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News from the capital had already reached Qinghe County two days ago.
Wen Ruyu, secluded in the deep courtyard, received the news a little later than those outside.
Prince Cheng rebelled, the emperor died suddenly, and the empress dowager fell gravely ill from shock. Hearing all this, Wen Ruyu felt as if she were listening to a storyteller.
After all, such events were things she had only seen in international news or ancient history back in her modern life.
“So, does this mean the new emperor has already ascended the throne?”
“Hard to say. It all depends on the empress dowager’s decision.” Lu Jinnian peeled an orange beside her and handed it to Wen Ruyu.
Wen Ruyu waved her hand, indicating she didn’t want it.
Seeing this, Lu Jinnian had no choice but to take the orange back and eat it himself.
Just then, Qin Rong brought over a pot of hot tea and placed it on the small table by Wen Ruyu’s couch.
“Rong’er, stop fussing and come sit down,” Wen Ruyu called out to her.
In the Lu household, she was still called Qin Rong. It wasn’t uncommon for servants to take on the family name of their masters, like the Lu family’s steward, Lu Cheng.
The young girl wasn’t very close to people. Even after several days together, if Wen Ruyu tried to hold her hand, she would pull away.
Qin Rong was also mute, unable to express her thoughts. Wen Ruyu had initially been a little worried but later decided to let her be.
After all, it was the Qin family that had wronged her, not the Lu family. Wen Ruyu wasn’t a psychologist and had no way of helping her heal.
Other than letting her be, there really wasn’t a better option.
As for what would happen when Qin Rong had to marry in the future, that was a problem for her elder sister, Qin Fu, to worry about.
Although Qin Rong was reserved, she was obedient.
Since arriving at the Lu household, she hadn’t acted like a pampered young lady. She even served Wen Ruyu tea and treated her with respect.
Watching Wen Ruyu interact with Qin Rong, Lu Jinnian observed the girl from the side.
Wen Ruyu didn’t notice her son’s gaze, instead focusing on Qin Rong’s clothes.
“You only brought these two sets of clothes?”
Although ancient people didn’t bathe frequently, the girls in Wen Ruyu’s courtyard washed at least every three or four days.
Washing hair was troublesome since drying took time, and the powdered incense used on their heads cost money, so they didn’t wash often. But they regularly combed their hair to remove dirt and prevent lice.
Qin Rong had been at the Lu household for seven or eight days now, and Wen Ruyu had only ever seen her wearing the same two outfits, alternating between them.
Hearing this, Qin Rong just shook her head, seemingly indicating that she didn’t have any other clothes.
“In late spring, new clothes will be made. For now, we’ll alter some of Mingzhu’s old clothes for you. When the new clothes are made, we’ll have some tailored for you as well.”
Wen Ruyu looked at Qin Rong’s petite frame and said, “Luckily, you’re small. Your sister Mingzhu’s clothes can be taken in to fit you.”
In the Lu household, the maids often wore Lu Mingzhu’s old clothes. Handing down used clothes was customary.
Qin Rong was younger than Lu Mingzhu, so wearing her elder sister’s hand-me-downs was perfectly acceptable.
Lu Mingzhu knew how to take care of her things. Other than the colors being slightly faded, her old clothes were as good as new.
Qin Rong didn’t speak but didn’t refuse either, so Wen Ruyu took it as silent consent.
Aside from food and clothing, Wen Ruyu also instructed that Qin Rong be given one tael of silver every month.
Over two or three years, including food and lodging, this would amount to about a hundred taels.
In truth, Wen Ruyu saw supporting Qin Rong as a way to maintain a good relationship with the Qin family.
For that relationship, even if she had to forgo a hundred taels or spend another hundred out of her own pocket, it was worth it.
“Tomorrow, when Fu’er gets married, you’ll come with Mingzhu and me,” Wen Ruyu said to Qin Rong.
Qin Rong silently nodded.
“Your sister-in-law will come too. All the women in the household should take the opportunity to go out and relax.”
At the Qin family’s wedding banquet, men and women would sit separately.
Since the boys in the family were busy studying, Wen Ruyu planned to take only Lu Mingzhu and Zhao Shu along.
Lu Mingzhu was fourteen now. After her coming-of-age ceremony next year, she would start looking for a match. Wen Ruyu wanted her to socialize more in advance.
Zhao Shu was always managing household affairs. Wen Ruyu hoped she could take a break and enjoy herself.
Spending all day on housework and children without any social life wasn’t good.
As for Qin Rong, since she was Qin Fu’s sister, she naturally had to come.
But because of her background, Wen Ruyu could only bring her along as a maid.
After giving these instructions, Wen Ruyu turned to Lu Jinnian. “I heard the emperor was over forty. Did he not have a crown prince? Why does the new emperor need the empress dowager’s approval?”
“The emperor had only two princesses and no prince. That’s why Prince Cheng rebelled—to seize the throne. The emperor had planned to adopt his younger brother or pass the title to Prince Cheng’s son. But Prince Cheng got impatient and staged a coup, which failed.”
Wen Ruyu took a sip of tea, intrigued. “So, was Prince Cheng’s entire family executed?”
Lu Jinnian nodded. “Of course. His son and daughter were killed, and his wife’s family was exiled. The men were sent to labor camps, and the women were sold as slaves. Initially, they were all to be executed, but the empress dowager showed mercy.”
“Even officials who had sided with Prince Cheng will likely suffer consequences.”
“That means the empress dowager has significant power,” Wen Ruyu mused.
She recalled that in history, even powerful empress dowagers could be overthrown after an emperor’s death.
Politics was a turbulent battlefield, and those closest to power were often the most ambitious.
“That’s how it’s always been,” Lu Jinnian agreed.
After chatting, Lu Jinnian brought up his real reason for coming—he was out of money and wanted Wen Ruyu to give him more.
He claimed he had spent it on books, but Wen Ruyu wasn’t sure if that was true.
However, she had her ways of dealing with him.
She picked up her tea cup and calmly said, “I see. Go withdraw some from the household account. Just take next month’s allowance in advance.”
Lu Jinnian’s smile froze.
“Mother, then won’t I be short next month?”
Wen Ruyu sipped her tea, wiped her mouth leisurely, and said, “Since you’ve overspent, you should learn to budget. Besides, the month is nearly over—how much longer do you need to last?”
Lu Jinnian wasn’t happy and tried to persuade her, but Wen Ruyu cut him off.
“You’ve taken plenty from me these past two years, at least several dozen taels. Why are you always short on money? Your third brother is also studying, and he’s a scholar. If you need books, ask your brothers instead of wasting money.”
Lu Jinnian wanted to argue, but Wen Ruyu continued sternly.
“Every month, you run out of money. You never plan ahead. Now you have me to bail you out, but what happens when you have a wife? If you keep spending like this, will you just ignore your family’s needs?”
Lu Jinnian sighed, knowing he wouldn’t win.
Seeing his mother’s serious face, he gave up and made an excuse to leave.
After he left, Wen Ruyu sat back, looking pleased.
Qin Rong, who had watched the whole exchange, was shocked.
She had thought Wen Ruyu was just an ordinary old lady. She didn’t expect her to be so cunning.
She stared at Wen Ruyu in amazement.
Noticing Qin Rong’s gaze, Wen Ruyu smiled and winked at her.
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