Nanny Rong smiled.
“Then this servant can be certain that Fourth Young Master has spent all these years only focused on studying. He probably doesn’t even know the prices of ordinary goods anymore!”
Jiang Lingyuan was startled, but then she felt that this was indeed possible.
She said,”No wonder the academy didn’t allow Fourth Master to participate in the autumn imperial examination three years ago!”
After all, Duke of Yu Manor came from a military background. In this area, they lacked experience.
Jiang Lingyuan said,”If we directly remind him, it would not be appropriate. We only need to send the items over.”
Lu Yun should be able to judge the quality of the things, right?
If he noticed the difference but still did not investigate, then even if he passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi, he would not be someone capable of great things.
Nanny Rong sighed.
“I wonder whether the people in the manor have noticed this.”
Jiang Lingyuan thought for a moment.
“Has mother-in-law never really managed the household accounts? If she had ever been in charge, she would not have been deceived by Nanny Jin like this.”
Nanny Rong was stunned.
“This has not been investigated carefully yet.”
Originally, everyone assumed that after Eldest Young Madam Lu married in, she would gradually take over household management.
But now, it seemed there might be another reason behind it.
Jiang Lingyuan temporarily put the matter aside.
The manager in charge of the craftsmen, Liu Yongshan, had already arrived.
She said, “Prepare a detailed list as soon as possible. I’ll go see mother-in-law this afternoon.”
Liu Yongshan was a sturdy man in his thirties who looked rather honest and simple.
His father had been skilled at craftsmanship, and he had inherited his father’s position. Over the years, he had managed things quite well.
When Jiang Lingyuan met him, she immediately asked, “What are your thoughts?”
Liu Yongshan replied, “Actually, the courtyards in the third and fourth sections don’t require much renovation. It mainly depends on how young madam wishes to change them according to her own preferences.”
Jiang Lingyuan said,”You know my habits. The study needs to be larger and more spacious, so simply open up all three rooms of the left wing in the third section. The right wing can also be opened up to store my clothes and jewelry.”
She had too many clothes and ornaments.
She needed a dedicated place to store them.
“Also, the bathing room should be modified according to my usual preferences. The flower room in the fourth section should be expanded, with glass installed to turn it into a tea room. As for the living areas, just move my furniture over and arrange everything according to my habits. The main focus is the embroidery tower in the front courtyard, it must be properly renovated. The small garden in the courtyard also needs attention, since now is exactly the season for tending flowers.”
Liu Yongshan silently noted everything.
He then said,”Tomorrow, this servant will bring the drawings over for young madam to review.”
“Good.”
Jiang Lingyuan nodded.
In truth, these renovations were simply adjustments based on her own preferences.
Liu Yongshan naturally knew how to handle them properly.
After Liu Yongshan left, Tanqiu arrived.
She handed the prepared list to Jiang Lingyuan.
“Miss, please take a look and see whether anything needs changing.”
Jiang Lingyuan took the list and examined it.
It was mostly focused on clothing and food.
Previously, the lists Nanny Jin prepared looked extensive, but most of the items were things already provided by the manor. There were actually very few purchases.
Jiang Lingyuan’s preparations were completely different.
For example, even the fabric used for undergarments was selected from the fine, dense cotton silk produced in Jiaozhou, which was more comfortable and suitable.
Not to mention the outer clothing.
Lu Yun’s clothes were kept in the front courtyard, and she could not conveniently go there, so she simply chose entirely new ones.
The materials, tailoring, and designs were all extremely refined.
As for food, it was the same.
There were sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors.
Some items could be stored for a long time, while others were meant to be consumed fresh.
Besides that, there were also peppermint essential oils for refreshing the mind and small paper handkerchiefs that could be carried around.
In any case, Jiang Lingyuan knew that she was someone accustomed to enjoying a comfortable life.
If she personally handled these matters, she definitely could not compare to Tanqiu’s preparations.
She immediately said, “This is very good. Tanqiu, come with me to mother-in-law’s courtyard.”
Just as she was about to leave, she added,”Have Suodong prepare an essential oil bath. I want to do a full-body treatment.”
She had only thought of it after seeing the peppermint oil.
Thinking about it, she had not done such self-care in a long time.
At Furui Courtyard, Eldest Madam was currently talking about Jiang Lingyuan with Nanny Shang.
“You tell me, is she repairing her courtyard so openly because she truly has money, or because she doesn’t?”
Eldest Madam trusted the information Nanny Jin had sent her more.
Perhaps Jiang Lingyuan was merely putting on a show.
Otherwise, why would she refuse to use the craftsmen from the manor?
She refused to believe the craftsmen of Duke of Yu Manor were inferior to outsiders.
Nanny Shang actually knew a little about what Nanny Jin had done.
However, she felt that Nanny Jin’s actions were not necessarily wrong.
If she could suppress Fourth Young Madam, that would naturally be good.
If she could not, Eldest Madam would not simply sit by and do nothing.
Nanny Shang said,”Perhaps Fourth Young Madam really found suitable people. But yesterday Nanny Jin did say that all those dowry items were packed inside boxes. We don’t know what is actually inside. However, the people carrying them walked lightly, so there probably wasn’t much inside.”
This made Eldest Madam frown deeply.
“What kind of matter is this? She created such a scene merely to fight for reputation? How absurd. What use is pretending with fake things?”
Eldest Madam felt that Jiang Lingyuan was not a practical person.
Her dislike toward her deepened.
Nanny Shang had achieved her purpose and stood quietly to the side.
She had only repeated what Nanny Jin saw and allowed Eldest Madam to make her own judgment.
She never said Jiang Lingyuan’s dowry was fake.
At that moment, a young maid came in.
“Madam, Fourth Young Madam has arrived and says she has something to discuss with you.”
Eldest Madam originally wanted to refuse. But thinking about Jiang Lingyuan’s recent actions, she felt she should give her some advice.
“Let her in.”
The main hall of Furui Courtyard was furnished entirely with rows of rosewood furniture, giving it a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
Today, Eldest Madam wore a honey-colored jacket with a brown forehead band.
She was not someone who smiled often.
When she saw Jiang Lingyuan, there was not even a trace of a smile on her face.
Jiang Lingyuan was not intimidated by her cold expression.
She stepped forward and bowed.
“Mother.”
Eldest Madam pointed toward the official-style chair below her.
“Sit. Why have you come?”
Jiang Lingyuan handed over the list in her hands.
“Mother, Fourth Master studies at the academy and works very hard. I cannot help much with major matters at home, so I thought I should at least put effort into small things. I wanted to prepare some items for Fourth Master and send them over. However, this is my first time doing so, so I hoped Mother would look over it and see whether it is appropriate.”
Eldest Madam did not accept it.
She frowned.
“These things have always been handled by Nanny Jin. I trust her. You don’t need to concern yourself with them.”
This was something Jiang Lingyuan had not expected.
Eldest Madam trusted Nanny Jin immensely.
Instead, she clearly did not trust her.
She did not even want to look at the list.
However, Jiang Lingyuan still held the list out with both hands.
“Mother, I am Fourth Master’s wife after all. I still hope to do something for him. I ask Mother to please take a look.”
Eldest Madam still did not reach out.
“No need. I already said Nanny Jin’s work is something I trust. You don’t need to handle these matters.”
She truly refused to budge.
Jiang Lingyuan obediently withdrew the list.
Lowering her eyes, she replied softly, “Yes.”
Today, she finally understood.
Eldest Madam would probably never agree to let her interfere.
However, if she personally prepared things and sent them directly to Lu Yun, even if Eldest Madam found out, she would not have grounds to object.