Chapter 300: Chapter 111: Asking for Help_4 Chapter 300: Chapter 111: Asking for Help_4 Of course, these small courtyards were not shabby at the beginning–they were all well arranged. However, after a scion of a powerful family brought a woman to live in one of these small courtyards, an Imperial Censor learned about it and reported the matter. At that time, the Empress Dowager was a devout Buddhist and, upon hearing the news, became enraged. She said that this person had desecrated the Buddha and directly exiled him three thousand miles away, issuing an imperial decree that he was never to be pardoned. Furthermore, the Empress Dowager reprimanded all those who had made their small courtyards opulent and luxurious with her decrees. Her actions led to the present simplicity of these courtyards.
Ma Peng was not ignorant of the way things worked; he believed that his wife’s intervention was due to her status. He asked, “Why don’t we inform our cousin of these circumstances and let her decide for herself? If she finds it too harsh, we can forget about it. What do you think?” After two years of experience, Ma Peng had certainly lost the reputation for being dull and weak. Though Ma Peng’s Palace Graduate status was somewhat unearned, since joining the Hanlin, he managed his relationships with those above him very well and got along with his colleagues. Thus, he occasionally received praise from his superiors and peers, which greatly boosted his confidence. Ma Peng did not become arrogant due to these compliments; he still performed his duties diligently, no doubt with the help of Ruo Lan.
Ma Peng’s performance not only pleased Ma Chengteng but also brought comfort to Lord Zhuang, who felt that his judgment in selecting a son-in-law was truly excellent.
Ruo Lan nodded, but she suspected that Yueyao would agree without a doubt.
Lady Mo felt quite uncomfortable upon hearing about another visit from the Ma Family. They had just been here in the morning, and now there were visitors again in the afternoon; they might as well move into the Lian family’s residence. Unfortunately, she had no good reason to refuse the visits as her husband had agreed that the Ma Family would often send people to check on Yueyao, and by not agreeing, she would be undermining her husband.
Lady Mo bitterly said, “Lady Cheng is truly useless, unable to manage even a single child over the years.” If Ma Peng hadn’t turned his fortunes around, how could the Ma Family be so arrogant now? Now that Ma Peng had married Madam Zhuang, their influence was only growing, making her feel the need to bite her tongue.
Yueyao sent a letter in response to Ma Peng’s right away, indicating her willingness to move into the courtyard. In the letter, Yueyao mentioned that she went to the mountain to observe religious practices, chant Buddhist scriptures, and copy Buddhist texts, and thus living austerely was to be expected.
Upon receiving the news, Ma Peng immediately informed his father about the matter. Ma Chengteng didn’t need to ask to know that it must have been his daughter-in-law’s suggestion, but he had no objections. However, thinking of the simple courtyard, Ma Chengteng felt distressed for the child, wondering why she couldn’t have even one day of peace.
Ma Peng hurriedly said, “Father, it’s alright if the house is simple. We can send more things over. Father, I think this is actually quite good, as it will be more convenient for us to visit our cousin.” In truth, Ma Peng was completely making it up; it took almost half a day to travel to and from Zhaohua Temple from Capital City, and both of them had to work, making it anything but convenient.
Ma Chengteng naturally did not object, saying, “Alright, we’ll send more things up when the time comes. It’s only for two months, after all.”
Ruo Lan immediately sent someone to inform the Duchess and the Heir’s Wife of this decision. The Duke’s Mansion’s Wife was the real power holder in the Marquis’ household’s inner courtyard, and the Heir’s Wife was the steward. Both needed to be informed.
Lady Mo narrowed her eyes, asking, “What did you just say?”
Granny Hua whispered, “Everyone in the residence is talking about how the Second Old Master left all the family wealth to the main branch on his deathbed. Madam, this must have been spread by the Third Young Lady.” They had warned everyone else except for her.
Lady Mo really wanted to place Yueyao under house arrest, but reason still prevailed, and she didn’t have the courage to do so. If Ma Chengteng could come to her house once, he could do so again. For now, she swallowed her anger.