Free Web NovelChapter 98: Chapter 97: Standing Tall
Du Yundi smiled and shook his head.
Du Yunluo propped her chin and thought, indeed, Shao Yuanzhou and Du Yunru had been married for only a month. Whether it was the Shao Family or the Du Family, neither would be in a hurry to call Shao Yuanzhou back to the academy at this moment.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Mrs. Zhen reminded Du Yundi again, not just to be wary of others, but also to settle down and focus on his studies, so that other matters wouldn’t disturb his mind and delay his future.
Du Yundi agreed one by one.
At the door, the sound of students greeting the Mountain Master could be heard.
Si Shui knocked on the door and raised his voice, "Madam, Master, Miss, the Mountain Master and the Master have arrived."
The academy valued respect for teachers and the pursuit of knowledge, so Du Yundi quickly stood up, personally opened the door, and invited Han Shanzhang and Du Huaixi in with a bow.
Du Yunluo also stood up, standing beside Mrs. Zhen, and looked up at Han Shanzhang.
It was the first time she had seen this Mountain Master.
Han Shanzhang, already in his fifties, appeared vigorous. His official career in his early years was not very successful; he had worked as a minor official in the local government for decades before gradually advancing to the capital, where he finally found success.
Yet Han Shanzhang wasn’t young anymore. After serving in office for a few years, his elderly mother passed away, and he returned to his hometown for mourning. After completing his period of filial piety, he served as an official for half a year before choosing to retire.
Perhaps, having spent these years in the academy among young students, Han Shanzhang’s smile was kind, lacking the cunning of officialdom, and filled with the stability and sincerity of a teacher, making one feel warm towards him.
To this colleague praised by Du Gongfu, who was also the matchmaker for Du Yunru and Shao Yuanzhou, Mrs. Zhen showed great respect and led Du Yunluo to salute him.
Han Shanzhang looked at Du Yunluo and smiled, "I planned to have a cup of matchmaker’s wine, but Lady Shi took that away; quite a pity."
Du Huaixi cupped his hands and said, "Although it’s not matchmaker’s wine, I will certainly send you an invitation during the joyous occasion so you can enjoy a cup."
Mrs. Zhen also smiled slightly, "We will have to trouble the Mountain Master to guide Yun Di with extra care."
Upon hearing this, Du Yundi was slightly stunned.
Seeing this, Du Yunluo knew it must be the mention of his sibling’s marriage that once again reminded Du Yundi of the looming Shi Lian’er, making him uneasy.
Shi Lian’er was a constant threat as long as Shi Shiren and Du Yundi were both in the academy.
It’s not the fear of a thief stealing, but the fear of a thief thinking about stealing, even if Du Yundi was cautious, Si Shui and Chang An vigilant, who can guarantee there won’t be any slip-ups in the coming years?
If something did go wrong and Shi Lian’er continued her tyranny, Du Yundi’s entire life would be dragged down by her.
Du Yunluo sighed silently. She couldn’t possibly let Du Yundi leave Lishan Academy; it would be overreacting, and Du Gongfu would never agree to it.
If she were to propose it, she would face more than just a scolding.
As for making Shi Shiren leave, Du Yunluo, as a young lady in a boudoir, lacked the means to achieve that.
For now, she could only take things one step at a time.
They’ve already taken precautions against Shi Lian’er, but if they still can’t untangle the trap from her past life, leading Du Yundi to such a passive state, how could Du Yunluo confidently say that she could, in the future, overturn the second branch of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, avenge the past life grudge, and protect Mu Lianxiao’s life?
She’s living again not to experience the same pain and witness the same tragedy.
Her tightly clenched hand inside her sleeve left a row of crescent marks on her palm, yet Du Yunluo felt no pain.
It was her heart that hurt more.
The memory of past life’s suffering made her nearly breathless from the pain.
This heavy and powerless feeling, like drowning, was something she used to feel regularly. Over the past few months, with a more open heart and a smoother life, she had already gradually distanced herself from it. She didn’t know why, but at this moment, it surged toward her like a broken dam.
Fortunately, despite feeling uncomfortable, she still stood straight, without any loss of composure.
In the past life, no matter how bitter and difficult, when she was oppressed to the point of barely breathing in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, she still stood straight.
Even when slandered as having inappropriate thoughts for her stepson, or humiliated by her daughter-in-law brought into the family due to rumors, Du Yunluo had never lost her composure.
At this moment, it’s just an unspeakable discomfort in her heart; she can endure it.
At noon, Si Shui and Chang An went to fetch the meals, and Shui Yue served the masters.
Du Yunluo had little appetite but forced herself to finish a large bowl to avoid attracting Mrs. Zhen’s notice.
In the afternoon, Du Yundi still had classes, and Du Huaixi didn’t want to delay too long at the academy, so he bade farewell to Han Shanzhang.
Du Yundi saw Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunluo out.
At the end of the veranda, Shi Lian’er turned around. She was fair-skinned, showing no signs of being tanned, though she often walked under the sun. freёwebnovel.com
Under the sunlight, her light blue garment complemented her almond-shaped face, warm as jade, her phoenix eyes tilted up, just like her lips.
She gracefully saluted Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunluo.
It seemed like she was seeing them off, but it also seemed like a...
Provocation. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Two words flashed in Du Yunluo’s mind.
Mrs. Zhen’s gaze slowly settled on Shi Lian’er, then moved slowly away, neither pleased nor angry, merely turned her head slightly and softly said to Du Yunluo, "Nannan, let’s go."
Du Yunluo responded and ignored Shi Lian’er, following in Mrs. Zhen’s footsteps.
Standing in place, Shi Lian’er’s smile froze at the corners of her lips, her eyes radiating hidden hatred.
Today, Mrs. Zhen and Du Yunluo treated her as if she were invisible, but one day, she would make them realize she was not an ant beneath the feet of such aristocrats!
The carriage was parked at the academy entrance, Shui Yue laid out the steps and helped Du Yunluo up.
Mrs. Zhen held Du Yundi’s hand, reminding him again, "Mid-September has passed, the weather is getting colder. Take care of your health, write home more often, your mother waits for you to come home for New Year."
Du Yundi repeatedly agreed.
Only then was Mrs. Zhen relieved and boarded the carriage with Shui Yue’s help.
The carriage departed from Lishan Academy, winding back to Taipu Town, and then headed towards Tong City.
Mrs. Zhen closed her eyes to rest. She didn’t mention Shi Lian’er, and neither did Du Yunluo.
After several days, they entered Tong City.
The Zhen Family was located in the northeast corner of Tong City, in Shiqing Alley, amidst the aristocratic family courtyards of the local area, not big, but not small either.
Below the blue tiles and gray walls, outside the Zhen Family’s main entrance, stood two stone lions.
At the foot of the steps, four or five people waited expectantly. Only when they saw the carriage appear at the mouth of the alley did their faces light up with smiles.
Mrs. Zhen lifted one side of the curtain, seeing the familiar faces, her eyes filled with tears, she pulled out a handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes.
Through the small gap, Du Yunluo saw that the two leading people resembled Mrs. Zhen by seven or eight parts, knowing these were her eldest and second uncle.
The carriage stopped at the mansion’s gate.
Du Huaixi got out, greeting the two uncles.
In a choked voice, Mrs. Zhen called, "Big Brother, Second Brother," causing tears to well up in the men’s eyes as well.
Then Du Yunluo, still behind the curtain, paid her respects.
The eldest uncle of the Zhen Family said, "It’s good to be back. Hurry inside, your two sisters-in-law are waiting for you at the second gate."
Mrs. Zhen nodded, and the carriage slowly moved forward, entering through a side gate until they reached the drooping flower gate.
The carriage had hardly stopped when Shui Yue hadn’t even gotten down to place the steps, a group of women surrounded them, the leading woman’s face was kindly, saying, "Our Sixth Sister is finally back."
