Free Web NovelChapter 177: Chapter 176: Favor
Madam Wu came from a military family, following her father to the borders from a young age. Her skills were honed on the vast prairie.
After marrying Old Marquis Mu Shi Yuan, the young Madam Wu did not stay in the capital, instead she followed Mu Shi Yuan to guard the borders.
When the battles were intense, Mu Shi Yuan was fighting outside, and the enemy troops attacked the border towns at night. Madam Wu did not hide but danced with the long saber alongside the defending soldiers to kill the enemy.
That night, she, a woman, took the lives of several enemies.
Although far from replacing her father in the army like Hua Mulan on the opera stage, Madam Wu’s actions were a remarkable story among women of the time.
Du Yunluo had heard the old servants of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion talk about that past, but Madam Wu never mentioned it, nor did she like the younger ones asking her about it.
However, as the Crown Princess Consort said, none of the women in Dingyuan Marquis Mansion couldn’t ride a horse.
Whether daughters-in-law who married in or girls of the Mu Family, all were skilled equestrians, only Du Yunluo was an exception.
No one forced her to learn, so Du Yunluo just slacked off.
But now the Empress Dowager had given the order, and she had to nod and accept it.
The Empress Dowager didn’t give her much time; next month, the Holy Emperor would go hunting, and Du Yunluo had to follow.
Du Yunluo was still somewhat dazed when she left Cining Palace.
Upon returning to Du Mansion and reaching Lianfu Garden, Old Mrs. Xia listened to Du Yunluo’s words, remained silent with a grim face for quite a while.
After almost a quarter of an hour, as the Western clock clanged, Old Mrs. Xia came to her senses and ordered Nanny Xu: "Quickly make two riding outfits for Yunluo."
Since Du Yunluo never rode horses, she didn’t have such clothing, so now she had to hastily prepare, not only learning to ride horses but also rushing to prepare the riding outfits.
Nanny Xu complied.
Old Mrs. Xia grasped Du Yunluo’s hand and sighed, "Yunluo, the Empress Dowager is honoring you like this. Have you considered the reason?"
Du Yunluo lowered her eyes.
Her first palace visit was because the Empress Dowager wanted to inquire about matters at Wangmei Garden. After that, she was frequently called into the palace—to copy scriptures for the Imperial Consort, to accompany the Empress Dowager to Guoning Temple for blessings. Such honor and favor, how many girls in the capital possessed?
There is no love or favoritism without reason.
Just for asking a question, giving such concern to Du Yunluo—not only did Old Mrs. Xia disbelieve it, but Du Yunluo herself also didn’t believe it.
The reason, Du Yunluo understood, was because she was Mu Lianxiao’s fiancée.
In her previous life, she held the same identity but was never summoned alone to Cining Palace. Even during festive palace visits, the Empress Dowager didn’t give her more than a glance. This related to Du Yunluo’s disharmonious relationship with Madam Wu at the time but wasn’t the only reason.
The biggest reason was Mu Lianhui.
What the Empress Dowager valued was Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. In her past life, it was Mu Lianhui who was honored, appointed as Lady, accompanied the Imperial Consort in Putuo Mountain for three years of scripture study, and returned to capital to be betrothed to Li Luan. The Royal Family’s "concern" for Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was already sufficient.
Now, Mu Lianhui had displeased the Empress Dowager, who no longer wanted to honor Mu Lianhui but still needed the dignity of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, this honor therefore fell onto Du Yunluo.
"Because of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion." Du Yunluo softly responded.
Old Mrs. Xia’s brows tightened; Du Yunluo’s clarity led her to hesitate whether to continue speaking, but after much deliberation, she sighed and said, "Yunluo, I’m afraid the Holy Emperor plans to go to war again."
Before the words had fallen completely, Du Yunluo’s gaze suddenly tightened, she looked up at Old Mrs. Xia, slightly parting her red lips.
Seeing her like this, Old Mrs. Xia presumed she couldn’t accept it suddenly, hence patted Du Yunluo’s palm.
How could Du Yunluo be unaware Old Mrs. Xia was trying to comfort her, but at the moment, she was not fearful, just surprised.
Because Old Mrs. Xia had seen very clearly.
The Holy Emperor had been ruling for nineteen years, with frequent battles. In fact, wars had been occurring on the borders since the late Emperor and even Emperor Gaozu.
Until the 13th year of Yong’an, when Mu Shi Yuan and his two sons died in battle, the borders remained quiet, resting for a few years. Given the Holy Emperor’s fondness for war, it was time to raise troops again.
Fighting requires military talent to lead, and once war commences, Dingyuan Marquis Mansion cannot stay uninvolved.
The Holy Emperor regards Dingyuan Marquis Mansion highly, which explains the Empress Dowager’s favor.
Du Yunluo understood well, as per the previous timeline, there would be warfare after New Year’s Day next year. Mu Liancheng would head to the border by imperial decree, whereas Madam Wu negotiated the Empress Dowager’s decree for Mu Lianxiao to marry Du Yunluo in March, before going to the border in May.
Du Yunluo took a deep breath, saying, "Grandmother, I know, the Princely Heir is bound to go to war eventually. As the Crown Princess Consort said, none of the women in Dingyuan Marquis Mansion couldn’t ride horses, so I must learn well too."
Old Mrs. Xia quietly observed Du Yunluo for a while, seeing her calm demeanor—neither just putting on a brave front nor sulking—she felt relieved, smiled and nodded.
The riding outfit was rushed out overnight, and Du Yunluo tried it on after changing.
Mrs. Zhen circled her for a closer inspection: "Nannan, move a lot, anywhere tight or constricting, speak up immediately, it must be worn comfortably, not restrictively."
Pushed by Mrs. Zhen, Du Yunluo raised her arms, squatted, and even kicked her legs to ensure it fit, only then was Mrs. Zhen satisfied.
Shui Yue came in with a letter, smiling as she handed it to Mrs. Zhen: "Madam, there’s a letter from Mr. Si."
Upon hearing it was Du Yundi’s family letter, Mrs. Zhen hurriedly accepted it, while Du Yunluo also went closer to read.
In the letter, Du Yundi reported safety, mentioning the Shao Family brought joyous news to the academy, learning Du Yunru was pregnant, making Shao Yuanzhou so happy he almost hit a pillar while walking, leading to quite some ridicule among classmates.
Shao Yuanzhou greatly missed Du Yunru, yet they had to prepare for the examination two years later; studies were intense, so Shao Yuanzhou couldn’t return to the capital.
The letter also mentioned Duan Guanqing and Shi Shiren.
In Wangmei Garden, Shi Lian’er went with Duan Huayan but caused a stir, making Duan Guanqing—a close friend of Mu Lianxiao—even more ashamed, refusing to associate with Shi Shiren henceforth.
At the academy, Duan Guanqing avoided Shi Shiren, and the aristocratic peers couldn’t quite understand the matter but sided with Duan Guanqing, distancing themselves from Shi Shiren while Duan Guanqing became closer to Du Yundi.
Shi Shiren gradually became a loner without previous popularity.
Du Yunluo wasn’t surprised by this change.
Duan Guanqing wasn’t a fool; having been tricked by the Shi siblings once, why would he keep associating?
Shi Lian’er entering Enrong Bo Mansion didn’t help Shi Shiren, a mere scholar without fame or a promising future, to become her support; conversely, Shi Lian’er couldn’t secure her place in the mansion, offering Shi Shiren no assistance.
Shi Lian’er’s rash actions instead severed both their paths.
Winning top marks through genuine talent surely matters, but connections and support cannot be overlooked either. Shi Shiren lacked assistance; not being suppressed was already a blessing, but his ambitions of rising seemed impossible now.
