Chapter 261 - 260: The Coming-of-Age Ceremony
She’s racking her brains; this is a last resort. She can’t just dig a trap for Cailian to fall into, can she?
Even if there’s concrete evidence and Cailian is dealt with, what about between Du Yunlang and Xia Anxin?
If your own maid of honor has a change of heart, and even your mother-in-law and sister-in-law see it clearly while you remain oblivious until the revelation, how will Xia Anxin face Du Yunlang, Old Mrs. Xia, and Miao Family in the future?
Some matters can’t be resolved with a simple right or wrong, and when the heart has knots, no matter how sharp the blade, you can’t cut them open.
Just like Du Yundi and Mrs. Tang in a previous life.
Du Yundi was schemed against by Shi Lian’er, and the obstacles in their hearts couldn’t be overcome, causing Du Yundi and Mrs. Tang to drift further apart.
In the past, Cailian and Huizhu both went mad or died, which was a thorn in the hearts of Du Yunlang and Xia Anxin.
Du Yunluo absolutely does not wish for this life to develop in the same way.
Such an outcome would also hurt Old Mrs. Xia’s heart.
The best solution is to have Miao Family and Shen Changgen’s family closely watch over Chunhua Courtyard.
Because Xia Anxin is expecting, the entire mansion is filled with joy.
Old Mrs. Xia was in high spirits, and early the next morning, even before Du Yunluo attempted to probe the Ying family’s affairs, Old Mrs. Xia proactively instructed Liao Family to prepare invitations, to invite Mrs. Ying Jin to their mansion for Du Yunlan’s wedding celebrations.
Liao Family was all smiles, as this essentially meant that Lianfu Garden had already agreed to this marriage. She wrote the invitations and sent them to Ying’s Mansion and called Yunuo over to advise her to dress elegantly and appropriately.
On the fifth day, Du Yundi returned home from the academy.
On the sixth day, the Jiang family came for a visit, and on the morning of the seventh day, Du Yunlan went to the Jiang family to fetch the bride.
With firecrackers ringing, they waited for the auspicious time. The bride came out of the sedan chair and performed the ceremonial bows in the Flower Hall.
Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia smiled so wide that their lips couldn’t close; the more they looked at Du Yunlan in his wedding attire, the more handsome he seemed, and they were full of expectations for Jiang Si Niang, whose face they couldn’t see beneath the red veil.
The newlyweds were escorted to the bridal chamber.
According to tradition, Yunuo and Du Yunluo were supposed to accompany their new sister-in-law, but today, since Mrs. Ying Jin was visiting, Yunuo had to greet her.
The marriage wasn’t finalized yet, but outwardly, they said Liao Family had helped Mrs. Ying Jin.
Mrs. Ying Jin took a good look at Yunuo and was overjoyed: "Duchess Rong said it exactly right, the fourth girl is truly charming and lovable."
Since the Ying Family wanted to rely on the alliance, as long as Yunuo wasn’t a troublemaker, Mrs. Ying Jin would accept her. Seeing the beautiful appearance of Yunuo now, she was even more content.
After Yunuo and Du Yunluo went to see their new sister-in-law, Mrs. Ying Jin had a few words with Liao Family, knowing that the fourth girl was skilled in all the arts, she increasingly felt they were picking a treasure.
Du Yunluo and her sister arrived outside the bridal chamber.
The windows were plastered with the "happiness" character.
Du Yunlan had been invited out to drink, leaving only Jiang Si Niang in the room.
Du Yunluo and Yunuo sat in the corner, Jiang Si Niang had changed out of her wedding dress, smiling as she looked at them.
With her round face and big eyes, Jiang Si Niang appeared very cheerful. She loved to talk and laugh, and though she was new to her role, she showed little anxiety or shyness, quickly finding a topic to chat with them.
Until the banquet outside was done, when Du Yunlan was held up by Du Yunlang and Du Yundi on his return, Jiang Si Niang rushed out to meet them, still saying, "Today I can’t entertain you two sisters, please visit me again next time to play together."
Yunuo smiled and agreed, turning to quietly say to Du Yunluo, "Mother would like her personality."
"That’s very good, isn’t it?" Du Yunluo replied with a smile.
Yunuo paused, then nodded: "Yes, it’s very good."
Liao Family was happy, so Aunt Mo’s days were getting better.
After the traditional three-day return to her parental home, the wedding was considered complete.
Old Mrs. Xia and Liao Family now had the energy to discuss Yunuo’s marriage.
Both the Ying and Du families genuinely wished to ally through marriage, both families were discussing and negotiating, exchanging horoscopes, preparing everything methodically.
Du Yunluo’s thoughts returned to the coming-of-age ceremony.
As the marriage was a done deal, according to custom, the patron to announce it was Mrs. Quanfu Tian Wu, leaving Du Yunluo quite stressed for a while.
She didn’t have many unmarried friends close to her.
After consulting with Old Mrs. Xia, it was decided that Yunuo would be the praiser and Shi Qingyu would be invited as an official.
Shi Qingyu had been set with her betrothed in spring, originally expected to marry within the year, but since a senior family member passed away on her fiancé’s side, the wedding had to be postponed.
The day before the ceremony, Tong City sent the coming-of-age gifts.
Old Mrs. Hou was generous, Mrs. Wang helped prepare many items, and Mrs. Chen, feeling guilty about Zhen Wenqian’s situation, bestowed gifts upon Du Yunluo and Mrs. Zhen, not sparing her silver, adding numerous items.
Included with the gifts was a handwritten letter from Mrs. Wang.
It said that this great day of Du Yunluo’s coming-of-age ceremony was originally a day for her uncle and aunt to attend, but since Old Master Zhen was still ill, they couldn’t travel.
However, Old Master Zhen’s health was much improved, thanks to Imperial Doctor Xing’s wise treatments. He spoke clearly so the maids and women around him could understand without guessing, and he was beginning to regain sensation in half of his body, by New Year he might be able to sit up.
Old Mrs. Hou’s mind was at ease, his health was returning, and everything in the mansion was going smoothly.
Mrs. Zhen read the letter repeatedly until finally breathing a sigh of relief.
She offered the letter in front of the Bodhisattva, bowing fervently in gratitude.
The next morning, she awoke Du Yunluo with Jin Rui, dressed and groomed carefully in preparation for the ceremony.
Mrs. Zhen took a moment to visit, and seeing everything was going well in Anhua Courtyard, she got busy again.
Except for Du Yun Hu in Lindong, when Du Yunluo’s three sisters came of age, she was a praiser for each, and knew the ceremony well.
Everything was managed according to tradition, ensuring nothing went wrong.
Mrs. Zhen accompanied Mrs. West Tian Wu.
Mrs. Tian Wu greeted everyone with a smile, holding Du Yunluo’s hand, saying: "Time is flying, from betrothal to coming-of-age, it feels as if it happened in a blink."
Mrs. Zhen laughed at the comment: "Indeed, Nannan just learned to speak, now here we are, like the blink of an eye."
Mrs. Tian Wu, happy, turned to Mrs. Zhen and said: "While we think it’s the blink of an eye, at Marquis Mansion they’re waiting impatiently. My aunt, Old Madam, eagerly awaits her granddaughter-in-law."
Laughter echoed throughout the room, Du Yunluo lowered her eyes and smiled, lips curling softly.
Outside, a maid announced that Yun Ru had returned.
Mrs. Zhen sat unable to stay, apologized to Mrs. Tian Wu, and hastily went to welcome Yun Ru.
Du Yunluo was also elated.
Yun Ru just completed her postpartum recovery, having missed Du Yunlan’s wedding; now she could visit, and came early.
Mrs. Zhen encountered Yun Ru halfway, with her wet nurse carrying a bright red swaddled baby. Mrs. Zhen quickly took over, holding the baby girl with big eyes, and a toothless mouth drooled smiles at her.