Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 364 Duke An’s Mansion(2)_1

Chapter 364: Chapter 364 Duke An’s Mansion(2)_1

Steward Cao went off with a grin on his face.

Mu Zhongqing said with concern: "Lady Mei, I feel something’s not quite right. That Steward Cao is being overly attentive. Considering your influence in this mansion, it just doesn’t add up to why he’d go to such lengths."

Lady Du said: "I too sense something amiss, but my concerns for my mother override all else. If they truly harbour ill intent against me, not coming here wouldn’t spare us. Given the power of the Duke’s household, they could get rid of us easily. For now, let’s just take it one step at a time."

Just as they were talking, Steward Cao returned and laughed: "Mistress, Son-in-law, please come with me. The Duke and all the lords are eager to meet you. Please come and meet your family!"

Lady Du and Mu Zhongqing looked at each other, nodded their heads, and with conflicting feelings, followed Steward Cao towards the main hall of the mansion.

They passed around the screen wall, arrived at the entrance of the hall, where they saw four maids standing by the door. Several older female servants were also standing in the gallery, awaiting their orders.

Spotting Lady Du and her husband, one of the quick-handed maids lifted the door curtain, inviting the couple to enter.

Inside the Flower Hall, it was crowded with people, both standing and sitting. In the centre sat Duke An, Du Ruohai and his wife, Lady Wang, on a pair of pear wood armchairs.

Du Ruohai, around fifty years old, had thinning hair and pale complexion. His swollen eyes implied a man worn down by indulgence in alcohol. He wore a chestnut-colored, wide-sleeved robe with edging and intricate embroidery on it, suitable to his status as Duke An.

His wife, Lady Wang, was in her early fifties, with a dignified and clean-cut appearance. She was wearing a Lake Blue Embroidered Western Lotus Brocade Bilateral-Top with a Deep Brown Gold Embroidered Blossom Horse-faced Skirt. On her head, she wore an openwork kingfisher Phoenix Head Hairpin and a Gold-rimmed Ruby Floral Hairpin with the word "Longevity". A pair of Red Coral Pendants hung from her ears. She wore a jadeite bracelet on her left hand and a jade ring on her middle finger, appearing both luxurious and wealthy.

Although Lady Wang had a dignified and elegant demeanor, Lady Du knew that this legitimate mother of hers was indeed a tough person.

Duke An was a philanderer in his youth, had many concubines, more illegitimate sons and daughters, but only two bastards and a few beautiful illegitimate daughters survived till the end. Those two illegitimate sons, one had a horse-riding accident that crippled his legs, and the other was mentally retarded. They are now reportedly living in the West Courtyard and have established their own families.

As for the surviving illegitimate daughters, all were of exceptional beauty, married off for alliance, and have brought significant benefits to the Duke An’s Mansion. Over the years, indeed, Duke An’s Mansion had profited a lot from these in-law families.

These facts underscored Lady Wang’s ruthless tactics.

"Greetings to our parents; greetings to all my brothers and sisters-in-law."

Accompanied by Mu Zhongqing, Lady Du asked for blessings from Duke An, Du Ruohai, and Lady Wang, as well as the brothers born to legitimate wives seated below Du Ruohai and the sisters-in-law seated below Lady Wang. She appeared respectful without any sign of guilt, as if she were simply the daughter who returned to her natal home after having been married off for over a decade.

Du Ruohai and Lady Wang exchanged glances. A trace of distaste was evident in their eyes, and they remained silent. The brothers seated down also had somber expressions and did not speak, their looks towards the couple harbored no friendly feelings.

Lady Du and her husband were observing their manners, but no one in the room spoke up to invite them to get up, making the atmosphere awkward.

It was one of the sister-in-laws seated below Lady Wang who finally stood up and broke the silence with a laugh.

"Take a look. Upon seeing our Fourth Sister after so many years, everyone’s too excited to speak."

’Hehe, indeed, it’s been more than a decade, we’re so shocked to see our Fourth Sister, we can hardly recognize her."