Chapter Thirty: Offering Advice (Seeking Bookmarks and Red Tickets)

  Lu's mother nodded after listening to Zheng Rong's words and said, "Don't worry, I'll handle it well."

  Lu Qi's imposing manner suddenly dissipated, and he turned his face into a smiling child-like expression, saying: "Mother, is there anything else?"

  Mrs. Lu looked at her son with loving eyes and said softly, "It's all right, go back to the house and rest." Ning Er, who was standing upright, responded with a soft voice, curtsied, and then left the room with Lu Qi.

  Two people walked away, and Zhou Yue'er said softly: "Mother, did you see how beautiful the Xin Yuner who came today was?"

  Lu Mu was taken aback, thought for a moment and nodded: "She's a beautiful and elegant woman, I saw her yesterday but didn't pay much attention to her. Today I took another look and she's really lovely, with a gentle and polite demeanor."

  Zhou Yue'er smiled softly and said, "Yesterday, Mother's attention was on Xin Niang, so she didn't pay attention to her. Besides, it has always been the rule that servants do not surpass their masters. Yesterday, Xin Yun'er, as a servant, had to dress modestly and couldn't compete with Yan'er, my younger sister. Today is the day when Xin Yun'er's true beauty is revealed."

  Lu Mu smiled and said: "Is there something you've noticed, Moon?"

  "Mother, in my opinion, the real purpose of Aunt Xin's visit today is for her niece, Xin Yuer. Aunt Xin has taken a special liking to Little Seven, but my cousin refused to marry him, so Aunt Xin can only hope that her niece will be able to marry Little Seven alone."

  Lu Mu hummed and said: "You think so."

  "Mother, Xin Yuner is still a maid of the Zhou family, but Auntie Xin brought her here to see you in a red wedding dress, which means she wants to test your feelings towards Xin Yuner. And I know Xin Yuner well, she's gentle and elegant, never arrogant when interacting with people or things, and has a kind and strong heart. She gets along well with the other servants and is also a talented woman, skilled in music, chess, literature, and painting. Although she's a maid, her spirit is very high. Today, I saw her being unusually shy, which means she must have feelings for Seventh Young Master. According to my guess, it's probably because of the song he played yesterday that moved her heart. Xin Yuner and Yan'er are like two peas in a pod, if Xin Yuner didn't have feelings for Seventh Young Master, she wouldn't have agreed to wear the red wedding dress to come to the Lu family."

  Lu Mu nodded and said in a gentle voice: "Mother also has a good impression of Xin Yuner, that girl gives people a sense of stability and warmth."

  Zhou Yue'er smiled gently: "If we talk about beauty, Xin Yuner is slightly inferior to Yan'er's younger sister, but Yan'er's younger sister is too sentimental and not worldly, she can't even manage a household after marriage. Xin Yuner's talent is no less than Yan'er's younger sister, but she is sensible, down-to-earth, and hardworking, she will definitely bring prosperity and honor to her husband's family after marriage."

  Lu Mu heard and laughed, and said in a gentle voice: "Yue Er, are you intentionally letting Xin Yun'er enter the Lu family's door?"

  "Mother, I do have this intention. Xin Yuner is a rare good girl and the Lu family will be lucky to marry her into their family."

  She nodded thoughtfully, her heart understanding why Zhou Yue'er hoped that the Lu family would marry Xin Yuner. Firstly, Zhou Yue'er's natal family was also frequently impoverished, and as a concubine-born daughter-in-law, she already felt inferior. In her heart, she did not want Lu Qi to marry a woman with a much higher family background than hers. Secondly, apart from the difference in family background, Zhou Yue'er feared that Lu Qi would marry an arrogant and unreasonable wife. Therefore, she had hoped to arrange a marriage between Lu Qi and his cousin, as she knew that Yan'er was easy-going. Now that Yan'er was unwilling, but Xin Yuner had appeared, whose birth and temperament were even more to her liking, Zhou Yue'er immediately and eagerly guided Lu Mu to accept Xin Yuner.

  Lu's mother had her own criteria in mind, and Lu's criteria was that the family would be harmonious and everything would go smoothly. Xinyun'er's background was slightly inferior, but she had an aunt who held great power in the old Zhou Mansion, which was very important for the Lu family, who had just escaped poverty, because with Xin Niang taking care of things, their assets in Wangjiangbu would naturally be managed smoothly.

  Apart from these, Madam Lu really has a good impression of Xin Rong'er. Madam Lu doesn't like the delicate and spoiled type of lady, in her mind, a wife should be steady and elegant, handle things generously and in order, be able to manage the household, take care of her husband and teach children, these are all qualities that Xin Rong'er seems to possess. Plus Zhou Yue'er's strong recommendation, this has laid the foundation for family harmony. Madam Lu already has the intention to marry Xin Rong'er to Lu Qi, but is hesitant about what position to give her, after all, Xin Rong'er was originally a maid.

  "Mother, if Aunt Xin has a heart knot for marriage, would you be willing?"

  Zhou Yue'er asked softly, seeing Lu Mu not speaking, she thought her words were too much, after all, Xin Niang had introduced a concubine for her, and there was a suspicion of speaking for someone who had benefited.

  Mrs. Lu looked at Zhou Yue'er with a warm smile, she also loved this eldest daughter-in-law very much. This eldest daughter-in-law was gentle and filial, the key was that she was kind and straightforward, never playing tricks or hiding private thoughts in the family, and was also loyal to the Lu family. During the most difficult period of the Lu family, every time Zhou Yue'er returned to her natal home, it was to provide assistance. The Zhou family also helped out as much as they could. Even after being divorced and sent back to her natal home, Zhou Yue'er never remarried. Because of all this, Zhou Yue'er's position in Mrs. Lu's heart was very important. Shared hardships are the most intimate.

  "Mother has a good impression of Xin Yu'er, if Madam Xin is willing to form an alliance by marriage, Mother will agree to let Lu Qi become a formal wife. However, you must not tell Madam Xin about this, when she asks you, just say that Mother has a good impression of Xin Yu'er. Mother is doing this to give Xin Yu'er time to consider, because if Xin Yu'er follows the young lady from the Zhou family, she may climb up the social ladder, and the Lu family cannot accept a woman with divided loyalties." said Lu Mu in a gentle voice.

  Zhou Yue'er let out a sigh of relief and said softly: "Got it."

  "Also, tomorrow you go to take a look, first return to your mother's house to ask about the character of that widow. It would be better to delay for a few days than to hastily bring a shrew into the Lu family. If this doesn't work out, I will personally take charge and find another one for you."

  Zhou Yue'er's eyes reddened as she got up and knelt in front of Lu Mu, her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you, Mother. It's all because I'm not good enough."

  Lu's mother reached out and stroked her head, saying lovingly: "Don't say that, not having an heir may not be your problem. Even if you can't bear children, you are the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family. Other women, no matter how fertile they are, cannot surpass you. Besides, Er Lang truly loves you with all his heart." Zhou Yue'er nodded tearfully, feeling comforted.

  Lu Qi and Ning'er returned to their room, the door had just closed when Ning'er's body was tightly wrapped in Lu Qi's powerful arms. His mouth, reeking of alcohol, pressed against Ning'er's cherry lips. One large hand slipped into her blouse, caressing the full, smooth jade-like breasts. Ning'er twisted and turned, softly moaning as she savored her lover's wild passion.

  It was a long time before Ning'er finally pushed away Lu Qi, her beautiful face flushed with excitement. She said softly: "Okay, go lie down on the bed and rest."

  "I'm not tired, you sleep with me." Lu Qi acted like a spoiled child and hugged Ning Er tightly.

  Ning'er's lovely heart was sweet and gentle, she softly said: "Stop messing around, sister is going to cook, sister can't let Madame Zhang do the cooking herself."

  Lu Qi woke up with a start, stretched out his head and gently pried open Ning Er's arms, Ning Er tidied up her clothes, calmed down her emotions, smiled sweetly at Lu Qi and walked out of the room. Lu Qi nodded his head in delight, feeling carefree, he lay down on the bed and fell asleep under the influence of good mood and alcohol.

  In the Lu's kitchen, Zhou Yue'er and Ning'er were cooking dinner together. The two women were in a great mood and worked efficiently. After putting the rice dishes on the stove, Zhou Yue'er clapped her hands and straightened up.

  "Madam, I'll have the servants keep an eye on things here. Why don't you go take a look and see if Young Master has returned?" Ning'er said softly. Eldest son Lu Tianhua was also busy, renovating the newly purchased shop into a pharmacy.

  Zhou Yue'er nodded happily and smiled softly: "Ning Er, thank you."

  Ning'er said softly: "It's only right for me to help Young Master and Mistress."

  Zhou Yue'er looked at Ning'er and smiled softly: "Ning'er, do you know what I'm thanking you for?"

  Ning Er was taken aback and said softly: "Thank you, Young Master's wife. It seems that I have said something to the Seventh Young Master."

  Zhou Yue'er shook her head and said softly, "That's already been thanked. What I'm thanking you for is the dignity you gave me when you were at the Zhou residence. At that time, Xin Niang was teaching you, if you didn't obey, I would have been very embarrassed."

  Ning Er's heart skipped a beat as she lowered her head, and in her ear, she heard Zhou Yue Er's gentle voice say: "Ning Er, tomorrow I'm going to take a look at a new maid. If I bring her back, I'd like to ask you to be the demonstration for her training. Can you help me?"

  Ning Er's heart was in a state of turmoil, and she subconsciously nodded her head.

  "I'll thank you first, you watch the kitchen." Zhou Yu'er said and left.