Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1225 - 513: The Outbreak of War (Part 2)_4

Mingzhu gripped her hands tightly.

Yueyao said softly, "I just went to Brother-in-law’s study and found its decor to be very tasteful. If I’m not mistaken, his study definitely wasn’t arranged by you." If Mingzhu were to decorate it, it would undoubtedly be very lavish.

Mingzhu nodded slightly, noticing something off about Yueyao’s expression: "What’s wrong? Is there something amiss? I had intended to arrange his study, but he insisted on doing it himself."

Yueyao shook her head helplessly, "He definitely wouldn’t let you arrange it. He’s a scholar, and if he let you decorate, it would certainly look similar to your bedroom." In Jiangnan, literature and culture flourished, and people here believed that everything else was inferior to scholarship. So, anyone with some knowledge was very proud. If they saw Niu Yanghui’s study decorated in a lavish style, even if they dared not express it due to Niu Yanghui’s position, they would certainly mock him inwardly.

Mingzhu wasn’t stupid, but she didn’t grasp what Yueyao meant.

Unable to help herself, Yueyao asked, "After coming to Suzhou for so many years, besides handling house affairs, what else do you do every day?"

Mingzhu replied innocently, "What else is there to do? Isn’t it the same as in the Capital City!"

Yueyao’s voice suddenly rose, "The same as in the Capital City? Are you saying you’ve had no change at all in five years in Suzhou?" From what Yueyao knew, besides managing the household and taking care of children, Mingzhu in the Capital City was enthusiastic about three things: attending social gatherings, closely following fashion trends, and visiting others at home.

Mingzhu was startled, "What’s the problem?" She’s always been like this, what could possibly change? Well, the only change is that she’s grown much older.

Yueyao didn’t know what to say.

Silent all along, Xiang Wei suddenly spoke up, "There have been changes. In the Capital City, the maids serving in Niu Yanghui’s study were young and beautiful, but now they’ve all been replaced by young servants; and the maids by your side, who used to be top-notch in both looks and talent, are now, well, their appearance doesn’t even match mine, let alone their talent; and from what I know, Niu Yanghui isn’t particularly fond of Maternal Aunt Gao, he just occasionally listens to her play the zither or sing, and rarely stays over, yet you often argue with Niu Yanghui because of this." Xiang Wei herself was just passably pretty, so if Mingzhu’s maids fell short of even ’beauty’, it was clear they were quite lacking.

Xiang Wei felt that for Mingzhu and Niu Yanghui to have such conflicts, the main issue lay with Mingzhu herself. Her actions showed she no longer trusted Niu Yanghui, and once suspicion arises between a married couple, it can easily lead to a strained relationship.

Mingzhu’s face turned sour, "What’s wrong with what I’ve done?"

Xiang Wei interrupted Mingzhu, "You still don’t think this is a problem? What you’re doing is clearly showing that you no longer trust Niu Yanghui. Fortunately, Niu Yanghui still has deep feelings for you and has tolerated much of your unreasonable behavior; otherwise, you might have gone mad already." Mingzhu had done many other things, but Xiang Wei hadn’t mentioned them.

After listening, Yueyao sighed heavily. Yueyao had originally come to advise Mingzhu, but now she changed her mind: "Starting tomorrow, you will copy scriptures with me."

Xiang Wei looked skeptically at Yueyao, "What’s copying scriptures got to do with it?" Xiang Wei just couldn’t understand how the topic of Mingzhu and Niu Yanghui’s relationship had turned to Buddhist scriptures.

Mingzhu also looked puzzled.

Yueyao held Mingzhu’s hand and said, "I’ve actually long noticed your fear, that Niu Yanghui might fall for someone young and pretty, but I didn’t realize you were this scared." After a pause, Yueyao added, "I know it’s because you care too much about Niu Yanghui, you’re afraid of losing him, so you did those things."

Mingzhu hugged Yueyao, her nose tingling. So it was Yueyao who understood her best, after all.

Yueyao explained, "Your mind is unsettled now, and copying Buddhist scriptures can help calm you. With the state you’re in now, no method will be effective unless it addresses the root cause."

Xiang Wei thought practicing calligraphy could also calm the mind.

Yueyao shook her head, "Practicing calligraphy doesn’t have the same effect as studying Buddhist scriptures."

If it were someone else, Mingzhu would have to consider it, but she had blind faith in Yueyao. So when Yueyao let her copy scriptures, she agreed without hesitation, "Then starting tomorrow, I’ll go to your courtyard every morning and afternoon to copy scriptures for one Shichen. What do you think?"