A Good Country Wife
Chapter 430 - 424_1

Chapter 430: Chapter 424_1

Just ahead lies the artificial lake, quite large in area. Lin Yue plans to plant lotuses and introduce fish and shrimp into the water later on, also constructing a few small boats. In leisure moments, boating and admiring lotuses can be a delightful pastime, yet the lake is currently in disarray, truly not offering much of an attraction. Moreover, since the water is rather deep and preparations have not been arranged in advance, with so many people present, it’s inevitable that some aspects might be overlooked. Should an accident occur, it would be most unfortunate. Besides, Chen Ruyu and Zhang Peilan are also here, ever scheming to set traps and cause mischief, prompting her to be even more vigilant. With both the Princess and Commandery Princess in attendance, not the slightest error is permissible, especially upon witnessing the sinister expressions that Chen Ruyu inadvertently reveals, causing Lin Yue to be even more wary.

Upon hearing that there was an artificial lake ahead, Chen Ruyu’s face lit up with delight, thinking that her chance had arrived. Falling into water is a common accident, and should the Princess or Commandery Princess fall in by accident, that peasant woman would be out of luck.

Chen Ruyu was not particularly clever, focusing only on the possibility that Lin Yue would be punished should an accident befall someone, never considering that if the true instigator was discovered, it would amount to a grave crime of attempted murder. It wouldn’t be just her, but the entire Chen Mansion that would be implicated by her actions. Now, with her mind clouded by the bacon grease stirred up by Zhang Peilan, she was fixated solely on revenge against Lin Yue without any consideration for the consequences.

"If that is the case, let us not proceed any further then. When everything is properly arranged, you can take me there for a look. We have been wandering around for quite a while now; perhaps we should head back," Princess Yongle said indifferently. She wasn’t insistent on visiting the lake in the first place; it was just a casual stroll that brought her here, and upon Lin Yue’s suggestion, she stopped in her tracks.

Chen Ruyu had already planned to seek an opportunity by the lake to carry out her scheme, but when she heard the Princess agree to Lin Yue’s suggestion, leading the group back, she became anxious. However, in front of the Princess, her influence was negligible and the Princess would not heed her words; any attempt to intervene would be in vain, so she had no choice but to watch a golden opportunity slip away.

A couple of days after the banquet ended, Princess Yongle, as expected, sent someone to bring Lin Yue to the Imperial Palace. Zhao Erhu, although concerned for Lin Yue’s safety, could not object to the Princess’s invitation. He knew that his wife actually wanted to see the Imperial Palace, the place of utmost wealth and power in the land. So, after seeking advice from Jiang Ziqi on important matters to be mindful of, he carefully instructed Lin Yue and saw her off, following the Palace Attendant sent by the Princess.

"Your Excellency, my wife is a country girl, unfamiliar with the palace etiquette. I hope you will take good care of her," said Zhao Erhu as he handed a purse to the Palace Attendant. The attendant, Wang Gonggong, weighed it and found it unexpectedly heavy, considering the man’s humble origins as a peasant. He noted the family’s surprising generosity.

Zhao Erhu was not one to spend lavishly just because his household had grown wealthy. In fact, he had always maintained a habit of frugality, even loath to waste leftover food. However, when it came to necessary expenditures, he was not stingy at all, especially when dealing with matters concerning Lin Yue, where Zhao Erhu was indeed willing to spend silver.

"Brother, rest assured. I have been commanded by Her Highness the Princess to escort Madam Lin to the palace for a two-day stay. As a guest of Her Highness the Princess, Madam Lin is a person of distinction. Even if I had multiple heads, I dare not slight the guest of the Princess. You just go about your business with peace of mind," the attendant reassured.

After watching Lin Yue enter the palace, Zhao Erhu, even if worried, could not interfere. He then drove the carriage out, as he had been quite busy these days. If that business enterprise could indeed be undertaken, it promised to be extremely lucrative, albeit with significant risks.

In the past, Zhao Erhu would never have considered such a risky venture; prudence was always his priority. But now, circumstances had changed. Having experienced so much, and with the appointment of the new Magistrate, Ceng Lu, in Xin’an City, Zhao Erhu had come to understand the importance of power. Even if not for the sake of wealth and luxury, he needed to be capable of protecting his family, ensuring that his wife would no longer suffer indignities.

On several occasions, Miss Chen visited to bully his wife. Without Jiang Ziqi’s help, and the Princesses looking out for her, Zhao Erhu was out of options. Despite this, his wife still endured hardships, and apart from feeling distressed, he couldn’t even defend her. The frustration of being suppressed without the ability to retaliate was unbearable for any spirited man. "Wealth comes from taking risks," so he had to take the chance. However, afraid of worrying Lin Yue, Zhao Erhu kept these matters to himself, secretly working on them unbeknownst to Lin Yue. Moreover, as Zhao Erhu had been busy running between his workshop and the estate, his busyness seemed normal, and Lin Yue had not noticed anything unusual.

Typically, when a married woman visits the palace, the Ministry of Rites would assign someone to instruct her in the etiquette. But Lin Yue’s situation was different; she was invited by the Princess to be a guest at the palace. Without instructions from the Princess, the Ministry of Rites did not send anyone. Unlike noble households from Aristocratic Families, who would have etiquette teachers at home even if no one from the palace provided guidance, Lin Yue had to seek help from Commandery Princess Roujia.

For such a small matter, Commandery Princess Roujia certainly wouldn’t refuse. She sent a nanny from the Princess Residence to thoroughly instruct Lin Yue in the palace rules. However, with only two days available, time was short. Lin Yue could only learn some basic etiquette, and since it was just a two-day palace stay with the Princess’s protection, she just needed to avoid making any major mistakes.

On her first visit to the palace, Lin Yue rode in the carriage sent by the Princess with some trepidation. After traveling for about half an hour, the carriage reached the palace gate where the Imperial Army conducted an inspection before allowing entry. Lin Yue realized they had arrived at the Imperial Palace and braced herself, alighting from the carriage at the second palace gate to walk as was customary within palace rules.

This being her first visit to the Imperial Palace, Lin Yue looked around and saw few people, taking the opportunity to survey her surroundings. This stretch was rather plain, apart from the high palace walls. Occasionally, palace maids passed by, catching the curiosity of Lin Yue as she observed them.

Wang Gonggong observed this without comment. Had it been anyone else entering the palace, he surely would have reminded them not to look around so freely, but Lin Yue was a guest of the Princess, protected by her, and therefore not bound by such strict etiquette. Moreover, the Princess had specifically instructed him before departure to allow Madam Lin to satisfy her curiosity during the visit.

"This servant pays respects to Princess Yongle," said a graceful young girl approaching them. Although her identity was unknown, one could surmise that anyone appearing so boldly must belong to the palace’s inner circle, either from the Royal Family or as a Concubine. Without waiting for Wang Gonggong to prompt her, Lin Yue performed a kneeling salute. It was only after Wang Gonggong addressed the newcomer that Lin Yue realized she was indeed Princess Yongle.

"Oh, Wang Gonggong, who is this? Dressed so plainly, she can’t be from a decent family. How come such a person is being brought into the palace?" the newcomer inquired.

Wang Gonggong himself was surprised to see the fourth Princess here and knew he shouldn’t let her harass Lin Yue, who was their Princess’s guest. "The fourth Princess may not be aware, but this Madam Lin is a guest invited by our Princess," he informed her.