Chapter 1080 - 456: Last Wishes
Lady Lin waited for over a month without receiving a reply from Yueyao. She was determined to win this round, but she was also afraid of unforeseen consequences. In the end, with no other option, she sent her eldest daughter-in-law out.
The eldest young madam of the Lin family, Madam Ye, thought her mother-in-law was wise for a lifetime but muddled in this instance, offending Madam Lian over trivial matters. Who is Madam Lian, after all? She is the sister who raised Tingzheng. A sister is like a mother. How could her younger sister have a good life after marrying into the family if they offended Madam Lian even before the wedding?
When Madam Ye met Yueyao, she tactfully apologized and took the initiative to let Yueyao decide the wedding date.
Yueyao deliberately did not send a mediator to arrange the engagement, not to flaunt authority but to curb the arrogance of the Lin family. Now that the Lin family came to her, she naturally wouldn’t make things difficult anymore.
Yueyao invited a high monk to select auspicious dates, calculating three potential days: one in December, one in February of the following year, and another in May. The Lin family ultimately chose the February date of the following year.
The betrothal gifts were prepared according to Tingli’s standards. Since Tingli is the eldest son of the Lian family, preparing the gifts by his standards would not invite any criticism.
Lady Lin looked at the betrothal gifts in the courtyard and was not satisfied: "How much are these things worth?" This was Madam Lin nitpicking, as a betrothal gift worth twenty thousand taels of silver would not be considered shabby anywhere.
The estate in Yuhua Alley had been renovated, but as for the layout of the courtyards, Yueyao paid no further attention. These were tasks for Madam Lin to handle, and she refrained from intervening.
After giving the betrothal gifts, rumors spread outside. It was said that Lady Lin was displeased upon learning that Tingzheng was born to a courtesan, so she put on airs. Unfortunately, Lian Yueyao wasn’t buying it, and both sides almost broke off the engagement because of it.
Mingzhu, who often socializes outside, heard this rumor and was furious. Mingzhu, continuing the Luo family’s style, was very protective and sarcastically mocked those who spoke ill of Yueyao. She left the banquet early and went straight to find Yueyao: "Yueyao, the rumors outside are nasty. They’re saying Tingzheng is born of a courtesan, has lowly blood, and even serves the Ninth Prince like her mother with her looks. Worse, they’re bad-mouthing you too." As for those who spoke ill of Yueyao, Mingzhu was not so polite.
Yueyao typically paid no mind to idle gossip: "They can say whatever they want; we can’t stop them. Such things, if taken seriously, would only make one angry enough to spit blood."
Mingzhu, seeing Yueyao’s calm demeanor, felt both amused and exasperated. While she was fuming and cursing, the person concerned wasn’t bothered at all.
Yueyao smiled and said, "Come, I’ve painted a new picture. Give me your thoughts on it." Yueyao had received a letter from her teacher; Mr. Yu Shan wrote in it requesting Yueyao to create a new painting and send it to Jiangnan. Mr. Yu Shan was worried that Yueyao might focus solely on her child after giving birth and stop painting.
Coincidentally, Yueyao had recently completed a new painting, spending considerable time on revisions before finishing it.
Mingzhu followed Yueyao into the studio and, upon crossing the threshold, noticed the painting hanging there. The background of the painting was the vegetable garden in the backyard, depicting a woman leisurely carrying a basket of vegetables as she walked back, with a stretch of fields behind her.
Mingzhu examined it carefully and, upon reaching the end, pointed at a spot on the painting: "Yueyao, why did you include bugs in it? It’s disgusting!"
Yueyao asked: "What do you think of the painting?" Yueyao was planning to send her recent works to Jiangnan for her teacher’s critique, and she felt that perhaps having broadened her mindset, her artistry had improved.
Mingzhu smiled and said, "The painting is excellent. But Xiang Wei hasn’t seen it, has she?" Even though Yueyao had made embellishments, Mingzhu immediately recognized the woman as Xiang Wei.
Yueyao laughed and said, "Xiang Wei has seen it, and she thinks it’s good. She even said I shouldn’t have embellished and should’ve painted her directly." Yueyao didn’t want others to know she was the Hermit in the Wild, so she refrained from using Xiang Wei’s likeness.
Mingzhu cheerfully said, "Give me this painting, will you?"
Yueyao didn’t refuse but only said, "You should ask Xiang Wei first. If she agrees, I have no objection." Xiang Wei had already reserved the painting, saying she wanted to hang it in her room. Of course, this could only happen after the painting returned from Jiangnan.
Mingzhu immediately deflated. She wasn’t capable of acquiring things from Xiang Wei: "So, you’re really not going to do anything about those rumors?"