Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 740 People Can't Say What They Want [Thank you! Thank you again! 32k words owed]

Seeing Wang Ruofu's anxious and flustered appearance, Zai Duan glanced at his wife.

Xie understood, stood up and walked to Wang Ruofu's side: "Aunt, please calm down. No matter how anxious we are, it's useless. Why don't we sit down and discuss a solution!"

Zai Zhang also stood up: "Mother-in-law, don't worry, we're all here!"

Hua Lan's brows relaxed slightly: "Yes, Mother!"

"Can"

Wang Ruofu looked at everyone, feeling anxious, and hesitated to speak.

Subsequently,

Wang Ruofu glanced at Xie Shi, then at Liu Mama who had come closer, while the old lady and Madam Xu, Madam Sun, also nodded slightly at her.

Seeing this, Wang Ruofu could only slump back into his chair.

The old lady took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"Although Hua'er's concerns are reasonable, Young Master Qi ultimately did not reveal his name in public. In a way, there is still a sliver of room for maneuver."

“Mother, there’s no room for maneuver at all!” Wang Ruofu frowned and couldn’t help but say.

Sitting in the first seat below the old lady, Madam Sun waved her hand firmly and said, "Sister-in-law, there is certainly room for maneuver, not only there, but a lot of it."

"what?"

Everyone in the hall was taken aback.

Whether it was Sheng Hong with his head bowed, Wang Ruofu anxious and dejected, or Wei Shuyi and the others who were heartbroken, they all looked at Madam Sun.

The old lady looked at Madam Sun with some surprise, her eyes thoughtful.

Madam Sun nodded slightly to the old lady, then patted Hua Lan's hand reassuringly and said:

“Aunt, if our young lady is truly self-degrading and shameless in getting close to the young master, and is thinking of overstepping her social standing to curry favor with the powerful, she is leading the young master astray!”

"Now that this has happened, our family has no room for maneuver!"

"Even if the Duke of Qi and Princess Pingning come to our door, we have to endure it and not say a word."

"The reputation of the young women and their families was truly ruined."

Everyone in the hall nodded in agreement.

“But!” Madam Sun looked around at everyone and said with emphasis, “Just look at Hua Lan, and you’ll know that our young lady isn’t like that!”

Wang Ruofu glanced at Sheng Hong with an ambiguous expression, then frowned and shook his head, saying:
"Sister-in-law, we all know the children are good children! But people outside don't know that!"

"That brat Qi Heng knelt and begged His Majesty in public today, and so many people saw it!"

"What people think or say about our girl afterward is none of our business."

Madam Sun smiled slightly, glanced at Hua Lan who was slowly coming to her senses, and then said to Wang Ruofu:
"Your sister-in-law is right, but a person's heart is in their own mouth, why do you care what they think?"

"The truth is that Qi Heng insisted on asking His Majesty to grant him a marriage in public, without our child knowing anything about it!"

"Although I have a good relationship with Princess Pingning, to be honest, today it is Qi Jia's fault for failing to educate his children properly!"

After Sun finished speaking, everyone in the hall nodded in agreement.

"What if people gossip about us later?" Wang Ruofu asked with continued concern.

Madam Sun smiled and exchanged a glance with the old lady, saying, "Sister-in-law, our Sheng family school isn't just for the young ladies and Young Master Qi!"

"There was also the great Confucian scholar Zhuang who taught at the school, and the girls' brothers and cousins ​​also attended classes every day."

"They're both children who passed the imperial examinations; would they really let their sister and Qi Heng flirt with each other?"

"If they knew about the affair, wouldn't they have stopped Qi Heng from asking for a marriage decree in public? Just think about it, it's impossible!"

"Yes, our Sheng family may not be as prestigious as the Qi family, but we're not exactly a destitute family either!"

"Lord Wang is worthy of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, my uncle was a third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination, my aunt is a noble lady from a marquis's family, and my cousin is also a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) and a member of the upright officials in the court!"

"Hua'er is still the second mistress of my Marquis's mansion. The young ladies will have a bright future ahead of them. There's no need for them to try and curry favor with the Qi family!"

As Sun spoke, Wang Ruofu's expression changed from gloomy to sunny. She gradually sat up straight, her eyes brightened, and when she finally looked back at Liu Mama, a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"When you go out in the future, if people gossip, you can just use these words to reply to them, sister-in-law." After saying this, Madam Sun picked up the teacup beside her and took a few sips.

These words also completely dispelled the tense atmosphere that had enveloped the Shou'an Hall.

The eyes of Xie Shi, Hua Lan, Wei Shuyi, and Ming Lan as they looked at Sun Shi were full of admiration.

They were just thinking about the girls' reputations, but it turns out that this lady of the Marquis's mansion has already thought about so much.

Xu Zaijing smiled and exchanged glances with his two elder brothers, secretly giving Sun a thumbs up.

At this time,

Danju appeared at the door, bowed to everyone, and said, "Brother Bai and Brother Feng have arrived."

"Who sent them?" Wang Ruofu asked, looking at the doorway with a puzzled expression.

The old lady nodded: "Let them in."

Subsequently,

Changbai and Changfeng stepped into the house and greeted everyone inside.

"Bai'er, what brings you here?" Wang Ruofu asked.

Changbai said, "Mother, I heard from Hanniu that Xu family relatives are coming to our house, so I asked Changfeng to come and show up with us."

As he spoke, Changbai scanned the expressions of everyone in the hall.

Looking at Changbai, Madam Sun nodded approvingly and said, "Changbai, you must know what happened today, right?"

Changbai bowed: "Auntie, I only heard a rough outline from the servant."

Madam Sun nodded: "Knowing a little is enough! Apart from the second son of the Gu family and Young Master Qi, all the boys in the school are here now."

Seeing that Xu Zaijing, Changbai, and the others were turning their gazes to her, Madam Sun instructed:
"Children, from now on, whether the words of your mother, your two sisters-in-law, and I will be persuasive, and what your reputations will be like, will depend on your academic performance in the imperial examinations."

Zai Zhang was the first to stand up, cupped his hands and said, "Please rest assured, great-aunt, father-in-law, mother-in-law and mother, your son will do his best."

As he spoke, Zai Zhang glanced at Hua Lan.

“Me too,” Xu Zaijing said with a smile as he stood up.

"Please rest assured, elders, I, Sheng Changbai, will study diligently and do my utmost to participate in the imperial examination," Changbai continued.

“Me too.” Changfeng, still somewhat confused, quickly chimed in.

Nagamaki pursed her lips and didn't speak, but her eyes were full of determination.

Upon seeing this, Madam Sun and the old lady exchanged a smile.

Wang Ruofu looked at Changbai with great emotion.

"Good children, all good children." Sheng Hong nodded as he looked at Chang Feng.

Subsequently,

After a few more words, Madam Sun said, "Perhaps, in order to have the best of both worlds, the Duke of Qi and his wife will really come to the Sheng family to propose marriage."

When she said this, Sun was looking at Wang Ruofu.

If the Qi family were to propose marriage to the Sheng family, Mo Lan and Ming Lan would both be born out of wedlock. Only Ru Lan, the legitimate daughter of the Sheng family and the younger sister of Hua Lan, the second eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis's mansion, would have this opportunity.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu was initially pleased and filled with anticipation, but after a moment he shook his head and said, "Let's forget about it. You can't force things."

The Xu family stayed up all night to celebrate the New Year, and this morning they went to the palace to pay their respects. After leaving the palace, they rushed to the Sheng family.

I didn't have time to rest at all this morning.

After talking for so long, Madam Sun couldn't help but yawn.

You know, yawning is contagious, and both Xie and Hualan covered their mouths and slapped themselves.

Madam Sun wiped away the tears that welled up in her eyes from exhaustion with a handkerchief and said, "Aunt, cousin, sister-in-law, we're a little sleepy, so we'll head back now."

"Sister-in-law, why don't we have lunch at home first and then talk?" Wang Ruofu stood up and suggested.

Sun shook her head: "Sister-in-law, let's forget about it. I'm afraid I'll end up sleeping on the dining table, which would be embarrassing."

Seeing Sun's resolute attitude, Wang Ruofu said no more.

Seeing the old lady stand up from the day chair, Madam Sun hurriedly said, "Aunt, it's too cold outside, please stay."

The old lady shook her head and waved her hand: "I'm not that old yet."

Upon hearing this, Madam Sun could only nod with a smile.

On the way to the second gate,
Sun helped the old lady walk at the front, while Wang Ruofu and Hua Lan walked side by side.

Zai Duan looked at Sheng Hong beside him and said, "Uncle, I don't get to spend much time at home during the New Year. This year, when my sister visits, you must let Changbai and the others come to my house."

"Don't worry, Dalang," Sheng Hong nodded.

Zai Zhang was also talking to Chang Feng.

Xu Zaijing walked at the very back, looked at Nagamaki beside him and laughed, "Seventh Brother, why are you looking at me like that?"

Nagamaki looked ahead and whispered, "Brother Xu Wu, actually, I opened that wooden box with the inkstone inside, and the inkstone is very good."

Xu Zaijing was taken aback: "Oh? When was it opened?"

Nagamaki pursed her lips: "When Young Master Qi gave it to me that day, I glanced at it from inside the carriage."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "It's alright. Anyway, this item will be returned to its rightful owner."

"Hmm. Brother Xu Wu, do you think the young master will still come to school after the New Year?" Nagamaki asked.

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath: "It's going to be difficult."

As they spoke, the group arrived at the second gate of the Sheng family residence. The carriages and horses had already been prepared.

The women of the Xu family boarded the carriage one after another.

After Xu Zaijing mounted his horse, the higher saddle gave him a much wider field of vision.

You can see the schoolyard entrance at a glance.
at this time,

Zhuang Xuejiu, with his gray hair and beard, stood with his hands behind his back at the gate of the schoolyard.

Seeing Xu Zaijing on horseback bow to him, Zhuang Xuejiu nodded slightly.

After watching the Xu family leave, Zhuang Xuejiu looked up at the sky, pondered for a moment, and then let out a breath of white smoke.

Afterwards, Zhuang Xuejiu shook his head and turned to walk towards his small courtyard.

The backyard of the Sheng family

Linxi Pavilion
inside the house,

Lin Qinshuang sat at the table with her hair and hairpins in a slightly disheveled state, clearly having just been resting.

Looking at Zhou Xueniang, who looked exhausted, Lin Qinshuang asked urgently, "Why did the Xu family come? Why did Changbai send Feng'er over? Have you found out?"

Zhou Xueniang nodded repeatedly: "Young lady, I specifically asked Brother Qingyun, and he said that when Young Master Qi went to the palace to pay New Year's respects today, he directly asked His Majesty to grant him a marriage."

"What? A marriage decree?!"

Behind the screen, Mo Lan walked out in disbelief, her gaze shifting between Zhou Xueniang and Lin Qinshuang. She said, "Mother, Brother Yuanruo, how could he do this!"

"For me, he actually..."

Lin Qinshuang's eyes lit up at this moment, and she asked, "And then? Did His Majesty agree?"

Zhou Xueniang shook her head: "Brother Qingyun said that the young master Qi was stopped by the Duke and Duchess of Qi before he could even say his name."

"His Majesty could not overstep his bounds, so he cut off what Young Master Qi was about to say."

"Then, will the Qi family come to our house to propose marriage?" After asking, Lin Qinshuang shook her head without waiting for an answer: "I was confused. Since the Duke and Duchess of Qi have objected, then it can't be done!"

"It's a pity that Young Master Qi is too slow to speak. If he had directly named him in court, this matter might have been settled!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xueniang nodded and said, "Young lady, you're right! However... things haven't gone through yet, and this will affect the reputation of our young ladies."

Lin Qinshuang frowned, looking at her daughter Mo Lan, whose expression was full of emotion. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Reputation. Hua Lan is the second eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis's mansion. The Marquis's mansion's people may have come for this reason!"

"Then let the old lady and that shrew Wang Ruofu worry about it."

After a while,
"Brother Yuanruo," Mo Lan murmured, still lost in thought. She didn't even notice when Lin Qinshuang and Zhou Xueniang walked out together.

Outside,

Lin Qinshuang whispered, "Look, is Young Master Qi really going to ask for a marriage decree for Mo'er?"

Seeing Zhou Xueniang's puzzled look, Lin Qinshuang explained, "If that's the case, then we'll find a way to send Mo'er out, to Young Master Qi! Then..."

Zhou Xueniang shook her head repeatedly: "Young lady, I really don't know about this! Brother Qingyun told me this because he understands that this matter has already spread in the capital and we will know about it sooner or later, so he told me."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qinshuang hesitated for a moment, then shook her head regretfully and said:
"Forget it! Princess Pingning is probably in a bad mood right now. If we're not careful, we'll get ourselves into trouble!"

"Look at the impact this has had! After the Lantern Festival, the young master probably won't come to our house anymore."

As she spoke, Lin Qinshuang glanced at the middle of her eyes, her gaze filled with tenderness for Mo Lan: "Mo Lan may be going to be in pain for a while."

Zhou Xueniang's heart stirred: "Young lady."

Lin Qinshuang: "Speak your mind."

"Yes! I think we should ignore what people outside are saying for now!"

"But Princess Pingning only has one son, the young master. For the sake of the young master's reputation, won't the Duke's Mansion say that our young lady is shameless and has bewitched the young master, and throw mud at the Sheng family?"

Lin Qinshuang pondered for a moment, then shook her head and said, "No! Hualan is the daughter-in-law of the Xu family. No matter what, Princess Pingning has to give face to the Xu family."

"Sigh! She was just a little short of becoming the mistress of the Duke's mansion."

Zhou Xueniang chimed in, "Yes, young lady!"

Looking around the room, Lin Qinshuang approached Zhou Xueniang and asked in a very low voice, "Also, have you found out why that wicked woman from the Kang family contacted me in private before?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xueniang's eyes were filled with fear, and she whispered, "Young lady, all I've heard is that the maidservant by Kang Wangshi's side was sent by Old Madam Wang, and her surname is Hu. I don't know much else."

Lin Qinshuang's eyes were full of thought as she said, "I think it's probably that wicked woman, Kang Wangshi, trying to set a trap for me! I'd better not have anything to do with her again."

"Yes, little girl."

Xingguofang
The Duke of Qi's Mansion

"Dong dong dong."

Xu Zaijing knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" someone asked from inside the door.

"I am Xu Zaijing."

After a moment of silence, footsteps were heard, and someone standing at the door said, "Young Master Xu, someone has been sent to the backyard to inform you. Please wait a moment."

"Ah."

In less than half an incense stick's time,

"Click." The side door of the Qi family opened, and the gatekeeper glanced at the small bundle in Xu Zaijing's hand, bowed and said, "Fifth Young Master Xu, please come in."

On the way to the main hall in the front yard,

"Are Yuan Ruo and Bu Wei both alright?" Xu Zaijing asked.

The gatekeeper was silent for a moment before nodding: "Reporting to Fifth Young Master, all is well."

"Ah."

Upon entering the lobby,

Xu Zaijing frowned slightly, because the hall was surprisingly cold at this moment, obviously because the earth dragon had been destroyed.

"Please forgive me, Wulang," the gatekeeper said, bowing.

"It's nothing." Xu Zaijing shook his cloak. "I'm not cold."

"Please have a seat. The Duke will be here shortly," the gatekeeper said, bowing.

"it is good."

Xu Zaijing sat down in a chair and looked at the decorations in the front hall of the Qi family.

really,

A moment later, the footsteps of the Duke of Qi came, and he walked around the screen and looked at Xu Zaijing, saying, "Nephew, I've kept you waiting."

Xu Zaijing looked at the Duke of Qi and shook his head, saying, "Uncle, you're too kind. I'm sorry to have bothered you! How are the Princess and Yuanruo?"

The exhausted Duke of Qi gave a self-deprecating laugh: "It is said that family scandals should not be aired in public, but Fifth Brother, you are not an outsider. My wife has fainted."

"What?" Xu Zaijing frowned and stood up.

Duke Qi waved for Xu Zaijing to sit down: "It's nothing, I just didn't sleep all night, and this morning I was so angry that I had a fit of anger again! I slept for more than an hour and then had a doctor give me acupuncture, so I'm much better now."

"That's good, that's good." Xu Zaijing said with emotion, "Uncle, you should also take good care of yourself. I'm watching over you."

"I'm going to sleep later too," said the Duke of Qi.

"Yes! Uncle, this is Yuanruo's inkstone! He said it's always been kept in a wooden box, and not a drop of ink has been touched it." Xu Zaijing pointed to the small bundle and said.

"Oh!" Duke Qi smiled: "It was Yuan Ruo who was being mischievous, but I'm sorry to trouble you, Fifth Brother, to make this trip."

Xu Zaijing sighed softly and said, "Uncle, you're too kind. Yuan Ruo is too young; it's just a minor setback."

Duke Qi smiled and said, "Fifth Brother is right."

“You haven’t rested yet, so I won’t disturb you any longer!” Xu Zaijing said, standing up.

"Alright. I have a lot to do today, so I won't try to keep you any longer."

"Uncle, please wait."

After leaving the Qi family's gate,

Looking at the stone lions at the entrance, Xu Zaijing sighed softly.

As they walked toward the little horse, a procession of carriages arrived in front of the Qi family's gate.

Xu Zaijing, who had intended to leave, stopped for a moment after seeing the wooden sign on the carriage.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Madam Chai looked at Xu Zaijing beside her: "Jing-ge'er, what's going on?"

Xu Zaijing cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Madam. I've come to deliver some things to Yuanruo's study and was just about to leave. What brings you here?"

Madam Chai sighed, glanced at her daughter-in-law and Chai Zhengzheng beside her, and said, "I've come with them to see Princess Pingning."

After glancing at Xu Zaijing again, Madam Chai said, "Jing-ge'er, go and get busy."

Xu Zaijing bowed and clasped his hands in a salute.

After smiling, Madam Chai lowered the carriage curtain, and the carriage headed towards the Qi family courtyard.

inside the car,

Chai Zhengzheng's sister-in-law, Madam Lu, said in a low voice, "Mother-in-law, is it not appropriate to talk about the Cao family's daughter with Princess Pingning at this time?"

Previously, the Cao family, the Marquis of Tuoxi, intended to marry their eldest daughter, Zhi'er, to the Qi family. Now...
Chai Zhengzheng, standing to the side, also looked worried.

Madam Chai shook her head: "Princess Pingning has been in the capital for so many years, she must have had a premonition when she left the palace this morning."

(End of this chapter)