Daily Life of a Powerful Official Supporting His Wife

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

When Lu Baoer recovered from her injuries and returned to the Xie Mansion, it was almost the end of the Chinese New Year. This winter was unusually cold, and the thick snow that had been covering the ground for several days just refused to melt.

Several times, the carriages of high-ranking officials and dignitaries had slipped on the official roads, even disturbing the princess who was returning to Kyoto from an outing on New Year's Eve. This was the Empress's precious granddaughter and the Crown Prince's eldest daughter; how could there be any mishap? Later, imperial guards were dispatched to clear the roads to avoid the Emperor's wrath.

So, the crime had to be a bigger one. If the princess of the royal family had not been harmed, who would have known about this remote place covered with thick snow?
So, by the time Lu Baoer returned, the snow on the official road had been cleared. The mountain wind was sharp, carrying a hint of sea salt. Fortunately, Lu Baoer was wearing a forehead warmer. The white fur on her head resembled a crouching rabbit, revealing her youthful features without obstructing her vision or freezing her.

Lu Baoer asked the nanny who was standing beside her with a lowered brow, curiously: "Why are you sprinkling salt on the ground? It smells so strange."

"Madam, this is to make the snow melt faster. Without snow on the ground, the horses won't be disturbed, and the road will be smoother." The old nanny replied to Lu Baoer respectfully. She was wearing a royal blue velvet boa and a jade bracelet on her wrist that was moisturizing. She didn't look like an ordinary servant.

This old nanny had originally been the wife of Chen Shan, the steward of the mansion, and had lived a particularly respectable life. She had previously been sent by Xie Junling to the other courtyard to look after his country wife, Lu Baoer. She still harbored resentment, believing her master looked down on her and had therefore banished her to work for his divorced wife, leaving her to look after everything.

But Xie Junling came to the other courtyard almost every day to look after Lu Baoer, which relieved the old nanny of many of her uncontrollable strange thoughts. Looking at his warm attitude, it was clear that he was not completely unconcerned about Lu Baoer.

The old nanny was a shrewd person. She saw through the trick and treated Lu Baoer even more attentively. She and the steward were able to gain a foothold in the imperial mansion, so they must have some ability. Their ability to judge people was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Xie Junling was obviously born in a poor family, but he behaved in the mansion as cautiously as a child of an official. Everyone could see that he was no ordinary person. If he served his master well, he would definitely have a bright future.

The old nanny glanced at Lu Baoer, who had finished her cake and was a little sleepy. She muttered to herself, don't say Xie Junling is just pretending, or he really loves his country wife, anyway, Lu Baoer is favored for the time being.

The old nanny thought about how innocent Lu Baoer had been these days, and how she looked very much like her youngest daughter. She also felt it was a pity. If she was abandoned by Xie Junling in the future, it would be pitiful at such a young age.

Arriving at the Xie residence, the old nanny helped Lu Baoer down from the sedan chair. Xie Junling was still in court and had not yet returned home. He instructed the steward and explained the affairs of the residence to Lu Baoer.

There are a lot of things to do as the wife of the host family. After Lu Baoer recognized one group of people after another, she felt a little drowsy.

She was exhausted, so the old nanny winked at the others and asked them to leave.

"Madam," the old woman asked, "shall I go and get you some water?"

"Thank you, Ma'am." Lu Baoer had just recovered from her injury and was really sleepy.

She supported her head with one hand, revealing a wrist as white as snow. The room was heated by a floor heating, so it was warm and she didn't feel cold.

The large bathtub was set behind the Suzhou embroidered screen. A maidservant tiptoed in with water and filled it with hot water. The one who came in first was a maidservant named Liu Xiang. She had acknowledged the old nanny as her godmother and, usually doing things like binding foreheads and sewing shoe soles, she was so attentive that she made the old nanny smile and naturally got a good job.

Liu Hong, who slept in the same room with her, looked down on her, saying that she was not as hardworking as herself, nor as smart as herself, and that she only knew some flattery tactics to get promoted.

Liu Hong had a disagreement with her but didn't dare to say it. After all, the old nanny glanced at her and her legs became weak and she kept shaking.

Until this house was given to the young and promising number one scholar Xie Junling. At that time, Xie Junling rode a horse and paraded through the streets wearing a flower crown. Unlike the third and second place scholars behind him who were all beaming, he was always reserved and self-respecting. He looked steady but also had the youthful spirit and won the hearts of countless girls.

Liu Hong also took a look from afar, wondering what kind of peerless beauty would be suitable for such a great man.

But Xie Junling was married and had even brought his wife back to his home. How could Lu Baoer have met such a kind and loyal man?
If Lu Baoer was the daughter of a rich family, she might not dare to have any thoughts about it at all, but Lu Baoer was a country girl, not as good as her who came from a common family in Kyoto. Why should she respect Lu Baoer?

Just wait and see, it won't be long before Xie Junling will have to divorce her! Which official would keep such a disgraceful woman?
Liu Hong followed Liu Xiang into the house, but Liu Xiang glared at her and whispered, "Who told you to come in? Don't you have anything else to do?"

Liu Hong really wanted to see what Lu Baoer looked like, so she took out a silver hairpin from her bosom and handed it to Liu Xiang flatteringly: "Good sister, I came to see what the lady looks like."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiang sneered and cursed, "Who do you think you are? You're just a lowly servant. Can you see the Madam whenever you want? Hurry up and leave! Don't delay my mission!"

After being scolded by Liu Xiang so fiercely, Liu Hong's face was blue and white. She felt a mixture of emotions and couldn't help but say stubbornly: "You just climbed up the high branch of Madam and got here! Oh, how come you act like a master right after you got the position and you're flaunting your status as a lady and acting like a bitch to me? I'm just a peasant from the countryside, how can I be worthy of your protection like this! Be careful not to follow the wrong person, or you won't be able to change your master and show your filial respect to me later!"

What she said was too harsh. She was implicitly mocking that Lu Baoer's position as a lady would be unstable. She was just born in a poor family and would be abandoned by Xie Junling sooner or later because he would get tired of her and fall in love with someone new.

Unexpectedly, these words did not disturb the sleeping Lu Baoer, but were heard by Xie Junling.

This morning, after court, he heard that Lu Baoer had returned home. Before entering the room, he swept the snow off his sleeves at the door to prevent the cold air from hitting Lu Baoer and causing such a weak girl to catch a cold again.

But he was unlucky and happened to overhear the gossip of two little maids.

The mistress of the house is still in the main house, but the maids dare to gossip and talk behind her back. Are there any rules at all?
He was quite angry. He walked in and glanced at the two maids pouring water on the side.

Xie Junling has always been gentle and refined. When has he ever had such a cold expression?

The two little maids were so frightened that they knelt on the ground and trembled like sieves.

(End of this chapter)