Chapter 698

Jiying Lane,

Sheng family,

backyard, at the entrance of Lin Qige courtyard,

Yunzai stood beside Lin Qinshuang holding a lantern, watching Zhou Xueniang, who was wearing a brocade cotton-padded jacket and clutching a handkerchief, walking hurriedly toward them from not far away.

When Zhou Xueniang reached them, Lin Qinshuang frowned and said: "What is it, did the master not come over?"

Zhou Xueniang bowed and said with her head lowered: "Replying to the Concubine, the master is not in the Da Niangzi's courtyard, but at Shou'an Hall."

Lin Qinshuang looked at the dim sky and asked in confusion: "At this hour, why did the master go to Shou'an Hall?"

"This slave inquired, but the maids and old women at Shou'an Hall have very tight lips, and I couldn't ask anything! It was only when I ran into Guan Pozi Zhi from the front courtyard on the road that she revealed a few words to me."

Zhou Xueniang said, raising her head to look at Lin Qinshuang.

"Mm, continue," Lin Qinshuang said.

"They said there was a letter sent from Yingchang Prefecture at the front gate, which was delivered to Weiruixuan, and afterward, the master went from the study to Shou'an Hall."

Hearing this, Lin Qinshuang's eyes darted, and she muttered to herself: "Yingchang Prefecture? I suppose it is a letter sent from the Wang family... I wonder what the matter is."

As she spoke, Lin Qinshuang looked toward the direction of Shou'an Hall.

At this time,

in Shou'an Hall,

Old Madam Sheng sat on the Arhat chair with a smile on her face, and a letter was placed on the small table beside her.

Looking at the Sheng Hong couple sitting in the lower seats, the Old Madam smiled: "The sister-in-law of the Da Niangzi's maternal family spoke earnestly in the letter. I see that the Wang family is sincere in wanting to marry Rulan."

Sheng Hong smiled, revealing his dimples, and said: "Mother is right. Previously, my son replied to my brother-in-law, saying that we would wait until Changbai and Changfeng took the imperial examinations before discussing marriage for Ru'er, and my brother-in-law agreed."

The Old Madam nodded: "Hualan is the Da Niangzi of the Marquis's residence. If Bai'er and Changfeng both pass the imperial examinations, Ru'er marrying into the Wang family will make her position much more secure."

"But what about the letter saying that the Wang family also replied to the Kang family? What is that about?"

Hearing the Old Madam's question, Wang Ruofu squeezed out a smile and said: "Mother, it is nothing. It is just that my elder sister heard that the Wang family wanted to discuss marriage for their child, and since Ru'er has to wait two years, she..."

The smile on the Old Madam's face disappeared: "Hm?"

Stealing a glance at Sheng Hong, Wang Ruofu lowered her head and said: "She said that my niece, Kang Yuan'er, has reached the age for marriage and doesn't need to wait, so she could also marry into the Wang family."

"This, how did the elder sister of the Kang family know about this?" Sheng Hong frowned and asked.

Wang Ruofu lowered her head and said in a mosquito-like voice: "I... I accidentally let it slip when I was chatting idly with my sister."

"You!" Sheng Hong looked at Wang Ruofu speechlessly.

The Old Madam said in a deep voice: "Da Niangzi, it is a good thing that the Wang and Sheng families intend to discuss marriage! But your sister's actions are tantamount to snatching benefits and competing for marriage with relatives."

"It seems she is not afraid of ruining the relationship between the two families."

After the Old Madam finished speaking, Wang Ruofu lowered her head and said: "My elder sister said she has no one close to her in the capital, only me, her own younger sister. I couldn't just throw her aside and ignore her, could I?"

Sheng Hong frowned and said: "Then have you ever thought that with the sons of two Marquis families studying at our house, and with your elder sister interfering like this, the Wang family will think our family looks down on You Ge'er?"

"No, they wouldn't, would they?" Wang Ruofu said blankly.

Seeing this, Sheng Hong shook his head with some disgust.

The Old Madam in the upper seat waved her hand and said: "Regardless of what the Wang family thinks, being able to send this letter shows their attitude."

"Hong'er, write the reply to the Wang family yourself. Ru'er still has two elder brothers and one elder sister who haven't discussed marriage. To reach her, we will have to wait a few years."

"Don't let the Wang family's son wait only for Ru'er and delay himself. If in two years the two children still haven't settled, everything will be easy to discuss."

Sheng Hong stood up and bowed: "Mother, my son understands."

The Old Madam looked at Wang Ruofu, who had also stood up, and said: "Da Niangzi, the Winter Solstice is near."

Wang Ruofu was startled. After looking up at the Old Madam, she hurriedly said: "Mother, this daughter-in-law understands! The new clothes for the sons and daughters in the house have already been made by the people I ordered."

"And for the servants, I have also asked the master tailor from the clothing shop to measure them."

The Old Madam smiled: "The Da Niangzi handles matters properly, so this old woman can rest easy."

Looking at the Old Madam's expression, Sheng Hong bowed: "Mother, my son will first..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Ruofu added: "Mother, on the day of the Winter Solstice, His Majesty will go outside the city to offer sacrifices to Heaven. Do you think our family should build a viewing shed outside Nanxun Gate?"

The Old Madam nodded: "Once every three years, we must build a viewing shed! But I will not go that day. The Da Niangzi and the children should go together to watch the ceremony."

"Yes, Mother," Sheng Hong said.

"By the way," the Old Madam called out.

The Sheng Hong couple hurriedly stopped their steps.

"Hong'er, as a court official, you must accompany the carriage during those three days of the Winter Solstice! The winter nights are bitterly cold. You must pay attention to nourishing your foundation these few days to prevent catching a cold."

Sheng Hong's expression became awkward, and he lowered his head: "Yes, Mother, my son understands."

The next day,

at noon,

after finishing lunch,

Yunxiang looked at Xu Zaijing, who was standing before her and reaching out his hand, and hurriedly turned to embrace the cloak from the wooden platform behind her.

"Young Master, are you going out?"

Yunxiang asked with a smile.

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile: "Going out for a walk to digest food, you don't need to follow."

"Yes, Young Master."

"I'll go too," Gu Tingye, who was to the side, said.

After the two put on their cloaks and just stepped out of the courtyard gate, they saw Qingyun practicing with a sturdy young man near the Sheng family gatehouse.

Xu Zaijing had excellent eyesight and could tell that Qingyun was teaching and the young man was learning.

Judging by his appearance, it was exactly Shi Tou, the personal guard of Gu Tingye from his memories.

Seeing Xu and Gu walking over, the Sheng family servant hurriedly bowed and paid respects.

Xu Zaijing smiled and waved his hand toward Qingyun and Shi Tou, who had paused their bowing: "Continue."

Gu Tingye smiled: "Shi Tou, don't you try to be brave, Qingyun is not someone you can 'deal with' casually."

"This little one has already learned that," Shi Tou smiled.

Xu Zaijing and the other nodded and continued walking forward.

Wandering near the stable and casually touching the head of a horse, Gu Tingye said: "Fifth Young Master, will you enter the Imperial Guard to protect the carriage during the Winter Solstice?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "I am not going! But Third Brother has already received the imperial decree."

"Mm!" Gu Tingye nodded with a smile.

Looking at Xu Zaijing's inquiring gaze, Gu Tingye said proudly: "Correct, Fifth Young Master, I am going to protect the carriage during those days."

Xu Zaijing smiled slightly: "Mm! I heard from my elder brother before that on the day of the Winter Solstice, His Majesty has to get up after the third watch (1:00 AM)! He will be busy with the sacrifices to Heaven and ancestors until dawn."

Gu Tingye's smile disappeared, and he said in surprise: "The third watch?"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "The third watch! As an Imperial Guard, you might have to stay up all night."

Thinking of the bone-chilling cold of the winter night, Gu Tingye twitched the corners of his mouth.

The day before the Winter Solstice,

at the third watch (around 1:00 AM),

the moon had just risen in the night sky, and the stars were twinkling.

Nanjiaotang Lane,

Rong family,

Huisue Courtyard,

the courtyard was completely silent, with only a faint flickering of firelight on the window lattice of the side room where the stove was kept.

Inside the bedroom of the main room,

an exquisite copper water vat was placed above the fire channel of the heated floor. Under the conduction of heat, faint water vapor was being emitted.

The young girl's steady breathing could be heard lightly in the room.

Suddenly,

"Moo!"

The sound of an elephant trumpeting came from the distance, and during it, there was also the neighing of horses.

A moment later,

the maid Ningxiang carried a lantern and entered the bedroom with light and quick steps.

"Da Niangzi, have you awakened?"

Rong Feiyan sat up from the brocade quilt, lifted the bed curtain, and asked with a slightly hoarse voice: "Mm! What is that commotion outside?"

"This slave hears what sounds like the trumpeting of elephants and the neighing of horses."

"What time is it?"

"It looks like the end of the Zi hour."

Rong Feiyan exhaled a long breath: "The end of the Zi hour? At this hour, the Imperial carriage should have left the palace."

"The Da Niangzi is right, I just don't know why there would be the trumpeting of elephants." As Ningxiang spoke, she poured a cup of warm water from the table and handed it over.

The style of the cup was very similar to the one Xu Zaijing used.

Rong Feiyan moistened her throat, and neither the mistress nor the servant spoke, and the room fell into silence again.

Vaguely, bursts of horse hoof sounds came from the distance.

"He hasn't come out for a long time," Rong Feiyan said softly.

The Da Niangzi did not name anyone, and Ningxiang did not ask further, only saying softly: "There is still a year until the metropolitan examination, so that person naturally has to work hard."

"Mm." Rong Feiyan drank another sip of water and handed the cup out.

Lying back on the bed, Rong Feiyan closed her eyes and said: "I wonder when it will snow."

Ningxiang tucked the quilt for her Da Niangzi: "It should be soon."

Waiting quietly for a moment, until Rong Feiyan's breathing became steady, Ningxiang then got up from the bed and lowered the bed curtain.

The next day,

on the day of the Winter Solstice,

the sky in the early morning was still somewhat dark, but the East was already faintly tinged with blue.

Bianjing outer city,

outside Nanxun Gate,

after passing the moat all the way to the Nanqingcheng Zhai Palace, many lanterns were lit along both sides of the official road.

By the light of the lanterns, one could see various precious carriages and horses parked on both sides of the road, as well as various viewing sheds with charcoal stoves lit. These viewing sheds were temporarily built by wealthy families in the capital, also to watch the Emperor's Imperial carriage.

You must know,

the winter morning is bitterly cold, and when the north wind blows, the face exposed outside will be frozen until it hurts.

The Emperor and the Imperial clan have to start getting busy from the Zi hour (after 1:00 AM), and on the way back to the capital after finishing their work in the morning, it is possible for them to go to some family's viewing shed to warm up for a while.

Moreover, building viewing sheds on both sides of the road, besides watching the ceremony, can also block the cold wind, which can be considered showing loyalty.

In one viewing shed,

Wang Ruofu, wearing earmuffs and a fur coat, holding a hand warmer in her hand, stood at the edge of the viewing shed, peeking at an Imperial Guard knight standing on horseback not far away.

The Sheng family sons and daughters who accompanied her were also dressed similarly, each wrapped very tightly.

Rulan, who got up early, yawned and exhaled a puff of white air before saying: "Mother, what are you looking at?"

The others also looked curiously at Wang Ruofu.

Wang Ruofu said without turning her head: "I see that the Imperial Guard who just rode over on horseback has a physique somewhat like Zaizhang's."

"Liu Mama, you come over and take a look too."

"Yes, my Da Niangzi."

Hearing this, Rulan stood up and walked over.

Seeing this, the others followed Rulan and stood beside Wang Ruofu.

In everyone's field of vision, a knight wearing armor was holding a torch and standing on horseback by the roadside.

The armor looked quite exquisite, and under the reflection of the torch, it flashed with cold reflections.

With breathing, white air appeared from time to time between the mouths and noses of the people and horses.

But at this time, the sky was still somewhat dark, and they were facing away from the Sheng family shed, so everyone could not see clearly.

After watching for a while, Wang Ruofu called out softly: "Son-in-law?"

Hearing the call, the knight turned his head to look.

"Mother, the person looked at us and didn't react, it doesn't look like Eldest Brother-in-law," Rulan said from the side.

Wang Ruofu was slightly regretful and said: "Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me! Even if it's not the son-in-law, send a bowl of hot soup over. This morning is really too cold."

"Yes, my Da Niangzi," Liu Mama responded.

Soon,

Han Niu, the personal guard beside Changbai, carried a bowl of slightly hot tea soup and walked over.

Those who could build viewing sheds by the roadside were either wealthy or noble, and with lanterns lit to show their names, the Imperial Guard knight did not refuse. After drinking the hot soup, he only felt a warm current enter his body, offsetting much of the cold.

The Xu family's viewing shed was built on the east side of the official road, and there were also alert guards stationed on horseback in front, very coincidentally, it was Gu Tingye.

Xu Zaijing naturally also sent a bowl of hot soup over.

The sky gradually brightened,

and the sunlight shone from the East.

Although the torches held by the Imperial Guards along the way could provide warmth, for safety, they were extinguished one after another.

From the direction of Nanqingcheng Zhai Palace in the distance came a chorus of long live.

After another while,

the Junrongzhi, who played drums, gongs, and musical instruments, began to walk over.

Following behind the Junrongzhi were seven elephants in full dress.

The elephants were draped in red and brocade on their backs, with golden bridles tied to their heads, and the riders sitting behind their ears were wearing brocade clothes, holding a sharp tool like a hook used to control the elephants in their hands.

When the elephants passed by, the nephews and nieces standing beside Xu Zaijing watched without blinking, and couldn't help but let out a 'wow' exclamation.

Xu Zaijing looked down at the children's curious and amazed expressions, seemingly knowing what gifts to send them in the future.

North of the Xu family viewing shed,

west of the official road,

in the Chai family viewing shed,

the music of the passing Junrongzhi was very loud.

Looking at the Imperial Guard knight standing with his back to them in front of the shed, Miss Yun Mu leaned into Chai Zhengzheng's ear and said: "Da Niangzi, I didn't expect such a coincidence, the Third Young Master of the Xu family is actually right in front of our shed."

Chai Zhengzheng, wearing earmuffs, smiled and squinted her eyes toward the morning sun. Just now, the Chai family gave Zaizhang hot soup and a hot water bag to warm his body, which made Zaizhang very grateful.

Suddenly,

Chai Zhengzheng noticed a gaze from elsewhere and turned her head in confusion, only to find that in a viewing shed not far away, someone was staring straight at her.

Miss Yun Mu glanced at the extinguished lantern in front of that viewing shed and said in Chai Zhengzheng's ear: "Da Niangzi, it is the son of the Zhongshan Marquis Sha family, he looks truly rude."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded with a straight face: "Hmph! I don't know what he is looking at! The elephants are coming."

As soon as she finished speaking,

"Moo—"

Among the seven elephants in full dress, one raised its long trunk and trumpeted.

While trumpeting, the elephant also took two steps toward the Zhongshan Marquis's viewing shed by the roadside.

The elephant's direction of travel shifted, and the rider sitting behind the elephant's neck raised the hook-shaped sharp tool and pecked the elephant's head.

But contrary to the rider's expectation, the elephant did not correct its direction.

With such a giant beast walking over, the Zhongshan Marquis's viewing shed and its vicinity became somewhat chaotic, and the Imperial Guard cavalry stationed in front of the shed had to rein in their horses to the side.

The members of the Sha family sitting on the folding chairs were frightened and fell backward to the ground in the chaos. There was a clattering sound, and the charcoal brazier used for warmth was knocked over, with red-hot charcoal scattering everywhere.

The elephant rider reacted quickly, rapidly increasing the force to peck again, and after the sharp tool remained in the elephant's skin, he pulled it again.

"Moo!"

In pain, the elephant trumpeted again, and its front hooves were slightly raised.

(End of chapter)