The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1572 - 1569: The Imperial Noble Consort’s Maternal Family
Among the women here, with Lady of the Gu Family present, Gu Zirou’s cheerful nature, and Gu Zitang and Wang Yongzhu joining in the fun, except for Lady Quan and Gu Zimei who remained silent, it seemed quite lively.
After the meal, as they sat drinking tea and chatting, Wang Yongzhu excused herself to leave.
The Old Lady Gu looked reluctant: "It’s rare for you to visit, stay for dinner before you go."
In her heart, she was as clear as a mirror, fearing her granddaughter was afraid of making Lady Quan and her daughter uncomfortable, so she simply offered to leave.
Wang Yongzhu quickly explained: "Tomorrow is the Third-Day Ceremony for the Ninth Prince, I have to go to the palace early, so I need to go back and prepare; I wouldn’t want to be disrespectful tomorrow, right? If Grandmother misses me, after the fifteenth, I’ve already arranged with Uncle to accompany you and Aunt to stay at the countryside estate for a while, staying until you’re tired of me, would that be okay?"
This was indeed a significant matter, so the Old Lady Gu didn’t insist further; she simply gave a few reminders, and had the prepared packages for Wang Yongzhu sent back properly.
Lady of the Gu Family smiled and insisted on personally seeing her off, and Gu Zirou gently nudged Lady Quan.
Lady Quan seemed to snap back to reality, motioning a maid to bring a box, which she handed to Wang Yongzhu: "This is a little token of appreciation from your second uncle and me. Keep it and come play at our house when you’re free."
Hearing this, Wang Yongzhu recalled what the Old Lady Gu had mentioned, guessing this was also one of the lines her second uncle wanted Lady Quan to memorize.
Otherwise, having been somewhat impolite earlier, adding a few words of nicety seemed appropriate.
But Lady Quan wouldn’t add anything, she just said this and shoved the box into Wang Yongzhu’s hand, taking a step back.
Wang Yongzhu even heard Lady Quan breathe a sigh of relief.
She couldn’t help but find it amusing.
Seeing Gu Zirou and Gu Zitang, the sisters wore wry smiles.
When Wang Yongzhu looked over, they returned apologetic smiles.
Gu Zirou stepped forward to hold Wang Yongzhu’s hand and whispered: "Cousin, don’t be offended. My mother is somewhat socially awkward; it’s not intentional."
Wang Yongzhu chuckled: "Don’t worry, Second Cousin. We’re all family; there’s no need to fuss over such matters. I find Second Aunt’s innocence rather endearing; it’s her good fortune."
Gu Zirou breathed a sigh of relief and sincerely added: "Before, I wasn’t in the Capital City, and neither were you, so we missed each other. Now that we’re both here, feel free to visit me when you have the time. Although I haven’t been here in years, I still know the spots we women enjoy in the Capital. We can explore them together one day."
Wang Yongzhu agreed to all of it. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
She then took her leave.
Upon returning to the Duke’s Mansion, some clever servant came to report that the Eldest Girl had returned with the family.
The household was currently in Maternal Aunt Yuan’s courtyard.
Lady Gao was originally the host, but in the morning, County Monarch Rongyi sent word, saying she felt unwell and wished to see Lady Gao.
With County Monarch Rongyi’s advancing age, upon hearing she was unwell, not only Lady Gao but also Song Hong hurriedly accompanied her.
Before leaving, they just instructed Maternal Aunt Yuan to host the Eldest Girl’s family well.
Wang Yongzhu didn’t have much of a bond with this Eldest Girl, and knowing the mother and daughter must have endless things to talk about, she didn’t care to get involved.
Returning to her own courtyard, she instructed that if anyone came looking, to say she was resting.
In the evening, news came from the front that Lady Gao and Song Hong had returned from the Gao Family, and sent word to all not to go to the front.
Wang Yongzhu simply prepared the items for the Ninth Prince’s Third-Day Ceremony, then went to bed early.
At dawn, just after rising, Lady Gao sent someone to invite her to the main courtyard.
After breakfast, she gave a few reminders, asking Wang Yongzhu if she had prepared the gifts for the Third-Day Ceremony, to which Wang Yongzhu had already inquired and prepared.
The palace’s third-day ceremony, while ceremonious and elaborate, is generally similar.
At most, there are just more lavish and opulent additions.
Besides the gifts, she had early preparations from Chicheng County, which she brought back to the Capital City.
Lady Gao, hearing this, left it at that.
When Wang Yongzhu’s carriage reached the palace gate, several carriages had already arrived in front. Song Xiaoyin, having stayed in the Capital City by Song Hong’s side before,
looked at the carriages and softly introduced to Wang Yongzhu which one belonged to the Prince’s residence, which one to a Princess’s, and which one to the Imperial Noble Consort’s family.
All were entering the palace today for the Ninth Prince’s Third-Day Ceremony.
Following the order, entering the palace, there were palace attendants leading the way.
Those Prince Consorts and Princesses had to first pay respects to the Empress Dowager, leaving the women from the Imperial Noble Consort’s family waiting in front.
After whispering a few words, they stopped, seemingly waiting for Wang Yongzhu to approach.
The one receiving Wang Yongzhu was still Little Luzi, who, upon seeing from afar, quietly reminded: "Wife of the Heir-Apparent, those are the family of the Imperial Noble Consort in front. I suppose they have something to discuss with you."
Wang Yongzhu understood, stepping forward.
Little Luzi first greeted the Imperial Noble Consort’s mother: "Greetings to the Old Madam and the ladies!"
The Imperial Noble Consort’s mother, Lady He, appeared to be a kind-looking old lady. Seeing Wang Yongzhu, she didn’t wait for an introduction and proactively took Wang Yongzhu’s hand: "Wife of the Heir-Apparent, thanks to you, the Noble Consort and the Ninth Prince turned crisis into blessing, meeting disaster with good fortune! I am truly grateful—"
As she spoke, her eyes reddened, with an expression of lingering fear.
The women beside her, presumably the sisters-in-law of the Imperial Noble Consort, also gathered around Wang Yongzhu, expressing thanks and persuading their mother-in-law.
For a moment, it was lively enough that palace attendants and the Imperial Forbidden Army glanced over.
Little Luzi busily persuaded them to disperse, merely saying that the palace rules were strict and they couldn’t behave this way.
Reluctantly convincing Lady He, she only held onto Wang Yongzhu’s hand, insisting on walking together.
Along the way, she whispered in Wang Yongzhu’s ear about the hardships faced by the Imperial Noble Consort, who now could finally hold her head high.
At one moment, she wiped her tears, saying that luckily the Imperial Noble Consort was blessed; otherwise, what would happen to their family? The elderly were too old, the young were too young, and the youngest son wasn’t even married yet.
She turned to express gratitude to Wang Yongzhu, saying she was a great benefactor to their family, and kept holding Wang Yongzhu’s hand, saying that with the connection through the Imperial Noble Consort, their two families should become closer.
The Imperial Noble Consort’s sisters-in-law also echoed this sentiment.
Wang Yongzhu felt that the words of the Imperial Noble Consort’s family carried hidden meanings, so she was particularly cautious, merely nodding or shaking her head with a smile, without easily saying a word.
With Wang Yongzhu not responding, the mother-in-law and daughters-in-law continued their lively conversation, somehow arriving at the topic of visiting in a few days.
They also mentioned inviting Wang Yongzhu to their home for a banquet.
The sisters-in-law chimed in, saying the two families were now different from others, suggesting bringing the other young masters and ladies from the Duke’s Mansion so that the children of both families could get acquainted.
Only then did Wang Yongzhu suddenly understand.
