News of the triumphant return from You Prefecture reached them, and everyone knew that the heir of the Duke of Dingguo was the Seventh Prince's副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general). Should the Seventh Prince ascend to the throne, the heir of the Duke of Dingguo would become the most favored official.
It was then that the Marquis of Pingnan's mansion made up its mind. They hired an official matchmaker to arrange the marriage. Matters of marriage still required parental approval. Madam Cui consulted Madam Zhao, who was naturally overjoyed. The two families quickly settled the engagement, with Yu Miaoyan to be married upon reaching her coming-of-age ceremony.
Madam Zhao knew full well that this marriage was a result of the heir's victorious return. Naturally, she became even more respectful towards the eldest branch of the family.
Her daughter was to become the Marchioness. No matter how good the marriages of the second and third young ladies were, they could never surpass her own daughter's.
With her son entering the Imperial Academy and her daughter soon to be a Marchioness, her life was complete.
As for her husband, he could go to whichever courtyard he pleased to spend his nights. She would live her life through her children. If they were happy, she would be happy.
Lately, Madam Zhao's steps were light and cheerful. That stingy person had actually given out generous red envelopes to the servants on the eldest young lady's engagement day.
She even took out a jade bracelet from her dowry to gift to Madam Cui. She thought of Madam Cui's ancestors, who were from a prominent clan, though they had fallen into decline.
This jade bracelet was no ordinary hairpin; it was a hairpin of Empress Dowager Dou, recorded in history.
It was her mother's dowry. Among her three sisters, her mother had doted on her the most, saying she was marrying high into the Duke's mansion, and had specially left it for her.
Madam Cui initially refused to accept it, but since Madam Zhao offered it with sincerity, she couldn't decline and accepted.
Such a hairpin was not something Madam Cui lacked. What was rare was Madam Zhao's sincerity.
Concubine Mei knew that the eldest young lady's marriage was arranged by Madam Cui. However, Madam Cui was the Duchess, and her status was too high for Concubine Mei to approach daily. She had to settle for the next best thing and became respectful even to Madam Zhao.
She hoped that when Madam Zhao visited the eldest branch, she could serve by her side, even if it meant a chance to say a few words.
The eldest and second young ladies were engaged, but the third young lady's marriage was still undecided. She would turn fifteen after the New Year. How could Concubine Mei not be anxious?
Second Master was carefree and unreliable; it was better to rely on Madam Cui than him.
Before departing, Concubine Mei repeatedly instructed her two daughters: "Those who can go to the Gu family's estate to relax are all favored legitimate daughters of the household, either wealthy or noble. It is only because Sixth Young Lady is magnanimous that she is taking you two. You two must be clear about who you can rely on in this mansion. Especially you, Third Young Lady, your marriage is still undecided. You must treat Sixth Young Lady with sincerity and absolutely do not act presumptuously or try to be clever. Remember?"
"Yes, daughters remember," the second and third young ladies replied in unison.
Although Yu Mingyue did not manage the household, these pieces of news still reached her.
"It's no wonder Concubine Mei is favored. In terms of observing people and understanding the situation, no one in the mansion can compare to her," Yu Mingyue said with a smile.
She knew that Concubine Mei had already shown her favor to the Old Madam when she was still in the mansion.
If Madam Zhao had even half of her shrewdness, she wouldn't have been unable to establish herself.
...
Yu Mingyue and Gu Youyou agreed to meet at the city gate at the hour of the snake (9-11 AM), but the hour of the snake had passed, and Gu Youyou was nowhere to be seen.
Just as Gu Tingyun was about to ride to the Yu mansion to check on the situation, he saw the Duke's mansion's carriage. He spurred his horse and called out, "Is Sister Mingyue alright?"
"I am fine. A small matter caused a delay. Thank you for waiting, Brother Tingyun," Yu Mingyue said with a smile, her lips curving.
Gu Tingyun was momentarily dazed by her smile. The little girl who was always by his and Mingjing's side had grown up.
In the past, she was the future Seventh Prince's consort, and he dared not think of anything more. Now...
"Brother Tingyun?" Yu Mingyue saw Gu Tingyun staring at her blankly and kindly reminded him.