Chapter 222 - 221: Prudence
On the tenth of July, Du Yundi returned home.
In Qinghui Garden, Mrs. Zhen had been eagerly waiting, and she finally smiled when she saw her son’s figure.
Du Yundi stepped forward and knelt down, his forehead turning red, which filled Mrs. Zhen with distress.
"You child, never listen to what you’re told." Mrs. Zhen said, and then carefully measured Du Yundi’s height, noticing he had grown taller.
Du Yundi glanced at Du Yunluo by the door and smiled, "Mother, let’s talk inside, it’s hot out here, and Yunluo will start whining at me again soon."
The maids nearby burst into laughter, and Mrs. Zhen couldn’t help but laugh, gently punching Du Yundi: "How can you talk about your sister like that?"
Du Yunluo made a face at Du Yundi.
Once they were seated in the East Wing, Mrs. Zhen couldn’t help but inquire about Shao Yuanzhou.
Du Yundi replied, "I returned to the capital with my brother-in-law, I reckon he has arrived home by now. He said he would come to greet you tomorrow."
Mrs. Zhen was all smiles: "What greeting? It’s hard for him to come home, spending more time with Yunru is what’s important."
Although she said that, the next day when Shao Yuanzhou visited, Mrs. Zhen couldn’t stop smiling.
Du Yunru didn’t come; she was heavily pregnant and it was a hot summer day. She had to make an appearance when Du Yunying got married at the end of the month. For now, Madam Shao wouldn’t let her go out.
According to Madam Shao, when the son-in-law visits the elders of the Yue Family, there’s no need for Du Yunru to accompany him; Shao Yuanzhou could easily find the Du Family’s gate.
Mrs. Zhen agreed with this sentiment; she was quite fond of Shao Yuanzhou as her son-in-law and certainly wouldn’t make things difficult for him. No need for her daughter to navigate between them.
Once the polite formalities were complete, Du Yundi escorted Shao Yuanzhou out of the mansion, while Du Yunluo rested on Mrs. Zhen’s bed for a nap. Mrs. Zhen was invited by the Miao Family to Shuifu Garden, as both the mid-year festival and Du Yunying’s marriage approached, leaving Miao Family busy alone. Xia Anxin, being a novice, required guidance before taking on major responsibilities.
Du Yunluo fell asleep, losing track of time. She was awakened by greetings from outside, and when someone lifted the curtain, she saw Du Yundi had returned but continued to lounge without getting up.
Du Yundi pulled up a chair and sat beside her, sighing: "You no longer have the demeanor of a young lady."
Knowing Du Yundi was teasing her, Du Yunluo smiled with squinted eyes: "In the opera, the Imperial Consort gets drunk, far more impressive than me."
Du Yundi was amused, and took something out from his sleeve, placing it over Du Yunluo’s face: "You know that’s an Imperial Consort."
Du Yunluo grabbed the object obstructing her view and realized it was a letter, the powerful handwriting undoubtedly belonging to Mu Lianxiao.
"Where did brother get this?" Du Yunluo sat up.
"I met the Princely Heir on my way to deliver brother-in-law home; he asked me to give it to you." Du Yundi said, noticing Du Yunluo fiddling with the envelope, unwilling to open it. "You’re not going to read it?" he asked.
Du Yunluo rolled her eyes, pressed the letter against her chest, and pretended to guard it fiercely from Du Yundi: "I won’t let you read it."
Du Yundi chuckled: "I wouldn’t care to read it."
"Brother might peek and then tell mother." Du Yunluo teased.
"You, you, you!" Du Yundi shook his head repeatedly, "I kindly deliver the letter to you, yet you think so ill of me. Who doesn’t know your little thoughts? Would I really need to report you to mother?"
As the siblings talked, the maid at the door raised her voice: "Mr. Si, the old master requests your presence."
Du Yundi paused, realizing Du Gongfu was looking for him. He couldn’t delay, so he stood to leave.
Du Yunluo laughed so hard she couldn’t stand upright, her eyes crescent-shaped, and she waved at him.
"Little success!" Du Yundi flicked Du Yunluo’s forehead lightly and turned to walk away.
After laughing enough, Du Yunluo hurriedly opened the envelope to read the letter.
His familiar handwriting appeared, each stroke both reassuring and stirring, letting Du Yunluo imagine how he might have stood by the desk writing.
Mu Lianxiao mentioned he was well and enjoyed the flower melon she sent for the Qixi Festival. He also shared numerous stories about the customs and people of Lingxi.
Du Yunluo read with a smile until the last section surprised her.
Mu Lianxiao mentioned that Yun Qi wished to marry Jin Ling. This should have been discussed with Du Yunluo face to face, but unsure when they’d meet, he mentioned it in the letter.
Within the letter, Mu Lianxiao spoke well of Yun Qi, saying he has only one sister at home, is diligent, capable, and treats people carefully and considerately.
Du Yunluo pursed her lips, knowing Yun Qi was indeed good. Among the servants by Mu Lianxiao’s side, Yun Qi was the most honest and loyal.
But business is business; they can’t be mixed.
She wasn’t even married into Dingyuan Marquis Mansion yet, and Mu Lianxiao’s servant was already thinking about her maid.
Especially Mu Lianxiao, using his advantage of her affection to boldly ask; truly audacious.
Yes, truly audacious! Du Yunluo thought, pouting.
She read the last part of the letter again and then angrily put the letter back into the envelope.
Since it’s about Jin Ling, Du Yunluo must be extremely cautious. In her past life, Jin Ling had a short, unfortunate existence; this life, she must arrange Jin Ling’s future well and not recklessly send her out only to regret it later.
Even if Yun Qi is great...
Du Yunluo had to admit, Yun Qi was indeed outstanding, handsome with skills, excellent at caring for others. With his parents deceased, he not only took good care of himself but also raised his sister.
If Jin Ling marries Yun Qi, she’d be in charge, with no wicked mother-in-law and no interfering aunts desperate to meddle.
This alone reassured Du Yunluo greatly, given Jin Ling’s past hardships with her mother-in-law. She was the type to bottle up her grievances and never complained to Du Yunluo.
Actually, even if she had complained, given Du Yunluo’s situation at that time, she wouldn’t have ignored Jin Ling, but resolving it properly would have been quite difficult. The Zhao family was longstanding servants, and the family wasn’t directly under Du Yunluo’s control. Through Du Huaiping and the Miao Family, it was like scratching an itch through the shoe.
But if it’s Yun Qi...
Yun Qi served by Mu Lianxiao’s side, and just for that reason alone, he’d dare not treat Jin Ling poorly. If Du Yunluo discovered Jin Ling suffered, Yun Qi couldn’t expect to keep his position.
As she thought about it, her anger dissipated.
She thought she should ask Jin Ling; Jin Ling has had interactions with Yun Qi, whether good or bad, it should be up to her to decide.
She had promised Jin Ling not to do anything without her consent.
After all, when it comes to marriage, mutual affection is best. She could have a desirable marriage, and Jin Ling should too—same for Jin Rui in the future.
That night, after returning to Anhua Courtyard, Du Yunluo called Jin Ling to her side.