Chapter 108 The Duke’s Mansion
Because of what happened that night, Yu Qinghuan hid from Xie Zhili for two days. During that time, the Yu family sent someone to deliver a message saying that the second daughter was getting married and wanted to ask her to go back to her parents' home to see her off.
But she didn't go, nor did she reply to the Yu family.
During this period, she also received an invitation from the Duke Dingguo's Mansion, saying that it was the birthday of the Duke Dingguo's wife and invited her to attend the banquet.
There was not much interaction between the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion and the Dingguo Duke's Mansion, especially between the female members. Wang lived a secluded life and rarely went out. Because of her difficult personality, few people in the capital were willing to invite her to their home.
Everyone thought that the Lady of Duke Dingguo sent her the invitation out of consideration for the friendship between the Marquis and the young master of the Duke's Mansion.
So, before she was about to go out that day, Wang called her in and gave her a lecture.
It was still Biluozhai, and the same tea, but because Xie Zhili had asked for a whole box of tea leaves for her before, Yu Qinghuan didn't think the tea was so precious or delicious when she drank it now, so she took a sip and didn't touch it again.
Wang solemnly instructed, "Duke Dingguo is extremely prestigious in the court, and his wife is from the Cheng family. Elder Cheng is extremely powerful in the court, and we must not offend him. Have you prepared your gift?"
Yu Qinghuan nodded, "I've asked someone about the Duke's wife's preferences."
Wang nodded, took the teacup and drank two sips of tea to moisten her throat. She examined her daughter-in-law from head to toe and felt that she was dressed very ostentatiously. She did not seem to be going to celebrate someone's birthday, but rather to steal the limelight.
She added, "This dress is too ostentatious, change it."
Sang Ru at the back resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The lady was still wearing last year's old clothes. How was this pink and blue outfit ostentatious?
Do I have to wear white to celebrate someone’s birthday?
Wang: "When you get to the Duke's Mansion, be careful with your words. Those who can go to the Duke's Mansion are not ordinary people. Don't be disrespectful to others."
Yu Qinghuan agreed to all of them.
Seeing that she hadn't touched the tea, Wang Shi suddenly became unhappy and asked, "Why don't you drink tea?"
Could it be that she doesn't like the tea here?
Yu Qinghuan explained with a faint smile, "My daughter-in-law will be going out soon, and I'm afraid she won't be able to find a place to relieve herself."
Hearing this, Wang looked at her with contempt again. She didn't even know to taste the good tea, and was afraid that it would be difficult to find a place to relieve herself. She was really petty and vulgar, not worthy of being in a refined environment. She only had a face that was presentable.
After coming out of Biluozhai, Yu Qinghuan prepared to leave the house. Xie Zhiwen, who was waiting outside, came to meet her. Seeing that she looked unhappy, he asked with a wry smile, "What did mother say to you?"
Yu Qinghuan said truthfully, "My mother said I was dressed too ostentatiously and asked me to change my clothes before going out."
After hearing this, Xie Zhiwen actually pulled Yu Qinghuan over and looked her up and down, "What do you mean by ostentatious? It's obvious that you're just good-looking, so you look good in anything you wear."
He thought happily in his heart: It's a good thing that I acted quickly, otherwise there would be many people who would want to marry such a beautiful and good-natured woman, and it might not be my turn.
Yu Qinghuan raised her eyebrows slightly, "According to what the Marquis said, I don't need to change clothes?"
Xie Zhiwen: "No need, just wear this outfit, it looks good to me!"
It's not like he's famous at all, so how can he be so ostentatious?
If his Ah Huan wore a red dress, she would be truly bright and charming. There would be no one in the whole capital who could compare with her.
As they were about to reach the front door, Xie Zhiwen took Yu Qinghuan and talked for a long time, chatting about this and that.
"Ah Huan, the wife of Duke Dingguo has only invited the female members of her family, so I can't go with you. However, I have a very good relationship with Huaian. If you need anything, you can ask him for help. Don't be polite to him."
Yu Qinghuan asked tentatively, "What can I do for you?"
Xie Zhiwen patted his chest and said, "Anything is fine!"
Given the friendship between him and Mu Huaian, he would definitely not refuse such a small matter as helping him take care of his wife.
Sang Ru, who was standing next to him, wanted to hold her forehead with her hand. She always felt that if the Second Master and the Young Master did not cause any trouble, the Madam could keep it a secret from the Marquis for the rest of her life.
Xie Zhiwen escorted Yu Qinghuan to the carriage. Looking at her beautiful face, especially her pale blue dress, she looked just like when they first met...
He said reluctantly, "I'll pick you up later."
Yu Qinghuan smiled and nodded.
...
The Ningyuan Marquis Mansion and the Dingguo Duke Mansion are not too far away, and it only takes a cup of tea to get there.
As soon as Yu Qinghuan arrived, someone brought a box of things to her in a carriage. Yu Qinghuan took a look and saw that it was a calligraphy and painting by Zhang Yanren, which was worth a fortune.
Such good things are definitely not something you can prepare on your own.
She brought Sang Ruhe and the birthday gift into the mansion. In the backyard hall, most of the female family members were there. They were dressed in luxurious clothes and were all from famous families in the capital.
Yu Qinghuan felt that with her pink and blue outfit, not to mention being ostentatious, no one would be able to see her at all if she stood there. Therefore, she found an inconspicuous place to sit and did not talk to anyone else.
Chen Niao saw her at first sight. She was so beautiful that it was hard not to notice her.
"I guessed you would come today, and sure enough, you did."
Yu Qinghuan was a little surprised. It was said that the Chen and Mu families had fallen out because of the broken engagement, but now Chen Niao still appeared in the Duke Dingguo's Mansion, which showed that the rumors were not credible.
She was just about to exchange a few words with Chen Niao when she pulled her aside and whispered in her ear, "The Zheng family has already discussed this with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Ah Rong asked me to thank you, saying that the Zheng family owes you a favor."
Yu Qinghuan was puzzled, "What favor?"
I just gave a few suggestions, so I don't need to do them a favor.
Chen Niao nodded, "We all know that you mentioned Arong in front of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and spoke on her behalf."
If not for this, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would not have agreed so readily to join forces with the Zheng family.
Yu Qinghuan was confused. When did this happen? How come he didn’t know about it?
"Your Highness the Crown Prince said so?"
Chen Niao shook his head. "I don't know either, but Arong asked me to thank you for connecting the Zheng family."
Yu Qinghuan racked her brains but couldn't figure out what was going on. When did she act as a matchmaker between the Zheng family and Xiao Jinghe? It seemed like she had never even mentioned it before.
As she was thinking about this, Xiao Wu came over to invite someone, "Madam, my master invites you, please move over."
Yu Qinghuan understood what he meant, said something to Chen Niao, and then quietly followed him.
Chen Niao frowned. The only one who could order Xiao Wu around was Mu Huaian. And this was in the Duke Dingguo's Mansion, his own residence... Even if he wanted to see his beloved again, he shouldn't call her away so blatantly. What if someone saw him?
She really didn't expect that Mu Huaian would become so irrational when he fell in love.
...
At this time, Yu Qinghuan had been brought to a secluded courtyard by Xiaowu. After bringing her there, Xiaowu left.
The plum blossoms in the yard had faded early, with only a few left, and the branches were weighed down by a thin layer of snow.
Yu Qinghuan walked inside and saw a tall red shadow standing under the plum tree. The person had one hand behind his back. From a distance, he could see half of his profile. Wasn't it Mu Huaian?
Yu Qinghuan guessed that it was the Duke's wife's birthday, so he dressed festively. Unexpectedly, he looked so good in it, and the snow made it even more eye-catching.
Her heart suddenly beat wildly, and she stepped forward quickly, wrapped her arms around his slender waist from behind, and pressed her cheek against his back: "Huaian, you look really good in this outfit today."
The moment the person behind him hugged him, the red-robed man's body suddenly tensed up...
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