At that moment, Jiang Lingyuan’s eyes suddenly felt a little sore.
If they returned to Duke Yu Manor right away, everyone would surely wonder why they had come back so early. Lu Yun choosing to go to Hongyue Tower at least spared her from becoming a source of gossip within Duke Yu Manor.
Although she knew Lu Yun’s choice was mainly to preserve his own dignity, she was still grateful.
Jiang Lingyuan lowered her voice.
“Thank you.”
Lu Yun did not respond.
At that moment, he was quite displeased.
After lunch, they returned to Duke Yu Manor and naturally went first to Old Madam Lu’s courtyard.
Several unmarried young ladies of the household were gathered around Old Madam Lu. She enjoyed this lively atmosphere of having her children and grandchildren surrounding her.
When she saw Jiang Lingyuan and Lu Yun arrive, the smile on Old Madam Lu’s face did not fade.
“You’re back. How was everything?”
Lu Yun answered,”Everything went well.”
Old Madam Lu acted as though she had noticed nothing unusual.
“That’s good. You two must be tired. Go back to your courtyard and rest properly.”
Afterward, they went to the Eldest Madam’s Furui Courtyard.
The Eldest Madam remained rather cold toward Jiang Lingyuan, but toward Lu Yun she showed endless concern, asking whether he was tired and whether he was comfortable.
After all, Lu Yun would be returning to the academy the next day.
By the time they returned to Yilan Courtyard, Lu Yun’s attitude toward Jiang Lingyuan had returned to normal.
He said,”I’ll be going to the academy tomorrow. While you’re at home, be careful with your words and actions. Don’t cause trouble.”
“Yes.”
Jiang Lingyuan nodded slightly.
After thinking for a moment, she added,”Some of the dowry my grandmother left for me has not yet been brought over. Would it be possible to send people to retrieve it?”
Speaking of her dowry, what the Jiang family had prepared for Jiang Lingyuan was truly pitiful.
Not only had they kept all the betrothal gifts sent by Duke Yu Manor, they had only taken out five hundred taels of silver to prepare her dowry.
One had to know that Duke Yu Manor’s betrothal gifts alone included three thousand taels of silver.
Lu Yun did not make things difficult for her.
“I’ll mention it to Lin Feng. I’ll have him find you tomorrow. From now on, you can freely use the third and fourth courtyards of Yilan Courtyard.”
This was practically giving her considerable authority.
Jiang Lingyuan felt relieved.
Fortunately, Lu Yun was not the kind of person who easily took his anger out on others. Otherwise, she truly wouldn’t have dared to bring this up after what happened today.
Early the next morning, Lu Yun left for the academy.
Naturally, Jiang Lingyuan rose early to see him off.
Before leaving, Lu Yun specifically summoned Nanny Jin and Nanny Hu and instructed them that everything within the inner courtyard should follow Jiang Lingyuan’s orders.
As for Nanny Jin’s attitude, it remained uncertain.
However, Nanny Hu became noticeably more respectful toward Jiang Lingyuan afterward.
Just after breakfast, Xunxia came in.
“Miss, Steward Lin is waiting outside.”
Jiang Lingyuan nodded knowingly.
“Invite him in.”
The person who entered was a tall man named Lin Feng. His build made him look more like a military guard than a household steward.
Unlike Nanny Jin’s obvious disdain and Nanny Hu’s outward respect but cautious observation, Lin Feng gave Jiang Lingyuan the genuine impression that he truly regarded her as the mistress of Yilan Courtyard.
Whether Lu Yun had instructed him to behave this way or whether Lin Feng himself thought so, Jiang Lingyuan found it both surprising and strangely pleasing.
After bowing, Lin Feng said,”Fourth Young Madam, Fourth Young Master instructed that while he is away, everything should follow your arrangements.”
Hearing this, Jiang Lingyuan smiled.
“I still have some dowry stored at a manor outside the capital. I’ll trouble Steward Lin to bring it back over the next few days. There are quite a lot of items and people involved, so I’ll have to trouble you to be patient.”
Lin Feng didn’t think much of it.
He agreed, returned to make preparations, and then followed the address Jiang Lingyuan gave him to the estate outside the capital.
However, when he returned, his expression was dazed.
He had never imagined that when Jiang Lingyuan casually mentioned “a manor outside the capital,” she meant an estate covering more than three thousand mu.
And when she casually said her dowry was “a little large,” she meant more than two hundred crates and sedan loads of belongings.
This was far beyond the Eldest Young Madam’s original dowry of one hundred and twenty-eight loads!
He hurried into Yilan Courtyard.
When he saw Jiang Lingyuan, he didn’t even have time to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
“Fourth Young Madam, this dowry is truly… too much. I’m afraid we’ll need to properly reorganize the third and fourth courtyards of Yilan Courtyard.”
Jiang Lingyuan remained calm.
“Mm. I’ll have to rely on Steward Lin.”
Lin Feng immediately understood.
“Fourth Young Madam, please rest assured.”
He knew exactly what kind of person Nanny Jin in the rear courtyard was.
At the same time, Nanny Jin was discussing matters with Xiangxue.
“Steward Lin has come to the rear courtyard twice this morning. I wonder what he’s here for.”
Xiangxue sneered.
“That poor woman? What else could it be? She’s just making a fuss. The moment Fourth Young Master leaves, she starts eagerly meeting outside men.”
The words were so harsh that even Nanny Jin frowned.
“Watch your words in the future. No matter what, she has to agree before you can be promoted to become a concubine.”
Xiangxue curled her lips.
“Yes, Nanny.”
But from her expression, it was obvious she hadn’t taken the warning seriously.
It was at this moment that Lin Feng entered.
Nanny Jin immediately stood up.
“Steward Lin is here. You’ve been visiting quite frequently today. Has Fourth Young Madam given you trouble?”
Lin Feng avoided engaging in the confrontation and simply said,
“I came to discuss with Nanny Jin how Fourth Young Madam’s dowry should be arranged.”
Nanny Jin was stunned.
Wasn’t it just a little dowry? Why would it trouble Lin Feng?
However, she had always been cautious.
“Fourth Young Madam’s dowry has already been placed in the storeroom in the rear courtyard, hasn’t it?”
Lin Feng replied,”These are some items that were still at her estate and had not yet been brought over. This is the inventory list. Please take a look, Nanny Jin.”
A complete set of huanghuali wood furniture.
Dozens of jewelry sets.
Various types of fabrics.
And countless exquisite garments.
Looking at the dowry list, Nanny Jin froze.
“This…”
As if he hadn’t noticed her shock, Lin Feng continued,
“Also, Fourth Young Madam is bringing two nannies, two senior maids, and eight junior maids. The rear courtyard should be reorganized as well.”
The moment these words were spoken, both Nanny Jin and Xiangxue’s expressions changed.
The rear courtyard of Yilan Courtyard had never had a true mistress.
Relying on the fact that she was Lu Yun’s wet nurse, Nanny Jin had occupied a suite in the left wing of the fourth courtyard.
But according to household rules, servants should have lived in the back rooms or side quarters.
Xiangxue wanted to speak, but Nanny Jin stopped her.
Looking at such an impressive dowry, she belatedly realized that this Fourth Young Madam might not be someone easy to control.
Nanny Jin smiled.
“I wonder what arrangements Fourth Young Madam intends to make.”
Lin Feng replied,”According to the rules of the manor.”
He didn’t say whose decision it was, but his stance was obvious.
He stood on the side of household regulations.
According to the manor’s rules, their current living arrangements were naturally improper.
Nanny Jin was unwilling to accept this.
“This… Fourth Young Madam may not know, but Yilan Courtyard has always been arranged this way. Perhaps I should explain things to Fourth Young Madam myself?”
Lin Feng gave a faint smile.
“Nanny Jin and I have worked together for many years, which is why I specifically came to discuss this with you. You should know that even Nanny Cui, who serves beside Old Madam, does not have such a spacious residence.”
Those words left Nanny Jin with no room to argue.
Finally, she gritted her teeth.
“I was mistaken. Naturally, we should follow the manor’s rules.”
She emphasized the words “manor’s rules” heavily.
Lin Feng continued,”May I ask when Nanny Jin plans to move? I can arrange for people to help.”
“Since Fourth Young Madam is in a hurry, naturally we will move immediately!” When she said this, Nanny Jin’s expression had already become somewhat distorted with anger.