But things were different now. Not only were they preparing to move to the General’s Mansion, but she knew that this matter, at its core, was a dispute between husband and wife, a matter she was naturally meant to resolve herself. So, with a comforting smile, she reassured them. “Sister-in-law and Eighth Sister, rest assured, I have sent them away, alive and well, and no one from the Fifth House will come causing trouble again.” As she spoke, her tone was resolute, a fleeting, unreadable calculation dancing in her eyes. People, she believed, must always pay a price for their greed. Otherwise, wouldn’t it always be that “good people are bullied,” and “evil goes unpunished”? The thought brought an even wider, happier smile to her face.
Sister-in-law Liu, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint why, felt a shiver of something unsettling in that smile. With a slight frown, she ventured, “What methods sister-in-law use?”
At that moment, Mama Dou stepped forward, her face etched with anxiety. She bowed respectfully to Du Jingyi and Madam Liu, blurting out, “The Young Lady sent them a hundred taels of silver, and this old servant fears there will be no more peace in the future.”
“What?” Sister-in-law Liu gasped. “One hundred taels of silver, it’s not a small sum, not a small sum at all!” She had always meticulously guarded against any involvement with the Third or Fifth Houses. But now, Du Jingyi had simply given a large sum of money away. Madam Liu knew Du Jingyi’s dowry was considerable, evident in the fine things adorning her room. Yet, these people weren’t the type to settle down simply by taking money. She feared future troubles.So sister-in-law Liu looked at Du Jingyi with a worried expression as , her words catching in her throat, her eyes now a mix of worry and anger. At that moment, self-reproach outweighed all else, and her concern for Dongyuan’s future was sincere. She finally spoke. “It’s because I came late and didn’t clearly inform you about their family’s affairs, which is why… Mama Dou, if people from Beiyuan come over in the future, you’d better send someone to summon me, so as not to let them bother my sister-inlaw again!”
This single sentence instantly soured Mama Dou’s expression. She knew her outburst had prompted the Eldest Young Lady’s words, and she felt a sudden pang of shame towards Du Jingyi. She had worried that Du Jingyi, in her new position, would be seen as “weak” and that her authority would be undermined.
But Du Jingyi was not one to misinterpret well-meaning intentions. An ordinary person might have thought her elder sister-in-law, Madam Liu, was attempting to seize power from her , but Du Jingyi knew this sister-in-law to be the most proper. The day after her husband, Shang Ji, returned, she had explicitly told Butler He and Aunt Dou that all matters of Dongyuan should henceforth be handed over to Du Jingyi. After all, it would be this couple who would manage the household in the future. From then on, she had quietly resided in Fuqiu Courtyard, never deliberately causing trouble. It was simply that everyone was accustomed to the old ways, and change wouldn’t happen overnight. For years, she had always felt that the people in Dongyuan hadn’t truly grown up, still needing her protection, like infants. That’s why she rushed to Xitang Courtyard whenever anything went awry, shouldering everything herself.
Seeing this, Du Jingyi understood in her heart, and the Eighth Sister Xue Niang also understood, her eyes welling up with unshed tears. She suppressed her emotions, refusing to let them fall. The entire room was shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere, as everyone pondered how to navigate the challenges ahead. However, Du Jingyi and her maids, Yingtao and Lizhu, were not among them. Especially Yingtao. The bond between her and Du Jingyi was profound. Hence, with just a glance, she could discern Du Jingyi’s intentions and would naturally assist her. So, seeing the somber mood, she stepped forward, intending to explain, but Du Jingyi subtly shook her head. Some things were best left unsaid for now. Once everything was settled, it would not be too late to reveal it all. Yingtao, seeing her young lady’s resolute stance, did not press the matter.
“You’re tired from all the hard work this early in the morning. I’ll take Xue Niang back first, so you can have a good rest, Okay?”
Du Jingyi nodded and replied with a smile, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry, I know how to take care of myself.” Hearing this, Sister-in-law Liu didn’t say much more. Having lived under the same roof for three years, she knew Du Jingyi never neglected herself. Understanding this, she rose and departed with Xue Niang.
After they left, Mama Dou stepped forward, suddenly kneeling down and expressing her deep remorse. “Young Madam, this servant has overstepped the bounderies . I didn’t control my mouth when I saw the Young Madam. Please punish me, Young Madam.” Her attitude was respectful, but Du Jingyi did not immediately respond. Logically, she should have explained the situation to her sister-in-law herself, but Mama Dou’s sudden intervention had clearly diverted the conversation. Originally, Du Jingyi had planned to discuss her strategy, but no one had given her the chance.
To be fair, Mama Dou’s intentions were for Dongyuan and Du Jingyi’s well-being. But her actions had put Du Jingyi in an awkward position. In this high-stakes courtyard, the most forbidden act was for old slaves to deceive their masters. Mama Dou had clearly adhered to this rule before, but today, for some unknown reason, she had spoken out hastily. Hence, she was still unable to reconcile with it. Du Jingyi felt she understood the situation. Ultimately, it stemmed from a lack of trust in her ability to handle matters effectively. So, excessive talk was useless; everything would have to wait. When they witnessed firsthand her capability to manage the household, they would naturally cease their interference. After all, if she wanted to utilize such skilled nannies and housekeepers, she naturally had to earn their conviction. Otherwise, relying solely on identity to suppress someone would inevitably backfire. She understood this better than anyone else.
So, she asked Yingtao to help Mama Dou rise, then said soothingly, “Mama is also doing it for my own good. It was just a quick thought for a moment. It’s alright.” Du Jingyi’s lack of blame made Grandma Dou feel even more remorseful. Nevertheless, deep down, she still preferred to let the Eldest Young Lady Liu handle the affairs of the Third and Fifth Houses, feeling it was more reliable. So, while self-blame gnawed at her, if they truly came to cause trouble again in the future, she would definitely send news to Fuqiuyuan as soon as possible. Du Jingyi also understood this. So, she did not dwell on the matter, but instead changed the subject, addressing Mama Dou. “I suddenly want to eat some almond milk soup. Isn’t Grandma the best at making this? Could you please prepare some?”
Upon hearing this, Grandma Dou immediately nodded, her tone tinged with relief. “If Young Lady wants to eat it , I will make it right way .”
“Well, thank you for your hard work, Mama.” After saying that, Aunt Dou respectfully withdrew.