mtlumby2d Chapter 377
Chapter 377
Luo Shuiyao's body stiffened slightly, but she still had a smile on her face. She nodded and said, "It is my daughter's blessing to be able to taste the dishes cooked by mother herself. But as a first-rank lady, how can I work hard for us every day? I will cook for you myself tomorrow, which is also my filial piety."
Seeing that the Right Prime Minister's wife was about to refuse, she quickly interrupted, "Mother, you won't even give your daughter the chance to fulfill her filial duty, right?"
Seeing her so anxious, the Right Prime Minister's wife shook her head helplessly: "Of course not, mother, just wait and enjoy yourself."
Seeing her mother agreed, Luo Shuiyao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly said goodbye with the toy in her arms, her steps so fast as if something was chasing her.
Seeing this, the Right Prime Minister's wife frowned and called out, "Walk slowly, be careful not to fall!"
Luo Shuiyao responded from a distance, "I know," but her pace became even more hurried.
The Right Prime Minister's wife shook her head helplessly: "This child, why is he so anxious all of a sudden?"
After her figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor, she turned to look at her son who had been staring at the teacup in a daze: "Ling'er, are you hungry? Mother asked someone to give you—"
Before he could finish, Du Lingfeng stood up suddenly, and the cup was almost knocked over by the corner of his sleeve. Fortunately, the nanny was quick to catch it.
The Right Prime Minister's wife was at a loss whether to laugh or cry: "What happened to you two brothers today? You are all so flustered."
Du Lingfeng seemed not to hear the teasing in her tone, and only whispered: "Mom, I'm not hungry, I'll go back first." After that, he strode away without looking back, leaving the wife of the right prime minister staring at his back in a daze.
"This kid... is he having a bad temper?" After a while, she looked at the nanny beside her, her face full of confusion.
The nanny smiled and consoled him, "Young Master, it doesn't look like he's in a bad mood. I actually think that Young Master is becoming more down-to-earth now, not like the immortal he used to be. This is a good thing."
The Right Prime Minister's wife looked out the door, nodded, and sighed, "I also feel that he has become much more lively these days, but I don't know when I can expect him to get married and have children..."
The nanny said hurriedly, "There are already good signs, and things will only get better in the future. Perhaps with God's blessing, the young master will soon come to his senses. Madam is kind and compassionate, and God will surely not let you down."
"You, when did you learn to speak so well?" The wife of the Right Prime Minister was amused, but she felt much more relieved.
A trace of pity flashed in the nanny's eyes, and she thought to herself: How could God not bless such a good lady and son? He must let them have a happy ending.
.........
Outside the mansion, servants from the Right Prime Minister's residence had prepared a carriage, with Chun Xing and Chun Tao at their side. The three of them, master and servant, returned to Osmanthus Alley. At the alley's entrance, Luo Shuiyao, aided by Chun Xing, disembarked. After sending the driver away, she spotted a carriage parked across the alley—the Marquis's carriage, a familiar sight. Remembering Nanny Zhang's words, she glanced at the Luo residence. A few guesses formed in her mind, but she remained unfazed. She straightened her clothes and led the others into the courtyard.
The courtyard was indeed unusually quiet. The master and servant walked a few steps inside and saw Aunt Zhang standing on tiptoe under the blossoming tree, looking toward the door. As soon as she saw Luo Shuiyao, she quickly smiled and greeted her: "Miss, you are finally back."
Luo Shuiyao patted her hand gently, approached her and asked in a low voice: "But the Madam is here?"
Nanny Zhang's smile faded, and she leaned in closer and whispered, "Madam and Nanny Sang are here, along with a few maids and a lot of things. They've been waiting in the courtyard for a long time, and I'm so glad to see you."
Hearing this, Luo Shuiyao looked towards the main hall thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, she nodded slightly and said, "In that case, don't keep Madam waiting for too long. Go get some hot tea and I'll go and take a look." After that, she walked towards the main hall.
The Marquis' wife and Nanny Sang could naturally hear the noise in the yard clearly. The master and servant looked at each other and knew that Luo Shuiyao had finally returned.
The Marquis' wife quickly gathered herself, straightened her clothes, and sat there with forced composure, waiting for Luo Shuiyao to come and pay her respects. But she couldn't stop looking towards the door frequently - Nanny Sang knew her best and naturally knew that the Marquis was too embarrassed to do so.
Nanny Sang didn't say much. She just sighed softly, whispered a few words to the Marquis's wife, and walked towards the door. She happened to meet Luo Shuiyao who had rushed to the main hall.
When Luo Shuiyao saw Aunt Sang, the corners of her lips curled up slightly and she nodded in greeting: "Aunt Sang, how are you?"
Seeing this, Nanny Sang hurriedly bowed and saluted, saying humbly, "This servant greets my cousin. Thank you for your concern. I am fine." After that, she stepped aside, lightly supported Luo Shuiyao's arm, and said gently, "Madam has been here since noon and has been expecting you."
Luo Shuiyao smiled faintly when she heard this, but did not respond. She could clearly hear that Nanny Sang was complaining about her master's hard work and praising his merits, but she seemed not to understand. She just nodded slightly and walked into the house.
Seeing Luo Shuiyao approaching, the Marquis's wife wanted to stand up, but just as she was about to bow, she felt that this would be beneath her dignity, so she quietly sat back down. When Luo Shuiyao came to her, she still had a hint of embarrassment on her face.
Luo Shuiyao seemed completely unaware and bowed respectfully: "Yaoyao greets Madam, Madam, may you be well."
Her attitude was the same as it had been at the Marquis's residence, and even her expression was as natural as usual. However, the Marquis' wife could clearly hear the awkwardness in her words. She knew she was in the wrong, and although she felt bad, she still put on a smile and waved to Luo Shuiyao, saying, "Yaoyao, come here quickly. Let your aunt see if you've lost weight recently."
There was a hint of familiarity in her tone. Considering the Marquis's past kindness, Luo Shuiyao wouldn't tear her apart. Hearing this, she took two steps closer, sat down beside the Marquis's wife, and said with a faint smile, "Auntie, you may have seen it wrong. I eat well and sleep well, so I shouldn't be thin. It's just that you haven't seen me for a while, so perhaps I look a little distant."
The Marquis' wife had not expected Luo Shuiyao to not respond to the conversation. The smile on her face froze for a moment, but she quickly hid her embarrassment and said with a slightly embarrassed look, "Maybe that's the case..."
After two breaths of silence, she recalled her purpose for coming today and quickly put on a smile: "Yaoyao, will you blame your aunt for not visiting you these days? Ever since we last parted, I wanted to see you again, but something unexpected happened to my aunt's family. I've been busy traveling around lately and haven't even had time to reply to the messages you sent me. Now that I finally have some free time, I hurried to see you - it seems that as long as you are doing well, your aunt will feel at ease."
Luo Shuiyao had previously heard from Chun Xing and others about the incidents in the Marquis's family that the Marquis's wife had mentioned. The second son of the Marquis of Jing'an, following imperial orders, was ambushed and murdered by bandits halfway through his journey, slain before he even reached his ancestral home. The news reached the capital like thunder, and the Marquis's wife, upon hearing the tragic news, was instantly distraught. She erupted in a rage in the ancestral hall of the mansion, her hair disheveled, and she denounced the Marquis of Jing'an for favoring his concubine over his wife and for his harsh treatment of his legitimate son. She declared that it was this abomination that had brought down the punishment of heaven, claiming the son's death.
Jing'an, already disliked by His Majesty for his poor parenting, had been wasting his time at home, and upon hearing this unexpected event, his wrath flared. The couple argued in court, and in a rage, he publicly issued a letter of divorce, expelling Jing'an's wife from the palace.
However, the lady had a strong temper and was filled with resentment. In the dead of night, she hanged herself in front of the gate of the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion and passed away.