Jiang Lingyuan did not walk outside for long. Once the bathing room had been prepared, she returned.
A faint mist floated above the bathing tub.
When Jiang Lingyuan removed her clothes and stepped inside, she hesitated slightly. After all, Lu Yun had used this bath only an hour earlier.
In the end, she still sat down.
She let out a soft sigh.
There were indeed inconvenient things after getting married, for example, even the bathing tub had to be shared with someone else.
Of course, what truly made her uneasy was that tonight, seeing Lu Yun’s intention to stay overnight, she felt somewhat at a loss.
Although she felt uncertain inside, her expression gave no clue to the people around her. When enough time had passed, she got out of the bathing tub.
Suodong stepped forward and wrapped her snow-white, delicate body in a bath towel, then asked, “Miss, should we use the same fragrance as usual?”
After all, Lu Yun was staying overnight today.
The senior maidservants had all been wondering whether the couple would consummate their marriage tonight, so they did not dare make decisions on their own.
Jiang Lingyuan nodded, “Just as usual.”
Suodong took out the jar containing the body cream and opened it.
A faint rose fragrance immediately spread out.
This was the scent Jiang Lingyuan usually liked.
After everything was finished, half an hour had already passed.
When Jiang Lingyuan entered the bedchamber, she saw that Lu Yun was already waiting there.
He was sitting beside the small table on the second level of the canopy bed. There was a cup of tea in front of him, and he was holding a book.
Seeing Jiang Lingyuan enter, he looked pleasantly surprised.
“May I borrow the books in your study?”
Jiang Lingyuan immediately understood, “Of course.”
She knew how many rare editions were kept in her study, so she understood why he was so excited.
She continued,”You cannot take these books to the academy, but you can copy them and bring the copies with you.”
“If you do not have time to copy them yourself, tell me which ones you want. I can have the people beside me help copy them for you.”
Several of her maidservants had excellent handwriting. As for having her personally copy them, she would rather not.
Lu Yun was surprised, “These can be copied freely?”
Jiang Lingyuan laughed, “My grandmother always said that rare books should not remain rare books. They should be passed down.”
“So she never minded others copying them.”
“I think what she said was right. I simply do not want the original copies taken outside.”
The originals carried too many traces of the past.
She did not want them damaged.
Lu Yun sighed with admiration.
“Lady Ruyi truly had a broad heart.”
…
When speaking of her grandmother, Jiang Lingyuan’s expression carried a faint trace of nostalgia.
“My grandmother was indeed different from ordinary women. During the years I stayed by her side, I learned many things.”
At that moment, Lu Yun thought about how narrow-minded he had been when he had resisted this marriage.
It was not that he had never read Lady Ruyi’s autobiography. At the time, he had admired such a remarkable woman. Yet he had actually doubted that a girl raised by such a legendary figure could herself be extraordinary.
Lu Yun could not help asking, “Have you traveled to many places?”
“Yes.”
“I have only stayed obediently in the capital these past two years. Since I began following my grandmother when I was five, I traveled to many places across the country.”
“It could be said that I gained quite a bit of experience.” Jiang Lingyuan replied.
Because of this, she had many things she wanted to change.
Before, she had lacked the confidence.
But now, she wanted to try.
…
Lu Yun agreed completely.
“In the past, I thought my policy essays were already very good, but my teachers always said they were lacking. Now I finally understand why.”
“Reading ten thousand books is not enough. One must also travel ten thousand miles.”
Jiang Lingyuan said, “Looking at the great officials in court, many of the Grand Councilors did not come from aristocratic families.”
“Take Grand Councilor Chen for example. He once lived frugally while preparing for the imperial examinations and even personally worked in the fields.”
“But after passing the exams, he was able to accomplish real things in local government because he came from among ordinary people.”
“Therefore, he understood the people’s lives better.”
This insight made Lu Yun admire her even more.
“So I was thinking… Perhaps staying in the academy now will not necessarily bring me much more improvement.”
“It might be better to follow Third Uncle and help manage the family’s affairs, while also coming into contact with the tenant farmers.”
Jiang Lingyuan agreed with this.
Actually, this was exactly what she had wanted to suggest to Lu Yun.
However, the imperial examinations were extremely important to the entire Duke of Yu manor, so she had not wanted to interfere too much.
But Lu Yun had brought it up himself.
“You should ask Grandfather.”
“Grandfather has experienced a lifetime of struggles. His understanding is certainly greater than ours.”
Jiang Lingyuan picked up her teacup and lightly sipped warm water.
Lu Yun smiled,”I already told Grandfather as soon as I returned today.”
“He strongly supports it.”
…
The two of them talked so well together that they did not realize how late it had become. If not for Tanqiu coming over to remind them, they probably would have continued talking.
When they lay down on the bed, they still kept to their own sides.
There was no inappropriate behavior between them. Yet Jiang Lingyuan was still somewhat nervous.
Only after Lu Yun said, “It is getting late. Let’s sleep.” did she finally relax.
“Alright. You should rest early too.”
Jiang Lingyuan quietly let out a breath of relief.
Regarding consummating their marriage, neither of them had spoken much about it. But both understood that it would happen naturally when the time was right.
At least, now was not that time.
Jiang Lingyuan did not know when that time would come. But she was certain of one thing, She was no longer resistant to being close to Lu Yun.
The next morning, while having breakfast, Lu Yun asked Jiang Lingyuan,”Why don’t we meet everyone in Yilan Courtyard today?”
“Have you chosen someone to manage the inner courtyard?”
Jiang Lingyuan had already made plans.
“My Nanny Rong needs to handle my outside affairs, so she cannot take over Yilan Courtyard.”
“Let Nanny Hu do it instead, with Michun assisting her.”
“Lu’e is currently preparing for her wedding. After she marries, she can come over and become the stewardess.”
Lu’e and Lin Feng were going to marry in the middle of March.
After breakfast, Jiang Lingyuan and Lu Yun went to the main hall.
Although the renovated hall had become much brighter and more spacious, the nannies, maidservants, attendants, and young servants standing inside were all extremely nervous.
Everyone lowered their heads and dared not speak.
After Jiang Lingyuan and Lu Yun sat down, Lu Yun said,”The reason I called everyone here today is to make one thing clear.”
“From now on, everyone in Yilan Courtyard will follow Fourth Madam’s instructions.”
“If anyone refuses to obey Fourth Madam or acts obedient in front of her but disobeys behind her back, they will be punished according to the household rules.”
Jiang Lingyuan knew that on the second day after her wedding, even if she had met these people, it would have been useless.
But now, after Nanny Jin and Xiangxue had been dealt with, the remaining servants no longer dared to create trouble.
This was the best opportunity for her to completely take control of Yilan Courtyard.
And Lu Yun had not merely said that she would manage the inner courtyard.
The front courtyard would also be under her authority.
Jiang Lingyuan spoke, “Today is only our first formal meeting, so I will not give a long speech.”
“As long as everyone behaves properly and follows orders, I will naturally reward and punish fairly.”
“From now on, Nanny Hu will manage the back courtyard of Yilan Courtyard, with Michun assisting her.”
“Nanny Yang will manage the small kitchen.”
“Everything else will remain unchanged.”
“As for the front courtyard, everyone will continue following Steward Lin.”
“Yilan Courtyard will also establish its own rules in the future. After discussing them with Nanny Hu and the others, I will inform everyone.”
“Yes.” Everyone answered together.
Naturally, they were curious and uneasy about the new rules. But they also understood that these were not matters they could change.
They could only follow Jiang Lingyuan’s arrangements.
“For our first official meeting, there should naturally be a gift.”
“Everyone will receive one month’s wages as a reward.” Jiang Lingyuan said.
She needed to give them some sweetness as well.
After receiving the reward, everyone left with much lighter steps.