“Qi Luo!”
“Lingyun, how are you doing?”
“Very well.” Lu Lingyun pulled her to sit in the small garden. “How are you and your mother?”
“My mother has been worried sick about you. She constantly reminds me about the strict rules of the Houfu, thinking that you must be having a hard time here.” Wang Qiluo put on a stern face. “You’re so stubborn, refusing to tell us about anything.”
Lu Lingyun chuckled, “What troubles could I possibly have? My mother-in-law is kind, the servants are obedient, and I now manage the household. My life is much more enjoyable than it was at the Lu family.”
Wang Qiluo stared at her. “You’re still hiding things from me. Now the streets are filled with whispers of that woman named Xing. Everyone says she and the Ningyang Hou Shizi are a golden couple, a match made in heaven. They don’t even know where you, the rightful wife, have been banished to!”
“It’s nothing.” Lu Lingyun lightly curled her lips, handing Wang Qiluo the red watermelon juice served on the table. “Have some.”
“Ah! Isn’t this that watermelon juice everyone’s been talking about?” Wang Qiluo also knew about watermelon juice.
After all, Xing Dai Rong’s self-service restaurant was a sensation. Everyone knew about it, and her new products were all the rage.
“It’s quite good. It’s more interesting than eating the watermelon directly.” Lu Lingyun said.
“You’re such a pushover. That woman is already riding over you, and you’re still eating things she invented.”
“What are people saying about her?” Lu Lingyun asked with a smile.
“They praise her as a fairy sent from heaven, a benevolent and charitable heroine. They say her kind heart shines upon the world, saving the suffering and being a living Bodhisattva. They lavish her with praise, saying she’s unparalleled in heaven or on earth!” Wang Qiluo rolled her eyes.
Lu Lingyun took a sip of the sweet watermelon juice. “It’s not entirely untrue.”
“Are you truly naive or just acting? That woman is using your family’s money to gain fame. How can you stand for it?”
“Who said it’s the Houfu’s money?” Lu Lingyun put down the cup, a glint of cunning in her eyes.
Wang Qiluo was surprised. “If it’s not the Houfu’s money, then who could be filling such a large hole?”
“Whoever’s name is being sung the loudest, they’re the ones covering it.” Lu Lingyun leaned close to Wang Qiluo, whispering in her ear. “All the materials were bought on credit.”
Wang Qiluo’s eyes widened. After a moment of disbelief, she suddenly understood. “You’re sly!”
Losing forty or fifty taels a day, over twenty days, it would amount to over a thousand taels. Which family would be willing to lend Xing Dai Rong so much money on credit?
If the Houfu didn’t provide it, someone would definitely report it!
And whoever’s name was most prominent would be the one forced to pay it back!
Wang Qiluo was completely at ease with Lu Lingyun. She spent the afternoon in her courtyard, drinking tea and gossiping. She also shared a lot about Lu Han Yi.
She had heard that Lu Han Yi was not getting along well with her sister-in-law in the Li family. Her sister-in-law managed the household and was constantly trying to cut back on the second courtyard, leaving Lu Han Yi to suffer several losses. When she complained to her mother-in-law, the all-purpose mother-in-law was even worse than Qin Shi. At least Qin Shi would side with her and was generous.
Her mother-in-law was a cunning woman, always deflecting and sending Lu Han Yi away. It angered Lu Han Yi, leaving her feeling wronged and unable to vent her anger.
“But Lu Han Yi doesn’t dare confront her husband. It’s strange. How can someone like Lu Han Yi, who is a bully at home, not force her husband to argue for her? She’s even speaking sweetly to him, taking good care of him.” Wang Qiluo gossiped.
Lu Lingyun chuckled softly. It seems her sister was still aiming for next year’s top scholar.
The two chatted privately until dusk descended. As an unmarried woman, Wang Qiluo couldn’t stay in the Houfu too late. Her nanny reminded her for the third time, and she finally put an end to their conversation for the day.
Lu Lingyun promised to go shopping with her in three days and escorted her out of the Houfu.
As they passed the Houfu garden, they bumped into Cheng Yunshuo and Xing Dai Rong, who were beaming with happiness. They were accompanied by several of Cheng Yunshuo’s friends.
“Shizi.”
Lu Lingyun stopped and bowed.
Wang Qiluo, wearing a sun hat, followed behind and bowed as well.
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