Chapter 86: Chapter 85: Vexed
Du Mansion, Lianfu Garden.
Mrs. Shen Changgen stood under the big banyan tree in the courtyard, exchanging pleasantries with Nanny Xu while directing a group of maids to arrange pots of chrysanthemums with Lanzhi.
Nanny Xu was full of smiles; Du Yunluo’s foot had healed, and Du Yunying’s fingers were no longer a problem. The bandage was removed, revealing her delicate and tender fingers. The old madam was delighted, playing leaf card games with the ladies inside, constantly laughing, so Nanny Xu had the time to chat with Mrs. Shen Changgen.
Mrs. Shen Changgen pointed at the pot of golden chrysanthemums under the veranda, saying, "They just bloomed last night, so radiant. Madam saw them this morning and said to bring them to the old madam. It’s been too hot this year. Normally, we’d have some autumn breeze by now, but this year it’s just like July."
"Isn’t that so!" Nanny Xu praised with a few words and then said, "Just now, Fifth Miss mentioned how during Mid-Autumn Festival, one enjoys chrysanthemums and eats crabs, but without autumn winds, there are fewer blooms and the crabs aren’t as plump, losing some of the fun."
"Exactly!" Mrs. Shen Changgen laughed heartily, then glanced around and said, "This is the eldest Miss’s last Mid-Autumn Festival at her mother’s home. Before you know it, the second Miss will marry out, and the Second Master’s bride, Miss Xin, will come in. It’s all just a blink of an eye."
Nanny Xu, being sharp, immediately understood. Mrs. Shen Changgen was probing about Du Yunying’s marriage on behalf of the Miao Family.
The last time at the Ruan Family, it was ambiguous, and it’s been nearly two months without any news. Miao Family was uneasy, fearing the Ruan Family had brushed it off due to what happened during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Seeing the full moon again, they sent Mrs. Shen Changgen to gently inquire.
Nanny Xu whispered, "The old madam is also worried about the third Miss’s situation. The Ruan Family’s fellow, I heard the old master and old madam say the other day, is set to marry a relative from Mrs. Ruan’s own family."
Mrs. Shen Changgen’s head buzzed—it’s bad!
Third Master Ruan has agreed on a marriage; Du Yunying has no chance.
Miao Family will be troubled again when they find out.
But this isn’t the Miao Family’s worst concern.
Du Huai’en’s superior, Assistant Minister Jiang from the Ministry of Imperial Stables, is very fond of Du Yunlan, wanting him as a son-in-law.
The superior personally spoke, and after Du Huai’en discussed with Du Gongfu, Old Mrs. Xia, and Liao Family, this matter was practically settled.
If it were just an Assistant Minister’s daughter, Miao Family might barely comfort themselves, thinking Xia Anxin is the Xia Family’s pearl. The Xia Family has officials of the fourth and fifth rank, and she marrying into the Liao Family would be on equal footing.
But Mr. Jiang has a good father-in-law, who was a close aide to the Holy Emperor before his accession. He’s a true pillar and confidant, though now retired, often invited to the palace for talks. No official in the court dares not to favor him?
Mr. Jiang’s ability to secure a fourth-rank post, and possibly advance further, all depended on his father-in-law’s support.
In comparison, Xia Anxin is a step lower than the Jiang Family’s daughter.
Miao Family fumed for half a day and could only console themselves that Xia Anxin is Old Mrs. Xia’s grandniece.
Better to know and understand than to deal with an unfamiliar Jiang Family’s daughter.
As for the Ruan Family, since they looked down on Du Yunying, Miao Family naturally disdained them too.
In contrast to Miao Family’s recent gloom, the Liao Family was like basking in spring breeze.
For the Mid-Autumn family feast, Liao Family had the maids prepare new clothes and jewelry, dressing up early.
During such times, Yunuo was always extra cautious, as Aunt Mo attended the feast.
In family feasts, unlike other times, even being half a mistress meant being seated at the table.
Liao Family didn’t like Aunt Mo. Though she dared not show it in front of the old madam, privately, Aunt Mo faced hardships beyond just having a meal.
Yunuo never dared plead for Aunt Mo, as it would be like adding fuel to the fire.
What she could do was cheer up the Liao Family, as her good mood meant less trouble for Aunt Mo.
Yunuo sat by the table, enjoying mung bean cake, and praised Liao Family’s new clothes and accessories.
Liao Family, eyes curved with laughter, gave Yunuo a thin golden bracelet, "Go to the West Courtyard, give this bracelet to your aunt, and tell her to be quick so we can go to Lianfu Garden early and not dally."
Holding the bracelet, Yunuo’s heart thumped wildly.
What was happening? Liao Family gave Aunt Mo gifts and even sent her to see Aunt Mo?
Was Liao Family testing her...
Without moving, the maid Xiuyu, who was doing Liao Family’s hair, made gestures to Yunuo to follow the order, which she then did.
After taking just two steps, Liao Family stopped her.
"I remember your aunt has a cyan horse face skirt; ask her to wear it, it looks refreshing."
Yunuo acknowledged and left the main room, unable to gather her thoughts for a while after exiting.
That sun...
Was that sun hanging in the sky?
Why did today feel so off?
That cyan horse face skirt, Liao Family actually remembered it.
The fabric was a gift from Du Huai’en to Aunt Mo. Liao Family grimaced but, after making it into a skirt, Aunt Mo looked beautiful in it, so much that Du Huai’en had praised it.
Liao Family couldn’t stomach it, and the next day when Du Huai’en went to the government office, she mocked that color, not quite old or young, saying it didn’t suit Aunt Mo since she wasn’t forty or fifty years old, looking rustic, or that at Yunuo’s age, it seemed ridiculous to try to look young.
Aunt Mo, after crying shut in the West Courtyard, stored the skirt at the bottom of a chest, never daring to wear it in Liao Family’s presence again.
A good skirt, and she only wore it once.
Yunuo passed through the veranda into the West Courtyard.
The old maid sweeping the floor stared at her blankly.
Aunt Mo had a window open, saw her, and hurriedly brought Yunuo to a corner, ensuring she wasn’t seen from the main room, then said, "My dear, why did you come here? If the Madam sees you, dislikes you, what then?"
Yunuo hugged Aunt Mo, feeling wronged because she couldn’t even visit Aunt Mo to please her stepmother.
After listening to Aunt Mo, Yunuo felt even worse, shaking her head, "The Madam sent me. This bracelet is from the Madam for Aunt, asking Aunt to quickly prepare, wear that cyan horse face skirt, and go to Lianfu Garden early."
"The Madam isn’t tricking you, is she?" Aunt Mo widened her eyes.
Yunuo pursed her lips, "Seeing Xiuyu’s expression, it shouldn’t be."
Although there were many doubts.
Especially given Du Huai’en had consecutively stayed in the West Courtyard for three nights, if it were normal times, Liao Family would have already exploded.
Aunt Mo and Liao Family had battled for years, so after the initial surprise, she calmed down, thought carefully, and understood.
"Miss, don’t worry. The master told me Third Master is getting engaged, it’s a good match, and since there’s no news about Third Miss’s marriage in Shuifu Garden, it’s likely off. The Madam is in a good mood, so she’s giving gifts and asking me to dress properly; she wants to compete with the second Madam." Aunt Mo whispered to Yunuo.
"Miss, return to the main room. I’ll tidy up and come."
Yunuo trusted Aunt Mo the most. Hearing this, she nodded and agreed, snuggling in Aunt Mo’s embrace before heading back to the main room.
