Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 775 - 773

Chapter 775: Chapter 773

Her own stepmother actually stooped so low as to steal her stepdaughter’s dowry. If such a matter were to break out in Prince An’s Mansion and everyone there learned of it, how could she show her face in the mansion anymore! Anger surged unceasingly within Du Yijin’s heart.

"No, I must return home!" Du Yijin, unable to restrain herself, stood up to leave.

What if the ancestral jade bangle of Prince An’s Mansion was taken by Mrs. Gu to repay gambling debts?

Such a thing was not unprecedented for Mrs. Gu! If Mrs. Gu did take it to the pawnshop to convert it into silver to repay gambling debts, they could not possibly not redeem the ancestral jade bangle, otherwise, then everyone in the Imperial City would know about this matter!

If so, it wouldn’t just be her losing face, but she would also end up disgracing the entire Prince An Mansion!

The mere thought of such a possibility filled Du Yijin with fear, and her face turned pale.

Shangguan Ruixi also seemed to suspect that it was Du Yijin’s stepmother who was responsible. Seeing her heading out without a care, he quickly stopped her, "Yijin, don’t panic. It’s unheard of for a bride to return to her parents’ house on her wedding day! No rush. We can go back tomorrow to sort things out."

"No, you don’t understand. My stepmother, the things she’s capable of..." How could there be no rush! She was becoming anxious to death! As soon as she came here, she had hurt Shangguan Ruixi’s hand, and then put the entire Wang mansion to shame, how could she face them?!

"Calm down, I know. But you can’t go back now. Tomorrow is the day for returning home. This is what we’ll do! If you have anything urgent to say, write a letter. I will have someone deliver it to your father, okay?" Shangguan Ruixi interrupted her, knowing well what she was worried about.

Yet, if she rushes back now and people find out, it will only result in more speculation.

Upon hearing this, Du Yijin calmed down, "Yes! I will write a letter."

Then she ran towards the door.

Shangguan Ruixi warmly held her back, "Where are you running to write the letter! The study room is right there."

Unable to even find it in herself to smile, Du Yijin hurried off.

Shangguan Ruixi gestured to the maid to arrange the inkwell and paper.

At this point, Qingfeng and Furong walked in, and Shangguan Ruixi asked about the situation on the day of the dowry delivery at the Du Mansion.

Upon being asked, Furong detailed everything he observed that day.

After hearing his account, Shangguan Ruixi became even more certain that the jade bracelet was stolen by Mrs. Gu!

Otherwise, how could a mistress of high standing be guarding outside the warehouse?!

"Several pieces of jewelry from the Crown Princess’s dowry are missing, including an ancestral jade bracelet, which must not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. Once you deliver the Crown Princess’s letter to my father-in-law, investigate if Mrs. Du left the house today. If she did, find out where she went! I’m worried that she might have pawned off the ancestral jade bracelet or used it to repay gambling debts, or even sent it back to her family."

The Gu family must be waiting for the silver to treat Gu Honggen and Gu Hongxia. Given Mrs. Gu’s devotion to her family, the stolen items would inevitably be spent on her family members.

Upon hearing this, Furong realized the gravity of the situation! If the ancestral jade bracelet of Prince An’s Mansion ended up in a gambling den or pawn shop, and if word got out, where would Prince An Mansion’s reputation stand?

At this time, Du Yijin had finished writing the letter.

Shangguan Ruixi took it and handed it to Furong, "This matter should be kept as low-key as possible. If the Princess doesn’t ask about it, keep it from her. When she does, tell her the truth!"

"Yes, I understand. I will make arrangements right away!" Taking the letter from him, Furong quickly withdrew, realizing the immense gravity of the situation.

Looking at Furong leaving, Du Yijin still could not calm her heart. She was genuinely worried that Mrs. Gu might have already pawned the jade bracelet.

But Furong couldn’t possibly redeem it openly. He would have to do it secretly, which would inevitably cost a considerable amount of silver.

Seeing her so lost in thought, Shangguan Ruixi comforted her, "It’s not a big deal, don’t worry. Furong can handle it. Everything will be okay with me here, don’t worry."

Comforted by his words, Du Yijin nodded.

Shangguan Ruixi dared not stay too long in the room with Du Yijin. After a few more comforting words, he found an excuse and left the room.

Du Mansion

Today, Du Zhongkai did not go to the Government Office. For Du Yijin’s wedding, he applied for a leave of four days in advance.

While he was in the study, he was startled by Du Wei’s news that a steward from the Prince An’s Mansion had come to request a meeting. He thought that something had happened to Du Yijin in Prince An’s Mansion!

Usually, the groom’s family coming on the second day after the wedding, often led to speculations about the bride’s chastity and whether she was being sent back by her husband’s family.

Upon hearing the news, the brush in Du Zhongkai’s hand fell on the table, ruining the calligraphy he was working on, "Bring him in quickly!"

Upon entering the room, Furong presented a letter to Du Zhongkai.

Seeing the envelope, Du Zhongkai’s heart skipped a beat: Could this be a divorce letter?!

Seeing Du Zhongkai’s trembling hand reaching for the letter, Furong quickly explained, "Mr. Du, it’s a letter from the Crown Princess. It seems her dowry has been stolen."

Furong’s voice dropped lower as he finished his sentence, worried someone might overhear.

Upon hearing this, Du Zhongkai breathed a sigh of relief. But then, how could the dowry be stolen? Hadn’t he instructed the accounting room to guard the warehouse?

Could it be the servants in Prince An’s Mansion who stole it? No! Du Zhongkai quickly dismissed this thought. If it were someone from Wang Mansion, Yijin wouldn’t have written to him! A family’s problems should not be exposed!

He quickly opened the letter and began reading, but immediately anger surged within him.

This Mrs. Gu was audacious! Lawless! Did she still consider him her husband? Did she still care for their home?!

"Preposterous! Summon Mrs. Du for me!" Hadn’t Mrs. Gu caused enough misery to her own son’s family?! She wouldn’t let go until she had thoroughly ruined them all!

A stepmother stealing her stepdaughter’s dowry? If the word got out, how would people from Prince An’s Mansion view his family? Where would he put his face? Could Yijin still live in Prince An’s Mansion with dignity? How could Mrs. Gu dare do such a thing! She had no right to do so!

Du Zhongkai had to consider divorcing her! Otherwise, with such a mother, how could his remaining two sons find wives?!

Upon hearing Du Zhongkai’s command, Du Wei replied, "Master, Mrs. Du left home early in the morning."

"What? Did she say where she was going?" Upon hearing this news, Du Zhongkai felt terrible.

Every time Mrs. Gu had silver in her hands, she would leave early in the morning and never returned with good news.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Furong quickly excused himself, "Mr. Du, the ancestral jade bracelet was handed down by the Empress Dowager and must not end up elsewhere! If Mrs. Du knows the whereabouts of the bracelet upon her return, I beg you to have someone inform me immediately. I should take my leave!"

Hearing that it was passed down by the Empress Dowager, Du Zhongkai instantly realized the gravity of the situation. He quickly had Du Wei escort Furong out, and then sent him to bring Mrs. Gu back.

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