Chapter 143: Hairpin Banquet

Chapter 143: Hairpin Banquet

"As your teacher, I need to take your affairs seriously," Cheng Yunshuo said with a fatherly demeanor. "If you don't learn proper manners, how will you ever find a husband!"

"I, I won't get married, period!"

"That's out of the question!" Cheng Yunshuo said seriously and sternly. "In this day and age, which woman doesn't get married?"

"Why not? If no one else does, I'll be the first!" Du Ruo raised her head, a look of pride on her face.

Seeing her like this, Cheng Yunshuo reprimanded her sternly, "Don't talk nonsense! Do you really think you're a little kid?"

Cheng Yunshuo was fully aware of this.

He knew that Du Ruo’s quirky and unusual personality made her seem like a three-year-old. In everyday matters, he found her behavior charming and was willing to indulge her, but when it came to serious matters, he knew her ideas were childish and unsuitable for formal occasions.

This was the first time Cheng Yunshuo had spoken to Du Ruo like this, and her face turned red with anger as she glared at him.

In such matters, Cheng Yunshuo gave no room for negotiation. "Du Ruo, I have taken on the responsibility of looking after you at the request of your brothers. If you keep acting so frivolously, go back home. I can't manage you."

After Lu Lingyun spoke to him yesterday, he realized that taking Du Ruo under his care meant assuming a significant responsibility.

It wasn't just a matter of adding another pair of chopsticks at the table.

Lu Lingyun was right; one shouldn't take on responsibilities lightly, or it might invite resentment.

Though Du Ruo was fuming after the scolding, she couldn't leave, nor did she want to. She huffed, "Fine! I’ll start learning from now on!"

Seeing her yield, Cheng Yunshuo’s expression softened slightly. He then turned to Lu Lingyun. "Lingyun, I need to ask another favor of you."

"Oh?" Lu Lingyun, who had been watching the scene with amusement, looked up.

She was in a good mood at that moment.

"There’s a hairpin banquet coming up in a few days. Du Ruo's aunt is still unwell, and she hopes you can take Du Ruo to the banquet for some fun. I've already agreed on your behalf," Cheng Yunshuo said, unaware of the true significance of the hairpin banquet. He thought it was just a social gathering for noble ladies to enjoy flowers.

Lu Lingyun: "......"

"By the way, Lady Wang will also be coming that day, the wife of Deputy Commander Zhang of the Imperial Guard, the one who was at the teahouse that day. She also mentioned that she wants to accompany you there."

Lu Lingyun: "......Alright."

There wasn’t much else she could do since Cheng Yunshuo had already agreed.

However, it seemed she was just an accompanying figure. Lady Wang would be going too, and it was clear that Aunt Du Ruo had arranged for Lady Wang to escort Du Ruo to the banquet.

Besides, since she was going anyway, taking Du Ruo along was no trouble.

Du Ruo wasn’t really paying attention to the upcoming Hairpin Feast.

All she could think about were the words her master had just said to her.

She huffed in disdain and went back to her room by herself.

The next day, Lu Lingyun sent someone to Caitang Pavilion to ask Qin Shaojing if she wanted to go together.

Upon learning about the Hairpin Feast, Qin Shaojing inquired about the scale and the guest list, then declined Lu Lingyun’s invitation.

She found the status of the Hairpin Feast too low.

It was hosted by the wife of a fourth-rank civil official, primarily to find a suitable husband for their daughter, and most of the attendees were from the civil servant sector.

All ranks were below the fourth rank.

A few noble households were present, and the highest-ranking household was the Ningyang Marquisate, Lu Lingyun’s own family.

The status was too low for her to consider attending.

She cited the pretext of going flower viewing with Cui Tonghua in a few days, and thus declined the invitation.

After she declined, Lu Lingyun didn’t say anything more. Three days later,

the Hairpin Feast began.

She escorted Du Ruo onto the carriage.

She provided Du Ruo with a new set of clothes, featuring the latest fashion in Jiangnan cloud brocade, in a soft, delicate pink. She also added a pair of hairpins adorned with glowing peach blossoms, crafted with silver filigree and pink chalcedony. The chalcedony was not a particularly valuable item, but a vibrant green agate in the center was indeed of considerable value.

With this ensemble, Du Ruo not only looked lively but also gained a touch of dignity and nobility.

Lu Lingyun was satisfied with the result and took her out the door.

As soon as she arrived at the entrance of the Hairpin Feast, she encountered Mrs. Wang.

"Madam Lu!" Mrs. Wang greeted Lu Lingyun warmly.

"Madam Wang," Lu Lingyun smiled and stepped forward.

"By the way, I've spoken to my husband about the matter with your crown prince. He said you can be completely at ease, as the selection list for the Imperial Guards this time includes him, and the documents are being prepared and will be distributed soon," Mrs. Wang held Lu Lingyun's hand and said with a smile.

"Thank you, Madam Wang, for your help."

"Oh, it's nothing much!" Mrs. Wang was very forthright. At that moment, she noticed Du Ruo stepping down from Lu Lingyun's carriage.

Her eyes immediately brightened.

"Ruo?!?"

Du Ruo, dressed in her pink skirt, approached hesitantly, "Aunt Wang."

"Oh my!" Mrs. Wang looked Du Ruo up and down, front and back, "Just one stay at the Marquis’s Mansion has really transformed you!"

Du Ruo had become more composed after Lu Lingyun’s reprimand. She no longer displayed her former carefree attitude, especially after being lectured by Cheng Yunshuo for several days.

In her new attire, she now exuded the grace of a young lady, and Lu Lingyun's sense of aesthetics had added to her elegance and nobility.

Mrs. Wang was delighted and turned to Lu Lingyun, "Madam Lu, you’ve taken such good care of her! She's like a different person after just a few days at your place!"

"Not at all, it’s all due to Ruo’s own efforts."

"Come on, I know her very well. Her aunt is my neighbor, and I've watched Ruo grow up. She didn’t change during all those years at her aunt’s place, despite everyone’s attempts to guide her. It’s definitely your influence that has brought about such a change! Madam Lu, you truly embody the spirit of the Marquis’s Mansion’s young mistress!"

Lu Lingyun smiled and followed Mrs. Wang's gaze toward Du Ruo.

However, Du Ruo frowned, her expression growing increasingly defiant.

She was just about to get angry and discard these overly feminine hair accessories to present her true self, when she heard a series of clear voices behind her.

"Big sister!"

"Big sister!"

Lu Lingyun and the others turned around to see the Lu family's carriage had stopped.

Liu Qingping and Liu Qingshuang, the two sisters, got down first and walked straight toward her.

"You two are here," Lu Lingyun smiled at them.

"Big sister, you came really early."

"Big sister, I've really missed you!"

One on each side, they clung to Lu Lingyun.

Lu Lingyun glanced at them and said to Shuang Hong, "Shuang Hong, bring the items."

"Yes," Shuang Hong replied as she handed over two boxes.

The boxes were opened, revealing a begonia pearl hairpin and a shiny golden spring flower hairpin.

The begonia pearl hairpin was set with rubies, and the spring flower hairpin was set with yellow gemstones.

Both were elegant and exquisite, worthy of praise, their value matching that of the pink jade hairpin on Du Ruo's head.

"These are for you two," Lu Lingyun said generously.

"They're so pretty!"

"Big sister, you're so nice!"