The sun shone brightly, the flowers blood like brocade, and the people around were bustling. Du Yunluo stood by the water, seeing soone walking towards her from afar.
The figure looked sowhat familiar. She widened her eyes to see the person’s appearance clearly, but the sunlight stung her eyes.
The person stood in the dazzling sunlight, and although Du Yunluo couldn’t see clearly, there was a faint thought in her heart: the person was smiling, their handso brow relaxed, more brilliant than the sumr flowers.
Gathering up her skirt, Du Yunluo stepped forward with effort, but the person stood there motionless as she stumbled and couldn’t get closer.
Her steps grew heavy and weak, and Du Yunluo gradually stopped, staring straight at the person, trying to curl her lips into a smile.
She already understood; she was in a dream.
Just like countless tis in the past few decades, in the middle of the night, she would wake up from such a dream.
Only able to look at him from afar, unable to touch him.
Clearly knowing that this was a dream, how sad it is.
But even in a dream, she wanted to leave him with a smile. She hoped that every ti she left him with a smile, it would be a comforting smile, not a needlessly troubleso one.
This dream, how wonderful it would be if it never ended...
Even just looking at him like this is a thousand tis, ten thousand tis better than staring foolishly at a morial tablet.
No!
Du Yunluo suddenly closed her eyes.
No morial tablet, no farewell in death. She had already returned to the ti when Yunluo Flowers were in bloom, she had...
Du Yunluo sat up with a start.
Outside the north window, a bright full moon was waning, casting a mottled shadow through the window lattice. A cool breeze stirred the banana leaves, rustling softly, occasionally accompanied by chirping insects.
Clutching the thin quilt with both hands, Du Yunluo took several deep breaths, slowly calming herself down.
She had almost lost track of ti again in the dream.
In the past, every ti she woke up, her heart was filled with regret, reluctance, and sorrow. But now, everything was different; she was indeed filled with anticipation.
People say that when one gets close to ho, they feel apprehensive. What about her?
When dawn breaks, she could set off for Fa Yin Temple. Deep down, her heart was indeed a little anxious.
Lying back down, tossing and turning until the light of dawn appeared, she finally fell asleep. When Jin Rui ca in to wake her, Du Yunluo didn’t feel at her best.
Jin Rui dressed and washed Du Yunluo, ticulously applying makeup: "Young lady, there are so red streaks in your eyes. You didn’t rest well last night, did you? Fortunately, you’re naturally beautiful; your complexion is still excellent. Just rest a bit in the carriage, and you’ll feel refreshed when we arrive at Fa Yin Temple."
Du Yunluo let Jin Rui arrange her, her skin in the mirror appeared translucent. One could say it’s her natural beauty, or rather, it’s due to her youth. She knew herself that during the tis of the green lamp and old Buddha, she couldn’t find such a look compared to her maiden days.
After tidying up, Du Yunluo went with her people to Lianfu Garden.
Old Mrs. Xia was speaking with the Miao Family, and upon seeing Du Yunluo enter, she inspected her carefully.
Today, Du Yunluo wore a light ochre outer garnt, adorned with a row of small pearls in her hair, a white jade bracelet on her hand, paired with a white jade collar button shaped like rolled clouds. She appeared elegant and delicate, not garishly dressed in gold and silver which would seem too worldly.
Old Mrs. Xia nodded slightly, "This outfit looks good, just right for going to Fa Yin Temple."
Mrs. Zhen arrived soon after, smiling as she greeted Old Mrs. Xia.
"Everything that needed preparing has been done by Huai Ping’s wife. You must go early and return early, and be careful on the road," Old Mrs. Xia said, then called Du Yunluo over, giving her careful instructions. "You, this girl, sotis you’re steady, sotis you’re naughty. I won’t say much else, just go properly and co back properly. A few days ago, Yun Ying and Yunuo already caused a scene. If you act like them again, regardless of what others say about us, this old woman’s heart can’t bear it."
Du Yunluo smiled and agreed.
The Miao Family personally escorted them to the second gate, holding Mrs. Zhen’s hand, saying, "This trip for blessings, honestly, I wish I could go myself, to pray properly. What happened on Mid-Autumn Festival really scared . As a mother, my heart feels like it’s being cut with a knife. Sister-in-law, please help donate more rits so that Yun Ying may have good fortune."
Saying this, the Miao Family took a purse from her sleeve and pressed it into Mrs. Zhen’s hand.
One could tell its weight just by holding it, as heavy as the Miao Family’s mind.
Donating silver is a rit, Mrs. Zhen would not rob the Miao Family of their rit. After accepting it, she instructed Shui Yue to keep it safe, saying, "Rest assured, sister-in-law, I will handle it."
The Miao Family nodded repeatedly, saying, "You know what I’m anxious about. Oh! Over there with the old lady, it took great care to select, finally, so plans were made, but then Yun Ying had this incident. I heard that the girl from that family was also present and saw everything clearly. I’m thinking, this matter might be ruined."
Mrs. Zhen patted the Miao Family’s hand, "A setback may turn out to be a blessing; whether it succeeds or not, it’s all fate."
The Miao Family forced a smile.
Shui Yue helped Mrs. Zhen onto the carriage.
Du Yunluo blinked and asked her, "Mother, what did aunt say to you? I heard it seed related to third sister?"
"You and your ears!" Mrs. Zhen laughed and lightly scolded, seeing Du Yunluo sweetly lean over, she gave her daughter a pat on the back, "You’re so naughty!"
Though she scolded, she still shared what had happened with Du Yunluo.
Old Mrs. Xia was helping Du Yun Ying find a match. After considering the well-matched families, in the end, they had an affinity for Third Master Ruan from the Ruan Family.
The Grandmaster Ruan and Du Gongfu used to be colleagues, and the relationship was decent. However, Grandmaster Ruan’s several sons were not scholarly types. Grandmaster Ruan, concerned about face, spent money to get his sons so small official positions.
The sons were ordinary in their studies, but they had so skills in their official duties. Although they didn’t advance much, their positions were secure.
Among the grandchildren, Third Master Ruan was the most outstanding, often spoken of favorably by Grandmaster Ruan, who hoped to rely on this grandson to gain face.
So days ago, the Ruan family had hinted at an interest, yet Old Mrs. Xia, keeping her traditional stance, didn’t imdiately agree to give the bride away; she first wanted to observe.
Unexpectedly, there was the incident during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
"Your second aunt is worried the matter might fade away," Mrs. Zhen explained.
Du Yunluo was puzzled, muttering, "Why? What’s wrong with third sister saving fourth sister? In any family, they would say it’s harmonious sisterhood, such a good thing. If the Ruan Family wants to call off the engagent because of this, a family that can’t distinguish right from wrong, it’s better not to have them as in-laws."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhen couldn’t help but examine her daughter.
In truth, she felt the sa way, but since it was Miao Family’s daughter, and at a ti when Miao Family was worried about Du Yun Ying’s marriage, speaking so bluntly might make it seem like she was speaking from a place of stability, as Du Yunruo’s and Du Yunluo’s marriages were already settled.
Du Yunluo murmured a couple more tis, then suddenly thought of sothing and asked, "Why wasn’t I aware of the Ruan Family’s hints?"
Mrs. Zhen, both amused and exasperated, tapped Du Yunluo on the forehead, "Why do you need to know? You’re concerned with too much! Matters undecided by the elders, who would report them to you?"
Du Yunluo was montarily stunned.
What Mrs. Zhen said was true. Matters of marriage were the domain of the elders, and it was not her place to interfere.
When Mrs. Shi ca to inquire, if not for Du Yunnuo overhearing Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia, they sisters would have been kept in the dark.
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