Chapter 30: Chapter 29: White Snake
Having received the imperial decree, my mind was set at ease.
Du Yunluo had a very restful night and woke up feeling refreshed.
Since it was the Dragon Boat Festival, mugwort and calamus were already hung before the porch. Du Yunluo lifted her white wrist to look at the colored cord, and then headed to Lianfu Garden.
Lianfu Garden was bustling with joy.
Old Mrs. Xia called her over, hugged her, and said, "Join your grandmother for lunch. Your second uncle has invited performers. After the noon nap, Yunluo, join us to watch the performance."
Du Gongfu loved opera very much, and Old Mrs. Xia also enjoyed it. Being a filial son, Du Huaiping would always invite performers during festivals.
The Du Mansion wasn’t what it used to be. Du Gongfu listened to opera without extravagance, no stage, no banquet, just enjoying the performance in the spacious Flower Hall.
Du Yunluo agreed, turning her gaze to see Du Yunying with a joyful expression, and even Du Yunnuo seemed a bit excited, leaving her puzzled for a moment.
These two usually didn’t like opera, so why did they show such anticipation?
Old Mrs. Xia saw Du Yunluo’s attention on the two sisters and, knowing it would soon be uncovered, said frankly, "There’s a dragon boat race outside today, they’ll go with Yun Lang and Yun Lan to watch. Stay with your grandmother instead."
Du Yunluo suddenly understood.
Du Yunlang and Du Yunlan were young men; as long as they stayed within limits, no one would restrain them from going out. For the young ladies, it was different.
Du Yunnuo had been careful these days and wouldn’t dare ask Du Yunlan.
Only Du Yunying, thinking that after her coming-of-age ceremony, it would be harder to go out, persuaded the Miao Family and Du Yunlang to take her along with Du Yunnuo to watch the boats.
On usual days, such events wouldn’t go without including Du Yunluo, but since the imperial decree had just been issued yesterday, she had to stay low-key and proper for a while to avoid attention.
Though tempted by the lively boat races, Du Yunluo nodded dutifully, "Grandmother, what opera are we going to listen to?"
Seeing Du Yunluo not begging to go along, Old Mrs. Xia secretly sighed with relief. Seeing how well-behaved her granddaughter was, her heart was filled with both pity and joy. "What would Yunluo like to hear?"
The grandmother and granddaughter discussed passionately, and Du Yunnuo, observing this, just thought about going out today, and didn’t bother to feel jealous.
In the afternoon, the performers entered the mansion.
With women listening, a screen was set up in the Flower Hall to separate the space. Du Yunluo sat at the back with Old Mrs. Xia.
Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunru were also there, making Old Mrs. Xia smile even more. She liked this group from the third branch, believing they were the kind of daughter-in-law and granddaughter who could get along well with her and thus were delightful.
The performers presented a list of operas, and Nanny Xu handed it to Old Mrs. Xia.
Old Mrs. Xia, well-aware of what was on it, didn’t read it and simply said to Nanny Xu, "Since today is the Dragon Boat Festival, let’s have a fitting performance. Go ask the Old Master if ’White Snake’ is suitable?"
Nanny Xu nodded and left. After a while, music sounded from outside—it was indeed ’White Snake’.
The performer’s voice was as clear as jade, melodious and floating in the air.
Mrs. Zhen whispered to Old Mrs. Xia, "Not worse than those famous troupes."
Old Mrs. Xia nodded with a smile.
From the first meeting at West Lake to the moment the realgar wine revealed its truth, Du Yunru suddenly picked up a wine cup from the table, dipped her fingertip, turned to dot it on Du Yunluo’s lips.
Du Yunluo was taken aback, instinctively licked it—realgar wine.
Du Yunru chuckled, "It’s about to reveal the true form."
Mrs. Zhen laughed out, lightly patting Du Yunru’s hand, "Such nonsense!"
Even Old Mrs. Xia couldn’t help but laugh, pulling Du Yunluo into her arms, "Our Yunluo is not Lady Bai."
Leaning against Old Mrs. Xia, thinking about Lady Bai’s experience, Du Yunluo’s smile unwittingly turned to a bit forced.
She wasn’t Lady Bai, but she understood Lady Bai’s heart.
Separated from her husband, imprisoned under Leifeng Pagoda for eighteen years, wasn’t it also green lamp and old Buddha?
Lady Bai waited for Shilin to offer sacrifices at the pagoda, and when she was freed, everything had changed. Du Yunluo closed and opened her eyes, living a new life.
Misfortune is always misfortune, but fortune is each one’s own luck.
If you ask Du Yunluo, in this vast world, having someone whose memory remains unforgettable in life and death, it is already a fortunate event.
The capital lay by the water, and on the great river, dragon boats gathered strength, ready to set off.
By the river, a shed was set up. The Du siblings brought attendants and maids. Though there were many people, it wasn’t crowded.
Du Yunnuo, having stepped out of the mansion, dispersed the gloom of the past few days, leaving an irrepressible smile on her face.
On the surface of the water, a large and magnificent dragon boat in the distance caught everyone’s attention.
Du Yunying asked curiously, "Today’s dragon boat race is about speed. Is this big boat going to participate, too?"
Du Yunlang had sharp eyes, just glimpsing a figure in bright yellow at the helm of the large dragon boat, causing his heart to tremble. After confirming with Du Yunlan, he said, "Do not talk nonsense, that is the dragon boat of the Holy Emperor. The Holy Emperor has come to watch the race."
Du Yunying’s eyes widened, and Du Yunnuo was equally astonished. As they were born of an official family, they instinctively held a sense of respect and awe for the Holy Emperor, immediately lowering their heads.
Du Yunlan, with good eyes, stared for a while and whispered to Du Yunlang, "Second brother, the young man beside the Holy Emperor, isn’t he the princely heir?"
"Which princely heir?" Du Yunlang straightforwardly asked. The capital was filled with nobles beyond count, and those called princely heirs were more than two hands could number.
Du Yunlan cleared his throat, "Our fifth sister’s fiancé."
Though the voice was clear, both Du Yunnuo and Du Yunying heard it and, not caring about the Holy Emperor’s majesty, tried to widen their eyes to see the young man clearly. But it was too far away, and they only saw that he was wearing a blue brocade robe. Whether it was due to his martial training or his pine-like stance, though his face was unclear, he still gave an impression of upright elegance.
Du Yunying cast her gaze downward, lost in thought.
Du Yunnuo blinked; someone who could win the heart of Princess An Ran surely wasn’t lacking in appearance. Yet, unfortunately, with fate being unkind, she wasn’t sure if the delicate Du Yunluo could handle the blessings of this life.
On the dragon boat, Mu Lianxiao was naturally unaware of the thoughts of the people far away on the shore.
He had received the imperial decree yesterday, and upon entering the palace today, he had to kneel and express gratitude, yet was detained by the Holy Emperor, who was interested in watching the boat race and brought them all aboard this dragon boat.
During daylight, no matter whom he met, they all smiled and offered congratulations. Even someone like him, who wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the marriage, felt a bit bashful after listening to others.
He also saw Princess An Ran, who stood ten steps away, with eyes only filled with resentment and unwillingness.
He thought he had to avoid crossing paths with Princess An Ran, having become engaged, knowing her temperament, who knew what rumors might arise again.
For a man, some rumors might be trivial, but involving Du Yunluo without reason was another matter...
In the past, Mu Lianxiao had heard of Du Yunluo’s name. People said she was indeed beautiful, but too arrogant in temper.
Mu Lianxiao disliked talking about the pros and cons of girls. Moreover, these stories often distorted the truth, growing wildly out of proportion. He just let them pass by after hearing them.
It wasn’t until Princess An Ran stopped him one day, speaking ill of Du Yunluo, that he learned their families were discussing marriage.
Marriage matters are typically decided by the elders, but upon hearing the gossip flying around the city, he felt uneasy. When Mrs. Shi suggested requesting the imperial decree, Mu Lianxiao also voiced his request in front of the Old Madam.
The surprised expression of the Old Madam at that time was still vivid before him. Mu Lianxiao took a deep breath; he just thought that this was unfairly troublesome for Du Yunluo, and after implicating her, he didn’t want her to be unable to hold her head high in the future.
"Ah Shao," the Holy Emperor called, seeing the young man behind him a bit lost in thought, couldn’t help but smile, "Oh, thinking about your new bride?"
Mu Lianxiao promptly clasped his hands and apologized.
The Holy Emperor pointed to the large drum on the top level of the dragon boat, "I’m going to have you beat the drum as a penalty."
