Chapter 25: Chapter 24: Slamming the Table
Mrs. Zhen’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.
She only knew of the dispute between the two sisters and was unaware of the outside matters. Now, as it concerned her daughter’s marriage, she quickly held onto Du Yunluo’s shoulders, saying, "Nannan, however urgent it may be, first explain everything clearly to your mother."
Despite Du Yunluo’s sorrowful appearance, her heart was calm as a lake. She sat up straight and recounted the events in full detail.
Mrs. Zhen was protective, especially of her cherished youngest daughter, and her heart felt as if it were being cut by a knife: "Well, well, well, what a good Du Yunnuo. Last time, she eavesdropped on the old lady’s conversation to incite you. Fortunately, Nannan was sensible and didn’t fall for her trick. And now, she’s gossiping in front of outsiders, damaging my Nannan’s reputation!"
Mrs. Zhen was not in good health, and Du Yunluo feared that she might get too upset, so she quickly comforted her, "Mother, let Fourth Sister go about her own business. The most important thing is, what am I to do? The Princely Heir hasn’t even seen me yet and has already heard a heap of bad rumors about me."
After a few deep breaths, Mrs. Zhen composed herself slightly.
She scolded Du Yunnuo but wouldn’t take her too seriously either.
As an elder, if she were to haggle with a distantly related niece, it would seem as though she was bullying the weak, not to mention sticking her nose into others’ business. If Du Yunnuo was to be punished or disciplined, the old lady and the Liao Family could handle it; she wouldn’t interfere.
Within the Du Family, Mrs. Zhen had good rapport, primarily because she was neither overstepping nor fond of creating unnecessary trouble.
After cursing a few times, Mrs. Zhen focused on what Du Yunluo had said.
From the previous time when discussing the matter with Mrs. Xia, Mrs. Zhen understood the intentions of the two elders.
This marriage proposal, they intended to agree to.
Concerned about her daughter, Mrs. Zhen had privately communicated with her husband, Du Huaixi, several times, and eventually acknowledged the marriage.
Indeed, as Du Yunru said, no one can predict the future, but at the very least, Mu Lianxiao is decent now, and Yunluo herself likes him.
Mrs. Zhen embraced Du Yunluo, understanding that it was because of affection; upon hearing about it, her daughter would be so unsettled.
Patting Du Yunluo’s small face, Mrs. Zhen said, "Are you afraid the Princely Heir thinks poorly of you? Nannan, listen to your mother: The Princely Heir may not have seen you, but I think Nannan’s preferred Princely Heir will have his own opinions and ideas. If he looks down on you just because the County Princess spoke ill of you out of anger, is such a Princely Heir worthy of your affection?"
Du Yunluo raised her eyes, looking deeply at Mrs. Zhen, without even denying the word "affection."
She naturally understood Mu Lianxiao’s character; he wasn’t the type to be swayed by gossip, and Du Yunluo spoke so only because she feared Mrs. Zhen’s dislike for Mu Lianxiao, believing him to be too flirtatious.
In her past life, failing to choose the right stance between her maiden and in-law families led to such a fate. In this life, Du Yunluo hoped her parents would genuinely like their future son-in-law, wishing for a blessed marriage rather than one forced by death, with mutual resentment.
Seeing that her mother didn’t blame Mu Lianxiao at all and even helped her resolve her worries, Du Yunluo felt embarrassed for her petty thoughts.
She buried her head in Mrs. Zhen’s embrace, and called softly, "Mother..."
Mrs. Zhen’s previously pent-up emotions began to dissolve, assuming Du Yunluo was shy, she chuckled: "Nannan, good girl."
Du Yunluo held Mrs. Zhen’s waist without letting go: "Mother, how will people outside view my marriage with the Princely Heir? Will it seem that the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion hastily arranged the engagement for the sake of both families’ reputation?"
Mrs. Zhen stroked Du Yunluo’s long hair.
Du Yunluo’s hair resembled hers, straight and smooth, very pleasurable to touch.
Mrs. Zhen pursed her lips; Du Yunluo’s words weren’t fully explained, but she understood.
This marriage proposal initially came from the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion attempting to see if Du Yunluo was interested, but with the County Princess An Ran causing a scene, outsiders might perceive it as Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao having unclear relations, compelling both families to hastily arrange the union for the sake of reputation.
Whether people claimed Du Yunluo was arrogant or had a bad temper, Mrs. Zhen wouldn’t care, but when it came to integrity, it was another matter.
Moreover, Mrs. Zhen understood the County Princess An Ran’s temper; she might stir up trouble later.
The County Princess wasn’t afraid of disgrace, but she couldn’t let her Nannan suffer the consequences!
Though this trouble was caused by Du Yunnuo, at its core, the County Princess fancies Mu Lianxiao, and the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion must also bear some responsibility.
For the sake of both families, plans must be made.
While contemplating, Du Yunluo murmured softly, "In the drama, when the upright magistrate strikes the table, there’s a chorus of ’Mighty!’ below, and no one dares to utter a word. Mother, if it could be like the drama, with Father striking the table, silencing those rumors would be nice."
Mrs. Zhen couldn’t help but laugh; young girls love to concoct ideas. Du Huaixi was merely an Extraordinary Minister, not the Capital Prefect, how could he strike the table and silence everyone?
To speak disrespectfully, even the Emperor couldn’t truly silence all the talk across the realm.
At this thought, Mrs. Zhen suddenly paused and faintly gathered some insight.
An imperial decree — if an imperial decree were issued for bestowing the marriage, the County Princess An Ran wouldn’t dare to create havoc, let alone those who treated her daughter’s marriage as gossip.
This decree, the Du Family couldn’t request, but didn’t the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion still exist?
For the sake of saving face, they wouldn’t remain idle either.
With this consideration, Mrs. Zhen made up her mind and gently patted Du Yunluo’s shoulder: "Good child, go rest in the green gauze cabinet; Mother will go see your grandmother."
Du Yunluo looked up at her: "I want to go too."
"Nannan, don’t make a fuss," Mrs. Zhen persuaded a bit, relieved to find Du Yunluo not insistent, so she let Shui Yue attend to her changing and combing, then headed towards Lianfu Garden.
Du Yunluo watched her mother go away and, turning back, entered the green gauze cabinet.
She wanted an imperial decree but couldn’t personally bring it up with Mrs. Xia. Although she was favored, some words were still unspeakable.
Mrs. Zhen speaking from a mother’s stance resonated more with Mrs. Xia as an elder, far better than Du Yunluo crying and making a scene.
While Du Yunluo waited in peace, when Mrs. Zhen arrived at Lianfu Garden, Mrs. Miao was also present.
Mrs. Miao already heard the rumors from Du Huaiping and, with her managing the household, was aware of the happenings in Anhua Courtyard, causing her unspeakable infuriation.
Originally enjoying the drama between the third and fourth households, she found it amusing, but the internal disputes involving the entire city were two entirely different matters.
With Du Yunying preparing for her coming-of-age ceremony and discussions of marriage, such incidents damaging the reputation of the Du sisters were intolerable; Mrs. Miao wished she could tear Du Yunnuo’s mouth to shreds!
Especially since she had been there for a while, hearing the news brought by Lanzhi firsthand, further exacerbating her fury.
That Du Yunnuo, having done wrong, showed no remorse and only put on an act before Du Yunluo, why didn’t she directly come to Lianfu Garden to kneel?
She truly treated this family as fools!
