Chapter 90: Reflections and the Four Courtyards of the Sheng Family [Grateful Thanks to the Readers]

"Who can say for certain what the future holds? An Imperial Prince might perish from an epidemic or an accident; if an opportunity arises to contend for that position, being prepared makes all the difference."

"Planning ahead?"

Master nodded and said:

"Never underestimate another's patience; I have seen schemes laid over more than a decade, only to be executed in a single day."

"Master, which family?"

"Hmph."

Xu Xu Zaijing understood: the Qin family.

Coincidentally, Xu Xu Zaijing had also witnessed such a case, also involving the Qin family.

It seemed this trait of extraordinary patience was an inheritance of the Qin family.

The Qin family had likely begun secretly pledging allegiance to some prince long ago.

After all, within the current hierarchy of power, unless the Qin family produced a scholarly prodigy, their hopes of rising were slim.

Xu Xu Zaijing suddenly recalled a line spoken by a character in a television drama from his previous life: "Chaos is the ladder of ascent."

At Xu Xu Zaijing's current status, chaos benefited him; relying on his own abilities, he was confident he could achieve merit and establish a career.

However, for ordinary people of Great Zhou like Seeing Seeing Qingcao, Sister Qingzhi, and the Ni siblings, it might spell total catastrophe.

They might starve to death because chaos left them without money to buy rice and flour.

They might die at the hands of rampaging soldiers.

Xu Xu Zaijing did not wish for these things to happen and would do his utmost to prevent them, but if they truly occurred, he possessed the capability to protect his own family.

Shaking his head to dispel these thoughts, Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and said:

"Master, let us go stew a chicken; your culinary skills combined with the mushrooms cultivated by Elder Deng will make for an unparalleled flavor."

Observing his disciple seamlessly switch from discussing court affairs to such matters, Master nodded.

Yang Zhou

In the depths of winter

Sheng Hong was comfortably eating lunch in Wang Wang Wang Ruofu's room, where the stove fire burned brightly.

Since his Wu Da Da Niangzi's natal family boasted numerous disciples, his elder brother from Runzhou would occasionally send someone to deliver a cartload of gifts from those disciples.

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu smiled as she placed a bowl of soup into Sheng Hong's hands, saying:

"Husband, these past few days, the ladies of Yang Zhou have been exceedingly envious of me; upon hearing I said the Earl and Countess had come to present betrothal gifts, the look on my face was incredibly dignified."

Sheng Hong, also quite proud, said:

"Among the nobility of Bianjing, only Elder Yuan and I get along well; that day after leaving the Xu residence, we drank together again; he too has endured hardships, and that Wen Shao also experienced household affairs early on—he is a good child."

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu continued smiling as she said:

"Mother is also very satisfied with the family you have chosen for our daughter."

Sheng Hong nodded proudly.

"Husband, my natal sister sent someone to deliver a letter, saying her eldest daughter is soon to discuss marriage, and asking if I know any suitable candidates."

Hearing this, Sheng Hong shook his head slightly and clicked his tongue.

But recalling that the Kang family, like the Wang family, had fathers who served as officials for many years, with disciples and former subordinates' relationships spread throughout the court and countryside, and that they had helped him in earlier years, Sheng Hong asked:

"Do you already have someone in mind?"

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu said happily: "Husband, hasn't Mother gradually established contact with the Xu family in recent years? Doesn't the Xu family now have two young masters who are not yet..."

"Good heavens, what are you thinking?"

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu's smile vanished; she opened her wide eyes and looked at her husband, saying:

"What is wrong? I feel it is very suitable!"

Looking at his Wu Da Da Niangzi's expression, Sheng Hong suppressed the anger in his heart and said:

"Do you think the Kang family is still what it was when we first married?"

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu sat down on an embroidered stool, frowning as she said:

"Old Master Kang and my father were intimate friends; both were from scholarly families, although that brother-in-law of mine..."

Sheng Hong said righteously:

"That brother-in-law of mine, just look at what he has been doing all these years! The connections and relationships his father accumulated, he makes no effort to maintain, spending every day nestled among women! His official career is clearly nearing its end!"

Having spoken, he glanced at Wang Wang Wang Ruofu.

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu fell silent in embarrassment; regarding the houseful of concubines in the Kang household, even with her own sister's fierce nature, she could not eradicate them all.

This brother-in-law from the Kang family 'restocked' far too quickly.

Thinking thus, she glanced at Sheng Hong.

Sheng Hong was already more handsome than Kang Kang Haifeng, and now, with his official career progressing smoothly, he was very high-spirited.

Thinking of the situation her own sister faced,

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu actually felt a certain sense of happiness,

If not for that wretch in the Linqi Pavilion,

her sense of happiness could have risen even further,

But she still stubbornly muttered: "The Kang family is not as declined as you say."

"Oh my, what do you, a woman confined to the inner quarters, know? Do you know what kind of families' carriages and horses were parked along the street when I went to the Xu residence previously? Your husband is merely a fifth-rank minor official!"

"Isn't there still Mother!" Wang Wang Wang Ruofu retorted immediately.

"Mother belongs to the Sheng family; she is my mother, not the Kang family's," Sheng Hong growled in a low voice.

"If it won't work, it won't work; why are you shouting at me?"

Sheng Hong sighed; he should not have eaten this meal here.

Shou'an Hall

Sheng Hualan supported Lady Sheng as they walked from the Fotang back into the room, the scent of sandalwood still clinging to her.

Sheng Hualan supported her from the side.

"Grandmother, by now, Sister Xu Pingmei of the Xu family should have already completed her wedding, correct?"

"Mm, calculating the days, it has been some time. What is this? Why bring up the Xu family at this hour?"

"Grandmother, I was thinking of distributing some of the cotton batting sent by the Xu family to others in the household. Last year your granddaughter received some; this year, I do not need it."

"Hmph, you little rascal. Very well, I will listen to you; distribute that cotton batting yourself. Just remember to save some for your friends here in Yang Zhou."

"Your granddaughter thanks you, Grandmother."

"Go on."

Watching the joyful Sheng Hualan, Lady Sheng's face also bore a smile.

Mama Fang spoke from the side:

"The Eldest Miss is truly a kind-hearted child."

Lady Sheng slowly lost her smile and said:

"The Yuan family is indeed passable. It is just that I heard the Eldest Son of the Yuan family also took a wife from the Zhang family; among the noble families of the capital, relationships are intricate and complex. With Huar marrying into them..."

"With your years of guidance, the Eldest Miss will not fall short in any way."

"Alas, these are all clumsy methods of mine. In Bianjing, the one thing not lacking is clever people; with a single turn of the eye, who knows how many schemes have passed through their minds. Which of the wives from those noble official families is not a sharp operator?"

Mama Fang also knew the hardships her Young Lady had suffered over these years, so she shifted the topic, saying:

"Your sixtieth birthday after the New Year..."

"Have you spoken to my son about it? By then, it will be exactly when Huar receives her betrothal gifts; it would not be proper to overburden the Da Da Niangzi."

"Yes, Young Lady."

Linqi Pavilion,

Lin Lin Qinshuang stroked the pile of pure white cotton batting just delivered to the table, saying:

"This is truly a wonderful thing."

Zhou Xueniang at the side said: "Wei Xiaoniang, I heard that outside, this thing is worth its weight in silver."

"Oh? So expensive? If my Linqi Pavilion possessed such a fine commodity and profitable enterprise, I would never need to heed the expressions of Weirui Pavilion again."

"Wei Xiaoniang, you currently manage the Sheng family's assets; this trade has incurred no losses, so there is no need to heed their expressions either! You are truly formidable; this humble servant wishes she could learn a few more tricks from you."

"Hmph, only you know how to speak sweetly! Although that old woman from Shou'an Hall is no good person, the words she speaks do hold some truth."

"Wei Xiaoniang, may I ask what she said?"

"Within this compound, one must have money, and one must have people. Only with these two things can life be peaceful and comfortable."

Zhou Xueniang smiled and said: "What Wei Xiaoniang says is true!"

Lin Lin Qinshuang picked up the scissors on the table and glanced at them,

then leisurely walked over to a pot of plum blossoms in the room.

While pruning, she said: "Money, her family lacks; they are merely a ruined household. A wretch who has nothing, neither people nor anything else, dares to challenge me and fight for favor? Has the arrangement begun?"

Zhou Xueniang looked around; only Seeing Mo Lan was sleeping the afternoon nap on the bed. She lowered her voice beside Lin Lin Qinshuang and said:

"Everything is arranged. When the Yuan family comes to deliver the betrothal gifts, amidst the chaos and when outsiders are present, we will make our move."

Lin Lin Qinshuang smiled slightly: "Sometimes, one really must thank the old woman of Shou'an Hall for her teachings~ The side courtyard will have no money, and soon no people either~ Such a lowly thing, daring to struggle against me!"

On that pot of plum blossoms in the room, a sturdy branch rose from the not-so-thick trunk; Lin Lin Qinshuang used the scissors to viciously snip at it.

The scissors closed, the branch fell.

The Side Courtyard

Sheng Hualan waved goodbye to her younger sister Minglan.

"Wei Xiaoniang, Minglan, you two hurry back inside; it is cold out here."

"We thank the Eldest Miss for her gift."

"Thank you, Big Sister!"

Minglan and Xiao Xiaotao happily ran back into the room.

Sister Xiaodie followed behind Wei Wei Shuyi.

"Mother, listening to Sister Sister Xiaodie, such a heavy bundle of cotton batting is worth the same as its weight in silver!" Minglan said excitedly inside the room, looking at the large clump of batting.

Wei Wei Shuyi touched the soft cotton batting, her eyes full of contentment.

"This thing is truly excellent. Once I finish embroidering this piece of 'Lady Li Guarding Da Niangzi Pass,' I will make lined jackets for the three of you, filling them with this substance. Hearing the Eldest Miss speak, it is so warm that one sweats even while indoors."

"Mother, is it really that warm?"

"Ming'er, you must call me 'Wei Xiaoniang'!" Wei Wei Shuyi corrected.

"Sister Seeing Mo Lan calls you 'Mother,' so I want to do the same."

"You!"

"Wei Xiaoniang, do not be angry; be careful not to disturb the fetus," Sister Xiaodie hurriedly interjected to resolve the tension.

After casting a sideways glance at her daughter, Wei Wei Shuyi said:

"Sister Xiaodie, in a few days is the anniversary of your mother's death; do not forget. Sell some embroidery, buy some paper money, and burn it for her."

"Mm, Wei Xiaoniang, I understand."

"It is pitiful that you followed a mistress like me, who has no ability; otherwise..."

Sister Xiaodie looked at the pot of plum blossoms under the window that had not yet bloomed; she shook her head and said:

"Wei Xiaoniang, my mother's illness was of the heart; it had nothing to do with having much or little money. My brother died for the country, and her heart died with him."

Sister Xiaodie quickly wiped away her tears and said: "Wei Xiaoniang, let us not speak of these things. I heard from the Eldest Miss that people will come from Bianjing to celebrate the Old Lady's birthday?"

Wei Wei Shuyi said, "Yes, they are the old lady's maternal relatives."

Saying this, Wei Wei Shuyi seemed to think of something and looked toward the nearby embroidery depicting Da Da Niangzi guarding Da Niangzi Pass.

Her eyes flashed a few times.

'I wonder if that embroidery will spark the curiosity of the young ladies in Hou Fu.'

"Wei Xiaoniang, then I will head out."

"Go ahead."

After speaking, Wei Wei Shuyi sat beneath the window, carefully selected her embroidery threads, and resumed her stitching.

Sister Sister Xiaodie stepped outside, looked at Xiao Xiao Xiaotao who had followed her, patted her head, and said, "Don't worry; I'll buy some delicious treats for Wei Xiaoniang when we return."

Xiao Xiao Xiaotao's eyes lit up.

Updating this much for now; I'll strive for ten thousand words on the 24th!

If there are any typos, please do not hesitate to point them out, dear readers!

I'll sort out the timeline over these next two days and prepare to enter the main plot.

After going VIP, the bonus chapters for donations were released (ahem, even a single donation of ten thousand triggered one).

Up to now, there is a cumulative surplus of 4,800 coins in donations; I will continue tallying tomorrow, and once it reaches 10,000, another bonus chapter will be added.

That is all.

The author has severed a major artery with this cliffhanger! My deepest apologies; I admit my mistake again! I guarantee I will change.

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(End of Chapter)