A Good Country Wife
Chapter 512 - 506_1

Chapter 512: Chapter 506_1

Even Lin Yue herself felt inconvenienced by the lack of a clock to tell time, so she was pleasantly surprised to find more than ten pocket watches among the western goods Zhao Erhu had brought back. She immediately picked out a small and exquisite one to wear herself and prepared to give one to each of Dalang’s four brothers, one to Zhao Erhu, and of course, one to Nurse Xu, who handled all sorts of matters great and small at her side. Haishi’s wife, now in charge of the greenhouse, could use the watch to conveniently tell time, and the managers of the embroidery and soap making rooms each received one as well. After giving one to Scholar Zhang, Lin Yue was left with five watches; she didn’t distribute them any further but kept them for when they might be needed.

"If you put it that way, I’d look too formal if I refused. Alright, I’ll accept the gift," Scholar Zhang, though incorruptible, was neither rigid nor ignorant of worldly affairs. Upon hearing what Lin Yue said, he accepted the gift. He became even more resolved to provide a proper education for Dalang and his brothers, intent on helping them succeed.

Scholar Zhang was well-versed in the philosophies of human relations and understood mundane affairs, unlike some others who, after achieving academic honors, became conceited and aloof. He was a rare individual with genuine wisdom, which was why Lin Yue valued him and was willing to entrust Dalang and the others to his tutelage. With Scholar Zhang’s character, she needn’t worry that they would turn into a bunch of stodgy old men after their studies.

After taking her leave from Scholar Zhang’s home, Lin Yue remembered that the household was running out of spices. Wanting to check if the spice shop had any new stock, she sent Musheng to pick up Dalang and the others from the academy and meet her at the spice shop.

If Haishi had been there, he would have certainly worried about Lin Yue’s safety. Unlike Haishi, who was assertive, Musheng never questioned Lin Yue’s commands and followed them without hesitation. Besides, the northern spice shop wasn’t far away, only a short distance from there through a small alley, and it would take less than a quarter of an hour on foot.

Lin Yue thought the same. After all, the alley was too narrow for carriages to pass, and taking a detour would mean a much longer route and unnecessary delays. Such a short distance should be uneventful, and expecially since it was almost New Year’s, Xin’an City had grown more peaceful. She needn’t be overly cautious, or so she thought, yet something unforeseen happened on this short stretch of road.

Lin Yue remained vigilant, despite the brief journey. As she walked briskly, a sudden feeling of being watched made her wary. She glanced around, but seeing no one, her alertness intensified. For safety’s sake, she wanted to call Musheng back, but he had already traveled a short distance with the carriage. Fearful that he wouldn’t hear her even if she called, Lin Yue slipped her hand into her sleeve, clutched the small dagger she carried for self-defense, and quickened her pace toward the spice shop.

Just as she was about to exit the alley, with the spice shop diagonally across from her, and Lin Yue was about to sigh in relief, a masked man suddenly leaped out in front of her.

In the Capital City, within Yongle Palace, Princess Yongle, hearing from Lady Roujia that Lin Yue had sent New Year’s gifts, hurriedly ordered the presents to be brought into her palace. "Roujia sister, do you know what Yueyue has sent me? Are there lots of delicious things again? Yueyue’s family makes food that tastes much better than the Imperial Kitchen’s offerings. Even the Emperor said that he could eat two more bowls of rice with the food Sister Yueyue sent last time. Although Yueyue sent a lot of things, it was a pity that I had to share them with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, leaving me with not much. I’ve been looking forward to when Yueyue could send me more."

"You little glutton, all you think about is food. Rest assured, this time Yueyue has sent plenty, enough to satisfy you. It’s not only various foods but also jars of secret recipe fruit preserves of all sorts, quite a few large cartloads of stuff. You can take your time looking through them once they’re delivered. I also received a gorgeous piece of embroidery and a cloak and gloves personally tailored by Yueyue; they are so beautiful, I can hardly bear to wear them now. Yueyue is always fair in her dealings; I’m sure you won’t miss out on what I’ve received," Lady Roujia said, delighted with the New Year’s gifts Lin Yue had sent. Gifts from other households were simply piled into the storeroom, but Lin Yue’s were set aside separately, with orders not to touch them.

"That’s great news. I knew Yueyue always brings me surprises. It’s just a pity she’s no longer in the Capital City and has returned to her hometown; otherwise, I could have invited her over for a visit. Now that the Fourth Princess has been relegated by the Emperor and won’t trouble her or plot against her, she should have no problems," Princess Yongle said with a hint of regret.

"I’m afraid she won’t be coming to the Capital City anytime soon. She clearly loves her hometown the most; the Capital City is just a temporary stay for her. I heard their family estate is beautifully built and very comfortable to live in. If I ever get a chance to leave the city, I definitely want to go see it, although the Empress Dowager and the Emperor probably wouldn’t agree." Lady Roujia, whose parents died when she was young, now lived outside the palace but was still under the supervision of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. She had more freedom than Princess Yongle, who lived in the palace, but her movements were still restricted, and she couldn’t easily leave the Capital City, hence her sighs.

"Ah, we’re both birds in a cage. I’m even less free than you, barely allowed beyond the palace gates, not to mention leaving the Capital City," Princess Yongle lamented, feeling that being a princess wasn’t all that great without any freedom. If only she were male, she mused, like Jiang Ziqi, who lived so carefree, having traveled throughout Jiangnan without anyone to control him.

"Let’s not dwell on it; there will always be opportunities in the future. Stop sighing; with so many wonderful things sent by Yueyue, we should be happy," Lady Roujia consoled her.

Princess Yongle had errands to run and had only come to the palace to deliver the New Year’s gifts. After a short chat with the Princess, Lady Roujia took her leave from the Yongle Palace.

When Huangfu Jing arrived at Yongle Palace, he saw a pile of items laid out in the main hall, wondering what mischief his restless imperial sister was up to this time. "Yongle, what are you doing? Why have you spread all these things across the main hall instead of storing them in the storeroom?"

"These just arrived; I need to see what good things Yueyue has sent and pick out the ones I like before sending them to the storeroom," the princess replied.

Huangfu Jing, upon hearing the gifts were from Lin Yue, lit up with interest. He didn’t care that Princess Yongle had the items spread all over the main hall decorum, and he began to sift through them with her. However, Princess Yongle wasn’t pleased.

"Big brother, don’t grab my things. These are New Year’s gifts Yueyue sent me, not tributes from all over. They have nothing to do with you."