Chapter 547

The next day,

10:00 AM (Si hour)

Shouchangfang,

Xiao Xiao Gongye of Cheng's mansion,

As a founding noble, the courtyard of the Feng mansion of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Cheng was quite large, about two-thirds the size of the Marquis of Xiangyang's mansion.

But the Feng family was flourishing with many descendants, sons, and daughters.

Over several generations, the original racecourse and martial arts field had been mostly squeezed out and converted into residential courtyards.

A few days ago, the son of the second branch of the Feng family made meritorious service in Beizhou, which made the elderly Xiao Xiao Gongye of Cheng very proud.

There were no festivals in the twelfth lunar month, and there hadn't been any snowy days recently that would make it convenient to host banquets.

Therefore,

to celebrate his grandson's meritorious service and to thank the Xu family of the Marquis of Yongyi and the Gu family of the Marquis of Ningyuan for their care for his family's children, the Feng family of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Cheng sent out invitations.

The Feng family had wide social connections in Bianjing, and there were no high-ranking families in the capital with whom they had a strained relationship.

(In previous generations, there were two noble families that had a very bad relationship with the Feng family, but those two noble families had long since vanished.)

Whether noble or civil, the Feng family had various old relatives, in-laws, and distant relatives, and the relationships were complex.

This was also why the Feng family had the best-informed news in Bianjing.

But the Feng family couldn't invite one relative and not another,

so they just sent out invitations widely!

If relatives had time to come, it would be lively with many people.

If relatives didn't have time to come, the Feng family had no hard feelings; as long as the main Madams came, everything else was a small matter.

But as mentioned before,

there were no festivals in the twelfth lunar month, and there hadn't been many snowy days this year.

As the end of the year approached, not many high-ranking families had happy events, so the scale of banquets and gatherings of Madams in the capital had always been small.

Therefore, after receiving the Feng family's invitation, an exceptionally large number of Madams came to the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Cheng's mansion.

Fortunately, the Feng family's mansion was large enough, and the Feng family members, as well as the four departments and six bureaus in the mansion, were accustomed to scenes with many relatives and guests, so they handled it with ease.

Back courtyard main room,

In the spacious hall,

luxurious fragrant clothes were like clouds, and exquisite jewelry sparkled.

In such banquets and gatherings more than ten years ago, although Sun Shi was the mistress of the Marquis of Yongyi's house, her seat was mostly near the door, and few people talked to her.

But today,

Sun Shi's seat was below several Duchesses, and there were several daughters-in-law of the Xiao Xiao Gongye's house whose chairs were placed below hers.

"Oh my, I say Sister Sun, you have wronged your Fifth Young Master! My house is in Chunmingfang, how could I not know!"

"Yesterday I heard my son talk about this matter. There were a few blind children, all of good age and appearance, who relied on their family background to try to get close to the Marquis's mansion's maidservants."

A certain Madam said with a full face of smiles.

"Knowing I was coming to the Feng family today, they specifically entrusted me to apologize to you for them."

Sun Shi, sitting in the upper seat, nodded with a smile and replied politely: "It was just children's play, it's nothing! I also didn't expect that even though I keep him at home reading every day, such a thing could still happen."

Princess Pingning, who was not very old but held a transcendent position, waited for Sun Shi to finish and took over: "Sister, come to think of it, it was because they met our family's children; if it were someone else's, who knows what would have happened."

As soon as these words were spoken,

the smile on the face of the Madam who had just spoken froze, and she lowered her head awkwardly.

Just as an awkward atmosphere was about to permeate,

the eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Cheng smiled and said: "Princess, I heard that the Xiao Xiao Gongye's mansion invited a master to teach the Young Xiao Xiao Gongye calligraphy. I wonder if there is a chance today for my family's boys to open their eyes and see the Young Xiao Xiao Gongye's calligraphy?"

Princess Pingning waved her hand with a smile: "Yuanruo has only been learning for a few days; saying he'll let the Feng family's boys open their eyes is looking too highly of him!"

Madam Chai, who was in a similar position to Princess Pingning, smiled and said: "Princess, what are you saying? Yuanruo is already a Juren; he must have achievements in the way of calligraphy."

Princess Pingning continued to wave her hand: "Yuanruo's calligraphy is still far behind his classmates in the Sheng family's school."

"Oh my, I say Princess, you have praised both the Sun and Bai sisters as well!"

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family said with a smile.

"When we have time, we must ask the Princess and several Madams for advice on how to raise children!" A Madam said with a smile, acting as a foil.

A burst of light laughter also sounded in the hall at the right time.

At this time,

a Feng family maidservant entered the room and whispered a few words into the ear of the eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family.

"We were talking about the Sheng family's school, and the Wang family's relatives have already arrived. Madams, please chat slowly; I will go to welcome them."

Saying this, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family took her sisters-in-law, stood up, and walked out with a smile.

Sun Shi turned her head and smiled at Hualan, saying: "Hua'er, you go too."

"Yes, Mother." Hualan stood up with a smile, bowed to the surroundings, and followed.

Pingmei, who was behind Bai Shi, glanced at her and continued talking to her sister-in-law Xie Shi.

After leaving the hall,

Hualan smiled and talked beside the eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family.

Come to think of it, Hualan's aunt was a daughter of the Feng family, and their relative relationship was still very close.

"In these days, Hualan, have you ever returned to the Sheng family?"

Hualan nodded with a smile and said: "I went back once at the beginning of the month."

"Is the Old Madam still in good health?"

"Mm! Grandmother is very well; in her spare time, she watches my Sixth Younger Sister and Seventh Younger Brother."

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family nodded and looked at Hualan with a smile: "When I was a little girl, attending such banquets, I would look forward to your grandmother's arrival."

Hualan smiled and showed a puzzled look: "Wei Wei Yima, why?"

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family smiled, and there was a look of reminiscence in her eyes as she said: "Because when your grandmother came back then, she would bring the most fashionable makeup and clothes in Bianjing. I was at the age when I loved to be vain, so how could I not look forward to it?"

Hualan nodded with a smile.

The sister-in-law of the eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family on the side said: "It's a pity that we were still young at that time and didn't remember things, so we couldn't see your grandmother's demeanor."

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family smiled: "That is your loss! Hey, in the blink of an eye, I've become a grandmother."

While talking,

the crowd approached the second gate.

"Oh my, sisters-in-law, why are you coming out? We were almost there!"

Wang Ruofu grinned and greeted the Feng family's daughters-in-law.

When she spoke, Mother Liu, Caihuan, Xique, and others behind Wang Ruofu bowed one after another.

Hualan was originally smiling, but after seeing her aunt Kang Wang Shi beside Wang Ruofu, her smile faded slightly.

"Yo, Eldest Sister is here too." The eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family greeted.

Kang Wang Shi squeezed out an awkward smile and bowed: "Sister-in-law."

The big joke about the Kang family's silver being intercepted by the manager and servants was known to everyone in the capital.

Kang Wang Shi had also been avoiding the limelight for a long time and only came out to attend gatherings at the end of the year.

On the side,

after Hualan saw the girls beside her mother and aunt, her smile faded even more.

"Quick, greet them!"

Wang Ruofu pushed Rulan and said.

Rulan glanced at Hualan's expression and called out awkwardly: "Wu Daniang, Second Wei Wei Yima..."

Kang Yun'er/Yuan'er, who followed behind Kang Wang Shi, also greeted them.

When greeting,

Kang Yun'er was still okay, but Kang Yuan'er was staring straight at Hualan's clothes and the jewelry on her head.

After the Feng family's daughters-in-law responded, the crowd walked toward the back courtyard.

On the way,

"Sister." Rulan smiled and leaned toward Hualan, calling out ingratiatingly.

The Kang sisters also called out "Cousin" twice.

Hualan looked at the elders talking in front and whispered to Rulan: "Where are Seeing Mo Lan and Minglan?"

Rulan pursed her lips and whispered: "Mother... Mother listened to Wei Wei Yima's words... and didn't let them come."

Hualan sighed slightly.

"Bringing concubine-born ones out, it's not shameful enough!"

Kang Yuan'er said while looking at the architecture of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Cheng's mansion.

The sound of her speaking caused the Feng family's daughter-in-law in front to turn her head and look over.

The Feng family's daughters-in-law exchanged glances, then imperceptibly raised the corners of their mouths slightly, with quite a bit of sarcasm and disdain.

Seeing the expressions of the Feng family's daughters-in-law, Wang Ruofu thought they were looking at Rulan and hurriedly said: "Eldest Sister-in-law, why didn't we see the boys and girls of each family along the way?"

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family smiled and said: "The children are all playing polo in the courtyard of the martial arts field!"

"Did the girls of each family go too?" Wang Ruofu continued.

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family nodded:

"Yes! When young girls gather, they either talk about fabric, incense, or study tea soup, flower arranging, and hanging paintings, which is quite boring."

"Our Feng family doesn't have so many fresh flowers to let the guest girls study! It's better to come up with something novel and let the young girls watch the boys' polo."

Wang Ruofu accompanied with a smile and nodded: "It's good for boys to run and jump; they have spirit! Come to think of it, I haven't seen polo many times when I was a girl; young girls will definitely love watching it!"

Everyone loves to hear good words. After Wang Ruofu finished speaking, the Feng family's daughters-in-law all showed smiles.

"Ru'er, you and your cousins go watch too."

Wang Ruofu said to Rulan and the Kang sisters.

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family waved her hand, and a Feng family maidservant walked to Rulan and Hualan's side.

Hualan looked at her younger sister and said: "Rulan, go and be obedient, don't cause trouble."

"Yes, Sister."

Rulan said with a smile.

"Three ladies, please this way."

The Feng family maidservant gestured.

Martial arts field,

because of the Feng family's renovation,

a row of rooms and corridors were built directly on the north side of the martial arts field, and not far to the south was a fairly large stable.

By placing tables and chairs in the corridor, quite a few people could be seated.

If there wasn't enough space in the corridor by the field, they could open the room doors and continue to place tables and chairs.

Today, because there were many guests, the room doors by the field were open.

Quite a few noble ladies brought their maidservants and sat in the corridor by the field or at the room doors watching.

There were also noble ladies who didn't want to sit, holding the arms of one or two friends, and taking their maidservants for a stroll on the sunny open ground to bask in the sun.

In the martial arts field,

there were quite a few noble youths with armbands tied to their arms, wearing forehead bands, and dressed in luxury.

Coming to the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Cheng's mansion for a banquet, to prevent staining their clothes when changing, everyone brought several sets of clothes.

Youths who were afraid of getting dust on their clothes while playing polo mostly watched from the side of the field some distance from the corridor, and even if they went on the field, they wouldn't actively scramble.

But those like Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye tied their armbands and shouted and laughed on the field without any scruples.

In the martial arts field, there was a young man wearing a bright red brocade robe who skillfully passed the polo ball.

Looking at Xu Zaijing, who stopped the ball with his chest in the distance and then took the opportunity to pick the ball and pass someone, the young man panted and shouted: "Fifth Young Master, I haven't seen you play polo on weekdays? How come you stop the ball so well?"

As soon as the words fell, Xu Zaijing, after passing someone, shot the ball with force, and the polo ball hit the high-set goal frame heavily.

Exclamations came from the watching youths and girls on the side of the field.

Gu Tingye, who was the opponent in this match, stood panting beside Rong Xian and said: "I say Xian'er, you're already married; why are you mixing with us boys?"

Rong Xian glanced at Gu Tingye and said:

"You're still a boy?"

Gu Tingye hurriedly raised his index finger, shushed twice, and said: "Lower your voice!"

Rong Xian smiled and said: "I'm not mixing! I came here to accompany my sister!"

"Come to think of it, Jing'er has quite a talent for playing polo, but it's a pity it was delayed by polo, reading, and practicing martial arts!"

Afterwards, Rong Xian sighed, touched his forehead band, and said: "It's a pity I rarely come to this Feng family; if I had known there was such a good opportunity to show off my polo skills, I might have waited a few years to get married."

Gu Tingye sneered: "You really dare to say that!"

On the side of the field,

Qi Heng, who didn't go on the field and was wearing light-colored brocade, looked around from time to time.

When he saw Buwei walking over quickly with his hands tucked in his sleeves, Qi Heng's eyes lit up.

When Buwei approached, the corners of Qi Heng's mouth rose slightly, joy appeared in his eyes, and after looking around, he whispered: "How is it? Have the Sheng family people arrived?"

Buwei said with a troubled expression: "Yes! But, Young Xiao Xiao Gongye, only the Sheng family's Fifth Da Niangzi has arrived."

"Fifth Younger Sister Rulan?" Qi Heng said.

Buwei nodded: "Mm, I didn't see the Fourth Da Niangzi and the Sixth Da Niangzi."

Qi Heng became somewhat unhappy and muttered to himself:

"What's going on, Buwei! You knew about this at Huixian Restaurant yesterday; didn't Luzhong, the maidservant beside the Fourth Younger Sister, talk to you and ask you quite a few things?"

Buwei looked at Qi Heng and nodded:

"Yes, Young Master! I also thought Luzhong had asked clearly after drinking, and knew that today we were coming to the Feng family and would come over with the three young ladies."

"Young Master... actually, it's not a bad thing that fewer people see Ming Da Niangzi."

Thinking of Minglan's appearance, Qi Heng's mood improved, and he nodded repeatedly: "That's true."

At this time, Buwei looked at the side of the field and said to the Rong family attendant who was smiling friendly at him: "Young Master, I didn't expect that it's the same polo, but this Rong family attendant is actually smiling and nodding at us."

Qi Heng glanced at the Rong family attendant, his eyes showing some contempt, and said "Mm."

During the time the two were talking,

Rulan had already arrived nearby with the Kang sisters.

After scanning the corridor and the room, seeing no familiar official ladies, Rulan saw the sunny spot on the side of the field.

Looking at Gu Tingyi, who was walking with Chai Zhengzheng, Zhang family's Fifth Da Niangzi, and Rong Feiyan, Rulan smiled and walked toward them.

Gu Tingyi was the younger sister of the older sister-in-law of Rulan's own older sister, and they were also relatives, having met a few times before.

On the way there,

gazes looked over from the corridor and the room from time to time, and some people whispered to their companions while looking at them.

Rulan was still okay, but Kang Yun'er and Kang Yuan'er, feeling the gazes around them, had very awkward expressions.

Especially after hearing laughter for some unknown reason, the two wished they could turn back and flee in panic.

At this time,

a maidservant walked toward Rulan's group, stopped, bowed, and said: "Is this the Sheng family's Fifth Da Niangzi?"

Rulan nodded somewhat blankly and said: "You... which family are you from?"

The maidservant bowed: "This servant is Miss Zhu Jian, the maidservant of the Hai family. My young lady wants to ask, has Seeing Mo Lan Da Niangzi arrived?"

Rulan shook her head: "Seeing Mo Lan didn't come; Fourth Sister is busy, so she didn't come."

Miss Zhu Jian nodded and bowed again, saying: "My young lady heard from the Second Madam of the Xu family that Seeing Mo Lan Da Niangzi has always been excellent in literature, so it's a pity she didn't come."

Rulan nodded with a smile and continued walking toward Gu Tingyi and the others.

When they arrived nearby, Rulan greeted them with the Kang sisters, and the Zhang family's Fifth Da Niangzi felt somewhat disappointed and said: "Hey, Rulan younger sister, how come Minglan that girl didn't come?"

When Rulan was speaking,

Kang Yuan'er on the side stared intently, looking at the clothes and jewelry on the noble ladies with quite a bit of rudeness.

When Kang Yuan'er looked at the faces of the noble ladies, there was even more jealousy in her eyes.

Although Kang Yuan'er felt she was hiding it well,

the noble ladies and the maidservants beside them were all clever people.

Feeling Kang Yuan'er's gaze,

first Chai Zhengzheng put away her smile, and Miss Yun Mu beside her smiled politely and warningly at Kang Yuan'er; although she smiled, there was no smile in her eyes.

And Rong Feiyan, who was originally full of smiles, gradually put away her friendly smile, slowly raised her chin, looked down from a high position, glanced at Kang Yuan'er with contempt from the corner of her eye, and rolled her eyes.

After Rong Feiyan finished showing contempt, the maidservant Seeing Xi Bu stood between Rong Feiyan and the Kang sisters.

Gu Tingyi and the Zhang family's Fifth Da Niangzi were still full of smiles, but they didn't look at the Kang sisters at all, as if these two didn't exist here.

The maidservants of the Gu and Zhang families followed behind, directly separating the Kang sisters and their maidservants to the back.

In an instant,

looking at her younger sister's appearance, Kang Yun'er wished a crack would appear in the ground; she would definitely jump in and disappear.

Looking at the crowd walking away with Rulan,

Kang Yuan'er sneered with jealousy, looked at the Feng family maidservant on the side, and said: "Where is the place to change clothes?"

(End of chapter)