Free Web NovelChapter 149: Chapter 148: Questioning (Monthly Ticket 280+)
Du Yunluo stood in the veranda, and through the window, she heard the laughter of a young child inside, not knowing what he was playing with, his voice lively and lovely.
The aunt who led her to Cining Palace had already gone in to announce her, and Du Yunluo quietly waited outside until that aunt came out to invite her in, she then moved forward a few steps, following her inside.
In the main hall, the underground fire dragon burned fiercely.
Du Yunluo took off her snow jacket and handed it to that aunt, getting rid of the chill on her body, before going in to meet the Empress Dowager.
In the West Warm Pavilion, the Empress Dowager sat properly on the Arhat Bed, with the Imperial Consort seated lower, and on the other side was the Crown Princess Consort, with the somewhat grown Imperial Grandson.
The Imperial Grandson held a cloisonné copper ball in his hand, Du Yunluo quickly glanced at it but couldn’t see the design on it.
Du Yunluo knelt down to pay her respects.
The Empress Dowager’s slender eyes slowly swept over Du Yunluo.
The Crown Princess Consort chuckled and said to the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort: "This sister from the Du Family, her voice is as if rolled in sugar, extremely pleasant to hear."
The Empress Dowager slightly nodded and said: "For the first time entering the palace, to have such decorum is quite good. Good child, rise."
Du Yunluo thanked, then stood up and sat down as instructed.
The Empress Dowager was carefully observing Du Yunluo’s appearance.
Oval face, delicate skin, willow-leaf eyebrows curved, a pair of apricot eyes lowered, her overall demeanor quite petite, after all, not yet married, still retaining the youthful roundness of a young woman.
The Empress Dowager turned to the Imperial Consort and said: "This Dingyuan Marquis Mansion does know how to choose, this look, I find quite pleasing."
The Imperial Consort laughed and agreed with a few words.
After the conversation, the Empress Dowager shifted the topic to the matters at Wangmei Garden.
"That, the one that boy from the Huo Family wants to take as a concubine, did you know her before?" the Empress Dowager asked.
Du Yunluo settled her mind, knowing even if the Empress Dowager couldn’t recall Shi Lian’er’s name, there must have been someone who reported Shi Lian’er’s background to Cining Palace early on; anyone causing trouble at the Plum Appreciation Banquet, even involving Li Luan, the Empress Dowager would have some understanding.
Du Yunluo said: "In response to the Empress Dowager, I do recognize Shi Lian’er. Shi Lian’er’s elder brother Shi Shiren and my elder brother were schoolmates, and during autumn, I visited the academy and had a brief encounter with Shi Lian’er."
The Empress Dowager asked again: "In your view, does she seem like someone who would do such things?"
Du Yunluo pursed her lips.
It’s not like, Shi Lian’er inherently is this sort of person, but such words cannot be said in front of the Empress Dowager.
If Du Yunluo stated Shi Lian’er’s actions were inappropriate, the Empress Dowager would inevitably ask for examples, and Du Yunluo would never implicate Du Yundi. Having barely kept her elder brother out of trouble, only if she were mad would she undermine her own family.
Slightly frowning, Du Yunluo deliberated her words and said: "We only had a brief encounter; as for what kind of person Miss Shi truly is, I understand very little. Seeing her appear in Wangmei Garden was indeed a surprise."
"It was certainly strange..." the Empress Dowager raised her hand, pressing her brow, half-closing her eyes while looking at Du Yunluo, "Lady also did not act with due caution, resulting in such mess. When Princess An Ran came to the palace a few days ago, I found her quite bewildered."
On the first day of the first lunar month, all from the Duke’s Mansion must come to the palace to bow, and although Princess An Ran is a concubine’s daughter, she has a title and certainly needs to come.
The dialogue between Princess An Ran and Huo Ziming from that day still echoed in Du Yunluo’s mind. From her understanding of Princess An Ran, she would never be flustered again over such a matter.
If she appeared bewildered, it must be because of something else.
Only, with this remark from the Empress Dowager...
Everyone knew Mu Lianhui put in effort; if she helped to exonerate Mu Lianhui, it wasn’t about fooling the Empress Dowager, it was herself becoming a fool, talking nonsense as a joke for the Empress Dowager.
But complaining was impossible.
Du Yunluo lightly bit her lip and said: "From a young age, I dislike banquets and seldom attend them, let alone host them myself. I am an outsider who cannot comment on whether Lady prepared the banquet well or poorly. However, I think Lady has her own ideas."
Upon finishing her words, not only did the Empress Dowager look at Du Yunluo more closely, but even the Imperial Consort kept scrutinizing her.
The Crown Princess Consort laughed behind her hand, "Miss Du speaks very interestingly."
Du Yunluo remained silent.
The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort were shrewd individuals, certainly able to see through Mu Lianhui as one who plans meticulously. Mu Lianhui was favored because wise people disliked fools.
Du Yunluo couldn’t be overly clever nor foolish; saying half was just right, as Mrs. Xia advised her.
"Her own ideas, huh..." the Empress Dowager chuckled softly, eventually saying, "I haven’t asked you yet, what do you usually do?"
"Reading, practicing calligraphy, transcribing scriptures for elders, doing some embroidery."
The Empress Dowager nodded: "Indeed, you’re engaged. You should be preparing your dowry."
The Imperial Consort smiled and asked: "Transcribing scriptures? Do you usually recite them?"
"In answer to the Empress Dowager, I occasionally accompany my grandmother in chanting; the profound truths within the scriptures are beyond me, but chanting brings me peace of mind, which is why I learned from my grandmother," said Du Yunluo.
The Imperial Consort remained silent, but the Empress Dowager laughed, "So young, seeking peace of mind? Chant less, don’t become a little old lady."
Du Yunluo agreed.
She knew; the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort chant not for faith, but for peace of mind. At fourteen, claiming faith in Buddhism would invite ridicule; moreover, she never believed—chanting was merely to pass time and find tranquility.
Discussing this ended up moving past matters at Wangmei Garden.
The Empress Dowager stopped asking, and Du Yunluo felt relieved.
The Crown Princess Consort chatted with Du Yunluo; twenty-something, her laughter gentle and charming, speaking only of cheerful, light-hearted topics. Du Yunluo listened intently, responding occasionally, both talking and laughing happily.
Outside, the eunuch’s voice announced, "The Holy Emperor arrives," prompting Du Yunluo to tense up.
Previously, she had seen the Emperor, but from afar, only viewing the bright yellow figure; facing the Emperor this up close was her first time.
The Empress Dowager led everyone to rise, welcoming the Imperial presence.
The Holy Emperor entered the West Warm Pavilion, invited the Empress Dowager to sit, then noticed Du Yunluo standing to the side.
The Empress Dowager pointed to Du Yunluo and said: "This is the Grand Tutor Du’s granddaughter, whom I summoned into the palace for a talk."
Du Yunluo stepped forward, just about to offer her respects when the Holy Emperor stopped her.
"Is she the one betrothed to Ah Shao?" The Holy Emperor, after seeing the Empress Dowager nod, turned to the eunuch and said, "Summon Ah Shao in, his wife is going to bow; let them do it together, there’s been no thanks to me after the imperial marriage decree."
Du Yunluo was stunned.
She wasn’t a minister’s daughter nor had a title; post-marriage decree, she had no need to thank in person? Mu Lianxiao definitely couldn’t escape; taking the edict meant having to bow.
Offering thanks jointly should be after their wedding, entering the palace to bow. Now, what was happening?
Moreover, with the eunuch summoning Mu Lianxiao, back and forth, was she to foolishly stand here?
Du Yunluo was full of questions, when suddenly she heard steady, familiar footsteps. Surprised, she followed the sound and instantly saw Mu Lianxiao walking towards her.
