Chapter 610: Seeing the Big from the Small [Thank you! Bow again! 42K chapters owed]

Time passed in a flash,

and it was already late in the third month.

The weather was growing warmer and warmer.

By the end of the Si hour (11:00 AM),

the sunlight was just right, and there was already a hint of warmth inside the room.

Therefore, in the Sheng family school, the windows had already been opened.

The spring breeze blowing through the hall came in from outside, bringing with it the scent of various flowers and grasses.

It also stirred the beard of Master Zhuang, who was sitting behind the desk.

At this moment, the three Lan sisters had also just returned to the Sheng family from the outskirts.

However, the seats of the Xu brothers and Gu Tingye were empty.

Looking at the several empty seats in the school,

Master Zhuang gently closed his folding fan and shook his head with some helplessness.

Afterwards, looking at Changbai, who was studying intently opposite him, a slight smile appeared on Master Zhuang's face.

Watching Changbai rubbing his neck in discomfort, Qi Heng behind him rubbing his eyes, and Changfeng at the very back yawning, Master Zhuang took a deep breath and said, "Everyone, let's rest for a moment."

"Yes, Master."

The maids and servants sitting on the wooden platform hurried forward to serve tea, fruits, and pastries to their respective young masters and young ladies.

After Rulan took a sip of her drink, she looked at Qi Heng, who had stood up beside her, and smiled, "Brother Yuanruo, why didn't the other three brothers come to class today?"

Changfeng, who was to the side, also looked at Qi Heng curiously.

Qi Heng put down the teacup in his hand and smiled, "Fifth Sister, tomorrow is the wedding of the Xie Zijue of the Li family of the former Bai Gao clan. Second Uncle and the two elder brothers went to help out today."

"Oh! So that's why!" Changfeng, who was behind, sighed.

After speaking, Qi Heng pretended to stretch his waist and took the opportunity to glance at Minglan behind him.

Seeing Minglan nodding slightly, Qi Heng's smile became even brighter.

Qi Heng smiled and nodded again at Seeing Mo Lan, who was looking at him.

This smile made Seeing Mo Lan, who was in front, feel a slight heat on her face.

Inner City,

Southeast, inside the South Corner Gate.

The residence of the Li brothers, of the former Bai Gao royal clan, was in this vicinity.

From here, one could exit the inner city by heading east, and to the side was the three-story Huixian Restaurant.

Heading north was Chunming Ward, where the Duke of Anguo's mansion was located, and the residence of the Huyan family, the in-laws of Xu Anmei, was also over there.

At this moment, a motorcade was slowly stopping in front of the Li family residence.

The sound of "whoa" was incessant.

Several children playing at the entrance, seeing Xu Zaijing riding at the head, shouted and ran into the residence, while others smiled and greeted them, calling out "Fifth Young Master," "Brother Qingyun," and "Brother Alan."

Alan and Qingyun smiled and took out handfuls of paper-wrapped candies from their respective bosoms, distributing them to the boys and girls who came to greet them.

Consequently, the shouts of "Brother" became even more joyful.

Two girls who had candies in their hands, while unwrapping the candy paper, looked at Liang Han to the side and said, "This brother... you look familiar!"

Liang Han spread his hands and said, "I didn't bring any candy."

Hearing this, a girl placed the extra candy in her hand into Liang Han's hand.

Liang Han: "Uh..."

"This brother, you eat!" the girl smiled.

Xu Zaijing, seeing this scene, shook his head and smiled before walking into the residence.

After walking a few steps, he saw the two Li brothers walking out.

"Bang, bang, bang~"

Li Taotie, whose spirit was refreshed by happy events, opened his arms, hugged Xu Zaijing, and they patted each other on the back.

"Brother Jing, why did you come at this time?"

While Li Taotie was speaking, the several children who had just gone in to report the news ran towards Qingyun and Alan, and there was another round of shouts of "Brother."

Xu Zaijing smiled, "I wanted to come earlier, but I received an order from the Empress in the palace and went elsewhere to bring over several carts of congratulatory gifts."

Li Taotie hurriedly said, "The Empress has gone to great trouble. Brother Jing, please convey my thanks to the Empress on my behalf. After we are done with this, we brothers will go into the palace to express our gratitude."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded.

Looking at the female elder walking behind the two Li brothers, who seemed to be their aunt, Xu Zaijing hurriedly bowed slightly to show his respect.

"Has Second Brother come over?" Liang Han, who was following Xu Zaijing, asked with a smile.

Li Li Chi Mei smiled and nodded, "He's here, he's busy decorating the courtyard!"

"Following this young master, there is a Mama who is very efficient in her work. I am very impressed!" the aunt of the Li brothers said in stiff Great Zhou language.

Xu Zaijing nodded and said, "Is it Mama Chang?"

Li Taotie smiled and nodded, "Yes!" He added, "Let's not stand at the door. Let's go inside! Madam Wu is also inside."

While walking into the courtyard, Li Li Chi Mei said beside Xu Zaijing, "The people from the Zaijue family have also come."

"Zaijue Zhongding?"

"Yes!"

"Oh!" Xu Zaijing said, looking around at the decorations along the way, "It seems your courtyard has lost all the characteristic decorations of Bai Gao."

Li Taotie said, "Hmm! Keeping those is useless anyway!"

When they arrived at the backyard,

Qingcao and Qingzhi, who were busy to the side with several strong women from the Zhu family, smiled and bowed to Xu Zaijing and the others, calling out "Young Master."

Xu Zaijing waved his hand and smiled, "You all go ahead! Where is Madam Wu?"

"Young Master, she is in the main room," Qingcao said with a smile.

After Xu Zaijing nodded, he walked towards the main room together with the Li brothers and Liang Han.

"Madam, Brother Jing and Sixth Young Master have arrived," Mama Jin, who was standing at the door, said with a smile.

"Just in time!" Madam Wu's crisp voice came from inside the room.

Entering the room,

Xu Zaijing looked at Pingmei, who was standing beside Madam Wu, and smiled, calling out "Sister."

Pingmei smiled and nodded.

Previously, when Gu Tingyu had an accident in the Northwest, the Li brothers risked their lives to save people deep within Bai Gao territory together with Xu Zaijing and Qingyun, which was a favor to the Gu family.

Both in terms of reason and sentiment, Pingmei had to come to the Li family mansion to help out.

Originally, the Bai clan also wanted to come to the Li family, but the Li brothers didn't have many close friends, and the banquet wasn't that troublesome, so Madam Wu herself, plus the juniors from the two Marquis mansions, could handle it.

Madam Wu coming to help was partly because of the Empress's intention, and partly because of her reputation for being warm-hearted. Besides, the marriage was introduced by Madam Wu, so others wouldn't think too much of it.

Pingmei and the two daughters-in-law of the Xu family coming to help was naturally because the Li brothers had once served under the Marquis of Yongyi, and this was also to show outsiders that these two had a relationship with the Xu family.

If Madam Gu, the Bai clan, came again, it would be a bit inappropriate, and it would be hard to guarantee that outsiders wouldn't think too much and inquire about it with ulterior motives.

"Has the Empress's reward arrived?" Madam Wu asked with a smile.

Seeing Xu Zaijing and Liang Han nod, before Xu Zaijing could speak, Madam Wu said, "Hurry and send someone to select some things, and send the wedding gifts to the Marquis of Jiangyin's mansion this afternoon!"

"Go today?" Liang Han asked in surprise.

"Hmm! You can never have too many gifts!" Madam Wu said.

"Alright!" Xu Zaijing said, taking out a detailed list of the rewards from his sleeve and handing it to Madam Wu.

Madam Wu, seeing this, took the list and smiled, "Brother Jing is still the clever one!"

After speaking,

Madam Wu scanned the list and began to count the items.

Pingmei was to the side, holding a pen, transcribing the names of the items onto a note.

Afterwards, a personal Mama went to the outer courtyard to pick out the items from the carriage and prepare them for delivery in the afternoon.

Madam Wu was experienced in holding weddings, and the Xie clan, Pingmei, Hualan, and others under her were also shrewd and capable, so everything was arranged in an orderly manner.

Li Taotie almost didn't need to do anything; he just needed to sit with Xu Zaijing and the others and wait to marry his wife tomorrow.

In the afternoon,

Xu Zaijing, Li Li Chi Mei, Gu Tingye, and Liang Han, the four of them rode horses, leading several flatbed carriages tied with red silk, heading towards the east.

On the way,

Xu Zaijing, riding his little Li horse, looked back at Liang Han to the side and said, "Sixth Young Master, do you really know the way to the Marquis of Jiangyin's mansion?"

"Brother Jing, don't worry, I've been there several times!" Liang Han replied, looking around at the streets.

Xu Zaijing turned his head to look at Li Li Chi Mei to the side and said, "Li Chi Mei, you keep an eye on the road too. I don't come here often, let's not take a wrong turn."

Li Li Chi Mei smiled and nodded, "Okay!"

"Brother Jing, you don't trust me!" Liang Han continued to look around and said.

"Sixth Young Master, looking at your actions, I really don't have much confidence in my heart," Xu Zaijing turned back and smiled.

Liang Han, who was still looking around, paused, scratched his head, pointed forward, and said, "Go straight!"

The sun was slanting west,

Bianhe North Street,

Yutang Lane,

This lane was originally named Yutang Lane. After the Zhou family of the Marquis of Jiangyin built their mansion here, it was renamed Yutang Lane, taking the auspicious meaning of "gold and jade filling the hall."

At the gate hung with red silk,

Two large lanterns with "Marquis of Jiangyin's Mansion" written on them swayed a few times in the spring breeze.

"Clatter, clatter, clatter, clatter"

The messy and numerous sounds of horse hooves came from the intersection.

The Zhou family doorman, hearing the movement, hurriedly walked out a few steps and looked in the direction the sound came from.

Seeing the group of carriages and horses clearly, the Zhou family doorman shouted, "Hurry, tell the Marquis and Madam that the Li family has sent the wedding gifts!"

In the backyard of the Marquis of Jiangyin's mansion,

In the courtyard of the Zhou family's mistress,

A group of Mamas and maids were standing outside the courtyard.

Inside the room,

The Marquis of Zhou frowned as he looked at his wife and said in disbelief, "This marriage was introduced by Madam Wu, and the Empress also knows about it! Fifth Daughter is getting married tomorrow, and you are telling me today that you want to change the person? You want Cheng Qiniang to marry into the Li family?"

Madam Zhou, clutching her handkerchief, nodded and said, "Marquis, two days ago I went to the Chai family to attend a wedding banquet and chatted with several Madams of the Duke of Anguo's family! The positions of the Crown Princess and the two consorts are still undecided, and our Fifth Daughter also has a chance!"

Seeing the Marquis of Jiangyin frowning and not speaking, Madam Zhou continued, "Although that Li family has a Xie Zijue, their status is that of the former Bai Gao royal clan, and I imagine they won't have much of a future!"

"Moreover, their family still has several half-grown Bai Gao boys and girls to raise! Fifth Daughter is my own daughter! I've thought it over and over, I can't let her marry into that Li family!"

The Marquis of Jiangyin shook his head and said, "Then why did you discuss the marriage for Fifth Daughter before?"

"That, at that time, wasn't there no rumor in the palace about choosing a consort for His Highness! Who knew it would suddenly start this year!" Madam Zhou said with some depression.

"Although this eldest son of the Li family has a good relationship with the Xu family, this eldest son of the Li family did not follow the Marquis of Yongyi to the front line this year! Who knows how the Xu family views his family, and how many people will come to send the wedding gifts and welcome the bride tomorrow!"

"If only a few crooked melons and cracked dates come, our family won't even have enough for our relatives to laugh at! A legitimate daughter marrying such a person!"

"In the future, when Fifth Daughter goes out to attend gatherings, won't she be laughed to death!"

The Marquis of Jiangyin shook his head and said, "You are really blinded by the words of the Tan family! The two consorts chosen by His Highness the Prince like soft bows and archery. Can our Fifth Daughter do that? Does she understand?"

Madam Zhou curled her lips and said, "Marquis, Fifth Daughter doesn't know, but she can learn! How many noble daughters in the capital are not like this!"

"Marquis, besides, when this eldest son of the Li family came to our house that day, he only saw our daughter through a screen, and he doesn't know our daughter's appearance! Even if Cheng Qiniang replaces Fifth Daughter, that is also possible!"

The Marquis of Jiangyin shook his head and said, "But, Cheng Qiniang is a concubine-born daughter, and Fifth Daughter is a legitimate daughter. This status cannot be fooled!"

"What concubine-born or legitimate, they are all under my name, aren't they all legitimate!" Madam Zhou took a breath and continued, "If this person is changed, I will add more dowry for Cheng Qiniang, I imagine the eldest son of the Li family will agree!"

The Marquis of Jiangyin pointed at Madam Zhou in the air and said, "You doing this, it won't work!"

"Not to mention if Fifth Daughter cannot enter the palace, and you have offended Madam Wu, what will happen to Fifth Daughter's marriage."

"Just the fact that the elder sister hasn't married, and the younger sister is married off first, will Fifth Daughter's marriage be smooth in the future?"

Madam Zhou argued, "Maybe our Fifth Daughter can enter the palace? Besides, our Zhou family and my maiden family also have several wealthy relatives, are we afraid that our daughter won't be able to get married?"

The Marquis of Jiangyin frowned and was about to continue speaking.

Outside the room,

"Marquis, Madam! The Li family's wedding gifts have arrived."

The voice of the Zhou family's managing Mama came.

Before the Marquis of Jiangyin could speak, Madam Zhou stood up, leaned out, and shouted, "Wedding gifts? How many people came? What is their status?"

"Replying to Madam, there are four young masters riding tall horses. The specific status hasn't been passed in from the front gate yet."

"Hurry and ask!"

"Yes!"

After finishing speaking with the people outside,

Madam Zhou curled her lips and said, "Marquis, just watch! The few people who came to send the wedding gifts today are the social circles your daughter will be interacting with tomorrow! Hmph!"

"Fifth Da Niangzi is here!"

Outside the door, a maid reported.

"What is this girl doing here?" Madam Zhou stood up and frowned.

The Marquis of Jiangyin took a deep breath, and a smile appeared on his face.

Not long after,

A young lady in her prime walked in, bowed, and said, "Father, Mother."

"Fifth Daughter, why are you here?" The Marquis of Jiangyin smiled.

This Zhou family daughter lowered her head and said, "Father! Daughter does not agree with what Mother said!"

Madam Zhou glared, "What does a little girl like you know! Listen to your mother!"

The Fifth Daughter of the Zhou family shook her head, "Mother, the Tan family disciples previously competed in archery with Jin Kingdom warriors at the Jinming Pool polo field, and daughter also saw it from the Wu Tower! The Tan family disciples were afraid before fighting, and I heard that the Tan family ancestor even went to the palace to file a complaint."

"Just from these two things, daughter can see that although the Tan family is a Duke's mansion, it is rotten on the inside! Daughter feels it is inappropriate to listen to the rumors of their family!"

"If something really happens in the future, will the Tan family swallow the bitter fruit for our family?"

Madam Zhou: "You! You child!"

Listening to her daughter's words, the Marquis of Jiangyin's eyes were full of approval. He looked at his wife, who was speechless, and nodded with a smile, "Fifth Daughter, it seems you have really grown up! Good!"

"I heard that when the eldest son of the Li family came for the first time, he brought quite a few things related to incense?"

The Fifth Daughter of the Zhou family smiled and nodded.

"Marquis, Madam, look clearly! The ones who came to send the wedding gifts are the Second Young Master of the Marquis of Ningyuan, Gu family, the Second Young Master of the Li family, the Fifth Young Master of the Marquis of Yongyi, Xu family, and the Sixth Young Master of the Marquis of Yongchang, Liang family."

Outside the room, the voice of the Zhou family Mama came again.

The Marquis of Jiangyin looked at his wife with some pride and said, "Good, let our eldest son and second son accompany them. I will change my clothes and be there shortly."

Watching the Marquis of Jiangyin leave, Madam Zhou hatefully pulled her daughter and said, "You girl, you really don't know good intentions! When you marry over there and encounter others looking down on you and mocking you, you'll have a hard time!"

"If there is anything in the future, act together with our family! It was a waste of my planning for you!"

Afterwards, when the Marquis of Jiangyin's wife attended a banquet and saw her Fifth Daughter walking hand in hand with Xu Pingmei, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Ningyuan, as if they were sisters, that was a story for another time.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 611 =====