Chapter 155: What Are You to Them

Chapter 155: What Are You to Them

"Since you've already spoken to my mother-in-law, then just go ahead." Lu Lingyun said with a smile.

"The old lady said that there's nothing prepared at the East Hill Villa and told us to ask you, Young Mistress, for anything that's missing."

Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyun finally understood why they had informed her.

They were asking her for money and things!

With a faint smile, Lu Lingyun said, "Very well, I'll make the arrangements and have everything sent over shortly."

"Thank you, Young Mistress." With that, the nurse An retreated.

After Qin Shaojing's people left, Lu Lingyun called for Nurse An to open the storeroom of the mansion and select some items to send over.

She then asked Shuang Hong to open her private storeroom and send some valuable items given by Lady Qin to maintain appearances.

After preparing everything, she said to Xia Mei, "Once you've delivered the items, check on the state of the East Hill Villa."

"Yes, Young Mistress!"

The East Hill Villa was a country retreat of the mansion, not the place where the old Marquis and Lady Qin lived.

The villa had been long vacant and was in a remote area. It was strange that Qin Shaojing had taken a liking to such a remote place.

Busy with various tasks, it soon became evening.

Cheng Yunshuo returned.

He had received a brand new court uniform that day.

"Lingyun, I've joined the Imperial Guards. Starting tomorrow, I'll be serving at the palace."

Cheng Yunshuo returned in high spirits.

His face was filled with the joy of promotion.

"Congratulations, Prince. I knew you'd succeed with your abilities." Lu Lingyun said with a smile.

Cheng Yunshuo's promotion was something she had helped with, but she didn’t claim credit.

Because she had long understood what kind of person Cheng Yunshuo was. He didn’t have much ambition for fame and career, and he disliked scheming. He believed in advancing through his own efforts, accepting whatever happened.

Unlike Li Wenxun, who always sought shortcuts and backdoors, getting maximum help from his wife to feel satisfied and not resent others.

For someone as simple-minded as Cheng Yunshuo, Lu Lingyun simply went along with his wishes, letting him think his promotion was all his doing.

It was a matter of boosting his ego.

Hearing Lu Lingyun's words, Cheng Yunshuo became even happier. "By the way, where are the others?"

"A’Ruo is dining in her room, and Shaojing has moved to the East Hill Villa."

"Okay." Cheng Yunshuo didn't pay much attention. "Later, please tell Father and Mother about my new position in the Imperial Guards."

"Alright."

The next day, Cheng Yunshuo put on his new court uniform and went to serve at the palace.

Du Ruo was quietly waiting in the Marquis’s Mansion.

She waited all day, but heard nothing.

By evening, she was too embarrassed to go to Lu Lingyun’s courtyard for dinner.

When Cheng Yunshuo asked about Du Ruo again, upon learning that she was eating in her room, he said nothing but instructed Lu Lingyun to take good care of her.

Her brothers had almost finalized her marriage candidate.

The final choice was Imperial Guard Yu.

"I met Imperial Guard Yu today, and he is indeed a reliable man," Cheng Yunshuo had to admit that he was a rare and responsible person.

He always kept his promises seriously.

Even with troublesome matters like Du Ruo’s, despite being annoyed by her once or twice, he still patiently oversaw her affairs due to his commitment.

Du Ruo’s brothers had finalized the candidate with him, and after starting his duty in the Imperial Guards, he took the initiative to seek out Imperial Guard Yu to learn more about him.

He found that Imperial Guard Yu was young, handsome, and spoke appropriately. He was also diligent and responsible in his duties at the palace, earning him much favor.

Being in the Imperial Guards was different from those in the Jinyu Guard at the Commandant’s Manor.

These were the imperial guards close to the emperor, and only the children of nobility could serve, though many of them just slacked off. The Commandant’s Manor was where most of the slacking noble children were, while there were very few slackers in the Imperial Guards.

Of course, if the noble children were more ambitious and had great aspirations, they could go to the frontier to build a career, which would naturally be a family honor chosen from thousands.

In any case, those who could join the Imperial Guards were already the promising sons of nobility.

Cheng Yunshuo had learned about Imperial Guard Yu’s character and was very satisfied, the only drawback being that he was a widower with two children.

But Du Ruo’s brothers also said that given Du Ruo’s conditions, finding someone like Imperial Guard Yu, who didn’t mind her ordinary or even lower family background and her being motherless since childhood, was already good enough.

"Imperial Guard Yu has already proposed to Du Ruo’s brothers," Cheng Yunshuo said. "Lingyun, you should talk to Du Ruo about it tomorrow, and this matter will be settled."

"Alright, I’ll talk to Du Ruo tomorrow," Lu Lingyun replied.

The next day, Lu Lingyun called Du Ruo to her courtyard.

Today, Du Ruo was not as confident and radiant as she was when she returned from the Commandant’s Manor that day.

Her furrowed brows showed tension and irritation.

Lu Lingyun could tell what she was nervous about with just one look and said, "Someone has proposed to your brothers."

Hearing this, Du Ruo instantly swept away all her irritation and asked, "He proposed?"

"Yes," Lu Lingyun nodded. "Your brothers think he is very good, and the Crown Prince went to talk to him especially yesterday to oversee it. They are planning to finalize this."

"Master especially went to talk about it." Hearing this, Du Ruo felt a mix of emotions and raised her head. "What did he say?"

"Your Master is quite satisfied."

Hearing those words, Du Ruo couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment. "Hmph, he’s satisfied, good, as long as he’s satisfied, I’ll marry then!"

"So, this is settled then? I'll tell them you’ve decided and agreed to marry Imperial Guard Yu."

"Tell them then, I'll marry him right away....... What! Imperial Guard Yu!" Du Ruo’s words stopped abruptly, her eyes widened in shock.

"Yes, Imperial Guard Yu from the Imperial Guard Corps. The candidate Aunt Wang brought last time, your brothers chose him."

"No! What about Wei Kun?" Du Ruo blurted out.

"Who’s Wei Kun? No one else has proposed to your brother. It’s always been those same few candidates." Lu Lingyun looked directly at Du Ruo and spoke plainly, "At least Imperial Guard Yu is from the Imperial Guard Corps and comes from a wealthy family. Your master has praised his good character."

Du Ruo couldn’t accept it. She shook her head vigorously, "No, it’s impossible! I won’t marry that widower who brings bad luck to his wives! Wei Kun promised me he would marry me! His family is a Third-Rank General’s household, only he is worthy of me! All of you are ruining me!"

Lu Lingyun, looking at Du Ruo, who was still completely clueless, sneered, saying, "The Wei Kun you’re talking about is just a guard from the Prefectural Commandant’s manor."

"That's right! He dotes on me and promised to marry me; he will definitely keep his word!"

Lu Lingyun stood up, her eyes filled with cold, sarcastic amusement as she looked at her, "Do you really not know what you mean to them?"