Chapter 619

Wei Hour (after 1:00 PM)

Jiying Lane,

Sheng family,

Weiruixuan,

Side room of the main house,

The maid Caihuan stood to the side, supporting an exquisite bronze mirror.

Wang Ruofu, facing the bronze mirror, wore two heavy gold rings on her hands. After adjusting the jade hairpin on her bun in the mirror, she lowered her head and scanned her clothes.

After smoothing her lapels, Wang Ruofu looked at Liu Cui Mama to the side and said, "Liu Cui Mama, how do you think this outfit looks?"

Liu Cui Mama, standing to the side, pinched her handkerchief and looked at Wang Ruofu's clothes, nodding, "Madam, I think this outfit looks good; it complements your complexion. It's just..."

Seeing Liu Cui Mama's hesitant expression, Wang Ruofu looked at herself in the bronze mirror and said, "What is it? Is there something wrong somewhere?"

Liu Cui Mama did not speak, only intently scrutinizing Wang Ruofu's attire.

Caihuan, opposite, looked at Wang Ruofu with eyes full of confusion, then looked at Liu Cui Mama.

A moment later,

Liu Cui Mama's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands, laughing, "Madam, I finally understand what is not quite right!"

Seeing Wang Ruofu's confused look, Liu Cui Mama said, "Madam, the two gold rings on your hands are too thick! They don't match the simple and elegant material of your outfit! It would be better to change to a jade bracelet!"

Wang Ruofu raised her palm to look at the gold rings, frowning, and said with some reluctance in her tone:

"Bai Shi family in Yang Zhou is a wealthy family, and the Gu family is a long-standing noble family! If Da Niangzi Bai comes to our house and I am dressed too simply, I am afraid she will look down on us!"

Liu Cui Mama advised, "Madam, we are not without any dealings with the Gu family!"

"The Gu family's second son is studying at our family's school; speaking of which, we are even distant relatives! Da Niangzi Bai knows very well what our family is like, so why is there a need to use these big gold rings to show off?"

Wang Ruofu blinked and nodded, "That's true!" Saying this, she extended both hands.

Liu Cui Mama hurriedly stepped forward to take off the big gold rings, put them into the mirror box, and helped Wang Ruofu change into a jade bracelet.

Wang Ruofu scanned her appearance in the bronze mirror and nodded, "Hmm! Let's go!"

On the way walking outside the courtyard,

Wang Ruofu said with some confusion, "You say it's not a holiday or a festival, so why did Da Niangzi Gu Hou think of coming to our house?"

Liu Cui Mama also shook her head, not understanding, "Madam, I cannot guess what the matter is either."

Wang Ruofu nodded and continued to walk toward the main hall of the front courtyard.

After arriving at the main hall and sitting for a while,

"Madam, the Yu family's carriage is almost at the gate."

Hearing the report from the little maid outside the door, Wang Ruofu stood up, supporting Liu Cui Mama's arm, and hurriedly walked toward the second gate.

Seeing Old Madam Yu stepping off the carriage, Wang Ruofu smiled and stepped forward, "Old Madam, the journey has been hard. Our Old Madam is waiting for you in Shou'an Hall!"

Old Madam Yu smiled and nodded, "Sorry to trouble you, Madam, for coming here to welcome me."

"Old Madam, what are you saying!"

Wang Ruofu said, looking with a smile at Yu Yanran, who had stepped off the carriage afterward.

Seeing Yu Yanran's red-rimmed eyes, Wang Ruofu was stunned, "Oh, Miss Yanran, what happened?"

Yu Yanran hurriedly lowered her head, "Thank you, Madam, for your concern, I am fine."

Wang Ruofu nodded belatedly, "Oh! That's good, that's good! Let's go, let's go to Shou'an Hall."

When hearing Wang Ruofu's question, Old Madam Yu, not knowing what she was thinking of, had an unhappy expression.

When Wang Ruofu looked over, Old Madam Yu squeezed out a smile, nodded, and said, "Madam, please."

Shou'an Hall

"Old Madam Yu, Madam, and Miss Yanran have arrived."

Hearing the announcement,

Old Madam Sheng, sitting on the Luo Han chair, smiled and stood up, looking toward the entrance of the hall.

Seeing Old Madam Yu entering the room, Old Madam Sheng smiled and went up to meet her with Minglan, saying, "Today I rashly invited you, sister, to my house; please do not blame me."

Old Madam Yu looked at the smile of her long-time friend, Old Madam Sheng, and shook her head, "You invited me to your house, why would I blame you, sister?"

Old Madam Sheng smiled, turned her head to look at Yu Yanran, who was lowering her head, and said, "Sixth girl, accompany your sister Yanran to the side room to play."

"Yes, Grandmother!"

Minglan, beside her, smiled and took Yanran's hand, pulling her to walk to the side.

"Let's sit down too." Old Madam Sheng said with a smile.

After the two old ladies were seated on the Luo Han chairs, Wang Ruofu accompanied them for a few words, then stood up again and walked toward the outer courtyard.

At the Sheng family's second gate,

Pingmei, sitting on the outer side of the carriage, was the first to come out. She stepped on the carriage stool to get off the carriage. Seeing Wang Ruofu standing to the side, Pingmei smiled and bowed, saying, "Aunt, sorry for the disturbance today."

Wang Ruofu pretended to be reproachful and said, "We are all relatives, what are you saying, Pingmei!"

Gu Tingyi, following behind Pingmei, also stepped off the carriage and bowed beside Pingmei, "Greetings, Madam."

Wang Ruofu looked at Gu Tingyi with full appreciation and nodded repeatedly with a smile.

Afterward, Pingmei smiled, turned around, and extended her hand together with Mother Chang, who was walking up from behind.

Da Niangzi Bai, who stepped out of the carriage, got off the carriage supported by Mother Chang and Pingmei's hands.

Coming over with Mother Chang was also Hualan, who hadn't even changed her clothes.

"Mother." Hualan called out with a smile.

Wang Ruofu asked with confusion, "Hua'er, why are you here?"

Hualan looked at Pingmei with a smile and said, "I heard that Aunt Bai and eldest sister were coming to Jiying Lane, and since I happened to miss Grandmother and Mother, I followed them back."

Da Niangzi Bai looked at Wang Ruofu, who was nodding with a smile, and said, "Sorry to trouble you today, Madam."

Wang Ruofu waved her hand with a smile, "No trouble! No trouble! It's a coincidence, Old Madam Yu also brought Yanran here today."

Da Niangzi Bai, Pingmei, and others at the second gate nodded one after another.

And Liu Cui Mama, who was beside Wang Ruofu, seeing the slightly changed expressions of the crowd, hurriedly lowered her eyebrows and eyes to hide the thoughtful look in her eyes.

When Wang Ruofu was welcoming the guests,

Shou'an Hall,

On the corridor outside the side room,

Minglan sat on a stool, leaning forward and looking at Yu Yanran with a face full of concern, "Sister Yanran, were you bullied at Da Niangzi Wu's polo field today?"

Yu Yanran pursed her lips and nodded, "Hmm!"

"Was it your legal mother or your younger brother and sister?" Minglan continued to ask.

Yu Yanran shook her head, and before Minglan could speak, she nodded repeatedly again.

"This is... what does it mean?" Minglan's eyes were full of confusion.

Yu Yanran hammered her thigh with an angry face and said bitterly, "It, it's all that scoundrel Gu Tingye, he..."

Minglan widened her eyes, "Gu Yuan Erlang? What happened to him?"

Yu Yanran frowned and explained a few words. Minglan nodded repeatedly in 'shared hatred' and said, "Gu Yuan Erlang, he is really too reckless! No wonder..."

Yu Yanran looked at Minglan, "Sixth sister, what do you mean by 'no wonder'?"

Minglan said, "It's that he came to our house to pay a New Year's call before, and stopped us halfway to apologize and talk! I think he had a scheme long ago."

Yu Yanran pursed her lips and nodded.

In the hall,

Old Madam Sheng sat on the Luo Han chair, looking at Old Madam Yu with a solemn face, and said, "Old sister, to tell you the truth, today I was also entrusted by someone, which is why I invited you to my house."

Old Madam Yu asked with confusion, "Old sister, entrusted? Whose family could make you accept an entrustment."

Old Madam Sheng smiled, "It's my grandniece who married into the Ningyuan Hou Fu."

Old Madam Yu widened her eyes, "The Gu family?"

"Yes!"

Old Madam Yu glared at Old Madam Sheng unhappily and said, "Old sister, you! Why are you still helping their Gu family?"

Old Madam Sheng said gently, "My grandniece has already begged me; how could I not help?"

Old Madam Yu pursed her lips and looked at her old sister of many years, saying, "Do you know about today's matter?"

Old Madam Sheng nodded, "The Gu family sent someone to tell me. Later, Da Niangzi Gu Hou and my grandniece will also come over."

Looking at Old Madam Yu's expression, Old Madam Sheng hurriedly said, "The maid sent by the Gu family said that Da Niangzi Bai is also very angry about what the Gu family's second son did!"

Old Madam Yu frowned and said, "He is her own son; even if she is angry, what will happen? Will she beat her son?"

Old Madam Sheng smiled, "If you speak up, sister, perhaps that Gu second son will really get a beating."

Old Madam Yu raised her chin, "That would be deserved."

Old Madam Sheng nodded with a smile, "Sister is right! I accepted my grandniece's entrustment, actually because we chatted after the New Year and talked about this Gu family child! The evaluation is that the flaws do not obscure the virtues!"

"Besides, the Gu family's second son is talented in both civil and military affairs, and he is the legal son of the Hou Fu; what kind of girl can't he find? But Da Niangzi Bai can let Pingmei beg me; doesn't this just show that Da Niangzi Bai looks favorably on Yanran and is very satisfied with her!"

Looking at Old Madam Yu, whose expression had loosened, Old Madam Sheng continued to press her advantage, saying, "We old bones have seen many people; we can see at a glance what kind of person this Da Niangzi Gu Hou is and whether her nature is good or bad."

Old Madam Yu took a deep breath and nodded in approval, "That's true! This Da Niangzi Bai is a kind and compassionate person."

"My grandniece is not the wife of Da Niangzi Bai's own son! Da Niangzi Bai can treat her so well; Gu second son is her own son, so could she treat him badly?"

After Old Madam Sheng finished speaking, Old Madam Yu shook her head in disapproval and said, "Old sister, that's not certain! What if Da Niangzi Bai is anxious to hold a grandson? Maybe she will stuff three or four concubines in!"

Old Madam Sheng glared at Old Madam Yu reproachfully and said, "The Gu family already has a legal eldest grandson; what is Da Niangzi Bai anxious about?"

Old Madam Yu nodded, "Sister is right!"

"The distinguished guest, Madam, and eldest young lady have arrived..."

Mother Cui's shout came from outside the door.

The two old ladies stood up.

Afterward,

Wang Ruofu reached out from the side to guide Da Niangzi Bai into Shou'an Hall.

Before the two old ladies could speak, Da Niangzi Bai stopped in front and bowed, saying, "Greetings to Old Madam Sheng, greetings to Old Madam Yu; may the two elders be well."

Old Madam Sheng hurriedly stepped forward, reaching out to support Da Niangzi Bai, saying, "Da Niangzi Gu Hou, please do not be so polite; we cannot accept it!"

Da Niangzi Bai smiled, "Old Madam, I have always been on good terms with Sister Sun, so I should naturally pay my respects."

Old Madam Sheng nodded with a smile, her eyes full of smiles.

Seeing the expressions of the two old ladies, especially the look in Old Madam Sheng's eyes, Da Niangzi Bai understood in her heart, and her mood relaxed quite a bit.

After Da Niangzi Bai finished her salute, Pingmei, Hualan, and Gu Tingyi behind her also hurriedly saluted and greeted them.

Old Madam Sheng greeted them with a smile, "Good, good, good! Children, sit down quickly!"

"Suqin, let Minglan and the others come over to meet the elders and sisters." The old lady said again.

"Yes, Old Madam."

Very quickly,

Minglan and Yanran walked into the hall together and bowed to everyone.

Looking at everyone in the hall, especially Hualan and Gu Tingyi, Minglan smiled until her eyes curved.

Yanran was a bit embarrassed, her eyes drifting when looking at people, and only when she saw Pingmei did her eyes become much steadier.

"Mother, I want to go to the side with the two sisters." Gu Tingyi stood up and said with a smile.

Da Niangzi Bai looked at her daughter reproachfully, then looked at the two old ladies and Wang Ruofu.

Wang Ruofu looked at Old Madam Sheng, who was nodding, and waved her hand with a smile, "Go ahead, Miss Tingyi. Liu Cui Mama, call that girl Rulan over too, to play with her sister Tingyi."

"Yes, Madam."

Liu Cui Mama responded.

Gu Tingyi bowed to everyone and went to the side room with Minglan and Yanran.

Watching the backs of the three young ladies disappear behind the screen,

Da Niangzi Bai stood up and bowed to Old Madam Yu, saying sincerely, "Old Madam, today my second son was truly reckless and offended Miss Yanran! I am here to apologize to you!"

Pingmei, sitting below, also stood up and bowed with Da Niangzi Bai.

Old Madam Yu looked at Da Niangzi Bai's expression, took a deep breath, stood up, and said, "The child is not old; he is just a bit frivolous! It would be better for Da Niangzi Gu Hou to discipline him more in the future."

Da Niangzi Bai nodded repeatedly, "Old Madam is right."

Old Madam Yu looked at Old Madam Sheng and continued, "Before, at my house, my husband also talked about your second son, praising him as a sensible and filial child."

Da Niangzi Bai hurriedly said, "The old Grand Tutor praised him too much! This boy's actions today are unworthy of the old gentleman's praise."

Old Madam Yu waved her hand to signal Da Niangzi Bai and Pingmei to sit down.

After everyone was seated again, Old Madam Yu continued, "Your second son accompanying the Xu family's young master to Beizhou is for loyalty; using military merit to request a title for you, Madam, is for filial piety! My husband did not praise him too much."

Hearing this, Da Niangzi Bai looked at Old Madam Yu, bowed slightly while sitting, and said with a more sincere tone, "Ashamed! Ashamed!"

"Old Madam, today when I go home, I will tell the Marquis about the polo field matter! When the Marquis knows what the second son has done, he will definitely punish him severely to make him know he was wrong!"

Old Madam Yu looked at Old Madam Sheng beside her, rubbed her hands together with some worry, and said, "When we were young, we also heard how Old Marquis Gu punished your husband. A son learns from his father; I suppose Marquis Gu's punishment of Gu second son will also be that heavy-handed."

"How about, let's not tell Marquis Gu. To avoid beating the child badly, the child suffering, and you, Madam, feeling heartache."

After Old Madam Yu finished speaking, Da Niangzi Bai and Mother Chang behind her had expressions full of emotion.

Da Niangzi Bai stood up again, "Thank you, Old Madam, for your magnanimity."

Pingmei also stood up and bowed to Old Madam Yu with Mother Chang.

Hualan also bowed and said, "Old Madam, my husband also wants me to apologize to you; Jinggeer can also be considered an 'accomplice'."

Hearing the name Xu Zaijing, a smile appeared on Old Madam Yu's face, and she waved her hand, "It's okay, Jinggeer is a child with no bad intentions."

Old Madam Sheng smiled helplessly and shook her head.

Looking at the look in Da Niangzi Bai's eyes below, Old Madam Sheng smiled and blinked again.

Da Niangzi Bai understood, took a deep breath, and said to Old Madam Yu with a smile, "Old Madam, speaking of which, my second son has also reached the age to discuss marriage..."

Evening,

Quyuanjie,

Marquis Yongyi's Mansion,

Xu Zaijing sat in the main hall of his mother Sun Shi's courtyard,

Listening to his sister-in-law Hualan describe the situation at Shou'an Hall today.

Now that Gu Tingye has his own mother by his side, naturally, his studies are urged, his reputation is protected, and his marriage is being busied over.

"So, is Yegeer's marriage considered settled?" Sun Shi stood up from the Luo Han chair, supporting her waist, and said.

While speaking, Sun Shi also waved her hand at Xie Shi and Hualan, who wanted to step forward to support her.

"Yes, Mother! The polo match will be held for two more days tomorrow; Aunt Gu's meaning is to announce it tomorrow." Hualan said with a smile.

Sun Shi walked around and nodded, "In this way, Miss Yu's reputation will not be affected."

"Miss Tingyi will also inform the noble ladies she is on good terms with; I think many people will know by tonight." Hualan said.

Xie Shi, beside her, waited for Hualan to finish speaking, smiled, and pulled out a few invitations from her sleeve, saying, "Mother, these are the invitations I received at the polo field."

Sun Shi smiled and took them, looked at them for a few moments, and said, "I haven't seen the names of these families much."

"Mother, these are families that have not been in the capital for long." Xie Shi said.

Zaizhang, sitting above Xu Zaijing, looked at Xu Zaijing with a smile.

Hualan reached out and took the invitations from Sun Shi's hand, smiled, and said, "By the way, Mother! Old Madam Yu said that Old Marquis Gu used to discipline Marquis Gu very heavily; you grew up in Bianjing, have you heard of this?"

Sun Shi pondered for a moment and nodded, "I have heard of it."

Looking at the high spirits of the few people in the room, Sun Shi said, "This is a matter for the elders; you are not allowed to talk to Pingmei about this."

"Yes!" Xu Zaijing and the others hurriedly responded.

Sun Shi said, "I heard from your father that when Marquis Gu was young, he was quite fond of causing trouble! If he made a mistake and hit someone, Old Marquis Gu would either beat him with a military rod or hang him at the main gate and whip him."

"Only with such discipline did Marquis Gu not go astray! Later, Marquis Gu entered the Guangrui Army and began to lead troops, and he straightened out like that."

Looking at the eyes of the two daughters-in-law, Hualan and Xie Shi,

Sun Shi looked at Xu Zaijing, who was eating beef jerky by himself, with eyes full of tenderness, and said, "The husbands of you two didn't suffer this kind of crime when they were young; the most they got was the bamboo board in my hand."

Hualan nodded, looked at Zaizhang, and smiled, "Mother... why did husband get hit with the board when he was young?"

As soon as Zaizhang heard this, he looked at Sun Shi with eyes full of pleading.

Sun Shi smiled and said, "Not studying properly."

Hualan nodded, "Oh!"

Xu Zaijing chewed the beef jerky and looked at Zaizhang with a raised eyebrow.

His memory had always been good; when the two older brothers were hit with the board when they were young, another reason was going to Qiyun Tower to drink flower wine.

The next day,

The polo match outside Jinming Pool continued.

Li family's fifth daughter and Yao family's young lady, who had already been designated as the fourth wives of Imperial Prince Zhao Fang, also appeared in the Empress's large tent.

The news that the marriage between Miss Yu and Gu second son was settled also spread through the polo match.

Once this matter was settled, the rumors about Yu Yanran yesterday immediately vanished.

In the Liang family's tent,

Sat Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, Qi Heng, and others who still hadn't gone to school.

Liang Han looked at the noble ladies playing polo on the field and said, "It seems that the Yu family's third young lady is not in a good state today; she hasn't scored a single goal."

Gu Tingye smiled and said, "Perhaps she heard something and is in a bad mood."

"Pfft~"

After finishing, Gu Tingye sneered.

Xu Zaijing, beside him, shook his head gently; they weren't even married yet, and Gu Tingye had already entered the state and wanted to vent his anger for Yu Yanran.

(End of chapter)