Chapter 654

Outside the house,

Wang Ruofu followed beside Old Madam Sheng with a smile on her face. Looking around the courtyard, she said, "Mother, look at how many distinguished guests have come to the Marquis's residence today! Several courtyards along the way seem to have been renovated and refurbished."

Old Madam nodded with a smile at the corners of her mouth.

Fang Mama, following behind the two, looked at the young maid smiling at the doorway, feeling quite touched.

Although Fang Mama had known since Hualan gave birth that this Marquis Yongyi's residence was no longer the same as it was when she sold herself into the household years ago.

Yet, seeing things and thinking of the people, and amidst the changes in the world, it always made one sigh with emotion.

After all, Fang Mama had once stood in that very spot at the entrance when she was a young maid herself.

As they neared the entrance,

"Old Madam Sheng and Da Niangzi Wang have arrived."

As Wang Ruofu turned her head to smile and nod at an official's relative strolling in the courtyard, a Xu family maid announced their arrival at the door.

Turning back, Wang Ruofu and Old Madam stepped into the main hall together.

"Hmm!?"

Looking at the somewhat quiet hall and the many gazes directed toward them,

Wang Ruofu, feeling the atmosphere in the hall, was stunned, and her smile froze on her face.

Wang Ruofu had been in the capital for many years and had attended many such full-month banquets in the past.

Although her father in her maiden home was honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and her husband served in the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Ruofu had mostly been a mere bystander at such gatherings; never before had she been the focus of so many gazes.

The meanings behind the gazes in the hall varied. Wang Ruofu reacted for a moment before realizing that everyone was not looking at her, but at her mother-in-law beside her.

This made Wang Ruofu breathe a sigh of relief, and she reflexively pursed her lips and smiled.

Old Madam Sheng, beside Wang Ruofu, was also slightly stunned by the demeanor of the crowd in the hall, all dressed in brocade and adorned with pearls and jade.

Seeming accustomed to being the center of attention, Old Madam's state did not change much.

In the blink of an eye, her smile simply became more sincere.

While smiling, Old Madam swept her gaze over everyone's faces, and upon seeing familiar ones, she would smile and nod slightly.

The ladies in the hall,

were either titled noblewomen or relatives of officials,

yet for some reason, when swept by Old Madam's gaze, many could not help but straighten their backs.

Several ladies and official relatives acknowledged by Old Madam Sheng even had a hint of secret joy and honor in their eyes.

"Oh my! Old Madam, you've finally come!"

Da Niangzi Wu, with a smile on her face, came forward clutching her handkerchief.

Old Madam looked toward Da Niangzi Wu and nodded with a smile: "Da Niangzi, it has been a long time!"

The smile on Wang Ruofu's face was becoming difficult to maintain, and she looked at Da Niangzi Wu as if she were a savior.

Da Niangzi Bai, together with Madam Chai, walked over behind Da Niangzi Wu and said with a smile: "Old Madam, you have come."

Old Madam Sheng nodded with a smile.

Watching the elders talking not far away, Gu Tingyi looked at Rong Feiyan in confusion and said: "Feiyan, why did you suddenly sit up straight just now?"

Rong Feiyan chuckled dryly: "Looking at that Old Madam's gaze, it's so similar to Kong Mama's, I... I just couldn't help but sit up straight."

"Let's go, let's go over too," Zhang Wu Niang said with a smile.

Beside them, Wang Ruofu scanned the hall, and upon seeing Zhang Wu Niang walking over, said: "Eh, has the wife of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of England already arrived? I see Zhang Wu Niang."

Da Niangzi Wu nodded and said: "She has, she is in the backyard talking to Sister Sun."

"Oh, oh!" Wang Ruofu smiled.

Da Niangzi Bai looked at Old Madam Sheng with a smile and said: "Old Madam, how has your health been lately?"

"It's passable, thank you for your concern, Madam," Old Madam said with a smile.

At this moment, Gu Tingyi brought Chai Zhengzheng, Rong Feiyan, and Zhang Wu Niang over together.

"Greetings to Old Madam, may Old Madam be at peace."

Gu Tingyi smiled and took the lead in bowing.

The three noble young ladies following behind also bowed and offered greetings.

"Good, good!" Old Madam nodded with a smile, though her eyes held a hint of confusion as she looked at the young ladies other than Tingyi.

Da Niangzi Wu's eyes darted, and she smiled: "Old Madam, you have met Sister Yi. This is Zhang Wu Niang of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of England's family, Chai Sanniang, and Rong Sanniang."

Whichever young lady Da Niangzi Wu introduced, that young lady would bow again.

Fang Mama, following behind Old Madam, felt a slight trance in her eyes when looking at Zhang Wu Niang; although their appearances were different, Fang Mama vaguely saw the shadow of Old Madam's youth in her.

Old Madam Sheng looked at Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan with amazement and sighed with a smile: "These are all daughters of noble families and high-ranking households! Good! Truly good!"

"Thank you for the praise, Old Madam," the noble young ladies said with a smile.

Gu Tingyi glanced at the door and said: "Da Niangzi, have Rulan and the others not come yet?"

Wang Ruofu smiled dotingly: "Those sisters are in the back, clamoring to talk to their eldest sister. They should be here in a while."

"Thank you for clarifying, Da Niangzi," Gu Tingyi said with a smile.

Wang Ruofu smiled.

"Old Madam, you are still going to the back to see Sister Sun, right? Please let me know when you return, I will come find you to talk," Da Niangzi Wu said with a smile.

"Good!" Old Madam Sheng nodded.

Wang Ruofu also nodded and smiled: "Da Niangzi, just wait for me to return."

Old Madam Sheng smiled, nodded, and led Wang Ruofu toward the back door in the hall that led to Sun Shi's courtyard.

Walking around the screen and on the path to Sun Shi's courtyard, Old Madam sighed softly: "The young ladies I saw today are truly beautiful."

Wang Ruofu nodded repeatedly: "Especially the young ladies of the Chai and Rong families, their appearances are like fairies from a play; I wonder which family's young man will benefit from them!"

As they were talking,

amidst the announcement of the maids, Old Madam and Wang Ruofu entered the main room of Sun Shi's courtyard.

"Aunt, you've come!" Sun Shi, wearing a forehead band, smiled and came forward to greet them, holding Old Madam's hand before looking at Wang Ruofu with a smile: "Sister-in-law."

Pingmei, who was holding Liuniang in the room, bowed with a smile: "Grand-aunt, Aunt."

Old Madam smiled and nodded to the wife of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of England who had stood up.

After everyone was seated and had exchanged a few words, the wife of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of England stood up, smiled, and said: "Sister Sun, I will go to the front hall to talk with Sister Wu and the others for a while. Old Madam and Da Niangzi, please sit comfortably."

After Sun Shi tried to persuade her to stay for a moment, she saw the wife of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of England to the door.

After returning to the room, Sun Shi approached Old Madam, who was holding her youngest daughter.

Wang Ruofu, on Old Madam's other side, looked at the infant in the swaddling clothes with a face full of affection and said: "Sister-in-law, I think this girl looks like you. She will surely be as beautiful as her two sisters when she grows up."

"Then I will borrow your auspicious words, sister-in-law!" Sun Shi said with a smile.

After Wang Ruofu finished speaking, she looked around the room again.

Pingmei, who was beside them, said with a smile: "Aunt, the children are all playing in other courtyards. When the banquet starts in a while, I will call the children over."

"Oh, oh!" Wang Ruofu smiled: "Pingmei, have your son and daughter both come?"

"They have! My mother-in-law and I each brought one," Pingmei said with a smile.

Looking outside, Wang Ruofu said with a smile: "I saw the wife of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of England and your mother talking happily just now, the smiles were about to overflow from their eyes."

Pingmei nodded: "Yes, the wife of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of England specifically talked to my mother for a while, mainly about things to pay attention to after giving birth at this age."

"Oh! The Xiao Xiao Gongye's wife, she..." Wang Ruofu stopped in time and said: "She is very thoughtful."

Seeing this, Liu Mama, standing behind Wang Ruofu, breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Liu Mama was afraid that her own Da Niangzi would say something like "The Xiao Xiao Gongye's wife is experienced."

After all, both ladies were older mothers who had given birth late in life.

Old Madam, without even lifting her head, looked at the infant in the swaddling clothes with eyes full of love and said: "Have her parents from her maiden home come today?"

Sun Shi nodded: "Aunt, my father and mother have come, they are resting in the side room."

Old Madam smiled at Ningmei in her arms, handed the swaddling clothes to Sun Shi, and said: "Good, then I will go and greet them."

When the time came,

the banquet started in the residence,

and with the four departments and six bureaus handling things, there wasn't much left to do.

In a side room,

Hualan, who had been busy for most of the day, was resting on a chair with her sister-in-law, Xie Shi.

After taking a sip of a throat-soothing drink, Xie Shi said: "Why didn't I see Zhong Ge'er looking for you today?"

Hualan leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and smiled, saying: "Cuichan took him to find my mother."

"Seeing his maternal grandmother, Zhong'er was as happy as could be, sticking to her; how could he look for me?"

Xie Shi nodded: "I can tell, Da Niangzi Wang truly dotes on Zhong Ge'er. Just now, in the male guest courtyard, I even saw Qilang talking to Zong Ge'er."

Hualan opened her eyes and said in surprise: "Young Xiao Xiao Gongye Lu? What were those two children talking about?"

"It seemed to be about calligraphy?" Xie Shi said with an uncertain tone.

Hualan breathed a sigh of relief: "Qilang has been copying calligraphy books. My grandmother said that the characters he writes are even better than his sister's, so he can indeed discuss it with Young Xiao Xiao Gongye Lu."

"By the way!" Xie Shi suddenly became spirited.

Seeing Hualan look over, Xie Shi waved her hand at the personal maid beside her.

After there was no one else in the room, Xie Shi said in an extremely low voice: "Hualan, which young lady do you think will enter our family?"

Hualan's eyes darted, with a hesitant expression, and she said in a low voice: "It's hard to choose! Speaking of which, Xiao Wu saved Miss Feiyan at the Feng family before, the fate seems deeper! The Chai family young lady has better talent and family background! But no matter who it is, they will be much more decent than us."

Xie Shi nodded repeatedly: "By the way, I remember the Sheng family's fourth young lady has come of age, right?"

Hualan said "Hmm."

Xie Shi smiled: "With an eldest sister like you, I think someone might go find Da Niangzi Wu today."

Hualan smiled noncommittally.

The full-month banquet,

both host and guests were happy,

and after the hour of Shen (4:00 PM), most of the guests had already left Quyuanjie.

Pingmei and Anmei helped their two sisters-in-law handle many things before following their respective mothers-in-law on the journey home.

The sun slanted to the west,

in Sun Shi's courtyard,

Xu Zaijing and his brothers and sisters-in-law were all sitting in the room.

Xu Zaijing and Zaizhang were drinking hangover soup, while Xie Shi and Hualan were having warm drinks.

"Husband, I heard that Young Xiao Xiao Gongye Lu and Qilang discussed calligraphy today?" Hualan asked, looking at Zaizhang.

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing smiled.

Zaizhang nodded and said: "Yes, in the morning Changbai took Qilang and the others to play in Xiao Wu's study. Qilang saw the characters inscribed by his father-in-law and went to show them off to Changbai, but Zong Ge'er heard it."

Hualan nodded with a smile.

The curtain at the door moved,

Dan Mama walked over holding an account book, followed by several maids holding gift boxes.

"Madam."

Dan Mama handed the account book to Sun Shi, who was sitting on the Luo Han chair.

After checking it, Sun Shi held a heavy gold longevity lock in her hand and glanced at her young son who was talking in the room.

Old Madam Sheng's appearance at the Marquis's residence was something many returning official relatives and noblewomen would talk about.

In general, there was more praise than criticism; after all, the Xu family, her maiden home, was currently in a position of importance, and the Sheng family descendants were also doing quite well: the son was a Jinshi, and the younger grandsons were all Juren.

The Chai family,

Chai Zhengzheng was holding Madam Chai's arm, walking toward the backyard.

Madam Chai tightened Chai Zhengzheng's cloak and said: "Zheng'er, you just had a sleep in the carriage, be careful not to catch a cold."

Watching Chai Zhengzheng put on the hood of her cloak, Madam Chai said softly: "I asked Da Niangzi Bai and Da Niangzi Wu indirectly, and they both said that the Xu family brothers respect Old Madam Sheng very much!"

Chai Zhengzheng nodded: "I think it's influenced by Madam Sun."

Looking at Madam Chai, Chai Zhengzheng said: "Mother, what's wrong with you?"

"Zheng'er, several ladies with excellent family backgrounds asked me about you today."

Chai Zhengzheng pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows, saying nothing.

Madam Chai let out a breath: "Good, mother knows."

"Hmm!" Chai Zhengzheng tightened her grip on Madam Chai's arm and leaned her head on Madam Chai's shoulder.

Jiying Lane,

The Sheng family,

the three Lans had each returned to their courtyards.

Shou'an Hall,

Old Madam, who had been tired for half the day, was half-lying on one side of the Luo Han bed for a nap.

On the other side of the Luo Han bed was an exquisite bamboo basket containing needlework,

Minglan was sitting on a stool under the Luo Han bed, holding a threaded needle, looking at Xiaotao beside her, and said in a low voice: "What did you say? Jing Jing Biao Ge Zaijing, he... he doesn't want things made by hand, only things that can be bought?"

Xiaotao nodded repeatedly: "Yes, Sister Yunxiang said it to me and Sister Xique herself."

Minglan looked at the needlework in her hand, put it into the basket in frustration, and said: "This, Jing Jing Biao Ge Zaijing, what is he thinking? What should I buy?"

Weirui Pavilion,

in Rulan's room,

Rulan looked at Xique with bright eyes: "Ah? Jing Jing Biao Ge Zaijing actually doesn't want things I made by hand?"

Xique nodded in agreement.

"I even wanted to ask that girl Minglan to help me! Now that it's like this, I don't need her, so what should I send?"

Rulan said, propping up her chin.

Half a quarter of an hour later,

Xique looked helplessly at the drowsy Rulan and said: "Fifth Da Niangzi, you..."

"Sluuurp." Rulan wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth and looked at Xique blankly: "Ah? What's wrong?"

"Da Niangzi, have you decided what to send to Fifth Young Master Xu?" Xique said helplessly, pursing her lips.

Rulan suddenly realized: "That's right! How did I fall asleep while thinking! Quick, give me an idea!"

Xique hesitated and said: "How about sending the item in our room that you value the most?"

"Slap!" Rulan clapped her hands and smiled: "Not bad! This is a good idea!"

The next day,

Xu Zaijing looked innocently at Rulan, who was full of reluctance and had tears in her eyes, and the cricket cage held by Xique.

(End of chapter)