Chapter 20: Meeting Gift How could she dare to covet Lu Bingzhi?
After breakfast the next day, Madam Dou took Nanny Sun in a carriage to the Ningshou Marquis's Mansion.
When the maid at the gate saw the carriage of the Duke of Weiguo's mansion and learned that the person sitting in the carriage was Old Madam Dou, she hurried forward to pay her respects, led the people to the mansion, and ordered a maid to hurriedly report to Xilan Courtyard.
When Old Madam Dou reached the Chuihua Gate, Old Madam Zhai came to greet her with several daughters-in-law. After exchanging pleasantries, they went to Xilan Courtyard together. After entering the house, they sat down as host and guest.
Madam Zhai ordered the head maid Daimao, "Go and call Hui and the others to come meet the old lady."
Daimao was about to nod when Old Madam Dou, sitting on the soft couch, said with a smile, "If Hui girl isn't feeling well, just take good care of herself. Why bother her to come all this way? Our two families are good friends, so there's no need to be so formal."
After Madam Dou finished speaking, she immediately added, "Last time, Madam Sun went back and said that the third young lady of the mansion had returned. She was born with outstanding appearance. She has always had high standards. Since she praised the third young lady of the mansion so much, I would like to meet her."
When Madam Dou said this, Madam Zhai's heart skipped a beat and the teacup in her hand almost fell to the ground.
The first lady Qi, the second lady Bian and the third lady Gao who were sitting below were also a little surprised, wondering if there was any other meaning behind what Madam Dou said.
But even though they had all kinds of thoughts in their minds, they didn't dare to show any of them.
Madam Zhai came back to her senses and said with a smile, "You think too highly of her." Having said this, she then directed Daimao, "Then call Yan over to pay her respects to Madam."
Daimao took the order and left, feeling very surprised. She was a servant girl in the mansion and had served in the mansion for many years. She was not a stupid person, so she had some vague guesses in her mind.
But she also found it hard to believe. It was obvious that the eldest daughter, Cui Linghui, was the future wife of the Crown Prince, and the third daughter was sent to the Qi family since she was young. Even though she had returned to the Marquis' Mansion now, she was not liked by the eldest lady, Qi. How could she be compared with the eldest daughter?
Could it be possible that the position of the Crown Prince's wife could really fall to the third young lady?
Daimao didn't dare to think about it, but his pace quickened a bit, heading towards Izumo-in.
Izumo-in Temple
When Cui Lingyan heard that Old Madam Dou had come to the mansion and specifically asked to see her, she was stunned for a moment and wondered if she had heard it wrong.
When Old Madam Dou came to the mansion, shouldn't she meet Cui Linghui?
Before she could figure it out, Daimao said, "Young lady, please follow me to Xilan Courtyard quickly. Don't make Old Madam Dou wait anxiously."
Cui Lingyan nodded, stood up, followed Daimao out of Chuyunyuan, and took Bitao with her to the old lady.
It only took a short while before they arrived at Xilan Courtyard.
As soon as she entered, everyone's eyes were on her.
Cui Lingyan suppressed all her thoughts, walked forward slowly, bowed, and said gently, "Yan'er pays her respects to Grandmother."
Then, he bowed to the person sitting opposite Old Madam Zhai and said, "Ling Yan greets Old Madam."
Madam Dou looked at her with a smile for a moment, then said to Madam Zhai, "I didn't quite believe what Madam Sun said before, but now that I've seen it with my own eyes, I know that there is such a beautiful girl hidden in the mansion. The Marquis's mansion is truly blessed."
As Mrs. Dou spoke, she waved to Cui Lingyan to come over to her.
Cui Lingyan subconsciously looked at Madam Zhai. Madam Zhai suppressed all the speculations in her heart and nodded at Cui Lingyan.
Cui Lingyan then walked forward and stood there quietly.
Old Madam Dou asked her some questions, such as what she did on weekdays, what books she read, and some things about Jiangnan. Although Cui Lingyan was curious, she answered them one by one.
Madam Dou nodded with a smile, took out a red gold hairpin inlaid with rubies from her hair, and put it on Cui Lingyan's hair. "My dear child, we seem to get along very well on our first meeting. Consider this hairpin a greeting gift from me, your elder."
"I dare not refuse the elder's gift, so just accept it with peace of mind."
Cui Lingyan felt her body become a little stiff, and when she noticed the eyes looking at her from all around, she became even more anxious.
Thinking of a certain possibility, Cui Lingyan felt confused and unbelievable.
She forced herself to remain calm, suppressing all the speculations in her mind, and simply bowed to thank Madam Dou.
Madam Dou nodded, turned to Madam Zhai and said, "I have something I want to say to you privately, so please tell the younger generations to leave."
Madam Zhai gave a signal and everyone stood up and left.
After leaving Xilan Courtyard, Bian Shi couldn't help but speak to Qi Shi first, saying, "Sister-in-law, you are so lucky! Maybe our little girl Yan will have a bright future in the future."
Before Qi could speak, Bian gave Cui Lingyan another meaningful look and said with a smile, "Miss Yan, come sit with Second Aunt more often in the future."
After saying this, Bian walked away with a smile.
The third wife, Mrs. Gao, also looked at Cui Lingyan deeply, and left with Mrs. Bian.
After seeing the two leave, Qi looked at Cui Lingyan, thought for a moment, and said, "Go back to your courtyard first."
She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Madam Dou's gift to you might not have any other intentions. Don't overthink it, or you'll end up making a fool of yourself and being looked down upon."
Cui Lingyan was no longer upset at all by Qi's harsh criticism. Hearing her say this, she just replied politely, "Yes." Only after seeing Qi leave did she look away.
Behind him, Bi Tao whispered, "Miss, is Madam Dou..."
Before she could finish her words, Cui Lingyan shook her head and whispered, "Let's go back first."
Bitao knew her daughter's temperament and knew that it would be a bad idea to say anything that would cause misunderstanding, so she nodded and returned to Chuyunyuan with Cui Lingyan.
After returning to Chuyunyuan, Cui Lingyan only left Bitao in the room, and only then did a serious look appear on her face.
Seeing her expression, Bi Tao felt a little worried, but she couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what do you think Old Madam Dou is thinking?"
She asked in a tactful and obscure way, but Cui Lingyan knew what she was thinking.
However, at this moment she had some guesses, but she also felt that it was too unbelievable.
Even if Cui Linghui is suffering from a cold and has difficulty getting pregnant, Madam Dou would not set her sights on the third daughter of the Marquis's Mansion who just returned home, right?
After all, everyone knew that she had been sent to live with the Qi family since she was a child because of her strong destiny, and she was not part of the circle of noble ladies in the capital. Even if she returned to the capital now, she would inevitably be looked down upon. How could she be worthy of Lu Bingzhi, the prince of Weiguo?
If it weren't for Old Madam Dou specifically calling her over today and giving her a valuable hairpin as a gift, she would never have thought of this.
Not to mention, because of that dream, Cui Lingyan knew Lu Bingzhi's true identity. How could she dare to have any desire for Lu Bingzhi? If she married Lu Bingzhi, who knows how much trouble she would have in the future.
Cui Lingyan couldn't bring herself to tell Bi Tao about these thoughts. She just thought for a moment and said, "It shouldn't be the case. There are so many noble ladies in the capital. Even if Madam Dou was not satisfied with my elder sister being the Crown Prince's wife, she wouldn't have thought of me, your daughter, as the right one."
Bitao nodded, but her mind was still a little uneasy.
......
Old Madam Dou said, "Yesterday, the Empress Dowager sent Nanny Yan to the mansion to mention Bingzhi's marriage."
Madam Zhai's heart tightened, and she already had some guesses in her mind.
Then Madam Dou continued, "The Empress Dowager has always loved her grandson Bingzhi. Now Bingzhi is still suffering from the poison in his body, and it is difficult for him to have children. If we ask Hui to marry him, it will be even more difficult to raise two children together in the future. Why bother?"
"Instead of that, it would be better if the palace ordered a girl to be chosen to marry in. This would not attract too much criticism. As for Hui girl, tell her to take good care of herself. The Empress Dowager also loved her and will find a good marriage for her in the future."
Madam Dou said it clearly without hiding anything, and Madam Zhai sighed softly in her heart.
What else could she say? This was what the Empress Dowager was thinking, and when Old Lady Dou came to her house and said these words today, she naturally meant the same thing.
In addition to the previous incident of Cui Linghui falling into the water, if it was really done on purpose by Hui girl, then we can only say that all of this is Cui Linghui's own fault.
I wonder if Hui will regret not getting married.
Madam Zhai thought about it and nodded, saying, "It's understandable that the Queen Mother loves the Crown Prince. It's also because Miss Hui doesn't have this blessing."
"As for Miss Yan, although she has been raised in the Qi family since she was a child, she is gentle and well-mannered. She is not much worse than her elder sister Miss Hui. However, she is still young, so I hope the old lady will give her more guidance in the future."
Mrs. Dou sat for a while before saying goodbye and leaving.
When Qi and the others heard that Old Madam Dou had left, they hurried to Xilan Courtyard. After hearing what their mother-in-law said about Old Madam Dou's intentions, they could not hide their shock even though they had guessed it in their hearts.
Who would have thought that both the Empress Dowager and Old Lady Dou wanted Cui Lingyan, the third young lady who had just returned home, to marry Lu Bingzhi.
From now on, the Crown Prince’s wife will be changed from Cui Linghui to Cui Lingyan.
Madam Zhai instructed, "The matter has been decided. Qi, please tell Yan girl about this. As for Hui girl, just ask Daimao to go there."
Qi was stunned, sensing a hint of dissatisfaction with Cui Linghui in her mother-in-law's words. Otherwise, such a major matter should have been addressed personally by Madam Zhai, the grandmother, and perhaps even comforted her. Even if her mother-in-law didn't go in person, she would have instructed her, the daughter-in-law, to tell Cui Linghui about the matter.
At this moment, she only sent the head maid Daimao, which showed that she had a lot of dissatisfaction with Cui Linghui, her eldest granddaughter.
Qi suppressed these thoughts and nodded in agreement.
Madam Zhai added, "Yan girl has just returned to the capital and doesn't know much about the situation in the noble circles of the capital. You, her mother, should talk to her about these things so that she won't be overwhelmed in the future."
Qi agreed, but she didn't know whether she was happy or unhappy.
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