Chapter 537 - 536: Reference (Monthly Ticket 420+)

Chapter 537: Chapter 536: Reference (Monthly Ticket 420+)

Jin Ling’s words were like a bucket of ice water poured over the head.

Ruozhu couldn’t steady herself and fell to the ground with a blank look in her eyes.

Aunt Li saw this and felt both heartache and anger, angry at Ruozhu for being so foolish.

She reached out to pull Ruozhu up from the ground, hurriedly said goodbye to Jin Ling, and took Ruozhu back.

Seeing the mother and daughter leave, Mrs. Duan finally led her son inside and softly asked Jin Ling, "Is everything alright?"

"It’s no problem," Jin Ling rubbed her heavy belly and said, "Since Madam dared to tell them, she knows they wouldn’t dare to say a word about it. Even if the slightest rumor got out, Cangzhu’s family wouldn’t let them live comfortably without Madam needing to say anything."

Mrs. Duan sighed and shook her head, "According to you, Zizhu was momentarily bewitched and is still sensible, but this younger sister isn’t enlightened."

Ruozhu was dragged back to the room by Aunt Li, who repeatedly instructed her not to stir up trouble.

But Ruozhu was completely absent-minded. No one knew how much she actually listened to, and Aunt Li could only give up in frustration.

In the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, Ruozhu was merely an unnoticed little maid who arranged flowers. With her departure, not many paid attention.

Nanny Zhu had heard something, but considering how the Lian Family was last night, she pushed the matter to the back of her mind.

She had served the Lian Family for many years and knew the family’s temperament well.

Nanny Zhu had seen the Lian Family’s laughter and also seen her breathless with anger, sometimes heartbroken, but never had she seen her like yesterday, with her whole being seeming soulless.

It turned out that after a broken heart, there was neither crying nor commotion.

This realization made Nanny Zhu fearful and even less willing to stir up trouble for the Lian Family over Ruozhu.

At this moment, doing nothing is the best choice; in Mu Yuanmou’s eyes, doing more only leads to more mistakes.

To prevent the Lian Family from developing other thoughts after knowing this, Nanny Zhu simply kept her mouth shut.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the monks who performed rituals left the Marquis Mansion.

The night patrol women never encountered anything unusual again and decided to reduce the number of people on duty, everything returning to normal.

At the end of July, Ye Yuzhi returned to the Capital.

Du Yunluo heard it from Mu Lianxiao. Though she realized Ye Yuzhi would return to the Capital from the Cining Palace last time, she didn’t expect it to be so soon.

"You met Young Master Ye?" Du Yunluo leaned against Mu Lianxiao, rubbing her eyes and asking.

Mu Lianxiao held Du Yunluo’s waist with one hand and twirled her hair with the other, saying, "I met him today in the Imperial Study Room. The Holy Emperor assigned him a task, appointing him as a Chief at the Central Army Commander’s Mansion."

Du Yunluo was taken aback by this.

The Central Army Commander’s Mansion, which aligned with Mu Lianxiao’s previous speculations.

It may appear to be a low position as a Secondary Seventh Rank official, but in the status-laden Capital, it seemed somewhat low.

However, Ye Yuzhi’s career path differed from the usual sheltered path. As long as he worked steadfastly, with the Holy Emperor valuing him, he could climb step by step.

More importantly, those vigilant and sensitive official families in the Capital could discern the Palace’s attitude towards Ye Yuzhi through this move.

The Deputy Governors at the Central Army Commander’s Mansion are aging, soon to retire in a few years, leaving the real work to the Deputy Governor and the Assistant.

Ying Ji is the Experience of the Commander’s Mansion, his father is the Assistant, and Ye Yuzhi, going to the Central Army Commander’s Mansion, essentially works under the Assistant.

Ye Yuzhi was born in the Duke Jing Mansion, with Aunt Liao being just a concubine. Logically, Ye Yuzhi’s maternal family should be those of the Young Master’s two wives, but the Holy Emperor assigned Ye Yuzhi under the Assistant, clearly indicating the intention.

The hereditary Duke Jing Mansion is just a leisurely Duke Mansion without real power. The Holy Emperor’s promotion of Ye Yuzhi only elevates this individual and is irrelevant to the Duke Jing Mansion.

Politics inherently involve checks and balances; the Holy Emperor wouldn’t let the leisure Duke Mansion like Duke Jing step into the ranks of powerful nobles.

If Ye Yuzhi wanted to advance, he had to maintain some distance from the Duke Jing Mansion.

Ying Ji is married to Yunuo, based on Aunt Liao’s relationship, making Ye Yuzhi Yunuo’s cousin.

The Holy Emperor’s move was to pull Ye Yuzhi out from the Duke Jing Mansion’s network.

"This indeed suits Aunt Liao’s wishes," Du Yunluo sighed. "She yearns for an imperial decree in this life, relying not on her husband but on her son."

Mu Lianxiao chuckled.

Du Yunluo pursed her lips. For descendants, for a title, the Duke Jing Mansion also had various entanglements, but it wasn’t filled with bloody strife like the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

Ye Yuzhi’s departure from the Duke Jing Mansion’s control would certainly anger the Old Master and his wife, but for the Young Master’s second wife, it meant no longer having Ye Yuzhi blocking her path before her son grew up, causing her more troubles.

"I wonder what kind of wife the Cining Palace will choose for Young Master Ye..." Du Yunluo mused.

Mu Lianxiao gazed down at Du Yunluo and asked, "Yunluo, do you have anyone suitable in mind?"

"Me?" Du Yunluo was surprised.

Mu Lianxiao couldn’t help but tease, pinching Du Yunluo’s nose, "The Empress Dowager specifically told you. She wouldn’t just vent her grievances to you."

Du Yunluo was momentarily speechless, pondering the Empress Dowager’s tone that day, frustrated, "The Empress Dowager wanted me to give her some advice, but I truly have no suitable candidate.

The noble girls in the Capital, I can only match a few faces to names, let alone their personalities.

Moreover, if a true noble girl, which family would be willing to marry her to Young Master Ye?

Though the Holy Emperor intends for him to gradually distance from Duke Jing Mansion, he’s still a part of it, having not been expelled."

"That’s true," Mu Lianxiao rubbed his brow. "But since the Holy Emperor has this intention, people will adapt to it. Yu Zhi’s marriage proposals will certainly be easier than before."

Thinking it’s the Empress Dowager’s idea, Du Yunluo dared not take it lightly, talking with Mu Lianxiao for a long time until sleepiness overcame her, and she finally fell into a deep sleep.

A couple of days later, Du Yunluo sent a message to the palace, setting the visit, and went to greet the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort.

In the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort were playing chess.

Observing quietly, Du Yunluo sat silently beside them.

The Imperial Consort conceded mid-game, waving repeatedly, "My chess skills are still lacking."

"I think you were just distracted," the Empress Dowager laughed heartily, ordered the chessboard to be put away, and then said to Du Yunluo, "It’s hot today. If you were to come, you should’ve picked a cooler day."

Du Yunluo smiled gently, "It’s only late July, still a month or two from being cool. I heard Young Master Ye returned to the Capital and thought the Empress Dowager was still pondering his marriage..."

The Empress Dowager took a sip from her teacup, her eyes full of laughter, "Yes, I’ve pondered this with the Imperial Consort quite a bit. After much thought, we have some candidates. Since you’re here, help us see who is suitable."

Aunt Ming, sharp-witted, brought a booklet over, "Madam, here’s the list."

Du Yunluo took it, opened it for a glance.

The list had six or seven names, most unfamiliar to her, except for one that made her heart skip.

The daughter of General Huang, Huang Jie.

Du Yunluo slightly lifted her head, gave the Empress Dowager a glance, and understood.