Good Ending: She Swears She Will Not Let Him Die!

Chapter 203: Chapter 202: A Happy Occasion (Monthly Ticket 420+)

The lights were indeed still on in Qinghui Garden.

Seeing her return, Mrs. Zhen sent someone to Lianfu Garden to report the news, and then affectionately addressed Nannan while carefully asking about the hunting ground matters.

Hearing that Du Yunluo did not ride a horse, Mrs. Zhen was relieved, "It’s good not to ride, with your riding skills, it’s better not to scare anyone."

Du Yunluo knew her limits and was accustomed to Mrs. Zhen’s teasing. She remembered what she had said before and hugged Mrs. Zhen’s waist, saying, "I don’t care; I will learn eventually."

Mrs. Zhen laughed heartily.

After talking with her mother for a while, Du Yunluo remembered to ask about Du Huaili, "Where’s father?"

"Don’t mind him, he’s been so busy these few days that his feet haven’t touched the ground," Mrs. Zhen said.

Du Yunluo understood. De’an was severely affected by water issues, and since Du Huaili had some expertise in water management, he had been busy ever since being called to assist the Ministry of Industry.

That night, Du Yunluo stayed in the green gauze cabinet.

For the next five days, Du Huaili did not return to the mansion, only sending a servant to fetch a few clothes to take to the Six Ministries.

Mrs. Zhen was concerned and had the kitchen prepare some of Du Huaili’s favorite pastries and soups to be sent over.

When refugees from De’an began to appear in the suburb, the people in the Capital were in a panic again.

Most of the refugees were alone, in tattered clothes, covered in mud, and looking miserably disheveled. The government hurriedly set up tents at the city gates, distributing congee and grain, as they couldn’t let these people starve to death.

It was not until the end of April that the official road from the Capital to De’an was finally cleared.

With the rain gone and the sun shining brightly, those who were unaware might think this was a good thing, but Du Huaili told Du Yunluo there was more to it.

With the heat, diseases could easily spread, and the Imperial Hospital’s staff were on edge.

Listening to the father-daughter question and answer, Mrs. Zhen shook her head, "Nannan, your father hasn’t had a good rest for some time, and here you are pestering him with all sorts of questions."

Du Yunluo stuck out her tongue and giggled.

Mrs. Zhen continued, "And you, she’s just a girl, why does she need to know all this?"

Du Huaili was always kind and gentle with his daughter, unlike his strict demeanor towards Du Yundi. He patted Du Yunluo on the head, saying, "Since Yunluo wants to know, I tell her. Even though she’s a girl, learning more isn’t a bad thing. Previously, Yunluo didn’t care about these things, but now that she’s going out more, she’s becoming more thoughtful, and that’s good."

With Du Huaili standing by her, Mrs. Zhen couldn’t say much more, so she tapped Du Yunluo’s forehead, "Go rest early. Whatever you want to ask, it can wait for tomorrow."

Du Yunluo complied.

Over the following half month, just as Du Huaili had predicted, an epidemic broke out in De’an. Thankfully, the government had been prepared, and it did not widely spread, which was a blessing amidst the misfortune.

As De’an’s disaster gradually subsided, some refugees began returning home, while others sought livelihoods in the Capital. The worrisome scenes at the city gates disappeared, and people’s hearts slowly settled.

The Du Mansion was filled with joy these days.

Du Yunlang and Xia Anxin’s wedding was imminent.

The Miao Family had several new outfits tailored and prepared many ornaments, radiating joy.

In private, Liao Family made a sour remark, saying that the Miao Family was acting as if they were the ones getting married, as the mother-in-law was making new clothes before the bride even entered the house, which was laughable.

But only Liao Family would say such things.

In Lianfu Garden, Old Mrs. Xia didn’t say a word.

Du Yunlang was marrying a girl from her own family, and Miao Family’s joy was seen as an elevation of Xia Anxin. Besides, Old Mrs. Xia had seen the jewelry, which was of the style that young ladies love, unsuitable for Miao Family to wear, clearly meant as future gifts for the daughter-in-law. So, Old Mrs. Xia had no objections.

Liao Family might have been sour, but with a wedding in the family, she couldn’t spoil the mood. In front of Old Mrs. Xia, she frequently praised Xia Anxin and repeatedly suggested to Old Mrs. Xia that Jiang Si Niang should be married into the family in the fall.

Flattering in the right way brought a smile to Old Mrs. Xia’s face, but she wasn’t entirely agreeable when it came to Du Yunlan’s marriage.

She certainly wanted a timely wedding, but Jiang Si Niang was the Jiang Family’s precious pearl, and it was necessary to wait until they were willing to let her go. She didn’t want to rush and ruin the relationship.

Liao Family understood this well and secretly planned to send someone to the Jiang Family to feel things out.

Marrying a wife was a joyous occasion, and the more the Miao Family reveled in it, the more envious Liao Family became.

Jiang Si Niang’s status was comparable to Xia Anxin’s, ensuring an even more dignified marriage.

On the twenty-first of May, Mrs. Quanfu from Xia’s Flower Stepping Hall came over. As the families were already connected by marriage, they enjoyed a lively gathering.

That night, Du Yundi also returned home and was quickly pulled by Du Yunlan to find Du Yunlang for drinks, joking that once Xia Anxin entered the home, Du Yunlang wouldn’t be able to mess around with his brothers anymore.

Mrs. Zhen laughed heartily—did she not know the antics of these three brothers? Which of them dared to cause trouble? Their so-called "messing around" meant nothing more than drinking till they were tipsy, nothing serious. Thus, she did not restrain them, only advising moderation so they wouldn’t get Du Yunlang too drunk and ruin the important events of the next day.

The next morning, the Du Mansion bustled with excitement.

Clad in a bright red wedding robe, Du Yunlang bowed to Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia in Lianfu Garden before going to the Xia Family to fetch his bride at the auspicious time.

Du Yunlan, Du Yundi, and several of Du Yunlang’s friends joined him, determined to open the Xia Family’s door early and bring the bride back.

Many guests were present at the Du Family, all familiar families.

On such a joyous day, Liao Family dared not hinder Miao Family, and, along with Mrs. Zhen, the three sisters-in-law welcomed the guests, while the three young ladies entertained the young women of similar age.

Today, Du Yunying was not confined to Shuifu Garden. She took Du Yunluo’s hand and whispered, "I’ve been bored to death."

Du Yunluo chuckled non-stop. Du Yunying was to marry in two months, and because she was marrying into the Elder Mansion, Miao Family was particularly attentive, so she was left to prepare her dowry, and even in her spare time, she was encouraged to practice music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

In private, Du Yunying jokingly confided in Du Yunluo that Miao Family had gone nuts with this, but she understood it was purely out of concern, and so she had been quite compliant these past few months.

Du Yunluo stopped laughing and stared at her, "You better hurry; have you finished embroidering your dowry yet? Do you need Jin Ling to help?"

"You’re terrible!" Du Yunying blushed and gave Du Yunluo a playful slap, "And you dare to tease me, what about yourself?"

Just as they were joking, they heard the maids announce, "The eldest young mistress has returned," and Du Yunluo’s eyes lit up as she turned and ran toward the flower hall.

As she reached the second gate, she saw Du Yunru stepping down from a carriage with the help of a maid.

Du Yunru was six months pregnant, and her belly, larger than that of other women at the same stage, was round and heavy, making her cautious in her steps.

Du Yunluo approached her with a smile as bright as a flower.