The saying "One autumn rain brings one chill" is truly apt. In early winter, after two autumn rains, the mornings grow colder day by day, as if mornings and evenings are in a different season than noon.
It wasn't until the twelfth lunar month that I realized how fast time had passed. As the year drew to a close, the capital seemed even more prosperous.
A carriage stopped outside the Rongguo Duke's mansion, and a woman and her husband got off one after the other.
They were respectfully ushered in and led into the main hall. Madam Yang was the wife of an official in the residence of the fifth-rank governor of Jizhou. Her ancestors were from the same clan as Lady Yang, the wife of the Duke, but they were already beyond the fifth degree of mourning. According to seniority, the two were cousins.
"I haven't seen my cousin for many years, and now I'm almost afraid to acknowledge her."
Lady Yang had been away from the capital for many years following Governor Yang, but now she had been transferred back to the capital and promoted to the fourth rank.
She looked up at the Duchess, her gaze subtly surveying her surroundings, taking in the understated yet luxurious decor of the Duke's mansion.
Lady Yang, the Duchess, smiled and raised her eyes, waving her hand: "The children are all grown up, and my two daughters are married. How can they look like they did when they were young?"
She looked at the young man sitting next to Madam Yang, her gaze sweeping over him: "This must be Qi Lang."
Madam Yang moved aside, exposing Yang Yan, who was sitting on a chair beside her, to Madam Yang and Madam Zhou.
The Yang family, mother and son, came today to be introduced to the Duke's mansion. Governor Yang is from a collateral branch of the Cheng'en Duke's mansion, so in terms of seniority, Yang Yan should address the Emperor and the late Empress as uncle and aunt.
Yang Yan stood up and bowed to the Duchess and Madam Zhou, his smile truly humble: "Junior Yang Yan greets the Duchess and Madam Xu."
Sitting beside the Duchess, Madam Zhou nodded repeatedly with a smile in her eyes. She had been eagerly awaiting the marriage of her Eighth Sister to Governor Yang, and now that Governor Yang had been transferred back to the capital, she was finally relieved.
"Qilang and I will return to the capital first. We met Madam Xu once at the Grand Tutor's residence. Oh, I remember there was a young lady with Madam that day. I wonder if she is at the residence today?"
Madam Yang smiled as she looked at the Duchess and Madam Zhou. In fact, while they were exchanging polite words, they all knew what the matter was about to be discussed.
“The old lady has been unwell lately, and Eighth Sister is currently at Shousong Hall. I’m afraid she won’t be able to come over for a while,” Zhou said politely, not wanting to appear as if her mistress was in too much of a hurry.
Madam Yang was not surprised. She glanced at her son out of the corner of her eye and said with a smile, "The Xu family's daughter is first-rate. In just the few days since I returned to the capital, I have heard all sorts of praise for her."
"It's so good to have a daughter. I only have one son. The Yang family is quite wealthy now, but there are quite a few sons in the family."
"If I had such a rare and wonderful daughter, I would be so happy that I couldn't sleep."
Zhou waved her hand, the smile on her face betraying her true feelings; she was clearly very pleased: "No, no, it's all thanks to my elder sister-in-law's excellent teaching. I was just following her example."
“However, what you say is absolutely right. I am also a mother of Eighth Sister, and naturally I have cherished her since she was little. Not to mention that Eighth Sister is young and is also very loved by her older brothers and sisters.”
Inside Shousong Hall, Old Madam Xu, dressed and ready, sat on a wooden couch. She turned her prayer beads in her hand, closed her eyes to meditate, and murmured Buddhist scriptures.
Li Shiyue stood to the side copying Buddhist scriptures. When she heard faint footsteps coming from the corridor, she did not disturb the quiet and harmonious atmosphere inside the room.
The Duchess and Madam Zhou were followed in by an unfamiliar lady, and behind her was her husband.
Madam Xu opened her eyes, looked at the group of people, and finally looked at Madam Yang. Just as she was about to speak, she felt a slight itch in her throat and quickly covered her mouth with her handkerchief and coughed lightly.
Li Shiyue had already put down her brush and walked over. She picked up a teacup and watched as Madam Xu regained her composure before feeling relieved.
"Please forgive me, Madam Yang, but I'm afraid my health is failing me." Old Madam Xu looked at Madam Yang with a hint of apology.
Madam Yang smiled and said, "Madam, you are blessed with good fortune. I heard you were ill, so I came with my cousin to visit you."
Madam Xu's gaze fell on the young man behind Madam Yang, her scrutiny undisguised, and she couldn't help but smile: "This child is Qilang, isn't he? Come here and let this old woman take a look."
Li Shiyue took a few steps back and walked to Xu Lingqing's side.
The officials' wives and relatives of Governor Yang came to visit not only to reminisce with Lady Yang, the wife of the Duke, but also to arrange a marriage for Xu Lingqing.
Moreover, Governor Yang is from the Duke of Cheng'en's household. Even if he is from a collateral branch, his future prospects are immeasurable if he is transferred back to the capital.
Whether it was the Duchess, Madam Zhou, or Old Madam Xu, they all looked at the seventh son of the Yang family with the eyes of elders.
As the person involved, Xu Lingqing remained calm as if she were detached from the matter, her gaze indifferently fixed on Yang Yan, who stood in front of Old Madam Xu.
Even though Yang Yan's slender figure was dressed in her favorite cyan color, there was no joy in her eyes, as if she were looking at someone insignificant.
Li Shiyue was puzzled, but she didn't intend to ask her. She even withdrew her gaze and stayed quietly to the side.
After asking about his age and offering a few words of concern, Madam Xu's smile was undisguised, indicating that she was quite satisfied with Yang Yan.
Madam Yang sat to one side, her gaze involuntarily drifting to Li Shiyue beside Old Madam Xu. The young woman had her hair in a bun and wore a moon-white jacket with subtle patterns. She looked adorable, and Madam Yang couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.
"This is my aunt's only daughter, Princess Li Yanyan of Yichang County." The Duchess's voice was not loud, so as not to disturb Madam Xu's speech. She simply introduced her to Madam Yang beside her.
Madam Yang nodded thoughtfully, and when she looked at Li Shiyue again, her gaze was more appraising.
So this is the Princess of Yichang who is engaged to the heir of the Rongguo Duke's mansion, and who even received an official title from the government.
Although her family did not live in the capital year-round, the imperial edicts proclaimed what happened in the capital to the world, which did not prevent them from knowing about these things even though they were far away from the capital.
"Is she the one who is engaged to the Crown Prince? She is very beautiful. I remember that when Lady Yunyang was young, she was stunningly beautiful."
Even her mother said that back then, no one could rival the Fifth Sister of the Xu family.
The Duchess did not want to mention Xu Shi in front of Old Madam Xu, for fear of upsetting the old matriarch. She nodded and said only, "This child is of good character, and I am quite satisfied with her as Erlang's bride."
"Besides, the children are just doing what they like, and they'll live their own lives. Given Erlang's character, there's no need to worry about Yan Yan being wronged."
After speaking, the Duchess assumed that Madam Yang had too many thoughts about Li Shiyue and couldn't help but try to create a positive image for Li Shiyue.
She didn't want her new bride to be looked down upon before even entering the household. Turning her head and seeing Yang's calm expression, the Duchess felt relieved.
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