Two glasses of Chrysanthemum Brew, a plate of Chrysanthemum Fish, two large plates of crabs, and two platters stacked with various pastries made by the Imperial Kitchen.
Eunuch Cao bowed with a smile and said, "My lord, this Chrysanthemum Brew was buried by the Imperial Grandson last autumn, and today it has been brought out to honor the Emperor, the Empress, the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince, and the Crown Princess Consort. The Emperor was pleased, saying that the Imperial Grandson, thanks to your guidance, conducts himself more properly now. When offering a toast, one must not forget one’s ntor, so the Crown Prince and the Imperial Grandson have sent to add wine to your table."
These words elevated Du Gongfu greatly.
Du Gongfu was so excited that he trembled, handed his cane to the maid beside him, and shakily knelt in the direction of the Forbidden Palace.
Everyone else also knelt together, bowing three tis.
Eunuch Cao helped Du Gongfu up and said, "I won’t interrupt your family banquet. When the weather cools down in a few days, I’ll co to escort you into the palace. The Imperial Grandson is thinking about hearing your stories again."
Du Gongfu invited Eunuch Cao to stay for a drink, and though he declined twice, he still drank a cup before leaving with the palace maids.
The Du Family instantly beca lively.
Both glasses of Chrysanthemum Brew were given to Du Gongfu, except for one small cup that was shared with Old Mrs. Xia.
Du Yunluo observed the smile lines forming at the corners of her grandfather’s eyes, feeling happy inside.
After three rounds of drinks, a full moon shone brightly outside, its reflection clear in the water.
Du Gongfu, a bit tipsy, composed a poem and urged the younger generation to do the sa.
The Du Family were all serious scholars. Even Du Huaiping, who didn’t beco a scholar, had a solid foundation. Though not as talented as his two brothers, he was not without skill.
Among the three grandsons, Du Yundi stood out.
This was expected by the Miao family; after all, having Du Gongfu praise Du Yundi was better than praising Du Yunlan.
After testing the grandsons, Du Gongfu also wanted to test the girls.
Old Mrs. Xia saw Du Yunluo struggling with a large crab and said to Du Gongfu, "You insist on testing this and that while we’re having a proper al. I can’t manage you and your grandsons, but don’t disrupt our table. Let the girls enjoy their crabs and pastries."
Du Gongfu blew his beard, but on such a fine day, he didn’t argue with Old Mrs. Xia. Instead, he made Du Huaiping pour two more drinks and happily humd a tune.
The night brought wind.
Old Mrs. Xia, fearing that drinking in the wind might cause headaches, saw that everyone was almost done, so she bid them all to disperse.
Lanzhi packed uneaten pastries into a platter and a food box, handing it to Jin Ling: "As instructed by Old Mrs. Xia, the young lady said last ti that the pastries from the Imperial Kitchen are delicious. These are for her to take back."
Du Yunluo was helping Du Yunru fasten her cloak, and upon hearing this, paused, tilting her head in thought. When did she praise the pastries from the Imperial Kitchen?
Du Yunru covered her mouth, leaned over, and whispered with a laugh, "During the small engagent, wasn’t it Mrs. Wu who brought the pastries from the Imperial Kitchen? Our fifth sister is indeed distinguished; the jewelry and pastries for the small engagent all ca as gifts from the palace."
This was revenge for an earlier grudge before dinner.
Since the second and fourth households had left, Du Yunluo, no matter how sharp-tongued, didn’t intimidate Du Yunru.
eting Du Yunru’s bright, smiling eyes, Du Yunluo blinked and smiled, "They are quite delicious."
With such tactful words and a thick-skinned deanor, not even blushing, Du Yunru quietly admitted defeat.
Du Yunluo chuckled to herself, linked arms with Du Yunru, and said, "Let’s go, let’s go. We’ll have pastries and moon-gaze back ho."
Du Yundi and his two brothers returned to the front courtyard together.
That night, Du Yunluo did not return to the Anhua Courtyard. After greeting Du Huaixi and Mrs. Zhen, she nestled into the East Cross Courtyard.
The two sisters drank flower wine, ate pastries, and laughed and chatted until the third night watch, only to be eventually halted by the maids and servants who fed them sober-up soup and carried them to bed.
Du Yunluo snuggled close to Du Yunru, holding her waist tightly and refusing to let go.
Du Yunru, though calling out that it was hot, couldn’t bring herself to push her sister away, knowing that in just two days she would be married off.
The two slept in until broad daylight, roused themselves, tidied up, and went to the main room.
Seeing the two looking a bit languid, Mrs. Zhen was both amused and annoyed, "Co on, how much did you drink last night? Two little barrels of wine, knowing no restraint!"
"How you wrong , Mother!" Du Yunru nudged Du Yunluo forward, "It was Yunluo’s restless sleep that troubled all night."
Du Yunluo protested, "In such hot weather, I didn’t even want a blanket. How could I have stolen yours? Stop falsely accusing ."
The two laughed and playfully tussled.
Mrs. Zhen was amused by their antics.
In Lianfu Garden, the atmosphere was similarly filled with laughter.
Old Mrs. Xia, having drunk wine the previous night, slept soundly and awoke in great spirits. Seeing Du Yunluo arrive, she beckoned her to sit beside her.
The conversation gradually shifted to Du Yunru.
Hugging Du Yunru, Old Mrs. Xia said, "Among the Yun-generation, you’re the first I’m sending off, and I can’t bear it."
Du Yunru’s eyes glistened with tears, and Mrs. Zhen discreetly dabbed at her own with a handkerchief.
The Miao family smiled to offer solace, "Old Mrs., Yunru’s good day is coming soon. Don’t make her cry."
Old Mrs. Xia patted Du Yunru’s back, "No tears, no tears. It’s not like you’ll never see your family again. The Shao Family is here in the capital, so frequent visits during holidays are easy."
Liao Family’s daughter-in-law smiled and said, "Old Mrs., when the girls marry away, things at ho get quieter. But co spring, Xin will join your household, and when Yunlan and Yundi’s wives co in, with more sons and daughters, it’ll be lively with you again."
Hearing this, the Miao family twitched a bit at the lips, took a deep breath, and reminded themselves not to squabble with this provocative clown from the Liao family.
Liao Family’s daughter-in-law wore her smugness on her brow.
Seeing all this, Du Yunnuo quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
The day before, Aunt Liao dressed brightly. Though it was the Liao family’s will, Du Yunnuo was unsure, fearing that after showing off in front of the Miao family, the Liao family might trouble Aunt Mo upon returning to the Anfeng Courtyard.
Fortunately, Du Huai’en maintained his wits, didn’t say a word of praise for Aunt Mo, and led the Liao family back to their room, resting in the main room that night.
During the third watch, Du Yunnuo awoke feeling thirsty for hot tea, only to find there was no hot water in her room. As Qian He went to the small kitchen to fetch so, she found that the main room needed hot water too.
When Liao family is content, Aunt Mo is content, so Du Yunnuo was relieved.
They’d been busy for a month or two for this wedding, and with it now approaching, they found themselves unsure of what to occupy themselves with.
All preparations had been made.
One day before the wedding, the Du Family invited two Mrs. Quanfu to the Shao Family to arrange the bridal chamber. One was Zhen Shuren, the matron at Du Yunru’s coming-of-age ceremony and a maternal aunt of Mrs. Zhen, and the other was Mrs. Xia Wen, Old Mrs. Xia’s niece-in-law.
The Shao and Du Families were joyfully becoming in-laws, so the arrangent of the bridal chamber went smoothly and festively.
After returning, Zhen Shuren and Mrs. Xia Wen praised the Shao Family from top to bottom, noting that the bridal chamber was freshly painted, its furniture was heirloom quality, clearly made of fine material. They also ntioned the cordial elders of the Shao Family eagerly awaiting the bride’s arrival, concluding with accolades for Shao Yuanzhou, describing the groom as handso, scholarly, and a perfect match for Du Yunru. These words delighted Old Mrs. Xia to no end.
Du Yunluo, hearing this in Lianfu Garden, relayed it to Du Yunru at Qinghui Garden, causing her face to turn red yet unable to suppress the smile on her lips.
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