Chapter 65 The Du Family's True and Proper Cousin
After noon, Cheng had nothing to do.
In the past, when Xue Yuan and Du Shun were still around, she could always chat with them to pass the time. But now, with Song Ying, sent by the old lady, serving by her side, she no longer had the desire to talk.
After lunch, she closed her eyes and rested on the couch. As she lay there, she actually dozed off.
After no longer having to take care of household chores, she had fewer things to worry about and soon fell asleep.
In her dream, her brother Heng had won the top spot in the imperial examination and was riding a majestic horse through the bustling streets. Noble ladies from all over the capital, accompanied by their marriageable daughters, came to visit her. She sat at the head of the main hall in her mother-in-law's room, her eyes curved with a smile as she accepted the greetings of each noblewoman.
Among them was not only Xu Wenqing, the daughter of the Minister of Rites who had been seen in the Bodhi Temple, but also the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, the daughter of the General's Mansion, and even a princess.
There are so many people coming!
She was so proud and happy that she couldn't help laughing out loud. However, she woke herself up as soon as she laughed.
The ground heater was too hot, and she felt dry in the mouth. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and called out, "Songying, pour me a cup of tea."
As time went by, she began to appreciate the flavor of the white chrysanthemum tea. But just as Songying entered the house with the tea tray, she heard someone hurriedly announce, "The cousin from western Fujian has arrived! She's in the old lady's side hall with the second wife. The second wife wants you to come in!"
Cheng Shi didn't react for a moment. She muttered to herself several times, "My cousin from western Fujian," before suddenly slapping her thigh and saying, "It's Jin Niang!"
The expedited reply was sent only before the New Year, and now it's the 13th of the first lunar month, so at most there are only about 20 days left. If I hadn't ridden fast and traveled light, it would have arrived after the Lantern Festival.
Without taking time to think about it, Cheng asked Songying to tidy up her hair which was a little messy due to her nap, and then hurried to the main courtyard.
Deng Jinniang's trip to the capital was indeed hurried, just as Cheng had guessed.
Her mother spent a lot of money to ask the caravan to put her in the carriage and rushed here.
Before leaving, her mother warned her, "When has your aunt ever replied to my letter in an expedited manner? It's already a great honor for her to wait a month or so before replying to me."
"It's obvious that she intends for you to be with Heng'er! My dear girl, hurry up and go to the capital. Your aunt is easily influenced and has few opinions. Don't go too late and let her change her mind."
Her mother was so impatient that she didn't even prepare a box for her. When she arrived at the door of the Du Mansion, Deng Jinniang, with her bag on her shoulder, looked like a woman fleeing from famine.
She took a deep breath, gathered her hair, and tried her best to tidy herself up. Then she raised her head, raised her hand, and knocked on the doorbell of the main gate of the Du Mansion one by one.
Her mother taught her since she was young: "You are the granddaughter of the old Duke's family. You are different from the girls of ordinary families."
Her father was too cowardly and unwilling to make progress. He was content with being a teacher at the provincial school. She couldn't be like him.
Her future lies in the capital and in the Du Mansion.
Even though she was in such a miserable state at the moment, her posture was still noble and extraordinary, her eyes were firm, and she didn't care at all about the inquiring looks from passers-by.
The door had just opened a crack, and before the doorman could speak, she had already stepped over the threshold of the Du Mansion.
Fortunately, the doorman did not stop it after seeing the letter, but immediately reported it to the inside.
Less than a cup of tea later, a clever servant who called himself Qingyun came and respectfully called her "Miss Cousin" and led her to the main courtyard.
She had been to the Du Mansion once when she was a child, and had dreamt of it many times over the years.
Her mother often told her that Beijing was her home, and she must not let the green mountains and clear waters of western Fujian wear her down.
As Deng Jinniang walked, she looked at the corridors and courtyards that had appeared in her dreams countless times, and the thoughts that had lingered for many years began to arise in her mind.
But as soon as they arrived at the main courtyard, they were led to a side hall. Qingyun said that was where the household was kept.
Jinniang was slightly surprised. "I remember that the main courtyard was where the old lady lived, and my aunt should be in the east courtyard. How could she be in the side hall of the main courtyard, managing the affairs of the whole house?"
There was no hesitation on her face, and her every move showed the demeanor of a rich lady, making people forget for a moment the worn cloak she was wearing.
When Rong saw Jinniang step into the side hall for the first time, she had an illusion that reminded her of the first day Su Ying entered the mansion.
At that time, she also looked pitiful, wearing an old cloak that didn't fit her.
But the illusion was fleeting.
When Jinniang walked into the side hall with her head held high, Rong Shi realized that she had made a mistake.
It is obvious that this Jinniang has a pair of eyes that are more powerful than Su Ying's.
Seeing Rong looking at her, Jinniang withdrew her gaze and bowed.
Rong thought she was just confused, so she personally stepped forward and helped her to her feet, saying, "I've sent word that your aunt will be here shortly. Just follow Heng'er and Wanyi and call me Second Aunt."
Jinniang did not answer, but whispered in her heart: Second Aunt?
The Du family is not a large family, so the person who can be called the second aunt must be the widowed second wife in the family.
I really didn't expect that my aunt didn't take charge of the household chores?
It turned out that the person in front of her was the mistress of the Du Mansion. Jin Niang then spoke softly, "I'm sorry to have caused trouble for Second Aunt."
As she spoke, she bowed again, looking delicate and frail, which was very different from the way she had held her head high and knocked on the door in front of the Du Mansion before.
Rong Shi treated Jin Niang and her Ying Er with the same compassion as herself. While waiting for Cheng Shi to arrive, she had already ordered people to prepare all the necessary clothes and supplies, waiting for Cheng Shi to point out Jin Niang's residence.
When Cheng stepped into the side hall, she saw her niece at a glance. As expected, Jinniang looked exactly like her cousin when she was young, and was even more beautiful.
She didn't even look at Rong, and hurriedly took Jinniang to see her mother-in-law. She wanted her mother-in-law to take a look first, and then call Heng'er as well.
So that everyone knows who is the real and serious cousin of the Du family, who has both beauty and talent.
Rong watched Cheng's hurriedly departing figure and simply withdrew her gaze. She had long been accustomed to Cheng's arrogant temper.
He simply called Songying and instructed, "Once you've determined where Miss Cousin lives, come back and let me know so someone can send some clothes and supplies over."
Fortunately, the old lady had already received the news and had made preparations. However, she did not expect that Cheng would rush over to greet her niece without even giving her a break.
Her face was flushed with pride and she pushed her niece in front of her mother-in-law, bowing and saying, "Mother, this is Jinniang. Look at this beauty. I haven't seen her for many years, and she's even more charming!"
When the old lady heard this, her brows slightly frowned: What are you talking about?
People who are scholars only talk about appearance when they meet people?
She ignored Cheng and gently asked Jinniang to stand up. "You must have endured a lot on the way here. Come rest with your aunt. When you're done, come and talk to Grandmother tomorrow, okay?"
Before Jinniang could respond, Cheng Shi interrupted, "Don't worry, don't worry. We need to let Heng'er meet his proper cousin. It won't be too late to go back and rest after that."
The old lady didn't want to lose face in front of the guests who came from afar, so she just put away her smile and told Zhaoxia, "Go and call the young masters and young ladies, and have them all come here so that everyone can greet each other."
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