Chapter 529 - 528: Recompense

Chapter 529: Chapter 528: Recompense

The rivalry between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law became a subject of gossip among the tea masters, with each family’s stories capable of filling an entire afternoon.

The relationship between the Gui Family and Ren Family had never been good.

Currently, the Old Madam was in charge of various family affairs, the Gui Family managed this branch’s household, and as a new daughter-in-law, the Ren Family adopted a subservient role.

When the Ren Family gave birth to a son and had her husband wrapped around her finger, her arrogance grew by the day.

When the Ren Family took charge of the household, the war between the two in-laws ignited completely.

The Ren Family disliked the Gui Family, countering any idea the Gui Family proposed with various arguments.

When the Gui Family gossiped about Du Yunluo behind her back, the Ren Family often defended Du Yunluo.

When she took over the family’s affairs, all the rumors dispersed, letting the Ren Family know that those who gossiped had to face consequences.

Regardless of the Ren Family’s motives, Du Yunluo was grateful for this.

Du Yunluo scrutinized the Ren Family.

The newly married Ren Family was still somewhat shy; she unconsciously clutched her husband’s sleeve in the presence of so many people in the Flower Hall, receiving a reassuring glance from him.

The Gui Family cleared her throat, and only then did the Ren Family release her hand.

The newcomer stepped forward to serve tea and acknowledge the elders.

The old couple of the clan, having married off their eldest grandson’s wife, were all smiles.

Leading the newcomer to Du Yunluo, the Gui Family said, "This is Lian Xiao’s wife, which should make her your Third Sister-in-law Xiao."

The Ren Family was slightly stunned, raising her phoenix-like eyes to look at Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo’s attire today was not ostentatious, yet from the fabric and workmanship, it was obviously different from that of ordinary family daughters-in-law.

The Ren Family was not foolish; other elders from various branches sat there, yet they approached Du Yunluo first, making the hierarchy apparent.

She didn’t hurry to respond; her bright eyes glanced at her husband, Mu Lianjing.

Mu Lianjing called her "Madam," and naturally, the Ren Family followed suit.

Du Yunluo asked Jin Rui to present a complete set of hairpins with inlaid gold threads, which immediately aroused the envy of others.

The Ren Family also widened her eyes in disbelief.

Seeing this, the Gui Family felt uneasy and instinctively looked toward the clan elder’s old wife.

If the gift was too light, it was inappropriate; if too heavy, it made them anxious about accepting it.

Could it be to honor them?

But Du Yunluo did not seek anything from the clan.

Observing the joyful Ren Family, the Gui Family couldn’t help but purse her lips.

Every time she tried to please Du Yunluo, Du Yunluo was indifferent, yet she gave lavish gifts to her daughter-in-law...

The Gui Family glanced askance at the Ren Family, unable to see what about this daughter-in-law could please Du Yunluo.

The Gui Family then led their daughter-in-law to pay respects to other elders.

The Ren Family’s mind was still on that set of hairpins, barely hearing what the Gui Family was saying.

The Gui Family forced a smile and said, "Child, why aren’t you calling anyone? These manners must not be forgotten."

Her tone carried a hint of reproach, leaving the Ren Family a bit bewildered.

"Old Madam," Du Yunluo turned her head and spoke to the clan elder’s wife, "I remember my own time recognizing relatives; I couldn’t tell them apart either. Back then, Third Aunt Hu was kind, saying that new daughters-in-law are all like that when they enter the family, and even she couldn’t remember at the time; it was you, Old Madam, who was understanding."

The clan elder’s wife laughed three times and glared at the Gui Family.

Being criticized by Du Yunluo, the Gui Family believed even more that the clan elder’s wife was right: Du Yunluo didn’t come today to give them face, at least not to the Gui Family.

Thinking like this, the Gui Family paused briefly, her smile unchanged, though a sharp light flickered in her eyes.

After the Ren Family finished acknowledging her relatives, the family held a banquet.

Du Yunluo stood up and said to the Old Madam, "I won’t be staying for the meal."

The clan elder’s wife tried to persuade her to stay but, seeing Du Yunluo was set on leaving, instructed the Gui Family to escort her out.

The Ren Family came forward again to bow to Du Yunluo, thanking her for the gift of acknowledgment.

Du Yunluo smiled, "If not today, I would still give you a gift when you return to the Marquis Mansion to recognize your relatives after the wedding.

Sister-in-law has fair skin and a pretty appearance, so that set of hairpins won’t be wasted on you.

I’m heading back now, will be waiting for you at the mansion in a few days."

The Ren Family was even more flattered, repeatedly expressing her thanks.

The Gui Family escorted Du Yunluo out, tentatively saying, "Lianjing’s wife seems to resonate well with you."

"Seems agreeable," Du Yunluo said nonchalantly.

The word "agreeable" caught the Gui Family off guard; she forced a dry laugh, realizing that, in Du Yunluo’s eyes, she was clearly not the agreeable type.

On the carriage, Jin Rui smiled and asked Du Yunluo, "Does Madam like Second Granny Jing?"

Du Yunluo shook her head, "I can’t say I do."

"Then why did you give such a grand gift?" Jin Rui was puzzled.

That set of hairpins, though not the best in Du Yunluo’s collection, was indeed substantial for a family gift.

Du Yunluo smiled but didn’t answer Jin Rui’s question.

She gave Ren Family the lavish gift as a form of "repayment." Regardless of her motives, the Ren Family helped Du Yunluo in her previous life, leading to a point when, past fifty, those rumors had gradually faded from her life.

As for whether this unusual favor would exacerbate the Ren and Gui family feud more quickly, Du Yunluo didn’t give it further thought.

Anyway, with her presence or not, those two would remain at odds for life.

After the Ren Family completed the post-wedding return visit, she accompanied the Gui Family to the Marquis Mansion to acknowledge relatives.

Madam Wu, aware that Du Yunluo had visited the clan, smiled and asked, "How is Lianjing’s wife?"

"She appears to have a fine appearance," Du Yunluo replied.

When the Gui Family and Mu Lianjing arrived, indeed, everyone saw she was quite attractive.

Mrs. Zhou laughed and complimented her a few times.

The Gui Family maintained a smile, though inwardly she seethed.

This daughter-in-law was selected by the clan elder’s wife, and the more the Gui Family observed her over the days, the more she disliked her, especially her beauty. It seemed to provoke Mu Lianjing to forget his mother if left unchecked!

A daughter-in-law should not be overly beautiful.

Such thoughts the Gui Family could only keep to herself. She dared not express them in front of the pleasantries at the Marquis Mansion.

Aside from Du Yunluo’s lovely appearance, when Mrs. Zhou was a young lady, no noble young woman in the Capital could compare.

Even the clan elder’s wife often secretly mentioned that if it weren’t for the childhood bond between Mrs. Zhou and Mu Yuance, the Zhou family’s door would have been overrun with suitors.

If the Gui Family criticized the Ren Family’s looks here, it would be like criticizing Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou.

The Ren Family lowered her head, lightly smiling with a hint of shyness and docility.

Du Yunluo eyed her, knowing that this moment’s docility would soon turn into a dominance and sharpness that Gui Family could never anticipate.

Serving tea, presenting gifts.

The gifts given by the household were decent and proper; the Ren Family saw no issue, though the Gui Family couldn’t help but overthink why Du Yunluo gave the Ren Family such a generous gift—was it merely because she found her agreeable?

That day was Du Yunluo’s first time seeing the Ren Family; how could she have known what she was really like, or did she prepare two gifts—one for those she found agreeable and another for those she didn’t?

Even the Gui Family herself found this guess dubious.

She gritted her teeth at the back, thinking to herself, Du Yunluo treats the clan elder’s wife and the Ren Family with courtesy, yet refuses to extend her any respect. This stark contrast, if noticed by the people in the clan, could serve as evidence that she was unwelcome at the Marquis Mansion, couldn’t it?