Free Web NovelChapter 53: Chapter 52: Disgust
Seeing Mrs. Zhen displeased, Si Shui and Chang An became even more uneasy, but since the words had already been spoken to this extent, it was absolutely impossible to gloss over it.
Chang An swallowed and said, "Madam, that Mr. Shi and our master lived quite close in the academy, just one room apart. Whenever Miss Shi visits, as long as she lingers in front of Mr. Shi’s room, she always manages to meet our master.
At first, we just thought it was a coincidence. After all, it’s only a few steps away, and it’s normal to run into each other occasionally. But as the occurrences increased, we began to feel uneasy.
Looking at Miss Shi’s gaze, it revolves around Mr. Si, and that’s when we felt that this might not be a simple matter.
Later, there were one or two occasions when Miss Shi deliberately found excuses to talk to Mr. Si, and her manner and posture were fortunate not to be seen by others, otherwise..."
Mrs. Zhen’s eyes flashed with sharpness: "What does Yun Di think?"
Si Shui shook his head vigorously: "Madam, Mr. Si has never held any thoughts towards Miss Shi."
"Truly?" Mrs. Zhen asked again.
Si Shui looked at Chang An, and Chang An nodded emphatically: "Madam, truly. We servants are always close to our master day and night; we understand his thoughts. He only sees Miss Shi as Mr. Shi’s sister, and hasn’t considered those matters at all."
Si Shui also chimed in repeatedly: "Madam, Mr. Si truly hasn’t considered it that way. We just thought that even though Miss Shi hasn’t taken any improper actions, it’s something we should report early to Madam, so you can be aware."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhen let out a slight sigh of relief.
If it was as Si Shui and Chang An said, then her arrangement of these two to be by Du Yundi’s side was somewhat worthwhile. They knew to guard against it and understood in these matters who decides rewards and punishments.
After rewarding Si Shui and Chang An with red envelopes, Mrs. Zhen instructed, "Keep a close watch for me. If Yun Di isn’t cautious, you two must not be sloppy. If you let anyone scheme against your master, see if I won’t tear you apart! From now on, report any matter to me immediately."
Si Shui and Chang An thanked her for the reward, accepted their orders, and then retreated.
Mrs. Zhen sat on the couch, picked up a fan, and fanned herself. She wasn’t sure if it was the hot weather or her annoyed mood causing her discomfort.
Shui Yue, with courage, stepped forward, took another rattan fan, and fanned Mrs. Zhen, saying, "Madam, should we talk to Mr. Si?"
"I should mention it," Mrs. Zhen began, but then reconsidered, "better not. Since Yun Di doesn’t care, and doesn’t see anything unusual in that person, mentioning it without reason might actually draw his attention. It could backfire."
Du Yunluo had just entered and overheard part of the conversation. Smiling, she approached Mrs. Zhen, "Mother, what do you want to speak to Fourth Brother about?"
Seeing Du Yunluo, a smile finally appeared on Mrs. Zhen’s face: "It’s nothing important. But you, you must be hot, right? Sit quietly for a while, and once you cool down, I’ll have Shui Yue bring you some sweet soup."
"It’s really nothing important?" Du Yunluo was skeptical. She had just seen the two little servants walking away, and knowing Mrs. Zhen well, she was sure that those two were Si Shui and Chang An from Du Yundi’s side. Upon entering, she noticed the serious expressions on Mrs. Zhen and Shui Yue, thinking surely Si Shui must have said something to trouble Mrs. Zhen.
Du Yunluo wanted to share Mrs. Zhen’s burdens.
The concern and worry in her daughter’s eyes warmed Mrs. Zhen’s heart. Ignoring the heat, she held Du Yunluo close: "Nannan, you’ve grown up."
Grown up, sensible, and already engaged. In a few years, she’d be married.
Thinking of this filled Mrs. Zhen with reluctance. After a long time, she sighed, looking down.
"Nannan will eventually have to manage things. If Mother shoulders everything, it might not be best for you," Mrs. Zhen said softly. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Previously, Mrs. Xia advised Mrs. Zhen in private that Du Yunru and Du Yunluo weren’t young girls anymore. They should start getting involved in household affairs and making decisions themselves.
Mrs. Zhen understood the reasoning, but in matters of importance, she couldn’t help but protect them. Perhaps it’s just a mother’s instinct.
Fixing the loose hair behind Du Yunluo’s ear, Mrs. Zhen said, "Si Shui and Chang An came to report about Yun Di in the academy, mentioning a fellow student’s sister."
Du Yunluo’s eyes widened suddenly.
"That person, is it..."
Shi.
Swallowing the last two words abruptly, Du Yunluo hesitated, unsure how to explain to Mrs. Zhen.
But seeing Mrs. Zhen’s puzzled gaze, Du Yunluo quickly said, "Does she like Fourth Brother?"
Mrs. Zhen was taken aback and, realizing what Du Yunluo meant, she tapped her daughter’s palm: "These words are fine with me but shouldn’t be mentioned outside. It’s indecent and would invite ridicule."
Du Yunluo agreed quickly and urged, "Mother, please tell me more."
Mrs. Zhen then briefly recounted what Chang An had said.
Upon hearing it was indeed the Shi family member, Du Yunluo couldn’t help but frown.
She had almost forgotten, that the woman who later became Aunt Shi had already met Du Yundi by now.
Among the third branch of the Du Family, in both past and present lives, the person Du Yunluo detested most was Aunt Shi, Shi Lian’er.
One could say, within the entire Du Family’s third branch, including Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia, none liked Shi Lian’er. Even Du Yundi, who brought her in, did not favor her.
Du Yunluo vaguely remembered it was in the 24th year of Yong’an.
In the 22nd year of Yong’an, Du Yundi passed the scholar examination, and Du Gongfu decided for him to marry the granddaughter of the Minister of Public Works, Mr. Tang.
Back then, Du Yunluo had yet to completely fall out with her natal family, and she would often encounter Mrs. Tang during festivals. Her impression of this sister-in-law was that Mrs. Tang was a rare, amiable person. Despite Du Yunluo’s indifference, Mrs. Tang always greeted her with a smile.
In the 24th year of Yong’an, the Holy Emperor opened a grace examination, and Shi Shiren’s name was listed, granting him the status of co-scholarship, a stark transformation for the Shi Family’s repeatedly unlucky old scholar — it was as if their ancestors’ graves were smoked with green smoke.
Shi Shiren, riding the wave of youthful success, joyfully invited old classmates and friends home to celebrate, and Du Yundi also attended, drinking to the point of confusion. Upon waking, he found Shi Lian’er disheveled beside him.
Du Yundi was stunned, having drunk too much to recall anything. However, seeing Shi Lian’er in that state, a complete denial seemed implausible.
Shi Shiren was equally shocked. As the protagonist the previous night, his poor alcohol tolerance had left him oblivious to how he even returned to his room, let alone what had happened with Du Yundi.
With events at this juncture, Shi Lian’er just cried incessantly, leaving Shi Shiren demanding an explanation.
The Shi Family was no longer the unknown poor scholar’s household; they had a titled scholar at their helm. Given Du Yundi’s close ties with Shi Shiren and the undeniable indiscretion, he had no choice but to promise to discuss it with his parents back home.
This wasn’t something Du Yundi dared or could hide from Mrs. Zhen.
Upon hearing it, Mrs. Zhen nearly fainted, considering Mrs. Tang was eight months pregnant. She dared not make it public but secretly discussed with Old Mrs. Xia, planning to delay the Shi Family until after Mrs. Tang gave birth before making a decision.
