Midnight.
A muffled thunderclap startled Du Yunluo awake, and she opened her eyes.
The sound of spring rain reached her ears.
Jin Rui, who was keeping watch, also woke up, quickly put on her outer garment, slipped on her shoes, and closed the slightly opened window.
Du Yunluo stuck her head out from the curtains and asked, "What hour is it?"
Hearing this, Jin Rui hurried over and smilingly said, "Miss, I only woke up because I heard the rain and got up to close the window, so I'm also still foggy and not sure about the hour. However, I just noticed that there was still light in the West Wing, so I reckon it's not yet the fourth watch."
In a certain room, there was one for Jin Rui and Jin Ling to reside in.
"It's getting late regardless; remind Jin Ling to rest earlier tomorrow, so she doesn't ruin her health," Du Yunluo advised, knowing that maintaining health isn't easy, and she couldn't bear to see her subordinates working tirelessly day and night.
"Miss is attentive, always so considerate of Jin Ling," Jin Rui smiled, looking down as she tidied her long hair, "I'll be sure to let her know."
Du Yunluo nodded, lying back down with Jin Rui's help, "I know her family's circumstances are difficult. She usually helps the household with sewing to make extra income, but nothing is more important than her health. Her brother is ill, and her mother's eyesight is poor; if Jin Ling wears herself out, what support would they have left? If I openly or secretly give her silver, not to mention her stubbornness in refusing to take more, I'd also worry about others gossiping."
Jin Rui paused her movements, and in the darkness, her expression was obscured, as she tucked in Du Yunluo's quilt, whispering, "With Miss bestowing rewards or punishments, who would dare gossip?"
Du Yunluo let out a soft chuckle.
Jin Rui sensed that the laughter held deeper meaning, and her heart skipped a beat. Could the Miss have already noticed the underlying tensions between her and Jin Ling?
Daring not to ask outright, Jin Rui bit her lip and changed the topic, "Speaking of which, last night Miss sent Mrs. Shen to deliver something to Qinghui Garden. When she came back, Mrs. Shen mentioned that Miss Shui Yue was preparing fragrant clothes for Madam, and I suspect Madam might be planning to leave the courtyard tomorrow."
Du Yunluo blinked her eyes.
It had been two days since Mrs. Shi came to the mansion, and Mrs. Zhen was almost recovered. Du Yunluo was also guessing when Mrs. Zhen would head to Lianfu Garden.
Hearing what Jin Rui said, it seemed Mrs. Zhen planned to pay respects to Old Mrs. Xia tomorrow.
Du Yunluo counted the days; with four days left until Princess An Ran's coming-of-age ceremony, she needed to stabilize Mrs. Zhen and Old Mrs. Xia to prevent any rash decisions.
"If Mother is going to Lianfu Garden, I mustn't get up late. I need some rest; you should sleep too," Du Yunluo said.
Jin Rui responded, tidied up the curtains, and quietly left the room.
Du Yunluo turned over, pondering what steps to take the next day. However, sleepiness overwhelmed her, and unaware, she drifted off to sleep.
Early the next morning, Jin Rui came to wake Du Yunluo.
Du Yunluo didn't dawdle and, after washing, sat at the dressing table. Jin Rui skillfully straightened her long hair with a cow bone comb.
"Miss, how about a double bun hairstyle? Even though it rained all night, it looks like it's going to clear up. When the sun comes out, a double bun will be cooler," Jin Rui gently suggested.
Du Yunluo, unconcerned about such matters, nodded, "Whatever you think is best."
Jin Rui laughed, her eyes curving with amusement, as Jin Ling entered and said, "Take the water basin out. Is breakfast ready in the outer room?"
Jin Ling bowed to Du Yunluo, "Breakfast has been delivered; Miss can eat after her hair is done."
The two maids attended to their tasks. With dexterous hands, Jin Rui quickly finished the double bun and selected a pair of butterfly hairpins from the jewelry box, matching them against Du Yunluo's bun before securing them in place.
"Jin Ling, does Miss look beautiful like this?" Jin Rui asked, holding up the mirror and smiling.
Jin Ling turned, smiling, "Miss has natural beauty; how could she not look beautiful?"
Jin Rui chuckled, "Your sweet words deserve a candy reward from Miss."
Du Yunluo observed, her eyes shifting slightly, understanding that this was Jin Rui's response to their conversation from the night before.
Jin Rui was eager to demonstrate her loyalty but forgot that the more cautious she was, the more deliberate she appeared.
Not revealing her thoughts, Du Yunluo got up and went to the East Wing for breakfast.
The ticking of the Western clock filled the room.
Watching the hour approach, Du Yunluo made her way to Lianfu Garden, treading carefully on the slippery post-rain path.
By the time she arrived, she was a bit late.
In front of Old Mrs. Xia, several daughters-in-law and granddaughters chatted; Du Yunluo entered with a smile, greeting each one.
Second Madam Miao waved her over, "Wearing a butterfly, you resemble a butterfly yourself."
Du Yunying, holding a silver stick with filigree and jewels, glanced at her and teased, "Isn't she just like a pretty little butterfly, all dolled up and the last to arrive."
Her words were half-playful, drawing laughter from everyone.
Du Yunluo, moving closer, picked up a piece of walnut meat and popped it into her mouth, "If I'm the butterfly, then sister is the diligent bee."
"You little rascal!" Du Yunying put down the stick and tapped Du Yunluo's hand, "Those are meant for Yaya."
Yaya, the thrush raised by Du Gongfu.
When Du Yunluo arrived, she hadn't seen the cage under the eaves; it must have been taken to the study with Du Gongfu.
"Just a single piece won't upset Grandpa," Du Yunluo replied.
"Once they're gone, we can just shell more," Old Mrs. Xia laughed, inviting Du Yunluo to sit beside her, "It's only walnuts, after all."
Du Yunying maintained a silent smile.
Miao Family exchanged a few words but felt frustrated inside.
Though both granddaughters were legitimate, Old Mrs. Xia's favoritism knew no bounds.
The Miao Family had seldom tasted the walnuts shelled by Du Yunying, not because the daughter was lazy but because she refused to let Du Yunying handle such matters when there were plenty of maids available.
Yet, in Lianfu Garden, Du Yunying personally shelled walnuts to please Du Gongfu, only for the bird to eat.
That could have been overlooked as a gesture of filial piety, but whenever Du Yunluo appeared, Old Mrs. Xia would make comments like these, as if Du Yunying was born to serve.
Though Miao Family was upset, she couldn't show it on her face and merely cast a long glance at Mrs. Zhen, who was talking with Du Yunru.
Du Yunnuo observed it all, her eyes curving with amusement, her smile not out of place amidst the earlier laughter.
There were still four days; once she disclosed Dingyuan Marquis Mansion's stance to Princess An Ran, the drama in Lianfu Garden would surely become even more exciting.
Du Yunnuo slightly lifted her newly dyed vermillion little finger, waving it subtly at Du Yunluo, her gaze occasionally flicking towards Mrs. Zhen.
She refused to let Mrs. Zhen persuade Old Mrs. Xia; if Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao's marriage fell through, how could she curry favor with Princess An Ran?
Understanding the scrutiny from Miao Family and Du Yunnuo, Mrs. Zhen remained seemingly unaware, quietly discussing matters with Du Yunru.
She was there for Du Yunluo's affairs, yet such private matters were not suitable for discussion in front of so many people.
Moreover, speaking out might lead to all sorts of judgment behind her back.
These people were red-eyed with jealousy over Yunluo Nannan's favor.