readytorunbook Chapter 214 Of course, it must be handled properly.
Chapter 214 Of course, it must be handled properly.
When Madam Sheng saw Lu Yangyang, her eyes lit up immediately. She waved to Lu Yangyang gently and warmly, "Yangyang? Is that you, Yangyang? I heard you went to study at Taiming Academy. It's been so long since I've seen you. Come here and let your aunt see you. You've grown taller and more beautiful."
Zheng Hui, who was sitting next to Sheng Yunzhu, rolled her eyes.
Ever since their feud began, Zheng Hui felt a mixture of hatred, anger, and helplessness towards Lu Yangyang, and simply stopped visiting the Sheng family much. Meanwhile, Lu Yangyang had been incredibly busy for over a year, rarely staying at the Sheng State Duke's mansion, so the two unexpectedly didn't run into each other much.
Since being removed from the Sheng family genealogy, Sheng Yunzhu has kept a low profile. Although she still lives in the Duke of Sheng's mansion, she rarely goes out and rarely shows her face. Lu Yangyang rarely comes back and rarely runs into her. It has been a long time since they last met.
Lu Yangyang didn't expect it to be such a coincidence; she ran into them on her very first day back in Beijing.
She slowly walked in, handed the box she was holding to Granny Hui, and then bowed to Madam Lan and Madam Sheng, saying, "Greetings, Madam. Greetings, Madam Sheng."
Lady Lan hadn't seen her for quite some time, and was overjoyed to see her arrive at this time: "The academy was closed for the past two days, so I sent someone to pick you up, but they said you went to the Princess's residence. You're finally back! Come and sit here. Have you had dinner yet? Let's have dinner together later. I'll have the kitchen prepare some of your favorite dishes."
Lu Yangyang still had something her elder brother had entrusted to her, so she didn't refuse. Just as she was about to nod, she heard Zheng Hui say sourly, "Aunt, Miss Lu is now a favorite of the Princess's Mansion. I heard that she stayed at the Princess's Mansion during the Princess's birthday banquet. At that time, there was a lot of noise about Princess Liduan going missing, but it turned out to be a false alarm. She had gone out to play with Miss Lu. With the Princess as her backer, why would Miss Lu think about going back to the Duke of Sheng's Mansion?"
Lu Yangyang turned her head and glanced at Zheng Hui.
At the time, the Princess's search for Princess Liduan caused quite a stir, both in order to find her and to uncover the mastermind behind it all. However, after confirming Liduan's safety, she changed her tune and said that the two of them would go to the estate together for fun, for the sake of Liduan's reputation.
Lu Yangyang only learned about this matter in the afternoon at the Princess's residence.
Hearing Zheng Hui's sarcastic words, Lu Yangyang didn't tolerate her: "If you're so envious, why don't you go? Why are you going back to the Duke of Zheng's mansion?"
"You!" Zheng Hui gritted her teeth and glared at her.
Sheng Yunzhu gently tugged at the corner of her lips and tenderly pulled Zheng Hui along. "Cousin Hui, the Sheng State Duke's Mansion is Yangyang's home. She can come back whenever she wants, and Mother won't mind."
Madam Sheng also gave Zheng Hui a light scolding, "Hui'er, your third cousin is right. The Duke of Sheng's mansion is your cousin Yangyang's home. What did I say to you before you came? You are all cousins by blood. You should spend more time together and help each other in the future. Quickly apologize to your cousin Yangyang!"
“Apologize to her? I…” Zheng Hui was so angry she almost jumped up, but looking at her mother’s face and thinking about her mother’s plans, she had no choice but to swallow her displeasure and reluctantly apologize to Lu Yangyang: “I’m sorry, I was just saying it casually, don’t take it to heart.”
Lu Yangyang glanced indifferently at the group, wondering what they were up to. Given Zheng Hui's tendency to get angry at the slightest provocation, it was truly astonishing that she could remain silent.
Madam Sheng immediately smiled and said to Lu Yangyang, "Yangyang, that's just how your cousin Hui is. She doesn't mean any harm, so don't take it to heart. I recently received some fabric from Jiangnan, which is perfect for young ladies like you. I specially sent over a few bolts. You can pick out two bolts you like to make clothes later. If you like them, your aunt will send you some more another day."
Speaking of this, Madam Lan's expression warmed up. "I also have quite a few new fabrics here. I noticed you've grown quite a bit taller. I'll have Granny Hui take your measurements later and make you a few more outfits."
With her eyes and heart completely fixed on Lu Yangyang, Sheng Yunzhu was so jealous that she almost tore the handkerchief in her hand to shreds.
Last year, the incident at Qinglian Temple almost unintentionally implicated the Third Prince. For the past year or so, she has had to keep a low profile, avoid the limelight, and stay away from Lu Yangyang as much as possible.
But now, with their coming-of-age ceremony approaching after the New Year, and the Third Prince intending to arrange a marriage with the Duke of Sheng's family, she absolutely cannot let Lu Yangyang take away everything she has painstakingly built. She can give up the Duke of Sheng's family, but she absolutely cannot tolerate any changes to her marriage.
Sheng Yunzhu lowered her eyes, concealing the malice in them.
Lu Yangyang seemed to sense her gaze, glanced at her, and then turned to thank Madam Sheng and Madam Lan. However, when her gaze swept over Madam Sheng's smiling face, she hesitated for a moment.
This aunt of the Sheng family seemed shrewd and capable, but she had never been known to be particularly kind to any of the girls in the family. On the contrary, she showed a deliberate kindness on their first meeting, which made her feel very strange.
This person doesn't seem like the type to treat her kindly without any reservations. Putting everything else aside, this is Madam Li's own daughter, whom Madam Li still despises. She doesn't think this aunt could have any natural affection for her.
If that's the case, what is it about her that this aunt could possibly want?
Lu Yangyang really couldn't understand it.
Oh well, she doesn't really care anyway.
As she was thinking, she overheard Madam Sheng casually mentioning her coming-of-age ceremony. Madam Lan also said with great interest, "That's right, Yangyang will be turning 18 after the New Year. After that, she will be a young lady. I really didn't expect that I would be able to wait for this day. Of course, we should hold a grand ceremony when the time comes."
Madam Sheng nodded and said, "Yes, of course we should handle it properly. Yunzhu and Yangyang should be on the same day, right? Should we hold them together?"
Madam Lan was taken aback, clearly not having considered this matter. Ever since she removed Sheng Yunzhu from the family genealogy last year, she subconsciously felt that the matter should end there. She had already done everything she could for Sheng Yunzhu, and what happened in the future was none of her concern. Normally, she would avoid seeing Sheng Yunzhu when she came to pay her respects, but today, since Madam Sheng had come, she couldn't avoid her.
Now that it's been brought up like this, she's at a loss for what to do.
She glanced at Lu Yangyang subconsciously, but Lu Yangyang's expression remained unchanged. She was not interested in any coming-of-age ceremony, and even less interested in having her own coming-of-age ceremony on the same day as Sheng Yunzhu.
He immediately opened his mouth to refuse.
Before she could even speak, Sheng Yunzhu said softly, "My dear sister Yangyang has not been home for many years. Her coming-of-age ceremony is naturally a big event. As her older sister, how can I compete with her? I'll just move it up two days to avoid disrupting her special day. I would feel uneasy if I did."