Time Travel: The Noble Family

Zhuang Ruolan showed annoyance and consoled Yueyao. "Yueyao, the Lady of Marquis Jingning has been bedridden for years and is somewhat muddled, so don’t pay attention to what she says." Zhuang Ruolan, being close with Madam Ping, knew the Lady of Marquis Jingning well. According to Zhuang Ruolan, the Lady of Marquis Jingning was simply lucky, blessed with a good sister and a good son; otherwise, she would have long been devoured leaving not even a trace.

Yueyao shook her head and smiled, "I haven’t taken it to heart. The Lady of Marquis Jingning thinks I have a tough fate; I simply won’t go."

Zhuang Ruolan had no solution to this. She did not believe that Yueyao had a tough fate. In the Ma Family, everyone had been prosperous, and according to her husband, Yueyao was their Lucky Star. It was only the Ma Family who did not believe the rumor; others did.

Upon arriving at Marquis Jingning’s Residence, Zhuang Ruolan did not show any joy. Inside the main room, after Madam Ping dismissed the maids and old nannies, Zhuang Ruolan asked, "Yajing, the Lady of Marquis Jingning said Yueyao harms her; what’s all this about? If it wasn’t for my mention of bringing Yueyao over yesterday, I wouldn’t have known about this." Yueyao might not care, but she could not help seeking justice for her.

Madam Ping, not expecting Zhuang Ruolan to bring this up immediately, could only smile wryly, "You know how my mother-in-law is; there’s no reasoning with her."

Zhuang Ruolan was angry. "Yueyao is in our estate, and everyone in the Ma Family is just fine, and even though Yueyao and Mingzhu stayed in the mountains for a few months, everyone was fine. How can she be harming someone just by meeting them once? Where does that even come from?" The Lady of Marquis Jingning is just a medicine jar, suffering from headaches and fevers all year round; it’s ridiculous to blame Yueyao.

Madam Ping felt somewhat at fault and apologized, "We are indeed to blame for this incident, and the Princely Heir also said that he will definitely compensate Miss Yueyao in the future."

Zhuang Ruolan was somewhat surprised. Her intention was not only to stand up for Yueyao but also to secure benefits for her. Having been wronged, compensation was naturally expected. However, she had not anticipated that the Princely Heir would openly speak of compensating Yueyao. This was good; with the Princely Heir’s word, Yueyao would not be at a loss.

With that issue resolved, the two discussed business matters. Zhuang Ruolan had suddenly mentioned maritime trade because it was facilitated by the Duke Mansion, and she had invited Madam Ping into this business. Now that she realized the risks of maritime trade were so great, she naturally informed Madam Ping.

Zhuang Ruolan shared these risks with Madam Ping, then said, "I had initially planned to invest sixty thousand taels of silver, but my husband said that maritime trade indeed involves great risks and does not approve of my investing so much. After hearing this, I also became worried, so I plan to invest only ten thousand taels instead." Zhuang Ruolan said all this because it was informed by Ma Peng, as she did not want Madam Ping to know that Yueyao also had a share. Being too noticeable as a lady might not be a good thing; she had never dared reveal her interest in business within the ladies’ chambers. Now, she wanted to engage in business partly for greater freedom and partly because Ma Peng was not against it.

Madam Ping was somewhat conflicted and after thinking it over, said, "How about I get back to you on this in a few days? I’d like to check with the Princely Heir to see if it’s really as perilous as you describe. If he thinks the business is too risky, then we also won’t invest so much."