Chapter 520 - 519: Prudence (Monthly Pass 300+)

Chapter 520: Chapter 519: Prudence (Monthly Pass 300+)

Du Yunluo lowered her eyelids, unconsciously rubbing the handkerchief in her hand.

The court did not prohibit widows from remarrying, but the higher the rank of the official family, especially noble families or royal relatives, the fewer remarriages there were.

Ultimately, those who don’t worry about food or clothing, who don’t need to earn money to raise children, are the ones who care about saving face.

Among common people, remarriage is more common for survival.

At the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, when the Old Marquis died in battle, Madam Wu was already grandmother-aged and naturally had no dilemma about whether to remarry, while Mrs. Zhou, Mrs. Xu, and Mrs. Lu simply never had the thought of remarriage. Despite their mental anguish, they wanted to remain in this house for a lifetime.

In her past life, Du Yunluo also didn’t harbor that idea, as her heart was wholly given to Mu Lianxiao, so how could she leave the Mu Family?

Moreover, she married under an imperial decree; if she wanted to remarry, it was not just a matter for the Du Family and the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, but for the palace.

Madam Wu’s words reminded Du Yunluo of what Mrs. Zhou said to her in her past life.

"Everyone else can bear it, but you can’t?"

Now, applied to Mu Lianhui, it became "Everyone else can endure it, but you can’t?"

The capricious and unconventional Mu Yuanjing could only return to her family and live in widowhood, not mentioning remarriage, because the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion absolutely couldn’t bear the disgrace of allowing daughters-in-law to stay while allowing daughters to remarry.

Mrs. Zhou frowned, shaking her head, "If truly willing to stay, life still would be hard. If Lianhui herself doesn’t want to stay, the coming decades will only be tougher."

"Especially when she was married into the Pingyang Marquis Mansion, and especially being in the Capital." Madam Wu raised her hand to press her temples.

In families of equal status, neither can overpower or suppress the other with authority.

Back when Mu Yuanjing lost her husband, she returned home under the pretext of mourning and never went back to Shu, primarily living in widowhood at her maternal home rather than remarrying, and secondly because the Liu Family’s influence was far less than that of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, they turned a blind eye.

But this time it’s different, both being in the Capital, two marquis mansions within walking distance, which wouldn’t take an hour even if one’s feet, even if Pingyang Marquis Mansion’s favor at court is not on par with Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, it is also a hereditary marquisate.

Just relying on words, trying to bring Lianhui back, Pingyang Marquis Mansion is not as easy to manipulate as a soft persimmon.

Besides, the title of Lady is not fake, and if Lianhui wishes to act willfully on this matter, the palace will not agree.

"You know Lianhui’s temperament," Mrs. Zhou glanced at the newly added tea set on the table, "If it’s not to her liking, once she acts up, she won’t care about appearances."

Madam Wu smiled, but it was exceptionally bitter.

This matter couldn’t be resolved for the time being, and seeing the time was approaching for a meal, Madam Wu told Mrs. Zhou, "I don’t have much of an appetite, and I won’t trouble you to accompany me in eating, I’ll have Banqiao serve me a little something, you all should go back to your meals."

Seeing Madam Wu’s insistence, Mrs. Zhou agreed, instructed Banqiao a few words, then left Baijie Hall with Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao.

Stepping into Jingshui Hall, Du Yunluo spotted Ruozhu under the veranda outside the West Wing.

Seeing the masters return, Ruozhu joined the maids of Jingshui Hall in paying respects.

Du Yunluo’s gaze swept over lightly, acting as if she didn’t see her, and followed Mrs. Zhou into the house.

Ruozhu’s head was bowed low.

Liu He, watching, chuckled softly, "You’ve been in the mansion for some time, why are you still so timid when facing the masters?"

"I work mainly in the garden, I seldom get the chance to see the masters, sister, please forgive me," Ruozhu replied softly.

Ruozhu hadn’t overheard any useful information in Shangxin Courtyard; there was no loud argument inside, and from beneath the west wall, she could hardly hear any sound.

Not long after, the masters left Shangxin Courtyard, and Ruozhu couldn’t follow them to Baijie Hall. While the maids in Shangxin Courtyard were still off guard, she took the opportunity to slip away.

Unable to gather information, she continued following Fuman’s instructions, delivering blooming flowers everywhere.

Just delivered them to Jingshui Hall, didn’t expect Mrs. Zhou and the others to return.

Liu He, a gentle natured person, helped Ruozhu move the flowers, knowing she was Zizhu’s younger sister. Glancing toward the main house, she said, "I was also acquainted with Zizhu before entering Jingshui Hall; I used to work in the front yard. Now, only Hongfu and Yan’er in Shaohui Garden are familiar with Zizhu."

"In Shaohui Garden?" Ruozhu’s eyes lit up.

All this time, she hadn’t deliberately inquired into Zizhu’s past connections; if Zizhu really lost her life from knowing something she shouldn’t have, poking around everywhere upon entering would have alarmed the masters.

This was the first time someone voluntarily mentioned knowing someone close to Zizhu.

Liu He smiled lightly, "Yes, before Marquis’s great marriage, Hongfu and Yan’er were sweeping maids in the front yard, same as Zizhu, I remember they used to chat together often."

Ruozhu smiled, pressing her lips together.

In the main hall, Suxin served tea to the masters. After a glance from Mrs. Zhou, she withdrew to stand by in the bright room, leaving only Nanny Su in the west side room.

Mrs. Zhou sat on the Arhat Bed, sipping the warm tea, "Old Madam must be feeling troubled for a considerable time."

Du Yunluo nodded, Mu Lianxiao gently patted Du Yunluo’s back.

The two sat close, and Mu Lianxiao’s actions were discreet, unnoticed by Mrs. Zhou.

Du Yunluo turned her head to look at Mu Lianxiao, seeing in his gentle yet clear eyes, her slightly anxious thoughts gradually calmed down.

"Mother, what about elder sister in the future, it’s not just her own matter," Mu Lianxiao deliberated, "Grandmother’s careful deliberation is very appropriate."

Mrs. Zhou chuckled wryly, "Yes, it’s not just Lianhui alone, nor just the Marquis Mansion, but also the clan. Ying and Sister Niang are still young, so we don’t need to be concerned about marriage impacts, but there are several in the clan about to be betrothed, entering society, which must be considered."

After a bit more conversation, Mrs. Zhou didn’t keep them for a meal, letting them return to accompany Brother Yan.

Mu Lianxiao held Du Yunluo’s hand as they returned to Shaohui Garden; the June midday heat was intense, and just by holding hands, the palms became sweaty.

Du Yunluo glanced down at her toes, yet her hand fidgeted in Mu Lianxiao’s palm, making both palms wet before she smiled with her eyes arching.

The crisp laughter made Mu Lianxiao smile too; showing some childishness meant Du Yunluo’s mood wasn’t all that bad.

He had been worried all along.

Back in Shaohui Garden, just as Du Yunluo was about to instruct Jin Rui to set the table, Mu Lianxiao pulled her into the inner room.

"What’s up?" Du Yunluo asked him.

Mu Lianxiao let Du Yunluo sit by the table, he himself sat in front of her, hooked her fingers, and said, "Yunluo, Grandmother and Mother care dearly for elder sister, they aren’t us, unaware of many things elder sister was involved in in your dreams. In their eyes, elder sister was oblivious to what she did to second uncle and second aunt. So, Yunluo, you tell me, what are you thinking?"