Daily Life of a Powerful Official Supporting His Wife

Chapter 9

Chapter nine

The old nanny knew that Lu Bao'er was young and usually picky about food, but her spleen and stomach were very weak and she needed to eat something from time to time. Seeing that she was getting bored waiting, she took out a package from her bosom and unfolded the small handkerchief embroidered with a jade rabbit pounding medicine, revealing a small square snack box.

The box was extremely exquisite, and each drawer contained three or two kinds of snacks, including kidney-shaped flower cakes and bat-shaped date paste cakes, all of which were Lu Baoer's favorite flavors.

Lu Baoer smelled the sweet cake and asked in surprise, "How did Mammy know I was hungry?"

The old nanny smiled and said, "These are all left for you by the master."

This morning, when the old nanny was picking out gifts in the storeroom, Xie Junling spoke to her for a few words before leaving the house for the Hanlin Academy. He simply asked the old nanny to take better care of Lu Baoer, and also left her a box of exquisite snacks wrapped in a handkerchief.

They were all freshly steamed cakes, still steaming hot when held in the hands. Seeing that Xie Junling was usually indifferent, and privately cared about Lu Baoer, the old nanny felt much more at ease.

When she brought the maid to clean the bedroom for the two of them, she was shocked to see that the bed was in good order and there was no dirt at all. She wondered if Xie Junling was incompetent or if he really sympathized with Lu Baoer because she was young and didn't want her to sleep in a different room?

Before, I was worried that Lu Baoer and Xie Junling were just a couple in public. Now that I see Xie Junling taking care of her in every way, I guess Lu Baoer is really lucky to have met a husband who is patient and doesn't touch her. Such a loving husband is obviously different from ordinary men.

She was most afraid of serving a master whose house was in chaos. It would be best to serve a family like this one where the couple had a harmonious relationship and a simple family background.

When Lu Baoer heard that this was the sweet cake Xie Junling had prepared for her, she was extremely puzzled. There's an old saying: "One who doesn't go to the temple for no reason is either a traitor or a thief." Could it be that Xie Junling had something to ask of her?

At this moment, Xie Junling, who was reading in the study, suddenly sneezed. He frowned slightly, stood up and closed the window, thinking that the winter wind was too cold tonight.

The servants in the Gu Mansion were accustomed to judging the status of the wives of officials by the material of the carriage curtains and the jewelry and jade they wore.

They naturally started by welcoming the carriage carrying valuables, and following the old lady's instructions, they targeted the carriage of the old lady of the second-rank Shangshu Ling family, and made sure to welcome the old lady Su into the mansion first.

Suddenly, a huge commotion erupted from outside. Lu Baoer lifted the curtain to see many young ladies being helped out of sedan chairs by servants. They ignored their decorum and wanted to greet an elderly lady at the front, who was wearing a tasseled hairpin with auspicious luster.

Lu Baoer didn't see what the person looked like, but she only saw the hairpin on the old lady's head in the bright light. The tassel was topped with a gold filigree halberd, which supported two hanging plates on the left and right. One was strung with huge South China pearls, and the other was strung with a beeswax bat-studded kingfisher canopy.

Lu Baoer asked the old nanny in confusion: "Who is this old lady?"

The old nanny narrowed her eyes, which were full of smiles, and whispered, "Look, those are all ladies of high official rank. They've completely disregarded their dignity and, without even waiting for the Gu family's servants to inform them, they all got out of the carriage to help the old lady. That old lady is Madam Su from the Shangshu Ling family. She was conferred the title of Princess Qingping, the daughter of the Prince of Shou, and even received an imperial decree. With such status, which lady wouldn't try to curry favor with her?"

Lu Baoer whispered, "So she's such a popular girl. Should I follow her example and try to please the old lady?"

The old nanny shook her head and said, "It's inappropriate for a position to be fulfilled. Madam, what you're doing is inappropriate. Look, the lady in the dark blue gown is from the Minister of Rites' family. Even when she reached out to help the old lady, she was subtly avoided by the old lady. It's not good for her."

Lu Baoer understood in her heart that Su had lived for most of her life and had long been a shrewd person. She knew exactly what kind of person she was and what kind of intentions she had towards her. She had servants at home, so she didn't accept this courtesy in vain.

"That's really strange. The old lady of the Gu family can actually invite such a respected old lady from the Shangfeng family. This Fragrance Appreciation Association is really famous." Lu Baoer took a bite of the sweet cake. She ate it carefully, fearing that the powder cake would be stained with lip balm and she would have to put on makeup again later.

"Isn't it?" The old nanny was surprised that Lu Bao'er had such keen insight at such a young age, and whispered to her, "I'm afraid today's incense appraisal will be famous!"

"Oh? What's the point?" "Think about it, this invitation was sent to the Shangshu Ling family. Old Madam Su doesn't usually like to visit guests, but she was invited by the Gu family today. There must be something going on. I remember that the Gu family has a cousin who I haven't met yet. I think she wanted to take a look and say a few good words. What family wouldn't rush to visit a girl who has been praised by the Qingping County Lady?"

Lu Baoer understood and was amazed. She said, "People in Kyoto are really particular. Even marriage proposals have so many tricks."

"You still have a lot to learn. If the master is lucky enough to help you in the future, you must keep your eyes and ears open and maneuver well."

Lu Baoer sighed heavily. If she had known Xie Junling was so promising, she would not have married him. Marrying a son-in-law in the countryside, setting up a calligraphy and painting stall on weekdays, having meat and sweet cakes to eat every meal, and not having to learn any rules or cultivate a cunning mind, wouldn't that be wonderful?

Lu Baoer waited for a full hour before it was the Gu family's servant's turn to welcome her in. She was not the kind of lady with a bad temper, so she let the old nanny wipe her hands and mouth.

As soon as she got off the carriage, Lu Baoer noticed that there were only a few carriages on the side. She thought that the people who stayed behind were in a similar situation as her. Lu Baoer didn't think about it and continued to tip the Gu family servants with a smile, saying thank you for your hard work.

A certain young lady at the side was not as patient as Lu Baoer. She had been waiting anxiously in the carriage and was already irritated. When she saw the servant of the Gu family greet her and then return home without a warm welcome, she took out her anger on the maidservant at the side and shouted, "Why did you support me? You almost made me sprain my ankle! Useless thing!"

These words were a bit vulgar, causing Lu Baoer to frown.

Seeing that Lu Bao'er had also entered the Gu Mansion last, the lady thought they were in the same boat and wanted to make friends. She came forward and said to Lu Bao'er, "Madam, where are you from? I want to go with you. It's too cold to go alone."

Lu Baoer, determined not to offend anyone, said with a smile, "That's perfect. I've just arrived in Kyoto and I'm unfamiliar with the place. Oh, my husband is an editor at the Hanlin Academy."

The lady smiled awkwardly, "Are you the wife of the number one scholar? My master is a Hanlin Academy scholar."

She originally thought that Lu Baoer was a lady of a lower rank than hers, so that she could show off her "official power", but she didn't know that she was the wife of a first-class Jinshi, while her own master barely made it to the bottom few in the second class, and was lucky enough to be selected into the Hanlin Academy.

Lu Baoer's husband is also her boss. Although she doesn't want to bow and scrape to such a young girl, it is always a good idea to establish a good relationship in advance.

The lady's name was Lin Yudie. After she and Lu Baoer told each other their names, she forced a friendly gesture, took Lu Baoer's hand, and whispered, "Speaking of which, the servants of the Gu family are really worthless. They flatter the powerful and look down on the weak, making us wait so long! Isn't it just that my husband is of a higher rank? It's not worth it to look down on him like this!"

Lin Yudie's outspoken words made the old nanny frown repeatedly. Lu Baoer was not a fool, so she naturally knew that Lin Yudie was too arrogant. Speaking like this in Kyoto would cause trouble, and it was not worth making close friends with her, so as to avoid her getting into trouble and implicating Lu Baoer.

Lu Baoer calmly pulled her hand out of her arms and smiled distantly and politely, "It doesn't seem right to say this in front of the Gu Mansion. Since they invited us here as guests, they must treat us all equally. Madam Lin, there's no need to think too much."

Lin Yudie curled her lips, thinking that Lu Baoer was too timid.

She couldn't help but feel a little resentful and sarcastically said, "There's no one around here. Madam Lu is being too cautious!"

Lu Baoer smiled slightly: "As the saying goes, walls have ears. Since I'm going out to visit someone, I naturally have to be more careful. Well, the dinner is about to start. I'll go to the Gu Mansion first, and chat with Madam Lin next time."

After saying this, Lu Baoer really left her and went into the Gu Mansion. Lin Yudie couldn't help but feel depressed. Was she being instructed by a little girl who was still wet behind the ears?

What was she so proud of? She was just a girl from the countryside, lucky enough to marry the number one scholar! Her family was wealthy and owned a restaurant, and she was a legitimate daughter after all. How could Lu Baoer compare?!

(End of this chapter)