Chapter 78
Chapter 78: She Will Grab Every Good Thing
In early summer, the gardenias in the courtyard were in bloom, their scent rich and sweet.
When she got up early, the whole garden was filled with fragrance, making people feel relaxed and calm.
Luo Ning’s “lessons” were going well, and the two Nursemaids praised her. Her whip technique was also good; she could take the moves that Lin Zhao lashed toward her.
Without Luo Yin, Marquis Manor seemed much quieter. Everyone just lived their lives step by step.
Luo Ning went to pay her respects to Grandmother. She heard Grandmother say that her cousin Luo Wan’s marriage had been settled.
Grandmother said to Luo Ning: “You have been granted in marriage to Prince Yong, and the Earl of Loyal Service’s household wishes to form a marriage tie with the Luo family. Their fifth Young Master is about the same age as A’Wan, and the two already have some feelings for each other. The Madam of the Earl of Loyal Service sent someone to sound out our opinion.
“If your second uncle and aunt agree, the Earl of Loyal Service’s household will send people to our door to formally propose.”
Luo Ning felt happy in her heart.
Then she remembered that her cousin might not live past August this year.
In her last life, Luo Wan was killed by that pair of twin concubines sent over by the Bai family. Those concubines did not kill her because of any personal grudge, but because they were working for their master.
The one who truly wanted Luo Wan dead was the marchioness.
No one knew the reason in that past life.
Only after Luo Ning died did she understand. It was probably because Luo Wan was too clever and had caught a glimpse of the marchioness’s secret.
Her cousin had often shown displeasure toward the marchioness.
The marchioness supported Bai Ci Rong, letting her take over the status and position of the Luo family’s eldest young miss. The one who resented this most was Luo Wan.
First, because she was young and passionate and liked to fight for justice. Second, because it involved her own interests. She was the Luo family’s miss, so why should she give way to Bai Ci Rong?
Luo Ning said: “Then we should congratulate A’Wan.”
Grandmother said: “Now that you and A’Wan both have your futures settled, my heart can finally rest.”
She added: “A’Xuan is not married yet. Her leg is still a bit lame even now. I cannot help worrying about her. Even though she was born to a concubine, she is also my granddaughter.”
After her younger half-sister Luo Xuan fell down the stairs, her broken leg was set, but it had never fully healed. She had been resting in her room these days, and the marchioness had not thought of her at all.
Luo Ning said: “As for her, Madam Bai will handle it. You don’t need to worry.”
Luo Xuan could not be saved. Everything about her was closely tied to the marchioness, and it was impossible to pull her over to their side. She trusted and relied on Madam Bai and was Madam Bai’s lackey.
She was not like Sister-in-law Madam Wen.
Madam Wen had her maiden home, had a son, had her own dowry money and trusted aides. She looked soft on the outside but was firm inside, and she had her own views.
Even without Luo Yin and Madam Bai, Sister-in-law could still stand firmly on her own.
If Grandmother showed concern for Luo Xuan, Madam Bai might use Luo Xuan right away to give Grandmother a heavy blow.
The next day, Luo Ning took out some money and told Nanny Kong to go to the gold shop to buy a set of hair ornaments. She planned to give them to Luo Wan.
Nanny Kong bought them quickly.
In the middle of the afternoon, after Luo Ning finished a day of lessons, she went to the second branch’s courtyard.
Her aunt was in the middle of scolding the children.
Her aunt had two sons and one daughter.
The two little cousins were only seven or eight this year. They climbed on roofs all day and refused to study, and their first attempts at tracing characters looked like ghost scribbles.
When Luo Ning came in, her aunt finally let them go and tidied her hair, saying: “These two useless things, not one of them will amount to anything.”
“They are still small. Since they do not want to start reading yet, why not begin with martial training instead? In the future, as long as they can recognize some characters, becoming military generals will still give them a good future,” Luo Ning said.
Her aunt gave a bitter smile.
Luo Ning then understood. In the current dynasty, civil officials were valued more than military ones, and the status of military generals was low. Her aunt hoped her children could study.
“I heard A’Wan is about to start discussing a match,” Luo Ning said as she offered the hair ornaments.
Her aunt tried to decline: “You must not spend money like this.”
“It is just a small gift,” Luo Ning said. “We are one family. I am still hoping you and A’Wan can help me in the future.”
There was a deeper meaning in her words.
Her aunt accepted them and smiled, saying: “Thank you. If you ever need help, just tell Aunt.”
“Aunt, summer is coming. You have to keep an eye on A’Wan and remind her to be careful,” Luo Ning said. “A’Wan is very clever, and her eyes are sharp. There are some things that the lord of the house sees clearly but chooses not to say. A’Wan needs to learn this.”
Her aunt looked at her in shock and doubt and asked: “A’Ning, is there something wrong?”
“Not really. I am just reminding you for nothing,” Luo Ning said. “A’Wan has a good future ahead of her. I am afraid some people will become jealous. Even if they cannot get it, they will still want to ruin it.
“Before the imperial betrothal, the Yu family had a verbal agreement with the Luo family to marry me to Yu Zhuo. If it had not been for the imperial edict granting the marriage, I would never have been able to climb up to a fiancé like Yu Zhuo.
“Good things never fall on our heads.” Luo Ning smiled.
Second Madam immediately thought of Bai Ci Rong.
After Luo Yin “went mad” and was sent to the country estate, Bai Ci Rong had gone quiet.
That cousin of hers always went around looking for chances to marry higher.
Although the Earl of Loyal Service’s household was not as grand as those truly powerful prestigious clans, it was still a high-ranking family. And they were also related by marriage to the Yanping Commandery Princess’s household.
Such a family was much better than Yu Zhuo.
Even if Yu Zhuo had been granted a third-rank post as a valiant cavalry general, he was still a military general.
Second Madam also knew that the future of military generals was not very good.
If she could snatch it, she would. If she could not snatch it, she would destroy it.
Luo Ning had come on purpose to say these things. She had probably heard something on her side.
Second Madam became fully alert and said: “A’Ning, thank you for the warning.”
“A peaceful household only benefits me,” Luo Ning said. “Aunt, you do not know. After my brother’s accident, both the empress dowager and the prince questioned me, and I lost all face. Fourth Miss Zheng even used it to insult me. I cannot bear to see any more trouble in our family.”
Second Madam nodded.
Second Madam Wan Xi then went to talk with Luo Wan.
Luo Wan was a young lady who listened to advice. When her mother told her to be careful, she kept it in mind.
Second Madam also tightened control over her own servants. Before the marriage with the Earl of Loyal Service’s household was nailed down, no one was allowed to spread the news.
Luo Ning returned to Wenqi Courtyard.
She asked Nanny Kong: “How are things over at Concubine Song’s place?”
“She has just begun to show her pregnancy and spends her days resting to nourish the baby. She is very well behaved,” Nanny Kong said.
“What about the two Concubine Mei sisters?” Luo Ning asked.
“Lord Marquis has been sleeping in their courtyard these days, so all the servants are trying to curry favor with them. The two of them are quite clever and gentle,” Nanny Kong said.
It was rare for this household to be so quiet.
Luo Ning nodded.
What she needed to warn people about, she had already warned them about. The rest could wait until the time came.
In late April, the marchioness went out several times in a row, taking physicians from the city to Shili Manor.
People from Sister-in-law’s side sent a message: “The eldest young master has been very sick these past few days.”
Luo Ning asked: “What illness?”
“He has a fever.”
Luo Ning was silent.
She guessed that Luo Yin wanted to come home, and Madam Bai also felt that sending the eldest legitimate son to the country estate to recover hurt his reputation. They needed to bring him back.
They were planning this together.
The Marquis of Zhen Nan had already had his soul taken away by the two young and beautiful concubines. Sooner or later, he would agree.
The peace in the house would be broken again in just a few days.
Luo Ning took out a copybook, calmed her mind, and focused on practicing her calligraphy, pushing away every stray thought.
She had to stay calm and not get angry over any changes. An angry person was doomed to fail.
After practicing for an hour, her wrist ached, and her mood suddenly became peaceful.
“They really refuse to suffer even the smallest loss,” Luo Ning said as she rubbed her wrist.
Just like Bai Ci Rong, who was not willing to leave Marquis Manor for even ten days or half a month. And Luo Yin, who could not stand living on the country estate for more than a few days before wanting to come back home.
They were truly impatient and greedy. They wanted everything.