Chapter 42: Meaning

After hearing the reports from the stewards and handling the affairs, Bai Jing Yu called the butler, Zeng Xian Gen, to go over the details of tomorrow’s Winter Solstice ancestral temple ritual, confirming that every arrangement had been made without any oversight. Only then did she and Rulan feel at ease. When they looked at the time, it was already noon.

Heng Ge’er always wanted to be close to Bai Jing Yu, which Mrs. Zheng couldn’t tolerate. She asked Xia Lian to take Heng Ge’er outside to play under the big locust tree in front of Zi Yun Hall. She then sent the maids and servants outside to wait, leaving only the three of them in the hall to drink tea, discuss important matters, and chat casually.

Mrs. Zheng asked Bai Jing Yu whether the scattered silver entrusted to Nurse’s hands could be reclaimed. Bai Jing Yu replied, “The silver for the journey there have been several deposits into the family treasury these past few days, each in the thousands. After carefully checking the accounts and inventory, I found that Jing Yu has six thousand eight hundred taels of silver. I didn’t have the time, so I had Wang Mama and Huang Mama handle it. I’ve reviewed the account, and everything is in order.”

Mrs. Zheng nodded, “Jing Yu is very capable. When she was still at her parents’ home, she helped manage the household. After marrying into our family, she managed her dowry business excellently. Everything she handles is well-done. You should learn from her more in the future.”

Bai Jing Yu and Rulan both nodded, “We will remember that.”

Mrs. Zheng continued, “Your uncle is someone who enjoys peace and quiet. For the past two years, he’s been living in the countryside. Lately, he’s been feeling unwell. After the Winter Solstice, I’d like you to send your cousin, Yu, to check on him. Make sure she brings a gift with her.”

Bai Jing Yu responded, “I understand. I’ll pick out a few things tomorrow for her to take.”

Bai Jing Yu’s heart skipped a beat letting Yu go back to see him first? Does that mean she will be brought back afterward?

The persistent Zheng Mei Yu, the unyielding Mrs. Zheng why couldn’t they find a single man for Xu Jun Ying to marry instead of forcing her into a concubinage?

Xu Jun Ying was indeed an exceptional man handsome, dignified, young, and a rising noble with strong ties to the Emperor. Ning Rulan said he had a close relationship with the current Emperor and spent almost every day with him, leading to a promising future and boundless glory. It was no wonder that women were drawn to him. Bai Jing Yu, in her previous life, had lived only a short time and hadn’t been interested in the idea of time travel. However, after becoming Heng Ge’er’s mother, she naturally loved him. As his wife, she had trouble finding her place. His coldness and arrogance made her hesitant to connect with him. But she was quick to understand her situation and was no longer the timid and fearful Qin Meinang. She wanted to take the initiative and please Xu Jun Ying.

If Xu Jun Ying hadn’t liked Qin Meinang in the past, he wouldn’t have gone through all the trouble to marry her and have Heng Ge’er. Now, his indifference might be because he didn’t like Qin Meinang’s character.

Helping Rulan ward off a concubine and protect their happiness, Bai Jing Yu knew she too had to protect her own position. As a married woman, her dignity and standing required strong support from her husband. She hadn’t yet achieved anything significant, and Heng Ge’er’s rights were still not fully secured. No matter what, she had to prevent Xu Jun Ying from taking other women. While the two housemaids who had been raised as concubines posed no threat they couldn’t have children women like Zhuang Yu Lan and Zheng Mei Yu, from well-established families, were different. If they entered the house, they would definitely threaten her status. Bai Jing Yu couldn’t allow that. Women’s positions were low, and one mistake could be fatal. In such a large household, people could deal with you without even locking the doors, and no matter how high her title as a wife, if something happened to her, who would help her? The Qin family was small, with only a widow mother and a sickly brother, barely surviving off the family land. How could they seek justice for her? It would be a pointless death.

Bai Jing Yu saw Cui Xi bring in a pot of hot tea and asked: “Is there wind outside? Go and tell Xia Lian to bring Heng Ge’er back inside. I just can’t bear to think about that night when Heng Ge’er, dressed so thinly, was placed in the cradle in the wind.”

Mrs. Zheng glanced at Bai Jing Yu and softly said, “Yu is young and doesn’t yet know how to care for a child. She is very smart and patient, so she will learn to do it well.”

Bai Jing Yu smiled and said, “You’re right, Mother. Cousin Yu is indeed clever. As for patience, unmarried girls still need some practice. Rulan, being family, there’s no harm in speaking plainly when I was ill, Yu couldn’t stand Heng Ge’er crying. Every time he cried, she became upset and scolded him. I couldn’t say anything, but with a baby, what’s most important is true love and care. You love Heng Ge’er so much, Mother, so I feel completely at ease. Xia Lian is good with him, but I can’t let Cousin Yu take care of Heng Ge’er alone anymore. I’m worried about what you said, that Cousin Yu was born during the Tiger hour and Heng Ge’er was born during the Rabbit hour. When Tiger and Rabbit meet, it’s not a good match. I know she doesn’t mean any harm, but accidents happen. If something goes wrong, who can say what will happen?”

Ning Rulan felt uneasy hearing Bai Jing Yu criticize her elder cousin in front of her. She lowered her head slightly, while Mrs. Zheng thoughtfully looked at Heng Ge’er in Xia Lian’s arms outside. Heng Ge’er yawned and seemed tired. The wet nurse came over, took Heng Ge’er in her arms, and said, “The young master needs his nap.”

Seeing Bai Jing Yu move, Mrs. Zheng coughed and stood up. “I’ll take Heng Ge’er back now. You two rest. After lunch, go inspect the preparations for the Winter Solstice festival. With the cold weather, it’s likely to snow. Be sure to manage the housemaids and night guards anyone found slacking off, drinking or neglecting their duties, should be punished severely. Don’t go easy on them.”

Bai Jing Yu and Rulan both stood up, “We understand, Mother. We’ll see you off.”

Mrs. Zheng waved her hand as she left, “No need. The maids will accompany you. You two go have lunch and take care of yourselves.”

Bai Jing Yu thanked her mother and followed her to the door, reluctantly watching Xia Lian carry Heng Ge’er, surrounded by the maids, leaving. The maids deliberately blocked Heng Ge’er’s view, so he couldn’t see Bai Jing Yu. Heng Ge’er began to cry anxiously, and Bai Jing Yu’s heart ached as she stood frozen, twisting her handkerchief absentmindedly.

Ning Rulan gently walked up behind her, placing a hand on her sympathetically, “Heng Ge’er is still so young, and the old lady… she really is harsh. If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to stand it, I’d have to visit him every day.”

Bai Jing Yu forced a bitter smile and glanced around the empty Zi Yun Hall, “What’s the use? If I see him too much, she’ll just stop me. She’s the matron of the house, she can do whatever she wants, and we have to obey. There’s no room for disobedience.”

Ning Rulan lowered her eyes, “You’re braver than I am. You dared to speak so plainly in front of the matron and reject Zheng Mei Yu. I would never dare to defy the second wife. It’s a good thing you warned me in time. Even though Hong Ye became the third master’s concubine, the second wife still insists on finding a proper wife for him. The third master refuses to take one, though.”

Bai Jing Yu responded, “Don’t blame yourself. Hong Ye may eventually thank you for helping her. A loving couple doesn’t need glory or wealth. As long as they love each other, they can live happily. That’s the truth.”

Ning Rulan squeezed her hand, smiling, “I hope so.”

The two chatted for a while, then Cui Xi and Jin Shu entered, inviting them to lunch. Bai Jing Yu and Ning Rulan agreed to meet in the afternoon at the Morning Wind Pavilion and inspect the preparations for the Winter Solstice festival before going to lunch. They then followed the maids back to eat.