Chapter 129

Chapter 129: Suspicion

Dong Yuting reclined languidly on the daybed, idly perusing a storybook, a faint smile occasionally playing on her lips.

Qiu He opened the window and arranged two pots of orchids, freshly delivered from the flower nursery, on the pearwood stand by the window. Turning, she saw Dong Yuting looking utterly unconcerned. After a moment's thought, she leaned in and whispered, "Madam, you've been back at the estate for two days, yet the Second Madam still hasn't sent over the account books. She's clearly..."

Managing the household finances required a separate ledger. Periodically, the contents recorded by the various stewards had to be transcribed to prevent any unauthorized alterations.

Dong Yuting yawned, set the storybook aside, and cast a sidelong glance at Qiu He, whose worry was unconcealed in her eyes.

Dong Yuting reassured her, "You know how she is. Now that she finally has control over the household, she wants to assert her authority. This time is no different—she's waiting for me to go and fetch them in person."

Chun Yue indignantly muttered, "How could the Second Madam be like this?"

Nearby, Dong Zhi was mending a handkerchief embroidered with plum blossoms. It had originally belonged to Chun Yue, who had accidentally snagged it on a wooden splinter while packing the day before, tearing a hole in it. Having served as a second-tier maid for some time and being close to the First Madam, Chun Yue received enough in rewards to equal several months' wages for others, so she didn't care much for the handkerchief and was about to discard it.

But Dong Zhi, who admired the red plum blossoms embroidered on it, asked for it. Seizing the opportunity of a quiet day, she sat down to mend it.

Dong Yuting never required her maids to stand idly by, awaiting orders.

Having accompanied Dong Yuting back to Danzhou, Dong Zhi had grown much closer to her. In the past, she would never have spoken when Qiu He and Chun Yue were talking, but now she could even chime in with a few words.

"Madam must have a plan, then," Dong Zhi said, looking up.

Dong Yuting smiled. Unlike others, she didn't consider managing the household finances to be of paramount importance, but taking back control was still essential.

The Old Madam was advanced in years and no longer fit to oversee the household. He Jinglin, like the Third Master, was fond of romantic pursuits, poetry, and the arts, utterly clueless about household management. That left only Zeng Huiyan, but she was extravagant, having spent thousands of taels of silver in just a few months based on her whims.

If this continued, the estate would soon be left with nothing but an empty shell.

It was difficult to transition from luxury to frugality. Dong Yuting had enjoyed such a pampered life and, frankly, had no desire to experience poverty. Thus, she still needed to reclaim control of the household finances—entrusting them to Zeng Huiyan was far too risky.

During Dong Yuting's absence from the estate, Qiu He had been constantly on edge. Now that her mistress had returned, Qiu He could finally sleep soundly again.

Since her mistress wasn't worried, why should she be?

As mistress and servants chatted, Xia Qing entered with a cheerful smile. "Madam, Tian Lin has returned. He said the Master entered the capital this morning and has already gone to the palace to report on his duties."

Qiu He and the others offered their congratulations.

"Have you informed Mother?" Dong Yuting asked.

Xia Qing replied, "Not yet. Tian Lin is still outside. Would you like to see him, Madam?"

"No need. Give him a handful of silver melon seeds as a reward and have him take this good news to the Old Madam."

Since stewards and maids frequently visited the Breeze Courtyard, an enameled basin filled with silver pieces shaped like melon seeds was kept on the table.

Xia Qing responded brightly, "Yes." She scooped up a handful of silver melon seeds and left, holding them in her cupped hands.

Tian Lin, having received no further instructions, dared not enter and instead kowtowed outside in gratitude.

Chun Yue picked up a hairpin adorned with kingfisher feathers and gold filigree. "Madam, for your visit to the Old Madam later, how about wearing this one?"

Dong Yuting glanced at it. The hairpin was intricately crafted with gold wires forming the shape of a bird, its eyes set with tiny blue pearls. It was exquisite and precious, dazzling when it caught the sunlight.

"This one will do."

Chun Yue had a keen eye for adornment. Although Qiu He and Dong Zhi also received many rewards from their mistress, they stored away their expensive jewelry and clothing. Only Chun Yue took care to dress herself elegantly. Precisely because of this, the accessories and outfits she chose for Dong Yuting were always beautiful, saving Dong Yuting the trouble of worrying about it.

Chun Yue carefully inserted the hairpin into Dong Yuting's chignon and glanced at their reflection in the tarnished bronze mirror. "Only you, Madam, can carry off this hairpin so well."

Dong Yuting also looked at her reflection, but the bronze mirror showed only a blurry face, barely clear enough to discern the placement of her features.

"You and your glib tongue," Dong Yuting said lightly.

Xia Qing soon returned, announcing that Steward Zhu had arrived.

"Let her in."

Zhu Yueru entered and immediately kowtowed to offer her congratulations. Dong Yuting, as usual, instructed Chun Yue to give her a handful of silver melon seeds.

Since this was joyous news, Tian Lin made no effort to conceal it. Anyone who asked him about it received a cheerful reply.

Gossip spread quickly among the servants. Unlike the ladies of the house who remained indoors, the servants moved about frequently, and soon everyone knew that the Master had returned to the capital.

Unfortunately, only those of higher status could personally offer their congratulations to the Old Madam and the First Madam, leaving the others with no chance to receive rewards for delivering the good news.

As a steward, Zhu Yueru had already accumulated a considerable amount of silver, but she never turned down extra. After accepting the reward, she thanked Dong Yuting again.

"Enough, rise quickly," Dong Yuting said. "What brings you here? Surely not just to offer congratulations."

Zhu Yueru stood up. "Madam, since the Master has returned to the capital, should we host a banquet to welcome him? If so, what dishes should be added to the menu?"

Dong Yuting thought for a moment and stood up. "Very well, come with me to Mother's place. We'll ask if she has any preferences first."

For estate banquets, certain dishes were predetermined. The masters would select a few of their favorites, and the kitchen would arrange the rest.

In the Clear Breeze Courtyard, Zeng Huiyan had just learned the news. For her, it was neither good nor bad. She knew that the Li estate now relied entirely on Li Lingchuan, and everyone in the household had to curry favor with him and the First Madam. Yet, she found it difficult to accept this gracefully.

Zhu Er noticed Zeng Huiyan's displeasure and said, "With the First Master's return, the Eldest Young Master's marriage prospects will improve significantly."

Zeng Huiyan's frown eased as she recalled the time when the Old Madam was away and she had tried to arrange a match for Li Bohui. Previously friendly madams, upon learning her intentions, had uniformly declined, infuriating Zeng Huiyan.

At that time, news of Li Lingchuan's disappearance in Bianzhou had reached the capital. If Li Lingchuan were to die, there would naturally be no advantage in forming a marital alliance with the Li family.

After all, marriages were never just about the individuals involved—they were alliances between families.

Once her anger subsided, Zeng Huiyan took a sip of tea, a smile appearing on her face. "Let's go. We should also offer our congratulations to the Old Madam."

Zhu Er added, "Madam, the First Madam has been back for two days, and no one from the Breeze Courtyard has come to collect the account books. Should we send them over?"

Zeng Huiyan's almond-shaped eyes widened again. "Let her come and get them herself. If I deliver them, it'll look like I'm trying to curry favor with her."

Zhu Er sighed and whispered into Zeng Huiyan's ear, "Madam, if we delay too long, the First Madam might grow suspicious and investigate that matter. It's better if we send them over."

Zeng Huiyan's expression shifted several times before she finally gritted her teeth and said, "You're right. Take the account books, and we'll deliver them now."