Chapter 32 - 31: Satisfaction
The regret lingered in her heart; even after a few glasses of fruit wine, she couldn’t suppress this emotion.
Du Yunluo was sullen. Du Yunying watched her, thinking that it was her words that had shaken Du Yunluo’s thoughts, and couldn’t help but smile.
After night fell, perhaps due to the fruit wine, Du Yunluo slept very deeply. When she opened her eyes at daybreak, she thought, she’d missed the Dragon Boat Festival, but when they go to Potuo Mountain in July for incense offering, she must not miss it again.
The imperial decree was already issued, and the marriage was set, but all the necessary formalities could not be omitted.
The next day, Mrs. Shi came with a bright smile, to collect Du Yunluo’s birth date post.
Mrs. Zhen dismissed the people around her and asked, "Does the Princely Heir seem satisfied?"
Mrs. Shi looked at Mrs. Zhen up and down, covered her mouth with a smile, and said, "Why talk about this now, of all times?"
Mrs. Zhen did not hold back and said honestly, "Previously, I was anxious, only thinking about the ’what ifs’ in the future and had no time to guess the Princely Heir’s thoughts. Now that the marriage is set, my heart..."
This is a mother’s concern, and Mrs. Shi naturally understood. She patted Mrs. Zhen’s hand and said, "Miss Zhen, to be honest, I think the Princely Heir is pleased."
"Why do you say that?" Mrs. Zhen’s eyes lit up.
"The matter of asking for the imperial decree from the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was discussed," Mrs. Shi sipped some tea and explained carefully, "The Old Madam is upright, never boasting about military merits, nor being arrogant due to favor, so she initially did not agree to ask for the decree.
I persuaded her a few times, and the second wife of the Marquis Mansion also helped to persuade. After a long time of persuasion, the Princely Heir happened to come over to pay respects, and upon knowing the ins and outs, he also requested the Old Madam to enter the palace.
𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
Later, the Old Madam asked me, saying if these two children had known each other before, for the Princely Heir does not usually plead for such matters."
Hearing that the Princely Heir spoke well of her, Mrs. Zhen felt relieved, but then added, "Our Nannan has never met the Princely Heir before."
If possible, Mrs. Zhen would like to explain clearly in front of the Old Madam, to avoid any misunderstanding that Du Yunluo and the Princely Heir knew each other before...
Her Nannan is not like Princess An Ran who doesn’t understand the importance of men’s and women’s regulations.
Mrs. Shi understood and reassured, "Rest assured, the Old Madam didn’t mean that. She told me that though this marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers, once married, it’s the Princely Heir and Yunluo who will live together. If they are not satisfied with each other, it would be miserable. The Old Madam is thrilled from the bottom of her heart to see the Princely Heir stand up for Yunluo."
Mrs. Zhen let out a long breath of relief, and after seeing Mrs. Shi off, she excitedly called Shui Yue to discuss making new clothes for Du Yunluo.
Du Yunluo had just finished napping when Du Yunru came in.
The two sisters sat down in the East Wing.
"I just accompanied mother to look at several fabrics," Du Yunru said with a fake serious face, "They’re for making new clothes for you."
Du Yunluo was taken aback, "Didn’t we just tailor some summer clothes a few days ago? Why make more?"
Du Yunru chuckled, "Mrs. Shi took your birth date post. Once the eight characters match, we’ll wait for the small engagement. Naturally, new clothes are needed."
Matching the eight characters...
Seeing a bit of worry on Du Yunluo’s brow, Du Yunru held her hand, "Don’t worry, it will surely match well."
Du Yunluo couldn’t help but smile bitterly; she remembered that her and Mu Lianxiao’s eight characters were a perfect match.
After all, it was a marriage granted by the Holy Emperor. Could it be nullified due to mismatched eight characters? Even if they’re fabricating, it must sound good.
In any case, Dingyuan Marquis Mansion always has perfect matches for marriages, but in the end, how many widows are left alone till old age?
However, she had made up her mind, the quality of the match was of no importance.
Du Yunru cleared her throat, moved closer to Du Yunluo, and gently said, "When Mrs. Shi came, I wasn’t there with mother. I heard from Shui Yue that Mrs. Shi said it’s the Princely Heir who requested the Old Madam for the imperial decree, meaning the Princely Heir does care for you."
So, Mu Lianxiao also helped in requesting the decree?
Du Yunluo hadn’t expected this and let out a soft "Oh." She turned her head to see the worry on Du Yunru’s face, and an idea came to her mind, "Did you hear what Third Sister said before?"
Du Yunru’s eyes flickered, her lips tightened. Unsure whether to nod or shake her head, she finally nodded, "I heard, but what I said today is not fabricated. Mrs. Shi indeed said so."
Du Yunluo smiled.
Du Yunru genuinely cared for her, which is why she asked Shui Yue and rushed to the Anhua Courtyard to inform her.
Feeling warmth in her heart, Du Yunluo embraced Du Yunru, saying, "Sister, I know, I know the Princely Heir won’t be displeased. I don’t worry about what Third Sister said."
Du Yunru hugged her sister back, about to say something comforting, when suddenly she remembered something, "You! Your skin is thicker than donkey hide! How do you know the Princely Heir’s thoughts? Really siding with outsiders!"
"Sister, if you say so, if your skin is thin, shouldn’t mine be thicker?"
Du Yunru tried to push, but Du Yunluo didn’t let go. The sisters giggled and played around for a while. Only when Mrs. Zhen sent someone to invite them did they tidy up their clothes and head together to the Qinghui Garden.
Mrs. Zhen was talking with Nanny Zhao about Du Yunying’s matter, "I don’t know what Old Madam has decided there? Whether the respected lady from Eldest Sister-in-law’s family is willing to agree."
Nanny Zhao, sitting on a stool, smiled, "Madam, if that lady does not agree, Old Madam might consider us as an option."
Of course, Mrs. Zhen understood this reasoning.
Since Old Mrs. Xia had agreed to the Miao Family, she would certainly find a dignified principal guest. If no one from the Yang Family came, she would consider Mrs. Zhen for a solution. Besides, Mrs. Zhen had asked the Miao Family to put in a few words for the imperial decree recently. Given the circumstances, it would be difficult to refuse then.
But to let her family act as the principal guest for Du Yunying, Mrs. Zhen was not willing in her heart.
A few days ago, Du Yunying had secretly spoken to Du Yunluo, and Du Yunru had immediately come to complain. Thinking of those little tricks, Mrs. Zhen was uncomfortable now.
"Madam, different times require different approaches," Nanny Zhao consoled.
Mrs. Zhen was taken aback, and after a careful thought, she realized this was indeed the case.
The Yang Family had been in office for years; their family in the capital was not particularly close to the Du Mansion, adhering to propriety and duties, but not being warm.
Now that Du Yunluo was to marry into Dingyuan Marquis Mansion by imperial decree, no matter whether others thought the marriage risky or not, on the surface, it was seen as a climb in status for the Du Family.
With an in-law relationship like Dingyuan Marquis, the Du Family, even if not as illustrious as when Du Gongfu was in office, could fare better than now.
Outsiders who want to form connections may not have an opportunity, so the Yang Family should not refuse such an upper-class chance.
Mrs. Zhen laughed, "That might be for the best. After all, they are sisters of the Du Family. If Yunying’s coming-of-age ceremony is lively, when it’s Nannan’s turn, no one will gossip."