The bride has been sent off, yet the festivities at her family ho are just beginning.
Mrs. Zhen, supported by Du Yunluo, returned to freshen up and apply fragrant ointnt and rouge, before rejoining the guests.
Old Mrs. Xia was in an excellent mood, being quite the jovial person, and was being amused endlessly by a group of ladies.
Du Yunluo sat by her side, occasionally joining in the conversation.
"Old Lady, isn’t Lan sixteen this year?" An elderly lady sitting next to Old Mrs. Xia said with a smile, "Our third son ran into him recently and told that Lan has grown taller and more handso, and is quite a delight to see."
Upon hearing this, Du Yunluo discreetly observed the elderly lady, recalling that she was an old friend of Old Mrs. Xia from her maiden days. Her family na was Li, a noble family, and her husband was an Imperial College Sacrificial Officer before retirent.
Old Mrs. Xia nodded, "Yes, Yun Lan is indeed sixteen now, and our youngest, Yun Luo, will be fourteen in just a few months. Look at the two of us, we are old indeed."
Old Mrs. Li laughed heartily, "Being old is a blessing, enjoying the happiness brought by grandchildren, unlike the days when we were daughters-in-law, burdened with worries and toil. Your children and mine are of similar ages, and these years are just about marrying off the daughters and marrying in the daughters-in-law. Oh, have they been matched yet?"
Du Yunluo’s gaze fell on the petite and delicate girl beside Old Mrs. Li, and she instantly understood.
The conversation, seemingly about daily trifles between close friends, was actually transparently about matchmaking and forming alliances.
In Du Yunluo’s mory, Du Yun Lan married a daughter from the Jiang Family, and their marriage was considered smooth, blessed with children; her background was respectable, and she had a maternal family to boast of, even Liao Family had to treat her well, making their life comfortable.
Du Yundi’s marriage was a priority for Du Gongfu, who personally chose a daughter from the Tang Family; if it weren’t for Shi Lian’er’s unexpected interference, it would have been a harmonious match.
Neither of these marriage talks involved the Li Family.
To be precise, the Li Family had never ntioned intermarriage in the past. When Du Yunru got married, Old Mrs. Li only brought along a daughter-in-law for the feast, and as for the young lady, she was not seen at all.
This young lady appearing suddenly must be due to the wine and food bestowed by the Eastern Palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Even though this is understandable human nature, it left Du Yunluo feeling sowhat uncomfortable inside.
With Du Yun Lan already discussing marriage, what if Old Mrs. Xia felt compelled to match the Li girl with Du Yundi out of courtesy?
Old Mrs. Xia was well aware, and while asked on the surface, she answered just as superficially, "Yun Ying and Yunuo have not been engaged yet; I’m worried about them. As for the marriages of the two boys, let our old master fret over them; I won’t interfere."
This was essentially sidestepping, and in front of so many people, Old Mrs. Li couldn’t persist, pacifying her girl with a pat on the hand.
With many guests, there were naturally many inquiries about potential matches. While the words were spoken with subtlety, anyone paying attention could easily understand.
With most of Du Yun Lan’s betrothal settled, the Liao Family was relieved and just needed to secure Du Yunnuo’s, lessening their anxiety;
In stark contrast, the Miao Family was anxious for Du Yunying; however, fearing that appearing overly eager would lessen her daughter’s prospects, they were cautious with their words.
Mrs. Zhen, on the other hand, was the most at ease.
With Du Yunru married off and Du Yunluo’s engagent set, all that remained was Du Yundi, who was at the pri age for studies, and being a son, Mrs. Zhen was not worried about delaying a couple of years.
Growing impatient with the chatter, Du Yunluo found an excuse to leave.
She strolled aimlessly, and when she looked up, she found herself in front of the Water Pavilion, where Du Yunru lived during her childhood.
Ever since Du Yunru moved to the Qinghui Garden, the Water Pavilion had been vacated. Though it was still cleaned by maids, it no longer felt as lively as when it was inhabited.
Playing in the Water Pavilion with Du Yunru in their childhood was over sixty years ago for Du Yunluo, and this thought filled her with nostalgia.
After sitting in the pavilion for a while, noticing that it was almost ti for the noon feast, she headed towards Lianfu Garden with Jin Ling.
As she walked through the long corridor, she faintly heard a delicate voice coming from the distance.
"Grandmother is really muddled, what’s so good about Du Yun Lan? He can’t compare to Du Yundi. If this is just to be brushed off, wouldn’t it be better to straightforwardly bring up Du Yundi’s na? Given grandmother’s relationship with that old lady, could they even refuse again?"
Du Yunluo paused, perked up her ears, and listened a bit more, realizing that the voice belonged to the Li Family’s girl on the other side of the corridor.
Though she had biases regarding Du Yun Lan and Du Yundi in her heart, Du Yun Lan was still her elder brother, and it was not this girl’s place to criticize him.
Even if Miss Li didn’t think much of Du Yun Lan, he would never consider marrying her!
Regardless of whatever relationship existed between Old Mrs. Li and Old Mrs. Xia, if they were setting their sights on Du Yundi, even if they passed Old Mrs. Xia’s barrier, Du Gongfu was still in the way.
The girl continued to prattle on, oblivious to being overheard by Du Yunluo.
"Miss, didn’t you notice how no one just ntioned Mr. Du? He is the legitimate brother-in-law of the Heir of Duke Dingyuan and is pursuing an official career. Wouldn’t the Du Family want to secure his future with a well-born noble girl? Miss, Mr. Du is not lacking at all; he is the legitimate son and grandson, our best choice now."
Miss Li pursed her lips and complained a few more sentences before being half-dragged away by her nanny.
Once they were far away, Du Yunluo glanced at Jin Ling, whose eyes were directed at her nose, indifferently pretending not to have heard anything, to which Du Yunluo was quite satisfied.
Returning to Lianfu Garden, Old Mrs. Xia couldn’t help but complain about Du Yunluo’s prolonged absence.
Miao Family had set the table and invited the guests to dine; additionally, Mrs. Shen Changgen announced that arrangents for the male guests in the front courtyard were also ready, allowing her to relax and take her seat.
As the banquet concluded, the guests gradually began to depart.
Old Mrs. Li, having had a couple of extra cups of wine, rested in the private room, and when she rose, only she and Miss Li were left among the guests.
In high spirits, Old Mrs. Xia sat down for another chat with the two old ladies.
With no outsiders present, Old Mrs. Li found it easier to speak, sending Miss Li off to play with Du Yunying and the others. She said with a smile, "Our seventh girl is no longer young, I’m very concerned, and just wish to marry into a family in the Capital, where we are familiar and feel at ease."
Old Mrs. Xia held her teacup, "As a grandmother, I feel the sa; I can’t bear to see them married off far away. Yun Hu must stay in Lindong, which troubles . I hope the young fellow from the Shen family proves himself and soon earns a title in the Capital, allowing Yun Hu to return to the Capital in the future."
Yet again, shifting the topic slightly away, Old Mrs. Li seed dissatisfied but echoed a few words, eventually stating her intentions plainly.
Old Mrs. Xia cleared her throat and replied, "To be honest, Yun Lan is currently discussing marriage with a family that is well-matched in status. Yun Lan’s parents are quite pleased, and as an old lady, I certainly won’t cause discord by opposing."
At this point, the truth hardly mattered, and Old Mrs. Li could only offer an awkward smile.
Miss Li, upon hearing this, turned red-eyed, her pride already wounded; she wished desperately for Old Mrs. Li to ntion Du Yundi’s na as well.
Old Mrs. Li still retained so sense and did not bring it up, rising to take her leave.
The Miao Family saw them out.
Old Mrs. Xia’s face was somber as she slowly sipped her tea.
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