With distinguished guests present, Liu Yongshan thought it inappropriate to come in person. Instead, he had Tanqiu ask on his behalf, “Miss, Steward Liu wants to know if there’s anything else that still needs renovating.”
“There isn’t anything else here,” Jiang Lingyuan replied. “But I remember there’s a small garden in the side courtyard. Plant various roses and climbing roses there.”
She looked farther inside the greenhouse. Although many of the flowers had yet to bloom, they had all been tended exceptionally well.
She then asked, “Have you left dedicated gardeners here?”
“We’ve kept four gardening matrons,” Tanqiu answered. “The place isn’t very large, so that’s more than enough.”
Now that she served at Jiang Lingyuan’s side, Tanqiu made it a point to stay informed about everything, lest she be asked a question she couldn’t answer.
After touring the greenhouse, Lu Xiaoyue and Lu Xiaoyu returned to Jiang Lingyuan’s side.
“Fourth Sister-in-law, this place is absolutely wonderful! I don’t even want to go home anymore!”
Jiang Lingyuan smiled and lightly tapped Lu Xiaoyu’s nose.
“If that’s the case, Grandmother will probably come here to snatch you away from me.”
Then she added,”If I’m not mistaken, you’ve only got today off. Tomorrow you’ll have to return to the women’s academy, won’t you?”
“Oh, please don’t remind me,” Lu Xiaoyue groaned. “I still haven’t memorized my essay. Tonight I’ll have to burn the midnight oil.”
The Duke of Yu Manor had hired several female instructors. Aside from Third Miss, who was about to be married, all the young ladies of the family still attended the women’s academy.
Jiang Lingyuan invited the two sisters to stay for lunch.
Since the embroidery pavilion had not yet been completed, they dined instead in the eastern warm chamber.
The kitchen prepared eight dishes and two soups. Several of the dishes had been chosen specifically to suit the sisters’ tastes after Jiang Lingyuan’s attendants discreetly consulted their maids beforehand.
After lunch, Lu Xiaoyue and Lu Xiaoyu knew Jiang Lingyuan would likely have household matters to attend to that afternoon, so they didn’t linger. They merely said they would return once the embroidery pavilion was finished.
After lunch, Jiang Lingyuan took a short nap.
When she woke, Nanny Rong had arrived.
Meanwhile, Eldest Young Madam Lu was visiting Old Madam.
Old Madam was advanced in years. She had spent the entire previous day attending the Qin family’s wedding banquet and had only just recovered from the fatigue. Eldest Young Madam Lu had deliberately chosen this moment to visit.
Looking at her eldest granddaughter-in-law, Old Madam said,”You’ve come because you heard something at yesterday’s banquet, haven’t you?”
Eldest Young Madam Lu nodded.
“From what I heard, once His Majesty finishes observing the mourning period, he’ll hold a palace selection. Our Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth sisters are all of eligible age now, and they’re all legitimate daughters of their respective branches.”
She knew the family had no intention of sending their daughters into the palace. A family like theirs had no need to gamble on winning favor through imperial succession.
Old Madam nodded slightly.
“I expected as much. I’ve already been keeping an eye out for suitable marriages for the three girls. We should first hear what their mothers think. When they come to pay their respects tomorrow, I’ll ask them.”
She paused before continuing,”As for the candidates I’ve selected, take the list back and investigate them carefully. You can discuss this with A-Yuan.”
Half reclining against a large pillow, her expression remained unreadable.
Although Eldest Young Madam Lu didn’t understand why she was being told to consult Jiang Lingyuan, she asked no questions.
“I’ll go find Fourth Sister-in-law as soon as I get back so we can look into them together.”
Without saying it aloud, both women tacitly avoided mentioning the First, Second, and Fourth Madams.
Old Madam sighed.
“The waters in the capital are about to become turbulent again. His Majesty still has no legitimate heir.”
Eldest Young Madam Lu’s heart tightened.
With no legitimate crown prince, countless eyes would soon turn toward the position of Empress.
Even if someone already occupied that seat, who could guarantee she would remain there securely for life?
Lowering her gaze, she said, “For families like ours, it’s best not to become too deeply involved. I’m only afraid that even if we wish to stay out of trouble, trouble won’t stay away from us.”
Old Madam chuckled.
“What is there to fear? The Duke of Yu Manor has weathered countless storms over the years.”
Those words eased Eldest Young Madam Lu’s mind somewhat.
As she walked toward Yilan Courtyard, she asked Nanny Yang,
“Fourth Sister-in-law’s marriage was personally arranged by Grandfather and Grandmother. I still don’t understand why Grandmother specifically wants her involved.”
Nanny Yang was equally puzzled.
“Fourth Young Madam has become quite a controversial figure in the capital. But just look at it now, Nanny Jin hardly makes a sound anymore, and Fourth Young Master has completely returned to the household. Fourth Young Madam is certainly no ordinary woman.”
Eldest Young Madam Lu smiled.
“Exactly. When everyone first heard she would become Fourth Young Madam, almost the entire household looked down on her.”
“But now…”
“Who still dares?”
Jiang Lingyuan had just finished discussing the affairs of the family’s outside shops with Nanny Rong, who would soon be leaving for Jiangnan.
Just then, someone came to report that Eldest Young Madam Lu had arrived.
Jiang Lingyuan couldn’t help laughing.
“There certainly have been a lot of visitors today.”
She rose at once to greet her personally at the entrance.
Lu Xiaoyue and Lu Xiaoyu were younger sisters-in-law, so there had been no need for such formality.
But Eldest Young Madam Lu was her elder sister-in-law.
That was different.
Seeing Jiang Lingyuan come out herself, Eldest Young Madam Lu smiled.
“You actually came out to greet me. We’ll be seeing each other often in the future, so there’s no need to stand on ceremony.”
Jiang Lingyuan smiled warmly.
“Eldest Sister-in-law’s visit brightens all of Yilan Courtyard. Of course I had to come personally.”
Back when the courtyard had first been renovated, it had been Eldest Young Madam Lu who arranged the work. At that time, the renovations had been respectable but conventional.
Now, however, the place felt completely transformed.
As they walked through the third courtyard, the overall atmosphere remained open and dignified, but flowerpots filled with blooming peonies had been placed at intervals along the corridors, each blossom adding vibrant color to the surroundings.
“The flowers here all follow the seasons, don’t they?” Eldest Young Madam Lu remarked.
She had to admit that a courtyard flourished best when its owner personally took an interest in it.
It wasn’t that she herself lacked diligence. She simply hadn’t devoted quite the same level of care.
Jiang Lingyuan laughed.
“I just like making things whenever I have some free time.”
Eldest Young Madam Lu burst into laughter.
“Well, since you have so much free time, here’s some work for you.”
The two women entered the flower hall.
Once again, Jiang Lingyuan personally brewed the tea.
This time, it was a rose and mulberry tea.
After pouring the tea, she asked,”So, what brings Eldest Sister-in-law here today?”
Eldest Young Madam Lu answered frankly,”I won’t keep you guessing. It’s about the marriages of our family’s three eligible young ladies. Grandmother has selected several prospective matches and wants the two of us to investigate them first.”
The moment marriage was mentioned, Jiang Lingyuan immediately understood the underlying issue.
Seeing how straightforward Eldest Young Madam Lu was being, she responded just as honestly.
“I have a few ways to investigate people.”
“But ultimately, won’t it still depend on what the three madams decide?”
Because this matter involved the upcoming palace selection, Jiang Lingyuan understood that Eldest Young Madam Lu’s visit represented Old Madam’s wishes.
Old Madam clearly did not want the family’s daughters to enter the imperial harem.
But what about their mothers?
What about the three young ladies themselves?
Jiang Lingyuan couldn’t help thinking this was far from an easy task.
Eldest Young Madam Lu smiled bitterly.
“I know.”
“Grandmother plans to ask the three madams for their opinions tomorrow during the morning greetings.”
“Fourth Sister-in-law, you’re someone who sees things clearly. I’m sure you understood what Changning really meant yesterday.”
“For a family like ours, there’s no need to climb any higher.”
“It’s enough simply to preserve what we already have.”
Jiang Lingyuan nodded.
“I understand.”
“To put it bluntly, the imperial harem is a monster that devours people whole without even spitting out their bones.”
“I’m only afraid that some people will refuse to see reason.”
Thinking of Lu Xiaoyue and Lu Xiaoyu, who had just visited her that morning, Jiang Lingyuan truly couldn’t bear the thought of either of them entering the palace.
What was so wonderful about spending one’s life competing with countless other women for the favor of a single man?
It seemed she would have to investigate every name on that list with the utmost care.