When Lu Yucheng arrived at Changshou Courtyard, Old Madam Lu had just woken up from her afternoon nap, and her personal maid, Granny He, was helping her wash up.
Seeing her eldest grandson arrive, Old Madam Lu handed a handkerchief to Granny He and said with a smile, "Cheng'er, you're getting married soon. How are the preparations going? Don't skimp on the money. Make sure everything is done beautifully and grandly, so as not to tarnish the dignity of our Duke Zhenguo's mansion."
Although she was extremely dissatisfied with her eldest granddaughter, her eldest grandson did bring honor to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
She knew that people outside were laughing at the fact that the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, a first-rank official, was going to marry the daughter of the Marquis of Nanyang, who had no real power and was a former member of the royal family who had surrendered.
However, Old Madam Lu was a strong-willed woman, and she wanted these gossipy people to see for themselves that their Zhenguo Duke's Mansion was not something that any Tom, Dick, or Harry could afford to offend, and she would never let them laugh at her. This wedding was to be a grand and magnificent affair.
Lu Yucheng bowed to Madam Lu: "Yes, thank you for your concern, Grandmother. His Highness Prince An and His Highness the Fifth Prince have arrived. Father asked me to invite Grandmother to the front hall."
Madam Lu frowned slightly, thinking that Prince An and Xiao Yun had already divorced, so what was he doing at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion? Even if he was here, what was she supposed to do with him?
But then I thought, the Fifth Prince is here too, and the twin sisters Lu Jinmi and Lu Jinpei have grown up to be even more beautiful. Could it be that these two princes have made an appointment to come and ask for the sisters' hand in marriage today?
This is wonderful!
That's how it is with the eldest grandson's marriage. He's going to marry a granddaughter-in-law who has no real power. It's a marriage bestowed by imperial decree, so what can she do?
But if those twin sisters could both marry princes, tsk tsk...
Then we'll see how those gossipy people are proven wrong.
Madam Lu quickly changed her expression and laughed loudly, "Oh dear, His Highness Prince An and the Fifth Prince are coming to our residence, why didn't anyone inform Grandmother in advance? Instead, the two princes have to wait for an old woman like me. How impolite! Quickly, come with Grandmother to the front hall."
Lu Yucheng helped Madam Lu to her feet.
Old Madam Lu stopped in her tracks and said to Granny He, "Quickly go and bring Mi'er and Pei'er here."
Lu Yucheng frowned: "Grandmother, the two princes are men from outside the family. It is not proper for us to invite our two younger sisters over."
Madam Lu gave him a reproachful look: "What do you know? He Mama, go quickly and tell the two young ladies to dress up properly."
Lu Yucheng wanted to say something, but then he thought it was a good idea to let them hear firsthand what kind of person their mother really was.
The Duke of Zhenguo then sent a servant to summon Fang Shi.
The Begonia Courtyard where Madam Fang lived was exceptionally spacious. At this moment, she was sitting in the pavilion, enjoying delicious pastries while watching her two daughters learn court etiquette from the etiquette matron.
They were living quite comfortably, after all, the Duke of Zhenguo and his heir had made great contributions recently, and the palace had rewarded them with many gifts.
With Madam Lu backing her up, the brother and sister didn't dare to do anything to her.
Upon hearing the servants' invitation, saying that His Highness Prince An and the Fifth Prince had arrived and invited Madam Fang to the front hall, Fang's eyes immediately lit up.
She hurriedly put down the pastries in her hand, straightened her hair, and said to her two daughters, "Mi'er, Pei'er, hurry up and go wash and dress up properly, then come with your mother to the front hall."
The servant dared not say anything, but stood respectfully to the side, urging the lady and the two young ladies to hurry.
Fang rolled her eyes: "What's the rush? Since the two princes have come to ask for the marriage of my two precious daughters, what's wrong with making them wait a moment?"
The servant thought to himself, "The Duke didn't say the two young ladies couldn't go. Don't cry later, you're too imaginative."
Lu Jinpei had seen the majestic and elegant appearance of "Prince An" before, and at this moment she was almost certain that Prince An had come to propose marriage to her father and mother, wanting to marry her as his princess.
As for the Fifth Prince, he is good, gentle and refined, and has a bright and clear appearance, but he is still not as good as Prince An.
She raised her chin at Lu Jinmi and gave a soft snort: "Second sister, don't be delusional. I know Prince An and your sister. He even knows my name. As for you, ha... you can only pray that the Fifth Prince will take a liking to you."
"Oh, no, even if the Fifth Prince takes a liking to you, you still have to call me Fourth Sister-in-law!"
Lu Jinpei puffed out her small chest and went into the house to change her clothes with a haughty air.
Lu Jinmi's eyes reddened with anger: "Mother, what does my sister mean by this!"
Madam Fang quickly coaxed, "Alright, alright, go change into some pretty clothes and let the maid dress you up nicely. The Fifth Prince is no less than Prince An. Besides, everyone is saying that the Fifth Prince is very likely to rise to the top, and then you will be the Empress who rules the world."
Lu Jinmi immediately pictured her third sister, that wretched girl Lu Xiaoyun, a group of court ladies, and even ministers groveling at her feet, calling her Empress. She instantly felt refreshed.
As soon as the two young ladies finished changing their clothes and came out, Granny He came over and said that she wanted to invite the two young ladies to the front hall.
Now Fang was even more certain that the two princes had taken a liking to her two daughters. Judging from Pei'er's words, Prince An probably had his eye on her, so Mi'er would be the Fifth Prince's consort.
Fang was happily dreaming of having two princes' sons-in-law, completely forgetting about the cold, icy man with dagger-like eyes who had nearly scared her half to death half a year ago.
After a quarter of an hour, everyone finally arrived at the front hall.
As soon as everyone entered the front hall, they saw a handsome young man sitting on the right side of the main seat. He was tall and straight, with a jade belt around his waist and a jade crown around his hair. His noble air was impossible to conceal.
On the left, in the main seat, sat a young man with a gentle and refined demeanor, the Fifth Prince, whose noble air was equally undeniable.
Madam Lu and Madam Fang were perfectly in sync and incredibly excited. They hurried inside to pay their respects to the two princes.
Lu Xiaoyun raised her hand lightly: "Madam Lu, stepmother, there's no need for such formalities."
Zhu Dan nodded to them with a slight smile on his lips.
Upon seeing these two exceptionally handsome princes, Lu Jinmi and Lu Jinpei immediately blushed and said, "Your subject Lu Jinmi (Pei) greets Your Highness Prince An and Your Highness the Fifth Prince."
The two greeted each other with voices that were as soft and sweet as could be, and their delivery was incredibly precise.
Zhu Yu was startled. Did these two have some serious illness?
Lu Xiaoyun's lips twitched, and she quickly picked up the tea beside her and took a sip to suppress the nausea that almost made her vomit up her dinner from the night before.
In contrast, Zhu Dan was much calmer and smiled, saying, "Ladies, there's no need for such formalities."
The Duke of Zhenguo said coldly, "What are you doing here? Go back to your own rooms!"
The two sisters' eyes immediately welled up with tears, but when they saw their "eldest sister" there, they gritted their teeth in disbelief.
Old Madam Lu said irritably, "I'm the one who called them here."
"Mother, you..."
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