Chapter 552

The next day,

at the Zheng hour (after 10:00 AM).

Jiying Lane,

Sheng family,

Shou'an Hall,

"The Master is here."

Following the announcement of the young female servant outside the door,

Sheng Hong, who hadn't even changed his official robes after returning from court, walked in with a serious expression, head bowed, passing through the door curtain.

Looking at Wang Ruofu and Hualan, who had stood up in the hall, Sheng Hong smiled and nodded to Hualan.

Walking a few steps to not far from the Old Madam, he bowed and said, "Mother."

The Old Madam, holding Buddhist beads in her hand, nodded slightly and gestured for Sheng Hong to sit down.

"Hong'er, do you know about the Kang family matter?"

Listening to the Old Madam's question, Wang Ruofu looked at her husband with unblinking, anxious eyes. Seeing Sheng Hong nod, Wang Ruofu hurriedly said:

"Husband, please think of a way to save Brother-in-law!"

"He worked so hard to get this official position, and now it looks like it's going to be revoked, and they're going to pursue criminal responsibility. Sister is so anxious she doesn't know what to do."

Sheng Hong didn't answer Wang Ruofu's words, but looked at Hualan with eyes full of satisfaction and said, "Hua'er, why did you come back today?"

"Father, Mother sent a letter saying there was an urgent matter at home, so daughter hurried back."

Hualan stood up and said.

Sheng Hong glared at Wang Ruofu with some anger in his eyes.

The Old Madam, sitting cross-legged on the Arhat chair, said, "Hong'er, although the previous matters are still fresh in our memory, they are relatives after all; if our family can help, we should lend a hand."

Sheng Hong sat in the chair and bowed slightly to the Old Madam, saying, "Mother, son knows, but..."

After glancing at Wang Ruofu and Hualan, Sheng Hong continued, "Son knew about this matter today and immediately went to seek out several old acquaintances of the Wang family in court, but all the officials avoided talking about this matter."

The Old Madam sat up straight and looked at Sheng Hong with furrowed brows: "Avoided talking about it?"

"Yes, Mother! Son sought out several colleagues again to probe, and only then did I vaguely hear that it was the Cheng Guo Gong Feng family exerting force behind the scenes, and the Rong family also got involved..."

As he spoke, Sheng Hong glanced at Wang Ruofu again.

"The Feng family and the Rong family?" The Old Madam was surprised for a moment, then narrowed her eyes and pondered.

Wang Ruofu at the side stood up, full of disbelief, and said:

"Husband, did you hear wrong? The Feng family? The Feng family is my maiden family's relative! My sister-in-law's maiden family, how could they exert force behind the scenes to deal with the Kang family?"

The Old Madam looked at Hualan at the side and said, "Hua'er, you are well-informed in the Hou Prefecture, have you heard any rumors?"

Hualan, sitting on the embroidered stool at the Old Madam's knees, looked at Wang Ruofu with furrowed brows, nodded thoughtfully, and said:

"Grandmother, before daughter came home, Madam Wu went to the Hou Prefecture to find my mother-in-law, saying that the reason for the fire at the Feng family two days ago had already been found..."

"Daughter originally thought it was nothing, but... the Feng family found the reason... and yesterday they exerted force to deal with Brother-in-law Kang; could it be that..."

Hualan said, looking at the Old Madam with some disbelief, and continued, "The reason for the fire was with the Kang family?"

Listening to Hualan's analysis, Wang Ruofu was full of incomprehension: "This, how is this possible? That day my sister was in the backyard the whole time, and she doesn't know any immortal magic, so where would she go to light the Feng family's stables?"

The Old Madam looked at Wang Ruofu and shook her head lightly: "Madam, naturally it wasn't your own sister, but have you forgotten what Ru'er said after returning home the day before yesterday?"

Wang Ruofu thought for a moment and said in surprise, "Mother, you mean... those two girls, Yun'er and Yuan'er? They are only so young, how could they have the guts?"

The Old Madam sighed: "The Feng family has deep foundations; if they didn't have solid evidence, they wouldn't deal with relatives like this."

"Madam Wei is here."

The sound of the young female servant outside the door came.

A moment later,

Madam Wei entered the hall with a serious face, bowed to everyone, and said with lowered eyes:

"Old Madam, Master, Madam, a letter came from the second gate saying that the steward of the relative Wang family in the capital requests an audience."

"Greetings, Eldest Da Niangzi."

The Old Madam nodded: "Madam, go see him."

Wang Ruofu hurriedly stood up, bowed to the Old Madam, and walked out quickly with Nanny Liu.

Watching Wang Ruofu's back disappear behind the door curtain, Hualan smiled slightly at Madam Wei and nodded.

The Old Madam waved her hand at Nanny Fang, and Nanny Fang understood, walking toward the Old Madam's bedroom.

The Old Madam said to Hualan, "Hua'er, I heard you say that the Hou Prefecture is having guests today?"

Hualan nodded: "Yes, Grandmother, today the Marquis Hou Fu Chang family will be visiting the Hou Prefecture, and the young ladies of the Gu, Zhang, and Chai families will also be going."

During the time they were speaking,

Minglan and Changmei were led out by Nanny Fang.

"Greetings, Father, Eldest Sister."

Minglan and Changmei bowed and greeted them.

Sheng Hong nodded, his smile becoming even brighter after seeing Changmei.

Hualan stood up, smiled, and beckoned to Minglan and Changmei. After the bright-eyed and white-toothed Minglan walked closer, Hualan held Minglan's hand and said, "Grandmother, Sixth Sister has truly grown a lot taller during this time, she looks more and more like a big girl!"

The Old Madam looked at Minglan and nodded with a smile.

Madam Wei, standing to the side, looked at this scene with a smile.

Subsequently, Hualan sat back on the embroidered stool, looked at her younger brother Changmei in front of her, then looked at her father Sheng Hong, and said, "Father, daughter thinks Little Seven's calligraphy is even cuter than Changbai's when he was young."

Sheng Hong stroked his short beard and nodded with a smile.

"Little Seven, I heard your calligraphy is not bad; come, let Sister see."

Hearing Hualan's praise, Changmei smiled, looked at Sheng Hong, then looked at Madam Wei, and finally looked at the Old Madam.

The Old Madam shook her head with a smile and said, "Mei'er, let's practice more."

After speaking, the Old Madam looked at Hualan and said:

"There are only seven or eight days left until the New Year, the Hou Prefecture will definitely be busy! And Hua'er, you will be coming back after visiting your maiden family after the New Year; let me see it then."

"Since those families are going to the Xu family to express their thanks today, if they go in the morning, it will be troublesome for the Hou Prefecture to prepare lunch! So they will go in the afternoon; the time is still early, so I won't keep you for lunch."

Sheng Hong looked at the Old Madam with some surprise and said, "Hua'er, since Grandmother says so, then go back first! If there is anything at home, we will send someone to tell you."

Hualan nodded, looked at Changmei with a smile, and said, "Little Seven, then Sister can only come to see it after the New Year."

Sheng Changmei nodded.

The Old Madam put down her crossed legs, put on her shoes with Nanny Fang's help, stood up, and said, "Let's go."

Putting on a thick coat, looking at the others who were about to follow, the Old Madam said, "Ming'er, accompany Hong'er to change clothes, Ming'er, you and Nanny Cui stay in the room and take good care of your brother."

"Yes, Old Madam."

"Yes, Grandmother."

Subsequently,

Hualan held a hand warmer in one hand and supported the Old Madam with the other, and the grandmother and granddaughter walked out together.

Just as they left Shou'an Hall,

bathed in the bright morning sun,

the sun was dazzling,

the Old Madam and Hualan both squinted their eyes slightly.

After walking for a while, waiting for Sheng Hong and Madam Wei to go to Jin'an Study, the Old Madam opened her mouth and said, "Hua'er, yesterday your mother came to pay her respects to me and talked about quite a few things she saw at the Feng family."

Hualan looked at the Old Madam, waiting for what was to come.

"I heard that children from several high-ranking families in the capital went to get close to Jing Ge'er?"

Hualan nodded with a smile.

The Old Madam smiled slightly and said, "Your mother also said that the wife of the Chai family from Cangzhou has been looking favorably upon Jing Ge'er since she entered the capital until now?"

Hualan smiled, "Yes, Grandmother! You don't know at home, this grand-nephew of yours is a hot commodity in Bianjing now."

The Old Madam nodded with a smile:

"Jing Ge'er is tall, handsome, and has a steady personality, is both civil and martial, and comes from a noble family. Your father said that Jing Ge'er is also favored by the Emperor!"

"Sigh! Speaking of which, how many years has it been since there was such a young talent in Bianjing."

"Your father-in-law and mother-in-law taught him well."

The Old Madam said with pride and emotion.

Hualan at the side agreed and said, "Grandmother, what you say is the truth! It's just that Fifth Brother is too 'talented'; the matter of discussing marriage has worried my mother-in-law to death!"

The Old Madam heard this, moved her hand from the hand warmer, patted Hualan's hand, and said, "Indeed! Your mother-in-law is probably dazzled by the choices."

Hualan pursed her lips, looked around, then smiled, leaned over, and whispered a few words to the Old Madam.

Listening to Hualan's words, the Old Madam's eyes widened slightly, and she whispered, "Oh! You heard this from that girl Anmei?"

Hualan raised her eyebrows and nodded repeatedly.

The Old Madam had an expression of not knowing whether to laugh or not and said, "This boy is too outstanding... tsk, it's not all a good thing!"

"By the way, how is your husband's studying recently? Although the Xu family is a Marquis family and your husband has an inherited official position, the imperial examination is the proper path; you should also urge him on the side!"

Hualan nodded repeatedly with some embarrassment.

"During the period when Nanny Kong was out of the palace, she taught several noble young ladies in Bianjing; after the New Year, I will send a letter to ask carefully, and then you can advise your mother-in-law."

"Yes!" Hualan smiled.

At this time,

Zaizhang also walked over from Changbai's courtyard.

Bowing to the Old Madam, he said, "Grand-aunt."

The Old Madam's face filled with a smile as she nodded and said, "Zhang Ge'er, go back quickly with Hua'er."

Watching the Xu family carriage disappear at the main gate, the Old Madam returned to Shou'an Hall with Nanny Fang's support.

Taking off her coat, just as the Old Madam was about to watch Changmei practice calligraphy, Wang Ruofu, with Nanny Liu, entered the room with a constrained expression amidst the announcement.

Wang Ruofu bowed and said, "Mother."

"The Wang family steward has left?"

Wang Ruofu shook her head and said, "Not yet, it's my maiden family's brother who said he wanted to prepare apology gifts for the Feng family, but the silver money prepared by the Wang family in the capital was not enough, so..."

"Hmm, so, Hua'er's guess was true?"

"Yes, the letters from my maiden family's mother and brother have also arrived."

"The Wang family should be helped with the silver money; go tell your husband that I, the old woman, also agree."

"Yes, Mother."

At the end of the Wu hour (after 1:00 PM).

Quyuan Street,

Marquis Yongyi Prefecture,

Xu Zaijing's courtyard,

"Young Master, the Marquis Hou Fu Chang family has arrived; Nanny Zhu came to pass the word, asking you to go to the main hall to meet the guests."

After lunch, Xu Zaijing, who was sitting behind the desk in the study looking at his schoolwork, raised his head, looked at Qingcao at the door, and said, "Hmm, I know."

Saying this, Xu Zaijing stood up and walked toward the outer room.

Dressed neatly, after leaving the courtyard, passing through the corridor and gate, Xu Zaijing arrived at the front courtyard's main hall.

"Fifth Young Master is here."

Seeing Xu Zaijing, the young female servant Yunjin at the door bowed and shouted crisply.

As soon as these words were spoken,

the sound of talking in the main hall paused slightly.

After Xu Zaijing nodded to Yunjin, he lowered his head, passed through the cotton curtain, and entered the room.

In the hall,

Xu Minghua and Marquis Hou Fu Chang sat in the seats of honor.

Seated in the chairs on both sides below were the Xu family, Gu family, Rong family, and Wu family.

Feeling the several gazes looking over in the room, Xu Zaijing walked forward a few steps, then bowed and arched his hands with a graceful movement: "Greetings, Uncle, Brother."

Turning slightly, Xu Zaijing continued: "Madam, peace; Miss Feiyan, peace; Sister Tingyi, peace."

Not wearing much gorgeous jewelry, just simply tied with a tender yellow hairband and dotted with a few jade-colored accessories, Rong Feiyan looked openly at Xu Zaijing bowing nearby, stood up with a smile, and returned the bow to Xu Zaijing with the female servant behind her.

Gu Tingyi, sitting beside Pingmei, also stood up and bowed.

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile and bowed to his parents, brothers, sisters, and sister-in-law.

At this time, seated on the side below Marquis Yongyi were Xu Zaijing's brothers, sisters, sister-in-law, and Gu Tingyi.

On the other side below was the Madam of Marquis Hou Fu Chang, beside her was Rong Feiyan, and in the furthest position was Rong Xian.

Rong Xian and Xu Zaijing were quite familiar; after Xu Zaijing finished bowing, he beckoned to Xu Zaijing with a smile and said, "Jing Ge'er, come, sit here!"

Looking at Xu Zaijing, who had already taken his seat, Marquis Hou Fu Chang looked at Xu Zaijing with admiration and said.

"Xu Hou, this child Jing Ge'er is truly a talent! He studies well, has good martial arts, and this skill of taming horses is even more superb!"

Xu Minghua had a face full of smiles: "Marquis Rong, you overpraise him."

Marquis Hou Fu Chang waved his hand and said, "Eh! Xu Hou, I am not overpraising! Xian Ge'er told me about the situation that day; that Yan'er could be safe and sound is entirely thanks to this child Jing Ge'er."

"He and Xian Ge'er are good friends; helping out within his power is what he should do! You shouldn't have brought so many things!" Xu Minghua said with a smile.

Marquis Hou Fu Chang shook his head: "Compared to Feiyan's safety, these things are nothing! And this is also something that Concubine Rong in the palace personally instructed."

Looking at the people in the hall, Marquis Hou Fu Chang continued: "In the future, if Xu Hou has any need for our Rong family's help in the north, our family will definitely not refuse."

Xu Minghua nodded with a smile: "Thank you, Marquis Rong; you are truly loyal to state affairs."

Marquis Hou Fu Chang smiled.

The Madam of Marquis Hou Fu Chang at the side didn't know what to say.

And Rong Feiyan was looking at Gu Tingyi,

while Rong Xian was busy whispering to Xu Zaijing.

Just as the air was about to go quiet, Madam Sun smiled and said to Nanny Zhu: "Go, let the children come out to meet their elders."

Nanny Zhu at the side bowed and responded.

The topic also smoothly turned to the children.

Soon,

Xu Xingdai and the other children were led or carried over; after a round of greetings, each of them received bulging purses from the Madam of Marquis Hou Fu Chang.

Xie Shi held her daughter, and Xu Xingdai took the opportunity to stand beside his mother, Xie Shi.

While everyone was talking,

the young Xu Xingdai would occasionally peek at Rong Feiyan opposite him.

Madam Wu, sitting at the side, noticed this, leaned over to look at Xu Xingdai, and said, "I say, Dai Ge'er, what are you looking at?"

Xu Xingdai shook his head with an embarrassed face: "Grandmother Wu, I'm not looking at anything..."

Rong Feiyan looked at the teasing look in Gu Tingyi's eyes and lowered her head with some shyness.

Madam Wu suppressed a laugh and said, "That beautiful sister opposite you, Dai Ge'er, do you think she looks like a fairy?"

Xu Xingdai looked at Rong Feiyan, nodded hurriedly, and then shook his head again.

"Dai Ge'er, I say, what do you mean by nodding and shaking your head?"

Everyone in the hall was also wondering, looking at Xu Xingdai with curiosity, when

Xu Xingdai looked at his grandmother Madam Sun, then looked at Rong Feiyan opposite him, whose face was red, then turned to look at Gu Tingyi not far away, and said crisply: "Grandmother Wu, the beautiful one opposite is an aunt, not a sister."

As soon as these words were spoken,

everyone laughed one after another.

"Oh my!"

Madam Wu also sat up straight and slapped her thigh with a laugh.

Xie Shi smiled and rubbed her son's cheek.

Rong Xian gave a thumbs up and said to Xu Zaijing, "Jing Ge'er, this little nephew of yours is smart!"

(End of chapter)