At the end of October, cool autumn breezes ca in waves, and the sunlight was warm. It was a rare fine weather.
Suitable for recognizing relatives, suitable for setting up marriage alliances.
Guests at Duke Fu’s Mansion ca in an endless stream.
Shen Hua sat in front of the Duchess of Duke Fu, her smile almost stiffening.
The news that Duke Fu’s Mansion recognized an adopted daughter spread thoroughly. Everyone appeared amiable on the surface, but privately, all kinds of things were being said.
"If I rember correctly, isn’t Miss Shen Cousin of Marquis Yangling Mansion? How has she beco related to the Xie Family as well?"
Duchess Chengbo was sour and envious. Her chest heaved unevenly.
She looked around, rembering that when her son married that wretched woman, the guests that attended were not as nurous as today!!!
"She really has the talent to be favored by two mansions, didn’t you see? This ti everyone from Cui Mansion is here. Even Dowager Cui, who hardly ever leaves her house, is here too. The two families get along very well, and Princess Rui’an is even greeting guests at the Xie family’s door. Can you believe it?"
Cui Rong, licking her sugared hawthorn, dressed in beautiful red robes, occasionally greeted guests ekly, "Please co inside."
But when people saw her!
She actually frowned and said,
—"How co you’re everywhere, like a bad spirit. Hey, haven’t seen you in a few days, you look older than my grandmother."
People around her just laughed when they heard her complain, naturally not joining in the conversation.
"What rits and abilities does a re cousin have? Those who don’t know might think the two mansions are about to form a marriage alliance."
The words had barely left her mouth when a commotion started outside, and Ji Teng entered in casual clothes.
He dismissed the greetings from everyone, didn’t go to the host’s seat, but instead sat down next to Cui Yun, "The younger generation is here to add to the crowd, no need for formalities. Have the two families discussed the marriage?"
"I originally thought about granting the marriage, but Ah Yun refused it. After thinking it over, I just let it be, as after all, marital fate is best when it cos naturally. There is the precedent of the late Emperor’s ’granted marriage’, which after all cannot be considered auspicious."
Only then did everyone realize that Cui family had made such a big fuss, originally to propose marriage.
Duchess Chengbo gasped.
She was not very satisfied with this marriage!
Seeing the shallow smile brimming on Dowager Cui’s lips, she felt even more irked! Her eyes could roll back from hatred, but she could only comfort herself, at least Xuan Shuyu died unmarried.
The crowd showered blessings generously, praising Shen Hua to the skies.
Duchess Chengbo thought, a girl like Shen Hua just relied on her sharp tongue, having never seen big occasions, probably the fox’s tail would be sticking up to the sky. Not fit for public display.
She, waited to see Shen Hua embarrass herself.
However, Shen Hua responded appropriately.
She chard everyone, few could resist. She discussed the way of preserving health with those respected Dowagers and quickly turned to talk about the education of young children with the younger won.
Her! What does she know about education!!!
Could those obstinate kids even listen to her!
Duchess Chengbo could not bear to watch anymore, turned around, and left the mansion, but not before witnessing an unforgettable scene.
A group of distinguished, indulged young radish heads were gathered, making noise. The most conspicuous among them was Duke Wen’s grandson. He warned soone.
—"If you continue causing trouble, I’ll have the officials punish you!"
Radish head number one was fearless.
—"Do you think I’d be scared?"
The grandson turned his head.
—"Next ti the teacher tests us, if you speak nonsense and get nothing right, with no understanding or learning and always causing trouble, if you cheat again, you’ll surely be snatched by a wolf and swallowed whole."
Radish head number two was disdainful.
—"Who are you scaring?"
Just then, Cui Rong ca over.
Cui Rong, holding her chin up high, told them.
—"Behave, or I’ll call Shen Hua over."
Both number one and number two imdiately burst into tears, holding their heads.
——Whoo, how terrifying.
————
The elders from Xie and Cui Mansion invited Ji Teng to the main courtyard to discuss the marriage, leaving Qiao Si and other younger generations to entertain the guests.
Shen Hua, supporting Dowager Cui, went to the main courtyard. She intended to listen, however, Duchess thought the girl might feel uneasy and deliberately sent her away.
The girl stared slowly at the motionless Cui Yun, who noticed Shen Hua’s gaze and looked up.
She pursed her lips, taking small steps toward the outside.
Just as she crossed the threshold, she could still hear the gentle voice of Cui Xuan.
"Yun’s feeling is that Yangyang is still young and it’s better to wait a few more years. The Astronomical Observatory matched their birthdates and calculated the auspicious days; the nearest ones are next July or the March after."
"I also think March of the year after next is better. Next July seems too rushed, and considering the heat, wearing the wedding outfit and sitting in the wedding sedan can be unbearable."
After Shen Hua stepped out, she glanced at the sky, unwilling to deal with the guests in the front hall; thus, she took a shortcut, wandering aimlessly.
Wei Yingying didn’t co this ti; she stayed in the palace to take care of her pregnancy. It was just seven days ago in a small courtyard, feeling suffocated with nowhere to vent, she insisted on taking Shen Hua and the others on a night run, which afterward resulted in discovering her indisposition.
She was already one month pregnant at the ti.
The risk of a miscarriage also greatly frightened Wei Yingying.
While she was thinking, she heard an uncontrollable sob up ahead.
"Why does the Prince have to get married? I am really deeply distressed. Since it’s not , I would rather he remain alone forever. That would be better than benefiting soone else."
Shen Hua recognized her.
This was the daughter of the Langya Wang Family, who was promoted again and had returned to Shengjing.
People surrounded her, busily trying to console her.
"Sister Yu, please don’t cry. In my opinion, Shen Hua doesn’t compare to you at all. She just relies on her face."
Afar, Shen Hua, not at all offended, even delightedly took out a small mirror, indulging in her own reflection.
Wang Yingyu paused in her sobbing upon hearing this.
She sniffled.
"That’s not quite true."
"I think she has depth."
Everyone: ??
"What are you talking about! She is very capricious and acts recklessly. Duke Wen’s Mansion’s Jinsun was recently chastised by her."
Wang Yingyu: "Isn’t that good? The Jinsun of Duke Wen’s Mansion has been much more disciplined these days. It’s said he’s also serious at school."
"The person the Prince favors can’t be too shabby!"
Her eyes were swollen like walnut kernels, and it was very difficult for her to even frown, but she didn’t forget to say, "There’s no need to belittle others just to comfort , that’s really tasteless."
The crowd’s faces darkened. Especially when a soft laugh ca from behind.
Seeing it was Shen Hua, a few people sheepishly found an excuse to leave.
Wang Yingyu took a deep breath: "Don’t worry, I can pick up and let go. I definitely won’t covet the Prince anymore."
She tried hard to find a suitable, yet unmarried young man of equal social standing.
"Now that I think about it, Grand Commandant Yuan isn’t bad either."
Shen Hua, with her noble and cold beauty, nodded slightly. She didn’t want to talk more and turned to look for Xie Yinong.
Wang Yingyu also turned to seek Yuan Shaqing’s whereabouts.
Unexpectedly, after much wandering, both of them ended up eting again by the small lake.
Both sets of eyes fell on the sa spot.
Not far off, Xie Yinong, known for her knowledge and propriety, stood hesitating, feeling guilty and at a loss as she looked up at Yuan Shaqing.
"Are you alright?"
Yuan Shaqing, with moist eyes and a pallid complexion conveying a fragile air, was in utter disarray at the mont. His clothes were dripping wet, and his ink-black hair was a ss.
"I... am not doing very well."
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