Chapter 439: Cheng Bingzhi Enters the Marquis’s Mansion

Chapter 439: Cheng Bingzhi Enters the Marquis's Mansion

Cheng Bingzhi pinched ten coins from the coachman Wei Dahai, bought a few pieces of old-fashioned peach shortbread at the street corner, and headed straight to the Marquis's Mansion to offer his congratulations.

By this time, the betrothal procession had already completed the grand rites.

The crowd of onlookers at the gate had scattered, but the entrance of the Marquis's Mansion was still buzzing with a festive atmosphere.

Cheng Bingzhi entered through the main gate carrying his modest offering. The gatekeeper scrutinized him for a long time before finally recognizing him, "Young Master Bingzhi? What brings you around?"

"I'm here to congratulate my big sister!" Cheng Bingzhi waved the few pieces of peach shortbread in his hand, "Hurry up and announce my arrival!"

The gatekeeper looked disdainfully at the meager pastries in his hand—how pathetic! How could he even present such a thing?

But today was the big day for their young mistress, so he didn't dare say much. He quickly replied, "Alright, Young Master Bingzhi, come on in and wait."

He led Cheng Bingzhi inside to wait.

At this moment, in the reception courtyard.

Lu Lingyun sat upright in the main chair, with the chief steward of Duke Xu's Mansion and a group of people standing respectfully in front of her, presenting the betrothal gift list for her to look over.

In the courtyard, Cheng Suying and her friends had gathered.

They crowded around Cheng Suying, eyeing the betrothal gift boxes filling the courtyard, whispering and giggling among themselves.

At that moment, Shuang Hong came to report.

"Madam, Young Master Bingzhi is here."

"Oh? What's he doing here?" Lu Lingyun said while looking at the betrothal gift list.

"He's here to congratulate the young mistress."

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun looked up, a smile tugging at her lips. "Show him in."

"Yes."

Soon after, Cheng Bingzhi arrived with a small bag of peach shortbread.

"Greetings, Lady, and my regards to Grandmother. I've come to congratulate my elder sister."

Lu Lingyun's gaze fell on the small bag of pastries in his hand, and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly. "That's very thoughtful of you."

She gave Shuang Hong a look, signaling her to accept the gift Cheng Bingzhi had brought.

After the gift was accepted, Cheng Bingzhi remained standing in place, his eyes darting between Lu Lingyun and the people from Duke Xu's Mansion.

How could they just take the gift without any acknowledgment!

"Do you have something else?" Lu Lingyun's voice rang out at this moment.

Hearing her voice, Cheng Bingzhi grew even more uneasy.

Since childhood, he had been afraid of his stepmother, and even after all these years, her voice still made him nervous.

"Lady, I, I, I have nothing else."

"If there's nothing else, you can head back now," Lu Lingyun waved her hand, dismissing him outright.

Hearing this, Cheng Bingzhi grew truly anxious.

Why wasn't it going as his mom had said? He had brought a gift—shouldn’t they have properly entertained him or given something in return?

How could they just dismiss him like this!

He couldn’t have come all this way just to lose his ten coins’ worth of peach cakes!

Standing there, he got more and more anxious. But he felt he couldn’t directly ask for anything now. He couldn’t help but regret listening to his lady and coming to greet her!

He should have just asked for a celebratory gift upfront!

Lu Lingyun noticed his awkward, regretful struggle and smiled lightly.

Li Bihan’s tricks were always so shallow.

After all these years, still the same old tactics.

Sending her son over, saying a few words, bringing a small gift, hoping to get much more in return.

In a way, Li Bihan was a pragmatist; her efforts always had to pay off.

Or rather, every move she made had a clear goal.

Like when she seduced the third young master, just to marry into the family as a concubine, putting on a show in front of him every time, just to secure tangible benefits.

She never sought love or the intangible, nor did she aim too high; every move was calculated to secure as much benefit as possible.

But in the end, pettiness gets you petty results, and her son wasn’t generous at all!

Today was Sù Yīng’s grand ceremony, such a significant day, and he brought such a paltry gift. By her standards, she would have given him quite a bit in return, but that was his own sister. If he had shown real blessings and care for Sù Yīng, and left gracefully after offering his congratulations, she might not have given him anything this time but would have remembered Cheng Bingzhi.

Wouldn’t it be good to have the lady remember him once? Wouldn’t he benefit in the future?

But Li Bihan wasn’t like that; she simply and directly focused on the immediate gains, sending her son over to make an appearance.

Seeing that he was about to be sent away, Cheng Bingzhi couldn’t help but anxiously say, "Lady, I brought a gift for my big sister!"

His words caught the attention of the people from Duke Xu's Mansion. The chief steward, dressed in a deep red silk robe, glanced at Cheng Bingzhi, his smiling eyes full of shrewdness.

After glancing at the small amount of pastries he had brought, his smiling brow slightly furrowed.

He thought to himself, how come he had never heard of such an unimpressive young master from the Ningyang Marquis’s family.

"We appreciate your thoughtfulness," Lu Lingyun’s smile remained unchanged as she asked in return, "How are your mother and sister doing?"

Cheng Bingzhi, not understanding the implication, simply nodded, "They're doing well."

"Go to the accounts office later and collect an extra month's allowance. For Sù Yīng’s wedding, add some dishes to your own courtyard’s meals to share in the joy," Lu Lingyun waved her hand.

Finally hearing that he was to receive money, Cheng Bingzhi's face lit up with joy, "Thank you, Lady! Thank you so much!"

He happily turned and followed Shuang Hong out.

After he left, the chief steward of Duke Xu's Mansion asked, "Lady, was that the third young master?"

"He was long since moved out of the main house," Lu Lingyun said, "Don’t include their branch in the wedding banquet; they can eat on their own."

Lu Lingyun had just suggested they add dishes to their own courtyard, implying that their family need not attend Cheng Suying's wedding.

The young master of the Ningyang Marquis's household did not include Cheng Bingzhi.

The butler, being no fool, immediately grasped Lu Lingyun's meaning, "This old servant understands; the banquet will be arranged perfectly!"

"Alright, thank you for your hard work, Steward Xu. I will keep the dowry list; you may return and report back."

"Yes, Duchess."

Steward Xu respectfully withdrew from Lu Lingyun's presence. After leaving the room, Chunhe approached him and handed him a large, full pouch.

This money pouch was far more substantial than what was given to Cheng Bingzhi!

Steward Xu did not hesitate, offering words of blessing as he happily accepted it.

Meanwhile, as Cheng Bingzhi left the room, he saw the courtyard filled with large dowry items, his eyes nearly popping out at the sight.

At this moment, he saw Cheng Suying surrounded by a crowd.

"Big sister!"

"Who are you?" Cheng Suying looked at the short and stout man in front of her, instinctively taking a step back with her sisters.

"I am Bing Zhi!" Cheng Bingzhi looked her up and down, his eyes growing more envious, "You've really changed, about to marry into the Duke's household and become a Duchess! Now that you're successful, you don't even recognize your own brother, do you?"