Chapter 249 - 248: Good Fortune
Princess Hui’s affairs were heard by Du Yunluo from Du Yunnuo.
Both of them had been transcribing scriptures in the study for the past few days. The Imperial Consort wanted larger characters, which she found difficult to write, so her progress was slow.
Du Yunnuo learned about it from Du Yunlan and didn’t want to stay in Anfeng Courtyard to listen to Aunt Mo’s nagging, so she came to Anhua Courtyard to avoid it.
Du Yunluo listened quietly and didn’t speak for a moment.
She remembered that Nanyan had mentioned that in a past life, Princess Hui also married far away to Pingchuan. Although it seemed a good match, once Princess Hui left the Capital, her concubine lost her support and could no longer use Princess Hui to gain favor at Prince Rui’s mansion. Princess Rui easily suppressed the concubine who had been prominent for over ten years.
Both Du Yunluo and Nanyan had lived two lives.
Many people and events have been changed in this life, but many things still proceed in the same way as before, step by step.
No one can say for sure what impacts or consequences might arise from this.
Du Yunnuo noticed Du Yunluo’s silence and glanced at her, "What’s wrong?"
Du Yunluo smiled slightly, "Just feeling a bit emotional, Princess Rui is a formidable person."
She left it at that, and Du Yunnuo, being no fool, naturally understood Du Yunluo’s meaning.
As illegitimate daughters alike, although she disliked Princess Hui, the whole situation still made her sigh.
A few days later, the Young Master of Duke Jing’s Mansion married a new lady into the family.
During a period of mourning, and being a filling wife, Old Master insisted on simplicity.
Aunt Liao acted authoritatively, claiming simplicity meant simplicity, and there were no issues with the formalities. But to say the wedding was elaborate or grand would be an exaggeration.
Aunt Liao didn’t concern herself with the bride’s feelings. She respectfully bowed and served tea, handed over the household authority, and went to rest with closed doors.
As for Princess An Ran, she claimed to be taking care of her pregnancy and did not appear.
In Anfeng Courtyard, Mrs. Liao wore a stern face for two days.
The new lady managing the household meant Mrs. Liao could no longer frequently visit Aunt Liao at the Duke Mansion. In the future, she’d have to send a card and look at others’ expressions to visit.
That was one thing. Mrs. Liao took the maids back to her parents’ home to send Du Yunlan’s wedding invitations. Her family mentioned Aunt Liao, making sarcastic remarks, leaving Mrs. Liao fuming when she returned.
Mrs. Liao lay in bed and said to Du Yunnuo, "I know people can be selfish, but these are her own natal family members. When she was in her prime, everyone tried to curry favor around the holidays. Now that she’s fallen out of favor, there’s not a warm word to be heard, only gossip behind her back.
That’s how people are, Yunuo. You have to do well yourself to avoid being looked down on."
Du Yunnuo served Mrs. Liao tea, kept her eyes downcast, and said nothing.
Mrs. Liao didn’t stay in bed for long.
Mrs. Miao wanted to discuss Du Yunlan’s wedding preparations with her. Mrs. Liao was quite enthusiastic about it, unable to stay put, bustling inside and out, her heart full of bringing home a good bride to hold her head high.
Mrs. Miao followed her lead, letting Mrs. Liao make all the decisions to avoid doing all the work herself and still being critiqued later. It’s thankless work, and Mrs. Miao would not do it.
In Qinghui Garden, Mrs. Zhen was counting the days.
Four or five days ago, Shao Yuanzhou had already returned from Lishan Academy and said when he came to pay respects at the Du Mansion that Du Yunru’s belly was about due. The midwife had checked and it could be any day now.
Having borne three children herself, Mrs. Zhen thought she wouldn’t fear childbirth anymore. But when it came to Du Yunru, she, as a mother, was so anxious her hands and feet sweated, unable to sleep peacefully these past few days.
Du Yunluo saw Mrs. Zhen like this and said, "Mother, would you like to send someone to ask at the Shao Family?"
Mrs. Zhen shook her head, "If Yunru had given birth, the Shao Family would have sent word. Since no one has come, she hasn’t yet. If I send someone now, Yunru might get more nervous."
Du Yunluo smiled knowingly, "It’s clearly Mother who’s nervous. Big Sister might be eating, drinking, and sleeping well."
"You little heartless one!" Mrs. Zhen tapped Du Yunluo’s forehead, "This is the Ghost Gate. Yunru was timid since she was young..."
Du Yunluo comforted Mrs. Zhen repeatedly, and Nanny Zhao also helped console her.
As they were speaking, footsteps sounded from outside.
Shui Yue led a woman in, both smiling broadly.
The woman was Du Yunru’s accompanying servant. Upon seeing her, Mrs. Zhen hurriedly asked, "Has Yunru given birth?"
The woman curtsied and said, "Congratulations to you, ma’am, your daughter-in-law just gave birth to a baby girl. Mother and daughter are safe."
Mrs. Zhen was momentarily stunned.
A girl?
The belly clearly looked like it was a boy...
This thought flashed through her mind, but the word "safe" brought her back, and she clasped her hands, murmuring prayers.
A boy or a girl, as long as they’re safe, that’s what matters most.
Mrs. Zhen asked Nanny Zhao to fetch some reward money and said, "Tell Yunru I’ll visit when it’s time to wash the baby. The postpartum period is crucial for a woman. You have the experience, so make sure she listens and doesn’t act on impulse."
The woman nodded repeatedly.
After some thought, Mrs. Zhen added, "What’s being said at the Shao Family?"
Du Yunluo glanced at Mrs. Zhen, whose eyes were filled with care.
"Mother," Du Yunluo called, "The Shao Family already has a son, so they’ll surely be happy with a daughter. Besides, my brother-in-law is a first-time father, he hasn’t fully comprehended it yet. Once the baby girl laughs or cries, he’ll be so delighted he won’t know east from west."
Mrs. Zhen chuckled.
The woman smiled and added, "The Fifth Miss is right; don’t worry, ma’am. Everyone at the Shao Family is overjoyed. Our young master was so happy at the baby’s cry, he cried along. He was ecstatic."
Mrs. Zhen exhaled a deep sigh of relief, "That’s good, that’s good."
It didn’t take long for the news of Du Yunru giving birth to a daughter to spread throughout the Du Mansion.
In Lianfu Garden, Old Mrs. Xia was also pleased. Mrs. Miao chatted with her about the bathing ceremony, glancing at Xia Anxin, all eager for her to have news, be it a son or a daughter. She longed to experience being a grandmother.
After thinking about Xia Anxin, Mrs. Miao considered Du Yunying, pondering if she should go to a temple on a certain day to pray for both children.
On the day of the bathing ceremony, even the less mobile Du Gongfu traveled to the Shao Family.
He claimed he wanted to see his great-granddaughter, but Du Yunluo knew her grandfather feared the Shao Family wouldn’t welcome a girl and might neglect Du Yunru and the baby, so he went to support them.
On that trip, Mrs. Zhen personally saw the Shao Family’s attitude toward the baby girl and finally felt relieved.
Du Yunluo, holding Mrs. Zhen’s hand, said, "See, I told you, Big Sister has good fortune. My brother-in-law was so happy about her pregnancy he even bumped into pillars while walking. How could you think he wouldn’t like a baby girl?"
Mrs. Zhen, in a good mood, responded, "Good fortune indeed. Nannan, your mother hopes all of you have good fortune."
Du Yunluo was momentarily dazed, suddenly recalling what Mu Lianxiao had told her that day—he wished for her to marry him soon.