Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 788 Don't Let Your Heart Be Burdened [Thank you! Thank you again! 12k words owed]

Looking at the old lady's appearance,

After pondering for a moment, Hua Lan tentatively asked, "Grandmother, do you also feel that Xiao Wu is capable of being made a duke?"

The old lady smiled slightly upon hearing this, looking at Hua Lan noncommittally: "Hua'er, you've discussed this matter with others?"

Hua Lan nodded slightly shyly: "My granddaughter chatted with my husband for a few minutes."

Seeing Hua Lan's expression, the old lady knew that the couple were very harmonious, and nodded with a smile, saying, "Very likely."

Upon hearing this, Hua Lan exchanged a pleased glance with the old lady.

Noticing the searching look in the old lady's eyes, Hua Lan asked in confusion, "Grandmother, what's wrong? Why are you looking at your granddaughter like that?"

The old lady gently tucked a strand of hair behind Hua Lan's ear and said earnestly, "Hua'er, your sister-in-law will be a Marquis's wife in the future, and your brother's wife may become a Duchess. Do you think about this?"

Looking into Hualan's eyes, the old lady said, "Don't let anything weigh on your mind!"

Just as Hua Lan was about to speak, the old lady waved her hand and continued, "Now that you all live under the same roof in the Marquis's mansion, you naturally can't feel anything."

"But once the three brothers divide the family property, the difference will become immediately apparent!"

The two mothers, Fang and Cui, who were standing by, nodded in agreement.

At this age, they have seen and heard countless stories of sibling rivalry and disputes over dividing family property.

To say nothing of the distant past, the Xiong family of Kang'anbo had a similar incident before.

"Putting everything else aside! When the family is divided in the future, your sister-in-law and brother's wife will be able to go to the palace to pay New Year's respects during the first month of the lunar year, but you, Hua'er, will not be able to go."

Hua Lan nodded repeatedly as she listened to the old lady's words, her eyes filled with gratitude for her grandmother's concern: "Grandmother is right! But..."

As she spoke, Hua Lan shook her head.

"Hua'er, what do you mean by shaking your head?" the old lady asked softly.

Hua Lan looked up at the old lady and said, "Grandmother, do you think that if Xiao Wu doesn't achieve great things and pass the imperial examinations, and is just an ordinary eldest son of a marquis, will his father-in-law's hereditary title go to him in the future?"

The old lady shook her head: "There is an order of seniority, so naturally Zai Zhang should be given the hereditary title."

Hua Lan smiled and said, "Yes, Grandmother! Before the official and Xiao Wu passed the imperial examination, my mother-in-law told me that no matter what, my father-in-law's hereditary title would definitely be awarded to Zai Zhang."

"This one incident alone shows that my mother-in-law is not biased."

"My elder brother is away on campaigns with my father-in-law most of the year, and he doesn't see Dai Ge'er even once a year!"

“Grandmother, you don’t know, but for some reason, Dai’er was really into slingshots. When we went to play outside Shenbao Temple outside the city, he would hold onto the slingshot and wouldn’t let go, insisting that my sister-in-law buy him one.”

The old lady frowned: "I've met Dai-ge a few times; he's a sensible child. How could he..."

Hua Lan composed herself and said, "Sigh! It was Xiao Wu who asked us a couple of questions that we found out it was because our older brother had mentioned 'slingshot' to him at home!"

Upon hearing this, the old lady sighed with empathy: "When you're away on campaign, it's natural that you'll be separated from your loved ones more often than not."

Actually, the old lady was pretty much like that when she was a child.

"Yes. But with my husband at home, Zhong'er can go to his father if he has anything to say, and my granddaughter will also have someone to talk to if she has anything on her mind."

"Xiao Wu is about the same age as Chang Bai! But he traveled thousands of miles to Bai Gao, braving wind and rain, and went twice."

“Before, we even went to Beizhou in the dead of winter! At that time, my granddaughter felt the north wind hurting her face when she walked out of the house in the Marquis’s mansion.”

"In these recent incidents, Xiao Wu has risked his life every time; the slightest mistake could have resulted in disaster."

As she spoke, Hua Lan shook her head, looked at the old lady whose eyes were full of approval, and said, "There are gains and losses! I think my husband is doing very well!"

Hua Lan smiled and said, "Grandmother! The fact that I've been able to visit the palace to pay New Year's respects these past few years is thanks to the blessings of our Xu family ancestors. Who knows, in the future, I might even become a noblewoman!"

The old lady smiled with satisfaction: "If that's the case, then Zai Zhang will have to work harder!" Hua Lan nodded with a smile.

"Oh, right! Grandmother, the other day when Madam Wu went to the Xu family, she asked me about a few of the younger sisters. She said that she would send an invitation to our house for the polo club in a few days."

"Oh?" The old lady was somewhat surprised.

"Hmm! I feel that Madam Wu is mostly doing this for her sixth son!"

The old lady pondered for a moment: "Madam Wu is easy to talk about; everyone in Tokyo knows she has a straightforward and kind-hearted personality. But the Liang family of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion... I heard from Old Madam Yu that the Liang family is not so peaceful."

"And what did your mother-in-law say about the Liang family?"

Hua Lan pursed her lips and said, "My mother-in-law is on good terms with Madam Wu, so she hasn't really commented on the Liang family."

"But my granddaughter also vaguely understood that because of the Gan family's troubles, the eldest son of the Liang family was also implicated. If the eldest son of the Liang family did not make contributions in the upheaval in the capital, the Marquis of Yongchang would most likely be implicated as well."

"The eldest son of the Liang family also dared not cause trouble."

The old lady nodded repeatedly, "Then, I'll let your sisters go and take a look together."

"Grandmother, is Rulan going too?"

"Of course I'll go! Although your mother intends to marry Rulan into the Wang family, the formalities between the two families haven't even been completed yet! Rulan is your and Changbai's younger sister, and with her family background, it's not like she has to be from the Wang family!"

Hua Lan couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this.

Hua Lan's aunt came from the Duke of Cheng's mansion, where strict family rules prevailed. She looked down on Wang Ruofu, the younger sister-in-law who had made a name for herself as a concubine.

It's only because Changbai is promising and has some of the charm of Master Wang that Aunt Hualan thinks highly of him.

Regarding Rulan's marriage, Wang's aunt merely nodded in agreement, seemingly not taking much initiative.

As the matriarch of the Sheng family, the old lady would not rush to join the Wang family like Wang Ruofu. She should still participate in the polo match! If someone really tries to take Rulan away, it will only elevate Rulan's status, making it easier for her to get along with her husband's family in the future.

At this time,

Cuiwei walked to the door, curtsied, and said, "Grandma, Eldest Miss, and Madam have arrived, accompanied by a stewardess from the Wang family."

"Please."

After the old lady finished speaking, she exchanged a glance with Hualan, who was equally curious.

After a while,
With a broad smile on her face, Wang Ruofu, clutching a handkerchief, led Liu Mama and Wen Mama into the house: "Mother, Wen Mama has come to our house on behalf of my sister-in-law from my maternal family to deliver a gift!"

Before anyone could react, Madam Wen smiled and lifted her robe, saying, "This servant kowtows to the old lady on behalf of my mistress."

"Oh dear! How can this be! Quickly help him up!" the old lady said anxiously.

Liu's mother and Cuiwei were quite surprised and quickly helped the person up.

Wang Ruofu stared blankly at her sister-in-law's personal mother.

After standing up, Madam Wen looked at the old lady and said, "Old Madam, my old lady and eldest daughter-in-law know that the Fifth Miss's birthday is approaching, so they specially instructed me to bring some congratulatory gifts to our family."

"You must be tired from your journey! Quickly, bring me a small stool." The old lady called out.

"Thank you, Madam Xie!"

After everyone sat down and chatted for a while, Hua Lan learned that her aunt, who had traveled from Yingchang Prefecture, had arrived in the capital.

However, a member of the Feng family died in the palace upheaval, and with the funeral arrangements underway, Madam Feng was not able to come herself, so she sent her personal maid instead.

As she spoke, Hua Lan glanced at the list of gifts from the Wang family that her mother had handed her.

Looking at the details, Hua Lan raised an eyebrow slightly.

(End of this chapter)