Chapter 117: Chapter 116: Vital Weakness
Old Mrs. Xia held the celadon tea bowl, slowly stroking it with her thumb, carefully contemplating Mrs. Shi’s words.
It seems that the Chengyi Bo Mansion is unwilling to welcome Princess An Ran into their home, yet Old Uncle is worried about refusing Old Master when it is brought up, so they have preemptively taken action.
Once the children have already been matched, Old Master can’t possibly expect the Chengyi Bo Mansion to call off the engagement, right?
Everywhere, be it in front of the Emperor, there is no such reasoning.
If there wasn’t that bit of relationship between the Du Mansion and the Duke Jing Mansion, Old Mrs. Xia wouldn’t hesitate.
Although, for the sake of Princess An Ran, it was casually said that Du Yunluo was no good, and Du Yunying and Du Yunnuo also suffered during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Du Family does hold some grudge against the Duke Jing Mansion. Yet, since there is a Liao Family involved, Old Mrs. Xia has to weigh her options.
As for the Miao Family, they are more concerned about the looks and character of that young lord in the Elder Mansion.
"If I am opening my mouth, he won’t be misshapen," Mrs. Shi said directly, "As for his looks, I’ve seen him with my own eyes. I wouldn’t say he looks like Pan An, but he is proper. Regarding his character, based on past reputation and the few times I’ve encountered him while visiting the Elder Mansion, he is quite well-mannered. According to Madam, the second young master likes to play chess and read, and his temperament is somewhat mild-mannered."
The Miao Family nodded slightly.
Mild-mannered isn’t feared. Many mild-mannered people dread their wives, which makes it easier to handle in the future.
The Miao Family showed interest, but Old Mrs. Xia still needed to consider the Liao Family, so she didn’t make a definitive decision and only said she needed to discuss it with Du Gongfu.
Mrs. Shi nodded, "This time the Elder Mansion is really anxious, so Old Lady, within half a month, we must have a definitive answer."
Old Mrs. Xia agreed, her gaze slowly passed over Mrs. Zhen.
Mrs. Zhen understood, smiled, and said to Sister Miao, "Sister Miao, come sit with me for a while. When Yun Ru got married, didn’t you say I had a nice piece of fabric? Well, I’ve made it into a skirt, and I’d like your opinion if it fits well."
Mrs. Shi, being an understanding person, agreed with a smile, and went happily with Mrs. Zhen to Qinghui Garden.
In Lianfu Garden, while thinking it over, the Miao Family cautiously said to Old Mrs. Xia, "Old Lady, I think it’s quite good."
Old Mrs. Xia showed no emotion and only said indifferently, "How will you explain this to Huai’en’s wife?"
What about the Liao Family?
The Miao Family quietly scoffed.
Old Master isn’t happy knowing that the favored Chengyi Bo Mansion was intercepted by Du Yunying, would he trouble his son’s concubine?
Most likely, he’ll just curse in private.
If Aunt Liao gets angry, so be it, and if the Liao Family feels upset or discontent, let them.
Things go up and down. Thirty years east, thirty years west. When the Liao Family boasted about Du Yunlan’s marriage, they never gave Miao Family any face or considered the Miao Family’s feelings.
No, that’s not right. The Liao Family did consider their feelings. Whatever made the Miao Family uncomfortable, the Liao Family would say.
So now, with Du Yunying’s major affairs at hand, why should she consider the Liao Family?
It’s just reciprocal, nothing more.
After all, it’s Princess An Ran who is too willful. The Chengyi Bo Mansion simply refuses to marry her. Otherwise, how could it come to someone else’s daughter’s turn?
Such grumbling thoughts, the Miao Family could only keep to themselves and didn’t dare voice them in front of Old Mrs. Xia.
After a brief contemplation, the Miao Family said, "Old Lady, we have five girls in the family, who have a good relationship while in the boudoir. After they marry, naturally, they should support each other. No matter how good the husband’s family is, shouldn’t the maiden family also have some prestige?
Yunluo marries into the Marquis Mansion, Yunying goes to the Elder Mansion, Yun Ru and Yun Hu could also be esteemed in their husband’s families. Our eldest and second sons-in-law are both pursuing official careers. If they can be supported by their brothers-in-law, and with Old Master helping a bit, the path should be smoother.
The Chengyi Bo Mansion doesn’t involve itself with court politics, but after all, it is the Elder Mansion, who wouldn’t show them some respect?
The life in these mansions of marquises and elders is different from our official families, without experiencing it firsthand, we can only see it as a reflection.
If Yunying does well in the future, Yunluo won’t be alone, don’t you agree?"
These words from the Miao Family were aimed at Old Mrs. Xia’s weaknesses.
Du Yunluo was the apple of Old Mrs. Xia’s eye; only something beneficial to Du Yunluo could persuade her.
Sure enough, after a long silence, Old Mrs. Xia said, "When Old Master comes, I’ll hear what he has to say."
With this statement, it was half agreed.
The Miao Family felt much relieved.
In Qinghui Garden, when Mrs. Zhen and Mrs. Shi went in, they happened to encounter Du Yunluo.
Seeing Mrs. Shi, Du Yunluo smiled, bowed, and greeted, "In a few days, it will be Sister A Yu’s birthday, and I was just about to send an invitation."
Mrs. Shi looked her up and down and nodded thoughtfully, "Yes, little Yunluo’s birthday is coming up, and by this time next year, you’ll be coming of age, right? Just now in Lianfu Garden, I said your mother-in-law is looking forward to you coming to their home."
Unexpectedly, Mrs. Shi brought this up. Even with Du Yunluo’s thick skin, she blushed at being referred to as ’mother-in-law.’
Mrs. Shi chuckled immediately.
Following Mrs. Shi, Mrs. Zhen and she entered the main room, but her mind was still at Qinglian Temple, with Mrs. Zhou wishing her to enter the house, but what about Mu Lianxiao?
Hmm, that day when he held her hand, he probably hoped for it, right?
Thinking of this, she subconsciously glanced at the hand that had been held before, and the small cherry lips curled up into a smile.
The three of them took their seats.
Mrs. Zhen wanted to discuss Du Yunying’s affairs with Mrs. Shi, and just when she was about to send Du Yunluo away, she saw her daughter’s pair of round eyes blinking at her, indicating she was unwilling to leave.
Seeing those bright, dewy eyes like a rabbit’s, Mrs. Zhen felt helpless, and the words to send her away circled three times in her throat before being swallowed back.
Forget it, forget it, I’ll caution her later not to go out gossiping, alright?
With this thought, Mrs. Zhen also relaxed, and in a low voice, said to Mrs. Shi: "Sister should know our Old Lady’s concern. She’s worried about making things difficult for our fourth sister-in-law."
Mrs. Shi sipped her tea and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, "I know that the relationship between the Du Family and the Duke Jing Mansion is delicate, yet I still came to broach the topic. I genuinely think that at Yunying’s age, delaying any further won’t find a better husband’s family than the Elder Mansion."
Du Yunluo was nibbling on a cloud slice pastry, and hearing this, her eyes widened, narrowly avoiding choking.
Mrs. Shi had indeed come for an urgent matter. This time it was surprisingly about Du Yunying’s marriage, and it was with the Elder Mansion...
Du Yunluo didn’t interrupt, listening to Mrs. Zhen and Mrs. Shi, she finally understood the situation.
In the past, Princess An Ran didn’t cause such a stir, Old Master didn’t punish her, and events unfolded differently than they do now. Du Yunying married into a regular official family, living a plain life that was neither good nor bad.
If she were to marry into the Chengyi Bo Mansion in this life...
Du Yunluo’s eyes shifted, thinking about the Miao Family’s attitude, she realized that this matter wouldn’t fall through.
