Song Mingyue spent a full half hour in the Chaohui Hall before Granny Fang escorted her back to Longxiangyuan.
As soon as Granny Fang left, Qi Zhenzhen anxiously asked, "Grandmother kept you talking, did she make things difficult for you? Little Niu specifically told me to treat you well, and if you were wronged, how would I explain it to him?"
"Look how worried you are. Your old madam is a good person," Song Mingyue said with a relaxed expression. "She just gave me a few pointers! She said that since Little Niu is following the Heir, he will definitely not always be a house general for the Duke's mansion. As his legal wife, I cannot be complacent just because I come from the countryside. Otherwise, if I can't manage the Zhang family's inner court, I'll be laughed at, and it will embarrass Little Niu too. I originally thought that living in the capital would be no different from living in the countryside, just more prosperous. Now it seems that not only are the living conditions more prosperous, but the people you interact with are also more... well, how to put it, they are more cunning."
Qi Zhenzhen was amused by the phrase "more cunning" and gave Song Mingyue a playful glare. "The women in the inner court don't have to work for a living. Most of them spend their lives revolving around their men and children. This revolving is different from the countryside. In the countryside, you have to do everything yourself. In the capital, in these wealthy families, don't they all have many maids and servants? Basically, all tasks are handled by them. These women have too much free time, and their minds are occupied with scheming against people. It would be strange if they weren't cunning."
"So, the Old Madam said I shouldn't lose my original heart, but also not be too straightforward. Otherwise, I won't even know when I've offended someone," Song Mingyue blinked. "The road ahead for me is still long. Of course, the Zhang family is simple, and there probably won't be many problems in the inner court. What I need to focus on learning is how to interact with those female relatives. Whether I like them or not, I can't show it."
Yes, the Zhang family is simple, their personalities are upright, and they all know each other well. How difficult could it be?
Then there was the Duke's mansion...
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head. Life after marriage would probably not be peaceful.
"Zhenzhen, I still think I should go back to our home to live. Living in this mansion makes me feel a bit uncomfortable," Song Mingyue said thoughtfully. "Strictly speaking, I have no relation to the Marquis's mansion. If I move in, it might stir up some gossip."
"But if you live alone outside, I won't be at ease. There's no one else at home. If anything happens, there's no one to even send a letter," Qi Zhenzhen shook her head.
"Little Niu said before that if I felt lonely staying alone, I should write to my parents. He can't come back for the New Year, so he'll have them come to the capital to stay with me, so it won't be so desolate during the New Year," Song Mingyue said. "My father is the second son. Unlike my uncle, he doesn't have to stay home for the New Year."
Qi Zhenzhen pondered for a moment. "If Aunt Yu comes to live in the capital, let's move the kimchi business here. I'll find a house and buy a few more people. We'll still have Aunt Yu help manage it. This way, they won't have nothing to do when they come over."
Song Mingyue happily hugged Qi Zhenzhen's arm. "That would be the best. I can also help out during my free time."
Qi Zhenzhen sent a letter to Qian Yuanbao, informing him of the matter.
Qian Yuanbao said he had no objections. After all, shipping from anywhere was still shipping.
Once decided, Qi Zhenzhen began preparations with great urgency. She also sent a message to Song Yan, asking him to arrange the purchase of cabbages.