Chapter 273: Entering the City
The Wei family’s large ship was getting closer and closer to Jianle City according to the planned itinerary.
Inside the Prince Rui’s Estate in Jianle City, the old woman who reported on the Wei family’s ship’s itinerary withdrew with her hands clasped. Princess Consort Wei, with a stern face, sipped half a cup of tea and asked, putting down the tea bowl, “Where is the Eldest Miss? Is there any news?”
“There was only one letter five days ago. Calculating the journey, the Eldest Madam will be entering the city around the same time as the Fourth Mistress Wei,” Steward Nanny Zhao replied with a smile.
Princess Consort Wei was silent for a while, then glanced at the water clock. Nanny Zhao followed Princess Consort Wei’s gaze to the water clock.
At this hour, the Young Lord should be back.
“Go and see if the Young Lord has returned,” Princess Consort Wei ordered.
“Yes,” the maid on duty replied and went out.
Before long, Gu Yan entered, holding a branch of crabapple blossoms.
“The crabapple tree by the second gate is blooming particularly well this year. I spent a long time choosing, and I’ve broken off a branch for Mother to put in a vase,” Gu Yan showed the crabapple branch to Princess Consort Wei.
The head maid on duty, Xue Li, quickly removed the peonies from the most conspicuous vase in the room, took the crabapple branch from Gu Yan, and carefully placed it in the vase.
Princess Consort Wei glanced sideways at the crabapple branch placed in the vase, then turned her gaze back to Gu Yan, who was smiling at her, and said directly, “Your Eldest Sister will be back in Jianle City in a few days.”
Gu Yan was stunned: “Why is Eldest Sister coming back? Did something happen to the Pan family?”
“Nothing happened to the Pan family; it’s her maternal family that’s about to have trouble,” Princess Consort Wei said irritably.
Gu Yan paused for a moment before reacting. He leaned back in his chair and looked at his mother, with a hint of a wry smile, “Eldest Sister is worried about me?”
“Your Eldest Sister is worried about me,” Princess Consort Wei emphasized the words “worried about me.”
Gu Yan frowned.
His Eldest Sister rushed back because she was worried about his mother, which meant his Eldest Sister was on his mother’s side. He should write to his Eldest Sister about his situation with A Nan… Alas, if he told his Eldest Sister, she would immediately tell his mother. No matter what, his Eldest Sister would be on his mother’s side.
Now, Eldest Sister had rushed back from her post. Thinking of his Eldest Sister’s fierce and direct nature, Gu Yan felt a headache coming on.
“Your concern for your Miss Li is only about whether she can handle the management of our Prince’s Estate, isn’t it?” Princess Consort Wei asked.
“Yes,” Gu Yan carefully observed his mother’s expression.
“Whether she can handle the management of the Prince’s Estate can only be known by trying. As long as she can enter the Prince’s Estate, you will naturally find a way to make her handle it. This is your wishful thinking, isn’t it?” Princess Consort Wei said, looking askance at Gu Yan.
“I didn’t mean that, Mother is overthinking,” Gu Yan said with a dry laugh.
“Whether she can handle the management of the Prince’s Estate doesn’t require her to try. Miss Shi hasn’t even managed our household.”
Princess Consort Wei looked at Gu Yan, and Gu Yan looked at Princess Consort Wei, waiting for her to continue.
“She has to be able to enter our estate on her own first. She has to rely on herself to establish herself in Jianle City, and even if she doesn’t visit our Prince’s Estate frequently, there should be some interaction,” Princess Consort Wei said.
Gu Yan frowned, “She’s alone in Jianle City. Mother, isn’t this a bit…”
“She’s not alone; she has you! Families all over the capital are craning their necks, waiting to get acquainted with her!” Princess Consort Wei snorted. “To help her get close to you, her Li clan and her brother-in-law’s clan have already arrived in Jianle City, bought houses, and even several manors. Isn’t that right? He Chengzhe also wants to push her into this Prince’s Estate, doesn’t he?”
“Mother knows these aren’t helpful,” Gu Yan said with a bitter smile.
“These are all helpful,” Princess Consort Wei said unceremoniously. “I won’t make things difficult for her, and you are not allowed to help her, openly or secretly. You cannot go to see her, you are not allowed to send her things, and you are not allowed to hint or entrust anything to her. She must rely on her own abilities.”
“Mother, she is truly alone, with only one maid, whom I lent her,” Gu Yan said, a little anxious.
“Even if she is alone, since she is alone, she must have the ability to stand on her own in Jianle City. If she cannot stand on her own in Jianle City today, then she cannot manage the Prince’s Estate after marrying into the estate. A couple is a partnership; someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you as a spouse must have the ability to do so,” Princess Consort Wei said sternly.
Gu Yan pursed his lips tightly and looked at Princess Consort Wei.
Princess Consort Wei met Gu Yan’s gaze and softened her tone slightly. “If she doesn’t have this ability, and you can’t bear to part with her, then let her stay by your side. You are not allowed to cause any more trouble and must quickly arrange another marriage. If she refuses to stay, I will take her as a goddaughter and send her back to Pingjiang Prefecture.”
Gu Yan was silent for a moment, then said reluctantly, “Alright. On the day Miss Li arrives in Jianle City, I want to see her and tell her these words in person.”
“From now on!”
“Mother…”
“From now on!” Princess Consort Wei’s tone was firm.
Gu Yan took a deep breath. Before he could speak, Princess Consort Wei continued, “That maid named Wan Jing, whom you placed by her side…”
“I’ve already given Wan Jing to Miss Li!” Gu Yan interrupted Princess Consort Wei.
“Since that’s the case, Nanny Zhao, please remember to handle the transfer of Wan Jing’s deed of servitude once Miss Li arrives in Jianle City,” Princess Consort Wei picked up her tea bowl.
Gu Yan took another deep breath. “When will Eldest Sister arrive? I’ll go and welcome her.”
“The same day as your Wei family cousin,” Princess Consort Wei glanced at Gu Yan.
……………………
The Wei family’s large ship docked at the South Water Gate of Jianle City. Li Wenliang and Hong Zhenye, along with Master Hong, waited on the wharf with three or four large ships. Li Xiaonan bid farewell to Fourth Mistress Wei and, with Wan Jing, boarded the paulownia wood cart personally driven by Li Wenliang. A Wu and Wang Yuting rode horses, looking around proudly.
Li Xiaonan’s luggage was only one medium-sized box. A Wu and Wang Yuting had no luggage. Wan Jing had the most luggage, with over ten large boxes, filling two carts to the brim.
Li Xiaonan sat near the cart door, lifting half the curtain to peek out. While her eyes greedily took in the bustling streetscape, she listened to Li Wenliang’s explanations about the house, manor, and servants.
“As soon as Brother Hong and I entered Jianle City’s territory, Steward Wang, arranged by Old Shopkeeper He, met us. After entering Jianle City, when Brother Hong and I went to see the Young Lord, Steward Wang accompanied us.
“This house we’ve acquired was arranged by Steward Wang according to Old Shopkeeper He’s instructions. The price is market price, not cheap. It’s rare to find a property in such an excellent location; houses rarely become available on those streets.”
“Is it a house belonging to the He family?” Li Xiaonan asked.
“Steward Wang said it’s not. He said Old Shopkeeper He told us to take it with peace of mind.”
“Mm,” Li Xiaonan hummed.
Even if this house didn’t belong to the He family, it must belong to someone with a close and long-standing relationship with the He family. When the time came to ask for this favor, she would know.
“The houses and plants in the residence are all very well maintained, but they are all empty, as if no one has ever lived there. I’ve only bought some essential furnishings for now; you can choose the rest when you arrive.
“When it came to acquiring maids and servants, Steward Wang said that the servants bought from the real estate agency, whose backgrounds and temperaments were unknown, were not suitable to serve you, not even temporarily. We had all thought this through incorrectly before. There was no other way, so Brother Hong and I went to see the Young Lord and asked for his instructions. We invited twelve elderly women from the palace who had left the palace from Huaici Nunnery. These twelve people were carefully selected, and their names were shown to the Young Lord before they were hired.”
Li Wenliang explained everything in detail, from the house and the people to what he and Hong Zhenye had done and whom they had met in the days they arrived early, all the way until they entered the residence with “Li Residence” written on the door.
The cart stopped behind the screen wall, and Shi Gun came forward, bowed deeply, and said with a smile, “The Young Lord has instructed me to convey a few words to Miss Li and Miss Wan Jing.”
A Wu craned his neck forward but was pulled back by Wang Yuting. Wan Jing signaled Li Wenliang and the others to retreat inside the second gate, standing behind Li Xiaonan.
“Our Eldest Madam has rushed back from her husband’s post due to the Young Lord’s marriage. She is also arriving in Jianle City today, and the Young Lord has gone to meet Eldest Madam.
“The Young Lord said he is going to meet Eldest Madam not because Eldest Madam is more important than Miss Li. Logically, Eldest Madam has people from the Pan family to meet her, as well as people sent by our Princess Consort. The Young Lord doesn’t need to go. The Young Lord said he is going to meet Eldest Madam so he can speak with her before she meets our Princess Consort.”
Shi Gun spoke quickly, his voice slightly lowered, conveying a sense of mystery.
Li Xiaonan drew out her “oh” sound slightly.
She understood what “speaking in advance” meant.
“Our Princess Consort is not very happy about Miss entering the capital, but she is not entirely unhappy either. I heard that our Princess Consort is not very happy because she feels our Young Lord is taking the matter of managing the Prince’s Estate too lightly. Our Princess Consort believes that managing the household is not just about arranging domestic affairs within our estate; our Prince’s Estate’s interactions with the capital and families from all over the world are also extremely important. Our Princess Consort said she wants to see if Miss Li has the ability to interact with families in the capital.”
Li Xiaonan slowly hummed.
“Since our Princess Consort said that, our Young Lord has been quite concerned and has been pondering it every day. The Young Lord has asked me to tell you: everything is arranged by him, so please rest assured.”
“Mm,” Li Xiaonan nodded.
“There’s one more thing, from Miss Wan Jing,” Shi Gun seemed a little hesitant.
Li Xiaonan quickly signaled Wan Jing, “You two go and talk over there.”
Shi Gun and Wan Jing walked seven or eight steps away and whispered a few words. Shi Gun took his leave and furtively left the courtyard gate.
Wan Jing watched Shi Gun leave and whispered to Li Xiaonan, “He said the Young Lord told the Princess Consort that he was giving me to you, and the Princess Consort said then she would transfer my deed of servitude to you.”
“Then is it still possible for you to go back now?” Li Xiaonan asked urgently.
“Nanny Zhao asked Shi Gun to tell me this, so that I would hurry back, saying it was still possible. I’ve already refused,” Wan Jing gave Li Xiaonan a sideways glance.
“Your whole family is in the Prince’s Estate, you…”
“Shi Gun said the Young Lord promised our Princess Consort, no, not our Princess Consort anymore, but the Princess Consort. The Young Lord promised the Princess Consort that before the Princess Consort speaks, he would not come to see you, nor would he send anyone over. This is specifically to make things difficult for you! If I leave now, what will you do? I’ve already refused, so that’s that,” Wan Jing said, waving her hands in annoyance.
“From when can’t you send people over? Shi Gun just left,” Li Xiaonan pointed to the courtyard gate.
“That’s right! Shi Gun also said the Young Lord said everything is arranged by him!” Wan Jing’s face suddenly lit up with a smile.
“Let’s rest well for a day first. I still feel like I’m swaying after being on the boat, it’s quite uncomfortable,” Li Xiaonan took a deep breath. The late spring air of Jianle City was invigorating!
“A Wu! Move the luggage!” Wan Jing called out loudly.
……………………
News of Li Xiaonan’s arrival in Jianle City was of extreme concern to all the families who knew about it. Some families had arranged for dedicated personnel to guard several wharves from the day they heard the news, so they would know the moment Li Xiaonan arrived in Jianle City.
For families where it was not appropriate to arrange dedicated personnel, they sent people to the wharves two or three times a day, devising all sorts of elaborate schemes.
As the former in-laws who had their engagement broken off by Gu Yan, the Shi family had naturally arranged for someone to guard the wharf. Before Li Xiaonan even entered the brand-new Li Residence, Madam Ye, the matriarch of the Shi family, received the news.
After sending three or four groups of people to spread the news, Madam Ye sat with a furrowed brow, hesitating: should she inform her Eldest Sister? Or should she go in person, tell her Eldest Sister face-to-face, and then try to persuade her Eldest Sister.
“Regarding the matter of that person surnamed Li arriving in Jianle City, does Eldest Sister have any reaction?” Madam Ye turned to her daughter-in-law, First Mistress Zhou.
First Mistress Zhou quickly replied with a smile, “Eldest Madam seems to have heard nothing.” She paused slightly, then added with a smile, “I don’t think there’s anything, but Eldest Madam is very calm, so perhaps I haven’t noticed.”
“I’m just afraid you’re not perceptive!” Madam Ye hesitated again.
She should still go and see for herself, but Eldest Madam Gu had just entered Jianle City and would surely send someone to deliver gifts and greetings soon. If she rushed to see Eldest Sister today, it would inevitably make people think she was being petulant and showing off to Eldest Madam Gu.
Tomorrow… tomorrow she would have to send someone to see Eldest Madam Gu, and the day after tomorrow, it would be their family’s turn to host a welcome feast for Eldest Madam Gu.
“Alas,” Madam Ye sighed deeply and had to instruct her trusted stewardess, “You go on my behalf and check on Eldest Sister. Regarding the arrival of that person surnamed Li, if Eldest Sister doesn’t ask, don’t mention it. Take some of the new tea from yesterday and say you’re bringing new tea.”
The stewardess agreed and hurried out.
First Mistress Zhou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
If her madam had gone to see Eldest Sister out of the city without regard for anything else, no matter how it was explained, outsiders would see it as resentment. Alas, it was indeed resentment; even she felt a large knot of resentment in her heart.
That Young Lord was too overbearing!
……………………
Young Master Pang knew about Li Xiaonan’s arrival a good while before Madam Ye did.
Young Master Pang listened carefully to the report and smiled, slowly rubbing his fingers as he pondered.
Mr. Dongxi from Jiangnan suddenly came to the capital, and his departure time was similar to that of this Miss Li. This Dongxi must have come for Miss Li. Is he here to help Miss Li take charge of Prince Rui’s Estate? Or to find an opportunity to curry favor? Or was there a prior connection?
Young Master Pang pondered for a while and then ordered, “Select some capable men and keep a close watch on both Miss Li and Dongxi!”
Prince Rui’s Estate was like an iron barrel, but this Miss Li was not.
