Chapter 29: Chapter 28: Imperial Marriage Decree

When Du Yunluo finished tidying up, she followed her parents outside the ancestral hall. Old Mrs. Xia and everyone from the second household had already arrived.

Du Yunying glanced at Du Yunluo, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something but swallowed it back down.

Du Yunluo could tell what she was thinking.

This arranged marriage was originally something Du Yunying wanted to incite Du Yunluo to rebel against, but it turned out like this. However, for Du Yunying, the one in the fray was Du Yunnuo, and she herself didn’t suffer any substantial loss, so she didn’t feel particularly regretful.

Old Mrs. Xia waited for a while, then finally saw the people from the fourth household arriving and huffed, "Finally, they are here."

Miao Family heard the voice, looked up, and saw Liao Family dressed as a Sixth Rank Mrs., and couldn’t help feeling sour.

Aside from the girls, every woman waiting here, except for Miao Family herself, had gained their rank through their husband.

At a moment as important as receiving the decree, everyone dressed according to their rank. In Miao Family’s eyes, that was prestigious, but she was different from everyone else, the more she thought about it, the unhappier she became, and she fiercely glared at Du Huaiping.

Du Huaiping, bewildered by her gaze, was about to speak when he saw Old Master Xia arriving with the eunuch.

After Old Master Xia retired, he was not as influential as before, but having served as the Crown Prince’s Tutor, even the one in the Eastern Palace would have to show respect and call him "teacher" according to the etiquette if he came. The eunuch dared not act arrogantly and despite Old Master Xia’s inconvenience with his legs, still invited him to sit in the sedan chair.

The eunuch smiled widely, seeming to have a pleasant conversation while waiting with Old Master Xia, and upon arriving in front of the ancestral hall, exchanged greetings with Du Huaixi and Du Huai’en.

Announcing the decree was a lucrative task, especially as the decree was a marriage grant, with Du Family marrying into the well-favored Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, the eunuch’s smile grew even broader as he thought about it.

Upon arrival, he had inquired about Du Family’s situation and immediately identified the two young ladies who looked similar to Du Huaixi, addressing the younger Du Yunluo, "Fifth Miss, receive the decree."

Though Du Yunluo had remained calm while coming forward, upon hearing the call, she swayed slightly.

Old Mrs. Xia was a bit worried about Du Yunluo’s etiquette, but seeing her adjust and kneel down obediently without panic, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

The eunuch opened the imperial decree, his voice sharp and distinct from ordinary people, but at that moment, as the words fell upon Du Yunluo’s ears, they sounded heavenly.

Du Yunluo lowered herself, hearing her name, Mu Lianxiao’s name, hearing how they were finally about to become husband and wife again...

Water droplets fell onto the bluestone ground right beside her, Du Yunluo blinked, realizing she was crying.

She shouldn’t cry; she should be smiling, but eventually, she couldn’t suppress her emotions.

"By royal command—" The eunuch finished speaking and seeing Du Yunluo hadn’t raised her head, bent slightly, calling, "Fifth Miss."

Du Yunluo came to her senses, ignoring the tears as she quickly lifted her head and accepted the decree.

Before, with her head bowed, her tears fell straight down, so there were no tear stains on her cheeks. The eunuch, with his back to the light, only found her eyes moist and hadn’t taken a closer look before Du Huaixi supported her.

Du Huaixi slipped a red envelope to the eunuch, who, having received a reward, didn’t care about Du Yunluo’s appearance anymore, expressed congratulations to everyone, and was led away to speak with others.

Not being someone in the official circles and unfamiliar with the eunuch, Du Huaiping didn’t join the busy crowd.

He cleansed his hands, lit incense, and entered the ancestral hall, bowing before the ancestors and placing the imperial decree in thier keeping.

Du Yunluo watched intently; she was reluctant to part with the decree, wishing she could look at it every day, as just those three words "Mu Lianxiao" brought her delight, as if that person was standing right in front of her.

But she understood the rules, the imperial decree must be kept in the ancestral hall, and only when she gets married could she take it with her to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, so she reluctantly let it go.

Du Yunnuo had been tightly controlled by Liao Family in recent days. She noticed the water stains where Du Yunluo had just knelt and instantly understood.

Du Yunluo had cried, she clearly didn’t want to marry, but the imperial decree left her no choice.

Despite causing trouble for the County Princess An Ran through cold words, it was not a severe harm, and seeing this result, Du Yunnuo couldn’t help but smile.

Old Mrs. Xia, due to her age, couldn’t withstand kneeling under the sun for too long, and soon ordered everyone to disperse.

Dressing according to rank has its disadvantages, being heavy and stuffy, Mrs. Zhen and Liao Family also felt uncomfortable. Seeing Old Mrs. Xia in her heavy First Rank decree dress, they were quick to call for someone to assist Old Mrs. Xia back to Lianfu Garden.

Miao Family turned out to be the most comfortable. She felt pleased but also discontent. Two thoughts battled like little people inside her mind, and in the end, Miao Family concluded that she’d rather suffer from the heavy, hot attire than enjoy this kind of disgraceful comfort.

Bottling up her anger, Miao Family had no interest in chatting with the other wives and left with her children upon seeing Du Huaiping emerging.

Du Yunluo returned to Qinghui Garden.

Mrs. Zhen freshened up a bit, Du Huaixi also returned.

With the younger daughter’s marriage settled as hoped, Mrs. Zhen was in good spirits, smiling as she asked Du Huaixi, "Even though I’ve been anxious until the decree was received, upon obtaining it, it felt somewhat unreal. The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, being a military family, indeed does things swiftly and decisively, not dragging things out."

Du Yunluo was drinking her sweet soup, and almost choked upon hearing this.

The way the Lian Family at Dingyuan Marquis Mansion handled things was something Du Yunluo understood well, deserving the four words of being experienced in planning, considering every move carefully, unrelated to being swift and decisive.

This time they were forced; fearing Duke Jing Mansion might spoil the good fortune, hence they rushed to seek the imperial decree.

The nature of the Lian Family would have been to make the County Princess An Ran suffer after causing trouble, unable to wish for anything less.

County Princess An Ran admired Mu Lianxiao, and during the Duanwu Festival going to the palace, even if she didn’t dare to seek an imperial decree, she might still try to appeal to the Empress Dowager or the Empress, waiting for the eunuch to bring the decree to Du Mansion and publicly embarrass County Princess An Ran.

But the Lian Family was worried, worried that even if the Emperor agreed today, if the Empress Dowager, Empress, or Old Master were to intercede the next day, the decree, yet to leave the palace, could be diverted to Duke Jing Mansion, resulting in losses instead.

Whether County Princess An Ran was arrogant or fragile, the Lian Family dared not underestimate her, seeing Du Yunluo as the suitable choice.

This time, the Lian Family asked Old Madam to enter the palace for the decree, Du Yunluo suspected that the Lian Family felt uncomfortable kneeling during the decree reception.

For Du Yunluo, her enemy’s discomfort was a happy event.

With the decree issued, Du Family was joyous, and within Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, all was calm, apart from Duke Jing Mansion where County Princess An Ran upon hearing the news, smashed a shelf of porcelain and stones in rage.