Chapter 423 Gong and Drum Lane

Chapter 423 Gong and Drum Lane

Lu Kuan nodded, "I'll go back and explain it again to Brother Wang."

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun didn't say anything more.

Even though she knew Mr. Wang would likely reject Lu Kuan.

While a student is a student, and their mother is just their mother, taking on a disciple has nothing to do with the mother. But with a mother like that, which respectable family would want to get involved?

Taking on a disciple is like adopting a son; it inevitably leads to complications.

Unless Li Shouye cuts ties with Lu Hanyi, no one would want to get involved.

It was pointless to say more. Lu Lingyun closed her mouth, got into her carriage, and headed home.

With Bing Hao about to return, the household grew livelier each day.

When Lu Lingyun returned, she saw Cheng Suying with friends in the courtyard, chatting and enjoying the flowers.

These young, lovely noblewomen all greeted her respectfully.

"Lady Cheng, good day to you."

"Lady Cheng, good day to you."

"Good day to you too," Lu Lingyun smiled faintly at the group of lively young girls before her.

Teenagers are always the most adorable, no matter how you look at them.

"What are you talking about?"

"We're talking about my second brother. He's supposed to return victorious from battle, and they're very interested in him," Cheng Suying went to Lu Lingyun's side, linking arms with her.

"Sù Yīng!"

"Sù Yīng!"

Cheng Suying's friends looked at her reproachfully, upset she'd shared their private talk with her mother.

What will the lady think? How embarrassing!

Lu Lingyun smiled at these thirteen or fourteen-year-old girls, "I didn't hear a thing. Keep chatting, and I'll have someone bring you some fruit and snacks."

Lu Lingyun tactfully left the girls and told the servants to bring snacks and fruit. Everyone was well taken care of.

After Lu Lingyun left, Cheng Suying's friends gathered and couldn't help but watch her leave.

"Sù Yīng, your mother is so kind."

"Yes, Lady Cheng is so friendly."

"Don't worry, my mother isn't gossipy or meddlesome. She can know anything we talk about," Cheng Suying returned to their midst, "As long as it's not out of line, she never mocks or criticizes me."

Hearing this, the noble ladies around her all looked at her with envy.

"How enviable."

"Lady Cheng is really amazing."

These noble girls from the Imperial City are often subjected to strict family discipline, some so strict they can't even breathe freely in their own rooms.

Let alone hang out with friends and chat freely.

"So, where were we?"

"When is your brother, General Cheng, coming back to the capital?"

"I got a letter the other day; he'll be here in a month."

"Your brother is really impressive, accomplishing so much at such a young age!"

"Yeah, a real prodigy!"

The girls all exclaimed with excitement.

The next day.

Lu Lingyun stayed in her courtyard, listening to the stewards and Qiu Ling go over the accounts.

Now, she's left the everyday household tasks to Qiu Ling and Ling Long.

They're doing a great job, taking care of everything from fixing walls and tending to the garden, to night patrols and the servants' chores.

Only big financial decisions and things they can't handle are brought to Lu Lingyun.

After hearing their summaries, Lu Lingyun skimmed through a few account books, made sure everything was in order, and approved last quarter's accounts.

At this moment, Qiu Ling said, "Young mistress, there's one more thing for you to decide."

"What is it?"

"Luogu Lane is asking for a coachman," Qiu Ling said.

Luogu Lane is where Cheng Yunshuo had Li Bihan as his mistress.

The people from Luogu Lane are Li Bihan's family, whom Lu Lingyun had sent away.

"A coachman?"

Qiu Ling nodded. "They said their old coachman broke his leg driving the third young master's carriage and is now recovering at home. The third young master is taking the child scholar exam this year in Ping'an County outside the capital, and they say he needs a coachman to get around."

After hearing this, Lu Lingyun casually waved her hand and said, "Give it to them."

"Alright."

Over the years, Li Bihan has kept to herself, only occasionally asking for things.

All in Cheng Bingzhi's name.

Now, that courtyard has a maid, a horse, and a coachman, all for Cheng Bingzhi.

As for Cheng Lanying, she hasn't asked for anything, maybe worried that asking too much would bother Lu Lingyun.

So, Li Bihan only asks for things for her son.

Now, since Cheng Bingzhi is taking the child scholar exam, Lu Lingyun doesn't argue. Plus, Cheng Bingzhi is fifteen this year, so they won't be supporting them much longer.

When Cheng Bingzhi grows up, they’ll have to cover the costs of the horse and groom themselves.

It’s unclear if they’ll handle the shift from luxury to frugality well.

Qiu Ling, following Lu Lingyun’s orders, took care of it and soon recruited a new groom.

He was a decent-looking young man.

Lu Lingyun didn’t need to be bothered with this hiring decision. Qiu Ling glanced at the young, strong, robust lad and nodded in satisfaction.

Hiring someone young is always a good idea; this time, he’s unlikely to break his leg while driving the horse.

She sent him to the courtyard on Luogu Lane.

At this moment.

Luogu Lane.

An older woman sat in the courtyard, picking vegetables, with a young girl beside her.

The girl was plainly dressed, with no adornments, just decent clothes without patches.

A young woman with a silk patch on her chest came out of the house. She glanced over and called out bluntly, "Hurry up! The third young master is hungry from studying and wants dinner early."

"Alright, Ying’er, just focus on Bing Zhi; we’ll handle the rest," the older woman replied.

Ying’er snorted and went back inside.

After she entered, the older woman looked at the girl beside her. "Lan Ying, hurry up and pick, wash, and bring the vegetables to the kitchen. Don’t let your brother go hungry. He’s taking the child scholar exam this year, and we can’t let him down."

The girl called Lan Ying was Cheng Lanying.

She shot her mother a resentful look and said, "Got it."

After speaking, Li Bihan went into the kitchen to light the fire.

Cheng Lanying took out her frustration on the vegetables, plucking them one by one as if they were Cheng Bingzhi.

Just then, their courtyard gate was knocked.

Cheng Lanying stood up impatiently and asked, "Who’s there?"

"I’m the new groom from the Ningyang Marquis’s residence. The master sent me to drive the horse for the young master inside!"