Chapter 419
Chapter 419: Chapter 413_1 Chapter 419: Chapter 413_1 Jiang Ziqi’s request had been fulfilled, and after a plentiful conversation, Lady Roujia was finally ready to leave. Before departing, she thought of something, “Yueyue, since you have agreed to have Chen Ruyu and Zhang Peilan over as guests, how do you plan to arrange it? Why not just host at my Princess Residence? I suppose they wouldn’t dare to object. It’s not that I look down upon your home, but this courtyard is indeed a bit too small. Those two women are intent on making things difficult for you, and they’ll likely bring a substantial number of people. Your place definitely won’t be able to accommodate so many.”
Lin Yue didn’t take offense at Lady Roujia’s words; she knew that the Commandery Princess was genuinely considering her situation in making such a suggestion. Had Lin Yue not purchased that residence, she wouldn’t have rashly agreed to have Chen Ruyu and Zhang Peilan over.
“Thank you, Princess, for your thoughtful suggestion. However, I’m only renting this courtyard temporarily. I have already bought another property elsewhere, but it’s not ready yet. Once it is, I will move there soon. It’s spacious enough to accommodate everyone,” Lin Yue said, now realizing just how necessary the purchase of the new house had been.
“Oh…, so you’ve purchased another residence. I wondered, this courtyard is indeed a bit too humble! Where is the new house located? Remember to let me know when you move, otherwise I’ll come here in vain.” Lady Roujia, upon learning that Lin Yue had bought a different house, felt it was the proper move and didn’t hide her thoughts.
Lin Yue felt somewhat embarrassed internally. She knew Lady Roujia was of noble station and wouldn’t be accustomed to this place; however, the Commandery Princess had just refrained from saying it outright to save her face.
“I certainly will. When I move, I will definitely have someone inform the Princess. I won’t leave you visiting an empty house.”
“That’s good. It’s getting late, and it’s about time I headed back. Do come to the Princess Residence when you have time. I’m awfully bored all day long and would love someone to talk with.”
“I’m honored by your invitation, Princess. I will surely visit the Princess Residence another day,” Lin Yue replied, motioning for a servant to hand over a box and a package, which were thank-you gifts she had prepared in advance for Lady Roujia. They were a few exquisitely crafted double-sided embroidery items, each one personally selected by Lin Yue from her favorites, believing the Princess would enjoy them.
“Princess, thank you for your help today. I didn’t suffer any losses at the Chen Mansion because of you. This is a small token of appreciation, please don’t look down on it. Also, this package contains some homemade food and ingredients you asked for earlier,” Lin Yue said as she handed the items to the Commandery Princess’s maid, who didn’t dare decide for herself whether to accept them and instead looked to her mistress for confirmation.
Assuming it was nothing of great value, Lady Roujia nodded her head, and the maid quickly took the items from Lin Yue’s hands.
After seeing Lady Roujia off, Lin Yue had barely stepped inside when Zhao Erhu pulled her into the room, closed the door, and questioned, “Wife, what’s going on here? You seem to be quite close to Lady Roujia; how did you get to know her? Also, did anything happen today at the Chen Mansion? Did Miss Chen make things difficult for you?”
Earlier, Lady Roujia had been presiding over Lin Yue’s time, leaving Zhao Erhu no chance to inquire. Now, his question came out in rapid succession, a volley of queries, his face brimming with worry. Lin Yue had to explain clearly, or Zhao Erhu wouldn’t be able to set his mind at ease.
“Brother Erhu, rest assured, with Lady Roujia protecting me, neither Chen Ruyu nor Zhang Peilan dare to trouble me. Haven’t I returned all safe and sound, without suffering any grievance?” Lin Yue said with a beaming smile.
“Zhang Peilan? Who is that, and tell me, aside from Chen Ruyu, is there more than one person making life difficult for you?”
“Zhang Peilan is the young lady of the Zhang Family. Their family and Brother Jiang’s family are sworn enemies, so they wanted to target me. But Brother Jiang asked for the help of Lady Roujia. Given her noble status, her arrival intimidated everyone…” Lin Yue relayed the day’s events to Zhao Erhu in detail. Listening, Erhu’s expression alternated between good and bad. While he was grateful to Jiang Ziqi, he felt increasingly ashamed. He was determined to work hard and advance, so that his beloved wife wouldn’t have to endure such hardship again.
“We really owe it to Doctor Jiang today. I never expected the legitimate daughter of the Chen family to be so narrow-minded. All because of a moment’s pique, she made things difficult for you. Thankfully, Lady Roujia arrived just in time, otherwise you would have suffered quite a lot.”
Lin Yue couldn’t stand to see Zhao Erhu blame himself like this when this man had truly done his best within his capabilities. That morning, while she had been in the Chen Mansion, Erhu had been waiting outside, no doubt filled with worry.
These days, observing the ladies of major households, their lives seemingly glorious on the surface, she saw that most were filled with bitterness inside. Despite being their own husbands, they had to share them with other women. Take the madam of the Chen Family, for instance—only now had Lin Yue discovered that Master Chen also had several concubines. Moreover, one of them was greatly favored by Master Chen and had already borne him children. Lin Yue sighed; she had once thought of Master Chen as a good official, but in this aspect, he was but an ordinary man. Indeed, even someone like Jiang Ziqi had several concubines. To these men, such behavior seemed quite normal.
The clearer one sees, the more one knows to cherish. Therefore, having met a man like Zhao Erhu who was sincerely devoted to her made Lin Yue feel the heavens had been kind to her, making her two lifetimes worthwhile. As for wealth, status, and high social standing, although she couldn’t conventionally claim to be indifferent, they weren’t the most important thing to her. All she wanted was to better protect herself and her family.
“Zhao Erhu, you must always treat me well. Even if we become wealthy in the future, you’re not allowed to take a concubine or engage in frivolous liaisons. As long as you are good to me, I will be very good to you too,” Lin Yue pledged earnestly, not in her usual jesting manner, her eyes full of sincerity.
Zhao Erhu was moved by his little wife’s words; silly girl, only she would care about him so much. How could he ever treat her poorly? “Wife, rest assured, I, Zhao Erhu, will only want you in this life. If I ever do anything to wrong you, let me be struck down by the heavens with thunder, let me…”Lin Yue covered Erhu’s mouth, “Enough, I don’t want to hear these empty promises; just show me through your actions in the future.”
“Yes, I will definitely show you through my actions. Wife, I’ll work hard to give you a good life.”
Zhao Erhu, knowing that Lin Yue wanted to host a banquet, hurriedly tidied up the newly purchased residence. They chose an auspicious day to move in. Lin Yue also personally visited the Princess Residence to inform Lady Roujia of this matter. Meanwhile, at the Chen Mansion, Chen Ruyu had been waiting two or three days without seeing any invitation from Lin Yue.