Chapter 206 This is his wife, Yu Qingci
"How can you only offer one set of clothes? Are you trying to fetch a beggar? Su, don't forget that when Qingci got married, we prepared a real ten-mile-long red dowry for her. Those were originally prepared for Qingyan. Now that it's Qingyan's wedding and we're asking you to contribute, all you've given is this little bit. Do you have any conscience?"
Su Chengniang looked at Madam Zhang and said coldly, "Madam, you'd better not compare Qingci's marriage. My daughter, whom I raised with all my heart, was sent away to live as a widow as soon as she returned to the Earl's Mansion. Shouldn't you have given her the dowry?"
Or you should have just married Qingyan off to the General's Mansion in the first place, so you wouldn't always think that my daughter and I took advantage of you."
Su Chengniang's words were completely undisguised, causing the faces of the group to flush red and then pale.
Madam Zhang retorted, “That’s exactly right. Didn’t General Lu return safely? Once he’s back, the court will surely reward him handsomely. He’ll be promoted and ennobled, and the Ningyuan General’s Mansion will regain its former glory and become even more illustrious. Your daughter will be a proper general’s wife.”
"If we hadn't been kind enough to let her marry him, such a good husband wouldn't have gone to that country bumpkin. So, in a way, you've taken advantage of Qingyan, stealing what she rightfully deserved!"
Su Chengniang: "What good intentions do you have? Don't forget that my daughter was married with her husband's memorial tablet in her arms. Besides, the fact that my son-in-law was able to come back from the dead and that my daughter was able to have her suffering end is the result of the Bodhisattva's blessing and Heaven's mercy. What does it have to do with your despicable deeds back then? You were determined to make my daughter a widow for life!"
"you,"
The fig leaf was unceremoniously torn off by Su Chengniang, and Zhang Shi trembled with anger.
Su Chengniang felt a sense of satisfaction seeing the ashen faces of Zhang Shi and the others, and continued:
"If I hadn't returned to the manor and taken up the position of the Countess, I wouldn't have even brought out this much face. You still want to use the matter of being a substitute bride to curry favor with me? Don't blame me for not giving anyone face."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Zhang flew into a rage and slammed her hand on the table:
"That sharp-tongued Su! Go, go and invite the Earl here. I want him to judge this matter and see how his beloved wife has disobeyed her elders!"
Granny Qin reminded her, "Madam, the Lord has not yet returned from court."
Madam Zhang: "Then send someone to guard outside the palace gates, and call the Earl back as soon as they see him!"
Granny Qin hurriedly went out to send someone.
Unfortunately, after the court session ended today, the Earl of Nanping was ordered by the emperor to stay behind, and he did not emerge until the palace gates were about to be locked in the afternoon.
When he returned to the mansion, Madam Zhang had been waiting so long that she had lost all patience.
Seven days passed quickly, and General Lu Yunqi finally returned to the capital amidst everyone's anticipation.
An hour ago, a servant returned to the manor to report that the young general had gone to the palace to meet the emperor and would be back soon.
The entire household was filled with joy. After arranging all the previous affairs, Yu Qingci returned to Guanlan Pavilion to redo her makeup and dress up at the urging of Old Madam Ning.
Tong'er and Lian Qiao practically turned the huge wardrobe upside down, picking out a whole bunch of clothes in festive colors that suited Yu Qingci. The two of them were so overwhelmed with choices that they still hadn't decided which one to wear.
Yu Qingci twitched the corners of her mouth and simply picked out two pieces to wear.
She wore a pale yellow brocade top paired with a light green pleated skirt, and her hair was styled in a simple, drooping bun adorned with several mother-of-pearl hair ornaments. Her whole demeanor exuded a gentle, fresh, and elegant charm.
Having grown accustomed to wearing simple, pale white clothes, the sight of the mistress and servants looking at themselves in this new dress before the sunflower mirror was so striking that they couldn't take their eyes off it.
Lian Qiao looked her up and down with her eyes wide open: "Young Madam looks good no matter how you dress up. But I think your outfit is a bit too plain. The Old Madam specially asked you to come back and redo your makeup so that you could dress up like Miss Luo and look as beautiful as an angel. How about we pick out a few more pieces of jewelry to wear?"
As he spoke, his hands began rummaging through the boxes containing the jewelry.
Tong'er pouted and said disdainfully, "Dressing up like Miss Luo is out of the question. Miss Luo seems to want to wear all the jewelry the old lady gave her, making her dazzling from head to toe, it hurts my eyes. That's not beauty like a fairy, it's like a peacock spreading its tail!"
Our young mistress is naturally beautiful; even without makeup, she outshines everyone else just by standing there.
Lian Qiao paused her movements, and said with considerable agreement:
“You’re right. No matter how much Miss Luo dresses up, she can’t compare to even a tenth of our young mistress. But the old lady said that today is a joyous occasion and also the first time the young mistress meets the young general. She must dress up in a radiant manner so that the young general will be captivated by her at first sight.”
The two maids chattered amongst themselves, each offering their own opinions, which Yu Qingci found amusing.
"Okay, I think this outfit is fine, let's leave it at that."
Just then, a servant came to report: "The young general has returned to the manor and is currently in Songbai Hall talking with the old lady and Miss Yun Chu."
Without further delay, Yu Qingci led the two maids toward Songbai Hall.
Upon entering the main hall of Songbai Hall, one sees a tall, upright young man in military uniform speaking to the old lady with his back to the main entrance.
Hearing footsteps, everyone turned to look, and Yu Qingci walked in slowly under their gaze.
Lu Yunqi turned around and saw a slender figure walking slowly towards him. The woman walked with light steps, her hair was like clouds and her face was like flowers. Her lips were like cherries, her nose was delicate and straight, and her beautiful eyes seemed to have a thousand charms as they turned. She was indescribably beautiful and refined, and untouched by the world.
Lu Yunqi felt his breath catch slightly, and a hint of tenderness, barely perceptible, flickered in his deep black eyes.
This is his wife, Yu Qingci.
Yu Qingci stepped forward, about to curtsy, but froze on the spot after seeing the man's face clearly:
How could it be him?
The young man in front of me, dressed in armor and exuding an air of grandeur, is he not the same person I met twice a few months ago?
The air around them seemed to freeze, and the two of them just stared at each other without saying a word.
Everyone was stunned to see the two of them standing there, not knowing what was going on.
Luo Yi, who was standing next to Madam Ning, was the first to react and jokingly said:
"Husband, why are you staring at my sister so intently? She grew up in the countryside and has been staying in the inner quarters since marrying into the General's Mansion. She rarely sees anyone. She's a delicate young lady. Be careful not to scare her like this."
Upon hearing Luo Yi's words, everyone around her frowned.
Lu Yunqi was immediately brought back to his senses by her interruption. He straightened his posture, bowed to Yu Qingci, and addressed her as "Madam" in a deep and magnetic voice.
Yu Qingci also came to her senses and returned the greeting, saying, "Young General, you must be tired from your journey."
Just as Lu Yunqi was about to say something more, Luo Yi walked over and took Yu Qingci's arm with both hands, smiling even more brightly as she said:
"The title 'sister' is incorrect. The imperial court has officially bestowed upon my husband the title of General Ningyuan. The word 'young' should be dropped when addressing him as 'sister.' Am I right, General?"
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