Chapter Thirty-Four: Means (Part One)

  "Later, you stared at my sister's family affairs, I thought you were laughing at me... so I was cold to you." Fifth Mother pulled Eleventh Mother's hand, "Good little sister, don't take it to heart. It's all my fault, I'm apologizing to you here."

  "Sister, don't be like this." Eleventh Young Lady's expression was sincere. "As the saying goes, a hundred years of cultivation can lead to sharing the same boat. You and I are sisters for one lifetime, who knows how many lifetimes it took to form this bond? Since it was a misunderstanding, now that we've cleared it up, let's just drop it."

  The fifth daughter nodded and whispered to the eleventh daughter: "This matter, you temporarily don't say it outside... You know, big sister she still..."

  The eleventh girl nodded repeatedly: "I know, I know. Don't worry, you told me the truth, and I won't tell anyone else."

  The fifth daughter's expression changed, and she looked a bit shy: "Mother once asked me which of my sisters I was closest to. I said it was the eleventh sister... You can rest assured. If that day comes, your marriage will be taken care of by me... The aunt's place also has Fourth Master to support you... You won't be treated unfairly."

  "What did sister say?" 11th girl shook off 5th girl's hand, with a coquettish expression.

  The fifth daughter looked on and smiled quietly.

  The two sisters quarreled for a while, and then Eleventh Sister stood up to take her leave: "…Sister always makes fun of me."

  The Fifth Daughter didn't keep anyone back, covering her sleeve and smiling, she saw the Eleventh Daughter off to the gate.

  Turning back, Ziwei said worriedly: "Miss, what if the madam is looking for someone among us sisters to be a concubine? After all, the Yongping Marquis's family is of high noble birth..."

  "No." Wu Niang shook her head, her eyes shining brightly as if there was a fire burning within. "I've heard the elderly people in Jiao Garden say that Big Sister appears to be carefree and nonchalant, but she's actually very competitive. As long as she feels like she's inferior to others in some way, she'll definitely think of ways to catch up and won't show weakness. If what these people are saying is true, with Big Sister's personality, even when her body was healthy, it's possible... now that her body isn't well, she definitely wouldn't send her own sister to become a concubine and let the future mistress ride roughshod over the Luo family..." As she spoke, she smiled faintly. "So, she can only be looking for a mistress among her sisters!"

  Ziwei nodded and said: "Fifth Miss, I've investigated the news you asked me to."

  The fifth daughter raised an eyebrow and said, "How is it?"

  "Ziwei's voice was low and husky: 'You guessed it!'"

  The fifth daughter smiled slightly.

  "After the old master came to Yanjing, he was idle at home. It is said that there is no shortage. However, the Ministry of Officials released another Yunnan Governor after ten days... Now Liu Ge Old has also retired... The old master may only have this path of Yongping Hou left."

  Wu Niang and Zi Wei were whispering to each other when Shi Yi Niang and Hu Po were talking in the warm pavilion behind the bed.

  "...The old master often goes out to meet friends. From what I heard from Apricot Forest, the one thousand two hundred taels of silver that Madame gave us when she came have been used up long ago. Nowadays, our daily expenses are all covered by Eldest Mistress's own money!"

  Looks like the old master's own path is blocked!

  Eleventh Girl thought to herself, somewhat absent-mindedly responding to Amber: "It's also possible! The prices in the capital are high, and they'll need to add this and that after they arrive. However, Madame is a proud person, even if she doesn't have something herself, she won't shortchange her daughter-in-law."

  "Miss has figured out the character of the madam." Amber smiled and flattered the eleventh lady, but was scolded by her: "......Don't say such things again in the future. It's not good for others to hear."

  Her heart skipped a beat and she hastily said, "It was my mistake. I will never dare say such things again."

  Eleventh girl didn't want to make Amber lose face either, seeing her admit her mistake, she smiled and changed the subject: "Is the Yongping Marquis' manor close to here?"

  "Miss Hua said that the eldest lady would send some things over every now and then. When Master entered the Imperial Academy, he took Lord Hou's name card. Lord Hou came twice in person. Once was on the second day after Old Master arrived in Yanjing, inviting Old Master and Master to have dinner at the famous Ting Pavilion in Yanjing; once was on the third day of the New Year. He brought a small cart full of things and chatted with Master for half a day before leaving after dinner."

  The eleventh girl nodded as she listened.

  Yongping Marquis is close to this side!

  Otherwise, the old master's career will not go smoothly, and they will not have a good life following him.

  But in this way, I'm afraid that no matter what aspect the Luo family considers, they can't afford to lose the marriage with the Xu family...

  I really hope this matter can be settled as soon as possible. It's always dragging on like this, making people's mood become anxious!

  The eleventh girl decided not to think about this issue for the time being.

  One slap on the palm makes no sound, Xu's family won't nod their heads, Luo's family can only think about it and give up. Let's go to Xu's house tomorrow and see the situation before making plans!

  The idea was settled and her mood improved a lot. She asked about the matter of sending amber to Lu Yonggui's brother: "Let you find someone familiar with Lu Yonggui's brother, can you find it?"

  Amber smiled and said, "During this time, anything that happened in our mansion was all handled by Hang Mama's son, Hang Liu. I tried asking him, he said he didn't know Lu Yonggui, but he was very close to Lu Yongfu, the two had even drank together before."

  "You'd better get it done as soon as possible, and we can also put our minds at ease!"

  Amber left at the sound of her name being called.

  Dong Qing looked at the somewhat fatigued Eleventh Princess and smiled, "Miss, do you want to rest for a while? You didn't sleep until midnight yesterday and got up early today... This can't go on, or you'll get sick."

  "I know." Eleventh Sister smiled, and indeed felt a bit dizzy, "I'll take a nap with Yirong. The sun is still good today, have someone do needlework under the eaves of the house. If anyone comes, wake me up immediately."

  "You can rest assured." Dong Qing smiled and said, "I'll stand by the window frame. If someone outside coughs, I'll pull you up immediately."

  The eleventh girl smiled and lay down on the bed with her clothes still on, muttering "what a hassle".

  Nor does she know when she can live a life where she can sleep and eat as she pleases... It's no wonder that Wu Niang wants to fight, having obtained Yuan Niang's status, at least in that courtyard, she is free...

  She had just lain down when Dong Qing hurried in: "Miss, Sixth Aunt has arrived!"

  The eleventh girl was somewhat unexpected.

  What is she doing here?

  When in Yuhang, they never came and went. Occasionally meeting her to see Shier Niang, she just nodded to herself and said hello before leaving...

  The eleventh girl thought carefully about what had happened over the past few days.

  Nothing special!

  Or is it to pass on a message for the madam? No, that's not right either, the madam has never liked the concubines and illegitimate daughters to have too much contact. Or is there something that she wants to bring to the twelfth daughter herself? No, that's not right either, they just arrived and haven't set a date for returning to Yu Hang...

  It was just a fleeting thought.

  She usually won't get stuck on it if she can't find the answer. Because sometimes, when you completely give up and look at it from another angle, you'll have new discoveries.

  She smiled and stood up: "Please, auntie, go sit in the resting place!"

  Dong Qing left at the sound, Eleventh Girl smoothed her temples and pulled her collar, then went to rest.

  Sixth Aunt sat in front of the large kang by the window, her expression somewhat wooden, not like usual with a smile at the corners of her eyes and eyebrows, looking like a ball of joy.

  Such solemnity...

  The eleventh girl thought for a moment, then walked over with a smile: "Auntie is here!"

  Sixth Aunt stared at her, saying nothing, sizing her up from head to toe and then again from toe to head, her gaze extremely serious.

  What's this singing about again?

  The eleventh girl suppressed her smile and let her take a good look at it with a calm and collected demeanor.

  "I want to say a few words to you." Sixth Aunt slowly opened her mouth, but as soon as she did, she asked the others to withdraw.

  What's wrong with everyone today? They all want to talk about their own business!

  The eleventh daughter gave a signal with her eyes towards Dong Qing, and after serving tea to the sixth lady, she immediately led the servants in the house out.

  Sixth Aunt picked up the tea lid and gently swept away the floating leaves in the teacup, smiling: "Fifth Aunt knows that Mother Yao wants to give Dongqing to her own nephew. She cried to me until she was dizzy, saying that Dongqing is the most capable person by your side. Why did Mother Yao want her to go? What will you do with your future days!"

  The eleventh girl was quite surprised.

  She had never known that Fifth Aunt had ever worried about this matter...

  "I was worried about you at that time." Sixth Aunt smiled warmly, "and Fifth Aunt thought of several ways. Who knew, we hadn't even taken action yet, and you took the initiative first. With just one sentence 'Aunt Yao said her nephew had seen Miss Dongqing in the courtyard and had taken a liking to her. I've been with Dongqing every day, but I don't know where her nephew saw her' it changed Madame's mind. At that time, I was thinking that Dongqing is really a lucky one, able to serve a master like you. I wonder if our family's Twelfth Aunt has the same good fortune and will also receive your protection in the future!"

  The eleventh girl was stunned.

  Sixth Aunt's smile had faded: "Eleventh Miss, to tell the truth, Fifth Aunt and I lived in the same house for many years, like sisters. Fifth Aunt only has you as her daughter, and I only have Twelfth Maiden. When we heard that you two were moving into Green Bamboo Building together, Fifth Aunt and I were overjoyed. We hope that you can be like us, like sisters, so that in the future, there will be someone to rely on for everything." She sighed, "You also know that in the past, when we were in Yuhang, neither Fifth Aunt nor I dared to go to Green Bamboo Building very often. But our affection for you two has not diminished one bit. Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken the risk to come and warn you!"

  The eleventh girl was shocked.

  "In fact, it was Eldest Madam's intention to bring you and Fifth Young Miss to Yanjing. Sixth Young Miss's voice was light and gave off a chilling intent that pierced the heart, 'Eldest Madam is not in good health and wants to find someone from among her sisters to take care of Young Master. With your intelligence, I suppose you've already guessed this.'"

  The eleventh girl lowered her head and took a sip of tea, neither denying nor admitting it.

  "But there's something else you probably don't know." Liu Yiniang said calmly, "I also just heard about it last night."

  The eleventh girl listened quietly as she spoke.

  Sixth Aunt's eyes already had an undisguised mockery: "Yuan Niang still wants to choose one from her own sisters to be the daughter-in-law of Wang Xin, the only son of Duke Mu Guo."

  Sorry, I'm back late!... ⊙﹏⊙ sweat...