T/N: This chapter is about 2.8k which is a bit longer than usual but too short to break apart ;;;v;;; good for you guys but more work for me hahahaha

Because of the Ding Duchess’s attitude, Sun Yi Lin’s good mood was ruined a little, however, overall, it didn’t really affect anything. Yet, it also reinforced certain thoughts of his.

The Ding Duchess, because was upset inside, originally rather wanted to just work half-heartedly. But in the end, this matter still concerned her son’s face, and concerned the Ding Duke Manor’s face. In addition to the old madam facilitating this matter, if she really were to work carelessly, she perhaps would invoke the old madam’s dissatisfaction, and towards her, there wasn’t the slightest benefit in this.

However, her original lukewarm impression towards Jing Wan instantly dropped to freezing point again.

So what if her son currently leans towards her(JW), once married into the Ding Duke Manor, wasn’t it still her that had the final say. The mother-in-law training and making things difficult for the daughter-in-law wasn’t that something to be expected? Thus, on the matters in the early stages, it was still best to go all out, preparing to take out the Ding Duke Manor’s ‘best’ attitude, letting the world see, just how highly she regarded this daughter-in-law. In reality, how was this not necessarily her intending to pressure Jing Wan at this time, letting her see clearly her own status, and at the same time, also let the other few daughter-in-laws become jealous. One has to know, her other daughter-in-laws, purely in terms of family background, even for the ones married to the shu sons, not a single one was lower than Jing Wan’s. And now, for her to be regarded higher than even the eldest daughter-in-law, how can that be okay?

If Jing Wan were to marry in, she will inevitably just face ‘the songs of Chu on all sides’[1].

The Ding Duchess’s movements were very quick, and in less than two days, the matchmaker was already at the Luo family gates.

Originally, in Luo Pei Shan and Luo Old Madam’s view, this matter, even if given to Sun Yi Lin to handle, afraid would still need some time. Just, they never thought that the Ding Duke Manor still had Sun Old Madam, this giant killer weapon, singlehandedly shaking up all sides with her might. Those sharpening their blades, preparing to charge out, had no choice but to angrily pull back. The speed in which the Ding Duke Manor came to propose was so fast that it made one unable to react in time.

Everything else aside, just this first gift the matchmaker brought, even purely for the sake of ‘scouting out the path’, this proposal gift was considerably valuable. Originally, one just needed thirty different kinds of items representing good fortune and luck, but this matchmaker not only brought along the proper items, but also several hundred other ones. Moreover, each and every one was all very valuable. If this was proposing marriage for the eldest son, or the Luo family’s family status was very high, then this naturally wouldn’t be a problem. But it just so happens that this was neither of these two cases. When Luo Old Madam saw these things, her face darkened. Was this proposing a marriage, or forcing a marriage?

If not for her still retaining a shred of rationality, Luo Old Madam really wanted to have the matchmaker and these things swept out the door altogether.

Because they’d already decided on Sun Yi Lin, if she were to have the person kicked out at this time, it’ll inevitably cause a new wave. But, the Ding Duke Manor’s conduct, or rather, the Ding Duchess’s conduct, made her have a trace of doubt. Having Wan Wan marry into that kind of family, is it really good? Wan Wan’s ability and skills naturally didn’t need to be doubted, and moreover, if she truly was willing to put down herself to fawn over someone, she was still capable, but letting Wan Wan break her pride, letting her endure that kind of grievance, Luo Old Madam endlessly heartached just thinking about it.

That matchmaker was actually more or less also somewhat embarrassed. For the Ding Duchess to do something like this, it was indeed somewhat mean. No matter how highly you regard this daughter-in-law, you still can’t pull in grudges for the other party at this time, and even if you hold her hand and say, after this girl marries into the Ding Duke Manor, as her mother-in-law, you will back her, towards this way of handling things, she still was unable to blindly agree.

Luo Old Madam agreed to consider the offer, and afterwards, had the matchmaker sent out.

Have to say, this was also a very normal thing. Aside from getting bestowed a marriage, that kind of special circumstance, generally speaking, even if both sides had already agreed in advance privately, during the matchmaker’s first visit, one would still remain aloof. However, this matchmaker could sense from Luo Old Madam, it’s not that the Luo family was aloof, but rather, really needed to contemplate.

This time, because all sides were watching closely, they naturally can’t be like the first time when setting the engagement with Chen Zheng Min, soundlessly without any news. Moreover, perhaps the people of the Kang Qinwang faction, in order to show off their victory to their opponents, in addition to the Ding Duchess deliberately making a big fanfare, causing a huge uproar all won’t be an exaggeration. This really was a bit like forcing a marriage.

Speaking of which, this originally was something worth celebrating, but in the Luo family, there weren’t many that were happy. At first, there were still those servants that were exceptionally delighted, feeling as expected of their family’s third miss, even if she got her engagement cancelled once, there was still someone better to come. Who was Sun Yi Lin? That was the capital’s number one gentleman, one of the top four distinguished scholars, a popular person before his Majesty, with a limitless future prospect, and the target of many unmarried young ladies’ affection. This kind of person was about to become their Luo family’s son-in-law.

Afterwards, these people were briefed by those that saw through the veil, letting them know the twists and turns within. Some people endlessly sighed, while some were still unconcerned. Becoming someone else’s daughter-in-law, how many weren’t like this? Having that kind of husband, yet still thinking of a kind mother-in-law, where was this kind of good thing?

Where was this kind of good thing? Sun Yi Jia knew. She herself just so happened to encounter this kind of good thing. After she learned about this matter, she directly cried in anger. She was able to live comfortably and freely in the Luo family, with no one troubling her, yet for her best friend, and also younger sister-in-law, with this talk of marriage just beginning, her old mother was already starting to calculate how to make things difficult for her. How would this make her, this daughter in the Luo family, look? Did she never think, by treating someone else’s daughter poorly, others will also treat your daughter poorly? Did she even have her, this daughter, in her heart or not?

For Sun Yi Jia to be able to lively comfortably under the Luo family’s elder’s hand, including the good from Jing Bo, she was very clear, majority of the reason was on Jing Wan, simply because they all ‘loved the house and its crow’[2]. Jing Bo may appear to be seamlessly intimate with her, and she herself also had a place in his heart, but this weight was far inferior to Jing Wan’s. After all, the time they’ve been together was still short. At this time, letting him choose between her and little sister Wan, he definitely would choose his own younger sister. She wasn’t jealous, because there was nothing worth being jealous over.

However, imagining her newly wedded husband giving her a cold face, imagining the originally amicable old madam giving her a cold look, and also her mother-in-law, someone with that kind of personality, also expressing their dislike towards her, Sun Yi Jia just felt her heart ache like it was being cut with a knife. Did her own mother just not want to see her be well? Moreover, such a good young lady like little sister Wan, you can’t find a second one in the world. Why must she target her? Doesn’t she know, the more she was like this, the more her own son would drift away from her?

When Sun Yi Jia saw Luo Jing Bo return, she carefully looked to him, afraid to see distance and hate from his eyes. Luo Jing Bo just quietly stared at her for a moment. Truthfully speaking, after he learned of the Ding Duke Manor’s conduct, he really did get angry. On one side was his di younger sister who he was very close to, and on the other side was his wife who he didn’t really have deep affections for yet, so naturally he would subconsciously want to take his anger out on her. But, on the way back, he was intercepted by someone his little sis sent……..

Luo Jing Bo reached out and hugged Sun Yi Jia, “Yi Jia, you’re now someone of the Luo family.” His little sister said, he shouldn’t take his anger out on her, she didn’t know anything, she was innocent.

Sun Yi Jia held Luo Jing Bo, uncontrollably crying, apologizing with all her might. After all, that was her mother.

However, the Ding Duchess’s days weren’t good either. She never thought that just a moment’s anger would be like committing an enormous mistake. Her son criticized her, and her ‘usually strict yet didn’t really say harsh words all that much’ mother-in-law further just directly had her scolded till she was drenched in dog’s blood. And the most heart-severing[3]line was none other than———appearing to be a caring mother, yet that heart was actually more malicious than a stepmother.

The Ding Duchess wanted to retort, but she really did forget that her own daughter was still living in the Luo Manor.

——–To not know how to repent. Afterwards, Sun Old Madam just let her get lost.

But this wasn’t the end of it, the Ding Duchess also got called into the palace by the Empress. The Empress’s tone was still the same as usual, but the contents of her words, instead, made the Ding Duchess feel shamed to death. ——–This empress originally thought that elder sister-in-law was a smart person, but looking at it now, it seems this empress thought wrong. You’re not only stupid, but even stupid to the point that no one can rival, or is it that you have grudges against this empress or this empress’s son? Luo third miss holds many favors from all sides, and if able to be controlled in my son’s hand, might even be able to rise above the Rui Qinwang faction. How many people want to marry her, but because of mother, we were finally able to make those people give up, allowing Yi Lin have the advantage. You want to have the person pushed out? You want to have someone else ascend the throne, and then have the entire Kang Qinwang faction completely eradicated?

(T/N: Feel like it’s a bit mean for the Empress to say the Ding Duchess is unrivaled in stupidity when you got Li Ru Yu as an example.)

The Ding Duchess although was also very capable, it was still just reflected on the issues of the inner manor. Her scope towards the outside was still a little narrow. How would she know? Merely a little girl, how could she have that kind of ability?

——–Just watch, once the Luo family rejects the Ding Duke Manor, there will immediately be a mass of people running to the Luo family to propose marriage. Regardless of what method you use, you best have this matter taken care of beautifully, and have the Luo family coaxed happy. If the Luo family rejects the marriage, then this position of Ding Duchess, you don’t need to occupy anymore.

The Ding Duchess naturally didn’t dare to slight, but at the same time, her lack of good feelings towards Jing Wan directly developed into hatred. If not for her, her son wouldn’t be at odds with her, and if not for her, she wouldn’t have ended up in this current predicament. And also, as a young lady, stirring up the clouds, definitely not one to know her place, how can the home still be peaceful?

But regardless of how she felt inside, the Ding Duchess still put on her best stance, and personally visited the Luo family. Her attitude towards Jing Wan was practically more intimate than with her own daughter. From beginning to end, Jing Wan just amicably and shallowly smiled.

The Ding Duchess continuously emphasized that she really only did something like that because she regarded Jing Wan highly, yet never thought that it would cause an unfavorable outcome, and that it was her who was inconsiderate in her thinking and so on.

Luo Old Madam had already discussed with Luo Pei Shan in private beforehand, and moreover, Luo Pei Shan had also privately sought out Sun Yi Lin, receiving his promise. Thus, Luo Old Madam finally agreed reluctantly.

The Ding Duchess can be said to have finally relaxed. But, in order to carry out this matter as quickly as possible, she had the selected gifts sent the next day.

This time, she didn’t cause any trouble. The selected gifts although were more generous than an ordinary family’s, it was still suitable to Jing Wan’s status and can be considered to have conformed to the norm. Because the time was similarly tight, the wild goose used was also a wooden wild goose.

Afterwards, it was the exchange of birthday cards, and go through the engagement setting ceremony. After that, the matters afterwards, for the most part, can be considered to be smoothly taken care of.

The happiest was none other than Sun Yi Lin, that heart seemingly lost in reality.

However, during this entire process, Jing Wan was actually the calmest, easy-going to the point of frightening.

[1] This idiom means ‘surrounded by enemies, isolated without help’; kinda ironic for this idiom to be used in this setting imo, given the history of Qi Yuan. As explained in detail in chapter 100, Qi Yuan takes place in an alternate history to our world’s, the modern world Jing Wan reincarnated from has a similar history to ours. In Qi Yuan the Chu actually won in the Chu-Han war in 202 BCE instead of Han, so in this world where they wrote a song praising the triumph of the Chu King, it’s ironic for this idiom to be used describing the Chus as enemies. It works in the context of our world’s history but a bit out of place in Qi Yuan’s lmaoo.

[2] Basically love by association, loving something because it’s connected to something else you love.

[3] The original word translates more to ‘to put the heart to death’, but I used this word because I couldn’t find another adjective that was close enough to the original meaning.

T/N: With the Ding Duchess as comparison, I sometimes feel like I underestimate the Empress’s wisdom and far-sightedness. I can see why she’s so confident in her ability to rule as a female emperor in place of her own son. She does have the potential, if only she wasn’t dealt such a bad hand with her family.

But honestly you really can’t expect the Ding Duchess to be aware of politics since women were not allowed to interfere and just in charge of the matters inside the household; the only reason why Luo Old Madam is so knowledgeable is because Luo Pei Shan respects her enough to tell her about things happening outside, and Jing Wan’s knowledge is mostly from reading the imperial bulletin her grandfather gives her. It’s easy to forget that information about politics are not widespread knowledge, and access to information isn’t as easy as just googling back then.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com