Chapter 187: The Concubines’ Envy

Chapter 187: The Concubines' Envy

She first selected forty bolts of fine fabric, sending twenty to Lady Qin, keeping ten for herself, giving five to Qin Shaojing, and distributing the remaining five among the concubines and young ladies of the rear courtyard.

For the most expensive and finest hair ornaments currently popular in Jiangnan, she chose three full sets for Lady Qin, two sets for herself, and one set for Qin Shaojing. She also picked out twenty individual hair ornaments, allowing each concubine and young lady in the rear courtyard to choose two pieces.

As for the screens, she placed one in her own quarters, one in Lady Qin's quarters, and one in Cheng Yunshuo's room.

For the other miscellaneous decorative items, she selected the most interesting and beautiful ones, sending ten to Lady Qin's quarters and five to Qin Shaojing's quarters.

Finally, she sorted through the latest and most interesting novelties. After some picking and choosing, she sent the bulk to Lady Qin for her enjoyment, kept some for herself, and reserved the folding fans, snuff bottles, and other small items for future rewards. The rest were sent to the storeroom for registration and future use.

With everything arranged, the maids and older women promptly followed Lu Lingyun's instructions. The two team leaders received rewards from Lu Lingyun before going off to rest.

They were allowed to rest for half a month after this return.

After their rest, they would embark on the commercial routes for the second half of the year.

Lu Lingyun looked at the new and fresh goodies added to the room and smiled. Everyone says the Marquis's Mansion is opulent, but it was only when one lived such a life of riches that one truly appreciated the comfort it brought.

In her past life, she endured hardships and struggles alongside Li Wenxun, gradually building up from a small place. But even when Li Wenxun rose to a first-rank official, and she was granted a title, she had never felt as comfortable as she did now.

In her previous life, she often felt financially constrained, always having to carefully calculate expenses. Whenever they obtained some money, it was used to pave the way for Li Wenxun's official career. Li Wenxun never concerned himself with where the money came from.

If there was no money, he would blame her for poor household management, saying that the money was wasted.

When Lu Lingyun tried to explain to him, it was of no use. He was someone who couldn't earn money himself. When there was a conflict, he would only shift the blame to others, never admitting his own incompetence.

Later, when the storeroom finally had some surplus, Lu Lingyun still had to carefully plan her expenditures.

She had never known such abundance and comfort, where resources were enjoyed without limit.

Choosing a husband is like selecting a plot of land to build your life on. You want to find a place with fertile soil and abundant resources from the start.

Only in good soil can a tree grow tall and strong, and when it does, everyone within its branches can enjoy the shade and resources it provides. That was what life should be, not just survival.

Lu Lingyun was busy for an entire afternoon, ensuring that all the items to be sent out were distributed. The three concubines and Cheng Hui all came to her to select clothes and jewelry in person.

Du Ruo, who was in Lu Lingyun's courtyard, didn't dare to be arrogant this time. She didn't even dare to be the first to speak.

Usually, relying on Cheng Yunshuo's favor, she would act high and mighty in the rear courtyard, but now she was very obedient. After Qiu Ling spoke, she followed and asked for a bolt of dark purple fabric.

Each of the three concubines received a bolt of fabric, and the remaining two bolts were given to Cheng Hui, one for her clothes and one for her brother's.

Cheng Qi did not receive a regular allowance or ration in the Marquis's Mansion. The mansion provided him with work and meals, which was already more than enough.

Lu Lingyun generously waved her hand and gave him a bolt of fabric for new clothes as well.

The same distribution method was applied to the jewelry. Each of the three concubines received two new and exquisite pieces, including hairpins, bracelets, and ornaments. They gazed at the tray of twenty unique and beautiful pieces of jewelry, each one different and stunning, their eyes filled with desire, wishing they could have all of them.

Who wouldn't want them?!

This tray of twenty pieces, all from Jiangnan, were of superior craftsmanship and material, far better than the regular ration items in the mansion, at least twice as good!

Unfortunately, they were only concubines.

Lu Lingyun was generous, and whenever new items arrived at the mansion, she would think of them and reward them with new pieces. They dared not take more!

At that moment, they could only choose the two they desired the most, while the rest were taken away, leaving them enviously watching.

The things that were taken back naturally belonged to Lu Lingyun.

The new and interesting ornaments in her room were also seen by the several concubines.

But these were not for them.

Du Ruo, Qiu Ling, and Ling Long could only look. Qiu Ling and Ling Long had a good relationship with Lu Lingyun, so they could ask to handle and appreciate the new items. Du Ruo stood by the side, enviously watching the whole time.

She didn’t have the nerve to ask.

It's fine, when Cheng Yunshuo returned, she would ask him!

The items brought by the caravan were distributed and stored as needed, and Lu Lingyun finally got a chance to rest.

In the evening, Cheng Yunshuo returned.

Cheng Yunshuo first came to Lu Lingyun’s yard. Upon arrival, he noticed several new and interesting items in the room. "Are these newly bought?" he asked.

"The Marquis's Mansion caravan returned. They brought these from Jiangnan," Lu Lingyun said.

"They’re pretty neat," Cheng Yunshuo said after taking a look, though he didn’t pay much attention to them.

Having grown up seeing plenty of new things, he didn’t find them particularly novel. After playing with a few things for a bit, he quickly lost interest and put them down.

"There have been thefts in the palace recently. The higher-ups have told us to strengthen our patrols," Cheng Yunshuo mentioned to Lu Lingyun at the dinner table.

Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyun furrowed her brow slightly. "Thefts in the palace?"

"Yes, it is said that quite a few things were stolen from Consort Xian's quarters," Cheng Yunshuo replied.

Lu Lingyun felt a sense of alert but couldn’t think of anything specific. After pondering for a while, she reminded Cheng Yunshuo, "You should be extra careful these days while on duty. Just do your job and avoid interacting with the people in the palace."

"Of course, why would I interact with the palace people?" Cheng Yunshuo said, looking straightforward.

As a guard, he needed to keep his distance from the palace staff, whether it was eunuchs or maids.

Seeing how straightforward he was, Lu Lingyun didn’t press the issue.

Cheng Yunshuo knew where to draw the line.

As long as he did his job properly, there was nothing to worry about while on duty in the palace.

After having dinner at Lu Lingyun's place, Cheng Yunshuo returned to Xiaohe Courtyard.

Du Ruo, who had been waiting for him in the room for a long time, immediately approached with a smile. "Master."

"How was today?"

"I received many new things today," Du Ruo shared with Cheng Yunshuo what she had received that day. "The caravan returned today, bringing fine items from Jiangnan."

Cheng Yunshuo glanced at them. "If you like them, great."

Du Ruo's eyes lit up. "The young mistress also has a snuff bottle. It looked very interesting. I really want to play with it."

Without hesitation, Cheng Yunshuo said, "What’s so special about it? It’s just a snuff bottle."

Du Ruo: "..."

Was she really thinking about the snuff bottle? What she wanted was to ask him to get it for her!

But Du Ruo had too much pride to ask Cheng Yunshuo directly for it.

Seeing Cheng Yunshuo’s indifferent attitude, she lost interest and didn’t bother saying more.