Chapter 121: Chapter 120: Quick Resolution (200+ Monthly Tickets)
Sure, here is the translation:
Mrs. Zhen escorted Nanny Su out.
Du Yunying’s attention had already fallen on those gifts, urging Du Yunluo to open them and have a look.
At first glance, not only Du Yunying paused, but Du Yunluo also froze.
Even knowing that the gifts from Dingyuan Marquis Mansion were certainly fine, Du Yunluo was still astounded by their exquisite appearance.
In the past, Mrs. Zhou didn’t treat her warmly, but she was never shortchanged in gifts and rewards; every piece was top-notch, and it was the same now.
The jewelry and hair ornaments, although not as grand as those from the Imperial Household, were definitely not ordinary market items - not only finely crafted but also made with exquisite materials.
The rouge and scented dew were carefully selected, suitable for girls her age, neither gaudy nor overly elegant.
Then, looking at those fabric pieces, any girl couldn’t tear her eyes away.
Du Yunying was filled with envy but quickly realized that she would soon be heading to Uncle Chengyi’s Mansion, which was leisurely and noble, with no pursuit of official career. As long as they carried the title, their living standards would be different from ordinary families, and she would have these nice things as well.
Although, liking these things might be considered shallow and superficial by some, who doesn’t love good things?
In this regard, Du Yunying was much like the Miao family.
Rather being suffocated and burdened by the heavy makeup of high-ranking wives, than being unpresentable and at ease.
Those who call others superficial are either those who already own better things and are high above others or those who say sour grapes when they can’t have them.
Du Yunying thought it better to be practical.
The gift list was put away by Jin Rui, while Du Yunluo picked out two boxes of rouge, giving one to Du Yunying and keeping the other for Du Yunnuo.
Du Yunying thanked her with a smile, dabbed a bit of rouge onto her fingertip, tested it on the back of her hand, and asked, "Does this color look nice?"
"It’s just right for you, Third Sister, that’s why I gave it to you," Du Yunluo replied.
This compliment felt comfortable, making Du Yunying smile even more.
When Du Yunnuo came over to receive the box of rouge, her eyes showed undisguised surprise, "I have one too?"
"Now, it’s just the three of us in the family, of course, each of us has a share," Du Yunluo said.
Du Yunnuo thought for a moment, nodded slowly, and accepted it.
Once Du Yunluo’s birthday passed, Mrs. Zhen eagerly anticipated the twelfth lunar month.
According to convention, Lishan Academy would go on holiday as soon as the twelfth lunar month began, allowing students from afar to return home for the New Year.
Counting carefully, Du Yundi would be back in the capital before the Laba Festival.
Meanwhile, Du Yunying’s marriage proposal with the Second Young Master of Uncle Chengyi’s Mansion was confirmed before the twelfth month.
The two families exchanged betrothal cards, and in a swift arrangement, the astrological compatibility checks were completed quickly, and once reported to the palace, even the preliminary engagement ceremony was set before the twelfth month.
Miao Family was so pleased they smiled every time they met someone. Though she was so busy with the twelfth lunar month and January that her feet barely touched the ground, she was not impatient with these sudden events, preparing for them meticulously.
Du Yunying was sequestered in Shuifu Garden by the Miao Family, not allowed to go anywhere except to pay respect at Lianfu Garden, just waiting for the day to arrive.
The Miao Family spoke cheerfully to Old Mrs. Xia, "Thankfully, the preliminary engagement ceremony is a bit more troublesome for the groom’s side, and there aren’t many tasks for us on the bride’s side. Otherwise, these sudden events would have me quite flustered."
Old Mrs. Xia was also full of smiles.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Liao sat aside, a trace of worry creeping into her brow.
Regarding this marriage matter, Mrs. Liao only realized it after the results of the astrological matching were delivered.
Initially, she muttered under her breath how the second branch seemed like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, and thought it was just the Second Young Master, who wouldn’t inherit the title, merely a name significant so to speak.
It wasn’t until she visited Duke Jing Mansion again that she realized the intricacies involved.
Upon returning, Mrs. Liao’s face turned as pale as if dusted with powder, making Du Yunnuo nervously frightened, fearing she might collapse suddenly, busy patting her back and rubbing her chest.
Mrs. Liao clutched Du Yunnuo’s wrist, gasping, "Did you know nothing about this matter beforehand?"
Du Yunnuo pursed her lips and shook her head.
"Was Mrs. Shi the matchmaker, and was Shi Qingyu present for Yunluo’s birthday? Didn’t you catch any whisperings at Anhua Courtyard?" Mrs. Liao pressed on skeptically with two more questions.
Du Yunnuo could only shake her head again, repeatedly insisting she was unaware.
Unable to glean any results, Mrs. Liao had no choice but to release her.
Du Yunnuo secretly rubbed the wrist that had been pinched sore by Mrs. Liao.
So, that day when Du Yunying excused her, it was all about this matter, no wonder only the three of them were smiling brightly, keeping her in the dark.
Regarding this matter, it could be told to anyone except Du Yunnuo.
Mrs. Liao was the legitimate mother of Du Yunnuo. If she knew, she should inform her; if she withheld it intentionally, Mrs. Liao would hold her accountable, resulting in her suffering.
Better she didn’t know.
They kept it from her, which was for the best.
it spared her from being caught in a bind, being at odds with everyone.
Mrs. Liao did not probe Du Yunnuo further, but was annoyed by the Miao family’s high-handedness, inevitably uttering some sour remarks behind their back.
Yet, verbal relief did not alter the situation.
Mrs. Liao truly worried about the future of Princess An Ran.
Uncle Chengyi’s Mansion had been disrupted by Du Yunying’s antics akin to Cheng Yaojin, leaving Old Master with more headaches, determined to marry off the County Princess, making sure to settle on a candidate.
No one knew who it would be in the end.
On November 28, Mrs. Quanfu, sent by Uncle Chengyi’s Mansion, arrived for the preliminary engagement ceremony.
Du Yunluo met the lady at Lianfu Garden, being the younger sister of Uncle Chengyi’s wife, with a steady temperament, scarce with smiles but clearly warm-hearted beneath a cold exterior.
Once exchanging salutations, Du Yunluo proceeded to Shuifu Garden for the ceremony.
Du Yunying was dressed splendidly today; her beauty, already clear and captivating, became even more enchanting after careful adornment.
The lady helped her with coiffure and hair pins, instructed diligently, and then left with Miao Family to enjoy the engagement feast.
As soon as they departed, Du Yunying, who had been sitting prim and proper, immediately relaxed, half-reclining on the couch.
Raising her eyes to find Du Yunluo watching her, Du Yunying took a deep breath of relief, "This is considered settled, right? No more changes, right? I’ve been truly anxious, fearing the marriage might fall through again."
Du Yunluo couldn’t help but laugh.
"That lady seems a bit stern." Du Yunying whispered.
"I heard that when Uncle Chengyi’s Heir’s Wife had her preliminary engagement ceremony, the same lady was there too, so it seems the mansion is satisfied with you, Third Sister."
Du Yunying’s eyes lit up, "That’s good."
The sisters-in-law sharing the same lady for their engagement ceremony meant there was no disparity, and as the younger sister-in-law, she really had no reason to nitpick.
After sitting dazed for a while, Du Yunying said, "Uncle Chengyi’s Mansion is anxious; I might be marrying out by spring or summer next year, which is quite good. After eldest sister and second sister, it’s my turn; once I’m married, I won’t stand in your way."
Upon hearing her words, Du Yunluo bit into a cloud bean cake, glanced at Du Yunying, thinking how Third Sister was truly still her old self, unwilling to overstep others, nor let anyone overstep her.
The topic naturally turned to Duke Jing Mansion again, but purely through speculation, no one could discern how things would turn out.
However, the next day, Du Yunluo knew the answer.
Old Master had chosen Qiao Yue, the illegitimate son of Uncle Enrong’s Mansion, and Uncle Enrong’s Mansion had accepted, with both families reporting to the imperial front, only waiting for an official decree after the New Year.
