Yu Mingyue personally saw Luo Lingyi onto the carriage and watched her depart until the carriage disappeared at the alley entrance. Only then did Yu Mingyue say, "Let's go back."
"Miss seems to treat Princess Qingping quite differently," Chidan asked.
No matter what, Princess Qingping had snatched Miss's marriage prospects. In their eyes, this Princess Qingping was an enemy, not a friend.
"It's not easy for women in this world, so why make things difficult? If one could remain innocent their entire life, who would want to be worldly and calculating!" Yu Mingyue chuckled lightly.
From the moment Luo Lingyi entered the capital with the Eldest Princess, her life was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Luo Lingyi probably understood this better than anyone, but the bitterness within was something no one could speak of.
Yu Mingyue recalled the storybooks where the Luo family, after failing in their rebellion, had their entire clan executed. She wondered if her sisters, remaining in the capital, could escape this fate.
After dinner, Yu Mingyue leaned on the couch reading, Chihua having specially added an extra lamp.
At Hai Shi (9-11 PM), Yu Mingyue washed up and went to bed on time. She was still growing and staying up late was not good for her.
Chidan brought out a willow branch soaked in water and a special ointment for Yu Mingyue to brush her teeth. Every spot was meticulously cleaned, leaving her teeth white and perfectly aligned.
While Yu Mingyue was soaking her feet, Chihua entered. She paused in the outer room for a moment, allowing the chill on her body to dissipate before entering the inner chamber.
"Miss is truly a prophet. The Second Madam has indeed caused a scene."
Yu Mingyue chuckled, "Madam Zhao cares most about her children's marriages. Now that a concubine's child has gotten ahead, how can she swallow that?"
Chidan took a handkerchief, dried Yu Mingyue's feet, and then carefully applied fragrant ointment, massaging them for a moment before wrapping them in a dry cloth and tucking them under the covers.
"This marriage was first proposed by the Second Master to the Eldest Daughter. The Eldest Daughter was unwilling, and now that it's arranged for the Second Daughter, she feels the Second Daughter has stolen it from her. How can there be such logic?" Chihua felt that Madam Zhao and her daughter had some issues with their minds.
"Let her make a fuss. Instruct the servants to keep their mouths shut," Yu Mingyue instructed.
"Miss, rest assured, your maids have already given the instructions."
If the news of two women fighting over a man were to spread, how would the Duke's mansion maintain its reputation? It could even affect Miss's own marriage prospects.
"Alright, you two can go rest now."
The sound of a zither from the neighboring courtyard signaled it was time for her to rest.
As Chidan left, she extinguished the lamp for Yu Mingyue, plunging the room into darkness.
Yu Mingyue closed her eyes. The melancholic sound of the zither soon lulled her into a deep sleep.
The next morning, as usual, Yu Mingyue began her day by practicing the Five Animal Frolics in the courtyard. At first, Granny Rong thought Yu Mingyue, like before, would not be able to endure the hardship and would give up within a few days.
But over the past year and more, Yu Mingyue had practiced through the harshest winters and hottest summers, truly persevering.
Her health had improved, her baby fat had disappeared, she appeared more energetic than before, and her height had surpassed that of her peers. Seeing her granddaughter improving day by day, Granny Rong said nothing more.
While having breakfast, a crying maid from Madam Zhao's courtyard ran over and knelt at the entrance, saying, "Sixth Miss, please come quickly! Our Madam is dying."
Madam Cui's difficult childbirth had weakened her, and she was recuperating, not to be disturbed. On her first day managing the household, Yu Mingyue had established a rule: all household matters were to be reported to her courtyard. Any disturbance to the Duchess's recovery would not be tolerated.
Therefore, now, when there were matters in any of the households, the stewards would come to Mingyue Garden to seek Yu Mingyue's decision.
Yu Mingyue raised an eyebrow. Chihua quickly stepped forward, "The Second Madam was making a scene early this morning, threatening to hang herself. The maids saved her, so she's unharmed."