Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 585: Brotherly love and respectful younger siblings

Chapter 585: Brotherly love and respectful younger siblings

Madam Tang knew that Ma Peng was arranging a position for her husband and was planning to get him a job at the Ministry of Revenue. She could hardly believe it and asked, "Husband, is it really true?"

Ma Yue was also quite happy, "Of course, it’s true."

Madam Tang, touching her belly which was already starting to show, said, "Husband, from now on, you’ll have to take care of both your daughter and me." Madam Tang had long been aware of Ma Yue’s shortcomings but didn’t dare to advise him too much when they were newly married; she feared that too much advising might backfire. However, after she became pregnant, she began to urge Ma Yue, not directly, but always using the child to guide him. Essentially, the core of her message was her hope that Ma Yue would set a good example for their son.

Ma Yue was different from Ma Linlin. After the age of five, he was mostly by Ma Chengteng’s side. Only being excessively pampered by Lady Family did not make him a bad person at heart. Madam Tang’s words made him realize his responsibilities. When a man starts feeling responsible, it means he has matured.

Zhuang Ruolan was also surprised; she had thought that Ma Peng disliked Lady Cheng and her three children and did not expect Ma Peng would help Ma Yue find a job.

Ma Peng nodded and said, "I really don’t like Lady Cheng, nor do I like those two." The "two" naturally referred to Ma Linlin and Ma Yue.

Zhuang Ruolan was bewildered, "Then why did you still help him find a job?" Securing such a position not only required money but also needed connections; such obligations meant needing to repay favors.

Ma Peng explained, "The matter with Linlin was also a wake-up call. If Ma Yue turned out to be just as ineffective, we would end up with the headaches. Rather than let that happen, it’s better to let him gain some hardships in an official post, so he might eventually hold up our household."

Zhuang Ruolan was still skeptical.

The proactive attempt by Ma Peng to secure a position for Ma Yue was also influenced by another matter. A colleague of Ma Peng had a younger brother, a real one, who indulged in all vices and frequently mixed with the lowest of society, constantly causing trouble, which always required the family to clean up. His colleague, during a drinking session, expressed regret that he hadn’t invested more effort in his brother earlier, which could have prevented such disposition, and now his entire family was unsettled.

From this situation, Ma Peng thought of Ma Yue. Although Ma Yue was not his blood brother, if Ma Yue were to degenerate like his colleagues’ brother, he would surely get dragged into the mess. Rather than end up cleaning up after Ma Yue later, it was better to focus on guiding Ma Yue onto the right path now. The best way to do that was by securing a job for him, with a genuine position to keep him away from unsavory associations.

What delighted Ma Peng was that Ma Yue had passed the Scholar exams at this critical time. Ma Peng disagreed with his father on many matters, but recognized that the wives their father chose for them were good choices. Since Ma Yue had been married, he had indeed been improving steadily.

Zhuang Ruolan kept nodding, "Husband, you think long-term, I was shortsighted." As long as his parents were alive, they could not split the family, even if Lady Cheng was a stepmother. If Ma Yue caused a mess in the future, it would definitely be up to them as a couple to clean up. Rather than regret later, it was better to invest some effort now. With Madam Tang by his side to watch and advise, Ma Yue would likely not hold them back.

Ma Peng smiled, "Everything in the mansion is in order, all thanks to you." He knew all too well what the mansion was like before. The Ma family’s current good state also owed some credit to his wife.

After seeking the right people and spending some money, Ma Yue quickly secured the job. When Ma Yue went to start his job, Madam Tang personally took care of him.

The gentle and attentive Madam Tang, with her soothing words, gave Ma Yue confidence. Before leaving, he said, "Don’t worry, I will do well in my job, and one day I will earn for you the Phoenix Crown and Cape." Only an Imperial Decree Lady could wear the Phoenix Crown and Cape, and one had to be at least of the Sixth Rank to request an imperial decree for his wife. Although it was still far off, Ma Yue had confidence in achieving it.

Madam Tang smiled and said, "I believe in you, sir."

Ma Yue went off to his position at Yamen, elated.

Madam Tang’s happiness did not last long before Lady Cheng caused her some distress. Lady Cheng had her maid transferred to Madam Tang’s courtyard.

Looking at the maid sent by Lady Cheng, who was of average appearance, Madam Tang, though inwardly irritated, still maintained a smiling face and asked Su Zhu to take her away. Once the people left, a cold smile appeared on Madam Tang’s face.

Yueyao heard from Xi Juan that day that Lady Cheng had beaten Ma Yue. Yueyao was very surprised; Lady Cheng treated her second cousin like the apple of her eye, how could she bear to hit him? Yueyao asked, "What exactly happened?"

Xi Juan shook her head, "I don’t know the specifics, only that Lady Cheng had beaten the Second Young Master. Miss, shall I go and inquire more?"

Yueyao shook her head, "No need, it’s better to just listen to others when they talk about such idle matters in the mansion, don’t go snooping around."

Xi Juan quickly agreed.

Xi Yu entered and said, "Miss, this is a letter from Miss Luo for you." Yueyao had met Mingzhu only a few times, but they exchanged letters every two days. Yueyao was quite aware of what Mingzhu was doing. After reading the letter, Yueyao smiled.

In the letter, Mingzhu mentioned that Madam Ping was ready to go to her own dowry manor, and the Princely Heir, Luo Shao, would accompany her. Mingzhu meant that Madam Ping had taken Yueyao’s advice to go to the manor to clear her mind.

Having learned from Ruo Lan how to manage a household for a while, Yueyao was gradually getting the hang of it. Now that she finally had some free time, she took out the album Yuehuan had given her.

Yueyao thought that summer was coming soon, and these styles were no longer suitable. After some consideration, Yueyao drew three new clothing designs based on her own ideas.

When Ruo Lan saw the three clothing designs Yueyao had created, she was very satisfied, "Mmm, very beautiful. Yueyao, did you come up with these yourself?" The designs Yueyao had provided last time were very popular among the ladies and misses, but these were somewhat different.

Yueyao nodded and said, "Mmm, I drew them myself."

Ruo Lan was very pleased, "They’re all beautiful, and the dresses made from them will definitely be even more beautiful." Ruo Lan felt that always relying on Yuehuan was not secure, considering how dirty the Lian family could be, and who knew what might happen when. Now that Yueyao could also design such beautiful clothing, it was like a reassurance pill for her, no longer a worry.

Yueyao asked, "Sister-in-law, how is the Rouge Shop doing?" The Rouge Shop had been opened in January, and Yueyao had heard the business was not bad. As for the specifics, Yueyao had not inquired.

Ruo Lan smiled and said, "Very well. Your initial idea was very good, those ladies once they used it, became repeat customers, and the fragrance recipes you gave that day to make the spices are very popular." Although not as sensational as the dye recipes, the business was still not bad.

Yueyao then took out two more fragrance recipes, "Sister-in-law, these are some more fragrance recipes I have come up with."

Ruo Lan didn’t say much, simply smiling and saying, "Good." Although Ruo Lan found it curious, she didn’t ask Yueyao from which ancient books she had seen these. Since Yueyao didn’t say, she naturally wouldn’t ask. Everyone has secrets, and Ruo Lan was not one to dig too deep.

Since Yueyao left, Lian Mansion had returned to calm. Only now it was not Lady Mo managing the household affairs, as Lady Mo was currently confined by Lian Dongfang in the courtyard. Now the steward of Lian Mansion was Maternal Aunt Su, who respected Lady Mo in all matters, essentially meaning Lady Mo was still the real head of the household. With Maternal Aunt Su in charge, as her natural daughter, Yuehuan enjoyed much better treatment, almost equal to Yuebing.

Setting down the needlework she was working on, Yuehuan sat in a chair and daydreamed. Yueyao had taken almost all the miscellaneous books from Lanxi Courtyard, making it difficult for Yuehuan to find satisfying books. She didn’t dare to show too much interest in anything else, for fear of attracting Yuebing’s attention, the only thing she could do was needlework.

Hong Mei brought in a plate of sliced watermelon and seeing Yuehuan lost in thought, asked, "Miss, what’s the matter?" Being in charge of the household, the Maternal Aunt ensured her daughter had fresh fruit to eat every day.

Yuehuan shook her head and said, "It’s nothing." She was just feeling somewhat restless and wanted to find something to do, but there wasn’t much she could do.

Hong Mei, as Yuehuan’s Personal Maid, naturally knew her troubles, "Miss, I remember you used to like drawing. When you have nothing else to do, you could draw! Third Young Lady’s drawings are quite good."

Yuehuan sighed softly, "Drawing more is pointless; I can’t send them out anyway."

Hong Mei paused then said, "If Miss trusts me, I can find a way to get them out." Since aligning herself with Yuehuan, Hong Mei had always considered everything for Yuehuan’s benefit. Yuehuan was also glad she had chosen to win over Hong Mei rather than send her away, which would have been a waste of talent.

Yuehuan shook her head and said, "That won’t work, it’s too dangerous. If I’m caught, at most I’ll be punished, but you might lose your life. We can’t take that risk." After pausing, she added, "We’ll just have to wait."

Hearing this, Hong Mei looked worried, "Miss, consider what Madam said the other day about the marriage proposal for Eldest Miss. Miss, your own marriage..." Hong Mei had been worried about Yuehuan ever since she learned that Lady Mo had intended to bring up such a marriage proposal for Yueying.

Yuehuan shook her head and said, "That’s still a long way off." Yuebing hadn’t discussed marriage, so she wouldn’t broach the subject first. There was no urgency at the moment; she would plan when the time came.

Hong Mei nodded her head. Intelligent as her miss was, she was sure to have a promising future.

Yuehuan mused aloud, "I wonder how Yueyao is doing in Ma’s Mansion?" If only Yueyao were still in Lian Mansion, at least then she felt she had a companion. Now she felt very lonely!

Hong Mei smiled and said, "Miss, don’t worry, Old Master Ma is Third Young Lady’s own maternal uncle, and he has always cherished her. Third Young Lady will definitely be well taken care of in Ma’s Mansion." In the past two years, Lord Ma had sent a maid to visit Yueyao every other day, which clearly showed that he treated Third Young Lady as his own daughter.