Chapter 28 - 27: Zongzi (Second Update)
Breaking a thousand, with an extra Chapter added.
There is another update in the morning, book friends, don’t miss it~~
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Du Yunluo leaned against Mrs. Zhen.
At this moment, she was not flustered, but felt a pang of heartache.
For the thoughts in her heart, for the grievances and vendettas with those few enemies in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, she took this step by step. To herself, it was calm, but to her family, it was worry and heartache.
Regarding her marriage, from Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia to Du Yunru, under such rampant rumors outside, none of them could sleep peacefully.
Du Yunluo bit her lower lip and tightened her arms around Mrs. Zhen’s waist.
In her past life, she felt she had let down her family. In this life...
This time she had already caused them worries, going forward, she mustn’t let this happen again.
Mrs. Zhen embraced Du Yunluo, and Du Yunru brought over an embroidered stool to sit down, turning her thoughts as she began to speak of amusing stories.
Du Yunluo’s mind was heavy, but seeing that Du Yunru was serious about making her laugh, she couldn’t help but giggle.
Only then did Mrs. Zhen breathe a sigh of relief: "It’s good to laugh, it’s good to laugh."
The matters of discussion were handed over to Mrs. Shi, and the Du Mansion could only wait for news, shifting the focus of each house and courtyard to the Dragon Boat Festival.
On the third day of the fifth month, at noon, Mrs. Zhen sat in the East Wing accompanying her two daughters as they made colored strings. The five-colored silk threads danced around her white jade-like fingertips, so mesmerizing to watch that one couldn’t look away.
Nanny Zhao entered saying, "Madam, Second Madam sent someone with Ai Hu Changpu."
"Keep them for now, once sorted, hang them up on the morning of the fifth," Mrs. Zhen, reclining on the beauty couch, changed direction, tidying her clothes as she spoke, "Has the realgar wine arrived?"
Nanny Zhao stepped forward to assist, saying, "It’s said that it will be delivered by evening."
Mrs. Zhen nodded, silently ticking off in her mind, the sachets were already embroidered, just needed to be filled and sealed with spices, the ingredients for zongzi were also ready, the glutinous rice soaking and everything needed was prepared, so she relaxed and smiled: "Alright, pass the word, follow the usual practices, make sure nothing is missed or delayed."
Nanny Zhao responded and exited.
Mrs. Zhen was kind-hearted. Every year around this time, those serving around her wouldn’t lack seasonal things.
Du Yunluo continued with her hands, saying, "Mother, what flavors of zongzi are we making this year?"
Mrs. Zhen smiled sweetly, but before she could speak, Du Yunru interjected, "Whatever flavor we make, your jujubes won’t be missing."
"Sister, don’t talk about me," Du Yunluo glared playfully at Du Yunru, "Sister, you clearly have brown sugar, and can eat three white zongzi."
Because each house had to pay respects to the elders, it was hard to digest too many zongzi, so the Du Family’s zongzi was much smaller than those bought outside.
They were meaningful and would not waste food.
Talking about three, even with small zongzi, it sounded a bit exaggerated.
Du Yunru’s cheeks turned red, pretending to hit Du Yunluo.
Du Yunluo giggled as she dodged to Mrs. Zhen’s side, playfully seeking help.
Mrs. Zhen laughed so hard that she couldn’t close her mouth, but she had to pretend to be stern, delivering fifty paddle hits to each: "No proper behavior!"
The next day, it happened to be Du Huaili’s day off, and after paying respects at Lianfu Garden early in the morning, he began to make zongzi with his wife and daughters.
Du Yunluo cleaned her hands, took a lotus leaf, and felt a bit dazed looking at the glutinous rice and various fillings.
The last time she made zongzi was over fifty years ago...
What flavor did she make the last time?
Du Yunru, her fingertips dampened with water, tapped her clean knuckles on Du Yunluo’s face, "What are you thinking about? Have you forgotten how to make zongzi?"
Du Yunluo snapped back to reality, seeing her parents watching her, quickly saying, "I only make them once a year, so I forgot."
This reason was bold enough that no one could argue.
Du Huaili and Mrs. Zhen chuckled, while Du Yunru opened her mouth, and after a while, sighed, "Watch closely, I’ll teach you."
Making zongzi wasn’t difficult, but making them look nice wasn’t easy.
Especially small zongzi, one careless moment, and they’re a mess.
Fortunately, Du Yunluo was just rusty, not incapable, and after fiddling a bit, she gradually improved.
When they were done, Shui Yue came with others carrying water for the masters to wash their hands.
Mrs. Zhen wasn’t in a rush to rest, giving instructions on packaging and arranging clothes to personally deliver them to Lianfu Garden.
Du Yunluo followed them, and as soon as she stepped inside, she saw Qian He standing under the porch, chatting with a few young maids.
Her heart moved, stepping in, but there was no sign of Yunuo in the East Wing.
Old Mrs. Xia saw it was the third household bringing zongzi, and her previously somber face showed hints of a smile, telling Lanzhi to take the food box and open it, then calling Du Yunluo over: "Which one did Yunluo make?"
Du Yunluo blinked: "The one that looks the worst is mine."
Old Mrs. Xia couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
Seeing Old Mrs. Xia happy, Du Yunluo cautiously asked, "Grandmother, I saw Qian He outside, why don’t I see Fourth Sister?"
Mentioning Du Yunnuo, Old Mrs. Xia’s smile took on a hint of coldness, "She’s in the West Attic copying scriptures. Copying scriptures requires a calm mind, don’t bother her."
Du Yunluo couldn’t help but feel a chill down her spine.
This was Old Mrs. Xia punishing Du Yunnuo.
After all, it was a festival, and Old Mrs. Xia didn’t want to scold or chastise, so she let Du Yunnuo copy scriptures for reflection, to avoid the sisters meeting and Du Yunru making Du Yunluo cry again.
Whether kneeling in the ancestral hall or copying scriptures, to Old Mrs. Xia, it made no difference; what mattered was Du Yunluo’s mood, which shouldn’t be disturbed by Du Yunnuo’s little schemes.
Old Mrs. Xia was bent on favoritism, and Du Yunluo knew this. Just as she was about to make Old Mrs. Xia happy, she heard hurried footsteps outside.
Lanzhi’s eyes narrowed, and seeing Old Mrs. Xia nod, she went out to take a look. When she returned, her face couldn’t hide her urgency.
"What’s happening?" Old Mrs. Xia asked in a deep voice.
Lanzhi’s face showed surprise and joy: "Old Madam, Old Master passed word from the front, an eunuch from the palace has arrived with an imperial decree, and Old Madam should make preparations to receive the decree with the madams and girls."
Old Mrs. Xia looked at Du Yunluo, saw her face full of shock, seemingly surprised, and patted her shoulder: "Quickly go back and change your clothes."
Before Du Yunluo could move, Du Huaili cleared his throat, and Mrs. Zhen stepped forward to take her young daughter, apologized to Old Mrs. Xia, and led the sisters back.
"Yunluo, it must be an imperial decree for a betrothal, at that time..."
Mrs. Zhen walked quickly, explaining the protocols, but Du Yunluo felt her ears buzzing, not hearing a word.
In her previous life, she had received imperial decrees several times.
From the initial betrothal, to each time Mu Lianxiao was ordered on campaign, to when his soul never returned, numerous rewards concluding his life, to the Chastity Arch that shackled her, to the Princely Heir and Dingyuan Marquis position falling to others.
Each time was heart-wrenching, wishing to cut the decree with scissors.
But this time, this decree was something she had longed and schemed for, yet Du Yunluo felt a bit panicked and unsettled.
Knowing it would happen within these days, but when the moment came, why did it feel so fast?
Du Yunluo took a deep breath, knowing that in her heart, she wished eagerly for it to be faster, to see the young man who was also preparing to receive the decree.