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

Chapter 206: Chapter 205: Stubbornness

The night deepened.

Du Yunlang’s alcohol tolerance wasn’t outstanding, and both Du Yunlan and Du Yundi were just about the same, able to help block some drinks but not enough to stand guard like a fortress.

As the guests gradually returned to their residences, Du Yunlang could no longer stand steadily.

Madam Miao called for Quan Yin, instructing her to bring two maids to help support Du Yunlang back to Chunhua Courtyard.

Just as Quan Yin was arranging manpower, Mrs. Zhen interjected, whispering to Madam Miao: "Ideally, Yunlan and Yundi should escort Yunlang back, but those two lads can barely walk themselves. Second Sister-in-law, better not have the maids take him either. Let Mrs. Shen Changgen’s from the household bring a strong servant woman to help escort him back. At this point, there’s no need to invite unnecessary gossip."

Madam Miao widened her eyes, glancing once towards the brightly lit Lianfu Garden.

Du Yunlang was heavily intoxicated, and while he might be careless, the maids might unintentionally cause some pulling and tugging while steadying him. If Xia Anxin saw this, what would she think?

Since she had accepted this daughter-in-law to satisfy Old Mrs. Xia, she had put in much effort. Now, with the doorstep final kick ahead, causing unnecessary chatter would be completely detrimental.

Busy and dizzy as she was, she hadn’t thought of this, thanks to Mrs. Zhen’s reminder. Madam Miao nodded repeatedly, "Sister-in-law, your consideration is indeed meticulous. It makes sense."

Having said that, she didn’t ask Quan Yin to proceed but instead instructed Mrs. Shen Changgen’s to come over with the servant woman to send Du Yunlang to Anhua Courtyard.

Quan Yin stood beside Madam Miao, biting her lower lip, glaring secretly at Mrs. Zhen.

This Third Madam really knows how to manage matters, calculating so meticulously as if suspecting Quan Yin herself might have inappropriate thoughts.

She was Madam Miao’s maid; if she had any intentions, would she have waited until now?

Today was Du Yunlang’s big wedding day; even if given a hundred chances, she wouldn’t dare stir up trouble at this moment.

Besides, she had no such intentions at all.

Mrs. Zhen’s precautions made her feel wronged and resentful.

And concerning Xia Anxin, if Xia Anxin became suspicious due to this and drifted from Du Yunlang, how could such a narrow-minded person possibly be worthy of marrying Du Yunlang?

The more Quan Yin thought, the angrier she became, twisting the handkerchief in her hands vigorously, almost tearing it apart.

Madam Miao did not have the time to pay attention to Quan Yin’s minor moods, for she had other troubling matters.

The issue of her falling out with the Liao Family was somewhat known among familiar ladies, but upon hearing it, few truly cared. Everyone knew how much maternal families meant—every family had its quarrels, but how many truly broke ties?

After all, she was their biological daughter; no matter how harsh the arguments, say a few good words after returning, as her parents were still alive, they couldn’t be heartless enough to abandon their daughter.

But today, at the banquet, everyone could see that Madam Miao had not reconciled with her maternal family yet.

Even though her legitimate grandson was marrying, no one from the maternal family, who were in the Capital, attended.

Everyone was wise enough to understand from this stance.

They didn’t say it outright, but behind the scenes, there was a lot of gossip, not only about Madam Miao but also about how the Liao Family didn’t grasp the situation.

The Liao Family was neither here nor there, much inferior to the Du Family. If they were smart, they would have used Du Yunlang’s marriage to settle matters, after all, Du Yunying was marrying into the Chengyi Bo Mansion, which was much more dignified for the Liao Family as Du Yunying’s maternal relatives.

Even if not directly climbing to success from this, it would still be beneficial for the fortunes of their sons and daughters.

Yet, the Liao Family remained stubborn.

While no one mentioned this to Madam Miao’s face, she understood well in her heart.

She hadn’t ruled out reconciling with her maternal family; though the past grievances were essentially over, and the quarrels passed. In calm reflection, thinking of her parents, she couldn’t bear to be heartless and wanted to use the excuse of sending a wedding invitation to mend relations.

As for Lianfu Garden, Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia cherished their reputation. If the Liao Family wanted to attend Du Yunlang’s wedding, they would have been welcomed for sure.

However, Madam Miao needed to maintain her decorum, she didn’t visit personally but had Mrs. Shen Changgen’s deliver the invitations instead.

Unexpectedly, Madam Miao’s sister-in-law didn’t take notice, sending a word that, if they wanted to invite the ’uncle’ to feast on Lang’s wedding wine, then Lang should deliver the invitations personally. If the groom was too busy, Ying could make the trip instead.

Mrs. Shen Changgen’s was trembling with anger upon her return and reported to Madam Miao, who nearly smashed the antique shelf in her room.

While she could put aside her face, she was not willing to let Du Yunlang and Du Yunying stick their necks out just to have her sister-in-law slap their faces. It went without saying regarding Old Mrs. Xia. If Madam Miao dared to let Du Yunlang and Du Yunying go, Old Mrs. Xia would have her kneel in the courtyard for an entire day.

Madam Miao immediately decided: they could come if they wished.

The stalemate remained, leading to today’s situation.

Madam Miao was angry yet unrepentant, though the gossip still left her uneasy.

Du Yunlang, as a young master, marrying Xia Anxin whom they knew well, wouldn’t be affected by the discord with their maternal family. What truly concerned Madam Miao was Du Yunying.

This was the Chengyi Bo Mansion, a legacy inherited since the dawn of the dynasty. Regardless of the successor’s talents, their reputation was impeccable.

Had there been even one lapse in management, it wouldn’t have lasted to this day.

Would the Elder Mansion care about Du Yunying’s relationship with her maternal family?

Madam Miao worriedly poured out her concerns to Mrs. Zhen while holding her hand.

Mrs. Zhen offered a few words of comfort; having no interaction with the Chengyi Bo Mansion, she dared not speak with assurance.

Quan Yin, listening nearby, glanced at Mrs. Zhen, thinking how she was adept at delivering polite yet ambiguous words of no practical use.

After her venting, Madam Miao felt slightly relieved, calming down to think. With two months until Du Yunying’s wedding, she had poured her whole heart into preparing her dowry. To elevate Du Yunying’s standing in the Elder Mansion, she needed another strategy.

In just two short months, making the Du Family soar to greater heights was impossible; borrowing help through marital alliances...

The unmarried ones left were Du Yundi and Yunuo.

About Du Yundi, Du Gongfu awaited for him to pass the imperial examination, so matchmaking now was out of the question, leaving only Du Yunru.

As Du Yunru contemplated her uncertain future, Madam Miao also worried for her, eager to find a good match so the sisters could support one another.

Thinking like this, Madam Miao couldn’t help but silently curse the Liao Family again. Not being a biological daughter, the Liao Family showed no urgency; Du Yunnuo was turning fifteen in September, yet no arrangements had been made. Would they actually wait for the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion to come for Du Yunluo before moving Yunuo, her elder sister, forward?

Madam Miao shook her head repeatedly; though she had no suitable match now, if she did, she’d be the first to secure a marriage proposal for Du Yunuo tomorrow morning.

Inside Chunhua Courtyard, Mrs. Shen Changgen’s helped Xia Anxin escort Du Yunlang to his main room.

Seeing that no gaudy young concubine was helping Du Yunlang back, the Nannies who came with the Xia Family were extremely satisfied. Xia Anxin’s wet nurse orchestrated the scene, directing the preparation of hot water and sobering soup, keeping everyone busily engaged.

Du Yunluo and her sisters didn’t linger to make a scene in Chunhua Courtyard; after saluting Xia Anxin, they withdrew together.