Chapter 139: Zhuang Second Master

Chapter 139 Second Master Zhuang

"No need. Our family already has one princess consort; another won't make a difference."

Chen Yuhu looked at Nanny Fang, "Tidy up the Vintage Fragrance Residence in my backyard; the princess consort will live there."

Though called a separate courtyard, the Vintage Fragrance Residence was still within the bounds of Rippling Waves Court. In the past, Chen Yuhu would occasionally stay there when she was in a leisurely mood.

Nanny Fang acknowledged.

"Also, arrange for Nanny Jiang and the princess consort's other attendants. Give them their monthly stipends according to the household rules."

Nanny Jiang watched Chen Yuhu make arrangements efficiently and was very satisfied with her plans.

Their group was practically assigned as personal guards for the princess consort; they didn't lack that bit of monthly pay. They didn’t refuse because they would be living in the residence for a long time and needed to appear the same as others.

Chen Yuhu then turned her attention to her daughters-in-law, "How has Yu Lu been lately? Is there anything lacking or anything she’s not used to?"

Xiao Ni said with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. Everything is fine. If anything comes up, I will definitely tell you."

"That's good."

Chen Yuhu nodded.

"What about Rou Jia? How has her health been lately? Has the small kitchen been set up?"

Rou Jia nodded, "Everything is fine; the small kitchen has already been set up."

To be fair, Chen Yuhu wasn’t difficult to please, and they got along quite well with their husbands. Life was calm and comfortable, so of course, there was nothing to be unhappy about.

Chen Yuhu nodded, "That's good."

"When Lin Qingzhuo gets off duty, send someone to inform me. I need to talk to him."

"Yes!"

Soon a maid responded, but when the children finished their duties, everyone came.

Except for Lin Ji, who was working overtime.

Since he was promoted to chief envoy, his overtime frequency had increased dramatically. Chen Yuhu had become much kinder to him, often ordering some snacks to be prepared.

Only those who work overtime understand.

Today, she didn’t forget to order the servants to prepare something for Lin Ji.

Snacks that require long cooking time, are good for the body, and must be kept warm.

Anyway, Chen Yuhu didn’t have to do it herself.

Xiao Ni and Rou Jia watched quietly without saying a word.

Until Chen Yuhu said, "If there’s nothing else, you can go back. Live as you please; no need to always come keep me company."

If they stayed too much, she would feel uncomfortable too.

Not hungry that evening, Chen Yuhu only ate a small bowl of sour soup wontons.

Chen Yuhu also specifically instructed that Lin Qingzhuo should come directly to her place for dinner. After all, he hadn't married yet, and all his brothers were.

Qing Luo had recently been taken by his teacher, so Lin Qingzhuo also ate alone.

But when the others arrived, Lin Qingbai, Lin Qingtong, and Lin Qingzhuo all came.

Chen Yuhu "tsked," "Why did you two come? Why not go back and keep your wives company?"

Soon, two more heads peeked in at the door, "Mother..."

Chen Yuhu laughed helplessly, "Come, come, all of you come in."

"Why did everyone come?"

Lin Qingbai sat down, "It's habit. I’ve always eaten with you before. If I don’t see you, I feel uneasy."

"Since you got married, you’ve become more talkative. It seems my daughter-in-law is a good influence."

Lin Qingtong’s face fell. The princess consort saw it and said with a smile, "Mother, my grandmother said a batch of fresh fruit came in from the south. Qing Tong said you like it, so I specially set aside a batch to be delivered to you later."

"Good!"

Mentioning Lin Qingtong, Chen Yuhu suddenly remembered, "By the way, has your old injury healed? I heard from the residence physician that you don’t like taking medicinal baths?"

"Lin Qingtong?"

Chen Yuhu’s voice grew stern. Lin Qingtong immediately became playful, "Don’t be angry, Mother. I’ve been taking them seriously lately, really."

"It’s just that the previous prescription was too strong; that’s why I avoided them."

Chen Yuhu wished she could grab something and hit him.

Lin Qingtong said with a smile, "I recently ordered a set of sapphire hair accessories for you from Jiu Ling Long. When you wear them to banquets, you’ll definitely outshine everyone."

Although Lin Qingtong was a bit simple-minded, he was like a little dog. When in the capital, he would often bring something back for Chen Yuhu after going out.

Just like a dog fetching a stick.

Just like Lin Qingbai, both brothers’ tastes needed improvement.

Knowing he was trying to please her, Chen Yuhu laughed and let it go for now.

"Did you prepare something for the princess consort?"

"Of course! Mother told me to treat the princess consort well. I remember everything."

Chen Yuhu praised Lin Qingtong generously, "So obedient! That’s a good child..."

Though it sounded like praise for a young child, Lin Qingtong was very pleased.

Xiao Ni watched and felt that this person, compared to her husband who was as deep and unfathomable as a pool, didn’t seem like a twin.

Instead, that half-brother was more like her husband.

If anything, this brother-in-law’s quick thinking and attention to detail in handling matters somewhat resembled the mother-in-law.

Probably he was also a child who had been carefully taught.

With so many people, they had to use a long table. Chen Yuhu called Lin Qingzhuo to sit by her side.

Everyone ate while chatting.

Those with strict etiquette, like Xiao Ni and the princess consort, listened intently.

Lin Qingbai asked Chen Yuhu what transpired in the palace, mainly wanting to know if his mother had endured any hardship.

Lin Qingtong also frowned.

Lin Qingzhuo was unflustered; he had already discussed the matter with his elder brother.

Judging from the outcome, their mother was unlikely to have suffered any real harm. The reason for asking again was simply to confirm.

Chen Yuhu gave them a brief account, mentioning Princess Chaoyang and couldn’t help sighing inwardly.

Chen Yuhu said, "You haven’t met Princess Chaoyang yet, but there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. There’s no need to be overly formal—just interact with her normally."

Chen Yuhu withheld the emperor’s words or tone.

The emperor’s minimum standard was shockingly low—just one requirement: keep her alive.

With such an attitude, Chaoyang was bound to be bullied by everyone in the palace.

On top of that, she was a rather slow-witted child.

It was uncertain whether she would even survive to adulthood in the palace.

Chen Yuhu said, "She resembles her father in appearance, and her fate seems similar as well."

Lin Qingbai noticed the change in Chen Yuhu’s mood and asked, "Is resembling her father a bad thing?"

"Cheng Shi chose to follow him in death willingly."

The room fell silent.

"Both father and daughter were blessed with good looks, but plagued by ill fate."

They were destined to be used as pawns and then discarded.

Chen Yuhu went on to share more details about her experiences in the palace, to keep them informed.

The closer one gets to the upper echelons, the more one can discern from the smallest details.

Some things might not have struck Chen Yuhu as significant, but her sons, already navigating official circles, were highly sensitive to such nuances.

Sure enough, Lin Qingbai and Lin Qingzhuo only grew more serious in expression.

But Lin Qingtong almost immediately said, "The Duke Zhuang household is about to face trouble."

A soldier’s sharp intuition.

The glory of the Duke Zhuang household did not rely on the current Duke, but on the Second Master, who had not inherited the title and was stationed far away in the southern frontier.

Although Duke Zhuang himself was incompetent, he was skilled at maneuvering and putting on a facade.