Chapter 581

"Second Madam is back."

Hearing the maid's shout outside the door, Sun Shi and her daughter-in-law Xie Shi, who were talking, looked toward the entrance.

They saw Hualan lowering her head as she passed through the cotton curtain, but behind her, apart from her personal maid Cuichan, there was no sign of Rong Feiyan and the others.

Taking off her outer coat for protection against the cold, Hualan looked at her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, smiled, performed a curtsy, and said: "Mother, Sister-in-law, Miss Feiyan specially instructed me to apologize to you both again."

Sun Shi smiled and shook her head: "Miss Feiyan is being too polite! You already sent someone to tell us both just now; why does she need to apologize!"

Xie Shi on the side nodded in agreement with a smile.

Hualan smiled: "Mother, this apology was something Miss Feiyan repeatedly urged me to give; she didn't want to lose her manners, and this daughter-in-law couldn't just brush it off."

Saying this, Hualan also exchanged a smile with Xie Shi, her eyes full of meaning.

Sun Shi looked at Hualan with a smile in her eyes and changed the subject: "How are the skills of that Hua family's eldest son?"

Hearing this, Hualan's eyes lit up, and she said: "Mother, Sister-in-law, that Hua family's eldest son's skills are quite good; although this daughter-in-law doesn't understand them, watching the two of them compete on and off horseback, the Hua family's eldest son didn't fall behind! Moreover, Qingyun, who is by Little Five's side, couldn't stop praising the Hua family's eldest son!"

Sun Shi nodded repeatedly while listening and said: "That's good! I hope he can fight for a future under the Marquis's command."

Saying this, Sun Shi beckoned: "Hualan, don't just stand there; come over and sit down quickly."

"Yes!"

Hualan responded with a smile.

After sitting down, Hualan pinched her handkerchief, looked at Sun Shi and her sister-in-law with bright eyes, and said: "Mother, when we were chatting before, you and Anmei were always saying how dashing our Little Five's archery was in the palace, and this daughter-in-law just listened."

"But today at the racecourse, this daughter-in-law finally saw it! I have to say, our Little Five's archery is truly beautiful; not only beautiful, but he doesn't miss a single shot!"

After listening, Xie Shi said with a tone of regret: "If I had known, I would have gone with you to take a look just now. When I was pregnant with Dai'er back then, I didn't see what Little Five looked like in the palace."

Hualan looked at Sun Shi and Xie Shi with a smile and said: "Mother, Sister-in-law, let's see when both brothers are at home and hold an archery competition or something for us to watch!"

Sun Shi nodded with eyes full of emotion and imagination.

Xie Shi smiled: "Hualan, I think the hardest part is how to convince the two brothers to compete in archery with Little Five."

Hualan thought of Zaihang's appearance and also started to laugh.

Afterward, Hualan took a deep breath and looked at the little maid standing in the room.

Seeing Hualan's gaze, Zhu Mama, who was by Sun Shi's side, knowingly waved her hand at the little maids and said: "You few, go outside and walk around first."

"Yes."

Yunjin and the other little maids bowed and responded before walking outside.

Very quickly, only the personal Mamas of the three Madams remained in the room.

Hualan turned her head to look, confirmed that everyone had gone out, leaned forward, and whispered in a gossiping tone: "Mother, Sister-in-law, you didn't see the look in Miss Feiyan's eyes when she watched Little Five shoot..."

"By the Three Pure Ones, I am a woman, but seeing the look in Miss Feiyan's eyes when she watched Little Five, my heart felt as soft as our family's cotton."

Xie Shi also leaned forward and asked in a low voice with great interest: "So that Rong family young lady kept looking at Little Five?"

Hualan rolled her eyes and thought for a moment, then shook her head: "She didn't keep looking; after Little Five finished shooting, she would talk to me from time to time."

"Mother, this daughter-in-law has seen Miss Feiyan a few times before; she seems to be a gentle and polite young lady! She is truly beautiful!" Hualan continued.

Sun Shi smiled noncommittally.

Xie Shi looked at Hualan and said: "Hualan, that's what you saw! I heard from my younger sister in my maiden home that Miss Feiyan usually participates in the incense-clothing elegant gatherings of the noble ladies in the capital, and she always looks down on people."

Hualan: "Ah? Really?"

Xie Shi nodded affirmatively and smiled: "That's only because she met Mother and us sisters-in-law that Miss Feiyan didn't act like that."

Just as Hualan wanted to continue speaking,

"Why is everyone standing outside?"

Xu Zaijing's voice came.

Sun Shi and her two daughters-in-law hurriedly sat up straight, picked up the teacups on the table with serious and solemn expressions, and began to drink.

A moment later,

Xu Zaijing passed through the cotton curtain and entered the hall.

"Cough, Jing'er, have the guests all been sent away?" Sun Shi asked with a serious expression while holding her teacup.

After Xu Zaijing performed a salute toward the three Madams in the hall, he sat in his seat and said: "Mother, they have been sent away! Once I obtain the military registry and records of the Hua family's eldest son, I will ask Father to take a look. I will strive to have him transferred under Father's command the day after tomorrow."

Sun Shi nodded slightly: "That is good! How will the Hua family's eldest son's younger sister be settled?"

"Brother Xian said that the young lady will follow by Miss Feiyan's side with the status of a commoner, which counts as being settled and cared for."

Xu Zaijing replied.

"Good!"

At this time,

The cotton curtain at the entrance was lifted again, and Sun Shi's personal Dan Mama walked in quickly, performed a curtsy toward everyone with quick movements, and said: "Madam, Madam, an internal official from the palace has come, saying he has an oral decree from His Majesty!"

Upon hearing this,

Sun Shi, her daughters-in-law, and Xu Zaijing all stood up one after another.

"Let's go, let's go take a look quickly."

Dan Mama hurriedly continued: "Madam, the internal official said it's not a big matter; you don't need to be anxious and can walk over slowly."

Sun Shi nodded, and then, supported by her two daughters-in-law, walked toward the main hall in the front courtyard.

The group passed through the corridor and gate and arrived at the main hall in the front courtyard.

After going around the screen, Sun Shi saw the internal official Eunuch Huai Bao, who was drinking tea in the hall.

Seeing the arrivals, Eunuch Huai Bao hurriedly stood up and said: "Madam, the Empress specially instructed that since you are pregnant, you don't need to perform a salute."

Sun Shi was stunned and smiled: "This subject's wife thanks the Empress for her concern."

When the two were talking, Xie Shi and Hualan had already performed a curtsy.

Xu Zaijing also stood on the side and performed a salute: "Greetings, Lord Eunuch Huai Bao."

Seeing this scene, Eunuch Huai Bao hurriedly bowed and cupped his hands to return the salute, saying: "Oh my! Fifth Young Master, this humble servant cannot bear your salute!"

Back then, outside the Shenbao Temple, the flagpole that almost killed someone and caused a disaster was built under Eunuch Huai Bao's responsibility.

If it hadn't been for Xu Zaijing turning the tide, Eunuch Huai Bao wouldn't even know if his life could have been saved.

"Lord Eunuch Huai Bao is too polite." Xu Zaijing said with a smile.

Eunuch Huai Bao looked at Xu Zaijing and smiled; afterward, he stood up straight, saw that Sun Shi already knew he was about to speak, took a deep breath, puffed out his chest, and said: "Transmitting His Majesty's oral decree, the Xu family members do not need to kneel."

Xu Zaijing, his mother, and his sisters-in-law all stood solemnly and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Eunuch Huai Bao continued: "Xu family's Fifth Young Master Zaijing has established outstanding merit; tomorrow, the Lantern Festival, he is specially permitted to ascend the Xuande Tower to view the lanterns in the Imperial presence! This is the decree."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your immense grace!" The Xu family members shouted again.

Looking at the group that had raised their heads, Eunuch Huai Bao smiled: "Fifth Young Master, prepare well for tomorrow."

"This humble one understands."

"Mm!" Eunuch Huai Bao nodded with a smile, and then nodded and performed a salute toward the three Madams, Sun Shi, and said: "Madam, please have the Fifth Young Master see this humble servant off; you don't need to come out."

Looking at Sun Shi, who wanted to speak, Eunuch Huai Bao said: "Madam, this is also the Empress's intention, isn't it."

Sun Shi thanked him again and stayed in the hall.

Xu Zaijing accompanied Eunuch Huai Bao and brought several little internal officials toward the Xu family's main gate.

"Fifth Young Master, tomorrow you will be not far from His Majesty, by the side of the Imperial Prince; you must remember your position well."

"This humble one understands."

"The Xuande Gate tower is high, and it's a bit cold at night; Fifth Young Master can dress a bit thicker, and it's best to wear a forehead band or similar item to protect against the cold."

"Thank you, Lord Eunuch Huai Bao, for the reminder."

"Eh, Fifth Young Master is being a stranger; this is what this humble servant should do."

The two were talking, and Eunuch Huai Bao didn't get into his sedan chair at the second gate but walked with Xu Zaijing to the Xu family's main gate.

"Fifth Young Master, this humble servant will return to the palace first."

Xu Zaijing cupped his hands and said: "Internal official, walk slowly."

"Lower the sedan chair!"

Amidst the sedan chair carriers' shouts, Eunuch Huai Bao entered the sedan chair.

"Fifth Young Master, please return."

Eunuch Huai Bao waved from the sedan chair window.

After Xu Zaijing nodded, he watched the sedan chair walk far away under the various lanterns hanging along Quyuanjie, gradually blending into the common people in the distance.

Looking at Chu Zhan, who was standing beside him and looking in the same direction as him, Xu Zaijing said: "Go, have Alan bring your horse out and put on the bridle and saddle."

Chu Zhan asked happily: "Young Master, what am I going to do?"

In the afternoon,

Xingguo Lane,

Sheng family,

Shou'an Hall.

Minglan looked at the group walking in, hurriedly stood up, stood to the side, and performed a curtsy.

After the arrivals finished their greetings, the Old Madam, sitting on the Arhat chair, put down the exquisite lantern in her hand, looked at her daughter-in-law Wang Ruofu, who was standing in front with a smile, and her grandchildren, and smiled: "Madam, Bo'er, Ru'er, all sit."

"Yes, Mother."

"Yes, Grandmother!"

Wang Ruofu smiled and sat on the chair below the Old Madam, while Changbai and Rulan sat below Wang Ruofu.

"Madam, you came to me; is there something the matter?"

"Mother, my maiden family's relative, the Feng family of the Duke of Cheng's mansion, sent an invitation to our family, saying they have rented a restaurant south of Xuande Gate and are inviting relatives to view the lanterns tomorrow night, so this daughter-in-law thought to ask Mother if you have any free time tomorrow night..."

The Old Madam smiled: "Madam has a heart! At my age, my bones are old, so I won't join in the fun! You take the young masters and young ladies of the family to go watch."

Wang Ruofu looked at the Old Madam, nodded, and said with a happy face: "Mother, Hua'er sent a message at noon, saying that the Rong Concubine's own younger sister, Miss Feiyan, might send an invitation to our family's young ladies! And just now, the Rong family maid sent the invitation over."

The Old Madam smiled: "Mm, when the young ladies of the family go, take more Mamas and little servants; there are too many people viewing the lanterns at night, so you cannot be negligent!"

Wang Ruofu glanced at the Old Madam and then glanced at Rulan; the smile on her face faded, and she nodded: "Yes, Mother."

The Old Madam looked at Changbai and said: "Bo'er, although studies are paramount, you must also combine work and rest; you cannot use your energy too much."

Changbai stood up and said: "Grandmother, this grandson understands! Tomorrow, this grandson will go out to stroll with classmates from the study and look at the lanterns."

The Old Madam smiled and waved her hand, signaling Changbai to sit down.

"Cui Mama has come."

A little maid announced outside the room.

Very quickly, Cui Ruan, Cui Mama, walked in, performed a curtsy toward everyone, and said:

"Old Madam, just now the Mama at the second gate sent a message in, saying that someone from our relative, the Xu family, came riding a horse to report, and that kid said that tomorrow Jing'er will enter the palace to view the lanterns in the Imperial presence, so he won't be able to go out and play with our family's Bo'er and Feng'er."

"Enter the palace, Imperial presence, view lanterns?"

The Old Madam asked in confusion.

"Yes, that's what the person who came said."

After the Old Madam thought for a moment, she nodded and said: "Mm, was a reward given?"

"A string of cash was rewarded!"

Cui Mama replied.

"Good!"

After the Old Madam finished speaking, she looked at Changbai, who was sitting on the side, and seeing no look of disappointment on his face, she nodded lightly with full approval.

Wang Ruofu turned her head to look at Cui Mama and said: "Then our family's son-in-law Zhang'er, is he also going to follow?"

Cui Mama shook her head hesitantly: "Replying to Madam, the kid who came only mentioned Jing'er; as for our son-in-law, he didn't say."

Wang Ruofu blinked, looked at Liu Mama behind her, and said: "Liu's, you send someone..."

"Eh~ Madam, no need to send someone." The Old Madam waved her hand and said.

"Ah? Mother, why is there no need to send someone?"

Listening to Wang Ruofu's words, Minglan and Rulan also looked at the Old Madam in confusion.

The Old Madam handed the lantern on the table to Fang Mama, looked at Wang Ruofu, and said: "Since the kid who came specifically said it was the Imperial presence, that means standing not far from His Majesty's dragon chair today."

"Jing'er being able to have such an honor is mostly because of the great merit he established in Beizhou last year."

"Although Zhang'er is the legitimate son of the Marquis's mansion and Jing'er's elder brother, Zhang'er followed his father to Yingxiang Pond today, so I suppose he won't go to the palace to view the lanterns tomorrow either."

Listening to the Old Madam's words, Wang Ruofu's eyes widened, and she said: "Mother, just, just standing not far from His Majesty's dragon chair?"

Looking at the Old Madam shaking her head, Wang Ruofu had just wanted to let out a sigh of relief when she heard the Old Madam say: "It could also be... sitting not far below His Majesty's dragon chair."

"Sit... sitting?"

Wang Ruofu said with an expression of "not even daring to think about it."

"Mm!"

The Old Madam nodded affirmatively.

Wang Ruofu didn't know what to say for a moment.

Rulan looked at her mother Wang Ruofu, then looked at her grandmother, and said: "Grandmother, how do you know so clearly? Could it be that when you were young, you were also..."

Hearing this,

Minglan, who was sitting beside the Old Madam, looked at her own grandmother in shock.

Wang Ruofu was also looking at her mother-in-law with full curiosity.

And Fang Mama, who was standing beside the Old Madam, pinched her handkerchief, took a deep breath, straightened her back, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and her eyes looked empty as if she were reminiscing about something.

Looking at Fang Mama's expression, Changbai's eyes, which were usually calm as an ancient well, had a slight look of surprise.

The Old Madam smiled and shook her head: "It's been so many years; I don't remember."

Rulan looked at her smiling grandmother, pursed her lips, and exchanged a look with Minglan, who had her eyes wide open.

Chai family,

Qiusheng Garden.

In the side room of the main house,

Chai Zhengzheng was wearing home clothes, with a casual hairstyle, standing listlessly in front of more than a dozen maids holding new clothes.

Behind Chai Zhengzheng, Madam Chai glanced at her daughter and then sat leisurely on a stool, pinching a small handful of dried fruits and chewing them slowly to herself.

After trying on a few,

The maid Miss Yun Mu picked up a piece of clothing from the maid's hands, measured it against her young lady, and said: "Da Niangzi, how is this one?"

Chai Zhengzheng sighed, turned around, and said: "Mother, please stop making me try on new clothes! I've been to the Xuande Tower in the Imperial City before! How about this, I won't go!"

Madam Chai raised her eyebrows and said: "Going to the Xuande Tower to view the lanterns is a beautiful thing that many families beg for but cannot get! You, on the other hand, actually say you don't want to go?"

Looking at her mother's gaze, Chai Zhengzheng's eyes darted around, she took a deep breath, turned around, and while preparing to continue trying on clothes, said: "It's not interesting!"

"Fine, then don't try them on!"

Madam Chai put down the dried fruits and clapped her hands, saying.

Chai Zhengzheng turned around with a smile and said crisply: "Mother, really?"

Madam Chai nodded seriously: "Really!" Saying this, she also waved her hand at the maids holding the clothes.

Chai Zhengzheng bit her lip lightly, seemingly thinking of tomorrow's arrangements, and smiled with her eyes curved: "Many thanks, Mother."

After the maids exited the room,

Madam Chai stood up, shook her head, and sighed: "Sigh! I heard that the Xu family's Fifth Young Master is also going to the Xuande Tower to view the lanterns tomorrow!"

Chai Zhengzheng's smile stopped instantly on her face.

"Zheng'er, if you don't want to go... then forget it!" Madam Chai waved her hand and said.

Chai Zhengzheng hurriedly ran to Madam Chai's side, held Madam Chai's arm, and said: "Mother... this daughter was wrong! This daughter will go!"

"Hmph!" Madam Chai snorted coldly, looked at Chai Zhengzheng with some disgust, and said: "It hasn't been long since you last saw him, look at this useless appearance of yours!"

Chai Zhengzheng smiled ingratiatingly, burrowed into Madam Chai's arms, and while wriggling, acted like a spoiled child: "Mother~~"

Madam Chai poked Chai Zhengzheng's forehead hatefully.

(End of chapter)