Chapter 164: Fighting Over Fabric

Chapter 164: Fighting Over Fabric

Lu Lingyun enjoyed a few days of leisurely life, but Du Ruo was far from relaxed in the inner quarters.

These past few days, Cheng Yunshuo hadn't visited her courtyard yet.

He seemed to be deliberately avoiding her courtyard, making it impossible for Du Ruo to have a chance to see him.

After being instructed on proper etiquette by Lu Lingyun during her last visit, Du Ruo didn't dare go directly to Lu Lingyun's courtyard to find someone. After staying in her own Xiaohe Courtyard for a few days, she managed to gather useful information.

She had learned about all the concubines in Cheng Yunshuo's inner chambers.

Qiu Ling was a personal attendant who grew up with Cheng Yunshuo and was later elevated to concubine. She had developed a chronic illness after a difficult childbirth and could no longer serve him in the same way.

However, with a son by her side, she retained considerable influence in the Marquis's Mansion. Having borne the eldest son of the Marquis's family, the child was being raised by Lu Lingyun. Even though she could no longer attend to Cheng Yunshuo, she still held a significant position in the mansion.

Nowadays, Aunt Qiu was uninterested in competing for affection. She spent her days embroidering small garments and shoes in her own courtyard or occasionally visiting Lu Lingyun to chat and socialize.

Then there was Ling Long, who resided in the Yaoguang Pavilion. Concubine Ling was of humble origins, having come from a brothel. She entered the mansion while Xing Dairong was still alive. Despite her low status, she bore a resemblance to Xing Dairong and, with no competition in the inner chambers, she lived directly in Cheng Yunshuo's courtyard, enjoying his undivided attention.

Since marrying into the family, Cheng Yunshuo had been staying every night in her quarters.

At the thought of this, jealousy flared in Du Ruo's eyes.

She must outdo Ling Long. Once Ling Long was out of the picture, Cheng Yunshuo would belong to her.

With this in mind, after a few days of peace, Du Ruo went to the Yaoguang Pavilion to meet Concubine Ling.

At this moment, in the garden of the inner court.

In the pleasant April springtime, the sun became increasingly pleasant with each passing day. In the flowering garden, a beautiful woman was seated in a rocking chair, enjoying the blossoms.

Two maids held several feet of fabric in front of her, asking her to choose.

"Concubine Ling, these are the fabrics for this season's new clothes. Aunt Qiu just finished choosing; now it's your turn."

Each season, new clothes were made for the concubines, and the storeroom would first send the fabrics to the various courtyards for the concubines to select from.

Of course, the order of delivery was significant. The first courtyard to receive the fabrics was always Aunt Qiu's.

After all, she was the first to be promoted to concubine and had borne the Marquis's eldest son. Being a family-born servant of the Marquis's family, the servants were all close to her. Only after she made her selection would the fabrics be sent to the other courtyards.

"These fabrics are all quite nice," said Ling Long, looking at the two remaining bolts of fabric—one was light pink with peach blossoms, and the other was blue-green with orchid patterns.

"Are these the only two left?"

"Yes, this year the storeroom only received three bolts of this fine cloud brocade from Jiangnan. They're all beautiful."

Hearing this, Ling Long said, "I'll choose the light pink one, to wear a bright color."

"Concubine Ling, Aunt Qiu also favored the light pink. But she said that since she had a child, she couldn't wear such a youthful color, and that the light pink would be perfect for you!" said the maid handling the fabrics.

Due to Xing Dairong's childbirth, Ling Long and Qiu Ling had a decent relationship. Nowadays, Aunt Qiu was uninterested in competing for affection and was devoted to Lu Lingyun, so she harbored no ill will toward Ling Long.

The two of them often spent time together, enjoying flowers and chatting.

"Did Aunt Qiu really say that?"

"Of course. Aunt Qiu chose a light yellow huanhua pattern. She specifically left the light pink for you, Concubine Ling."

Ling Long couldn't help but smile when she heard that. "Then I'll take this lotus-pink fabric."

"Alright, I'll send the last piece of fabric to Xiaohe Courtyard."

As soon as she finished speaking, a voice called out, "What is being sent to my courtyard!"

Du Ruo led Xiaoqin into the garden and overheard them discussing the fabrics and colors.

"Bride Du, these are the fabrics for this year’s new clothes," a maid explained hurriedly as she bowed upon seeing Du Ruo. "This is from the storeroom for you."

Du Ruo glanced at the understated and dull blue fabric with orchid patterns before her, then shifted her gaze to the lively lotus-pink fabric at Ling Long's side.

She frowned and immediately raised her voice. "Why do I get this color?"

The maid became nervous and stammered, "Th-this is the color you have."

"Then why does she get the lotus-pink one?"

"There were three pieces in total; Concubine Qiu and Concubine Ling chose first," the maid replied honestly.

Du Ruo understood now; she was getting the leftovers!

"Why did they get to choose first?"

The maid was speechless.

Seeing this, Ling Long slightly furrowed her brows and said, "Bride Du, there is an order to entering the household. Why are you making things difficult for the servants?"

"Hmph!"

The moment Ling Long spoke, Du Ruo had something to say. Raising her eyebrows, she regained some of her pride and spirit. "If I remember correctly, I entered with the ceremony of an honored concubine. While you’re just an ordinary concubine, do you even have the right to speak here!"

Indeed.

Du Ruo was an honored concubine.

Ling Long, having come from a brothel with no family to support her, only had to offer a cup of tea to Lu Lingyun when she became a concubine.

According to the rules, she was the lowest-ranking concubine.

However, the Marquis's Mansion never emphasized the rank of concubines, as all concubines were treated equally by Lu Lingyun. She never treated them differently based on their backgrounds.

Having been in the mansion for so long, Ling Long understood Lu Lingyun's temperament and personality. She behaved obediently and lived a good life as a concubine or a chambermaid.

Unexpectedly, the newly arrived Du Ruo was trying to assert dominance over her. Even the main wife didn’t pull such rank, so where did she get the authority?

Ling Long's eyes filled with dissatisfaction. "What do you mean by that, Bride Du?"

"Don't you understand? I am the honored concubine of the Marquis's Mansion, and you are just a lowly concubine. According to the rules, I have the right to discipline you, and you must listen to me!"

Ling Long sneered and couldn't be bothered to respond. She called her servants and carried the fabric back to Yaoguang Pavilion.

"Stop right there!" Du Ruo shouted sternly. "Give that fabric back to me!"

Ling Long continued walking.

"Xiaoqin, go take the fabric from her!" Du Ruo ordered.

"Concubine Du, this isn't right." Xiao Qin dared not go. Not only did she not dare to go, but she also hurriedly sent someone to inform Lu Ling Yun.

"If you don’t go, I’ll go myself!" Concubine Du rushed forward and seized the fabric from the maid holding it in front of Ling Long.

Ling Long was enraged when she saw this. "What are you doing?!"

She stepped forward to shield her maid and the fabric but was shoved aside by Concubine Du.

Concubine Du had clearly been trained. How could a few women like you be a match for me?

"You dare to snatch my things, have you looked at yourself in the mirror?" Concubine Du was feeling triumphant when a cold voice interrupted.

"What are you doing?!"

At that moment, Lu Ling Yun arrived with a group of people.

Among them was Liu Qingping, who had just arrived that day.

At that moment, Liu Qingping was staring at Concubine Du, who was grabbing things, in shock and astonishment.