Chapter 506 - 505: Unknown

Chapter 506: Chapter 505: Unknown

On the early morning of the fifth day of May, Du Yunluo busied herself with dressing up according to her status, preparing to enter the palace with Madam Wu and Mu Lianxiao to pay their respects.

The noble attire for the Marchioness had been delivered two days prior, custom-made according to Du Yunluo’s measurements, and any parts that didn’t fit well had already been adjusted.

Du Yunluo sat before the dressing mirror, gazing at her elegant clothes, her eyes sparkling.

This was her first time dressing so formally for an entrance to the palace.

Mu Lianxiao smiled as he remarked, "You look quite nice."

Du Yunluo gave him a playful glance.

Madam Wu had a good rest last night and seemed much better today.

Zhuang Ke and Mu Liankang were also ready and went with them to the palace.

When the carriage arrived outside the palace gates, Mu Lianxiao and Mu Liankang went to the front court, while Madam Wu took Du Yunluo and Zhuang Ke to the inner court.

When the Outer Noble Women paid respects to the Inner Noble Women, the rules were numerous. Given Madam Wu’s age, after the formalities were complete, she was invited to Cining Palace along with the Duchess.

After the noble consorts departed, the Outer Noble Women became more at ease, frequently glancing at Zhuang Ke.

The ladies who visited the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion during the set up of the spirit hall had met Zhuang Ke, but for the rest, it was their first encounter.

Zhuang Ke’s origin and her blue eyes became the focus of everyone’s attention.

Even though Zhuang Ke was poised, the surreptitious gazes were overwhelming for her.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the Empress Dowager sent someone to summon Zhuang Ke, allowing her to breathe a sigh of relief.

Du Yunluo accompanied Zhuang Ke towards Cining Palace, and midway, Princess Nanyan leisurely approached, smiling gently at Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo smiled in return; she hadn’t seen Nanyan in several years.

Perhaps it was due to having a child, but Princess Nanyan had become more plump compared to when Du Yunluo had left the capital, no longer as slender as before.

Zhuang Ke entered the main hall, while Du Yunluo and Princess Nanyan stood under the veranda talking.

"Didn’t bring your little Princely Heir with you?" Nanyan asked with a light tone.

Du Yunluo pressed her lips and smiled, "I didn’t see your little Commandery Princess either."

After some teasing, the years of estrangement dissipated considerably.

"You’re aware of the situation with the Changping Marquis, right?" Nanyan lowered her voice, almost whispering to Du Yunluo. Seeing Du Yunluo nod, she continued, "I didn’t know before. In the past life, I had no idea who was loyal to whom.

This time, I overheard the Princely Heir talking with our prince, and I guessed a bit.

Even though losing one Changping Marquis wouldn’t hurt our prince significantly, his chances have grown smaller compared to before."

Nanyan didn’t continue, and Du Yunluo didn’t respond.

Though the chances have diminished, it could still fuel a greedy heart.

In the prior life, Prince Rui’s rebellion was rushed, without thorough preparation, yet he still took the gamble.

This life lacks the Changping Marquis; how Li Xiang and Li Luan will choose is unknown to both Du Yunluo and Nanyan.

Nanyan’s smile was somewhat relaxed; she seemed clear-minded, having prepared from the start for the worst, which was eternal guardianship of the Imperial Mausoleum, and she wasn’t confused or afraid.

Yet her heart held slight expectations, much like the gentle breezes of spring.

Neither wanted to dwell excessively on such a heavy topic.

Princess Nanyan shifted the topic, "Do you know what the Outer Noble Women are discussing today?"

Du Yunluo’s eyes twinkled with amusement, "Are they talking about my sister-in-law?"

"Yes," Princess Nanyan tidied the hair messed by the wind, "but not entirely."

Du Yunluo waited for Nanyan to continue.

"The Commandery Princess couldn’t avoid the gossip. When the edict was issued in the palace, many were skeptical because Prince Shun had been silent for decades—how could a daughter suddenly appear? Hence, everyone is watching to see if the Commandery Princess resembles Consort Zhuang and Prince Shun." Nanyan glanced towards the main hall, "I’m young and have never seen Consort Zhuang or Prince Shun, yet the older ones all fell silent; the Commandery Princess truly is of royal lineage."

Du Yunluo was slightly startled, tasting some implication in Nanyan’s words.

Nanyan was granted the title of County Princess because her father died in battle, and her mother followed in sacrifice. The Empress Dowager took pity and brought her to be raised in the palace.

Before seeing Zhuang Ke, many guessed she was like another "Lady Jiarou" of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, appointed by the palace merely to pacify the Marquis Mansion.

But in truth, Zhuang Ke really was of imperial descent.

If Nanyan had been of imperial lineage, her life—at least her past life—would’ve been vastly different, even if her parents were gone.

She wouldn’t have been coerced by Princess Yunhua to marry a sickly man, as the Empress Dowager wouldn’t permit it, unlike her past life where she tacitly consented due to favoritism towards Princess Yunhua.

Nanyan wouldn’t have needed such drastic measures to extricate herself from her predicament.

Among the royal family with access to inner court banquets, men were few, all with wives and concubines, except the Empress Dowager’s son, Prince Rui, whose wife was deceased, allowing him a bit more freedom to drink and roam in the Imperial Garden.

Nanyan took the risk; firstly, Prince Rui offered a viable path, and secondly, to be closer to Li Luan.

Du Yunluo understood but didn’t mention such sensitive matters, instead following up on Princess Nanyan’s words, "What did you mean by ’not entirely’ earlier?"

Princess Nanyan pursed her lips, a mix of disdain and sarcasm, "They’re all watching Duke Jing Mansion’s joke."

Du Yunluo raised her eyebrows, "The new wife’s son is so young, and there’s already trouble?

The affairs in the capital are better known to Princess Nanyan than to Du Yunluo.

The Old Madam Duke Jing and the new wife of the heir hadn’t fallen out, but the matter lingered.

The issue was Ye Yuzhi’s marriage.

Ye Yuzhi wasn’t young, yet he ran off to Shanyu Pass, angering the Old Master and his wife, who couldn’t do anything about it.

Now that the hostilities paused, they figured out a way—arrange a marriage for Ye Yuzhi.

The Old Duke’s wife didn’t favor Ye Yuzhi and didn’t intend to find him a proper wife; she planned to marry him off to someone of lower status to prevent Ye Yuzhi from gaining family support.

The new wife wasn’t keen on this idea. She’s the nominal stepmother since joining the family, so if she marries off her stepson to someone of lower standing, how would she maintain face in the future?

This would really make her a laughingstock, belittled by the noblewomen in the capital.

She wanted a good match, and after all, despite his military achievements, Ye Yuzhi, being a concubine-born child, could never surpass his legitimate brothers.

In the new wife’s eyes, the sons her sister left behind posed the real threat.

The new wife wanted a good match, but who in the capital of equal standing is willing to marry into Duke Jing Mansion, knowing their scandalous affairs?

"For now, it’s just about Young Master Ye’s marriage. But in a couple of years, the legitimate eldest son from the original wife will be of marriageable age, and there will be more tumult then." Du Yunluo sighed, "Young Master Ye is a good person. It’s all thanks to him that my uncle could be found, and as my third aunt says, we should remember his kindness."

Princess Nanyan responded softly.