However, due to etiquette, he had to endure and waited eagerly for Du Ruohai, the head of the family, to speak.
In the past, Du Ruohai would have eagerly pandered by now, but ever since Lady Mei passed away, his heart had changed and he began to see many things unfavorably. Now, even if they could forge ties with Wuchang Duke, even if their influence in the Duke An’s Mansion became greater and wider, it would mean nothing since she could no longer see it.
Nevertheless, for the development of the family, he reluctantly agreed, but without the apparent glee of Du Yongzhi.
Jin Dapeng, upon hearing Duke An’s consent, could not help but smile. Although he knew in advance they would consent, he was still glad to hear their prompt agreement. He slapped his chest and declared, "Since the young lady is now my betrothed, I swear to not let anyone who insulted her today get away. Damn it, what’s so great about the Mu family, just because they have the backing of a dishonest merchant with the surname Huo. Those who dare to mess with me, I’ll see their home ruined and their people perished..."
"What Marquis said is true, we are entirely dependent on Marquis’s decision!"
Du Yongbang and Du Yongchun continued to express their agreement and instantly saw the benefit they would reap from the Mu family’s downfall.
Du Yongzhi remained silent on the side, contemplating his choice of address for Jin Dapeng - should he call him ’Marquis’, which although respectful, might difficult his relationship, or ’son-in-law’, which would be intimate but risk upsetting him. With that dilemma on his mind, Du Ruohai suddenly spoke.
"As for the matter of the Mu family, there is no need for the Marquis to intervene. In truth, the Mu family was once our in-laws. We, the Duke An’s Mansion were the ones who wronged them first, it’s no wonder they harbored resentment. Let bygones be bygones."
Jin Dapeng had come here to propose to Du Wanqiu. As far as the matter of retaliating against the Mu family was concerned, he had initially planned to use it as a gesture of goodwill towards the Duke An’s Mansion. Seeing as the Duke An said he did not need his assistance, he didn’t insist. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he hastily returned home to arrange the date of the proposal.
Ever since Jin Dapeng came to Duke An’s Mansion, Du Wanqiu’s heart had been in turmoil, fearing that her family, in their covetousness of power and prestige, would yield to Jin Dapeng’s demands.
She had always been a woman who thought highly of herself, believing only young and attractive nobles like King Qin or Huo Yuan were worthy of her. As for Jin Dapeng, he was almost forty, hideously ugly and had a sleazy demeanor. What disgusted her the most though was the distinct smell of body odor that radiated from him - it was so overpowering that she almost fainted. If she was to be married off to someone like him, she would rather die!
While she was fretting, a round of laughter drifted over from outside the door.
Du Wanqiu was startled. Due to the recent affairs of Lady Mei and the Mu family, their home had been in an uproar and all the family members were careful to keep quiet. Who would dare to laugh so freely?
Just as she was wondering, the matrons of the Mansion led by the Old Madame Lady Wang came into the room. Each wore a delighted expression, even the Old Madame, who had worn a gloomy face those past days, was smiling today. As soon as she saw her, the Old Madame came over to hold her hand, and cheerfully said to everyone, "I always knew that this child was blessed. Over the years, so many men of equal social and economic status have sought her hand in marriage, but her grandfather and I did not consent. It seems we were right, as today her great fortune has finally arrived!"
Du Wanyue froze as if she had been struck by lightning, muttering, "Grandmother, what... what do you mean...?"
"Oh, Sister Qiu doesn’t know yet. Come here, let your second aunt tell you."