Chapter 550 - 549: Principles

Chapter 550: Chapter 549: Principles

When Huang Jie received the letter from Du Yunluo, she held the letter paper for a long time, unable to regain her senses.

The beautiful small script on the Huanhua paper was just like Du Yunluo herself.

Looking at the handwriting, Huang Jie couldn’t help but recall the situation in the Suru Garden that day.

She remembered what Du Yunluo and Zhuang Ke had said to her, and also recalled the image of Ye Yuzhi seen through the thin window curtain of the carriage.

Since it was already a matter decided by the palace, Huang Jie wasn’t foolish enough to stubbornly resist it.

Letting nature take its course, it didn’t seem too bad after all.

Perhaps because her path was already decided, over the past few days, Huang Jie often thought of Ye Yuzhi. Both General Huang and Huang Yun had mentioned him, and though she didn’t understand him, she felt she was getting closer to him.

She wondered how much her imagined traits of Ye Yuzhi matched the real person?

Huang Jie had her maid prepare some paper and ink and picked up the pen to write a reply. But for a moment, she didn’t know where to start.

Yesterday, Mrs. Huang had seen Ye Yuzhi.

Huang Yun invited Ye Yuzhi for drinks at a restaurant, the window facing the street was half-open, and Mrs. Huang sat in the teahouse opposite, just able to see the situation in the restaurant’s elegant room.

Though not far, Mrs. Huang had sharp eyesight, so she "sneakily" managed a look.

Though she couldn’t judge his character through conversation, one could still glean a bit about a person’s upbringing from the way they dine.

Mrs. Huang saw that Ye Yuzhi’s demeanor was natural and poised, unlike some noble offspring who acted high and mighty, yet revealed a certain innate nobility even under a facade.

After all, being from the Duke Mansion, with strict upbringing since childhood, and years of training at the border, he now possessed such grace.

Since the matter was already settled, and after listening to General Huang’s advice in the study, even though Mrs. Huang still had some concerns, she found herself increasingly satisfied with Ye Yuzhi, forcing herself to push all worries aside.

After returning home, Mrs. Huang praised Ye Yuzhi in front of Huang Jie a few times.

Huang Jie knew this was her mother’s attempt to reassure her, as everyone was pushing and pulling her forward.

After much hesitation, Huang Jie finally mustered the courage to express her thoughts clearly, quickly dried the letter, sealed it in an envelope, and sent it back to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

Du Yunluo received Huang Jie’s reply, and seeing her decision, was happy for her.

Last night, she had confirmed Ye Yuzhi’s reaction with Mu Lianxiao.

"Since both want to make it work," Du Yunluo smiled, "going to the palace tomorrow, I can give an answer to the Empress Dowager."

With these words, all the maids and maids in the room laughed.

How could their lady be worried about not delivering, she was just afraid of not being a good matchmaker and ruining someone’s marriage.

The next morning, Du Yunluo went to the Cining Palace.

Aunt Ming led her to the side hall, whispering, "The Empress is inside talking to the Empress Dowager."

Du Yunluo understood, and waited quietly for half an hour, only seeing the Empress leave through the window.

The Empress did not smile.

Du Yunluo’s heart skipped a beat.

The Empress reigns supreme in the Central Palace, palace intrigue, and consort rivalry, Du Yunluo had not seen with her own eyes, but had heard a bit. Any woman who can stand firm in the harem, be it an empress, consort, or palace maid, eunuch, must be a "seasoned character," not revealing their feelings on their face.

Except for smiles.

The Empress leaving the Cining Palace with a beaming smile was normal; an expressionless face full of worry and anger was actually the same in outsiders’ eyes.

Du Yunluo pondered, fearing the conversation in the main hall had raised a dispute.

Seeing Aunt Ming coming over to invite her, Du Yunluo asked softly, "Aunt, the Empress Dowager and the Empress..."

Aunt Ming pursed her lips, looking at Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo cleared her throat, lowering her voice even more, "I’m afraid of carelessly offending the Empress Dowager."

A flash of understanding crossed Aunt Ming’s eyes, Du Yunluo did not want to incur the Empress Dowager’s displeasure, and how could she hope for the Empress Dowager to lose her temper?

The palace maids in the entire Cining Palace all hoped that the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Consort would always smile, making it easier for them to work below.

Hearing this, Aunt Ming lightly bit her lip, whispered in Du Yunluo’s ear, "This servant quietly tells you, the Empress came for the Duke Zhen Guo Mansion’s matter.

The Duchess went to the palace two days ago, saying the young master was ill again and wanted to find a bride to ward off the bad luck.

The Empress Dowager didn’t agree, so yesterday the Duchess went to the Princess Mansion for advice. The Princess sent someone to the palace to tell the Empress, and after inquiring, it seemed the young master wasn’t well, and it was uncertain if he’d make it through the month. The Empress came to discuss with the Empress Dowager, and then..."

The latter part, Aunt Ming did not continue, but Du Yunluo understood.

The Empress Dowager, sitting firmly as the old Buddha in the harem, in her younger days must have been involved in unseen bloodless battles, but those were things of the past. Now, the Empress Dowager, hands clasped in prayer, was already a kind old lady.

She didn’t like meddling in the marriage matters of the noble young men and women in the capital, mismatching pairs leading to grudges, rather than harmonious couples, was not what the Empress Dowager wished for.

The young master of the Duke Zhen Guo Mansion had been a patient from childhood, always recuperating at home. Regardless of the Duke Mansion’s claims of his recovery, not seeing him about meant he was still frail.

No one knew when he might pass, and if it weren’t for Princess Yunhua’s fussing in the past life, and Princess Nanyan being unable to verbally refuse, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t have turned a blind eye to Princess Yunhua letting Nanyan fill this pit.

In this life, Nanyan married Li Luan, Princess Yunhua, resigned to fate, no longer cared for an agreeable sister-in-law.

Upon the completion of the Princess Mansion, she married the grandson of the Duke Zhen Guo.

Now, with the young master on the brink, at this juncture, for the Empress Dowager to point another girl to the marriage would be against her principles.

Such ominous affairs, the Empress Dowager was unwilling to partake in.

Seeing Du Yunluo’s clarity, Aunt Ming couldn’t help but add, "The Duchess and the Empress Dowager have had a friendship lasting decades; even if the Princess is dissatisfied with this matter, she can’t openly object on the Empress Dowager’s account, and neither can the Empress..."

Du Yunluo nodded, saying, "Aunt, rest assured, knowing this, I won’t blurt out anything to displease the Empress Dowager."

Aunt Ming smiled faintly and led Du Yunluo into the Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager was sitting cross-legged on the Arhat Bed, and the Imperial Consort was not present.

Du Yunluo paid respects and stated her purpose.

Knowing that neither Huang Jie nor Ye Yuzhi had objections, the Empress Dowager’s face finally showed some joy.

"So, how did they say it? Tell me," the Empress Dowager asked.

Du Yunluo recounted the events in the Suru Garden, and also highlighted the content of Huang Jie’s reply for the Empress Dowager.

As Du Yunluo narrated, the Empress Dowager’s tense shoulders slowly relaxed. After listening, she said, "After all, you are now a daughter-in-law, speaking of marriage intricately, this matter given to you, I am indeed at ease."