Du Gongfu's eyes followed the lively thrush, tapping the cage absentmindedly with a stick, looking content and carefree.
Old Mrs. Xia had to patiently ask once more.
Du Gongfu reluctantly put down the stick, blowing his beard as he said, "I say, at your age, why still play tricks on your granddaughter?"
Old Mrs. Xia was momentarily speechless, grumbling, "You talk about tricks, weren't you just playing dumb?"
Du Gongfu's face darkened, and he called the maid over to support him to the study, no longer engaging with Old Mrs. Xia.
Old Mrs. Xia sat on the Arhat Bed, watching her husband limp away, with no place to vent her anger, she drank a cup of tea in one gulp, feeling slightly better.
Nanny Xu saw this and nodded towards the maids, who filed out.
Only the mistress and the servant were left in the room.
"Tell me," Old Mrs. Xia gestured for Nanny Xu to sit on the embroidered stool, "what's with the old man today—snapping at me back and forth, and showing me that face?"
Nanny Xu sat down obediently, picked up the Beauty Hammer, and gently tapped Old Mrs. Xia: "It's definitely about Fifth Miss's marriage; the old master is troubled."
Upon this mention, Old Mrs. Xia pursed her lips and fell silent.
Yesterday, Lady Shi spoke very cryptically. Initially, Old Mrs. Xia thought she misunderstood, but after pressing for more details, she confirmed the intent.
Children's marriages are significant matters, discussed early on with Du Gongfu by Old Mrs. Xia.
Du Gongfu was silent for a long time, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Having been married for most of her life, Old Mrs. Xia understood his reaction very well.
This marriage, truth be told, was the Du Family aiming high.
Especially now, as the Du Family was going downhill, it would be a strong marriage alliance if it succeeded.
Moreover, Dingyuan Marquis Mansion had taken the initiative to send a message.
"I've heard that the Young Master, though young, is skilled in martial arts and has read numerous books, not just some crude fellow brandishing weapons, and he's quite handsome—much better than those spoiled dandies..." Old Mrs. Xia tapped her fingers on the bed casually, "Although it's said not to marry a Mu Family man, if the Mu Family truly wanted a bride, it wouldn't be impossible. Why would they take a fancy to our Yunluo?"
Nanny Xu lowered her gaze, with an awkward smile; some words were indeed hard for a servant to say.
Old Mrs. Xia didn't trouble her, speaking to herself: "I know what people outside say about Yunluo—spoiled, willful, refusing to suffer loss or grievance. But so what? She's the youngest daughter of the Du Family, spoiled or not, what business is that of theirs? Anyway, her father and I are willing to indulge her."
Nanny Xu couldn't help but chuckle; she knew how protective Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia were, especially of Du Yunluo, whom they cherished greatly.
With such protection, it wasn't surprising if Du Yunluo grew up to be spoiled.
But her reputation outside was not exactly good. In these circumstances, why would the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion still...?
"Fifth Miss may be delicate, but her heart is kind; others might not understand our Fifth Miss, but Lady Shi does. Lady Shi is related to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, perhaps the Marquis Mansion heard something?" Nanny Xu cautiously speculated.
Old Mrs. Xia slowly nodded, "That does make sense. With Lady Shi initiating, I naturally trust it. However..."
Old Mrs. Xia didn't finish her sentence, but Nanny Xu understood.
The Young Master will eventually go on expeditions, and if anything were to happen in the future, what would happen to Du Yunluo?
The girl her family dotes on so much, how could Old Mrs. Xia bear to let her suffer such grievances?
"No wonder the old master is in a dilemma." Nanny Xu sighed.
This conversation was unbeknownst to Du Yunluo. Leaving Lianfu Garden, she headed straight for Qinghui Garden.
Upon stepping into the courtyard of Qinghui Garden, Du Yunluo's steps halted, feeling heavy and unable to move.
How many years had it been since she last came here?
How many years since she last saw her mother and older sister?
In the last six months of her past life, she dreamed countless times of her mother, of her mother pressing scissors to her neck, forcing her tearfully onto the bridal sedan chair.
The deeper the hate back then, the deeper the regret later.
Guilt and longing surged in her heart, just a glance at the familiar faces of the maids and elder women in the courtyard made Du Yunluo's eyes redden.
Shui Yue lifted the curtain and, seeing Du Yunluo standing there, quickly greeted her with laughter, "Fifth Miss, come in quickly, Madam and the Eldest Miss have been talking about you."
Du Yunluo sniffled and followed Shui Yue inside.
As soon as she entered, she heard Mrs. Zhen's voice from the inner room, "Yunluo, my good girl, come in and let mother take a look at you."
This one call of "good girl" brought the tears Du Yunluo tried hard to hold back pouring down again.
She quickly rubbed her face with her hand, entering the inner room and reaching the bedside.
Mrs. Zhen was much better now, but having been bedridden for a long time, she lacked energy. Her sharp eyes, however, caught the tear traces as she held Du Yunluo's hand, "Why are you crying? Who's upset you?"
Looking at her loving mother, Du Yunluo's regret deepened. She took a deep breath silently, fearing she'd truly burst into tears.
"Mother worries herself into a mess," Du Yunru placed the medicine bowl on the table, tapping Du Yunluo's brow lightly, teasing, "It's good enough Yunluo doesn't upset others, that's already a big Amitabha."
Mrs. Zhen let out a chuckle, gently tapping Du Yunru's hand, "How can you talk about your sister like that."
Du Yunru pursed her lips, laughing, hugging Du Yunluo, pinched her cheeks, "You little mischief! Just for a few pots of peonies you badmouth me, trying every trick to get at me. My storeroom will eventually be emptied by you. I'm afraid of you, I'll have someone send the peonies to you later, but you mustn't cry anymore."
Before Du Yunru finished speaking, she felt a burning sensation on the thumb pinching her sister's cheeks, looking down, those beautiful eyes were filled with tears, unstoppable like a breached dam.
"I only teased you a bit, and you really started crying," Du Yunru panicked, quickly pulling out a handkerchief, coaxing, "Cry any more and mother will smack me."
Mrs. Zhen was at a loss whether to cry or laugh, feeling heartbroken at Du Yunluo's tears, and amused by Du Yunru's teasing, she feigned anger, glaring at Du Yunru: "Is that how you comfort your sister?"
Saying this, Mrs. Zhen pulled Du Yunluo into her embrace, gently wiping away the tears on her face with her thumb, "Nannan, don't cry, whatever it is, just tell mother, mother will make the decision for you."
Mrs. Zhen's voice was soft but particularly gentle like water, akin to a cup of tea slowly warming the heart.
Du Yunluo tightened her grip around Mrs. Zhen, the past life's sorrow engulfed her like tides, suffocating her, she opened her eyes wide, crying silently.
Du Yunru was stunned, though her sister was spoiled, she had never cried like this before, she glanced at Mrs. Zhen, seeing her nod, she turned to call Jin Ling, asking, "You were on night watch last night? Did anything happen?"
Jin Ling lowered her head, "Miss said she was haunted last night, cried upon waking and dressing this morning."
So it was a nightmare, Du Yunru breathed a sigh of relief, then turned back inside.
Mrs. Zhen gently patted Du Yunluo's back, comforting her for a while before she finally stopped her tears.
"Was it a nightmare last night?" Du Yunru asked softly.
Du Yunluo lifted her tear-filled eyes to look at her sister, finally nodding.
Mrs. Zhen then smiled, comforting, "It's just a bad dream, don't let it weigh on you, you'll feel better once you've cried it out."
Du Yunluo sobbed, how many years had it been since she last cried so freely?
Years by the green lamp and old Buddha had long eroded away the temper of her youth, whether great joy or sorrow, she would not show it on her face, until facing Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunru, hearing their soothing words, her emotions broke loose, uncontrollably pouring out.
"""