Chapter 52: Chapter 51: Raising a Son (Second Update)
Du Yunluo slowly nodded her head.
"The Princely Heir of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion is also someone we would consider reaching high for." Mrs. Zhen explained.
A hint of worry flashed between Du Yundi’s handsome brows. Considering Du Yunluo was present, he chose his words carefully before asking, "Why was the engagement made with the Marquis Mansion? We’ve never had any dealings with them..."
The concern was clear, warming the hearts of those present.
Du Yunru saw it clearly and smiled lightly, "Fourth Brother, are you afraid the Marquis Mansion will use their power to forcefully marry our Fifth Sister? Let me tell you, this clever one is actually happy in her heart; who knows where she got the idea, but she’s a hundred thousand satisfied with the Princely Heir. If Grandfather and Grandmother didn’t agree, I reckon she’d pine away with longing before too long."
"Nonsense!" Mrs. Zhen quickly waved to cut off Du Yunru’s words and gave her a scolding glance, "If these words get out, everyone would laugh at Nannan."
Du Yunru pursed her lips and said no more, glancing at Du Yunluo, who neither appeared angry nor shy, but rather with a look of daydreaming, mingled with a bit of adorableness, making Du Yunru laugh uncontrollably again.
Mrs. Zhen reached out to pull Du Yunluo into her embrace, comforting, "Nannan, be good, don’t listen to your sister’s nonsense."
Leaning against Mrs. Zhen, Du Yunluo wanted to say that Du Yunru hadn’t said a single word wrong, that she was indeed happy, a hundred thousand satisfied, and indeed lovesick, but she couldn’t say it out loud, so she just lowered her eyes and responded quietly.
Du Yundi glanced between Du Yunru and Du Yunluo, pursed his lips tightly.
The sound of greetings came from the courtyard; it was Huaili returning, prompting Mrs. Zhen to release Du Yunluo and rise to go out to welcome him.
Before entering the house, Huaili knew Du Yundi had come home. Upon seeing the vibrant youth indoors, a weight lifted from his heart, and he nodded, "It’s good you’re back. Even though you weren’t at the academy these past days, don’t neglect your studies. If you have questions, come to me or your grandfather."
Du Yundi bowed respectfully, complying promptly.
Mrs. Zhen cast a reproachful look at Huaili. Before Du Yundi returned, this father was also worried about his well-being. Now, upon meeting, he starts with studies. Having finally gotten a few days off, he couldn’t relax, indeed...
But such words, Mrs. Zhen wouldn’t dispute with Huaili in front of the children.
Du Yundi, being a son, couldn’t be pampered like the daughters; Huaili’s strict discipline wasn’t wrong.
As a mother, Mrs. Zhen could only ensure her son was well-fed and warm and that those serving him were carefully selected.
The maids set the table, and besides the extra dishes as per Mrs. Zhen’s instructions, some of Du Yundi’s favorite foods were sent from Lianfu Garden, filling the table to the brim. Even though Du Yundi was indeed hungry, he couldn’t finish all the food, leaving some to be rewarded to the servants.
In front of his daughters, Huaili had always been warm and kind, but once Du Yundi returned, he unconsciously displayed a bit of sternness.
Du Yunluo, knowing her father’s temperament well, turned away to hide her smile.
As the second gate was about to be locked, Du Yundi couldn’t stay longer, so Mrs. Zhen let the three children disperse.
Du Yunluo was escorted back to Anhua Courtyard by the maids and womenservants, while Du Yundi circled outside Qinghui Garden, then turned back in to seek Du Yunru.
Du Yunru was quite surprised, "Weren’t you heading to the front?"
"Big Sister, is this engagement truly to our Fifth Sister’s liking? I noticed she seemed a bit dull. When the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was mentioned, she didn’t look shy like a typical girl..." Du Yundi was concerned about Du Yunluo, the engagement matter between the two families had been weighing on his mind for two months; he wouldn’t rest easy until he understood it.
Du Yunru was taken aback, then seeing Du Yundi’s earnest gaze, she couldn’t help but smile, "Our Fifth Sister is truly a treasure; everyone cares about her. I just spoke the truth at Mother’s place, didn’t deceive you. Initially, when Mrs. Shi from the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion spoke of the proposal, and Grandfather and Grandmother were undecided, Fifth Sister herself told me she wanted to marry there. Her thoughts were crystal clear to me. As for shyness, you still don’t know our Fifth Sister, do you? Her skin’s thick enough to make gelatin."
Du Yundi couldn’t help but laugh, and after the laughter, he felt relieved. Seeing the joke from Du Yunru, it was clear she wasn’t making it up.
With the weight slowly lifting from his heart, Du Yundi said, "That’s good, as long as she’s happy."
Du Yunru nodded, "You don’t need to worry for her. I’ve noticed she’s become more sensible in these few months compared to a few years ago. Though she may sometimes appear dazed, she knows clear well in her heart."
Listening to Du Yunru’s words, Du Yundi also felt reassured. Seeing it was getting late, he left hurriedly.
The next morning, after paying respects at Lianfu Garden, Mrs. Zhen returned to Qinghui Garden and called upon the young servant Attendant Student by Du Yundi’s side.
These two were personally selected by Mrs. Zhen, for familiarity and trustworthiness.
The young servant called Si Shui, his parents were part of Mrs. Zhen’s dowry from her family and now work at the dowry estate. The Attendant Student is named Chang An; his father used to serve at the Old Master’s study and is literate. Chang An learned some from his father in childhood, perhaps due to this, he is more stable and patient than other children of similar age born into the household.
The two came together, paid their respects to Mrs. Zhen, and waited with their heads lowered for her inquiry.
Mrs. Zhen didn’t ask other things, she only inquired about the arrangements at the academy and if Du Yundi associated with others besides his classmates; the two answered one by one.
Seeing everything was usual, Mrs. Zhen was about to ask Shui Yue to get the reward money when she noticed Si Shui and Chang An exchanging a timid glance.
Perceptive as Mrs. Zhen, she immediately spotted the clue and sternly said, "What haven’t you told me? Speak clearly."
Si Shui wore a distressed expression, nudged Chang An with his elbow.
Chang An felt a chill run down his spine, only feeling as though Mrs. Zhen’s piercing gaze would bore through him, forcing him to speak up reluctantly.
In the academy, there was a student named Shi Shiren. His father was a scholar who kept failing exams, watching his children grow up yet unable to succeed, his father gave up ambition and focused on teaching his son.
Shi Shiren was diligent, his essays were much better than his father’s; Han Shanzhang liked him and accepted him as a student.
Though their family’s situation was vastly different from the Du Family, Shi Shiren was sincere and hardworking, well-liked, and got along with Du Yundi and other students from official families.
Up to this point, Mrs. Zhen was still somewhat in the dark.
Since Shi Shiren was a good student, she wouldn’t be so conservative as to prohibit Du Yundi from associating with Shi Shiren because of his background. A hero is not judged by origin; good character is most important.
"Madam, this Mr. Shi has a younger sister. In June, she came to the academy to deliver gift silver to her brother and happened to meet Mr. Si. Who knows what she was thinking, but after that, she visited the academy every ten days half a month, each time circling around Mr. Si." When Chang An reached here, seeing Mrs. Zhen’s face darkening, he hurriedly waved his hand, "Madam, I can tell it’s just that Miss Shi is affectionate, Mr. Si doesn’t pay attention to her. Out of respect for Mr. Shi, it’s difficult to harshly reject Miss Shi."
Mrs. Zhen took a deep breath, "How did that girl circle around Yundi? Explain clearly."
