Chapter 665: Chapter 598, Opportunity_1 Chapter 665: Chapter 598, Opportunity_1 The butler led Madam Zhu, Madam Zhu the Fourth, and Zhu Qiyun directly to the main courtyard.

Madam Zhu knew that with her current status, she no longer had the credentials to warrant a reception from Madam Li at the entrance, so she was only slightly disappointed, and not too surprised, not to see Madam Li at the gate.

However, the Yan Family matriarch was still present, and not being led to pay respects first upon arrival clearly indicated to her that Madam Li’s invitation was merely a formality to save face for both parties. As a result, the smile on her face became somewhat strained.

Madam Zhu exchanged a glance with Madam Zhu the Fourth. Not being taken to see the Yan matriarch hinted that they wouldn’t meet anyone from the Yan Family’s second branch, which meant that the purpose of their visit was now in vain.

Madam Zhu the Fourth also realized this and felt her heart sink further, though she kept a proper smile on her face.

Zhu Qiyun followed quietly behind her elders, neither looking around nor overly anxious. At this moment, she could only do her humanly best and leave the rest to fate. Her every word and move reflected the poise and composure of a lady from an aristocratic family.

They soon arrived at the main courtyard.

Madam Li did not put on airs. Upon hearing from the maidservant that the guests had arrived, she came out of her room with a smile and met with the three members of the Zhu Family in the courtyard.

After exchanging pleasantries, Madam Li led the three of them into the house.

“This is my niece. She truly owes a great deal to your eldest daughter for her help during the Dragon Boat Festival,” smiled Madam Zhu as she introduced Zhu Qiyun.

Zhu Qiyun stepped forward gracefully and appropriately offered her respects to Madam Li, “Qiyun offers her greetings to Madam.”

Madam Li looked over Zhu Qiyun with a smile, then quickly gestured for her to rise, and said to Madam Zhu and Madam Zhu the Fourth, smiling, “What a gentle and charming girl.”

Seeing Madam Li’s favorable impression of her daughter, Madam Zhu the Fourth relaxed a bit and joined the conversation with a smile, “My little girl cannot compare to your Yan eldest daughter. She truly embodies a person of exceptional spirit and talent. That day at Guankou Building, when I saw your eldest daughter, I was indeed dazzled for quite some time.”

There is always happiness for a mother when her daughter is complimented. Madam Li’s spirits were slightly higher as she discussed the children with Madam Zhu and Madam Zhu the Fourth, and the atmosphere remained fairly pleasant.

Zhu Qiyun sat smiling to the side, seemingly composed, but her heart had sunk to its lowest depths.

Although Madam Li was warm and attentive, she showed no intent to take them to meet the elder Yan matriarch, nor did she send for any of the young ladies of the household to meet the visitors, which showed a lack of significant regard for their arrival.

Just as Zhu Qiyun’s thoughts were becoming uneasy, a maid came to report, “Madam, the eldest daughter has arrived.”

At this, Madam Li’s smile immediately brightened, and she said with a laugh, “I had asked that girl to tidy up the storeroom just now, so she couldn’t welcome you. I hope you won’t mind.”

Madam Zhu the Fourth joyfully responded, “Madam, how can you even say that? It is us who have presumptuously come to visit, and we are the ones imposing.”

Madam Li shook her head with a smile, thinking that Madam Zhu the Fourth indeed had a way with words, much more agreeable than Madam Zhu.

Shortly after, the door curtain was lifted, and Daohua, donning a light green dress, strode in with a beaming smile.

As she saw Madam Zhu and Madam Zhu the Fourth seated inside, she promptly approached to pay her respects, “Greetings to both of you, Madams. I am late, please forgive me.”

Madam Zhu the Fourth quickly responded with a smile, “Eldest daughter, please rise.”

Daohua nodded, had the maidservant bring in some chilled watermelon, then sat down next to Zhu Qiyun with a smile, “I hope you’ve been well since the Dragon Boat Festival, Miss Zhu?”

Zhu Qiyun replied with a smile, “Thank you for your concern, I am quite well. You can just call me Qiyun.”

Taking the opportunity, Daohua replied, “All right, then you shouldn’t call me Miss Yan anymore. Just call me Yiyi.”

Seeing her daughter getting along with the Yan Family’s eldest daughter, Madam Zhu the Fourth’s spirits lifted once more. She instructed the maidservant to bring out the prepared gifts.

Observing the gifts brought by Madam Zhu the Fourth, Madam Li couldn’t help but twitch an eyelid, and even Madam Zhu showed a flicker of surprise.

It’s too precious!

Madam Zhu Si, with a grateful expression, said, “That day, my Qiyun wore the young lady’s clothes, and now it wouldn’t be proper to return them, so this is a little token of my appreciation. I hope Madam will kindly accept it.”

Madam Li came back to her senses from her shock and shook her head, “It’s too precious, we can’t accept it.”

Madam Zhu Si hurriedly said it wasn’t anything valuable and then looked at Madam Zhu, hoping she would help persuade.

Madam Zhu looked at the three unique books and felt a bit annoyed in her heart. The fourth branch actually had such nice things and had never breathed a word of it before.

Feeling upset, she ignored Madam Zhu Si’s plea for help.

Madam Zhu Si had no choice but to persuade Madam Li to accept on her own.

Daohua glanced at the gifts arranged with tags, noticing that there were presents for the second and third branches as well; her eyes flickered and she turned to look at Zhu Qiyun, seeing her hands twisted together, and thinking about her current situation coupled with her second brother currently arranging marriage alliances, she quickly understood why Madam Zhu Si has brought such valuable gifts.

Seeing the tension in Zhu Qiyun’s eyes, Daohua sighed inwardly and smilingly said to Madam Li, “Mother, grandmother should have finished her noon rest by now.”

Madam Li looked at her daughter in surprise; she hadn’t planned on taking the Zhu family to meet the elderly lady, but since her daughter had mentioned it, she didn’t want to undermine her and smiled, “If the two of you don’t mind the trouble, you can accompany me to meet the old lady.”

Madam Zhu Si happily said, “How could that be any trouble? As the younger generation, it’s our duty to pay respects to the elderly lady.”

Seeing Madam Zhu Si’s happiness, Madam Li was beginning to understand the purpose of their visit, and her gaze quickly shifted to Zhu Qiyun.

The girl seemed quite alright, but she wasn’t sure if her second brother and his wife would approve.

As her thoughts turned, Madam Li had already stood up with a smile and led Madam Zhu and Madam Zhu Si out the door.

Daohua hurriedly pulled Zhu Qiyun to follow.

Along the way, Zhu Qiyun looked towards Daohua as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, remained silent.

Daohua didn’t say anything either. While she sympathized with Zhu Qiyun’s situation, she wouldn’t interfere with the second branch’s affairs. She had only given Zhu Qiyun a chance, and whether her second uncle and aunt would like her was up to her now.

Soon, the group arrived at the old lady’s courtyard.

The old lady was very enthusiastic in meeting the three ladies from the Zhu Family and generously praised the dignified and proper Zhu Qiyun.

Madam Sun and Madam Wu arrived shortly after knowing guests had come to the old lady’s side.

Seeing Madam Sun, Madam Zhu Si braced up immediately, even Zhu Qiyun also straightened her back discreetly.

Seeing the mother and daughter like this, Madam Li became even more certain of her guess.

However, since she wasn’t very familiar with the Zhu family’s situation, she didn’t speak rashly.

Madam Zhu Si was a capable woman, and during the conversation, she subtly steered the topic towards the Zhu family, emphasizing their branch’s circumstances.

“My late husband passed away four years ago, and Qiyun has been observing mourning at home, so she hasn’t been out to attend any social events for these years.”

“My late husband was the deputy headmaster of Wangyue Academy, dedicating his life to educating students. Our son, who’s no good, passed the Scholar examination at the age of ten. Unfortunately, he was grief-stricken from his father’s death, and his health declined in the past two years, preventing him from continuing to take exams.”

“My late husband was very fond of his children and had prepared a substantial dowry for Qiyun early on. He collected over ten thousand volumes and a good number of calligraphy and paintings throughout his lifetime. He said that when his daughter marries, he would give half of them as her dowry.”

Listening to this, Madam Sun’s eyes brightened. From the moment Madam Zhu Si shifted the topic to Zhu Qiyun, she understood that this woman had her sights set on her son.