Chapter 168
Yining was busy for two consecutive days discussing Luo Yilian's marriage.
Aunt Qiao felt that her sister Lian would be able to marry into a good family, so she straightened her back and asked for this and that in a high-sounding manner.
As soon as Yi Ning sent the housekeeper away, a maid came over and told her that Aunt Qiao was not satisfied with Luo Yilian's wedding dress and insisted on changing it.
Luo Yining was so worried that she hurried to Lin Hairu's place. Aunt Qiao had been complaining that her dress wasn't bright red. Lin Hairu, who was being served ginseng soup by the maids, couldn't help but sneer when she heard this: "She's not marrying the first wife, but she's wearing the first wife's color. This is ridiculous!"
Luo Chengzhang had already instructed that Luo Yilian's opinion must be prioritized no matter what. Lin Hairu endured it again and again, regardless of whether it made a fool of herself or not. This auspicious dress, which had been altered three times, had to be redone again, all the effort wasted.
When Yi Ning left, the maid who had been sent to the Lu family to set up the bed had just returned. The maid took a sip of tea, smiled, and said to Luo Yi Lian in a somewhat flattering tone, "Miss, you didn't go. The Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion is so grand and imposing. As soon as I entered the door, I saw a huge screen wall, and the guards in the courtyard were all soldiers. Although they don't observe the six rituals, I clearly saw that the mansion was decorated with lights and colorful decorations everywhere. It was no different from a formal wedding! When other people get married in the Marquis' Mansion, the people on both sides consciously avoid it. There are even people in the mansion who clear the way. I have never seen such a grand ceremony in my life."
The two Zhous who came to watch the fun were amazed and praised Yi Lian for marrying well.
Aunt Qiao felt more confident about altering her wedding gown. She brought the soup and said with a smile, "Of course, there's nothing wrong with wearing red. The most important thing is that the governor likes it. I think the sedan chair should also be altered."
Lin Hairu, who was against the red color, snorted coldly and said, "Then do you want people to change too?"
Aunt Qiao was a concubine after all, and her face turned pale when Lin Hairu scolded her in person, but she didn't dare to talk back.
Luo Yining dipped her brush in ink and said, "Aunt Qiao, after all, Lian Jie'er will be a concubine when she marries, so it's best to keep a low profile. Bright red won't work. Choose between aqua or madder red."
Aunt Qiao felt that as long as Lu Jiaxue favored Yilian, Luo Yilian would have no problem running amok in the Marquis's mansion. No one understood the importance of a man's favor better than she did, so she ignored Luo Yining's words. Still smiling, she said, "Why can't you change it to pure red? Yining, you're Lianjie's third sister-in-law. It's not right for you to begrudge her well-being, right?"
Luo Yining glanced at her calmly. He turned back, dipped his brush in ink, and wrote, "If you're dissatisfied again, go talk to your father. Do you think he'd rather embarrass you or the Luo family?"
"I think the master should follow the governor's wishes more closely," said Aunt Qiao.
Yi Ning raised her head and said gently, "If Aunt Qiao wants to go out and talk about this kind of troubled family, then I'm fine with that."
Having said this, Aunt Qiao restrained herself and stopped talking. She would not do anything rash at this moment that would affect Yi Lian's marriage.
Luo Yilian pressed Aunt Qiao's hand and said with a smile, "Third sister-in-law also means well. Sister Lian will have the opportunity to repay you in the future."
Yi Ning smiled slightly: "You're welcome."
After saying this, he put away his pen and told the old woman to take it back for revision.
Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice, and ancestral worship is not permitted. However, returning to the Baoding ancestral temple for ancestral worship would be inconvenient, so Luo Chengzhang ordered three sacrificial animals to be placed in the main room. After the morning sacrifice, Luo Shenyuan left with Yang Ling and the others, skipping even lunch. In the afternoon, Luo Yilian wanted to go to the temple to fulfill a vow and requested company. Yining, feeling she needed to stay away from temples and other places, politely declined. Lin Hairu asked two of Zhou's sisters-in-law to accompany her. The maids and servants who had accompanied Luo Yilian marched out in a large procession.
Yi Ning was just about to return to Jiashu Hall to rest when she saw Luo Shenyuan returning from outside the Chuihua Gate. He was joined by Yang Ling, the Minister of Revenue, and several other officials. They were probably discussing official matters, and Luo Shenyuan was smiling.
Yi Ning paused and watched him from a distance. His colleagues treated him with respect, and though the conversation was casual, no one dared interrupt him. Outside, the snow piled heavily, its powdery white fluttering in the pale sunlight. He wore the sable fur cloak she had made him a few days earlier. He stood tall, straight, and handsome like a pine tree, easily visible from the crowd.
Yining's heart was very calm. She suddenly wondered if he was different from his previous life.
She had also watched him from afar in her previous life, but they were strangers then. Now, they had the closest relationship.
Yi Ning was considering whether to go up and say hello, but Luo Shenyuan and others saw her from afar.
Yang Ling smiled and said, "Brother Luo, I haven't seen your wife in a while. Do you want me to go say hello?"
"She's just a woman, why are you greeting her?" Luo Shenyuan was unhappy. Yang Ling was always very enthusiastic when he saw Yi Ning. He had a bad relationship with their wife, and Yang Ling often had scars on his face when he came to the yamen. What was wrong with him looking at Yi Ning now?
"You wait here." Luo Shenyuan said, walking towards Yining.
When Yi Ning saw him coming, he asked him, "Third brother, are you bringing your colleagues back?"
Luo Shenyuan paused, and was about to say something when Yang Ling's voice came from behind him: "Mrs. Luo San, it's been a long time since we last met!"
Seeing Yang Ling's eyes curved, Yi Ning thought of his playful wife, Mrs. Yang, and smiled, "Brother Yang, long time no see. I wonder how Mrs. Yang is doing? I haven't had time to visit her yet."
"She's very good—there's nothing wrong with her!" Yang Ling said.
Then he felt the man in front of him go cold and silent. He stopped talking, muttering to himself, "This guy is really hard to joke with. He's so petty and jealous. It's a pity Miss Wei can tolerate him!"
Luo Shenyuan saw him leave and said, "Well, ask them to come over to discuss things. I have to go out soon, but I will be back early today. Didn't you say a few days ago that you wanted to go to the temple fair? It will probably be held today. I can accompany you tonight."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
