Chapter 70 Duke Xu’s Mansion

Chapter 70 Duke Xu's Mansion

Lu Lingyun put on the peacock fur cloak and the Hetian jade hairpin given to her by Lady Qin before leaving.

Lady Qin came from a prestigious family, the House of Duke Zhao, one of the four major dukes in the dynasty.

However, Lady Qin's father had backed the wrong side during the current emperor's ascension, leading to their downfall.

After Old Duke Qin passed away, the emperor delayed granting the title of Duke to the new Duke Zhao and expelled him from the Imperial City, assigning him to guard his fief.

The current head of the House of Duke Zhao, the Duke's heir, was already in his forties but still held only the title of heir.

Everyone knew that the House of Duke Zhao had fallen from grace.

Due to this, Lady Qin, who could have married into the imperial family, ended up marrying into the Ningyang Marquisate.

Their family's decline continued, and they kept a low profile.

On the way, Lu Lingyun listened quietly as Lady Qin spoke about her family. She had heard vague rumors about her mother-in-law's background.

But because of Lady Qin's noble status, it wasn't easy for her to gather detailed information, so she didn't delve too deeply.

She never imagined her mother-in-law came from such a prestigious family.

No wonder Lady Qin was generous and had an air of elegance in managing the household.

Lu Lingyun listened quietly, speaking only when Lady Qin wanted to hear her thoughts, without asking or commenting further.

Hearing Lu Lingyun's measured and considerate words, Lady Qin's approval grew even stronger.

"You, my dear, are truly a pity, born only into a fifth-rank scholar's family. If you were from a duke's or marquisate's house, you could have married into the imperial family."

"Mother, please don't belittle your daughter-in-law. Being able to enter the marquisate and become your daughter-in-law is already a great blessing."

"You, my dear." Lady Qin affectionately poked her forehead.

Just then, the carriage arrived.

Lu Lingyun got off with Lady Qin and saw the grand sign "Duke Xu's Mansion."

The four major dukes in the dynasty were the Houses of Duke Zhao, Duke Liu, Duke Xu, and Duke Zhao.

Originally, the Houses of Duke Zhao and Duke Zhao were equally powerful, with Duke Xu's Mansion just below them, and Duke Liu's Mansion being the weakest.

But after Duke Zhao's side won, they gained significant favor and remained influential. Duke Liu's Mansion, once indecisive, eventually aligned with Duke Zhao and now thrives.

Duke Xu's Mansion has always been low-key and reserved, not participating in any struggles. This neutrality neither harmed nor benefited them much, and they gradually lost favor with the emperor.

Even so, the imposing gates of the duke's mansion were not easily accessible to ordinary people.

"Lady Qin, you're here!" An elderly lady's maid in her forties greeted Lady Qin warmly at the door.

"Sister Jiang, how have you been?" Lady Qin smiled upon seeing her.

"Thank you for your concern, my lady. I am doing well!" Sister Jiang beamed, then looked at Lu Lingyun behind Lady Qin. "This must be the young lady!"

Lady Qin nodded, holding Lu Lingyun's hand. "Yes, this is my daughter-in-law, Lady Lu."

Sister Jiang scrutinized Lu Lingyun closely, her kind eyes filled with admiration. "The young lady truly exudes grace, reminiscent of Lady Qin's youth."

Sister Jiang's compliment flattered both Lu Lingyun and Lady Qin.

By noting Lady Qin's affectionate gesture of holding Lu Lingyun's hand, Sister Jiang accurately gauged Lu Lingyun's importance and praised her accordingly.

Lady Qin couldn't stop smiling. "Indeed, I was immediately drawn to our Lingyun. She is smart, capable, and understanding. Now, I treat her like my own daughter."

Knowing she hit the right note, Sister Jiang added, "I can see why. The young lady is truly remarkable, with a face that signifies great fortune and blessings."

"Maid, you flatter me too much; I cannot bear it," Lu Lingyun responded modestly.

"You deserve it. Come, let's go inside; our lady has been waiting."

Sister Jiang led Lu Lingyun and Lady Qin into the mansion with a group of servants.

The duke's mansion was twice as large as the marquisate's.

Passing through several carved corridors and two courtyards with rockeries and ponds, they finally reached the inner courtyard.

Furong Garden.

The courtyard of the head lady of Duke Xu's Mansion.

The courtyard gate was open, and maids were already waiting outside the main room.

Seeing the guests arrive, the maids quickly lifted the heavy curtains. As Lu Lingyun stepped onto the stairs, a wave of warm air greeted her.

The temperature inside must be at least five brazier fires!

Sure enough, as Lu Lingyun entered with Lady Qin, the warmth from the floor heating extended from the main hall to the inner chambers.

It wasn't just braziers; it was floor heating!

The warmth made Lu Lingyun and Lady Qin sweat, and the maids promptly helped them remove their outer garments.

"Jingyu! You're finally here!"

The beaded curtain in the main hall was lifted, and a middle-aged woman, around Lady Qin's age, wearing a light and expensive silk gown, walked out.

She wore few accessories, only an Hetian jade hairpin in her hair, cloisonné flowers with kingfisher feathers on her temples, a long string of red gemstone beads around her neck, and a single full-jade bangle on her wrist.

The decorations were not excessive, but they were immediately noticeable.

They exuded opulence.

Even though Lu Lingyun had been the young lady of the marquisate for some time and had previously held the rank of First-Class Dame, she rarely saw such ostentatious elegance.

This Duke Xu's Mansion truly surpassed the marquisate by tenfold, even a hundredfold!

"Ninghui!" When Qin saw someone approaching, her face lit up with a rare enthusiasm, and she grabbed the hand of Lady Duke Xu who was coming to greet her.

"I've missed you so much! Good thing you returned before the year's end; otherwise, I would have surely come to your country residence to see you."

"We definitely had to return; how could we let you travel so far?"

"By the way, how is your Lord Marquis? How is his health?"

"After half a year of rest without any worries, he has improved greatly."

The two women conversed back and forth, holding hands as they entered the inner room.

Lu Lingyun followed behind them, and upon entering the room, she saw a woman of about her own age inside.

The young and beautiful woman smiled at her kindly, and Lu Lingyun returned the smile.

At this moment, Lady Duke Xu spoke, "Is this the good daughter-in-law you mentioned?"

Lu Lingyun turned her head and met the smiling eyes of Lady Cui from Duke Xu's Mansion.

Cui Ninghui looked at Lu Lingyun with bright eyes, her gaze different from Nurse Jiang's. It was not one of flattery or calculation but rather curiosity and a hint of pressure.

"Yes, her name is Lingyun. She is the daughter of the scholar Lu from the Hanlin Academy, and she is indeed my fortunate daughter-in-law!"

Qin looked at Lu Lingyun along with her, praising her without reservation.