Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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After the old woman, with a bitter face, left with her two maids, Jiu Jin closed the door and asked, “Why did you keep her here, Miss?”
“I was too lazy to argue with them. That woman will plant some spies here sooner or later. Mama Hu seems quite clever, so let her stay.” Yu Linlang said casually, then went to the windowsill to tend to her precious potted plants.
On two bamboo shelves about half a zhang high, there were dozens of potted plants.
Some had not yet sprouted, while others had already grown a few tender leaves.
One potted plant with red, green, and yellow flower buds was particularly eye-catching.
Yu Linlang conjured a plastic spray bottle out of thin air and carefully watered it, then took out a jade bottle from her waist and dripped some dew on it.
A rare hint of girlish joy appeared on her face.
“Judging from this, it should bloom in another month or two.”
Seeing her happy, Jiu Jin’s eyes also showed a smile.
“Miss, judging by the days, Aunt Huang and Ba Liang should arrive tomorrow.” She said, taking clean clothes from the cupboard and spreading them on the bed.
Yu Linlang’s eyes lit up. “Then you should time it right and go to the city gate to greet them. Have Hu Mama and the others get me some simple food from the kitchen at noon; I need to go into seclusion to paint.”
“Okay.”
Just then, Hu Mama returned with Xiang Ling and Xiang Ye, two maids, carrying a bucket of water, panting heavily. “Miss Yu, the water is here.”
Yu Linlang put away the plastic spray bottle and wiped her hands with a handkerchief.
Jiu Jin opened the door, took the wooden bucket from the maids with both hands, and gently lifted it inside.
The maids and servants stared in disbelief, standing at the door for a long time without reacting.
“What are you standing there for? Go get another bucket. Doesn’t the young lady need to rinse herself with clean water after washing? Do I even need to tell you that?”
Hu Mama was numb, almost on the verge of tears.
The kitchen wasn’t close to the courtyard, and the three of them had carried a bucket of water over; such that her back was aching.
“I’m going out tomorrow. You three prepare the young lady’s lunch. Don’t disturb her at other times; she has things to do.”
Mama Hu meekly agreed twice, then went off to fetch water with Xiang Ling and Xiang Ye.
Jiu Jin closed the door and muttered, “What’s the use? Even carrying a bucket of water is exhausting for them.”
In the west wing, separated by a small courtyard…
Hong Lai pressed her ear to the door and listened intently for a while, then turned to her young mistress and said, “Miss, Mama Hu and the others have gone to the kitchen to fetch water again.”
“How extravagant! Two buckets of water for a bath. Ha, they don’t have the life of our young mistress, but they insist on acting like one.”
Yu Qiuping, embroidering a mandarin duck handkerchief by the lamplight, didn’t even look up when she heard this. “Mother has assigned Mama Hu to her now, which shows she’s quite favored.”
“Madam is really tolerant.” Hong Lai shook her head, looking mocking. “But everyone in the manor knows she’s just the extra one.”
“Everyone used to call Miss Zhihua the Third Miss, but now there’s an extra one out of nowhere. I wonder if the people in Miss Zhihua’s courtyard are used to it.”
Yu Qiuping paused slightly, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Aunt Su is a woman who doesn’t fight or compete. Her daughter is all talk and no action, but she’s really just a paper tiger.”
Hong Lai walked over to Yu Qiuping, glanced at her, and praised, “The eldest young lady’s embroidery skills are becoming more and more exquisite.”
“What a pity,” Yu Qiuping sighed softly, “No one appreciates it.”
As she spoke, the maid Lu Cai entered with a grim expression, curtsied, and said, “Miss.”
Yu Qiuping glanced at her, her face darkening as well. “Why did you come back empty-handed? What did she say?”
“The aunt said she’d given you everything you were supposed to, and she really doesn’t have a single ounce of silver on her.” Lu Cai tightened her grip on her hands.
“What about the jewelry in the brocade box? Take some out and pawn it to ease the immediate crisis!”
“Miss, that’s what I said too. But the aunt said there’s nothing valuable left. She pawned everything she could to prepare a birthday gift for the old lady! The twenty taels of deposit she paid to Eight Treasures Pavilion was pieced together from various sources.”
“These past years, the master has never visited the aunt’s room, and he hasn’t given her any gifts. Our only perfume shop hasn’t been doing well either, and the monthly income is pitifully small.”
Yu Qiuping was both anxious and angry, crumpling the half-embroidered mandarin duck handkerchief she had been working on.
“Useless thing, can’t even coax a man.” A nameless anger surged within Yu Qiuping.
“Miss, what should we do now? Manager Wu from Eight Treasures Pavilion sent someone over again today to urge us to settle the bill.”
“He said that the jade Guanyin statue is exquisitely crafted, and several wealthy ladies have taken a liking to it and are vying to buy it. Manager Wu said that if we can’t settle the money by tomorrow evening, he’ll sell the jade Guanyin to someone else.”
“Why is he in such a hurry?” Yu Qiuping slammed down the embroidery she was holding, her anger rising to her heart.
“If I said I would buy it, then of course I will. It’s just a couple of days later to settle the payment. What can’t wait?”
Yu Qiuping got up and paced around the room. “Go and call Ma Gui here first thing tomorrow morning. I refuse to believe that with my status as the eldest daughter of the Prefectural Governor, I can’t buy a jade Guanyin statue.”
“I can’t rely on my aunt at all.” Yu Qiuping made no attempt to hide the contempt in her eyes as she said this. “No money, no people, nothing.”
It was pitiful that she wasn’t as fortunate as Yu Pianpian. If she were Huo Shi’s daughter, a cousin of the powerful Huo family in the capital, would she need to worry about her meager savings?
“No, I have to go to the Chang Le gambling den myself tomorrow.”
….
The next day, after noon, Yu Shoudao, Chen Buyu, Wei Ling, and others were all summoned to the Mu residence to admire the portrait painted by Yu Linlang herself.
“It’s too… lifelike.” Governor Yu finally managed to utter this after a long pause.
The portrait of the deceased was so lifelike, it was almost indistinguishable from the real person.
“The portrait was sent by your daughter before noon,” Mu Zhao said, her eyes gleaming with admiration. “Your daughter finished it several hours ahead of schedule, showing both diligence and responsibility. It’s clear she worked tirelessly through the night, demonstrating exceptional character.”
Mu Feng, who had already admired the portrait with his brother, couldn’t help but say, “Your Excellency, your Miss Linlang is truly a woman of great talent! Why did you keep such a wonderful daughter away until now?”
Governor Yu chuckled awkwardly, “My daughter has always been in poor health, so she’s been raised on an estate outside. She’s very honored to be able to help with the case.”
Chen Buyu waved his hand, “This is more than just a small favor; it’s absolutely crucial.”
“Is it him? Is the deceased really this person?” Governor Yu asked, puzzled.
Lu Qian interjected, “I’ve already had the painters make dozens of copies and sent them to various gambling dens for inquiries.”
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