Chapter 312: Husband and Wife Are Like Birds in the Same Forest

Since the Duke of Britain’s family was not in Nanjing, the vast duke’s mansion fell empty. Previously, Lady Sun had traveled from Beijing to visit Lady Wang, who worried that the empty house might fall into disrepair and suggested that Zhang Zhuo’s family move there, but Lady Sun refused. However, just as they moved in that day, there were so many guests that she had no choice but to temporarily relocate all the household members to the west wing of the duke’s mansion, while Hongluan, who had just finished her postpartum recovery, was placed in the east wing.

Among the original twelve maids, Hongluan was not the most outstanding. Yet, aside from Yingge, who gave birth to a son with Zhang Xinseng, she was the only one who gave birth to a son without any complications. Although Lady Sun was not naturally kind or unjealous and would sometimes show her displeasure when angered, she was still better than those who appeared virtuous on the surface but were actually malicious. So, as soon as she finished her postpartum recovery, she took a bath, changed into clothes, and went to pay respects to Lady Sun to express her gratitude, leaving Lady Sun, who had been feeling frustrated, with nothing to vent.

“It’s cold, and you’ve just finished your postpartum recovery. Don’t rush to leave the house. It’s fine to rest for a few more days,” Lady Sun said sternly, glancing at Hongluan’s pale face, though she couldn’t help but add, “You’re lucky. The child’s first month coincided with the promotions of the master and Yue’er, so it’s even more lively than during festivals. The gifts we received fill half the house!”

“That’s because people are showing respect for the master and the third young master. It can’t be considered my luck; it should be Lady Sun’s luck,” Hongluan replied quickly, knowing Lady Sun’s sharp words masked kind intentions. She then added humbly, “I’m young and inexperienced. Lady Sun has managed to raise the third young master so well. It must be a blessing for the sixth young master to have her guidance. If he can learn even a little from the third young master, it will be a honor for the master and Lady Sun as well.”

Since someone needed to take the blame for her anger, Lady Sun felt somewhat relieved hearing Hongluan speak like this. Although this illegitimate son should have been raised by her as the wife, thinking of how much attention she devoted to her three-year-old daughter, she pondered for a moment before deciding to be generous: “Jing’er is still young, and I can’t manage everything alone. Besides the nurse and maids, you might as well take care of Fu Ge too, so I won’t overlook anything. If anything is missing, talk to Zhenzhu. In any case, Jing’er will not be treated unfairly.”

After Hongluan happily thanked her and left, Zhenzhen came out of the inner room carrying a large stack of fabric, smiling and saying, “Madam is too kind. Which other housewife doesn’t use various tactics against her concubines? Yet despite your complaints, you still give them everything they deserve. Look at the First Lady and the Second Lady—the First Lady keeps Yingge under strict control without any complaints, and the Second Lady used to suppress Lady Luo tightly. If it weren’t for Lady Fang being so hard to deal with now, she would have taken care of her long ago. And you, you even let her take care of the Sixth Young Master—look how happy she is.”

“What’s the point of using tactics? The master knows what’s in his heart anyway. Besides, can her son compare to Yue?” Sun Shi took the fabric from Zhenzhen’s hands, casually picked out two pieces, and placed them on the table, laughing scornfully. “I’m usually generous, but sometimes I show a bit of temper. Once the master feels guilty, he won’t go to her side. Husband and wife are like birds in the same forest; everyone else is just an outsider… These two pieces of fabric are thick, fine, and not prickly. I’ll send them to the tailor to make clothes for Fu Ge… Zhenzhen, you’re getting older. If someone interests you, just tell me directly. Even if you’re already engaged, you can still come to me later.”

Zhenzhen was still thinking about how to persuade Sun Shi when she heard the last part about herself and immediately blushed furiously. However, she was two years older than Zhang Yue. Over the years, she had been picky—she dismissed those who liked her, and those who liked her didn’t necessarily want a maid like her, so she kept delaying. At this moment, she really didn’t want to bring up this troublesome topic, so she said with a smile, “Madam, don’t worry about me. Right now, the Young Master is entertaining those officials in the east courtyard. You should focus on her instead.”

“They’re just superficial women. How could Wan’er not handle them?”

Sun Shi held a piece of silver-red crepe fabric and compared it to Zhenzhen’s figure, saying confidently, “She’s a daughter from a scholarly family who’s received a proper education. She’s not spoiled all day long. She’s experienced and knows how to handle challenges—far better than me. Huh… Who’s hiding outside? Since when does our family have eavesdroppers?”

Before she could react, she suddenly saw a corner of clothing peeking through the door curtain. Sun Shi quickly jumped off the bed and rushed over to lift the curtain. When she saw who was outside, she was stunned. The observant Zhenzhen caught a glimpse of the figure and secretly smiled, then promptly reminded her, “Why is the Third Young Master still standing outside?”

Zhang Yue then stepped into the house, lowered the door curtain again, and took his mother’s arm. Seeing Mrs. Sun glaring at him angrily after realizing what had happened, he couldn’t help but smile and apologize, insisting that he had just arrived. In fact, he had been standing outside for quite some time, listening to Mrs. Sun and Zhenzhen’s conversations back inside, finding his mother’s petty nature oddly endearing and amusing.

When Zhang Yue mentioned that Zhang Zhuo had asked him to come in to change into festive clothes, Mrs. Sun immediately furrowed her brows and snapped coldly, “Why change clothes when the blue suit suits you just fine? Why go to such trouble? Truly, making things up out of nothing… Never mind. Anyway, those guests are here for you. If you’re changing, then change. I happened to have two sets made according to your measurements earlier, intending to give them to you for the New Year. It just so happens you arrived. Zhenzhen, go inside and bring out the dark blue set.”

As Mrs. Sun kept nagging and changing his clothes, Zhang Yue learned that Du Wan was currently receiving officials and their wives who had come to offer congratulations. He thought about going to take a look. Before he could suggest it, Mrs. Sun put on a dark blue cloud-patterned armor and ordered him to go out without hesitation, asking questions about Beijing along the way, especially pressing him about his previous promotion. Zhang Yue could only respond vaguely.

The east courtyard was brightly lit, filled with noblewomen adorned in dazzling jewelry, each asking Du Wan endless questions. Although Du Wan was usually calm in such situations, she gradually felt overwhelmed by the crowd. Xiao Wu, who had come to watch the excitement, was even more bored—since the beginning, four or five noblewomen had asked her about Du Wan’s marital status, all concerning troublesome matters like taking concubines. If not for holding back her temper, she would have almost stormed out.

Just as Xiao Wu was about to lose patience and explode, she finally got a savior. Mrs. Sun, who was late, entered and apologized profusely before ordering Xiao Wu to accompany Du Wan to the kitchen to check on the preparations for the dinner. With this excuse, Xiao Wu quickly pulled Du Wan away. Once they finally left the house and the noisy crowd was behind them, she let out a sigh of relief. Immediately afterward, she saw a familiar figure standing in the courtyard.

With the help of a few lanterns in the courtyard, she recognized that person right away and quickly pulled at Du Wan’s sleeve, “Miss, it’s your husband! Hurry over; I’ll keep watch for you.”

Du Wan had originally thought that Zhang Yue might not be able to go home to see her after carrying out his orders, so she was both surprised and pleased to see him. But hearing Xiao Wu’s cheerful voice, she was left at a loss, turning to glare at her before rushing down the steps. By the time she reached Zhang Yue, before she could even ask anything, he grabbed her wrist tightly.
“Come, let’s talk inside.”
Seeing Zhang Yue smiling as he pulled Du Wan into the west wing room, which was lit but empty, Xiao Wu standing at the bottom of the steps couldn’t help but tilt her head and laugh. Pearl, who came out of the room, saw her laughing like a fox and then noticed the two figures disappearing at the entrance of the west wing room. She immediately understood and teased, “Has the little girl started to dream of romance?”
“Dream of you, you big idiot!” Xiao Wu, who was now close friends with Pearl, Shao Yao, and the others, scoffed at this remark. “There’s no one in this world who could make me dream of romance yet! Besides, all men are greedy—if they treat you well today, who knows how they’ll treat you tomorrow? The princess once said it best: it’s better to stay together now than wait forever!”
Pearl was both annoyed and amused and spat out, “Nonsense! The young mistress loves you the most—how could she bear to let you end up an old maid? Even that princess doesn’t have control over her marriage; she’ll eventually be married off.”
Du Wan didn’t know that Pearl and Xiao Wu were arguing about such strange matters outside. Once pulled into the room by Zhang Yue, she seized the opportunity to break free from his grip and rolled her eyes at him. After exchanging words of farewell, when Zhang Yue said he would be leaving soon, she was stunned, her face showing unmistakable concern.
“Although the tasks here in the capital are just for show, you still need to be careful. My parents will naturally have me to take care of them.”
“I’m relieved to have you at home, but don’t take on too much responsibility,” Zhang Yue said solemnly, gazing into Du Wan’s clear eyes. “The censors only see this as a matter related to ancestral traditions, but many others see it as a matter of interest. If my path doesn’t work, they might try to find a solution here. My mother is straightforward and doesn’t understand these complicated matters, but my father is very cautious. If you encounter any unsolvable problems, tell him directly—don’t try to handle it alone.”
“I know, my husband! I’m not that overconfident!”

It was the first time Du Wan had seen Zhang Yue talk so much nonstop, so she replied jokingly. As soon as the words left her mouth, she noticed a somewhat sly look in Zhang Yue’s eyes. Before she could react, a scorching breath hit her, silencing the rest of her sentence. Though they were already husband and wife and had shared every kind of intimate words and actions, such a sudden assault during the day was still new to her. After the initial shock, her stiff shoulders gradually relaxed.

After a long while, Zhang Yue finally moved away from her flushed face and stood up, pulling Du Wan tightly into his arms. “Sister Wan, I leave everything at home to you.”

His warm embrace soon released her. Seeing Zhang Yue turn and leave the room without looking back, Du Wan propped her head and fell into thought, her chaotic thoughts rushing to the surface all at once.