Chapter 40: Meeting Lady Yang

Chapter 40: Meeting Lady Yang

Lu Lingyun and Lady Jiang conversed for quite some time, completely dispelling her idea of marrying Wang Qiluo to Luo Heng.

To be fair, the Wang family had always wanted to marry Wang Qiluo to one of their military disciples, but Wang Qiluo had no interest in those rough men. Lady Jiang had recently become close friends with Lady Yang, and General Wang's interactions with the Luo family had increased. After much deliberation, she thought the Luo family would be a suitable match, so she entertained the idea.

Now that Lu Lingyun had revealed Luo Heng's true nature to her, she immediately removed him from the list of potential grooms.

She had only this one daughter, and choosing a son-in-law required careful consideration.

Even after Lu Lingyun shared those secrets with her, she hesitated about whether to tell Lady Yang about her son keeping someone in his private residence.

After all, it involved the Ningyang Marquis's Mansion, and if it became public, it wouldn't look good. Moreover, telling Lady Yang might create more friction and even tarnish her own daughter's reputation.

The best course of action was to keep quiet and simply say it wasn't appropriate.

"Lingyun, you're a person with good judgment. How about this: tomorrow, when I go to see Lady Yang, you come with me?" Lady Jiang said after pondering for a while.

"Sure." Lu Lingyun readily agreed.

At this moment, Wang Qiluo entered with honey-flavored layered pastries.

Lu Lingyun and Lady Jiang stopped talking, and Lady Jiang discreetly had her trusted maidservant withdraw the name card. The two smiled warmly at Wang Qiluo.

"Are the pastries ready?"

"They smell delicious; they must taste great."

"You're praising me before even tasting them!" Wang Qiluo raised her eyebrows, looking at them suspiciously. "Did you two talk behind my back?"

"Nonsense!"

Lu Lingyun smiled and pulled Wang Qiluo to sit down. They chatted and laughed together, savoring the honey-flavored layered pastries made by Wang Qiluo.

Wang Qiluo felt as though they were hiding something from her. "Why do I feel like you two are more like mother and daughter?"

"I've always treated Auntie as my godmother."

"Yes, Lingyun has always been like my daughter."

The two exchanged a smile, saying nothing else.

The next day.

Lu Lingyun first visited Cheng Yunshuo early in the morning.

Under Qiu Ling's care, Cheng Yunshuo had improved significantly. No one in the mansion mentioned Xing Dairong anymore, as if she never existed.

As she left Yaoguang Pavilion, Aunt Qiu excitedly whispered to Lu Lingyun, "Mistress, His Highness accepted me last night."

Xing Dairong had dealt a severe blow to Cheng Yunshuo.

Her occasional tantrums were fine, but she had never crossed his core boundaries.

Now that she had run away with someone else, Cheng Yunshuo's heart turned cold.

Last night, Aunt Qiu filled the void in his heart during his most vulnerable moment. The past affection and deep feelings returned instantly.

Cheng Yunshuo abandoned the line he had held for Xing Dairong.

Since she didn't want him, there was no need for him to keep his promise.

Even if Xing Dairong was acting, it was unforgivable.

Some things, even if meant as jokes, were not funny once done, leaving no room for redemption.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun smiled at Aunt Qiu. "Congratulations, Aunt Qiu. You should seize the opportunity and bear an heir for the household soon."

"It's all thanks to your blessings, Mistress. I will cherish this chance."

Lu Lingyun instructed Old Lady An to give Aunt Qiu some gifts, asked the doctor to prescribe medicine for Cheng Yunshuo, and sent a message to the Prefectural Commandant Manor requesting a few more days off for him. She then arranged for the carriage to leave the mansion.

Today, Lady Jiang had arranged for her to meet Lady Yang, Luo Heng's mother.

Wangjiang Tower.

A famous restaurant in the Imperial City.

When Lu Lingyun arrived, Lady Jiang and Lady Yang were already there.

Following the servant's guidance, she went up to the private room on the second floor, where Lady Yang and Lady Jiang were chatting animatedly.

"Winter is approaching. Hasn't your household started preparing winter clothes yet?"

"We have started, but this year, the silk from Jiangnan is incredibly expensive. My husband told me not to be extravagant and just buy some cloth for making clothes," Lady Jiang said. "Qiluo also said she has plenty of clothes and doesn't need silk ones."

"That won't do. Your Qiluo is a precious daughter. I'll send over some fine silk for her winter clothes. We can't let her suffer, especially since she's our future daughter-in-law."

As Lady Yang spoke, Lady Jiang's smile froze, and at that moment, Lu Lingyun walked in.

"There's no need to trouble Lady Luo. Just the other day, I found some suitable silk for Qiluo and planned to surprise her with new winter clothes. You two started discussing it before I could mention it."

Lu Lingyun entered gracefully, her tone measured and poised.

Lady Yang's eyes brightened upon seeing Lu Lingyun, who wore simple yet elegant attire. Lu Lingyun's appearance was dignified and refined, her features well-proportioned. She wore a light blue autumn dress, a fringed jacket, and jade hairpins and bracelets, exuding an indescribable aura of nobility.

Even among official families, there was a clear distinction. Noble-born ladies from prestigious families carried a distinct air of elegance, such as Lu Lingyun's mother-in-law, Lady Qin, who was a marquise's wife with an imperial title.

Of course, Lu Lingyun doesn't have it now, but if there's a flower appreciation event or a banquet in the palace, Lady Qin can take her along.

Once Cheng Yunshuo inherits his title in the future, as the head of the household, Lu Lingyun will naturally become a Lady of the Imperial Order.

Unlike the wives of typical civil officials, who must achieve a certain rank or make significant contributions to be granted the title of Lady of the Imperial Order.

This barrier clearly distinguishes the aristocracy from the civil officials.

The Yang family, with only a fourth-rank position as a Deputy Judge in the Supreme Court, holds a respectable rank, but it cannot compare to the aristocratic families.

"Oh, and this is..."

"This is Lu, the Consort of the Ningyang Marquis' heir, whom I told you about. She is also my goddaughter, and Qiluo's god-sister, Lingyun."

"No wonder she is the Consort of the Marquis' heir; she stands out from the rest!" Lady Yang praised Lu Lingyun effusively, her words as sweet as honey.

"Lady Luo, you are the one with exceptional grace. I often hear my godmother speak of you and have long wished to visit. Now that I see you, you are indeed as remarkable as I've heard—warm and straightforward. The Luo family is fortunate to have you."

"You really do have a way with words."

"I speak the truth; no need for flattery."

Lady Yang laughed heartily, her eyes fixed on Lu Lingyun. "No wonder they say the ladies of the Imperial City are all exceptionally talented. We truly came too late and missed out on a fine lady like Lingyun!"

"Indeed," said Lady Jiang. "If I had a son, or if my younger sons were older, I would have been the first to snatch her up!"

"At least I was lucky enough to secure the daughter of General Wang, even though I missed out on the Ningyang Marquis' heir's consort."