Capture the Jade (Attacking the Jade) - Chapter 23-Part 5
Chapter 23-Part 5
Teng Yuyi personally took the brocade box, walking gracefully over to the Old Madam Duan.
“I brought some fine silk colors from Yangzhou. I hope the old madam will like them.”
The old madam was delighted, affectionately holding Teng Yuyi’s wrist after admiring the gift.
She smiled and sighed, “It’s been so many years since I last saw you, and you’ve grown more outstanding with each passing day. This old body of mine has been plagued with ailments these past two years, and I thought I didn’t have much time left. But seeing such an excellent young one tonight has chased away all my aches and pains.”
The ladies around them teased, “This girl is much too polite—still calling her ‘Old Madam’ at a time like this! Soon you’ll be family; she should’ve started calling her ‘Grandmother’ already.”
Madam Duan, sitting at the head of the group, shifted uncomfortably at this.
The old madam’s smile grew warmer.
“Now that Yu’er is here, where is that rascal Ningyuan? He said he’d come to bow and pay respects, but he’s nowhere to be seen.”
Duan Wenyin quickly replied, “There were many esteemed guests in the front hall, and my brother is busy entertaining them.”
The women chuckled, “We heard there’s good news coming for the family—is it possible the young General Duan is feeling a bit shy?”
The group laughed even louder, and Madam Duan pretended to scold, “Yu’er isn’t shy at all, so what’s he got to be shy about?”
She then turned to Teng Yuyi with a smile.
“Is your father returning to Chang’an tomorrow?”
Teng Yuyi nodded.
“He should arrive around midday.”
Madam Duan promptly guided Teng Yuyi to a seat on the east side, her voice soft and gentle.
“While you were away just now, we were discussing something with your aunt. The marriage between our two families has been set for a long time, and now that you’ve come of age and are settling in Chang’an with your father, with Ningyuan soon to be appointed as the heir, the old madam is eagerly awaiting your wedding. It would be best to make arrangements soon. When your father returns tomorrow, my husband will come over to discuss the marriage details with him.”
She spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear, sparking another round of laughter and cheers.
Du Tinglan, seated beside her mother, barely showed a smile.
According to her mother, that night at ZiyunPavilionn, Ah Yu had skillfully turned the blame on Duan Ningyuan, insisting on breaking the engagement and even getting the other madams present to witness it.
But now, the Duan family was openly discussing the marriage date, as if they’d found a convenient excuse for Duan Ningyuan’s actions.
She clenched the silk scroll in her arms, silently furious at their audacity.
From the Duan family’s attitude, they were banking on Teng Yuyi’s inability to produce solid evidence of Duan Ningyuan’s inappropriate relations with Miss Dong, seeking to shift all blame away from themselves.
Madam Du was also infuriated.
The Duan family was clearly putting Ah Yu in a tight spot.
Since this was the old madam’s birthday celebration, if Ah Yu firmly rejected the marriage in public, it would make her seem disrespectful to both families.
People would see her as an impolite young lady who disregards her elders, and she would inevitably face criticism.
Without solid proof of Duan Ningyuan’s involvement with Miss Dong, even if she broke off the engagement, the fault wouldn’t fall on him.
On the other hand, if Ah Yu responded vaguely, then if news of a breakup came out later, people would certainly be surprised.
They’d wonder why the Teng family went back on their word after agreeing at the old madam’s celebration, casting doubt on Ah Yu’s character.
Ultimately, all the blame would fall on the Teng family.
She looked at the Duan family, seething with quiet anger.
Duan Wenyin seemed a bit guilty, her gaze wavering as she turned away.
But the old madam and Madam Duan maintained their warm smiles.
Madam Du feared Ah Yu might be goaded into saying something rash.
She put on a smile, about to interject when her daughter leaned over and whispered something to her.
Madam Du looked at Teng Yuyi in surprise and saw her give an almost imperceptible nod.
Understanding, Teng Yuyi looked at her aunt with concern and said, “Aunt, your complexion doesn’t look well. Are you feeling unwell again?”
Madam Du immediately placed her hand on her forehead.
“To be honest, that day at Ziyun Pavilion, I encountered something strange, and I’ve lost my appetite for the past two days despite taking many herbal remedies. But since sitting and talking with the birthday star here, I’m finally feeling a bit better.”
The guests praised Madam Du for her grace and courtesy, but they couldn’t help but wonder: despite not feeling well, the Du family still came to pay respects to the old madam.
Compared to that, the absence of Young General Duan seemed especially rude.
Even the senior members of the Du family were present, yet Duan Ningyuan hadn’t shown himself at all.
Even if he were busy entertaining guests in the front hall, surely he could find a moment to come and pay his respects.
Madam Duan hastily stepped forward to tend to Madam Du.
“If you’re feeling tired, would you like to rest in the side hall?”
Madam Du politely replied, “It’s the old madam’s birthday today. It wouldn’t be right for guests to rest before the honored one has had her fill of the celebration. But since we’re discussing the children’s marriage, it would be appropriate for Ningyuan to come over and say a few words. I haven’t seen him since our family moved back to Chang’an, and though I briefly met him at Ziyun Tower the other day, we hardly spoke before we each left. Could you ask him to come over?”
Madam Duan quickly replied with a smile, “Once he’s done attending to the guests, he’ll come right over.”
Madam Du nodded with a smile. “Today, the old madam is the center of attention, and paying respects to her is the top priority. It wouldn’t be right to leave old madam alone while only attending to outside guests. I saw those young gentlemen bowing earlier; each of them was respectful and well-mannered. Since Ningyuan is the elder brother, he should set a good example.”
Madam Duan’s smile faltered slightly.
Duan Wenyin quickly interjected with a smile, “My brother hasn’t been feeling well these past few days, and I heard he drank earlier. His body isn’t quite up to it, so he’s likely trying to sober up now to avoid appearing disrespectful in front of the elders.”
