Chapter 258: Du Ruo’s Aunt Passed Away

Chapter 258: Du Ruo's Aunt Passed Away

Without hesitation, Du Ruo turned away.

As she walked away, a radiant light seemed to emanate from her.

She stood tall, full of life, and radiating brilliance.

Though flawed, she had her own pride. She was not Xing Dairong, nor was she anyone's replacement. She was braver than her.

Lu Lingyun had said that she lacked the courage to face reality, but Du Ruo proved her wrong.

She could face it.

For the rest of her life, she would never see him again—this life or the next.

She no longer sought Cheng Yunshuo's love; she would love herself.

Her straight posture hit Cheng Yunshuo like a punch to the heart.

In that moment, Cheng Yunshuo felt truly drawn to her, realizing too late how much it hurt.

He had always seen Du Ruo as a stand-in for Xing Dairong, but now he understood.

She was Du Ruo, nobody's replacement, and she was equally stunning to him.

"A'Ruo..."

Cheng Yunshuo called her name, feeling as though something very important had just slipped away from him.

"My lord."

The voice of Bishuo rang out beside him, as she gently said, "Perhaps Du Ruo is just throwing a tantrum, my lord. You should go and coax her. Today is my entrance into the household, but it's alright if you go."

Upon hearing Bishuo's words, Cheng Yunshuo's feet, which had been about to run after Du Ruo, stopped. He looked at her disappearing figure for a long time before saying, "Forget it."

Maybe she was just upset and saying things in anger. If she wasn’t better by tomorrow, he could always try to comfort her then—it wouldn’t be too late.

That very night, Du Ruo's aunt passed away.

Just as Lu Lingyun was about to rest, the news reached the estate. She heard voices outside and couldn’t help but sit up, pulling a robe around herself. "What's happening?"

"Young mistress," Chunxing said as she entered the room, "Aunt Du’s aunt has just passed away. Aunt Qiu and Ling concubine wish to visit Du Ruo."

Lu Lingyun thought for a moment. "Let them go. Prepare the carriages and some funeral offerings to take with you."

"Yes."

As Chunxing was about to leave the room, Lu Lingyun asked, "What about the Crown Prince? Does he know?"

"We’ve already informed the staff at Bishui Pavilion, but they said the Crown Prince has gone to bed and that everything can wait until morning."

"Those maids and servants are talking nonsense. Just now, Little Wei went to deliver the message and saw that the lights were still on—the Crown Prince hasn’t gone to bed yet!"

Lu Lingyun furrowed her brow slightly. The servants from Bishui Pavilion were brought in by Bishuo from the outer courtyard.

They were not from the Marquis's Mansion.

"Forget it, I'll deal with it tomorrow."

After saying that, Lu Lingyun lay back down to rest.

Outside the door, Qiu Ling and Ling Long, having received permission, hurried along, cursing as they went.

"That new Bishuo is a wicked fox spirit! It's clear she deliberately withheld the message. Her rooms were brightly lit, keeping the news from reaching the Crown Prince and detaining him in her courtyard!"

"For Du Concubine, her aunt was like a mother. As a respected concubine, when her aunt passed, the Crown Prince wasn't even informed. She's truly petty and vicious!"

Qiu Ling and Ling Long were naturally more partial to Du Concubine. They brought the gifts prepared by Lu Lingyun and hurried to comfort her.

Du Concubine, upon learning that the news of her aunt's passing had been blocked at Yuerong Pavilion, and that everyone in the Marquis's Mansion knew except Cheng Yunshuo, couldn't help but laugh mockingly.

"Du Concubine, don't be too upset. When the Crown Prince finds out about your aunt's passing tomorrow morning, he'll surely come."

"Yes, the Crown Prince is not a heartless person. He cares for you."

Hearing these words, Du Concubine's mocking laughter grew louder.

Qiu Ling and Ling Long thought Du Concubine was too grief-stricken and hurriedly comforted her.

Only Du Concubine knew.

Once, she had kept the news of Xing Dairong's death from reaching Cheng Yunshuo, preventing him from seeing that woman one last time.

Now, another woman had blocked the news of her beloved relative's passing, ensuring he would not come.

Karma truly works in cycles.

The arrow I once shot has now struck me squarely between the eyes.

Du Concubine laughed and wept while burning incense papers, "I've repaid it all, repaid it all."

"I owe nothing anymore."

The next day.

When Cheng Yunshuo woke up early in the morning, he learned of Du Concubine's aunt's death the previous night.

Upon hearing the news, he was stunned, then flew into a rage, "Why didn't anyone tell me last night?"

Bishuo, newlywed, looked at Cheng Yunshuo with a pair of spring-water eyes, "My lord, it's my fault. I instructed the servants last night not to disturb you because you've been tired lately."

After she said that, Cheng Yunshuo merely glanced at her. Seeing the face so similar to Xing Dairong's, he swallowed his anger, quickly dressing as he ran out, "Quickly, saddle my horse! I need to go to Du Concubine's aunt's house!"

Watching Cheng Yunshuo rush out, Bishuo frowned deeply, her eyes dark and thoughtful.

Du Concubine held a significant place in Cheng Yunshuo's heart.

Indeed, it was not small.

The entire night before, Cheng Yunshuo's mind had been filled with Du Concubine's resolute back and those words.

He tossed and turned all night, constantly wishing he had chased after her.

This morning, he finally made up his mind that no matter what, he would request an imperial doctor to take another look at Du Ruo's aunt.

But unexpectedly, the first thing he heard upon waking up was the news of Du Ruo's aunt's death.

It's too late. One misstep, and everything else will follow.

At this moment, he regretted it.

He truly regretted it.

Why didn't he agree last night?!

Du Ruo's aunt was like a mother to her. What harm would it have done if he had called for an imperial doctor?

This time, he had definitely hurt A'Ruo's heart.

He hadn't been so attentive to Du Ruo before, but now he was truly obsessed.

Cheng Yunshuo hurriedly rushed to Du Ruo's aunt's house.

Unfortunately, Cheng Yunshuo did not see Du Ruo.

In the main hall, Du Ruo's aunt's body lay inside, while her children, grandchildren, and nephews were all busy wearing mourning clothes.

Du Yang saw Cheng Yunshuo, "Lord Cheng, you're here."

Cheng Yunshuo looked at the body in the center, "Your aunt..."

"Sigh, she passed away last night," Du Yang said with a heavy expression.

Seeing his expression, Cheng Yunshuo immediately recalled how Du Ruo had knelt before him last night, pleading for his help. At that moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, "I should have called an imperial doctor for her..."

"You're too kind, Lord Cheng. You've already done so much for our family," Du Yang replied.

Cheng Yunshuo furrowed his brows. He looked around, "Where is A'Ruo?"

"A'Ruo went to the temple outside the city to pray and chant sutras for her aunt," Du Yang replied.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yunshuo immediately turned to go look for Du Ruo outside the city.

Just as Cheng Yunshuo was about to leave, Du Yang quickly called out, "Are you going to find A'Ruo?"

"Yes."

Du Yang sighed, "My sister is acting up again. She said she's going to observe a seven-year mourning period for our aunt at the temple. During these seven years, she will not see anyone or step outside."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yunshuo felt as if he had been struck by lightning.