Chapter 355: Nanyuan Comes to the Capital

Chapter 355: Nanyuan Comes to the Capital

Lu Kuan tightly grasped the hefty betrothal gifts and nodded earnestly, "Of course, I will treat Nanyuan well."

His eyes lit up as he looked at Lu Lingyun, sitting with her and sharing a few pieces of good news.

He had just received a transfer today, officially taking up a clerk position in the Military Affairs Office.

This position involved taking notes during discussions of the ministers and the emperor on major matters, along with taking care of various odd jobs.

Though the position was small and held no power, it was a real position close to the emperor.

All civil and military officials in the court would have to treat him with respect.

Lu Kuan would be the first to know about the emperor's actions.

He told Lu Lingyun about the border conflict, mentioning that the emperor had heard about the recapture of the old city and was still encircling the barbarians, repeatedly praising the Ningyang Marquis. The emperor planned to reward the Marquis's Mansion generously upon the Marquis's triumphant return.

Upon hearing this news, Lu Lingyun couldn't help feeling happy, "I know."

"Big sister, please don't spread this news yet."

Lu Lingyun sipped her hot tea, "I'm not dumb."

She added more tea for Lu Kuan and set the date for the engagement with him. After the date was set, Lu Kuan left the Marquis's Mansion.

A month flew by.

During this month, Tong Nanyuan arrived from Jiangnan, and her marriage to Lu Kuan was set for ten days later.

There was constant news of victories from the border, and during this time, a letter from home was received, confirming that the old Marquis's life was safe, putting everyone at ease.

Lu Lingyun finally relaxed upon seeing the letter sent back by Cheng Qi.

As for Cheng Yunshuo, he remained in the temple, not returning to the mansion.

Lu Lingyun didn't concern herself with his business; with Tong Nanyuan arriving from Jiangnan, she had to organize her and Lu Kuan's wedding.

Today was the day of the big engagement ceremony.

First thing in the morning, she led Cheng Suying, Cheng Lanying, Cheng Hui, and the maids to the Lu Family.

Upon arriving at the Lu Family, she didn't find Madam Liu but instead met Liu Qingping and Liu Qingshuang.

"Where is my mother?" Lu Lingyun asked.

"Aunt is ill," Liu Qingping cheerfully approached Lu Lingyun, "My mother went to see her."

"She hasn't recovered yet?"

"How could she recover?" Liu Qingshuang said, "If she saw so many good things being taken away today, she would be ill for several more months!"

Lu Lingyun: "..."

The lavish dowry chests tied with red silk were piled up in the courtyard. Lu Lingyun went to see Old Master Lu and chatted with him for a while. When the time came, she led a group of people in carriages to send the dowry to Uncle Tong's mansion.

Along the way, everyone was chattering.

Cheng Suying was unusually chatty today, pulling her aunts and asking questions non-stop.

Cheng Lanying, who had come along, stayed completely silent, unable to fit in with them at all.

After they got off the carriage and entered the Tong family's residence, the difference in treatment became even more obvious.

Everyone in the Tong family surrounded Cheng Suying, each one doting on her immensely.

After all, Cheng Suying had been accompanying Lu Lingyun to her maternal family's side since she was a child, and everyone treated her as Lu Lingyun's own daughter, their own niece or grandniece.

Each of the elegantly dressed noblewomen showered Cheng Suying with affection, giving her money, red envelopes, and gifts.

At this moment, Cheng Lanying truly felt the difference between being a legitimate daughter and a daughter of a concubine.

Back in the Marquis's Mansion, she hadn't noticed much of a difference.

After all, in the Marquis's Mansion, her father was in charge, and the servants were all perceptive. Whatever Cheng Suying had, she would have too. If Cheng Suying lacked something, she would ask her father for it. She wasn't inferior in any way.

The difference between a legitimate daughter and a concubine's daughter was merely nominal.

She lived with her concubine mother, just as Cheng Suying lived with the main wife. It seemed the same.

But once she stepped outside, she realized the difference.

Cheng Suying's uncle was the top scholar in the imperial examinations, her great-uncle Uncle Tong was a high-ranking official of the third rank, her aunt was the young mistress of a duke's household, her cousins were the daughters-in-law of the vice-minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments...

Each one came from a wealthy and influential family, and all of them doted on her, loved her, and cherished her.

And what about her...

Her mother was just a concubine, with no relatives on her maternal side. Even if there were any, they were poor peasants working in the fields.

Was this the difference between legitimate and concubine-born children?

These were things her concubine mother couldn't provide her.

Cheng Lanying stood alone on the side, feeling an overwhelming sense of envy for the first time as she looked at Cheng Suying.

Meanwhile, Lu Lingyun met Tong Nanyuan and Tong Nanxia. As soon as she saw them, they immediately surrounded her.

"Cousin!"

"Cousin!"

"Nanyuan," Lu Lingyun looked at Tong Nanyuan, who had come from Jiangnan, and was overjoyed. "Was the journey smooth?"

"Yes," Tong Nanyuan nodded emphatically, her eyes reddening as she hugged Lu Lingyun. "Finally, I get to see you again, cousin. After we parted six years ago, I thought I might never see you again in this lifetime."

"Nonsense," Lu Lingyun stroked her hair. "From now on, we'll be family, and we won't have to be apart anymore."

"Yes!" Tong Nanyuan looked at Lu Lingyun and then at Tong Nanxia, nodding excitedly.

At this moment, Liu Qingping and Liu Qingshuang also joined them.

After everyone got acquainted, they started teasing the soon-to-be bride, Tong Nanyuan.

They talked about the betrothal gifts, then about the groom, making Tong Nanyuan blush with embarrassment.

Seeing everyone chatting so happily, Lu Lingyun decided to find a courtyard where the women could gather and chat, leaving all the details of the ceremony to the second aunt.

"Our cousin is quite the catch. Now, all the unmarried girls in the Imperial City envy you, Nanyuan!"

"Alright, stop teasing," Tong Nanyuan said, her face flushed crimson, her head half-lowered.

"Fine, we won’t tease the bride anymore," Liu Qingshuang chimed in. "But I’ve got some news about the Liu Duke’s residence. Would you like to hear it?"

At her words, Cheng Hui, who had been standing by Lu Lingyun’s side, immediately perked up. "Is it about Qin Shaojing?"

"Yes," Liu Qingshuang nodded, her eyes gleaming as she glanced around, then half-covering her mouth, she whispered, "My sister-in-law secretly told me that Qin Shaojing and the second young master of the Liu family have had a falling out."

"What?"

"How did that happen?" Tong Nanyuan was the most eager, having just arrived from Jiangnan a few days ago and not yet caught up on any gossip. This was someone she knew, so she quickly asked, "What happened before?"

Liu Qingshuang then recounted the incident where Qin Shaojing had killed a maid who attempted to seduce the master and the subsequent illness of the Duke of Liu. She added, "Qin Shaojing and her husband have been arguing for days now, and the second young master hasn’t visited her room since."

"Is it because she killed that maid?" Tong Nanyuan frowned.

"Actually, no," Liu Qingshuang teased. "Guess."

"Good sister, how can we guess? Just tell us!" Tong Nanyuan couldn’t possibly guess.

Seeing that she had sufficiently piqued everyone’s curiosity, Liu Qingshuang whispered mysteriously, "My sister-in-law told me that rumors in their household say they were arguing, and the second young master called her a promiscuous woman, saying she’s filthy!"