"Don't talk about such inauspicious things!" Du Yunying interrupted Yunuo.
Yunuo pouted, "What did I say wrong? Third sister, think about it, over these years, the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion has really been... During the Ninth Year of Yong'an, we were still little and didn't witness that scene, but four years ago, have you forgotten?"
Four years ago, the Fourteenth Year of Yong'an.
Du Yunying shivered.
That January, there was no laughter in the Capital.
When the city gates opened, the procession returning with the spirits was accompanied by a sky full of white papers and copper coins. The suppressed cries were unforgettable for life.
The Dingyuan Marquis and his eldest and third sons died in battle at the border, and counting the fourth son who died in the Ninth Year of Yong'an to save his father, only the second son was left to the Dingyuan Marquis.
Mu Lianxiao was the only bloodline left by the eldest son of Dingyuan Marquis.
When carrying the spirit tablet into the Capital, he was only twelve.
A loyal and heroic family left behind many widows!
In that family, it seemed that widowhood was the norm.
Du Yunying felt scared, but Du Yunluo was left only with anger and hatred.
All plots!
She closed her eyes, her mind full of the suffocating cries, seeing herself in mourning clothes standing outside the Marquis Mansion's gate, staring fixedly at the approaching procession.
The black coffin was like a boulder, pressing so she could hardly breathe.
Her fingertips brushed over the spirit tablet, cold to the bone.
No matter how many years passed, she could never forget that moment.
The moment Mu Lianxiao was sent back to the Capital.
The hand hanging by her side clenched tightly, leaving a row of crescent marks in her palm. Du Yunluo snapped back to reality, "I remember it."
In the Twenty-Fifth Year of Yong'an, she became a widow.
Yunuo thought she was talking about the affair in the Fourteenth Year of Yong'an and nodded repeatedly, "Marrying into Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, becoming the Heir's Wife, seems endlessly glorious, our Du Family gaining face, but it's you, fifth sister, who has to live inside! Nowadays, the border is still tense, who could say when the heir would be deployed? By that time, he leaves for the front, and you live in constant fear in the Capital. What if, just in case, then what in the future? I say, while grandfather hasn't made up his mind, quickly go beg him. With the Du Family's background, royal court officials, there's no need to climb high branches. There are still many suitable official families, noble young men in the Capital. Being safe and sound is most important."
This talk was seemingly considerate of Du Yunluo with each reasonable sentence about the younger sister's marriage affairs, displaying heartfelt sincerity.
The past Du Yunluo truly listened.
But now, she finally understood that Yunuo's focus was on "begging grandfather." She wanted Du Yunluo to stir trouble, to argue with grandfather and grandmother, wanting Du Yunluo to fall out of favor.
Du Yunying, quick to react and harboring her little schemes, immediately comprehended, her eyes shifted, hurrying to persuade, "Indeed! Marrying a soldier, how different is it from a gamble? It's betting with a lifetime. Fifth sister, third aunt must also be reluctant."
Seeing an ally, Yunuo added fuel to the fire, "I'm so anxious because I'm afraid grandfather might agree. I'll secretly tell you, I overheard my parents talking that day. Father was scolded by grandfather recently. Grandfather said he lacks ambition, just holding a temple minister position in the Ministry of Imperial Stables. With my eldest uncle posted outside, Lindong isn't a great place, no telling when he can be a Capital official again, while my third uncle at the Ministry of Rites, among the Six Ministries, it's hard to climb up even by sharpening your head. Du Family seeking glory like grandfather's tenure seems difficult. Grandfather, unwilling, can only scold father. Fifth sister, if Du Family allied by marriage with Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, apparently gaining a strong backing, if the Heir's young master were unfortunate, Du Family might rise even higher. I've heard, Mrs. Mu's natal family has indeed flourished."
"Isn't this selling fifth sister?" Du Yunying snapped, "This, this... ah!"
Du Yunluo sneered internally; Zhou Family's success wasn't built on their battle-dead father or husband, but on Zhou family's youth striving, literary talent esteemed in the Capital; yet, some were envious, determined to sow discord.
No matter how clear-headed Du Yunluo was now, back then she was ablaze with anger.
She feared grandfather, grandmother would "sell" her for Du Family's future, afraid like her sisters said, she'd become a widow, and charged into Lianfu Garden, earning grandfather and grandmother's chastisement and punishment. Crying, she sought her mother's help; in Qinghui Garden, Mrs. Zhen slapped her.
She stood there stunned; she thought her mother abandoned her for father's and elder brothers' prospects. Clearly, Du Yunying said mother surely couldn't bear her to gamble, but reality was...
Du Yunluo cried a day and night.
Perhaps it was her resistance that made Dingyuan Marquis Mansion feel humiliated, so the marriage fell through.
Unexpectedly, due to a brief summer encounter, an "accident" brought the marriage back on the table.
The marriage was set eventually, with the wedding scheduled three years later.
One imperial decree not only sent Mu Lianxiao to the front but also advanced the wedding date, holding the decree, Du Yunluo seemingly glimpsed a gloomy future.
Until the moment of boarding the bridal sedan, she still struggled.
It was Mrs. Zhen holding scissors to her neck, forcing her into the sedan.
This was also why, after Mu Lianxiao's death, she resolved to break ties with her natal family.
Clearly, she saw this possibility back then, spoke countless times about the risk of this gamble, yet the Du family didn't listen, using her as a pawn to pave the way for promotions.
Not until her mother's passing did Du Yunluo slowly understand much.
Mrs. Zhen cared for her deeply, father and mother had their dilemmas.
Mrs. Zhen struck her, yet secretly knelt in Lianfu Garden, to let the initial probe go unanswered.
Finally, it was grandfather who nodded, leaving Mrs. Zhen powerless.
The imperial decree arrived at the Du family; who could resist it? If Du Yunluo deflected the decree, the Du family would not only lose face but also risk losing their lives.
Mrs. Zhen had no choices, only death as leverage.
Du Yunluo reckoned; she hurt her mother too much, making Du Yunru and Du Yundi resent her.
This time, she mustn't repeat the same.
This marriage, she accepts it willingly.
She wouldn't let Mu Lianxiao die in vain; she's willing to bet, wants to bet!
Seeing Du Yunluo unmoved, Du Yunying gently nudged her, "Frightened? Afraid now, tears later! If you don't dare speak with grandfather, grandmother, go to third aunt and ask for her plea."
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Du Yunluo raised an eyebrow and asked her.
Back then, she also said it, couldn't stand provocation, igniting quickly, and charged into Lianfu Garden.
Du Yunying's heart leapt with joy, outwardly saying, "Then quickly go; this needs swift action."
Du Yunluo nodded, turned, and headed to Lianfu Garden.
The hour wasn't early; apart from Du Yunru delayed serving sick Mrs. Zhen, the main room was full.
Leading the way, Du Yunluo lifted the curtain, entered, and curtsied to pay respects.
Old Mrs. Xia glanced at the three sisters, "Yo, what a coincidence. Clearly different paths, yet you all come late together."
Du Gongfu, sitting on the Arhat bed, sipped tea, "They're usually together, it's not strange coming together."
Old Mrs. Xia, losing face, turned away sulking.
Du Gongfu, having spoken, ordered the crowd to disperse.
Du Yunluo took a step to leave, Du Yunying continuously gesturing at her, she acted as if she didn't notice.
Yunuo anxiously grabbed Du Yunluo's hand, "Fifth sister..."
Old Mrs. Xia watched and said, "What's the matter? Speak if you have something to say."