Chapter 412: Very few people know and it's extremely good [Thanks! Bow again!]

Wang Ruofu stopped mid-sentence.

"It's Gu Gu Dalang, who almost entered the top three in the imperial examination!"

Wang Ruofu glanced at the silent Old Madam and stammered: "That... that's only because she occupies the position of legitimate mother!"

Sheng Hong continued to point at Wang Ruofu: "Unreasonable!"

"I have seen the documents of Gu Hou and Gu Gu Dalang requesting the title for Madam Bai. I tell you, Madam Bai is in front, and Madam Qin is behind!"

Wang Ruofu: "Ah? This..."

Hearing this, the Old Madam also looked over in surprise: "Hong'er, Madam Qin entered the Gu family first and is Gu Gu Dalang's biological mother; by rights, she should be in front!"

Sheng Hong hurriedly nodded at the Old Madam: "Mother is right, but Madam Bai is indeed in front."

"I also asked Minister Li about this matter. Minister Li said that His Majesty and he both asked Gu Hou and Gu Gu Dalang about this matter, and they both agreed."

"My nephew's grandfather is a giant in the officialdom, and his maternal grandfather is enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple..."

Wang Ruofu said with little confidence. After being glared at by Sheng Hong, she didn't continue.

The Old Madam pondered without speaking, only the Buddhist beads in her hand moving slowly.

"Mother?"

Sheng Hong tried to ask.

The Old Madam took a deep breath, her eyes full of emotion: "Speaking of which, people in the capital used to say that this Gu Gu Dalang's body had been frail since he was a child."

"When Madam Bai remarried into the Gu family, this Gu Gu Dalang was already so sick and weak that he didn't even see outsiders."

Sheng Hong had an expression of 'Mother, how do you know'.

"Gu Hou went to the Imperial Academy to invite my old sister's family; I don't know how many times he invited them."

The Old Madam explained.

Sheng Hong understood.

"But over these years, this Gu Gu Dalang's body has gradually become healthy, and he can even marry a wife and take the imperial examination! It can be seen that Madam Bai has put in the effort."

Sheng Hong said: "Mother's words are very true. The bitterness of the imperial examination hall is something I have deeply experienced; that Gu Gu Dalang can carry it through is already no different from an ordinary person! Over these years, Gu Gu Dalang has even been able to travel thousands of miles to the Northwest; he is already stronger than ordinary people."

The Old Madam nodded: "With such care, Gu Second Young Master won't be able to inherit the title."

Sheng Hong nodded, his eyes also full of admiration: "Madam Bai's ambition is high and her conduct is clean!"

After saying this, Sheng Hong looked at Wang Ruofu and said: "Gu Second Young Master is in our family's academy; you know how his reading is! This Gu family Third Da Niangzi has such a good future; if you let your sister-in-law go propose, wouldn't that be offending people?"

"Jin-ge'er, I see, is a good one! He is also the only son of my sister; if he really marries a wife, how could he treat her badly?" Wang Ruofu said, pursing her lips.

"Who only looks at the child and not the parents-in-law?"

Not knowing what he thought of, Sheng Hong also stopped his words, took a sip of tea to cover up.

He also avoided Wang Ruofu's rolling eyes.

When Sheng Hong was finding a husband for Hualan, he didn't think to inquire about the situation of the Yuan family's mistress, almost letting Hualan fall into a tiger's den.

The Old Madam looked at the Sheng Hong couple and said in a deep voice: "Madam, if both the Kang family and the Wang family come to propose marriage for Ru-er, which family would you prefer?"

Sheng Hong, holding the teacup, looked at Wang Ruofu with schadenfreude, with an expression of 'You say it'.

Wang Ruofu glared: "I..."

Then sheepishly: "Naturally... the Wang family..."

The Old Madam nodded: "Jin-ge'er, I have also seen, is a good child! But the Kang family..."

The Old Madam didn't continue.

The old Kang adult, who was on par with the Wang family's old adult enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, passed away. As a son, Kang Haifeng actually got a concubine pregnant during the mourning period, resulting in being impeached and dismissed from office.

Afterward, he didn't think about returning to office, but blindly took in concubines and indulged in female beauty. When things happened in the family, he consumed the human feelings and prestige of his father's generation and the family in vain.

It is really not a good match.

Conversely, Wang Yan, Sheng Hong's brother-in-law, although mediocre in talent, followed the rules and regulations, and with the remaining shade of his father's generation, his official career was considered smooth.

Moreover, Wang Yan didn't mess around; he only had one wife, one son, and two daughters in his family.

Wang Ruofu is not stupid; naturally, she would choose the Wang family, which has no troublesome matters.

"Mother, but... daughter-in-law also heard from my sister that the Pei family of the Duke of Xin also sent a post to the Gu family..."

Wang Ruofu looked at the Old Madam and said.

Sheng Hong looked at the Old Madam, who was lowering her head and picking up the teacup, and tilted his head: "What status does the Pei family have? What status does the Kang family have? How can they be mentioned in the same breath!"

After saying this, Sheng Hong glanced at the Old Madam again.

The Old Madam nodded appreciatively: "The Pei family sending a post means they have the idea of marriage, but it's more about 'everyone lifting the flowery sedan chair'; they are saying that the Gu family's young lady is not worried about being married off."

"Then Mother, do you think the Gu family will marry into the Pei family?"

Sheng Hong asked softly.

"Hong'er, what do you and Madam think about this matter?"

"It must be choosing the Pei family!" Wang Ruofu said with a firm tone.

The Old Madam glanced at the disapproving expression of Cui Cui Mama Liu behind Wang Ruofu, then looked at Sheng Hong.

Sheng Hong pondered for a moment: "Mother, child feels that the possibility of choosing the Huang family is greater."

Hearing this, the Old Madam nodded with a smile.

The lively atmosphere around the beginning of winter in the tenth lunar month slowly dissipated in Bianjing.

The date came to the tenth of the tenth lunar month, entering the middle of the month.

The weather was getting colder and colder.

Xingguo Lane

Ningyuan Marquis Mansion

Inner courtyard kitchen

Several windows on the side of the kitchen were wide open, and cyan smoke drifted out from the windows.

Along with the smoke was the fragrance of roasted mutton.

Before long,

Maidservants holding trays with porcelain basins filled with red-hot charcoal and dishes filled with various seasonings walked out.

Walking along the corridor toward the Third Da Niangzi's courtyard, the sizzling sound of roasted mutton and the enticing fragrance along the way made the maidservants passing by couldn't help but take a few more looks.

Passing through gates and corridors,

Arriving at the entrance of the hall for receiving guests, some maidservants took the things, while others lifted the cloth curtain.

The maidservant carrying the tray lowered her head and walked in.

"Come, try the roasted mutton made by our family's cook!"

After Gu Tingyi finished speaking, several pairs of public chopsticks appeared on the plate of roasted mutton, picking up the mutton.

Before long,

Although they used handkerchiefs to wipe their mouths, the noble young ladies present couldn't help but have oily and shiny lips.

"Come, this sweet wine is to thank you for attending my house-warming party!"

Gu Tingyi said while holding her wine glass.

The young ladies covered their mouths with wide sleeves and drank, then each ate their food.

"Feiyan sister, is that Cui Cui Mama Kong your family invited still in the capital?"

Hai Chaoyun, who had put down her chopsticks, asked softly.

Rong Feiyan, who had put away her handkerchief, looked at Hai Chaoyun and shook her head: "Chaoyun sister, last month Cui Cui Mama went to Xijing to teach a noble young lady of the imperial clan."

Hai Chaoyun nodded with some regret on her face.

Another new dish was served by a maidservant.

Zhang family's Fifth Da Niangzi, who was picking up food with public chopsticks, had her eyes light up.

At this time,

A maidservant from Gu Tingyi's courtyard walked over from outside the door and whispered a few words into Gu Tingyi's ear.

The maidservant left.

Gu Tingyi looked at the noble young ladies watching her beside the table and said somewhat embarrassedly: "Just now, the maidservant beside Sister-in-law said that Xu Hou's wife and Madam Wu have arrived; I'll go see Mother's side."

"..."

After saying this, Gu Tingyi was about to leave the table.

"Eh? Madam Wu is here? I also want to go pay my respects!"

Gu Tingyi stopped her body at once, looking at Fifth Da Niangzi, who was speaking, with some annoyance.

Seeing this scene,

The young ladies at the table all laughed.

"Since the elders have come over, it wouldn't be good if we didn't go; why don't we all go?"

Hearing Zheng Ni speak, the others at the table all stood up.

Gu Tingyi glanced at Rong Feiyan and nodded: "Alright!"

After saying this, everyone walked out together.

Gu family mistress courtyard,

Gu Tingyi and several noble young ladies entered the room with the fragrance of roasted mutton all over them.

But after entering the room, they found that there were far more people in the hall than the two madams the maidservant had mentioned.

Madam Pan, Madam Li, Madam Xie, Hualan, and others were all there.

"Greetings, Madam, Madam..."

Everyone asked for peace in a flurry.

Zheng Ni, who was behind everyone, smiled while whispering to Chai Zhengzheng beside her with an extremely low voice: "Zhengzheng, which one is the Madam beside Xu Hou's wife?"

Chai Zhengzheng glanced at Rong Feiyan, who was looking over with equal curiosity, and whispered: "It's Madam Li, the mother of Lu family's Zong-ge'er."

Looking at the noble young ladies who were dressed in brocade and emeralds, beautiful in appearance, and slightly flushed because they had drunk a few cups of wine, Madam Wu said with a smile: "Are you sisters eating roasted mutton?"

Everyone nodded one after another.

"Very good! You continue to play! We'll say a few words to your mothers and then leave."

Listening to Madam Wu's words,

Whether it was Sun Shi or Hualan and others, they all smiled and nodded in agreement.

The gazes looking at these young ladies were also kind and amiable, after all, these young ladies were among the best in the entire Bianjing in terms of family background and appearance.

"Since Madam Wu has said so, Yi'er, you go back! Take good care of your sisters!"

"Yes, Mother!"

Tingyi bowed to the elders in the hall and stood by the door, leading everyone out of the hall.

Staying at the very back, the young lady who went out with Tingyi also bowed with some restraint.

Watching the young ladies turn and leave, and the chattering voices vaguely coming from outside the door, the madams in the hall laughed one after another.

"Which family's young lady was the one who stayed at the back and went out with Tingyi just now?" Madam Xie asked.

Hualan, who was beside, looked at everyone with a full smile and said: "Is it Yu family's Eldest Da Niangzi, Yanran?"

While speaking, Hualan also looked at the others.

Madam Wu nodded and said: "Right!"

Madam Xie nodded with some emotion: "This child has grown so big!"

Before Madam Xie married into the Xu family, she had gone with her mother-in-law Sun Shi to pay respects to the deceased Madam Fan of the Yu family, and had seen Yu Yanran, who was still a little girl at the time, in the mourning hall.

Because there was no relationship with the Yu family, and Yu Yanran was raised by the Yu Old Madam who rarely went out.

So over the years, Madam Xie rarely saw this Yu family Eldest Da Niangzi in the social occasions of Bianjing.

"Sigh! Having a stepmother is like having a step-father."

"This child has no biological mother to love her, although she was raised by the Old Madam, her personality seems a bit timid."

Madam Wu said with some emotion.

Madam Bai, hearing this, looked at Cui Cui Mama Chang beside her with great feeling.

Cui Cui Mama Chang nodded at Madam Bai with great satisfaction in her eyes.

The old man of the Bai family in Yang Zhou, Bai Wanshu, had immense family wealth!

But after Madam Bai's mother passed away, he did not remarry.

Madam Li of the Duke of Lian's mansion smiled and glanced at Sun Shi opposite.

Previously, her son Lu Zezong was also timid and introverted due to losing his father at a young age, not daring to look people in the eye.

But ever since he became a sworn brother with Xu family's lad, Lu Zezong had become visibly cheerful, taking his righteous brother as a role model, learning to ride a horse, and practicing martial arts and literature every day without stopping.

The Old Duke and the Duchess's mood was extremely good, and they were healthy, eating more than before during meals.

"But this Yanran young lady is ingenious, and has created many patterns and styles for ear-protecting dolls! She used her mother's dowry to open an embroidery shop, and the products sold very well in our shop!"

Madam Wu said again.

Hearing this, the madams in the hall nodded one after another.

"Very good!" Madam Xie exclaimed.

After the topic about the young ladies was finished, Sun Shi glanced at Madam Wu.

Looking at her good sister's appearance, Madam Bai hurriedly waved her hand, letting the irrelevant people in the hall retreat.

After the hall was quiet, Madam Wu smiled and said: "Sister Bai, we have inquired about the Huang family's son almost enough."

"The Countess of Shoushan manages the household very strictly; this Yue-ge'er has no concubines or maids! Before discussing marriage with that family, she even dispersed the maidservants."

"The Shoushan Earl's family style is very good; many years ago when the Yuan family was stripped of their title, they didn't kick them while they were down."

Madam Bai nodded, showing that the current Earl of Shoushan is a kind person.

"The industry accumulated over these years of title inheritance is also not small, and the family wealth is quite abundant! They didn't engage in extravagance or waste to put on a show; they are not the kind of family that is flashy on the outside!"

"Let Sister Li tell you about this son's affairs in the army."

Sun Shi and Madam Li exchanged a smile.

Madam Li opened her mouth: "Our Old Madam and the Duchess of England inquired about it, and even let Zhang family's Gu Dalang come out to speak personally, saying that this Huang family son has been following Zhang family's Gu Dalang ever since he joined the army!"

"He is kind, clever, and considerate to his subordinates. Zhang family's Gu Dalang thinks highly of him."

Madam Bai nodded: "But I heard people say that this son has a scar on his face..."

Madam Wu and Madam Li exchanged a happy glance, as if both knew some secret.

"Sister Bai, do you know how the scar on Huang family's son's face came about?"

Madam Wu asked.

Madam Bai shook her head.

Seeing Madam Li signaling Madam Wu to speak for herself, Madam Wu smiled, slapped her thigh, and said: "Sister Bai, the scar on Huang family's son's face was from the great battle outside Keyi Gate; he took advantage of the chaos, took the lead, and brought people to rush into the fortress gate tunnel, fighting to the death to keep the gate from closing, and that's how he got injured!"

"Very few people know about this!"

"Ah???"

Sun Shi looked at Madam Bai's surprised look and explained: "Such battlefield matters, our Marquis wouldn't tell the family casually!"

Madam Wu smiled and said: "Although I was there at the time, if it weren't for the fact that Lu family's Old Madam and Li family's sister were at the Zhang family and told Zhang Gu Dalang it was for the sake of Huang family's son's lifelong event, Zhang Gu Dalang might not have told us!"

"This matter is only known to the three marquises of the Cao, Zhang, and Xu families, as well as the sons on the battlefield!"

Madam Bai looked at her daughter-in-law Pingmei with surprise and said urgently: "Hiss! Doesn't that mean that when rewards are given for merits, this Huang family son will get quite a few rewards?"

Madam Wu nodded with a smile.

Xie Shi said from the side: "Ask our Little Fifth, he doesn't even know!"

The madams in the hall all smiled.

"Rewards are secondary; the main thing is that this Huang family son can be promoted in the army!" Sun Shi added.

Madam Bai nodded.

Now Gu Yanka's body is healthy, and he is commanding the Guangrui Army in the north!

Although the letters he writes home are mostly about his grandchildren and Tingye and Tingyi, Madam Bai can still feel quite a few things between the lines.

Especially since Great Zhou pacified the Northwest, and Northern Liao and the Jin country are fighting each other.

Just based on Huang family's son's merits, he will be promoted in the cavalry under Zhang family's command in the future.

In the future, when Great Zhou has any actions in the north, isn't it the time to build merits and establish a career!?

Thinking of this,

Madam Bai looked at everyone in the hall and said: "Then, isn't this an extremely good marriage?"

Sun Shi slapped her thigh happily.

Madam Wu and Madam Li nodded heavily with smiles.

Anmei's mother-in-law, Madam Pan, was also quite emotional and smiled.

She came along just to say what she had inquired from the Countess of Yongping,

Who knew that Yue-ge'er had such a secret matter.

By the time others hear the wind of this matter, this Yue-ge'er and the Gu family's marriage might already be settled!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 413 =====

(End of chapter)