Chapter 536 - Chapter 536: Oriole
Chapter 536: Oriole
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In the open, Li Jinghua was Qi Xiuyuan’s representative in the capital. However, she actually knew that Fan Zijin and Zhu Liang were in charge of many of Qi Xiuyuan’s confidential matters. From the way Fan Zijin often looked for Mu Yangling to discuss things, Mu Yangling was obviously involved. Because the scene of Mu Yangling rescuing Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran back then had left a deep impression on Li Jinghua, she was very calm about this matter and did not take it to heart.
Seeing that she had often invited Zhu Liang into the residence for the past two days, she only assumed it was regarding something confidential, so she did not ask further. However, in less than two days, Zhu Liang sent her two old servants. Even Little Treasure now had additionally two older servants and two 20-year-old servant girls.
The four older servants were in their thirties. They all wore a matronly hairstyle and were dressed in dusty clothes. Standing in the corner, they could almost be ignored. However, the two girls were a little older, especially beside Little Treasure. Moreover, they clearly didn’t even know how to serve others. Li Jinghua couldn’t help but frown.
She turned to Wen Cui and said, “Make arrangements for the four nannies and the two young ladies first. I’ll talk to Fourth Madam.”
Wen Cui agreed and invited the six of them down.
When she arrived at Mu Yangling’s place, Li Jinghua realized that there were now two old servants and two very senior servant girls.
After sending them away, Li Jinghua asked, “What happened? Why are you assigning us so many old servants?”
Looking a little tired, Mu Yangling said, “This is just a precaution. These people all know some martial arts, and Steward Zhu spent a lot of effort to find them. Sister-in-law, just use them first. With them by the children’s side, I’ll feel more at ease.”
Li Jinghua lowered her eyes. Previously she was surrounded by her own people. If she suddenly two unknown people entered her residence…
Mu Yangling did not know about Li Jinghua’s concerns and only sighed. “There’s still no news of Fourth Master. I wonder how he’s doing.”
Upon hearing this, Li Jinghua said with a smile, “The two of you are too clingy. Previously, during the war, he would write to you every other day. This time, you’re already so anxious after not hearing from him for less than 20 days. Your big brother might not even write me a letter in two months.”
After saying that, Li Jinghua wished she could bite her tongue. These words were too ambiguous, making it sound as if she was complaining that her husband was not close to her enough.
But Mu Yangling, who had always been sensitive, did not notice it. She even stared at the teacup in her hand in a daze. Li Jinghua was slightly stunned. Somehow, this made her let go of the fact that Mu Yangling had arranged for those people to be by her and the child’s side. Perhaps something had really happened. Otherwise, why would Ah Ling be so despondent?
Li Jinghua opened her mouth and wanted to ask what had happened, but she had always been smart. She opened her mouth and closed it in the end. When she bade farewell, she only said that she would make arrangements for the people Mu Yangling sent over.
Mu Yangling nodded and said, “Sister-in-law, you must bring those two old servants with you when you go out. Don’t let them leave Little Treasure’s side either.”
Li Jinghua agreed, but Wen Cui was a little indignant. When no one was around, she complained to Li Jinghua in a low voice, “Fourth Madam has interfered too much. It’s already a taboo to plant other people in others’ residences. How can she plant people around you and Young Master so openly?”
Even the biological mother of one’s husband had to ask if the person involved agreed before arranging for someone to enter said person’s residence. Mu Yangling was only Li Jinghua’s sister-in-law, and furthermore, the wife of her husband’s younger brother. Her status was lower than hers.
“Shut up.” Li Jinghua scolded her in a low voice and said, “How could she think so much? Don’t let me hear such words again.”
Wen Cui lowered her head a little aggrievedly. “Madam, although Fourth Madam is a little simple-minded about the internal affairs, this is indeed a taboo. To have two strangers following you around at all times…”
“Do you think those two old servants are Fourth Madam’s people?” Li Jinghua asked calmly. Wen Cui paused and widened her eyes. With a sigh, Li Jinghua said, “Don’t worry, she doesn’t have such thoughts now. The benefits of keeping those people by our side outweigh the disadvantages.”
“But if Fourth Madam has designs on you in the future…”
“At that time, if I still can’t subdue and control her, it would be because my skills are inferior,” Li Jinghua said calmly. “In Lin’an City, only the two of us sisters-in-law can rely on each other and protect the children. If we still have a conflict, we’ll be courting death. So don’t let me hear these words again.”
Wen Cui lowered her head and agreed.
Li Jinghua sighed. It was impossible to say that she had no grievances. She could understand why Qi Xiuyuan didn’t trust her in the past. After all, she couldn’t trust her husband completely either. Besides, she didn’t have a child at that time.
However, now that she had given birth, it meant that she had the opportunity to completely integrate into the Qi family. Qi Xiuyuan had indeed given her many rights because of this and told her many secrets that she didn’t know before. However, compared to what Mu Yangling knew, she knew too little.
Before Mu Yangling gave birth to her son, she had already gained the trust of Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran. He would tell her many things and even discuss them with her. Because she knew that she and Qi Haoran were childhood sweethearts and that her father was her husband’s subordinate, and that she might have been involved in the confidential matters of the brothers since she was young, she was not jealous and did not complain.
However, it had been a year since she gave birth to her eldest son. Yet in Qi Xiuyuan’s heart, she was still inferior to this sister-in-law. It was impossible to say that there was no resentment in her heart, but she would always remind herself that it was still early. As time passed, his trust in her would naturally increase.
Fortunately, Mu Yangling, this sister-in-law, was smart when it came to external matters, but she was not scheming enough when it came to the internal matters. This allowed them to get along well.
Li Jinghua thought for a while and heaved a sigh of relief. After finally thinking it through, she personally met the four old servants and two servant girls who had been sent over. After taking them down a notch, she gave them some rewards and then kept them by her and her son’s side. As for subduing them, this was not something that could be done overnight. Naturally, she had to take it slow..