Chapter 118: Chapter 117: Guilty Conscience (Monthly Ticket 200+)
The marriage arrangement of Du Yunying indeed requires the approval of Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia, and Miao’s role as the real mother is not just for show.
If Old Mrs. Xia refuses, Du Yunying’s future would be essentially left hanging in Lianfu Garden.
If she marries well, that’s fine, but if not, wouldn’t Miao have reasons to complain behind everyone’s back?
Du Yunluo knows Du Gongfu well. Her grandfather loved to be noncommittal and wouldn’t do such thankless tasks.
As for Anfeng Courtyard, Du Yunluo silently muttered "Amitabha Buddha" to herself, while Liao was angry, Du Yunnuo had a headache to deal with.
However, there was something Du Yunluo was curious about.
Now that the Chengyi Bo Mansion was forming an alliance with the Du Family, how would Old Master of Duke Jing Mansion respond? The question is, to whom would he eventually marry off Princess An Ran?
In a previous life, Princess An Ran, who always got what she wanted, now seemed to have a rough patch ahead.
Mrs. Zhen had a lot on her mind. After deliberating for a while, she finally spoke to Mrs. Shi: "Sister Shi, I really shouldn’t be saying this. After all, Yunying is my niece, and it’s improper to comment on the young behind their backs. However, since you are acting as the matchmaker, I should give you some insight privately. Our Yunying has a bit of a stubborn temper. I’m afraid the Elder Mansion might not like her in the end."
Mrs. Shi raised her eyebrows and gave Mrs. Zhen a thorough look.
Due to the master-disciple relationship between Vice Minister Shi and Du Gongfu, Mrs. Shi started visiting the Du Mansion, and naturally became acquainted with Mrs. Zhen, the wife of Du Huaixi, a subordinate of Vice Minister Shi.
As time passed, the two became quite congenial, especially since Shi Qingyu liked Du Yunru and Du Yunluo, bringing the families closer.
Over the years, Mrs. Shi knew that Mrs. Zhen wasn’t someone who would gossip behind people’s backs.
Not only would she avoid idle talks, even if it were true, Mrs. Zhen wouldn’t speak of it, especially regarding her niece’s traits.
For Mrs. Zhen to speak up...
Mrs. Shi thought of Old Mrs. Xia’s attitude and understood the situation.
It’s probably Old Mrs. Xia’s idea. Du Yunying certainly had her little quirks, and Old Mrs. Xia didn’t want to hide them from Mrs. Shi. She hoped to be transparent with the Chengyi Bo Mansion now, rather than having them complain after the marriage.
Mrs. Shi smiled lightly: "All young ladies have a bit of a temper. It’s nothing to be concerned about."
She left it at that.
As for Du Yunying’s peculiar temper, it was not a matter for Mrs. Zhen and Mrs. Shi to discuss.
Mrs. Shi focused her gaze on Du Yunluo. This girl was about to reach maturity, and when Shi Qingyu visited the mansion, it would be best for the two juniors to talk.
The matter of Du Yunying was briefly mentioned, and Mrs. Shi inquired about Mrs. Zhen’s trip to Tong City last month.
Mrs. Zhen was talkative and mentioned visiting Lishan Academy to see Du Yundi, and added that she missed visiting Tong City after so many years, also mentioning going to Qinglian Temple for blessings and to fetch spring water.
Du Yunluo lowered her eyes, her brow furrowing, as Mrs. Zhen was still unaware that the "distinguished guests" mentioned by the guest monk that day were Mu Lianhui and Mu Lianxiao. Mrs. Shi might not reveal it...
While she was anxious, Mrs. Shi suddenly said, "Counting the days, the Princely Heir and Lady were also in Qinglian Temple when you visited."
Alarmed, Du Yunluo quickly feigned an expression of surprise.
Mrs. Zhen was startled. Subconsciously, she looked at Du Yunluo and saw her wide-eyed expression of surprise. But, as her mother knew her well, Mrs. Zhen immediately saw through Du Yunluo’s guilty conscience.
This little girl, could she have seen Mu Lianxiao?
Mrs. Zhen wanted to pull Du Yunluo aside and question her thoroughly, but with Mrs. Shi present, she restrained her doubts, giving Du Yunluo some face for now.
"The Princely Heir and Lady?" Mrs. Zhen pretended to be suddenly enlightened, "No wonder the monks at the temple warned us not to disturb the distinguished guests that day."
Mrs. Shi smiled with pursed lips: "I’ve heard that Qinglian Temple is a vast place. If the monks asked you to keep away, it’s normal not to have encountered them. The Lady went to fetch spring water for the Imperial Consort, and I’ve heard that even the Empress Dowager praised her for her thoughtfulness."
Hearing this, Du Yunluo frowned despite planning to perform in front of Mrs. Zhen.
In a previous life, Mu Lianhui married Li Luan, the Heir of Prince Rui, mainly due to the Empress Dowager’s favor. The Imperial Consort didn’t contest against the Empress Dowager, and eventually, the marriage was set.
Presently, with such praise from the Empress Dowager, it seems everything might unfold the same way as before.
If nothing unexpected happens, by next spring, this arranged marriage’s imperial decree should be issued.
Mrs. Shi stayed a while longer, then took her leave.
Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunluo escorted her to the Hanging Flower Gate, and Miao, having heard the news, hurried over to personally see Mrs. Shi off, repeatedly expressing her hopes regarding Du Yunying’s situation.
Mrs. Shi responded with a smile, mentioning that Shi Qingyu would definitely come for Du Yunluo’s birthday.
As the carriage left Du Mansion, Miao eagerly asked Mrs. Zhen, "What did Mrs. Shi say?"
"Mrs. Shi said everything in front of Old Mrs. Xia," Mrs. Zhen replied simply. "Now it’s not about what Sister Shi said, but about what the Old Master and Old Mrs. say."
Miao understood this logic and nodded before leaving.
Mrs. Zhen turned to pull Du Yunluo by the hand and said: "Nannan, come home with me. Your father should be back from the office soon."
Du Yunluo nodded eagerly. She raised her eyes to meet Mrs. Zhen’s teasing gaze and, despite feeling guilty, forced a smile in return.
The mother and daughter entered the East Wing, and Mrs. Zhen dismissed Shui Yue, leaving only Du Yunluo with her.
Seeing this setup, Du Yunluo knew Mrs. Zhen was about to interrogate her.
"Mother," Du Yunluo approached and hugged Mrs. Zhen’s waist, acting coyly, "You mentioned earlier about Third Sister’s little temper. If Sister Yu ask me about it, what should I say?"
Mrs. Zhen couldn’t help but laugh. The girl was clever, trying to sidestep the issue. She raised her hand and lightly tapped her daughter’s forehead twice: "What should you say? You clearly know what to say. You certainly have your own ideas, don’t you?"
Mrs. Zhen’s words made Du Yunluo break into a cold sweat. She chuckled sheepishly and refused to let go.
Mrs. Zhen was helpless against her and could only keep a stern face, saying, "Stand up straight for me. I want to know the truth. Did you meet the Princely Heir at Qinglian Temple?"
Truthfully, not a word could be left out. If Mrs. Zhen found out she had talked to Mu Lianxiao while her hair was disheveled and they had some physical contact, Mrs. Zhen might faint.
"Well..." Du Yunluo blinked, "Mother, even if I knew he was there, how could I have had time to look for him in the temple given the limited time we had?"
This reasoning seemed somewhat valid, except for the time Du Yunluo spent resting in the guest room, she was mostly with Mrs. Zhen.
Mrs. Zhen was about to nod, but after pondering Du Yunluo’s words again, she was suddenly amused and annoyed: "If you knew, would you have gone looking for him? Are you not a proper young lady?"
Du Yunluo pouted, muttering, "If I say I wouldn’t look for him, Mother wouldn’t believe me anyway..."
This time, it was Mrs. Zhen’s turn to be at a loss for words, because indeed, she didn’t believe her.
Back at Fa Yin Temple, even with her injured foot, she stretched her neck out to look. Even when Mu Lianxiao disappeared from sight, she still eagerly watched. When the Imperial Consort returned to the capital, and if she could leave home, she might have even gone out to catch a glimpse.
Her heart was thoroughly attached to Mu Lianxiao.
Sighing, Mrs. Zhen tapped Du Yunluo’s forehead twice again: "It’s true what they say, a grown daughter can’t be kept at home, referring precisely to you."
