Chapter 328: Setting the Date

Xiao Hong shook the little buns on top of her head, took two pieces of candy from her pocket, and handed them to Brother Cheng and Sister Yu.

Seeing them take it, she said, "Having some candy makes you feel less sad. In the past, I could only have candy during the New Year and festivals. But after coming to the main house, since the Old Madam’s teeth aren’t good, all the candy goes to us little maids. Whenever I’m unhappy or miss home, I take two pieces to sweeten my mouth."

"Before, I only thought about going to Wutong Garden, where there are plenty of vacancies, and I could raise my monthly pay, sending more money back home. I didn’t expect you all to come... Now that you’re going to live at Mr. Cheng’s house, how can the Old Madam and the Marquis be at ease? Even if Young Master Cheng didn’t mention it then, the Old Madam would still want me and Sister Zihe to follow and take care of you."

Brother Cheng snorted lightly and stuffed the candy into his mouth.

Sister Yu put it in her mouth as well.

Xiao Hong, smiling, also took a piece from her pocket and started sucking on it, mumbling, "After having candy, don’t cry anymore. Everyone likes cheerful people. When I first came here, I cried missing home, and Nanny Rong said, if I cried all day, the Old Madam might think I didn’t like serving here and would have let me go home. Young Master Cheng, Miss Yu, in any case, we all have to go, so why not happily go live at Mr. Cheng’s house?"

Before Brother Cheng could respond, the curtain at the doorway rustled, and soon a hurried footstep was heard. Nanny Rong came in quickly, smiling, "Xiao Hong, here you are, hurry and follow Young Master Cheng and Miss Yu to meet the guest."

Brother Cheng asked in surprise, "Nanny Rong, what guests do we have to meet?"

Nanny Rong said with a smile, "Mr. Cheng’s family is here. The Marchioness had someone refurbish and renovate that courtyard already. We’ve picked a lucky date to move soon, and they’re discussing with the Old Madam about the day to hold the recognition banquet. Shouldn’t you go and meet them?"

Brother Cheng and Sister Yu had no choice but to follow along to meet them.

It was the first time Mrs. Dai had seen the two children. She had heard so many good things from Gu Jingcheng, but once she saw them, she felt she had been too happy too soon.

These two appeared difficult to get along with; no wonder they couldn’t settle down in the Marquis Mansion.

While Mrs. Dai grumbled in her heart, she still maintained a kind and warm demeanor outwardly.

Gu Jingcheng, with a cheerful smile, patted the heads of the two children and said a few affectionate words, while Old Madam Gu sat at the top, watching and smiling happily as well.

Brother Cheng took Xiao Hong’s words to heart, fully responding to this couple in front of him, and after sitting for a bit, they were taken out.

Old Madam Gu and Mrs. Dai settled on the date for the recognition banquet. Gu Jingcheng said, "Aunt, I’ll go talk to the Marquis."

Old Madam Gu said, "Go ahead. I will chat with your wife. Once we’re done with Old Third, you can leave on your own, and I’ll have someone send her back."

Mrs. Dai laughed, "Oh, Old Madam has so many things to instruct me on, I’m already feeling flustered."

Gu Jingcheng replied with a smile, stood up, said a few more words, and then stepped out.

Old Madam Gu had Mrs. Dai sit closer and held her hand, saying, "Men are careless, busy socializing and handling official business outside all day. How do they know about domestic matters? I see that you are genuinely planning to raise these two children and make plans for your later years, so some things should be clarified early on."

Mrs. Dai asked expressionlessly, "Are you going to say the same things the Marchioness did? If there’s any arrangement, it is better to speak frankly. I can handle it."

Old Madam Gu asked, "What did Yuan’er say?"

Mrs. Dai recounted the details. Old Madam Gu laughed, "This child is meticulous, considering everything carefully. I figured their mother would eventually stir up trouble. You’re experienced and naturally understand the stakes involved."

Mrs. Dai nodded, "Back then, your nephew went to war as well. Even though we women haven’t seen it, we’ve heard quite a lot. If men fight outside, and we women are as weak as soft-shell crabs, how can we hold down the home? Aunt, don’t laugh at me, but I’ve always been strong-headed, just unfortunate in not having children in this life."

Old Madam Gu said, "That’s good then. Old Third is a bit too soft-hearted, and this matter might fall upon your shoulders. These two children were raised too delicately before. Old Third has always raised them as his own children because of the favor he received from their father, but who would have thought it would lead their mother to have other thoughts, making everyone look bad in the end. If Mrs. Zhao doesn’t come to cause trouble, that’s great; everyone would be happy. But I suspect the viciousness in that woman would not let it go. It’s better to expose that woman as soon as possible so we can all relax. The Marquis Mansion will not treat your couple unfairly."

Mrs. Dai smiled, "What are you saying, Aunt? Moving next to the Marquis Mansion is already a huge favor. Without children, we had a hard time living in the ninth branch. To be honest, Aunt, just thinking about moving over, living in a spacious courtyard managing our own affairs, I feel much relieved, without having to watch my sisters-in-law flaunting their children, feeling inferior everywhere."

Old Madam Gu patted her hand, sighing, "Then I am relieved. Be careful with everything, don’t let them notice. Before these two children settle down, you’ll have to endure."

Mrs. Dai said, "Who knows if this is karma between us? The elders often say, kids raise kids. With a pair of twins, it’s a good sign. Maybe they can bring me a child, a son or a daughter, giving our master some descendants."

Old Madam Gu laughed, "It would be nice if that happens. You’re still young, no need to rush. If you’re destined to have children, even at fifty, you can still have them."

Saying that, she told some stories of women having children to ease Mrs. Dai’s mind.

Mrs. Dai listened, feeling quite relieved.

Back home, she discovered Gu Jingcheng had already returned and was personally instructing the servants to tidy up.

A few uncles and sisters-in-law stood by, chattering about how the courtyard at the Marquis Mansion looked.

Mrs. Dai realized she had been so caught up chatting with Old Madam Gu that she forgot to visit the new house.

Gu Jingcheng, cheerful and smiling, said, "It is excellent, as you know Aunt is very generous, and the Marchioness is thorough and considerate. The whole house is refurbished, a new pond dug in the courtyard awaiting us to decide what to stock it with, and there are ready-made wooden bridges and pavilions, even the window screens inside are paste ready."

Others listened with envy.

Secretly proud, Mrs. Dai smiled, "Once we move, we’ll invite everyone over to look around and get acquainted. When you go see Old Madam at the Marquis Mansion, come sit in our room too."

The sisters-in-law, who often made sly remarks, all looked a bit sour.

Once everyone left, Mrs. Dai relayed the conversation with Old Madam to Gu Jingcheng.

Gu Jingcheng laughed, "The Marquis has also confided in me. He suspects one of the nannies brought along with the kids is a fake. The Marquis said he’s preparing to catch a big fish. Originally, I wanted to keep it from you, worried you might not be able to hold it in."