Chapter 201 Unwilling
Thinking of this, Luo Yi stood up, stepped forward, curtsied to Yu Qingci, and said softly:
"Greetings, sister. The old lady was just talking about you, saying that you work very hard managing the affairs of the mansion and should rest more. That's why I didn't go to pay my respects to the young mistress, for fear of disturbing you. I hope you won't blame me."
elder sister?
Upon hearing this address, Yu Qingci's eyebrows furrowed slightly, but she paused only briefly before replying calmly:
"How could that be? Miss Luo, you are too polite. Please rise."
He then stepped forward to greet Madam Ning.
Madam Ning smiled and said, "They are all good children. Qingci, come here quickly. I was just saying that Yiyi will be staying with us for a long time, so we don't need to be so polite with each other. We can call you sister-in-law like Yun Chu does. But this girl said that you look more like an older sister from her neighborhood, so she calls you that to make it sound more affectionate."
You don't need to call her Miss Luo; her nickname is Yiyi. Just call her by her name; that's more like family, hehehe.”
Granny Pei, listening from behind, gritted her teeth inwardly.
Madam Ning smiled contentedly, and Yu Qingci readily agreed:
"Daughter-in-law understands. However, Miss Luo, please still call me sister-in-law like Yun Chu does, so it will sound like we're family."
Upon hearing this, Luo Yi hurriedly said, "Young Madam is of noble status, and Luo Yi dares not be presumptuous. Besides, my husband... the young general has not yet returned. I will listen to him when he comes back."
As Luo Yi spoke, she lowered her eyelids, revealing a shy and charming demeanor typical of a young girl.
Why dare to call someone "sister-in-law" when you don't dare to call them "sister"?
Yu Qingci twitched the corner of her mouth and looked away.
Looking at Luo Yi's thoughtful expression, Madam Ning quickly smiled knowingly.
Her son was handsome and upright, a young hero praised by everyone. It was only natural that Yiyi, who had been by his side for so long, would develop feelings for him.
The group sat down again, and Madam Ning said kindly, "Sister-in-law or elder sister, it's up to you, call me whatever you like."
Luo Yi immediately climbed up: "The old lady is still the best to Yi Yi. It's all my fault for being too stupid to please my sister. I'm so sorry for the hairpin that the old lady gave me. I feel ashamed to accept it."
As she spoke, she reached out and adjusted the gold hairpin on her head.
Madam Ning's eyes were full of affection: "What is there to be ashamed of, child? It's just a hairpin, it's nothing. Young girls like you should dress up nicely, it makes me happy to see you like this."
He then looked at Yu Qingci and said, "Yiyi came to our mansion without bringing anything with her. I asked Granny Wang to find her a couple of sets of clothes and jewelry to tide her over. Today, you should instruct the embroiderers in the mansion to take good care of Yiyi and make her a few sets of seasonal clothes, using the best materials, just like Yun Chu's. Also, pick out a few sets of jewelry suitable for a young lady and send them over. I trust your eye for quality."
Yiyi has been kind to Yunqi, we can't treat her unfairly.
Yu Qingci: "Yes, I will instruct someone from the embroidery workshop to come and take her measurements in a moment."
Madam Ning: “My son’s news came back yesterday, and the palace has sent more gifts. I estimate that there will be many people coming to congratulate us today. You have things to do, so you don’t need to accompany me. Just take good care of the guests. By the way, tell Yun Chu to come with you and help you. I have Yi Yi to keep me company.”
Yu Qingci left with Lu Yunchu.
The two walked out of the main hall. Lu Yun Chu frowned upon hearing laughter and chatter coming from inside, and tugged at Yu Qing Ci's sleeve, whispering:
“Sister-in-law, this Luo Yi is quite capable. In such a short time, she has made my mother smile from ear to ear. From last night to today, my mother can’t even see me, her own daughter.”
Yu Qingci smiled but didn't say anything more.
In the following days, the General's Mansion once again came into the sight of the nobles and officials in the capital. Although the young general had not yet returned, the mansion was bustling with visitors every day, seemingly restoring its former glory.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had to receive several groups of guests and female relatives who came to offer their congratulations every day, keeping them so busy that they barely had any free time. Yu Qingci didn't even have time to say a few words to her own father, the Earl of Nanping, when he came to visit.
However, the Earl of Nanping was genuinely happy for his daughter and cheerfully instructed her:
“My daughter has finally overcome her hardships. Your good days are yet to come after your son-in-law comes back. When that time comes, take him back to your parents’ home. Your mother and I are waiting for you.”
Yu Qingci bit her lip: "Yes, daughter remembers."
The atmosphere inside the Nanping Earl's Mansion was quite the opposite.
For the past few months, Madam Qiao had been busy preparing her daughter Yu Qingyan's dowry, and she was extremely busy. However, she did not expect to hear the terrible news from outside: her short-lived young general prospective son-in-law was not only alive, but had also returned with meritorious service. She was both shocked and angry and could not believe it was true.
She didn't die? Does that mean that little bitch Yu Qingci is going to turn her life around? Not only will she escape being a widow for life, but she'll also become a glamorous general's wife?
On what grounds?
Why does that little bitch have such a good life? Heaven is blind, she got off too easily!
"Mother, have you heard? General Lu is not dead! He's still alive and will be returning to the capital soon!"
Mrs. Qiao glanced at her daughter who had rushed over and interrupted her impatiently: "Yes, of course I've heard about such a big thing, so what?"
Yu Qingci's eyes widened: "But he was originally my husband!"
"Shut up! Have you forgotten that you and he have nothing to do with each other anymore? He is now that little bitch Yu Qingci's husband, and your fiancé is the fourth young master of the Cheng'an Prince's Mansion."
Mrs. Qiao coldly interrupted her daughter.
Yu Qingyan was both ashamed and angry after being doused with cold water by her mother. She stomped her feet angrily and said:
"But my daughter is just not reconciled. Why does Yu Qingci have such a good life?"
Yeah, why should we?
Madam Qiao was also unwilling, but she still patiently persuaded her daughter, "Alright, since you have already broken off the engagement with that young General Lu, whether he lives or dies has nothing to do with you. In another month, you will be marrying into the Cheng'an Prince's Mansion. Compared to the status and position of the Cheng'an Prince's Mansion, that general's mansion is nothing."
"Right now, the most important thing for you is to focus on embroidering your dowry. Instead of worrying about these things, you should work with the other embroiderers and make some more pieces. After you get married, these items will be given to your parents-in-law and husband. If you don't do a good job and embroider them poorly, don't blame me for not warning you."
When her mother mentioned her dowry, Yu Qingyan's mind returned slightly, and she said in a low voice:
"My daughter knows."
She secretly thought to herself: What's there to prepare? How could she, the daughter of a noble family, really embroider all those pieces herself? The embroiderers in the family would do it all, and she would just add a few stitches at the end as a token gesture.
When that day comes, who will really care whether the bride embroidered it herself?
So when she heard this devastating news, she was struck dumb as if by lightning, and without thinking, she dropped her embroidery and ran out to find her mother.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com