These words of advice have been repeated frequently by Mrs. Zhen in recent days.
Exactly how many times they’ve been spoken, Du Yunluo can no longer count.
But she still listens earnestly, occasionally nodding in response, knowing that every sentence is filled with Mrs. Zhen’s care and reluctance. In her previous life, she didn’t listen attentively, but in this life, no matter how many times it has been repeated, she doesn’t want to miss it.
Mrs. Zhen then carefully discusses with Du Yunluo the matter of the people accompanying her in marriage.
Accompanying Du Yunluo into Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, aside from Jin Rui and Jin Lan, there is also Hong Jinbao’s household who previously replaced Nanny Hua in Anhua Courtyard, and also Mrs. Gu Fula newly assigned by Old Mrs. Xia.
Both the Hong Jinbao and Gu Fula families will serve as Du Yunluo’s entourage, going together to assist.
Besides, the personnel from the accompanying estates and shops are all assigned to Du Yunluo, carefully selected by Old Mrs. Xia and Mrs. Zhen, not only focusing on production and income but also emphasizing the ability and character of the stewards. Even if Du Yunluo doesn’t have the time to manage these industries for a while, nothing will go wrong.
At this moment, Du Yunluo has only seen those name lists and has not had the chance to get acquainted with the details of the shops and estates, let alone interact with the stewards.
Mrs. Zhen has introduced many things to her in the past few days, to which Du Yunluo patiently took note.
The oil lamp on the table flickered, and Mrs. Zhen didn’t call someone in, she got up herself and took a pair of scissors to trim the wick.
The lamplight illuminated half of the room; the interior separated by a curtain remained dim.
Carrying the oil lamp, Mrs. Zhen walked inside, motioning Du Yunluo to follow.
She lifted the bead curtain, bypassed the screen depicting koi playing in water, and her gaze fell on the rack at the foot of the bed.
A bright red wedding gown was hanging on it.
A phoenix embroidered amid peonies, brilliant yet dignified.
Every stitch was embroidered by Du Yunluo herself, and this wedding gown took her a full month to complete, luckily she started preparing these things once the marriage was decided, otherwise with the wedding date brought forward, it would have been quite a rush.
Mrs. Zhen placed the lamp on the table but dared not bring it close to the wedding gown.
Her fingers brushed over the blooming peonies, her eyelids trembled, and after a while, she said, "This wedding gown looks beautiful on Nannan, who wouldn’t praise it?"
Mrs. Zhen’s shoulders shivered slightly, turning after a long time, she held Du Yunluo’s hand and sat down by the bed’s edge: "Once you wear the wedding gown, let your aunt dress you up. When the Princely Heir lifts the veil, it will surely mesmerize him."
Du Yunluo lowered her eyes, smiled: "If he dares say I don’t look good, I won’t pay him any attention."
Mrs. Zhen’s willow-leaf eyebrows perked up, her heart full of teachings suddenly became easier to express.
Thinking back to when Du Yunru was about to leave home, instructing her daughter on how to spend the wedding night was truly challenging.
Du Yunru had a thin skin, blushing so much just after hearing a few sentences, causing Mrs. Zhen to be unsure how to continue, stumbling through explanations.
But now facing the thick-skinned Du Yunluo, Mrs. Zhen felt teaching this time wouldn’t be as difficult.
"The Princely Heir is your husband; how can you ignore him." Mrs. Zhen gently touched Du Yunluo’s forehead, "With your little sense, can you really bear to ignore him?"
Du Yunluo held her breath; she couldn’t refute this. She definitely couldn’t bear it.
Mrs. Zhen could see the answer in Du Yunluo’s eyes, smiled and shook her head: "He will surely pay attention to you, and you will surely pay attention to him too. Follow the customs, do whatever the wedding maid instructs you to do tomorrow. You’ve seen Yunlang and Yunlan marry; after drinking the nuptial wine, the groom will leave the bridal chamber to toast guests. At that time, Lady should accompany you and talk, and after the Princely Heir returns..."
Talking about matters between husband and wife, even though Mrs. Zhen had relaxed much, she still found it hard to speak at critical moments.
Luckily, Du Yunluo’s cheeks merely reddened, unlike Du Yunru’s severe reaction, making Mrs. Zhen feel much more comfortable and able to complete the guidance.
"Did you understand everything?" Mrs. Zhen asked her softly, "When the Princely Heir touches you, you are not to push him away."
Du Yunluo blinked her eyes.
She didn’t actually understand everything; Mrs. Zhen had glossed over many points, unable to express them.
However, regarding matters in bed, she actually understood them well, having been husband and wife with Mu Lianxiao for a lifetime.
Du Yunluo naturally wouldn’t ask Mrs. Zhen to repeat it, saying: "Understood, I won’t push him away."
Mrs. Zhen breathed a sigh of relief.
For a young lady, she doesn’t need to understand everything thoroughly; having a general idea and not being frightened is good enough. Once past tomorrow night, she will know everything.
Just like Du Yunru; Mrs. Zhen suspected she hadn’t absorbed as much as Du Yunluo, yet she’s now a mother herself.
Mrs. Zhen cuddled Du Yunluo, soothing her once again, then called Jin Rui to come in and assist Du Yunluo to rest.
Du Yunluo lay down to sleep.
But she couldn’t sleep at all.
She had anticipated this moment for so long, but now that it’s here, she felt a bit at a loss.
Previously, with Du Yunnuo and Mrs. Zhen talking beside her, she didn’t feel such bewilderment; now in the silence, she grew somewhat dazed.
Turning over and over, Du Yunluo couldn’t sleep for a long time. Whenever she shut her eyes, her mind was filled with Mu Lianxiao.
It was his bright smile, his warm hands, his unwavering gaze.
Past and present, intertwined repeatedly until finally converging into him clad in a red wedding suit.
He lifted the veil, offering her a smile.
Du Yunluo took a deep breath, her heart simmering intensely, almost bursting.
She thumped the bed frame in mild annoyance and tangled thoughts; If she’s already like this now, wouldn’t meeting Mu Lianxiao tomorrow really leave her utterly flustered?
No, that can’t happen!
Du Yunluo pulled up the brocade quilt, forcing herself to sleep.
In no time, she exposed half her head, smiling with curved eyes.
Ugh...
Wondering if Mu Lianxiao has fallen asleep yet, if he’s thinking of her too...
Tossing and turning till midnight, Du Yunluo finally drifted to sleep.
Before dawn, Jin Rui woke her up, in a daze she freshened up, and headed to the ancestral hall.
Du Gongfu and Du Huaili awaited her there.
In the winter dawn, the wind was as cutting as knives on the face.
Du Gongfu stood upright leaning on his cane, nothing like a crippled person, rather like a pine tree.
Du Yunluo kowtowed to the ancestral tablets.
Du Gongfu lit incense, prompting Du Huaili to bring out the imperial decree regarding the marriage and its set date.
"What your grandmother and mother needed to tell you, they’ve already told you, Yunluo, don’t let your grandfather down." Du Gongfu uttered each word clearly.
Du Yunluo’s nose tingled, she nodded earnestly.
Returning to Anhua Courtyard, not long after, Zhen Shuren, who was to style her hair, arrived.
By rank, Zhen Shuren is Du Yunluo’s aunt, but in age, she is much younger than Old Master Zhen.
Zhen Shuren gazed at Du Yunluo with a smile and said, "Yunluo looks even prettier than last year when she came of age; truly a lady’s beauty transforms at eighteen, in just these three months, she’s grown more radiant."
Du Yunluo exchanged into the bright red wedding dress, sat straight before the vanity, her long black hair cascading down.
Zhen Shuren’s hand gently brushed across the satin-like hair, and taking the comb from Jin Lan, she spoke: "One comb till the end..."