Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 415 - 146: A Short Stay

Chapter 415: Chapter 146: A Short Stay

Zhuang Ruolan had a fabric shop but didn’t have a dyeing workshop. Nevertheless, these materials were targeted at the fabric shop. Therefore, she established a workshop as swiftly as possible, then offered high salaries to recruit masters. Zhuang Ruolan prepared for mass production.

Zhuang Ruolan was moved that Yueyao unhesitatingly shared her recipes with her and thought about inviting Yueyao to stay at Ma’s Mansion for a while. So, that evening she said to Ma Peng, "Husband, I want to invite my cousin to stay with us for a while, what do you think?"

Ma Peng naturally agreed, "I’ll speak to father about it tomorrow, then send an invitation to Lian Mansion."

Zhuang Ruolan smiled and said, "Why send an invitation? I’ll visit Lian Mansion myself tomorrow." Since Yueyao had given her such a substantial gift, a personal visit was appropriate.

Ma Peng was somewhat surprised; his wife’s attitude towards her cousin seemed to have changed significantly.

Zhuang Ruolan didn’t hide anything from Ma Peng and revealed everything to him. "My cousin truly has the best interests of the Ma Family at heart, and ours too." Although Zhuang Ruolan knew that Yueyao hoped the Ma Family would prosper to assist her own endeavors, the friendship seemed genuinely rare.

After listening, Ma Peng chuckled and said, "Then we mustn’t shortchange my cousin." He paused before adding, "Let’s not tell father about this, or anyone else. Just say we stumbled upon the secret recipe ourselves."

Ma Peng believed Yueyao wouldn’t inform her father about this matter. The workshop was his wife’s private property; earnings from it wouldn’t be shared with the public, and letting her father know was undesirable. Furthermore, he was concerned that if the shop earned a significant amount of money, knowing Yueyao obtained the secret recipe for the Ma Family but not the Lian family could be very detrimental to her. Gaining a reputation for betrayal was inevitable. That would undoubtedly bring Yueyao considerable trouble in the future.

Zhuang Ruolan nodded. She told Ma Peng because they were husband and wife, and spouses should be honest with each other and not keep secrets; naturally, she wouldn’t tell anyone else.

Zhuang Ruolan was decisive; the next day, she proposed to Lady Mo that Yueyao stay at Ma’s Mansion for a while, using Ma Chengteng as a pretext.

Since Ma Chengteng had mentioned it to Lian Dongfang before, and Lian Dongfang had agreed, Lady Mo surely would not go against her husband. She consented without seeking any excuses or reasons.

Upon hearing the news, Yueyao felt relieved. Although Lady Mo hadn’t made any moves, staying in Lian Mansion always felt as if a sword hung over her head, ready to fall at any moment. Being able to stay outside for a while was naturally preferable.

Zhuang Ruolan didn’t hurry to leave, intending to visit Yueyao’s courtyard first.

The journey was too long, Zhuang Ruolan had rarely walked such a distance, and her feet felt somewhat sore, causing her to rest twice along the way. The further she walked, the quieter and more remote it became, tightening her frown. Eventually, she reached the outside of the courtyard.

The exterior of the courtyard was filled with numerous trees, the birds chirping melodiously above, and the roadsides were full of flourishing winter jasmine flowers, a true semblance of birdsong and the scent of flowers.

Zhuang Ruolan glanced at Yueyao, "Cousin, your residence is truly elegant. Had I not known, I would think I had entered a hermit’s dwelling." It looked nothing like a young maiden’s embroidery room, more akin to a hermit’s abode. Although it was a nice place, Yueyao was merely a ten-year-old child, not an elderly person, which made this quiet and remote location unsuitable for her. Zhuang Ruolan felt that such solitude could make Yueyao’s temperament grow even colder.

Yueyao smiled and said, "Great Grandfather loved peace in his later years, so he built this courtyard. It’s very quiet here, and it doesn’t disturb anyone. I like it very much."

Ruo Lan frowned. "Have you been living here since you returned from Jiangnan?" Seeing Yueyao nod, Ruo Lan’s countenance darkened. Having abruptly lost her parents and feeling utterly alone, Yueyao needed familial company and comfort. Being left in such a secluded place, prone to overthinking and brooding alone, was just cruel. Lady Mo’s intentions were indeed malicious, but fortunately, Yueyao was both strong and decisive, otherwise she might have been easily manipulated by Lady Mo.

The courtyard was filled with plenty of orchids, and in April, the season of orchids’ peak, one could smell their fragrance upon entering. The group entered the courtyard, greeted by a wave of pleasant aroma.

Zhuang Ruolan saw the courtyard as akin to a small garden. If one disregarded its secluded location, the courtyard was quite delightful.

Upon entering the house, the living room was decently arranged, neither remarkable nor poor. However, Zhuang Ruolan found the bedroom too spartan.