Chapter 35: Gifts: I only want to be with Lu Bingzhi after marrying into the Duke's Mansion...
Mrs. Cen was talking to her daughter.
Ningshou Marquis Mansion
Upon hearing that the Crown Prince's attendant Guan Yan had come personally to deliver some jewelry to Cui Lingyan, Old Lady Zhai's eyes were filled with surprise. After a long moment, she spoke, "The Crown Prince is so thoughtful. Daimao, take your men to Chuyunyuan to see Miss Yan."
Daimao was also a little stunned and could hardly believe his ears. The eldest daughter Cui Linghui was engaged to the prince of Weiguo, Lu Bingzhi, but Prince Lu had never given the eldest daughter anything in private. Now it was the third daughter who had just returned home. Why did the prince seem to have changed his temperament?
There were so many rumors circulating outside that were unfavorable to the Third Young Lady. She and the Old Madam were worried about her, fearing that Master Lu would harbor a grudge and that this marriage would go awry again. Just as she was filled with worry, who could have imagined that Master Lu would actually send his personal attendant, Guan Yan, to give the Third Young Lady some jewelry.
The jewelry is small, but they are not stupid. They know that the prince is using these things to comfort the third lady, the future prince's wife.
It's really surprising!
Daimao replied yes, bowed, and walked out, leading Guanyan all the way to Chuyunyuan where Cui Lingyan lived.
After they left, Madam Zhai suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, her complexion brightening slightly. She said, "It seems the Duke of Wei isn't trying to cancel this marriage because of those rumors. That's right, Madam Dou has always been kind and generous. How could she easily believe those rumors and drive Miss Yan to her death?"
While breathing a sigh of relief, Old Lady Zhai thought of the rumors outside. She glanced at the Qi family sitting below and said unhappily, "If these rumors were spread by your Qi family, don't blame me, your mother-in-law, for not respecting you, my daughter-in-law, and for kicking my aunt and her two children out of the house!"
Old Lady Zhai had already been somewhat displeased with the Zhan family's presence in the mansion, but due to their kinship and the Qi family's long history of supporting Cui Lingyan, she feared neglecting her and potentially damaging the reputation of the Ningshou Marquisate. But Zhan and Qi Ruorou had previously privately discussed the eldest son and Concubine Liu, as well as the eldest son's private affairs, even going so far as to challenge Yan, a junior, to find a way to marry Qi Ruorou into a wealthy family. Old Lady Zhai's displeasure had intensified, and her intolerance of the Zhan family had only grown. Now, Qi Shaozhang had been drinking outside, and the rumors had spread: Yan was about to become the Crown Prince's wife, yet he was drowning his sorrows in alcohol. She was furious and could no longer tolerate this Qi relative.
If it is confirmed that the Qi family did it on purpose, or that Qi Shaozhang spread those words out of resentment, she will definitely seek an explanation from the Zhan family!
Qi's face changed, and she subconsciously defended herself, "Mother, you're overthinking it. How could it be that those rumors were spread by my sister-in-law or Shao Zhang? Since entering the mansion, my sister-in-law and Shao Zhang have never expressed any feelings for Yan. If my sister-in-law really had such intentions, she should have revealed some signs when she had a private meal with her when she first arrived. Why would it take until today?"
"Besides, Yan's marriage was arranged by the Empress Dowager and Old Madam Dou. The Imperial Astronomical Observatory matched the horoscopes and set the date. It's not right for such a scene to happen at this time."
Although Qi disliked her eldest sister-in-law, Zhan, and looked down on her merchant background, she also felt that Zhan was using the years of care she had given Cui Lingyan as a pretext for repaying her debt, feeling that her sister-in-law owed her something. However, in her opinion, Zhan wouldn't be so foolish. Even if she had harbored such thoughts, once Yan's marriage was settled, Zhan would have put those thoughts to rest, and would never do such a thing that harmed others and benefited herself.
Qi thought for a moment, then hesitated before speaking, "Mother thinks it's my sister-in-law, but in my daughter-in-law's heart, I think it might be someone from our Ningshou Marquis Mansion, who is not even worthy of mention."
Old Madam Zhai's eyes glared at her, and their gazes met. Qi looked away, but continued, "Mother, Yan has just returned to the Marquis's residence. Although she is a legitimate daughter, in the eyes of some people, she may not be as good as Yin, a concubine's daughter. Moreover, you punished Yin before. Yin is young and inexperienced. If she harbors grievances, she might impulsively do something reckless."
"Pa!" After hearing this, Mrs. Zhai slammed the table, causing the tea lid to shake and make a crisp sound.
Madam Zhai's face was grim. She closed her eyes for a long time before opening them again. She instructed the nanny standing in the room, "Go check what Miss Yin has been doing these days and who she has met."
The nanny replied yes and went downstairs to make arrangements.
Madam Zhai glanced at Qi, rubbed her brow, and said, "Alright, go ahead and get busy. I'm a little tired too. Fortunately, the Duke of Wei's Mansion hasn't canceled this marriage, so it's not a bad thing for our Mansion."
Otherwise, if the marriage was disrupted again and the Empress Dowager found another marriage for Lu Bingzhi, the girls from the Ningshou Marquis's Mansion would probably not be able to marry in the future. Even if they were from the Weiguo Duke's Mansion, they would be criticized and Lu Bingzhi's reputation would be affected.
Old Madam Zhai was exhausted, wondering how so much could have happened in just over a month. She was now looking forward to Cui Lingyan marrying into the Duke of Wei's mansion on the 16th of next month. That way, the rumors would die down and everyone outside would stop using the Marquis's and the Duke of Wei's mansions as gossip.
She glanced at Qi again, her eyes concealing a hint of dissatisfaction and disappointment. How could she, having lived so long, not suspect Yin Yatou? But if it was Yin Yatou, it would be a scandalous incident for the sisters in the Marquis's mansion to quarrel over. Qi was truly foolish, bringing up this matter in front of so many people. Even if she asked the nanny to brush it off, the whole mansion would still discuss it and suspect Yin Yatou.
I can only find a way to put the blame on my aunt, Mrs. Zhan.
Madam Zhai suppressed these thoughts and waved to Qi, signaling her to go down.
Qi nodded, bowed, turned around and left with Nanny Jiang.
After leaving Xilan Courtyard, Nanny Jiang said with some confusion, "Madam, this is really strange. Even if Madam Dou hadn't misunderstood the Third Young Lady because of those rumors, she should have sent Nanny Sun to comfort her. Why did it have to be Guan Yan, the Crown Prince's personal escort, who personally delivered the gift this time? The Crown Prince has always been aloof, and he hasn't met the Third Young Lady much, so why would he be so concerned?"
Even when it came to the eldest daughter Cui Linghui, Lu Bingzhi had never shown such protective intentions.
Nanny Jiang really couldn't understand it.
Qi's expression changed, and after a long pause she spoke, "It's not because of Yan girl. I think it's more that Lu Bingzhi doesn't want trouble. He doesn't want this marriage to be affected and he doesn't want to be criticized. Besides, men are most concerned about their reputation. His actions have put an end to any improper behavior between Yan girl and Shao Zhang. If outsiders knew about this, they would think those rumors were just empty talk and completely untrustworthy."
Nanny Jiang nodded and agreed, "That's true, but it's really surprising that Master Lu would ask Guan Yan to send something over."
Qi didn't say anything else. She felt relieved but not very happy.
She and Yan Yatou had a complete falling out a few days ago. Although the mother and daughter were now amicable in front of others, they were distant and cold when they met in private, and even lacked some courtesy.
What made it even more unbearable for her was that she was caught by her son during the quarrel that day. In the past few days, her son seldom came to see her except for coming to pay his respects every day. It seemed that there was something different between mother and son than before. Even if it could not be said to be a rift or estrangement, it was enough to make her heartbroken and uncomfortable.
So, she took her anger out on Yan Yatou. Now that she saw Lu Bingzhi personally sent someone over, she felt an indescribable feeling in her heart.
Qi shook her head, said nothing, and continued walking towards Cuiwei Courtyard.
Izumo-in Temple
When Cui Lingyan heard that Lu Bingzhi had sent his follower Guan Yan to give her some jewelry, her eyebrows twitched and a hint of surprise appeared in her eyes.
Putting away the surprise in her eyes, Cui Lingyan said to Birou, "Please invite the person in."
Birou nodded, stepped out, and soon led in a man in his early twenties wearing a light blue Hangzhou silk brocade robe. The man was holding a sandalwood box in his hand.
As soon as he entered, he bowed to Cui Lingyan, who was sitting at the head of the table, and said, "Your servant Guanyan greets the young lady. Today, the Crown Prince was counting the dowry list left by the eldest princess, and he saw some beautiful jewelry, so he asked this servant to find them from the storeroom and bring them to the young lady."
Cui Lingyan smiled and said softly, "Thank the prince for me."
Cui Lingyan nodded to Bitao, and when she saw Bitao step forward to take the box, she winked at Birou. Birou had always been smart and clever, especially in dealing with people. She quickly went to the back and took out two purses embroidered by Cui Lingyan from the cabinet, put them in the brocade box, and handed it to Guanyan.
Cui Lingyan smiled and said, "Your Highness gave me something, so these are my return gifts. I hope you won't despise them."
Guan Yan was a little stunned, but soon realized that this was understandable. If Miss Cui San had only accepted the things without returning the gift, suspicious people might have thought of the rumors and felt that the story between her and Qi Shaozhang might not be groundless.
Now that Miss Cui San has sent a return gift, she is actually very smart and insightful. Moreover, she is not afraid that people will think that she is trying to please the prince.
Guan Yan naturally didn't dare to open it and just replied "yes" and walked out, thinking that he would give it to the prince when he returned to the Duke's Mansion. He wanted to see if the prince would be surprised.
After sending Guanyan away, Bitao couldn't help but ask Birou, "What did my sister bring as a return gift? Was it a purse embroidered by the young lady herself?"
Birou nodded and explained to Cui Lingyan with a smile, "I took one in the shape of a gourd and one in the shape of a ruyi. They have very good meanings and won't arouse any suspicion."
After hearing what Birou said, Cui Lingyan smiled and nodded. She saw the sandalwood box on the table, reached out to open it, and was immediately stunned.
In the box was a set of head jewelry, including six large hairpins, two small hairpins, four pairs of earrings and a pair of bracelets, embellished with red tourmaline or gemstones. It had a unique shape, complicated craftsmanship and was extremely luxurious.
Cui Lingyan's eyes darkened a little, and she felt that her return gift was a little too light. However, she had just returned to the Marquis' Mansion and had no respect in the mansion, so she couldn't give anything valuable even if she wanted to. What's more, Lu Bingzhi had been the eldest princess's biological son and the prince of the Duke's Mansion since he was a child. There were all kinds of valuable things he had seen.
Thinking of this, Cui Lingyan accepted the jewelry with peace of mind, and only thought about getting along well with Lu Bingzhi after marrying into the Duke's Mansion.
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