her Jia family, and the Lin family would be completely extinct.

In order to avoid this situation, the old lady absolutely wanted her son to give birth to a son. If that was not possible, she could only adopt a son.

It’s better than the last bloodline of the Lin family being cut off.

The old lady thought of this and reminded her, “Keep a closer eye on them.” As she spoke, she counted the Buddhist beads on her wrist one by one.

One by one, this action can calm her heart.

“Don’t worry, old lady.” As she said this, Nanny Wang lowered her eyes, hiding the thoughts in her eyes.

The old lady has changed a lot since she came here and took office.

The master did not want to take a concubine at first. He wanted to raise two of his own sons or ask for people from the Jia family. However, the old lady refused to agree and even fell ill. The master was a filial son, so he finally agreed. The lady also resisted the pressure from the Jia family and really brought in two people. At the same time, the old lady also placed people in some key places in the backyard.

It’s different from the past in the capital when the old lady basically handed all the housekeeping matters over to the madam, but now she seems worried.

Nanny Wang didn’t know what her master was thinking now.

It seemed that when the old lady came here, away from the capital and the Jiangnan area, she seemed to expose her suppressed dissatisfaction with the wife.

Thinking of this, Nanny Wang’s body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed. It was useless for her to think about these things anymore. She just had to listen to her master’s orders.

Not long after, someone delivered what Aunt Mei wanted.

She asked the maid to keep an eye on the master, and when he came back, she dressed up carefully and blocked people on the road he had to pass.

A pair of eyes complained: “Master, you haven’t come to see me for a long time…”

Hongxiu didn’t know what they talked about, but she knew the result: as soon as the master entered the backyard, he was pulled to Meixiangyuan by Aunt Mei.

If the previous rules were followed, the master would most likely come to their Lanxinyuan.

Hongyi pouted and complained, “Aunt Mei is really unkind.”

Yun Shuyao got up from the stool, walked around the room, and stretched her body: “After all, the master is the one who makes the decision. Well, the master has gone to Meixiangyuan. You should go back and rest early. I don’t need to keep anyone here.”

Be more Buddhist in life.

If Lin Ruhai didn’t want to go, he could not be dragged away.

It is important to have self-awareness.

She admits that she has.

As for letting them go back, everyone has gotten used to it.

She couldn’t get used to someone resting on the pedals.

Hongxiu and Hongyi looked at each other, refilled the tea in the room, tidied up the sundries, and then left.

At first, they disagreed with not leaving anyone in the room, but the aunt personally demonstrated how she couldn’t sleep well without someone in the room, so they had to leave. But they had to say that as long as the aunt said it was time to rest, they could go back to their own room, which was indeed more relaxing.

Although serving in Lanxinyuan does not earn as much reward as serving in Meixiangyuan, there is no pressure either.

The aunt was a person who was easy to serve. She never beat or scolded the servants and always spoke kindly to them.

Even if the master was in a bad mood and didn’t come, she would not take her anger out on them. She would still practice calligraphy and read quietly.

After they were sent here, how they will live in the future basically depends on their master. Only if the master lives well can they, the servants, live well. From the current point of view, they will be more favored by the master if they stay in Lanxinyuan than in Meixiangyuan.

Let these people be happy too.

The next day, when she went to pay her respects, Aunt Mei, who usually went out later than her, looked radiant this time and arrived at Bitao Courtyard one step earlier than Yun Shuyao.

She changed her previous golden style and wore a pink dress. The jewelry on her head was replaced with a pearl crown. At first glance, she didn’t look so eye-catching, but upon closer inspection, she was still expensive.

The color on her face was more prominent; her face was as red as peach blossoms, and she looked at Lin Ruhai above, her eyes… occasionally flirting with him while greeting him: “Hello, Master, Hello, Madam.”

Yun Shuyao saluted without looking away.

There’s nothing wrong with flirting, but, colleague, why don’t you consider the occasion?

Jia Min is a superior who is very easy to get along with. Do you really want to make her turn evil?

Yun Shuyao raised her eyes and saw Jia Min’s expression… For a moment, Yun Shuyao thought of the Buddha statue on the jade throne. It looked kind, but actually, there was an emptiness in its eyes.

Lin Ruhai was drinking tea, his eyes fixed on the tea bowl in front of him, seemingly unaware of the undercurrents between his wives and concubines.

Lin Ruhai and Jia Min went to Songbaiyuan together to pay their respects to the old lady.

Leaving the two of them alone.

On the way back, Aunt Mei’s eyes turned into a contemptuous look again, “Sister Yun, as the saying goes, things change over time.”

Yun Shuyao nodded: “Yes, that makes sense.”

Aunt May’s cheek twitched.

What kind of response is this?

She looked at Yun Shuyao with a ghostly look and scanned her up and down: “Sister Yun, it’s the best that you know. I worked hard last night, and now I’m exhausted, so I won’t chat with you anymore.”

After saying that, she turned and left.

The one who came with her today was not Hongxiu. Her mother was sick, so she took leave early in the morning to go back to visit her. The one who came was Hongyi.

She was not as calm as Hongxiu. Seeing Aunt Mei’s behavior, she stomped her feet in anger and said, “Aunt, Aunt Mei is so, so…” She couldn’t find the right adjective.

Before, when the master came to their Lanxin Courtyard, she never said so much about how hard she worked. As for Aunt Mei, the master only visited her once yesterday. What is she so proud of?

Shouldn’t their aunts be the ones who should be proud?

That night, Aunt Mei used the same old trick again. No one knew what method she used, but she forced Lin Ruhai to go to Meixiangyuan again.

Hongyi came to report the news with a frown, “Aunt, today the master was also dragged to Meixiangyuan by Aunt Mei. Originally… I thought the master was most likely going to the main courtyard.” There was some worry on her face.

My wife will be angry like this, right?

Yun Shuyao grabbed a handful of peanuts for her and said, “I know about this. Go and do your work. Don’t talk about it anymore.”

It is obvious that Aunt Mei will offend Bitao Court by doing this. Doesn’t she understand that?

She had been disrespectful to Jia Min before, but she had not crossed Jia Min’s bottom line, so Jia Min was willing to give the old lady face and not do anything to them. However, if Lin Ruhai was intercepted and taken away by Aunt Mei on his way to Bitaoyuan, Jia Min’s prestige would be shaken.

Logically speaking, Lin Ruhai shouldn’t have followed them to Meixiangyuan.

Yun Shuyao thought about it for a while but couldn’t figure it out. She could only keep this doubt in mind, put it aside for the time being, and continue practicing.

She could feel that she was not far from breaking through to the next level.

It is easiest to advance superpowers from level one to level two. As long as you have the talent and are diligent, you can achieve it.

Yun Shuyao wanted to upgrade as quickly as possible so that after reaching level four, she might be able to transfer supernatural powers to the spirit mirror and help it recover faster.

In the Bitao Courtyard, Jia Min was holding a cup of tea in her hand. After hearing the news, she stopped holding it. The cup tilted slightly, and tea flowed out.

Madam Qian quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe it and took the cup: “Madam!” She looked at Jia Min distressedly: “Madam, don’t panic, that vixen in Meixiangyuan only piqued the master’s interest for a while, it won’t last long.”

Jia Min smiled bitterly, watching her slender fingers being wiped clean one by one by the nanny as if she was looking through this to see something else: “Before, the master liked Yun, and now the master likes Mei. Will there be more people in the master’s backyard in the future?”

Madam Qian curled her lips and said, “Madam, don’t be anxious. The master is not that kind of person, and Madam is here. The people from Meixiang Courtyard should have been taught a lesson long ago, but it’s not too late to teach them a lesson now.”

Jia Min wanted to nod, but finally shook her head: “Mammy, no need.”

After saying this, she suddenly felt very pathetic.

Since when did she start to be cautious, even when teaching a concubine a lesson?

Madam Qian was so distressed that she said, “Madam, you are the legitimate daughter of our Rongguo Mansion, and you are the one that the master and the mistress hold in their hands. No one can let you suffer any injustice.”

Jia Min’s eyelashes trembled, “Father, mother…”

Her father had passed away and her mother was ill, so she didn’t even dare write to inform her that the master in the mansion was taking a concubine.

Nanny Qian disregarded hierarchy and held the lady in her arms. She knew that her lady just lacked confidence.

If the lady had a son, there would be no need to worry so much!

That night, Jia Min went to bed early but tossed and turned in bed and finally closed her eyes when it was almost dawn.

On the second day, Lin Ruhai left Meixiangyuan and came to the main courtyard alone.

“Mei is not feeling well, so she won’t come to pay her respects today.”

Jia Min was stunned for a moment. Feeling unwell?

Are you scared about her?

A flash of mockery flashed across Jia Min’s eyes: “If that’s the case, we should call a doctor.”

Lin Ruhai nodded: “Please send one.”

Jia Min: “…”

Is she really sick?

Yun Shuyao also had this question, and for the next few days, Aunt Mei claimed to be sick and stayed in Meixiangyuan.

Jia Min specifically looked at the prescription written by the doctor, which was all Taifang, which was meant to calm the mind and spirit.

This is clearly pretending to be sick!

It is worth mentioning that since Aunt Mei fell ill, Lin Ruhai basically stayed in the Bitao Courtyard whenever he went to the backyard.

It was not until half a month later that he came to Lanxinyuan again.

It was also at this time that Aunt Mei walked out of the gate of Meixiangyuan again.

As soon as they met, Jia Min and Yun Shuyao were a little surprised. Aunt Mei really looked sick. Her face did not look good, and she had lost several pounds.

There is only a pair of eyes, shining brightly.

Yun Shuyao was keenly aware of her suppressed emotions.

It feels like excitement, but also like anxiety.

What did she do?

A month later, Yun Shuyao found out.

Hongxiu, who was usually calm and composed, was so frightened that she walked in from outside, tripped over the threshold, and almost kissed the ground.

She hurriedly got up, her face flushed, “Aunt! Aunt Mei has called a doctor, and the doctor said she’s pregnant!”