Chapter 103

Anmei felt that ever since her little brother showed off his brilliance during the New Year's greetings in the palace on the first day, she had slowly become the focus of the two gatherings she attended among the noble ladies of Bianjing over the past few days.

Flattering and pleasant words suddenly increased. Whether it was her clothing quality or hair accessories, clever noble ladies could always find ways to praise her.

Even the calligraphy she wrote was praised by others as having spirit, making her blush.

After praising her, they always implicitly wanted to ask more about her little brother's hobbies, what incense he liked, and so on.

This made her feel very satisfied; after all, flattery is not something you can dislike just because you say you don't like it.

Previously, Anmei had also attended many incense and clothing gatherings and tea and poetry meetings in Bianjing, and had also seen Rong Feiyan several times.

Sister Rong Feiyan was currently favored, and she also knew that she was good-looking, so she was very proud.

Every time she met Anmei, it was just a nodding acquaintance.

Today, however, Anmei could feel the goodwill in this girl's eyes, and even a hint of fawning. The chin that was usually held high in the past was lowered.

Anmei nodded at Rong Feiyan with a smile in her eyes, and then saw a girl who looked somewhat unfamiliar. Although her clothing was plain, the material was extraordinary. She had a small oval face, lively eyes, and her eyes were full of curiosity about Anmei.

Fifth Da Niangzi of the Zhang family was obsessed with cat-sniffing.

Gu Tingyi saw Xu Anmei's gaze, her eyes turned, and she said enthusiastically: "Sister Anmei, this is Sister Chaoyun, the second daughter of the Hai family."

Then she quickly took the hand of a timid-looking girl and pulled her over.

"Sister, this is Sister Yanran from Grand Master Yu's family."

Hearing Gu Tingyi's introduction, the two girls performed a very standard squatting salute and called her sister. The hairpins on their heads swayed very little.

Clearly, their upbringing was very good.

Anmei returned the salute with the temperament of a big sister. When she looked up, she saw the County Princess Jiacheng rolling her eyes at Rong Feiyan.

She was just a little girl of about ten years old. Seeing Anmei's gaze, the County Princess rolled her eyes up to the rafters again, then looked over and smiled at Anmei.

Anmei bowed in salute; this was a noble girl of the imperial clan, and her status was higher.

Afterwards, a group of girls began to discuss the new food, tea soup, poetry, embroidery, jewelry, etc., in Bianjing, and for a time, they were chattering.

Fifth Da Niangzi of the Zhang family was enjoying cat-sniffing when she noticed Rong Feiyan's gaze. She tilted her head and hummed, then turned her head and saw the little sister named Yu Yanran who was avoiding her gaze. Yu Yanran had just been looking at the civet cat in her arms.

Looking at Yu Yanran's appearance, Fifth Da Niangzi of the Zhang family walked over and said:

"Do you want to touch it?"

Yu Yanran shook her head subconsciously, but seeing Fifth Da Niangzi of the Zhang family's friendly gaze, she nodded.

Zheng Yi, the niece of Zheng Xiao, saw this scene. She was the eldest daughter of Zheng Jun. She signaled to Anmei with her eyes.

Anmei said: "The Zhang family sister is kind-hearted."

On the other side, Hai Chaoyun was talking to Gu Tingyi, discussing the very rare and unusual jewelry on her head.

Because it was on the third floor, the location was high, and the third floor also had several small windows facing Jinming Pool, so in front of the small windows, several noble ladies were painting by the window, which was very elegant.

Zheng Yi looked at the environment on the third floor and continued to say to Anmei: "This place, we can come often in the future. Anmei, look, there is even a huge screen that can be pushed and pulled here."

As the two were talking, five or six maids in the building brought several bouquets of fresh flowers to the side. Seeing this scene, several noble ladies who liked flower arranging walked over in surprise.

Rong Feiyan was one of them. She picked up the fresh flowers and scissors sent by the maids and saw that the front of the two blades of the scissors had been made into an oval shape, and the edge was closer to the intersection of the two blades, so it couldn't hurt anyone.

Rong Feiyan said to herself: "Madam Wu has a heart."

By the window, the civet cat in the arms of the Fifth Da Niangzi of the Zhang family had been given to Yu Yanran. She came here and looked at the ink painting made by the sister of the Lu family, saying: "Sister, you paint really beautifully!"

"Thank you, Fifth Da Niangzi, for the praise. When spring comes, we must come here again to paint."

Above Wu Lou, the wind was light and the clouds were thin.

In the imperial court,

The first court meeting after the holiday,

Yuan Bingkai was already kneeling on the ground, his heart tightening. Listening to the impeachments of the officials of the Censorate, he closed his eyes in pain.

"Your Majesty! Yuan Bingkai, Earl of Zhongqin, is lax in governing his family and disregards human ethics. He should be stripped of his title and demoted, and never employed again!"

"I second the motion!"

"Your Majesty, I, Du Hui, Deputy Commissioner of the Horse Administration, have a report!"

"Granted."

"Your Majesty, before the year ended, the Horse Administration had many affairs, and the Tianwu Army was rectified. There was a serious shortage of horses. It was Yuan Bingkai who worked tirelessly to distinguish the superior from the inferior and made up for the shortage of the Tianwu Army before the year ended. His energy was devoted to state affairs, which is why he was negligent at home."

"Minister Xu?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, what Deputy Commissioner Du said is correct. The horses sent to the Tianwu Army station were all of appropriate age, strong and disease-free. They were carefully selected."

"Good. In that case, fine him half a year's salary and demote him by one grade for one year of observation."

Yuan Bingkai knelt on the ground and respectfully replied: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your leniency!"

The Emperor waved his hand. He had a son, and the Empress was pregnant again, so he was naturally in a good mood, and the punishment was lightened.

"If there is anything to report, report it; if not, dismiss the court!"

After the court meeting was dismissed, Yuan Bingkai waited outside the hall. Seeing Deputy Commissioner Du and Xu Minghua, he hurriedly bowed to thank them, and the three walked out together.

"Lord Du, after the Lantern Festival, this official will go to Yang Zhou to propose marriage for my son. I ask Lord Du to take care of the affairs of the office."

"This is a major event, naturally, naturally."

"Xu Hou?"

Xu Minghua's eyes were looking elsewhere, and when he heard Yuan Bingkai's voice, he looked over.

"Many thanks to Xu Hou for your righteous words."

"Earl Yuan..."

"Xu Hou, please speak directly if you have anything to say."

"The Sheng family in Yang Zhou is the in-law family of my aunt. Earl Yuan, you..."

He couldn't say much about the affairs of the inner chambers. The meaning was for you to find a reason yourself and call off the marriage.

The Kang family is in Bianjing, and Madam Kang Wang is the elder sister of Wang Ruofu. Regarding the Sheng family's affairs, it was not easy for him to overstep his authority.

"Thank you for your trouble, thank you for your trouble, thank you, Xu Hou!" Yuan Bingkai said hurriedly.

He worked diligently to help the Tianwu Army complete the rectification as soon as possible, and the Xu family did not send a letter to Yang Zhou, accepting his favor.

This kind of debt of gratitude is really hard to repay. Yuan Bingkai could only bow and thank him.

Xu Minghua added: "Earl Yuan, the eldest son of the Kang family in Bianjing and Magistrate Sheng are brothers-in-law."

Xu Minghua's meaning was: I won't write a letter, but the Sheng family will know.

Yuan Bingkai was stunned.

At this time, Gu Yankai walked over: "Xu Hou, please stay, please stay!"

Deputy Commissioner Du and Yuan Bingkai saw that the two Marquises had something to say. Deputy Commissioner Du nodded, and Yuan Bingkai bowed sensibly, and the two left first.

In the evening,

Returning to the Yuan family, Yuan Wenchun asked his father about the court's disposal with a dejected look.

After hearing that it was only a fine and observation, Yuan Wenchun put his heart in his stomach, and then heard his father say: "The day before yesterday, your mother was beating and scolding. The censors said that your father was lax in governing the family. Let your mother kneel in the ancestral hall."

"Father, yes, Father. But we are going to Yang Zhou in a few days. If Mother kneels until she is broken, what should we do? After all, she is old."

"Go kneel first!"

"Yes, Father."

Quyuan Street, Marquis Mansion.

Madam Sun stepped forward to take her husband's outer robe and asked with concern: "Husband, have you spoken to Earl Yuan?"

Xu Minghua sighed and said: "I found it hard to say."

"Before the year ended, I rectified the Tianwu Army, and Earl Yuan helped me with all his heart. If it were another official, who knows what it would have been delayed into! But Earl Yuan had everything ready before the year ended. Their family had such a thing happen, I really couldn't kick them while they were down! And directly say to cut off this marriage."

"I have already told Earl Yuan about the relationship between the Kang family and the Sheng family. I hope he can think clearly after this incident. This matter definitely cannot be done. To regret this marriage, it must be Earl Yuan himself who speaks!"

"But, what if they go to Yang Zhou!? Such a scandal, when the Sheng family's daughter marries over, I don't know how much she will be laughed at!" Madam Sun said with a serious tone.

Xu Minghua frowned and said: "You also know that back then, Aunt had the Kang family because the Xu family interfered in the Sheng family's marriage. Do we have to do something extra?"

Madam Sun felt a tightness in her chest and said dully: "What if? Looking at Madam Da Zhang's actions, she doesn't seem like a sensible person, and Madam Kang Wang also..."

Xu Minghua looked at his serious-faced wife and changed the subject: "By the way, Marquis Gu said that their family is also going to Yang Zhou. Old Master Bai felt unwell on the road, and Madam Bai wants to return to Yang Zhou."

"Husband, I already knew. I will keep Sister Bai's matter in mind, but the Sheng family, I can't untie the knot in my heart."

The two looked at each other in silence.

(End of this chapter)