The steward hurried to the Main Gate, hearing the celebratory music growing louder. He truly wondered how much Red Envelope Bai Ruozhu had given to the suona players; they were playing with such enthusiasm!
Ah, the Bai Family is indeed wealthy and powerful.
Fo Lanying saw the steward co out and imdiately said loudly, "You must be the steward of the Du Residence, right? This is a return gift from the Chief Doctor Bai to Duke Du."
She pointed to the floral sedan chair and continued, "This is the daughter of the Lao Family, skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, all of which Chief Doctor Bai greatly admires. A few days ago, Miss Lao was sent to the Bai Residence, but the Bai Family’s rules don’t allow for concubines. Our Chief Doctor couldn’t bear the thought of this young lady living alone her whole life, so she considered that Duke Du is also a man of talent. A talent with a beauty would make a perfect match, and it would be a deed of rit."
"This, how can this be!" The steward’s beard trembled with anger; this was ant to be a concubine for Bai Zepei, which Bai Zepei didn’t want, and now it was sent to their Duke. Isn’t this insulting?
"Oh dear, don’t underestimate Miss Lao Wan just because she’s born of a concubine. She’s talented in every way, truly not inferior to a legitimate daughter from a noble family. Our Chief Doctor said that Duke Du sent her a precious gift as an apology; how could she not reciprocate? It’s only polite to return the favor!"
Fo Lanying winked at Yuan Licheng, who gave a push, and the sedan bearers carried Fo Lanying toward the Main Gate of the Du Residence, with the steward unable to stop them.
"Duke Du doesn’t have anyone who truly cares by his side. With Miss Lao adding fragrance to his sleeves, it truly is a beautiful affair. Our Chief Doctor says there’s no need to thank her. When they have a big, healthy son, just invite her and Master Jiang over for a drink at the Three Wash ceremony."
Though she didn’t shout, her voice carried far, reaching even those outside the street, causing more Onlookers to gather.
The steward, sweating profusely, shouted, "Our Duke currently has no intention of taking in concubines. Thank Chief Doctor Bai for her kindness, but please take her back."
"Once a concubine is sent, there’s no taking her back. If Duke Du doesn’t like her, she could beco a musician in the Residence and enjoy the tunes if there’s nothing else to do."
Just then, the sedan suddenly shook, and Lao Wan got out herself!
Fo Lanying was startled. Could the effect of the mistress’s dicine have worn off?
When the crowd saw Lao Wan’s appearance, they couldn’t help but praise her.
"Wow, the bride is truly beautiful; Duke Du is so fortunate!" shouted a rash young man.
The person next to him slapped him, "Don’t speak nonsense; this is not a bride, she’s to be called a concubine."
"Yes, this Lao is indeed a beauty, and I hear she’s talented too; Duke Du is really fortunate," soone else chid in.
At this mont, Lao Wan was dressed in red. Though it wasn’t the true bridal gown that only a legitimate mistress could wear, her fair skin contrasted with the red, making her complexion look even more delicate. She wore no chaotic makeup, appearing more like a pure lotus, with even more charm. Her eyes were confused at this mont, evoking a sense of pity.
If she were to be turned away by the steward of the Du Family, even the Onlookers wouldn’t agree.
Today’s attire for Lao Wan had been arranged by Bai Ruozhu, with a tightly cinched belt. Lao Wan was already slender, and this only accentuated her waist, which was exactly the type Du Zhongshu liked.
Back when Bai Ruozhu and Du Zhongshu were still partners, Du Zhongshu once drunkenly boasted that for a wife, he’d want a slender woman with a willow-like waist, cherishing the feeling of a delicate waist that could be held with one hand.
Presumably, the steward, being Du Zhongshu’s confidant, should know his preference?
Lao Wan said nothing, nor did she greet anyone, walking on her own directly into the Main Gate of the Du Family.
The crowd was dumbfounded. Soone finally reacted and shouted, "Miss Lao has taken a liking to Duke Du and is willing to enter as a concubine!"
"This is truly a beautiful union of a talented man and a lovely woman. The host should treat us to Wedding Wine, shouldn’t they?"
Many joined in the hubbub, either asking for Wedding Candy or wanting to drink Wedding Wine, while the steward of the Du Family was completely dumbfounded. He regretted that there weren’t enough guards to stop the Bai Family bandits.
Fo Lanying, however, smiling, took out Wedding Candy and handed it to the children who ca asking for candy, saying, "Don’t just focus on eating candy; rember to congratulate Duke Du and Miss Lau."
The children, having received candy, obediently went to offer their congratulations, nearly causing the steward to faint from anger.
Soon the children ran off happily to play, excitedly spreading news of the Du Residence accepting a concubine and distributing Wedding Candy.
Just then, the steward of the Lao Residence also arrived. Seeing the situation as it was, he could only wipe the sweat from his forehead and hurry back to report the news.
Yuan Licheng gestured for the servants to carry the dowry in too. He went over to pat the steward on the shoulder and said, "Old chap, it’s quite lively at your place today. I won’t disturb you any longer or I’d have to drink a few glasses of Wedding Wine. Next ti, we will not rest until we’re drunk!"
The steward wanted to say, who’s your old chap, who’s getting drunk with you? But he found himself unable to speak, unable to resist, only watching the big guy loudly acting familiar with him as the dowry and maids were sent into the Residence.
Afterwards, Fo Lanying saw it was enough and urged the sedan bearers to take away the empty sedan. She winked at Yuan Licheng, who patted the steward, "Old chap, I have to report back now, so I’ll be off."
He and Fo Lanying dashed away, while the steward found he could move again, yet reaching out wouldn’t do any good.
With a heavy heart, he returned to the Residence, ordered the Main Gate to be closed, isolating the commotion and congratulatory voices outside, and made his way heavily to the Main Hall.
"Your Grace, I have failed you," he said, full of remorse.
Du Zhongshu waved it off nonchalantly, "It’s not your fault; I was careless. It’s fine."
"What should we do with Miss Lao?" the steward asked worriedly.
Du Zhongshu frowned, "Now that she’s here, arrange for her to stay in a Guest room for now."
"Your Grace, if she stays too long, she might beco hard to send away," the steward said, stomping in frustration. "Bai Zepei didn’t want a concubine, so they used this excuse to foist her here, it’s downright bullying."
Du Zhongshu laughed, "She said it herself: It’s only polite to reciprocate. Unless I admit I sent her an apology gift which she never accepted, she’s just knocking on the head, reminding not to confuse concepts."
The steward’s face changed slightly, "So what shall we do then?"
Du Zhongshu’s face darkened, "It’s just a concubine. Having one more person in the Residence isn’t too many, especially since the Lao Family isn’t all that bad."
The steward was shocked; was his Duke planning to take her in after all?
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