Capítulo 1685: Chapter 1685: Unfortunately, Madam Luo
Yu Yi did not go over to inquire, the young lady obviously didn’t want to attract attention, clearly her knees were uncomfortable but she endured without making a sound, and the red mark on her forehead had not faded yet. It was unclear what this young lady’s intention was.
Not wanting to stir up potential trouble, Yu Yi glanced over and then turned her head back.
Before long, the young lady left with her maid, casting a glance in Yu Yi’s direction as she left.
It was not early, so Yu Yi went to find her grandmother and saw the young lady from earlier again. She didn’t feel there was destiny, for in the seemingly large temple there were actually few crowded places, and she was the least inclined to believe in the fate encountered in temples.
Seeing her grandmother coming out, she quickly stepped forward, “Grandmother, Granny Tao.”
Tao Shi was very fond of Yu Yi, “Have you waited long?”
Yu Yi stepped forward to support her grandmother, replying, “Not at all.”
Zhulan patted her granddaughter’s cold hands, the chill of spring was still heavy, “Let’s go down the mountain now.”
“Mm.”
The people who had been listening to the scriptures came out one after another, “Mrs. Marquis Zhou.”
Zhulan turned her head and recognized the person, smiling, “I didn’t see you earlier.”
The old lady of the Luo family stepped forward quickly, “It’s rare to see you worshiping Buddha, ma’am.”
Zhulan smiled, “Yes, I’m not like the old lady who likes to worship Buddha.”
This old Mrs. Luo was quite alright, they had interacted a few times and she was generous, but unfortunately, the Luo family traditions were too conservative, Mr. Luo was simply the representative of obstinacy in the court. She always lamented Mrs. Luo, having to manage the household affairs for her husband all her life while also helping him mend relationships.
The old lady of the Luo family was holding Buddha Beads, “I like to worship Buddha to calm my mind.”
Zhulan thought, indeed she needed to calm her mind, otherwise with such a husband, she might die of anger. Mr. Luo’s backyard had no shortage of concubines, even though the Luo family didn’t have much family wealth.
Thinking of this, Zhulan thought that marrying the wrong man could ruin a woman’s entire life; the Luo family now relied on the profits from Mrs. Luo’s dowry.
Tao Shi said, “We should have come together; I invited Zhulan ten times and nine times she didn’t come.”
Zhulan replied, “You come too often.”
The old lady of the Luo family agreed with a laugh, in recent years she’s been easily annoyed, wishing to let go of everything, but she couldn’t. Her son was just like her husband, the only way she could find peace was through worshiping Buddha.
Tao Shi noticed the girl behind the old lady of the Luo family, “Who is this?”
The girl looked good, but the red mark on her forehead was a bit of an eyesore. What happened to make such a good girl have a mark on her forehead?
The old lady of the Luo family just noticed her great-granddaughter’s forehead, smiling, “This is my third girl’s daughter, Ji Rong, who just returned to the capital.”
Tao Shi smiled, knowing little about the Luo family, she smiled at the girl.
Zhulan introduced Yu Yi, “This is my fourth granddaughter, Yu Yi.”
Yu Yi nodded to Ji Rong, and Ji Rong smiled back, with this the two girls were acquainted.
Yu Yi’s personality was not one to be overly friendly and make small talk with someone she just met, she continued to support her grandmother, the group spoke as they quickly descended the mountain.
The family carriages were quite different, Zhulan’s family was well-off and hired craftsmen to design their carriage, at first glance it was the best, the Wang family’s carriage was not bad either but bore the serious sense of a large family’s rules, appearing more grand. The Luo family’s carriage was the worst, even though well-maintained, it was a bit old.
Zhulan got on the carriage, pulling down the curtain, “What a pity.”
Yu Yi asked, “Grandmother, what is a pity?”
“It’s a pity that the old lady of the Luo family is such an insightful person.”
And yet, if she weren’t insightful, the old lady might have long succumbed to depression.
Yu Yi said, “Granddaughter doesn’t like the Luo family.”
She had met Mrs. Luo’s daughter a few times, lacking liveliness, and also heard that daughters married out from the Luo family died as members of their husband’s family, they absolutely must not separate.
There were indeed separations among the official’s daughters in the capital, and many were truly adored by their parents, since the establishment of the dynasty, separations and remarriages among women were allowed and not just a pretense.
Zhulan was only interested in the old lady of the Luo family, she hadn’t paid attention to anyone else, Book Ren loathed Mr. Luo.
Returning home, before Zhulan could send someone to ask about Yu Lu, Yu Lu came back with the children, and upon hearing her return, came to the main house with two kids.
Zhulan saw her grandson holding onto Zhuo Qing steadfastly, “I’ve heard.”
Yu Lu released her younger son, signaling the two children to play outside, and only after the children left the room did she say, “Grandmother, granddaughter cannot bear to part with the children.”
Even with two children, she did not show favoritism, they were both her sons.
Zhulan said, “I heard from your mother-in-law that the old master did not allow it.”
Yu Lu didn’t dare to ask the old master, after hearing the news she came back home to seek her grandmother’s advice, hearing this her eyes lit up, “Really?”
“Yes, I suspect your mother-in-law is also unwilling.”
Yu Lu said, “No matter how unwilling, she favors her son, if my mother-in-law returns and speaks more of father’s hardships, perhaps she might switch sides.”
Zhulan said, “If the child doesn’t want to leave his mother, no one can do anything.”
Wang family’s children were few and precious, if Zhuo Qing didn’t want to leave, no one could make him.
Yu Lu thought about it, “Granddaughter understands now.”
Zhulan then asked, “When your mother-in-law returns, do you have any plans?”
Yu Lu’s brows furrowed slightly, as she had not interacted with her mother-in-law before, she had intended to use her son to connect with her mother-in-law, now she feared that if her son spent too long with her mother-in-law, she might really take Zhuo Qing away, “Granddaughter has two sons.”
This gave her confidence that her mother-in-law wouldn’t make things difficult for her, even after the five-year agreement was over, her mother-in-law wouldn’t come back to cause trouble.
A few days later, an article written by Zhulan was published in the newspaper. Beyond subscribing to the newspaper, Zhulan also sent a servant to line up and purchase twenty copies.
Chang Xhong, “Mother, you bought too many.”
Zhulan stroked the newspaper, “This is the evidence that your mother is Mr. Fengqing, I even kept the unedited manuscripts, wait a bit to preserve these newspapers so that they’ll be worth Silver in the future!”
Imagining people in the future discovering and studying these newspapers, her round face flushed with excitement, she had left her mark in history, eager to make her literary contributions more indelible, she planned to write more articles.
Chang Xhong chuckled, knowing his mother liked to hoard things, she had preserved quite a few items, from large ornaments to delicate jewelry, she always claimed they were a rich legacy for her descendants.
Zhulan gleefully flipped through the newspaper, “See, today your mother’s article is on the first position of the second page.”
Chang Xhong, “Yes, yes, Mother is the greatest.”
Zhulan touched her chin, “It would be nice if the newspaper would pay for articles published.”
Unfortunately, those who wrote for newspapers sought fame, newspapers had no shortage of submitted articles, but they did lack amusing anecdotes, hence they paid a Silver Coin for those instead!
Chang Xhong laughed, “Mother could write some anecdotes too.”
Zhulan shook her head, “No, no, I must maintain this pen name’s integrity.”
She needed to keep her pen name’s reputation pristine until it was well-established and could not be brought down!
Zhulan brought craftsmen to the house to preserve the newspapers, sealing two copies for each of her sons and daughters, arranging matters meticulously once the craftsmen arrived.
Chang Xhong quietly accompanied his mother, although he wasn’t married, among the seven editions his mother preserved, he had his share, he loved to see his mother occupied for his sake, wishing she always remains spirited like this.
Zhulan was happy at home, unaware of the reactions outside upon seeing today’s newspaper, knowing Zhulan was Mr. Fengqing, many had shocked responses!