Chapter 154: After the Longevity Banquet and Before the Storm [Many thanks for everyone's support

This sudden turn of events surprised the Old Da Niangzi as well; soon after, she smiled, bowed slightly, and said, "Distinguished guests have arrived. Please, everyone, make yourselves at home. Daughter-in-law, see to our guests."

Wang Wang Ruofu lowered her head and assented.

A Duke of the State, a legitimate son of the Empress's natal family, and the legitimate eldest son of a Marquis's household—these three truly deserved the title of 'distinguished guests.'

"The Old Da Niangzi overstates the matter,"

"Old Ancestor, please go ahead."

The various principal wives present also hurriedly bowed in return.

After nodding to the Old Da Niangzi of the Wang family, the Old Da Niangzi stepped outside, extended her hand, and declared, "Distinguished guests have arrived; please forgive us for not welcoming you from afar!"

The Duke of Qi cupped his fists, bowed, and said, "Old Da Niangzi, it is we who have been somewhat abrupt."

"What nonsense is this! Quick, please come inside."

As they spoke, the group departed from that spot; Wang Wang Ruofu watched them leave, then turned back to face the principal wives in the main hall, every pair of eyes meeting hers bearing a flattering smile.

With a concubine of the Sheng family managing the household, and Wang Wang Ruofu having been the laughingstock of the Yang Zhou official circle for so many years, this was her most triumphant day.

At this moment, the front courtyard reception hall of the Sheng family was filled with guests,

so everyone passed through several gates to reach Shou'an Hall.

Mama Fang hurriedly served tea to the three; shortly afterward, Sheng Hong and Wang Yan also returned to this place.

Xu Xu Zaijing followed behind, entered the main hall of Shou'an Hall as well, bowed and paid his respects to everyone, then quietly took his seat at the very end to listen to the elders' conversation.

"The Duke appearing at my home at this time—does this mean your official duties are nearly concluded?" the Old Da Niangzi asked the Duke of Qi with a smile.

"The Old Da Niangzi sees clearly," he replied. "Many matters have been sorted out. With the young men who came from Bianjing busy under the Imperial City Bureau, we can now appear openly and finally have not failed the Imperial Command."

"That is good indeed," the Old Da Niangzi said with a smile. As Shou'an Hall fell silent, Xu Xu Zaiduan spoke: "Great-aunt, have Ping-Hua Jie'er and Jing-ge'er been well-behaved these past two days?"

"Naturally, they have been good. However, this old woman sees that you are all exhausted. Since you have come to my home, treat it as your own and rest properly. Hong'er?"

"Yes, Mother. I will certainly make proper arrangements."

"Thank you, Old Da Niangzi / Great-aunt! We shall then take our leave."

"Go quickly."

Having spoken, Sheng Hong rose and led the Duke of Qi to the guest quarters; the two Xu brothers, Xu Zaiduan and Xu Zaijing, remained at the very back to exchange a few words concerning affairs in the Bianjing household and the salt administration in Yang Zhou Prefecture.

Cao Zhao, a young man of the Cao family walking ahead, glanced back at Xu Xu Zaijing, deliberately slowed his pace, patted Xu Xu Zaijing on the shoulder, and said, "A few days ago, you did well in Chengnan. Gu Dalang, let's go; get some good rest, for there is much busyness ahead."

Xu Xu Zaiduan also patted Xu Xu Zaijing, then followed them into the Sheng family guest quarters.

During these days, everyone had traveled a thousand li to reach Yang Zhou; after making contact with the Imperial City Bureau, they concealed their tracks and endured considerable hardship. Now, with the accounts investigated and clarified and all interests and relationships sorted, the several hundred forbidden army troops they brought had already secured control over Yang Zhou City.

The Sheng family's public appearance served both as a deterrent and as the stick that would stir the grass to scare out the snakes.

Whatever movements occurred in Yang Zhou City today would now be convenient for the Imperial City Bureau to investigate further.

At the first quarter of the Hour of the Monkey,

the guests began to depart for their homes,

and Wang Wang Ruofu, seeing them off at the gate, wore an expression of sheer triumph; of the official families who had just left, seven out of ten would surely invite her.

Meanwhile, Sheng Hong's face bore a forced smile, yet his eyes were filled with deep contemplation.

At the exact Hour of the Monkey (four o'clock sharp),

only the Wang family members intending to stay overnight remained in the courtyard; most other guests had already departed.

Sheng Hong waved his hand, ordering the gatekeeper to close the main gate; turning back, he watched his principal wife, Wang Wang Ruofu, smiling so broadly she could not close her mouth, shook his head, and sighed.

"Husband, on such a joyous day, why do you sigh?"

"For these coming days, you had best attend the Fragrant Garment Elegant Gathering less often," Sheng Hong said.

"What!?" Wang Wang Ruofu instantly became displeased; today, having finally triumphed, she had been plotting to enjoy the flattery and favors of the official wives in the days ahead, yet Sheng Hong's single sentence shattered her wonderful fantasies.

Seeing Wang Wang Ruofu's reaction, Sheng Hong's face showed some impatience as he walked toward the courtyard.

Frowning, Wang Wang Ruofu followed him, saying, "What do you mean by this? With such a wonderful matter for Hua'er, will you not even allow me a moment of happiness?"

Sheng Hong halted his steps; thinking of his mother-in-law and others still staying at the Sheng residence, he adjusted his tone and said, "After tonight, who knows how many of those official families you know will remain."

Sheng Hong's single sentence left Wang Wang Ruofu dumbfounded, her eyes full of confusion; she quickened her pace, following closely behind Sheng Hong as they walked toward Shou'an Hall.

From morning until now, having hardly rested for almost an entire day, the Old Da Niangzi of the Sheng family was already somewhat weary; she was currently being attended by Mama Fang while drinking a calming medicinal soup.

Hearing Sheng Hong's words, the Old Da Niangzi nodded and said, "Your husband speaks correctly. Yang Zhou will be in turmoil for some time; you had best not go out."

Blinking her eyes, Wang Wang Ruofu lowered her head and assented.

In the side courtyard,

Wei Wei Shuyi stood inside the room, listening as Minglan vividly recounted the events of the daytime in the front courtyard, her face filled with smiles.

Listening to Minglan speak of Sheng Hualan's marriage, Wei Wei Shuyi's eyes showed little surprise.

"The status of this Marquis's household is even higher than that of a Count's manor; with your eldest sister's talents, this is truly a good match," Wei Wei Shuyi said, then paced a few steps within the room. When her Ming'er grew up, having such an excellently married elder sister would make arranging her own marriage much easier.

Thinking of these things, Wei Wei Shuyi said to Minglan, "Minglan, tomorrow you must still go to serve before Grandmother; do not be negligent."

"Mother, these past few days when I went to pay respects to Grandmother, I saw that Father clearly wished for Fourth Sister to go before Grandmother. If I contend with her, won't that only make Lin Wei Xiaoniang and Father unhappy? I am fine staying with you, Mother; I will not go!" Minglan pouted.

"Minglan, with your Fourth Sister having been before your Grandmother for so many days, has Grandmother ever said she wants her to remain and fulfill her filial duties?"

"Grandmother has not said so..."

"The Principal Da Niangzi holds your Fifth Sister in the palm of her hand and certainly will not let her go before your Grandmother; furthermore, your Grandmother has not agreed to let your Fourth Sister go there either. So, what does the Old Da Niangzi intend?" Hearing Wei Wei Shuyi's earnest instruction, Minglan lowered her head.

"Grandmother's meaning is that she does not wish to raise any more children."

Hearing Minglan's answer, Wei Wei Shuyi paused, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

"Minglan, has Grandmother treated you well in the past?"

"Yes! Every time I went to pay respects, Grandmother always gave me delicious food. Were it not for Grandmother, everyone in our courtyard would have gone hungry some days ago."

"Since Grandmother has treated you so well, should you not help her now that she is ill?"

"Yes! But if I compete with Fourth Sister, what if Father stops liking me?" Hearing Minglan's counter-question, Wei Wei Shuyi's eyes reflected some pain.

Wei Wei Shuyi stared at Minglan and said, "Minglan, I told you before: when someone treats you well, you must remember it and treat them well in return. Your grandmother is your father's mother; if you make the Old Da Niangzi healthy and strong, how could your father not love you? If I fell ill and someone could restore my health, would you not like them?"

"I wouldn't. But Grandmother isn't Father's birth mother!"

And also

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(End of Chapter)