Both families had a good understanding, so the marriage discussion went smoothly.
After comparing the Eight Characters, they were presented in Lianfu Garden, where Old Mrs. Xia saw them as an excellent match and couldn’t stop smiling with joy.
Although matching the Eight Characters rarely resulted in a bad outco as long as they didn’t clash, who wouldn’t want to hear good words? Old Mrs. Xia was pleased with this heaven-made match and praised Mrs. Liao for her good choice of daughter-in-law.
Mrs. Liao was proud, her face blossod with smiles, and she occasionally glanced at Mrs. Miao.
Mrs. Miao, accompanying with a laugh, sat there, torrents of emotions rolling inside her heart.
If Mrs. Liao could choose a daughter-in-law, couldn’t she? It was just that Old Mrs. Xia never even gave her a chance to choose, directly deciding on Xia Anxin.
After matching the Eight Characters, taking advantage of the cool autumn, the Du Family and the Jiang Family wanted to settle the engagent.
The jewelry and cakes for the betrothal gifts were matters that Mrs. Miao had to ticulously attend to, being in charge of the house. For the sake of both the Du Mansion and her own dignity, she wouldn’t be negligent in these matters. On the surface, everything was prepared properly, but what she said about Mrs. Liao in Shuifu Garden, nobody knew.
Mrs. Liao, too, had her worries.
Firstly, it was about Mrs. Quanfu, who would settle the engagent, and secondly, her long-coveted Anhua Courtyard.
Previously, since Du Yunlan was not yet engaged, Mrs. Zhen had been evasive with her, so she couldn’t pursue the matter. But this ti was different.
Taking advantage of Old Mrs. Xia’s good mood, Mrs. Liao said with a bright smile, "Old Madam, I feel like I’m dreaming. Just a few months ago, I was worried about Yunlan not achieving anything significant and how he would find a wife, but now, oh, I’m not far from becoming a mother-in-law."
Old Mrs. Xia laughed heartily, "Then I won’t be far from becoming a great-grandmother either. Isn’t the Yan Family expecting another child soon?"
"Yes, indeed. We received a letter before the Dragon Boat Festival saying she was expecting. Calculating the ti, she should give birth by the twelfth lunar month," Mrs. Liao echoed, "A winter birth ans the confinent is not as hard."
Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Xia was filled with anticipation.
Mrs. Miao seized the mont and said, "It’s a pity the child will be born in Lindong, and we won’t be able to take care of the washing ceremony or the full month. But, next spring when Xin marries in, the Old Madam just might have another grandchild to hold the following year."
Old Mrs. Xia liked these words and nodded repeatedly in agreent.
Mrs. Liao secretly curled her lips; Xia Anxin was even more petite than Du Yunluo, giving birth might be difficult. Unlike her daughter-in-law, rumor had it that the girl from the Jiang Family had a large pelvis, hence would be easy to bear children in the future.
"What Second Sister-in-law says is right," regardless of what she felt inside, Mrs. Liao responded with a couple of agreeing words, "If Xin marries in the spring, I can’t wait too long. Why not also settle Yunlan’s marriage next year? Below there is also Yunuo, whom I’ll have to fully dedicate my heart to finding a match for. I only have this one daughter, after all. But Anfeng Courtyard is quite small..."
Mrs. Miao coughed, clearing her throat, and directly interrupted what Mrs. Liao was about to say.
Du Yunluo and Mrs. Zhen exchanged a glance, knowing it had begun, and sure enough, Mrs. Liao was eyeing Anhua Courtyard.
"Oh, oh, oh, everyone always says I am impatient, but today I see the most impatient one is here!" Old Mrs. Xia pointed at Mrs. Liao, laughingly saying, "The engagent isn’t even settled yet, and you’re thinking about the wedding date. Speaking of which, the Quanfu lady hasn’t been chosen yet, has she? How about this, Huaili’s wife, you go arrange a match for Yunlan’s bride."
Everyone was taken aback.
Old Mrs. Xia continued, "Yun Ru just got married, and Yunluo is also a good match. Over in your parental ho, isn’t it your mother-in-law’s fiftieth birthday soon? What a perfect ti for blessings."
Du Yunluo turned her gaze to Mrs. Liao, seeing her open her mouth, appearing conflicted about wanting to speak but not knowing how, imdiately understood.
The last ti Mrs. Liao covetously eyed Anhua Courtyard, Old Mrs. Xia must have been aware. Now, seeing Mrs. Liao wanting to bring it up again, she smartly employed a strategy to divert attention.
Mrs. Liao was troubled by not having a suitable Mrs. Quanfu, if Mrs. Zhen agreed to this, as proud as Mrs. Liao was, she’d find it hard to bring up Anhua Courtyard now.
Regarding Mrs. Zhen, though Old Mrs. Xia had agreed to let her return to Tong City for the birthday, in the days before departure, there was no avoiding the need to win the favor of her mother-in-law. On top of rembering the matter of Anhua Courtyard that Mrs. Liao dared not ntion, Mrs. Zhen must agree.
Du Yunluo admired Old Mrs. Xia, thinking how the seasoned ginger was truly spicier. This maneuver left no one able to complain.
On the day of the engagent, Mrs. Zhen went as per the hour.
With nothing better to do, Du Yunluo stayed in Lianfu Garden, playing cards with Old Mrs. Xia alongside her two sisters.
Playing cards with the elderly required a certain proficiency.
It must be both back-and-forth, and what’s put out should exceed what’s taken in. After three rounds, Old Mrs. Xia was the sole winner, with the three sisters adeptly hiding any hint of impatience.
Old Mrs. Xia, having won, distributed the winnings to the maids in the room, receiving a stream of complints that delighted her further.
After Mrs. Zhen’s return from having a small engagent drink at the Jiang Family,
Old Mrs. Xia, upon hearing that Mrs. Zhen was at the second gate, stepped away from the card table to await her.
The curtain was lifted, and Mrs. Zhen, with a smile, ca in, curtseyed, and before she spoke, Mrs. Liao also arrived.
They exchanged greetings.
Only then did Mrs. Zhen say, "Inside the Jiang Family, the old lady, madams, and young won all appeared amiable, implying they were very pleased with Yunlan. That Fourth Miss Jiang, with a chubby face like a doll, is quite delightful."
Pleasant and delightful, words that made Mrs. Liao secretly nod in approval.
Old Mrs. Xia inquired further about the details during the ceremony, and upon knowing that Fourth Miss Jiang comported herself well, she was relieved.
Mrs. Liao thanked Mrs. Zhen, even though Anhua Courtyard was on her mind, she restrained from ntioning it at that mont.
As early September passed, the second family was preparing to head to Tong City for the birthday celebration.
Old Mrs. Hou’s birthday was on September 27, and it had been many years since Mrs. Zhen had returned ho. She had sent a letter ahead, so surely her natal family was eagerly awaiting her.
Tong City wasn’t far from the Capital, only taking seven or eight days by carriage. However, with Mrs. Zhen planning a stopover at Lishan Academy, an additional day or two would need to be reserved.
Preparation for the journey, the gifts to be brought back, were arranged with the help of Mrs. Miao.
Du Huaixi had also taken leave to accompany his wife and daughter.
Two days before departure, Mrs. Zhen ntioned the visit to Lishan Academy to Old Mrs. Xia.
Old Mrs. Xia, upon hearing this, said, "Very well, a few days ago Old Master ntioned a fine inkstone to be given to Yun Di, why not take this chance to deliver it?"
Mrs. Zhen agreed.
Old Mrs. Xia then carefully instructed Du Yunluo not to throw tantrums on the journey, and to maintain decorum in her maternal ho.
Du Yunluo agreed wholeheartedly, and upon returning to Anhua Courtyard found that Jin Ling and Jin Rui had already packed the luggage.
This trip, including a short stay in Tong City, would at most be a month.
Even so, it was enough for the two maids to pack several large chests.
Unwilling to make a show, Mrs. Zhen only allowed Du Yunluo to bring one big maid, while the others, second-class maids, stewards, and rough laborers, were assigned from Qinghui Garden. Du Yunluo figured Jin Ling had to take care of Mrs. Duan and her brother, so she left Jin Ling to look after Anhua Courtyard and took Jin Rui with her.
At dawn, after paying respects in Lianfu Garden, the three of them departed.
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