Chapter 239 Giving Yiyi a Name

So some noblewomen came forward to show their goodwill to Yu Qingci, and Yu Qingci also spoke with them in a generous and graceful manner.

Seeing everyone showering Yu Qingci with compliments like a star, Luo Yi's smile gradually faded. She secretly resented these opportunists. Just moments ago, they were subtly mocking Yu Qingci for not winning the general's true love, but now that they've met the person in question, they're all fawning over her. They're truly clueless.

Luo Yi was secretly furious, but she didn't realize that most of the women in the room were there because they wanted to befriend the General's Mansion. In the eyes of these noble ladies, Yu Qingci was the rightful mistress of the General's Mansion, and she was so dazzling. As for her, a country girl with no status or background, she was worlds apart from the main wife. Even if the General had feelings for her, she was only fit to be Lu Yunqi's concubine.

Why not befriend a capable and talented matriarch like Yu Qingci, instead of currying favor with someone like her who is only fit to be a concubine?

Looking at her radiant and composed sister-in-law, Lu Yun Chu was naturally happy for her. So she stepped forward, took her sister-in-law's arm, and joined her in the socializing.

Some noble ladies began to secretly observe Lu Yun Chu, while others even probed her with words in front of Old Madam Ning.

Upon learning that Lu Yun Chu's marriage was still undecided, some people immediately began to have designs on the spot. Several eager noblewomen surrounded Old Madam Ning and Lu Yun Chu, praising them profusely.

A lady smiled and said, "The old lady is truly blessed. The girl she raised is so outstanding in both character and appearance. There are few like her in the entire capital. I wonder which young man will be so fortunate as to marry her in the future."

Immediately someone chimed in, "My family is the Marquis of Wenchang's mansion. My nephew is seventeen years old this year and has already been granted the title of heir. He is currently studying at the Imperial Academy and has already achieved the rank of Xiucai. He is known for his kind and honest nature. My sister-in-law, the Lady of the Marquis of Wenchang, is famous for her good temper. If the old lady does not mind, I will bring my nephew to pay my respects to the old lady on a chosen day."

These words were spoken subtly, yet everyone understood that they implied a marriage proposal, prompting the surrounding ladies to chime in, eager to act as matchmakers for their own relatives and younger relatives. For a time, the main hall was filled with lively chatter, all recommending their own younger relatives.

Lu Yun Chu was taken aback by this scene and blushed, hiding behind Yu Qing Ci, not daring to look up.

The Lady of Zhenbei Marquis also came today. She sat demurely in her chair, drinking tea with a reserved demeanor. Unlike the other ladies, she did not eagerly approach Old Madam Ning to make friends. However, her eyes kept glancing at the shy girl hiding behind the General's wife.

In fact, ever since she entered and saw Lu Yunqi, she had been secretly observing him. The more she observed, the more satisfied she became. The Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion and the Ningyuan General's Mansion were both military families, and their relationship was already very close. Lu Yunqi was young and promising, and he had a life-and-death friendship with her son. If the two families could become husband and wife, that would be the best thing ever.

Most importantly, this young lady was someone my son had taken a liking to and specifically mentioned to her. Besides offering birthday wishes, her main purpose in coming today was to secretly observe her and give her son a heads-up.

This girl seems to be good-looking and of good character. She is generous and poised in her dealings with others. Seeing how close she is to her sister-in-law, it is clear that she is easy to get along with. The more Lady Zhenbei looks at her, the more satisfied she becomes.

But seeing the ladies surrounding Old Madam Ning, desperately trying to promote their own younger generation, the Lady of Zhenbei Marquis was secretly anxious. No, the marriage proposal had to be done as soon as possible. If other families beat her to it, it would be troublesome.

When the main banquet began, the Lady of Zhenbei Marquis happened to be seated at the same table as Old Madam Ning. She deliberately sat down next to Old Madam Ning and took the initiative to chat. She couldn't stop praising Lu Yun Chu in her words, which made Old Madam Ning beam with joy. By the end of the banquet, the two had become close friends who could talk about anything.

After a lively day, the party finally came to an end. After seeing off the last group of guests, Old Madam Ning, supporting her aching back, chuckled and complained:

"I'm really getting old. This day of socializing is exhausting. It seems that hosting a birthday banquet isn't all that great. I've been busy all day."

Lu Yun Chu stepped forward and tenderly massaged her mother's legs and shoulders, saying, "Mother, this is just a regular birthday banquet, not a full birthday celebration. When you celebrate your full birthday in the future, there will probably be even more people and it will be more lively."

Granny Wang also smiled and said, "That's true. Given our general's current status in the court, when the old lady celebrates her birthday, even the court will send down rewards to add to her life. Our general's mansion will only get better and better in the future."

The group chatted and laughed around Madam Ning for a few moments. Madam Ning looked around and asked, "Where is Yunqi? Why hasn't he returned yet?"

Yu Qingci was standing aside, lost in thought. Today, only her father came to the Marquis's residence; her mother and younger brother did not come. Her father said that her mother was ill, although it was just a slight cold. She was still worried about her and wondered if she should talk to her mother-in-law tomorrow and go back to visit her.

Just as she was thinking, someone gently tugged at her sleeve. When she came to her senses, she saw it was her sister-in-law. Lu Yun Chu gestured to her with her eyes, and Yu Qing Ci quickly looked at her mother-in-law.

Madam Ning asked again, "Are there still guests in the front yard who haven't left?"

Yu Qingci: "The guests have all left, only a few of the general's lieutenants are staying. The general is talking with his lieutenants in the study right now, and they will be back in a little while."

Madam Ning nodded: "That's good."

After saying that, he said to Lu Yun Chu and Luo Yi, "I'm all done here. You two must be tired after a long day, so go back and rest. Especially Yi Yi, your foot injury hasn't healed yet, but you've stayed by my side for most of the day. Now you can finally relax, so go back and get some rest."

Luo Yi and Yun Chu got up, said goodbye, and left.

Yu Qingci was about to go back, but her mother-in-law kept her there.

"Qingci, sit for a while longer, I have something to tell you."

Everyone tactfully left, leaving only the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Madam Ning gestured for Yu Qingci to sit closer, and took her hand, saying:

"Qingci, I know you are a magnanimous person. You saw Yiyi's appearance today. Everyone knows that this child has been kind to Yunqi and was brought back by Yunqi. It is not right for a young lady to live in the back of our General's Mansion for a long time without a name or status.

Yunqi had told me before that he wanted to find a suitable family for Yiyi in the capital, but it wasn't easy to find one. Now that Yiyi's identity has been revealed, and people outside have decided that Yiyi belongs to Yunqi, who would come to propose marriage?

Since we've let them bear this reputation, we have to be responsible for them. Good child, you are Yunqi's wife, and it's a wife's duty to help her husband take a concubine. I think we should set a date and get it done, so we can give Yiyi an explanation.

"Once she's officially recognized as a wife, I'll have Yiyi move out of my place and give her her own courtyard. I think we should renovate Linxi Pavilion and have Yiyi move in. What do you think?"