Inside the flower hall, Madam Xu glanced at Madam Wei and decided not to let the two Rongguo brothers accompany her, which could be considered as saving face for Madam Wei.
Helped to sit on the wooden couch, Old Madam Xu glanced at Granny Chang beside her, who understood and withdrew, along with the maids serving in the room.
Madam Yang remained silent, sitting as usual to the left of Old Madam Xu. Given that only she and Madam Wei were present, it wasn't hard to guess that something was amiss.
“Mother, those three families I’ve met are all excellent.”
Madam Wei knew perfectly well what was going on. Recalling Wei Yujie's attitude last night, it was clear that she still hadn't given up on marrying into the Duke's mansion. Even her brother had written to her, asking for her help with the Wei family, but she still wanted her son to marry a noblewoman from a high-ranking family.
The hesitation on her face could not be hidden from Madam Xu and Madam Yang. It was obvious that the Wei family was unwilling, or rather, Wei Yujie was unwilling.
"The Wei family is unwilling?"
Madam Xu looked at Madam Wei, who pursed her lips and nodded, but her gaze was somewhat evasive.
Wei looked to Yang for help, knowing that her elder sister-in-law always had a way of doing things, and she didn't want to be treated badly by her mother-in-law because of her family background.
However, Madam Yang did not speak up for her as she had done before, because she couldn't bring herself to sacrifice her youngest son to please someone else.
As the atmosphere quieted down, one's hearing became exceptionally sensitive. Madam Xu took a deep breath and looked at Madam Wei: "The Wei family is far away. Your niece from your maternal family has been here for some time and must be homesick."
“Those are your family members. Go see them off once everything is arranged. After all, who knows when you two will meet again.”
While not stated directly, the situation was settled: Wei Yujie would be sent back to the Wei family. Regardless of whether the Wei family or Wei Yujie wished, the Rongguo Duke's Mansion would not try to keep her.
As for what Wei said when she returned, Old Madam Xu didn't bother to ask further. She turned to Yang and began to talk about the marriage between Li Shiyue and Xu Yunci.
Xu Yunbo did not stay at home for long this time. He spent his days either at Shousong Hall or by Wei Shi's side. Xu Yunci and Li Shiyue gradually had more and more contact with him.
"Grandma's fermented rice balls are still the best."
Xu Yunbo sat down next to Xu Yunci and put the sweet fermented rice balls in his mouth after speaking.
He used to be a bit dissolute, but after spending time in the military camp, he became much better, just like the young man who would follow Xu Yunci around when he was young, which just happened to evoke the kind heart of the old lady Xu as an elder.
"Eat more if you like it. You've come all this way home, so eat more. If you're still hungry, ask Granny Chang to get you another bowl."
Madam Xu turned to Li Shiyue: "I know you don't like fermented rice wine, so I made you some sour plum soup. It's cold, so don't overindulge."
Li Shiyue smiled and released her grip on Old Madam Xu's forearm, then took the porcelain bowl of plum juice from Granny Chang's hand.
"I thought you'd forgotten about me since my two cousins were here."
Madam Xu raised her hand, smiled, and tapped her forehead: "Little rascal, how could I forget you? Who would I forget?"
She turned her head and glanced at Xu Yunci, who was holding a bowl of sweet fermented rice balls. She sighed and said, "After you get married, don't forget that there is an old man like me in Shousongtang. Don't let your heart be devoted to your son-in-law."
"Cough cough cough!"
Xu Yunbo put down the porcelain bowl and hurriedly used the handkerchief handed to him by Granny Chang to wipe away the carved meatballs.
Seeing Madam Xu and Xu Yunci approach, he scratched his head and had no choice but to sit back down. It felt as if he had missed something again during his time away from the manor.
"grandmother."
Xu Yunci looked at the young girl sitting on the other side of Old Madam Xu. She dared not look around and held the porcelain bowl with her hands, looking somewhat hunched over.
His voice lacked its usual coldness, carrying a hint of helplessness and pleading. After all, his young mistress wasn't thick-skinned; even after that day, she was avoiding him.
If he continues to be teased, and he clearly does nothing, his young mistress's temper might be provoked.
Xu Yunci put down the porcelain bowl in his hand and glanced at his cousin beside him: "This time when Sanlang came back, I wanted Silang to go to the military camp with him. This is also the wish of Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt."
Madam Xu didn't say anything, she just nodded in agreement.
After leaving Shousong Hall, Xu Yunbo glanced at the woman beside his brother, wondering how he could leave without disturbing their time together.
"Saburo."
Xu Yunbo was startled and quickly stood up to look at Xu Yunci: "Second brother, is there something wrong?"
"Can't I call you if there's nothing wrong?" Xu Yunci raised an eyebrow. By the time Xu Yunbo reacted, Li Shiyue had already walked away with Chunling.
Ignoring what the two brothers were saying, Li Shiyue took Chunling back to Chengyu Pavilion. There were still many parts of her wedding dress that she hadn't finished embroidering, and she had no interest in wandering around.
"The young lady has returned just in time; the Duchess has just sent over a fine gift."
As Lian Dong spoke, she stepped aside. The brownish-yellow copper stove contained ice blocks as usual, but on top were three fan-shaped copper plates that rotated, drawing in cool air and making it exceptionally refreshing.
"There's even more ice than before. The Duchess is so kind to you, Miss. She always thinks of you in everything."
No one would disagree with what Chunling said.
Even without the engagement to Xu Yunci, Madam Yang treated Li Shiyue with the same care and devotion as her own daughter, Xu Lingzi.
A bright red brocade was folded on the wooden couch, its surface neatly wrapped with gold thread. One end of the brocade was threaded through an embroidery needle, which Li Shiyue held between her fingers, the needle, still bearing the gold thread, passing through the bright red brocade.
The silence was broken by Chunling's hurried footsteps. Li Shiyue looked up and realized that her neck and wrists were sore.
After attaching the embroidery needle to the thread, Li Shiyue raised her hand to rub her neck and looked at Chunling with confusion.
Although she was younger and less composed than Lian Dong, she had never been so rude before.
The sun was already setting, casting a golden glow. The sweltering heat gradually dissipated at dusk, making it the coolest time of day. Even the sunlight felt wonderfully comforting on my skin.
"Young lady, hurry to Shousong Hall! Something terrible has happened! The old lady has fainted from anger!"
Chunling, whether she had lost her strength or something else, collapsed to the ground after speaking.
"What!"
Li Shiyue stood up abruptly, but after sitting for an afternoon, her legs ached. When she took a step, the numbness in her legs reached her groin.
A tingling, numbing pain made her slump back onto the wooden couch. She couldn't help but gasp softly, her mind still anxious about Shou Songtang's condition: "Why did my grandmother suddenly faint? Do my aunts know? Have they called the imperial physician?"
Chunling didn't know which of the three questions to answer first, so she quickly stood up and helped Li Shiyue up with Lian Dong.
Moving her legs around, the soreness and numbness gradually subsided, and Li Shiyue quickly headed straight for Shousong Hall.
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