Chapter 147: High Family Scandal [Many thanks for everyone's support! Bowing again!]

"Then he didn't attend the Hou Fu's gratitude banquet either; could it be that the matter is settled?" Wang Shi said.

"This banquet was to thank the official families of Yang Zhou; what does it have to do with those in Taizhou? Would the Hou Fu rush to send them invitations?"

Hearing the Old Lady's words, Wang Shi looked puzzled, then recalled the sentence she had just spoken: 'His status is equivalent to my father's.'

Wang Wang Ruofu suddenly realized and said, "Mother! Do you mean that nowadays in Yang Zhou and Taizhou, our Hua'er is the finest child of the first rank, and her maternal grandfather holds a status equivalent to the Gao family ancestors? Are these people after power? But the Gao family no longer has any high officials of Grade 1 or 2; what could make them act this way?"

The Old Lady also glanced at Xu Xu Zaijing; seeing the Old Lady remain silent, Wang Wang Ruofu smiled at Xu Xu Zaijing.

"Aunt, there are gold mines in Laizhou, one of which was bestowed upon the Gao family by the late Emperor and is now under the Second Branch," Xu Xu Zaijing told Wang Shi the news he had heard.

Upon hearing the words 'gold mine,' Sheng Hong was also somewhat surprised, for he had only known that this colleague of the Gao family possessed a profound scholarly heritage.

"Moreover, apart from this eldest legitimate son, all the legitimate children of the Second Branch are daughters," Xu Xu Zaijing finished, nodding to Wang Shi.

This young master of the Gao family has the protection of his uncles; whichever family's daughter marries him gains a gold mine, with no younger brothers-in-law to contest the inheritance and no scheming between sisters-in-law—truly a lavish family where power can safeguard wealth.

"No wonder... but Mother, shouldn't they hasten to introduce a suitable match for our Hua'er?" Wang Shi asked, her eyes wide open.

"Is this something that can be settled in a moment? Must you and your husband not investigate the background of any proposed young man? How could that ever be as fast and thorough as direct slander?" The Old Lady finished speaking and shook her head.

"Then, Mother, should my husband and I also..."

As she spoke, Wang Shi looked eagerly at Sheng Hong.

There was no expression on Sheng Hong's face; he glanced at the Old Lady and said, "Mother?"

"In such matters, decide for yourself. I am tired; you may leave now."

After the couple had left Shou'an Hall, Xu Xu Zaijing looked at the Old Lady and asked, "Great-aunt, shall we not inform my cousin-uncle of what follows?"

The Old Lady waved her hand and said, "It is the same matter; if they experience it themselves before I speak, the effect will be vastly different."

Outside Shou'an Hall,

As Sheng Hong and Wang Shi walked, he said, "Before we came to Mother's quarters just now, you said that Sixth Girl helped you gather all this information?"

"Mm."

"Since she helped you so greatly, I shall go see her."

"Husband, what about the Gao family's young master?"

"We shall speak of it later."

Having said this, Sheng Hong waved his hand and quickened his pace.

"Da Da Niangzi, judging by the Old Lady's and the Master's expressions, they do not seem very optimistic about this young master of the Gao family," Nurse Liu remarked from the side.

"If he were not a good match, then what are the official families of Yang Zhou competing for?" Saying this, Wang Shi returned to Weirui Pavilion.

In the side courtyard,

Just as Sheng Hong arrived, Sister Sister Xiaodie happened to be entering the courtyard carrying a food box; she hurriedly called out, "Wei Xiaoniang, the Master has come!"

Inside the room, Minglan heard the voice, her eyes lighting up as she rushed out of the door.

"Father! Why have you come?"

"I heard from Da Da Niangzi that you helped her uncover quite a bit of information today?"

Minglan smiled and nodded.

With that, Sheng Hong led Minglan into the room.

A charcoal brazier was burning inside, making it somewhat hot, so Sheng Hong removed his outer robe.

Sister Sister Xiaodie and Wei Wei Shuyi arranged the dishes with some unfamiliarity.

Seeing the somewhat lavish dinner, Sheng Hong nodded and said to Wei Wei Shuyi, "Have you been well these past few days?"

"Well," she replied, and then there was no further word.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Minglan hurriedly said, "Father, please taste! These are all dishes from A-Niang's hometown."

"Oh? Is that so!"

As Sheng Hong and Wei Wei Shuyi conversed, he drank several bowls of soft-shelled turtle soup; when his rice bowl was empty, he passed it to his side, yet no one immediately took it to refill it for him.

This was a situation that had never occurred in Weirui Pavilion or Linqi Pavilion, making him doubt whether his gesture had been unclear.

He looked at Sister Sister Xiaodie, who was turning her back to add charcoal, and at little Xiao Xiao Xiaotao,

until Wei Wei Shuyi, belatedly realizing, took the empty bowl.

Taking advantage of the moment Wei Wei Shuyi sent Sister Sister Xiaodie to refill the rice,

Sheng Hong looked at the very lavish dinner, nodded, and silently praised her in his heart.

His Shuang'er was indeed gentle and kind-hearted.

The next day,

After breakfast,

The Sheng family gatekeeper received an invitation from the home of the Yang Zhou Education Intendant.

Delivered to Weirui Pavilion, Wang Shi said to Nurse Liu with some surprise, "This... the Gao family is inviting me over?"

Nurse Liu frowned and said, "Da Da Niangzi, this servant feels something is amiss."

"How so?"

"If you were discussing a marriage for Brother Bai, upon hearing... would you still consider it?" Hearing Nurse Liu's words, Wang Wang Ruofu pondered for a moment and said, "But our Hua'er's reputation has always been excellent in Yang Zhou, and she is a handkerchief friend with the Intendant's daughters; perhaps the Intendant's girls spoke well of Hua'er?"

Nurse Liu nodded and said, "Da Da Niangzi, what you say makes sense."

"Caihuan, go have the second gate prepare the carriage; call for Hua'er, and we shall go to the Gao family to see," Wang Shi said, then changed her clothes under Nurse Liu's assistance.

In less than half a quarter-hour, Caihuan returned to Weirui Pavilion and reported, "Da Da Niangzi, Eldest Miss says the Old Lady is feeling unwell, so she will not accompany you."

Wang Wang Ruofu paused, then nodded and said, "Very well."

When Wang Wang Ruofu, accompanied by Nurse Liu and Caihuan, arrived at the courtyard of the Gao family, the Yang Zhou Education Intendant's residence,

at the second gate,

as soon as she stepped down from the carriage, she saw the Gao family's Da Da Niangzi standing aside with a smile; but upon seeing that only Wang Wang Ruofu and her servants were in the carriage, without Hua'er, her expression became somewhat unnatural.

"Oh, why hasn't your eldest daughter come?"

Hearing the reason Wang Wang Ruofu gave, the Gao family's Da Da Niangzi smiled slightly and walked into the courtyard together with Wang Shi.

Nurse Liu had been keeping a careful watch ever since she arrived; seeing the unnatural expressions on the faces of the Gao family members, a bad premonition arose in her heart.

Walking ahead, Wang Wang Ruofu spoke: "Yesterday, hearing those rotten words in the Wuyi Lane garden, I never imagined you would invite me here."

"We sisters have known each other for so many years, and our daughters in the household are all on good terms. What they said was merely to deceive those outsiders who do not know your family's situation; you do not know how many good words my two daughters spoke on behalf of your Sheng Hualan before my relatives."

Hearing these words from the Gao Da Da Niangzi, Wang Wang Ruofu smiled and glanced at Nurse Liu.

Upon entering the courtyard of the Gao family's main wife, Wang Shi saw a middle-aged woman she had never met before.

Seeing that Sheng Hualan had not followed behind Wang Wang Ruofu, disappointment also appeared on her face, though she quickly concealed it.

The three official ladies sat in the rear courtyard drinking tea and chatting, and the young man of the Laizhou Gao family was also summoned by his mother to meet Wang Shi.

This noble Young Master wore blue clothing and held an arrow used for pitch-pot in his hand; seemingly displeased at having his pitch-pot game interrupted, he looked somewhat unhappy at being summoned by his own mother.

Yet he was truly a fine young man, with a face as fair as jade and eyes as bright as stars.

After this Gao young man paid his respects and left the room,

"Aiyo, I must say, sister-in-law, you have truly given birth to a good child." Wang Wang Ruofu's eyes were full of smiles as she praised sincerely, while the Da Da Niangzi from Laizhou also lifted the corners of her mouth, though there was little smile in her eyes.

"It is a pity we could not see your eldest daughter today, but I trust the words spoken by my relatives' daughters; our Gao family, as the male side..."

"Da Da Niangzi! Something is wrong!" Nurse Liu, standing to one side, clapped her hands and somewhat rudely interrupted the conversation.

Wang Wang Ruofu looked at Nurse Liu with some surprise.

Feigning panic, Nurse Liu said: "Da Da Niangzi, have you forgotten the matter the Old Lady instructed us to handle!?"

Wang Wang Ruofu: "Ah?"

Seeing Wang Wang Ruofu's reaction, Nurse Liu hurriedly took her hand and led her outward, while Wang Wang Ruofu did not forget to turn back and offer a smiling face.

The two Gao family Da Da Niangzi inside the room were also somewhat bewildered by Nurse Liu's actions.

Once outside, Nurse Liu spoke rapidly into Wang Wang Ruofu's ear: "Da Da Niangzi, today we only accepted the Ti Xue family's invitation to take a look; regarding the eldest Miss's marriage, we must still discuss it with the Master. Moreover, this Da Da Niangzi from Laizhou is already speaking of betrothal gifts. These words are premature! They will give people something to gossip about, and we will be unable to defend ourselves no matter how many mouths we have!"

"It is not that serious!"

"The rumors spread yesterday, and today this so-called 'golden son-in-law' from others' mouths specifically sought you out; do you not feel something is amiss? If the eldest Miss had come and been viewed, and they saw our eldest Miss's outstanding talent, that would be one thing. But without even seeing the person, relying solely on the words of two maids from the Ti Xue family, they dare to settle the betrothal gifts for their son? Would you act so rashly?"

Wang Wang Ruofu hesitated before saying: "This was merely idle chatter; how could it be as serious as you say!"

"Miss! Customs differ every ten li! What you feel is idle chatter, others may interpret as you having taken a fancy to their young master and intending to discuss marriage? It is better to return home and consult the Master and the Old Lady. A good match does not fear delay, and a good meal does not fear being late! Let us return home first to discuss, let our Wang family relatives investigate, and only then speak of these matters."

Wang Wang Ruofu was also frightened by Nurse Liu's words; over these past ten-plus years, she knew well Nurse Liu's loyalty toward her.

"Good, good, good, then let us return home first. I will listen to you!"

Wang Shi, taking Nurse Liu and Cai Zhao Huan with her to take her leave, departed; watching the Sheng family carriage grow distant from the Gao family's second gate, the Ti Xue family's Da Da Niangzi said awkwardly: "She was not this clever before! The Yuan family marriage fell through, the Miss was labeled inauspicious, yet at such a time our family, with such a fine status, sent an invitation..."

The Laizhou Da Da Niangzi sighed and said: "I was too impatient; let us hope their family cannot investigate the truth. Sister-in-law, is there any family in Yang Zhou better than the Sheng family?"

The Sheng Family

On the way home, Wang Shi listened to Nurse Liu's analysis; the more she heard, the more she felt she had nearly harmed Sheng Hualan.

Upon reaching the rear courtyard, her heart still felt unsettled; after much deliberation, she took Nurse Liu and Cai Zhao Huan to Shou'an Hall.

After a female attendant announced her arrival, Wang Shi entered Shou'an Hall; whether it was the scent of incense she smelled or the sight of the Old Lady, Wang Shi's mood instantly improved greatly.

The Old Lady glanced at her and asked: "How did it feel visiting the Ti Xue family?"

Wang Shi poured out her entire experience in one breath.

Hearing what Wang Shi said, especially when mentioning the Laizhou Gao family's Da Da Niangzi speaking of betrothal gifts, the Old Lady's lips curled into a mocking smile.

"Mother, my Nurse Liu says this is not good; you..."

The Old Lady looked at Nurse Liu with appreciation and said: "You are correct in your thinking."

"Thank you, Old Lady, for your praise."

"Mother... do you know something?" Wang Shi suddenly asked, observing the Old Lady's expression.

Nurse Fang served the tea, and the Old Lady said: "Drink some tea."

"Actually, yesterday Jing Ge'er already told this old woman what he knew."

Seeing Wang Wang Ruofu's surprised expression, the Old Lady continued speaking: "Last year, during the standoff in the north, descendants of the Zheng family, Marquis Marquis Zhongjing, were conscripting soldiers in Jingdong East Circuit and learned about this matter concerning the descendants of a famous minister of the late Emperor."

Glancing at Wang Wang Ruofu, the Old Lady continued: "Their family looks down upon noble military generals; having pushed people to the brink, someone used their family's dirty secrets as a ladder for advancement... The rotten affairs of this second branch are too unspeakable to mention... In any case, over there, their family's reputation has already stunk to high heaven."

The Old Lady waved her hand, clearly having been disgusted enough by the matter herself.

This made Wang Shi even more curious, and she looked toward Nurse Fang.

Suppressing her discomfort, Nurse Fang said: "Da Da Niangzi, in their family, father and son share the same woman."

No heating; is it really this cold?

Thank you all for your support!

If there are any typos or awkward passages, please point them out.

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(End of Chapter)