Chapter 680

Many days after the spring rain,

On this day in mid-March,

An auspicious day,

The Sheng family school was on break,

In the afternoon,

Xingguo Lane,

On the couch inside the Qi State Duke's mansion,

Princess Pingning, who was feeling a bit sleepy from the spring weather, let out a long sigh and said without opening her eyes: "What is the commotion outside?"

The mama standing by her side bowed and said: "Replying to the Princess, it is the Ningyuan Hou Fu not far away that is marrying off a maid."

Princess Pingning slowly opened her eyes: "Marrying off a maid? Oh, I remember now. Has the congratulatory gift been sent over?"

As she spoke, Princess Pingning prepared to get up.

Seeing this, the mama beside her hurriedly stepped forward to support her and said: "It was sent over early this morning."

"Hmm! Did Buwei and Li Chong, who are beside Yuanruo, not go to help?"

"Princess, they did not go! The servant heard that Buwei previously had some feelings for that maid, but in the end, there was no follow-up; it would have been awkward if they had gone."

"Oh?" Princess Pingning looked over with a hint of surprise, pondered for a moment, and nodded: "That little monkey actually has a sense of propriety."

As she spoke, Princess Pingning took the towel for refreshing her face handed over by the Qi family maid and wiped her face.

After patting the towel to the Qi family maid, Princess Pingning picked up the round fan offered by the steward mama: "Let's go, let's go see Heng'er."

As she spoke, she walked toward the outside of the room.

The maids and elderly women serving inside followed one after another.

At this time, the afternoon sun was intense, and the courtyard was heated to a high temperature.

Walking under the veranda, Princess Pingning, who felt a bit hot, fanned herself with the round fan as she walked.

Passing through the veranda and the gate,

The group arrived at Qi Heng's courtyard.

Glancing at the plants in the courtyard, Princess Pingning said: "Give an order to pay more attention to the flowers and trees in this courtyard! Don't let any lush green plants that aren't flourishing be seen by Heng'er, as it will affect his mood."

"The servant has noted it."

"Hmm." Moving her gaze away from the plants, Princess Pingning continued to walk toward Qi Heng's room.

Seeing Princess Pingning, the maids in the courtyard stood to the side one after another.

When Princess Pingning passed by, they all bowed their heads in greeting.

Princess Pingning didn't even glance at these maids, continuing to walk forward with her chin slightly raised and looking straight ahead.

Suddenly,

Princess Pingning stopped her pace, frowning as she sized up a maid standing to the side.

After sizing her up for a few breaths, Princess Pingning said: "Did the mansion not issue you spring clothes?"

"Replying to the Princess, the servant..."

"Why are you babbling? Just answer whether they were issued or not!" the steward mama beside Princess Pingning scolded.

"Yes, yes! Replying to the Princess, they were issued."

Princess Pingning asked in confusion: "Then why are you not wearing the mansion's clothes today, but wearing these flashy ones? Look at this outfit, the material is not bad, and it's even a tight-waisted one; who are you trying to show this to?"

The maid glanced at Princess Pingning in a panic and bowed: "Replying, replying to the Princess, the two sets of spring clothes issued by the mansion were both stained, so I changed into this..."

"If your clothes were stained, is your hair dirty too? How did you comb your hair bun? That lock of hair can't be combed up, right?" Princess Pingning said indifferently.

"No, no..." As she spoke, the maid hurriedly tucked her hair behind her ears in a panic.

Princess Pingning took a deep breath, pondered for a moment, and said: "Remember, in the State Duke's mansion, you are absolutely not allowed to wear these flashy clothes that mimic the styles of the pleasure quarters! Especially that hair of yours!"

"Yes, yes, Princess, the servant will keep it in mind."

Princess Pingning glanced at Qi Heng's room and continued: "I will spare you this time; don't blame me for being ruthless if I see you like this again."

"Yes, yes." The maid bowed her head and nodded repeatedly.

Princess Pingning waved her round fan, and the maid, as if granted a reprieve, hurriedly walked to the side.

Arriving inside Qi Heng's room,

Buwei, who was standing in the outer room, hurriedly bowed: "The servant greets the Princess."

"Where is your young master?"

"Replying to the Princess, the Young Duke is doing the homework left by the scholar."

"Hmm."

As she spoke, Princess Pingning walked toward the study, lifted the bead curtain, and looked at Qi Heng, who was lowering his head to write, and smiled: "Heng'er, still working hard?"

Qi Heng looked up and smiled: "Mother, why have you come?"

Princess Pingning smiled: "Have you finished your homework? Is it difficult?"

"Mother, the scholar explained it thoroughly, so I don't think it's difficult."

"That is good."

Princess Pingning nodded, and when she looked around, her gaze stopped on a piece of paper that was about to fall off the table but was held down.

"'Dampen... my clothes'? Are you writing those two lines of poetry by Jingge'er of the Xu family?" Princess Pingning smiled.

Qi Heng was taken aback and hurriedly nodded: "Mother, have you also heard these two lines of poetry?"

Princess Pingning smiled: "I heard the Empress praise them a couple of times in the palace two days ago. I have to say, Jingge'er's talent for poetry is truly excellent."

"Oh! Mother is right." Qi Heng nodded.

Princess Pingning looked at Qi Heng: "In school, Heng'er, you can also ask Jingge'er for advice in your spare time; perhaps you can also compose such good poetry."

"The son understands."

Princess Pingning nodded: "Just now, the maid in your courtyard..."

"Mother, what happened to the maid?"

Looking at Qi Heng's confused expression, Princess Pingning smiled and said: "Nothing, Heng'er, continue your studies; if there is anything you want to eat, just order the kitchen to make it for you."

After speaking,

Princess Pingning got up and walked out.

After leaving the room, the steward mama beside her said: "Princess, should we drive that maid out..."

"Let's observe her for now; it seems Yuanruo didn't even notice that little hoof."

"Yes."

Later that evening,

Quyuan Lane,

A wedding procession with gongs, drums, and red decorations turned in from the street corner.

The groom at the head was wearing a bright red wedding robe, riding a tall horse, followed by the Hou Fu's personal attendants like Qingyun.

Behind the groom followed a carriage tied with red silk, and the dowry carried behind the carriage, by a rough count, was about thirty-six loads.

Arriving in front of the Yongyi Hou Fu,

The bride, holding a round fan and supported by a lucky woman, entered the mansion together with the groom.

Because Alan had no relatives in the capital, neither did Qingzhi.

Therefore,

After paying respects to Sun Shi and the two Ladies of the Hou Fu in the main hall of the front courtyard of the Xu family and receiving four good gifts, the groom and bride were sent to a small courtyard on Quyuan Lane.

The inside and outside of the small courtyard were also hung with red silk, full of festive atmosphere.

Those attending the wedding banquet in the courtyard were mostly old acquaintances, manservants, maids, and mamas from the Hou Fu.

In the Hou Fu,

In the back courtyard,

Anmei, who had taken her son Huyanbi to visit her maiden home under a pretext, sat beside Hualan and smiled: "I say, Little Five, you are quite generous with the gifts for the personal attendants beside you."

Xu Zaijing didn't answer, only smiling: "Sister, I think Wei Wei Yima Pan is a good person; it's fine that my personal attendant is getting married, and I can let you come back."

"That's for sure!" Anmei said triumphantly.

"By the way, Mother, will this Qingzhi stay in our house to work, or will she return to Second Sister's place in the future?" Anmei asked again.

Sun Shi said: "Naturally, she will return to your sister's side; the human relationships in the Gu family are complex, and Qingzhi is a girl who has served there for a long time and is used to it."

Anmei's eyes turned: "The second son of the Gu family has also gotten married..."

Hualan smiled from the side: "Fourth Sister, you know the temperament of the eldest young lady of the Yu family."

"That's true." Anmei nodded.

Zaihang put down his tea cup, looked at his nephew held by his sister-in-law Xie Shi, and said: "Did the brother-in-law say when he will return to the capital? Is it possible for him to return by Mid-Autumn Festival or the end of the year?"

Anmei's smile faded slightly, and she shook her head: "My husband has sent a few letters saying that there are many things in the north, and the earliest he can return is by the end of the year."

After listening, Xu Zaijing said: "Sister, Brother is also worried that my nephew will miss his father because of Dai'er's matter."

"It's fine, anyway, I have you two uncles." Anmei said, looked at Hualan, and smiled: "I heard from Cousin-in-law Zhu that someone has sent you a gift again, Little Five?"

Hualan looked at Xu Zaijing, and upon hearing this, Xu Zaijing felt a bit embarrassed and nodded: "Yes."

Anmei turned to look at her younger brother, full of interest: "Then what did you say, Little Five? I heard it caused some jokes; no matter how I asked, Cousin-in-law wouldn't say."

Others in the room, especially Hualan, also felt a bit embarrassed.

Sun Shi waved her hand: "An'er, since your cousin-in-law doesn't want to say, don't pursue it."

Anmei didn't speak, just looked at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing said helplessly: "Sister, I just had those two go and chat with the medical woman Ren for a few words."

"Oh? Just go and chat with the medical woman Ren for a few words? What's so embarrassing about that?" Anmei asked in confusion.

Xu Zaijing pursed his lips, stood up, and said: "Sister, you think about it first, I'm going to Alan's place to take a look."

As he spoke, he walked out of the room.

"Hey, Little Five, explain yourself!" Anmei shouted from behind.

The sun was setting,

Anmei walked toward the outer courtyard accompanied by her mother and sister-in-law.

Sun Shi and Xie Shi walked in front, holding the child.

Anmei held Hualan's arm, full of pleading in her eyes, and said: "Sister-in-law, tell me, otherwise I might not be able to sleep tonight. Little Five, that kid, only says half of what he means; it's truly annoying."

Hualan looked at her mother-in-law and sister-in-law in front, sighed helplessly, leaned into Anmei's ear, and said a few words.

"Ah? That lady has been married for many years, how could she still be like this?" Anmei lowered her voice.

Hualan whispered: "At that time, Old Madam Wei's eyes were already failing, and she forgot to explain some things in detail; some pictures or objects related to marital duties were not prepared, and the couple was busy making a living, so they delayed it for so many years due to a misunderstanding."

Anmei said with a rather colorful expression: "No wonder Little Five was so embarrassed today. Hiss, come to think of it, how did he know?"

Hualan sighed: "Little Five also thought that the lady had no children after being married for many years, and since she only sent him a gift, he was afraid it would be hard to have any results, so he had someone go to the medical woman Ren."

"Oh! The medical woman Ren asked, and only then found out that no one had taught them about this matter in detail?"

"Hmm."

"It's truly unbelievable that such a thing could be mistaken. This couple is truly... rare," Anmei shook her head.

The next day,

Early in the morning,

The sky was bright,

Next door to the Qingyun small courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, there were still firecracker fragments from yesterday at the entrance.

Inside the courtyard, a young maid carrying a wooden basin with water walked toward the main house.

Entering the room, the little maid looked at Qingzhi, who was wearing a married woman's hairstyle, and smiled: "Greetings, Da Niangzi."

Qingzhi nodded with a smile: "Just put the basin to the side; I am also someone who serves others, I can't have you serving me like this."

"What are you saying, Da Niangzi? You have already been registered as a commoner."

Qingzhi smiled: "Listen to me, sister, go take a rest first."

The little maid didn't continue to speak after hearing this, smiled, put down the wooden basin, and said: "Yes."

After the little maid exited the room and covered the door, Qingzhi continued to look at a hanging painting on the wall above the side table in the main hall of the room.

The painting showed a young man standing beside a divine and handsome horse.

The look in the young man's eyes as he looked at the horse was painted very vividly.

"This was painted for me by the Fifth Young Master; Xunshu also has one there," Alan, who walked out of the bedroom, said with a smile.

Qingzhi looked at her husband with a smile and said: "The Fifth Young Master painted it very well; he even painted the look in your eyes when you love horses."

Alan nodded with a smile, his eyes full of reminiscence: "Da Niangzi is right; no matter how Xunshu and I thought about it, we never imagined that one day we would actually have our own portraits."

Qingzhi smiled, feeling a bit empathetic: "Yes."

When she was in the village before, she also didn't expect that she would come to Bianjing, experience so many things, and then return to Quyuan Lane.

"Let's go, I think the Young Master has already gone to the Sheng family; let's go pay our respects to the Madam and the Ladies first," Alan smiled.

"Hmm."

Leaving the courtyard,

When the two entered the Hou Fu from the side gate, the gatekeeper manservant smiled and bowed to offer congratulations, which made the two feel quite embarrassed.

After paying respects in the main hall of the inner courtyard,

Qingcao stood to the side with Huaxiang, looking at Qingzhi with a look of joy in her eyes.

Xie Shi and Hualan gave some jewelry and fabric,

And when they left, Cuichan, the personal mama beside Hualan, followed them out.

On the way,

Cuichan smiled: "Alan, for your wedding, several noble families in the capital also sent congratulatory gifts; I will have someone send the gift list and the items to you later."

Looking at the surprised expressions of the two, Cuichan said: "Just keep the kindness in your hearts; if other families have matters in the future, our Hou Fu will naturally take it into consideration."

"Yes, thank you, Sister Cuichan," Qingzhi said with a smile.

Cuichan smiled: "By the way, the two Ladies specifically entrusted me! You two are different from Qingyun and Xunshu; they have help from their wives' families. You two have no relatives in the capital; besides the current little maid in the courtyard, you should prepare a few more people for when you have children in the future."

"Alan has a salary from the imperial court and a monthly allowance from the mansion; don't be reluctant to spend it, Sister Qingzhi."

"Yes, sister understands! Actually, in the future..." Qingzhi looked at Alan with a hint of shyness and said: "In the future, when we have children, they can just play with the children of Brother Qingyun and the others."

Cuichan smiled: "That will have to wait until the children are sensible and can run!"

Having been in the Hou Fu for so many years, Alan had already learned many characters.

Returning to their own small courtyard, Alan stood by the table, looked at the gift list in Qingzhi's hand, and said: "It seems the congratulatory gifts from noble families like the Chai family and the Rong family are quite numerous. I think it's because Da Niangzi followed the Madam and formed a good relationship."

After Qingzhi put away the gift list, she looked at Alan with an unreadable expression and said: "Husband, I think you don't often go out with the Fifth Young Master, right?"

"How does Da Niangzi know?"

Qingzhi smiled: "Let's go, shall we go see the things you won by gambling, husband? I've heard of it, but I haven't seen it yet!"

A few days later,

Qingzhi also returned to the Ningyuan Hou Fu to see Pingmei once.

"In a few days, Third Da Niangzi will have her grand wedding; you must come back to help then," Pingmei said with a smile.

"Rest assured, Madam," Qingzhi smiled.

Time passed leisurely until April.

Jinming Pool had been closed a few days ago.

In the afternoon,

Minglan, who had finished school, did not go to Shou'an Hall, but went to the Jin'an Study of her own mother.

Inside the room,

"Mother, is Auntie alright?" Minglan asked with great concern.

Wei Shuyi looked at Changmu, who was equally concerned, smiled and shook her head: "Ming'er, Mu'er, your aunt is fine; it's just that in a few days, you might have an extra cousin."

Upon hearing this, Minglan blinked in surprise.

(End of chapter)