Chapter 77: Chapter 76: Filing a Complaint

"This is indeed happening!" Du Yunluo nodded eagerly, "What does she take me for? And what does she take the maids by my side for?"

Nanny Zhao’s lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze sweeping over Jin Rui and Jin Ling’s faces.

Jin Rui tilted her head, looking rather disdainful; if the Zhao family were present, this girl might have already picked up a broom to chase them away. Jin Ling’s eyes were even more red, her molars clenched tightly, originally a melon seed-shaped face, now with her jawline even more pronounced.

Looking again at Du Yunluo, her small face was full of anger, her chest rising and falling continuously. Nanny Zhao could see that she was genuinely furious and quickly advised, "Miss, why argue with a woman who has no sense? It’s just harming your own health in vain."

Since Du Yunluo had exposed the matter, she didn’t care about saving face for the Zhao family and said, "You don’t know, she assumes her Zhao family is respectable, she’s approached Jin Ling several times before, completely disregarding me.

You say she has no sense, but she’s calculated. Her little nephew, deceptive and a gambling rogue, has learned nothing good whatsoever, and that older nephew, from the Zhao family, talks as if the clothing shop is their family’s property, even saying if Jin Ling marries over there, she would be the shopkeeper’s wife. Shameless words like this, why doesn’t she go say them in front of Second Aunt? Getting chased away by Shen Changgen’s wife would be lenient."

She’s just eyeing Jin Ling who’s by my side, thinking there will be no lack of benefits for the future, and wants to use Jin Ling to fill that gambling hole."

Such a family still dares to covet people from my room!"

Nanny Zhao’s face turned red, then pale listening, though she was not close with the Zhao family, they still called her "Aunt". One does not hit someone who is smiling, and as the Zhao family’s housekeeper was an old servant of Du Mansion, she usually gave this "nephew’s wife" some face.

After hearing Du Yunluo’s words, realizing this nephew’s wife was acting outrageously behind the scenes and angering Du Yunluo to this extent, she cursed fiercely in her heart a couple of times.

After all, Nanny Zhao was a capable aide to Mrs. Zhen, knowing well whom to support and protect, no confusion in her at all.

Thinking carefully about the recent words from the Zhao family, Nanny Zhao slapped her thigh and said, "I should have known! Miss, the Zhao family came a few times lately, speaking to ask me to look for a match for her nephew, in the words, never mentioning Jin Ling, but always wanting me to say good things before the masters.

I thought she fancied some little maid in Qinghui Garden, asked her, she said she didn’t dare covet the ladies close to the madam."

After hearing what you’ve said, Miss, I understand now, she must have realized she displeased you and hoped for some good words to avoid punishment from you."

Du Yunluo sneered, "She knows I despise her, she should act properly, speaking nonsense outside and hoping I won’t punish her?"

"Punish her, definitely punish her," Nanny Zhao hurriedly agreed, "How can she randomly talk about a young lady’s reputation like this? Please, rest assured, Miss, I will report this matter to the madam."

Du Yunluo pouted, acquiescing thus.

Nanny Zhao comforted a couple more words, then turned and went out.

A wave of fatigue came over her, Du Yunluo closed her eyes to even her breath.

It’s true she disliked the Zhao family, but if it weren’t for those rumors outside, she wouldn’t have planned to do anything to them.

Just like Nanny Zhao said, dealing with a senseless woman, as long as the Zhao family didn’t parade before her, she couldn’t be bothered to waste effort suppressing them.

But now, even those rumors have reached Mrs. Duan living outside the mansion, so how is Jin Ling supposed to establish herself in the future?

In this lifetime, she hoped for a good marriage for both Jin Ling and Jin Rui, she couldn’t bear them being mired in such rumors.

However, disciplining this woman, Du Yunluo was not suited to personally stop it, especially as Old Mrs. Xia told her to be more cautious these days, she certainly didn’t want to cause trouble at this juncture. If Old Mrs. Xia really confined her, how would she go to Lishan Academy, how would she go to Tong City?

With Nanny Zhao handling the matter, Du Yunluo felt assured, knowing that the Zhao family was bound to suffer a significant setback.

Speaking of Nanny Zhao, once she left the West Courtyard, she called upon two familiar women, instructed them on some tasks, and then returned to the inverted room to wait for news.

In just two quarter hours, those women came back, bringing news that was almost identical to what Du Yunluo had said.

Nanny Zhao let out a cold laugh, took out some silver for a reward, and urged them to keep quiet, then she directly headed into the main room.

Mrs. Zhen saw Nanny Zhao enter with a sour face and dismissed the people around her, asking, "It’s rare to see you looking so sullen, what happened?"

Nanny Zhao stepped forward, whispered to Mrs. Zhen, who shook with anger, saying, "Since when does a woman run the household here? I’ve been usually inattentive, so they thought our third branch was easy to bully? Mother, send word to Shuifu Garden, Second Sister-in-law is not a foolish person, she will handle her."

Having served Mrs. Zhen for many years, Nanny Zhao could discern the meaning in a single glance from Mrs. Zhen.

She poured a cup of tea, brought it to Mrs. Zhen, urging her to drink, then whispered, "You can rest assured, madam, I know exactly what to do."

Before dinner, Dou came to move Du Yunluo from the West Courtyard to the main room, settling on the couch by the south window.

Through the slightly opened window, Du Yunluo spotted Nanny Zhao instruct Dou on something, and then Dou left Qinghui Garden with a grin.

Du Yunluo blinked; this Dou, despite her robust build, who did the rough work, could speak a few words in front of Shen Changgen’s wife.

It seems Mrs. Zhen also didn’t like leaving the Miao Family with a favor debt, promptly giving them a chance to repay it.

Early the next morning, Jin Rui went to the kitchen to fetch Du Yunluo’s breakfast and heard that the Zhao family was scolded by Mrs. Miao the day before.

The Zhao family, proud of their family’s reputation, usually had many toadies, but secretly there were also many who rolled their eyes. Seeing her suffer misfortune, those gloating would readily step out.

Jin Rui listened halfway but these people spoke in bits and pieces, only saying the Zhao family was scolded, without mentioning the cause.

The kitchen was bustling, Jin Rui couldn’t ask in detail, so she picked up the food box and came out, just as she met Granny Pan directing people in moving newly purchased fruits and vegetables. She hurriedly went up and called, "Mrs. Pan."

Granny Pan gave her a look, recognizing Jin Rui, rubbed her hands on her surcoat, tidied her clothes, and smiled, "Oh, it’s the miss. Is Fifth Miss’s ankle better?"

"It’s better than before, I heard from Jin Ling that it was thanks to you at Fa Yin Temple for helping with the injury," Jin Rui pulled a few words of friendly chatter, seeing no one around paid them attention, then asked in a low voice, "I heard, about the Zhao family..."

Upon hearing the name, Granny Pan’s expression tightened, pulling Jin Rui aside a few steps, "You’re asking about her? Just so happens, last night, Shen Changgen’s wife and Nanny Jin were drinking together and invited me for a couple of rounds too."