Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 703 Shuang'er's Emotional Support [Thank you! Thank you again! 38k words owed]

In early May,
The moon set precisely at the hour of You (6 PM).
The night sky was filled with only a few stars.

The myriad lights of Bianjing city
It was as if the stars in the night sky were reflected in the sky.

Jingzhong Night Market

lively and bustling

Various sounds could be faintly heard in Jiying Lane.
But with the layers of courtyards blocking the way, not much of the sound could reach the backyard.

By simply closing the door, those not-so-loud noises can be kept outside.

Linxi Pavilion
Inside the main house,

In the warm yellow candlelight,
A slightly sweet, cloying fragrance wafted slowly from the incense burner.

A small table was placed on the Luohan bed, some distance away from the incense burner, with dishes and wine laid out on it.

"Teng!"

Sheng Hong, who was sitting, suddenly jumped up from beside the daybed and said angrily, "She can't make decisions for me!"

The "she" here is naturally the eldest daughter-in-law, Wang Ruofu.

As he spoke, Sheng Hong paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back.

"Yes!"

Lin Qinshuang, on the verge of tears, gently nodded in agreement.

In Lin Qinshuang's view, being taught by Granny Kong was a golden brand for the girls.

If we compare the process of young women seeking marriage to finding a job, then Granny Kong's teachings are like a diploma from a top university.

Whether or not they've actually learned any real skills is another matter, but just the title alone is enough to earn them respect.

With the Sheng family background, an older sister who married into a marquis's family, and her own advantages, it was only natural for Mo Lan to marry into a high-ranking family in the capital.

Being able to attend Granny Kong's classes would be the icing on the cake.

In order to achieve their wishes,
Lin Qinshuang first described the scene of their first meeting:

She was doing needlework with the old lady when Sheng Hong lifted the curtain and entered the room, bringing with him the scent of jasmine.

These words carried the fragrance of flowers and the reminiscence of youthful beauty. This single sentence was like a moving painting, instantly moving Sheng Hong deeply and making him feel as if he were there.

In the lingering echo of memories,
There's a hint of the shy, hesitant reluctance of their secret rendezvous, and also the tension and excitement of their illicit vows and public displays of affection.

It made Sheng Hong feel as if he had returned to his youth.

In Sheng Hong's view, nearly twenty years had passed, yet his Shuang'er could remember so clearly; this was proof that their love at first sight was stronger than gold.

His Shuang'er must be just like him, keeping the other person in her heart.

Their daughter, Mo Lan, is the fruit of their love!

Subsequently,

Lin Qinshuang reminisced with Sheng Hong about the past, telling him about her tragic life: a fallen noblewoman, she was able to enter the Sheng family because Sheng Hong was both a hero who saved her and a man of great responsibility.

This 'offensive' left Sheng Hong both excited and moved.

Few men could resist such an 'offensive'.

In modern terms, that means it provides ample emotional value.

Don't you see how many men work with incredible enthusiasm and energy when praised and encouraged by their wives!

Not only did I not find it tiring, but I also felt happy doing the work.

When finishing,
Lin Qinshuang then spoke a few more words about Wang Ruofu's jealousy of the two, comparing them to a wicked woman who would beat up a star-crossed couple.

After hearing this, Sheng Hong felt that if his daughter Mo Lan didn't attend Granny Kong's lessons, he wouldn't be a real man.

Just as Sheng Hong was racking his brains,
Lin Qinshuang added, "Honglang, things are different now. The eldest son's daughter, Pinlan, is also in the capital."

"With such a good nanny teaching us manners, it will greatly benefit the girls' reputation if word gets out!"

"The two families live so close together, yet we only let our own daughters attend the lessons, while we enjoy the benefits in our own rooms and forget about the main family. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"If word gets out accidentally, won't it affect the decades-long relationship between the old lady and the madam?"

Sheng Hong was taken aback by these words, then a smile appeared on his lips, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, "Shuang'er, what you said is absolutely right!"

"Honglang, what do you mean? Shuang'er doesn't understand."

Lin Qinshuang's feigned ignorance made Sheng Hong feel extremely pleased, and he waved his hand, saying, "Shuang'er doesn't need to understand. I will certainly not mistreat our Mo'er!"

"Yes—Shuang'er believes in Honglang."

It has to be said that being a seductress definitely requires talent.

The next day,

It is the Dragon Boat Festival,
The backyard of the Sheng family

Early in the morning, Sheng Hong, who had boasted the night before about spending the night together, leisurely walked to the entrance of Wei Rui Xuan.

Sheng Hong, feeling slightly guilty, peeked into the courtyard.
Then, Sheng Hong took a deep breath, straightened his chest, flicked his sleeves, and strode into the Wei Rui Xuan courtyard.

The young maid who was sweeping in the courtyard looked up and saw Sheng Hong. She quickly curtsied and called out into the house, "My lord has arrived!"

inside the house,

Wang Ruofu, who was having breakfast, was taken aback and exchanged a surprised glance with Liu's mother beside him, their eyes filled with the expression of 'Why is he here?'

Immediately after being reminded by Liu's mother, Wang Ruofu quickly got up and went outside to greet them.

With Liu Mama and Caihuan bowing respectfully, Wang Ruofu said, "My lord, what brings you here this morning?"

Sheng Hong smiled and said, "I miss the food in Madam's room."

Wang Ruofu frowned and said seriously, "Yes, my lord, the kitchen only made my portion this morning."

Upon hearing this, Caihuan stared at her mistress in disbelief.

"Uh..." Sheng Hong's face froze, and he didn't know what to say for a moment.

Ignoring her own distress, Liu's mother immediately tried to smooth things over, saying, "My lord! Madam was just joking with you!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu turned around and glanced back, his eyes filled with a "I was not joking" look.

But seeing the reminder in Liu's mother's eyes, Wang Ruofu finally understood and nodded with a smile.

"Hehehe." Sheng Hong chuckled and walked into the house.

As she walked toward the table, Liu's mother gave Caihuan a look.

Walk to the table,

Sheng Hong glanced at the breakfast on the table and smiled, "Wow, this breakfast is quite lavish."

Wang Ruofu, who had been poked by Liu Mama, forced a smile and said, "My lord, please sit down and have a taste."

When speaking,
Caihuan quickly came over with a new set of bowls, chopsticks, and spoons.

After taking the bowl and chopsticks, Wang Ruofu picked up the soup ladle from the wide-mouthed soup bowl and, with a smile, ladled a bowl of meat porridge for Sheng Hong and placed it in front of him.

Sheng Hong smiled, took a sip, and nodded, saying, "Mmm! The meat porridge in Madam's room is still so delicious."

Wang Ruofu, pleased with the compliment, pursed his lips and said, "If you like to drink, then drink more."

"Yes!" Sheng Hong nodded.

I don't know if it's because it's really delicious, or because I used up a lot of energy last night, or because I'm afraid what I'm about to say will make me not eat breakfast properly.

In short, Sheng Hong ate several bites in a row.

Peeking into the meat porridge in the wide-mouthed soup bowl, Sheng Hong said to Wang Ruofu, who was standing, "Madam, there seems to be quite a bit left. Why don't you sit down and eat with us?"

"Ah."

Wang Ruofu smiled and nodded.

Liu's mother quickly took over Wang Ruofu's place and used serving chopsticks to serve the two of them side dishes.

After eating a bowl of meat porridge

Seeing Sheng Hong wave his hand to indicate that he would not eat more rice after eating three bowls of meat porridge, Wang Ruofu reluctantly put down her chopsticks as well.

Taking the handkerchief handed to him by Caihuan, Sheng Hong wiped his mouth and looked at Wang Ruofu, saying, "Madam, there's something I'd like to tell you."

“My lord, just say it,” Wang Ruofu said with a smile.

Sheng Hong: "Hmm, I was thinking that it's really inappropriate for Mo Lan to be attending classes in the school while her sisters are in the backyard."

Wang Ruofu's smile vanished instantly, and he frowned, saying, "My lord, what do you mean by this?"

Sheng Hong smiled and said, "Thinking back to that day, Mo'er wasn't without fault! If she made a mistake, she should go with her sisters to Granny Kong for a scolding!"

Wang Ruofu frowned and said, "How could Mo Lan be wrong? She is the apple of your eye, my lord!"

"Whether it's the principles she understands or the lifestyle she lives, she's far more insightful and sophisticated than the legitimate daughter! She doesn't need to be lectured!"

Sheng Hong: "Tsk! What are you saying? She's a daughter of the Sheng family!"

Wang Ruofu said angrily, "What are you talking about? If Mo Lan is wrong, she should be punished. How can you say she is wrong if she hasn't been punished? Since she is a daughter of the Sheng family, if she wants to go to Granny Kong's for lessons, she should kneel in the ancestral hall for two days first!"

Sheng Hong pointed at Wang Ruofu and said, "You! You're simply unreasonable! Does that mean that girl Pinlan from Brother Wei's room has to kneel in the ancestral hall when she comes to our house for lessons?"

Wang Ruofu was taken aback and asked in confusion, "What, Pinlan? What is my niece doing at our house?"

Sheng Hong said matter-of-factly, "Do you know the reputation of Granny Kong in the capital? What does it mean to have been taught by her?"

For some reason, Wang Ruofu, who was inexplicably at a loss for words, said, "I naturally know the reputation of my nanny, Kong! With her guidance, the children will be more favored by their future in-laws when it comes to marriage, which will be very beneficial!"

“Yes!” Sheng Hong continued confidently, “In previous years it was fine, the eldest son’s family was far away in Youyang! But now the eldest son’s family is right here in the capital, and you’re only thinking about the children in your own household when such a good thing happens?”

Wang Ruofu: "No, when have I ever only thought of myself? It's just that Mother didn't say anything!"

Sheng Hong frowned and scolded, "Are you the one in charge of this household, or is your mother in charge?" Wang Ruofu looked embarrassed and didn't say anything.

Seeing this, Sheng Hong seemed even angrier, and stood up to reprimand him:

“Pinlan is our own niece! What harm would it do to the Sheng family if she marries well in the future?”

"Speaking of which, it should be you, the mistress of the house, who should be in charge of taking care of the young ladies! In the end, I have to figure it out myself!"

"What have you been doing all this time? If this really affects the harmony between the two branches of the Sheng family, how am I supposed to make up for it?"

Wang Ruofu, who had never considered Pinlan, said with a hint of grievance, "I..."

"Shh!"

Sheng Hong flicked his sleeves and strode outside, saying as he went, "Alright, I'll go talk to Mother myself!"

Wang Ruofu stood up blankly, looked at Liu Mama beside him, and said, "How did it end up being my fault?"

The woman next to her, Liu Mama, looked knowingly and said, "Madam, it seems that it was probably the idea from that person at Linxi Pavilion, just to get Fourth Miss to attend lessons with Granny Kong."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu angrily flicked her sleeve and exclaimed, "That bitch!"

With that, Wang Ruofu strode outside.

Madam Liu quickly pulled Wang Ruofu aside and said, "Madam, although it was Lin Xiaoniang's idea, the reasoning behind it is indeed reasonable! The two branches of this family should help each other!"

"As you say, with Granny Kong's guidance, it will indeed be of great benefit to Miss Pinlan! If you interfere, you will offend people!"

Wang Ruofu replied, "But the old lady didn't say to send Pinlan!"

“Granny Kong hasn’t started the class yet! You haven’t even asked her, how can you know what the old lady is thinking?” Liu Mama asked.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu sighed with some frustration.

Shouantang,
The old lady glanced at Sheng Hong and said, "Hong'er, why didn't your wife come to talk about this?"

Sheng Hong sat in his chair and bowed slightly forward, not daring to look directly ahead, and said, "Mother, Madam also overlooked this matter, and is somewhat ashamed to see you."

Seeing Sheng Hong looking down at the ground, not daring to look at her, the old lady understood and nodded, saying, "That's what I was planning to do too."

"Ink Orchid."

Hearing the old lady's voice, Sheng Hong's body tensed up.

"Let's go with the sisters to listen to the lessons from Granny Kong."

Sheng Hong breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Yes, Mother."

"Hong'er!" The old lady looked at Sheng Hong.

"Mother?" Sheng Hong asked, somewhat puzzled.

The old lady said, "Too much love can be harmful! Hong'er, you are a scholar, so I won't explain further."

Sheng Hong looked at the ground awkwardly, bowed and cupped his hands: "Yes, Mother, your son will remember."

morning,

The temperature is neither too hot nor too cold.

West of the city

Outside Jinming Pond, at Madam Wu's Polo Field
The sound of horses' hooves thundered across the field.

Hai Chaoyun, who had just arrived at the stadium, strolled slowly along the sidelines with her maid.

Looking at the girls playing ball with graceful movements and riding horses on the field, Hai Chaoyun smiled.

"Young lady, someone is greeting you from ahead."

The maid Zhujian, who was following behind, reminded him.

"Well?"

Hai Chaoyun turned her head to look.

"She looks like a young lady from a newly promoted royal family," Zhujian continued in a low voice.

The only family that could be called 'newly promoted members of the imperial family' was the Zhao family of Lulong, who had previously left Northern Liao and joined the Great Zhou.

As the daughter of the eldest son, Hai Chaoyun naturally knew what to do.

Nodding with a smile, Hai Chaoyun walked towards the young girl.

After exchanging pleasantries, the two parted ways.

Later, he met Shen Hezhen from the Shen family.

"I've met Sister Hai."

"May the young lady of the Shen family be well."

The two bowed to each other.

The lords of the Hai and Shen families held similar positions in the court, so the two young ladies naturally had more in common.

Turning her head to look at the field, Hai Chaoyun asked in confusion, "Sister Shen, the girl playing ball with Third Sister Yu looks unfamiliar. Which family is she from?"

Shen Hezhen didn't speak, but the maid beside her leaned over to tell her.

Shen Hezhen waved her hand and said, "Just tell me directly."

The maid curtsied and said, "Yes, young lady. The young lady is from the Hai family, and the one in the arena is the young lady from the Sheng family in Jiying Lane, named Sheng Pinlan."

Hai Chaoyun asked in confusion, "I know all three of the Sheng family's younger sisters, Mo Lan, Ru Lan, and Ming Lan. When did they get someone named Pin Lan?"

The maid explained, "Miss Pinlan is my elder sister, who married into the Yu family, a family of physicians. She is a cousin of the three young ladies you mentioned."

"Oh!" Hai Chaoyun exclaimed in sudden realization, "You play polo really well."

Shin and Jin nodded in agreement.

At this time,

A capable and efficient maid came over, curtsied, and said, "Ladies, my lady invites you to come over for some entertainment."

Without needing any introductions, Hai Chaoyun asked with a smile, "Besides Fifth Sister, has Chai Zhengzheng arrived?"

"Reporting to Miss, we have arrived."

As they talked, the group went into a tent.

After sitting down, they talked for a while.
Then a maidservant went into the tent.

She curtsied to Zhang Jia Wu Niang and said, "Miss, Sheng Jia Pinlan has been called home and specifically asked me to come and apologize to you."

"You were called back? Is something wrong at home?" Zhang Jiawu Niang from the Polo Club in the posting group asked with concern.

"That wasn't mentioned."

"Okay, I understand," Fifth Sister nodded.

Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan exchanged a glance and said, "Granny Kong, it seems she went to the Sheng family, right?"

"Hmm?" Zhang Jia Wu Niang's ears perked up immediately. She turned to look at Chai Zhengzheng and said, "Zhengzheng, you mean..."

the next day,
Sheng Family School

The row of desks that used to house three Lan students is now empty.

The schoolroom suddenly felt much emptier.

The wooden platform behind it was also left with a large empty space.

Changfeng smiled at Xu Zaijing and said, "Brother Jing, not only Fourth Sister, but also Sister Pinlan went to Granny Kong's for lessons."

"Pinlan?" Xu Zaijing scratched his head in surprise: the change was too great.

If Mo Lan were to cause trouble, I wonder if she would be easily 'suppressed' by the bold, outspoken, and straightforward Pin Lan with one hand.

In a daze,

Ten days or so passed.

The weather is starting to get warmer.

Before school ended that day,
Zhuang Xuejiu said calmly, "You have all been attending school for more than ten days. Tomorrow is a day off."

"Yes, scholar!"

Everyone bowed in response.

A quarter of an hour later,
Most of the people in the school have already left.

Buwei looked at Qi Heng, who was still sitting behind the table, and said, "Young Master, your classmates have all left, you..."

Qi Heng nodded, stood up, and walked to the table and chair where Minglan was sitting.

Just as he was about to walk over and sit on Minglan's stool, Buwei hurriedly said, "Young Master, this is inappropriate!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Heng stopped in his tracks.

After touching the table, Qi Heng nodded somewhat wistfully and said, "No, you're right! How many days has it been since she last came?"

He had no choice but to say, "Young master, it will take about twenty days."

"Yes! It's been so many days! I still don't know what she's like."

With that, Qi Heng shook his head, stood up, and said, "Let's go."

The next day,

morning,

The Duke of Qi's Mansion

In the study, Qi Heng sat blankly in his chair, clutching a book, his eyes glazed over, seemingly lost in thought.

(End of this chapter)