Free Web NovelChapter 21: Chapter 20: Whispers in the Wind
Du Yunluo was puzzled and was just contemplating, when Lanzhi came in.
Lanzhi is Old Mrs. Xia’s right-hand aide, starting from a small maid, she has gradually become a big maid today. She is honest and steady, well-liked in the mansion.
"Miss," Lanzhi curtsied with a smile, "the old lady is weary and asks you to return to Anhua Courtyard first."
Was Old Mrs. Xia sending her away?
Du Yunluo stepped forward and took Lanzhi’s hand, leaning in with a smile, "Sister Lanzhi, why was Second Uncle so angry just now? Is Grandmother also upset?"
Lanzhi’s smile didn’t falter: "Miss, don’t worry, the old lady isn’t upset, just a bit tired. You just go back, the old lady also instructed me to check the small kitchen to see if the rice dumplings are ready. If they are, they’ll be sent to you."
Lanzhi refused to reveal anything. Her most crucial asset in securing a position in Lianfu Garden was her tight lips. Whether it was the master or mistresses, or maids, and young ladies if it wasn’t to be spoken about, she wouldn’t utter a word.
Understanding Lanzhi’s nature, Du Yunluo decided to drop it and merely said, "Sister, please help me get another dish of brown sugar."
Lanzhi chuckled, "Miss loves sweets so much, no wonder your teeth are good."
After exchanging a few jokes, Lanzhi left first.
Du Yunluo composed herself and carefully pondered Du Huaiping’s words earlier. She felt it was related to Princess An Ran, but it was only her speculation and couldn’t be confirmed without proper information.
Since Old Mrs. Xia claimed fatigue and wouldn’t see her, Du Yunluo simply decided to return, thinking she might run into Jin Rui and Jin Ling halfway.
Nanny Xu escorted Du Yunluo out of the courtyard and turned back to the East Wing.
Old Mrs. Xia leaned casually on the Arhat bed with half-closed eyes, resting. Hearing movements, she didn’t open her eyes and asked, "Yunluo has gone back?"
Nanny Xu sat on the footrest, massaging the old lady’s legs, "Old lady, Fifth Miss went back. She kept asking if you were truly tired or angry, almost in tears with worry."
Old Mrs. Xia’s mood improved slightly upon hearing this, "What a filial child, I haven’t loved her in vain."
Since Du Yunluo was favored, Nanny Xu didn’t mind saying a few good words occasionally, especially if it pleased Old Mrs. Xia.
"Fifth Miss is a good child..." Nanny Xu paused here, quietly glancing at Old Mrs. Xia’s neutral expression, then delicately continued, "Old lady, the matter Second Master spoke of, firstly, there’s uncertainty about its veracity; secondly, if true, Fifth Miss is also an innocent victim."
"Hmph!" Recalling Du Huaiping’s words, Old Mrs. Xia became irate, "Do you think Huaiping would come back so flustered if there was no basis for those rumors?"
Nanny Xu gave a sheepish smile, remembering what Du Huaiping had said earlier. She too found it embarrassing.
"I understand this has nothing to do with Yunluo. She doesn’t fully grasp things herself, so how could she cause any idle gossip?" Old Mrs. Xia shook her head with frustration, "I don’t blame Huaiping; anyone would be upset after hearing those things outside."
"That County Princess has always been this way with her words and actions..." Nanny Xu stopped here, knowing her place. Even when only she and Old Mrs. Xia were present, she remained cautious in her remarks.
Old Mrs. Xia spoke more directly, having heard about Princess An Ran’s reputation: "I thought before, when people spread rumors, there’s always some exaggeration. Aren’t the same few words being recycled about our Yunluo?
Before, I truly didn’t think ill of her. But hearing this today has really opened my eyes; what kind of girl behaves like that?
Even if one’s heart is set, there’s no reason to bypass elders and directly express intentions to the Princely Heir."
Nanny Xu grimaced. The boldness of young girls these days was astonishing. When Du Huaiping mentioned Princess An Ran having confronted Mu Lianxiao, even she thought her ears were failing her due to age.
"In truth, I believe the Young Master handled it aptly, but didn’t expect..." Nanny Xu made a few remarks considering Mu Lianxiao’s perspective.
"He claimed that life’s major matters should be decided by elders, which is perfectly reasonable. Being the precious gem of the Duke Mansion, a cold refusal from him might have displeased the Old Master." Old Mrs. Xia sighed, "But he and Yunluo are discussing marriage... Ah! Yunluo doesn’t know, and the Young Master probably doesn’t know either. This match was supposed to be settled only by the elders."
"That’s precisely it." Nanny Xu nodded.
The two families were discussing a match, and Mu Lianxiao was unaware. His response was fitting, but when Princess An Ran, who knew the truth, heard it, she perceived it as rejection and evasion, which angered her immediately and led her to speak ill of Du Yunluo to Mu Lianxiao.
The commotion inevitably reached other ears, spreading gossip that implicated both Princess An Ran and Du Yunluo.
Eventually, it reached Du Huaiping.
Yet, the subject of Du Yunluo’s marriage discussion was never mentioned to Du Huaiping by the Miao Family, leaving him temporarily flustered and assuming Du Yunluo was improperly involved with Mu Lianxiao, prompting his furious return.
Unfortunately, with Old Mrs. Xia overseeing, not only was Du Yunluo spared from reprimand, but Du Huaiping himself was scolded, realizing his misunderstanding and having no choice but to depart.
"I know Huaiping is anxious; Yun Ying is to come of age and discuss marriage soon. If Yunluo becomes embroiled in gossip, it won’t bode well for Yun Ying either. As her father, how could he remain calm?" Old Mrs. Xia paused here, after a long moment, her eyes suddenly sharpened, snorted, "Household members are all striving for the success and future of the younger ones, yet there are some who lack clarity, self-indulgently stirring all this gossip! Although I’ve retired, I’m not blind to these machinations!"
Nanny Xu felt a chill down her spine, shrinking her neck but fearing for Old Mrs. Xia’s health, she advised, "Old lady, it might not be..."
"No need for pleading their cause!" Old Mrs. Xia partially sat up once Nanny Xu placed the pillow behind her, then continued, "The matter of the marriage had barely begun nor was it mentioned outside, so how did it reach Princess An Ran’s ears? The only ones who visited Duke Jing Mansion were Huai’en’s wife and Du Yunnuo.
Huai’en’s wife knows the importance, even if she was aware, she wouldn’t mention it to her sister. Only Du Yunnuo.
Good for her, I don’t know when she overheard things, then gossiped while attending the ceremony! I always believed they were loving sisters, guess she had this kind of drama behind our backs!"
Nanny Xu sighed inwardly, wanting to console but unsure how, for she too thought Du Yunnuo couldn’t be entirely unrelated. freewёbnoνel.com
After some consideration, Nanny Xu changed her approach: "Old lady, I think since matters have reached this point, allowing rumors to spread further would harm both the Young Master and our Fifth Miss. We should invite Mrs. Shi soon to hear the intentions of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion."
This suggestion resonated with Old Mrs. Xia: "Outside gossip has reached such a level that Mrs. Shi surely has heard it too. I reckon she’ll come by tomorrow."
