CHAPTER 551: CHAPTER 540: THE MARCHIONESS’S MAID

As expected, by 7 a.m., Marquis Weiyuan Duan Rongjing appeared right on time at Qingfeng Courtyard. Perhaps due to last night’s events, his face was no longer as rigid when facing Zhong Lan.

Zhong Lan’s cheeks were flushed, and she felt somewhat shy as she faced him, "Marquis, shall we go now?"

This time, Duan Rongjing finally displayed a hint of tenderness, yet his face remained expressionless, almost as if he was handling official matters: "You and I are husband and wife, there’s no need for such grand formalities in the future."

Zhong Lan promptly responded: "Yes."

She was not a pedantic person. Although Marquis Weiyuan held a high rank, from now on, they would be husband and wife. Being too meticulous might create a distance between them.

"Let’s go, Grandmother is probably up by now." Duan Rongjing said, then strode forward rapidly.

Zhong Lan was a woman with less stamina than a man, and soon her complexion grew pale as she hurriedly followed him.

At that moment, Ye Qiu’s voice rose, neither too loud nor too soft, yet just enough for Marquis Weiyuan walking ahead to hear: "Lady, it’s alright to walk slower if you’re not feeling well; I believe the Marquis will understand."

Hearing him, Duan Rongjing indeed paused for a moment, and then noticeably slowed his pace.

Duan Hong and Duan Yan looked at Ye Qiu in surprise, thinking how bold this servant girl was.

Zhong Lan saw that Duan Rongjing was indeed being considerate of her, and her face brightened noticeably, a slight smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

Ye Qiu looked slightly worried, thinking could it be that just over one night, her Lady had begun to harbor feelings of spring? If Marquis Weiyuan gradually softened and focused solely on his wife, that would be good, but if he died on a campaign, or later set his heart on someone else, what should his wife do?

The Old Marquis resided in Luoying Courtyard, located towards the rear within Marquis Mansion and quite a distance from the closer Qingfeng Courtyard; it took nearly fifteen minutes of walking through the winding paths of the mansion for the group to arrive.

When they arrived, the Old Marquis had indeed already awakened, and the family of Second Old Master Duan was also there – the new daughter-in-law was performing the tea ceremony for the first time today, so they had arrived early.

The family had all gathered, but it was Zhong Lan and her group who arrived a bit late; Zhong Lan’s face couldn’t help but show a worried and apprehensive expression.

Who among those seated wasn’t an old hand at these matters? How could they not notice Zhong Lan’s worries?

Second Mrs. Shen, always adept at maneuvering social situations, spoke up the moment Duan Rongjing and Zhong Lan walked in: "I knew it, you men are not considerate. The day is still so early, why didn’t you let Lanlan sleep a bit longer?"

After saying this, she turned to Zhong Lan: "Lanlan, don’t blame your husband. He’s used to the military; you’ll need to train him well in the future to develop a character that cherishes his wife."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Lan’s cheeks reddened further, but her heart suddenly felt a lot more at ease.

The Old Marquis sitting in the senior position laughed: "You sly one, since you’ve said so, from now on Rongjing’s education will be your responsibility, and you must make him just as you’ve described."

Second Mrs. Shen did not hold back, laughing heartily: "No problem, as long as you, Mother, are willing to let go of your precious grandson."

The Old Marquis continued to laugh: "What’s there for me not to let go of, these men are tough skinned and rough fleshed, they deserve some lessons if they don’t behave."

Although they were speaking of Marquis Weiyuan, Zhong Lan became even more embarrassed. She covertly glanced at the man, and finding that he just stood obediently with no unpleasant expression, her heart began to thump wildly.

"Oh my, look at my impulsiveness, Mother, can we let the newlyweds perform the tea ceremony now?"

The Old Marquis jokingly scolded her with a glance: "If you hadn’t been chattering so much, I would have already enjoyed the tea from the new daughter-in-law."

Having said that, the maid waiting on them cleverly served a cup of tea and placed two cushions in front of the Old Marquis.

Under the cue of Second Mrs. Shen, Zhong Lan and Duan Rongjing knelt on the cushions and respectfully handed up the tea: "Grandmother, please have some tea."

"Very good, very good!" The Old Marquis was obviously very happy today, saying a string of words repeatedly, and she accepted the tea without hesitation, drinking a sip readily.

"Once you’ve married in, you are family. This is a little something from your grandmother. I’m too old to use these, they’re more suitable for young ladies like you."

Having finished speaking, the maid beside her opened two boxes, one filled with dazzling gemstones of various colors, while the other contained uniform round eastern pearls.

Zhong Lan took a sharp breath and quickly said: "Grandmother, these are too precious."

"Keep these good things, otherwise I might get jealous and take them!" Second Mrs. Shen motioned the maid to close the lids and then handed the two boxes of items to Ye Qiu and the others.

Then she continued: "No need to be polite with your grandmother. She gained many fine things from wars when she was young. It’s a waste not to take them. They’ll only gather dust."

The Old Marquis teased her: "You always know better."

"Indeed, I’ve been envious of mother’s treasures for a long time." Second Mrs. Shen said, seemingly joking.

The Old Marquis tapped her forehead: "When have I ever shorted you on things?"

"Good things, who would think they have enough of them."

"You’re always so sweet-talking. If you like them, go get the keys from Nanny Liu and pick two items for yourself."

"Hey, thank you, mother." Second Mrs. Shen was delighted, and there was no sign of displeasure in the Old Marquis’s eyes; clearly, the relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was very good.

Zhong Lan looked on with some envy. Her own grandmother had never shown her a pleasant face when her mother was alive, and the mother of the Marquis had also passed away early. She was quite envious of this warmth.

But fortunately, the Marquis’ grandmother seemed in very good health. She would definitely be very filial to her in the future!

Interrupted by Second Mrs. Shen like that, Zhong Lan had no choice but to gracefully accept the box of gemstones and the box of eastern pearls, then looked up at the Old Marquis and said: "Grandmother, this is a little token of appreciation from your granddaughter-in-law, please do not despise it."

Having said that, she took a headband and a sword tassel from Liu Xia’s hands and handed them over.

She had hesitated about what to give as a first meeting gift, and it was Ye Qiu who had given the suggestion in the end.

Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion was highly favored by the Holy Emperor, and they definitely weren’t short of wealth, so Ye Qiu didn’t suggest giving something expensive, but rather something more heartfelt.

The Old Marquis was getting on in years and was occasionally afraid of the cold. A personally embroidered headband showed personal care, and knowing that she still practiced swordplay when idle, she added a sword tassel.

When both items were presented, both the Old Marquis and Second Mrs. Shen’s eyes lit up.

"Oh, such a beautiful headband and sword tassel. Mother, your common gifts seem a bit stingy now." Second Mrs. Shen exclaimed.

The Old Marquis wasn’t upset but instead was very pleased, staring fixedly at Zhong Lan and said: "You are thoughtful. Grandmother really likes it."