Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 808 Joy and Sorrow [Thank you! Thank you again! 6k words owed]

"Tsk!"

"Bai'er, how can you speak like that!"

"You two have been classmates for so many years, don't you know your nephew's character?" Sheng Hong said sternly, frowning as he reprimanded him.

Upon hearing this, Changbai immediately bowed slightly as a courtesy, pretending to listen.

“Uncle, please don’t blame Changbai! What Changbai said is also what I was thinking,” Xu Zaijing quickly said.

Sheng Hong's serious expression quickly changed to a smile, and he said, "Nephew, that's excellent, excellent!"

After Xu Zaijing finished speaking, he looked at Changbai, who had straightened up, with some guilt.

Changbai ignored Xu Zaijing and turned his head to look at Minglan who was crossing the bridge.

Seeing that Xu Zaijing and Changbai were both looking at the bridge, Sheng Hong also turned around and looked behind him.

After Sheng Hong turned around, his back was to Chang Bai and Xu Zai Jing. Looking at Ming Lan who was walking towards him, there was a hint of regret in Sheng Hong's eyes.

Sheng Hong truly cherished Lin Xiaoniang dearly.

Whenever Lin Qinshuang shows a pitiful look, Sheng Hong can't bear to say anything harsh.

Mo Lan was intelligent and knew how to please Sheng Hong from a young age. She could not only compose poems and lyrics, but also write calligraphy very well.

From Sheng Hong's perspective, Mo Lan is the pearl he and his true love conceived together, the one among his daughters who is most like him, and he naturally cherishes Mo Lan to the core.

Therefore, Sheng Hong sincerely hoped that Mo Lan could marry into the Prince's Mansion.

At this moment, Sheng Hong couldn't help but think about what kind of light would appear in Shuang'er's eyes if Xu Zaijing had mentioned Mo Lan today, when he told her the news.

Unfortunately, today Xu Zaijing was not talking about his Mo'er, but about another concubine's daughter, Minglan.

After a deep sigh, Sheng Hong thought about Hua Lan's current status, and with Ming Lan who would marry into the Prince's Mansion in the future, Mo Lan's status would definitely rise accordingly. He would also have to look at the higher-ranking potential marriage partners.

Thinking of this, Sheng Hong felt much better.

On the bridge surface,
Seeing her father, brother, and cousin looking at her from the bridge, Minglan stopped and bowed to the three of them.

Sheng Hong nodded with a smile.

Changbai, standing to the side, turned his head and stared intently at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing and Changbai exchanged a glance and understood what Changbai meant. Xu Zaijing quickly cupped his hands again and said, "Uncle, Changbai, I'll take my leave now."

“Okay,” Sheng Hong quickly replied with a smile.

Afterwards, Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded in return to Minglan before turning and walking toward his father and brothers.

When passing by Gu Tingye

"Fifth Brother, what were you two talking about just now? Changbai doesn't look well!" Gu Tingye asked in a low voice, then looked at Minglan: "Why did Sixth Sister come out of the palace?"

Xu Zaijing smiled without saying a word, patted Gu Tingye on the shoulder, and then walked directly to his mount.

Just as Gu Tingye was about to ask Changbai and Shenghong, Gu Tingyu, who was not far away, called out, "Second Brother, let's go."

Gu Tingye glanced at Changbai again and quickly replied, "Oh!"

Jiying Lane,
The Sheng family,

News of the arrival of people from the palace had already spread throughout the Sheng family.

The servants, old women, and maids in the front and back yards had lost all interest in their work and were mostly gathered in twos and threes, whispering among themselves.

If someone from the palace came to the Sheng family to deliver an imperial edict or to convey the emperor's verbal instructions, the Sheng family would not stop there.

but,

The identity of the person who came from the palace spread from the main gate: she was a female official serving the Empress.

Unfortunately, their sixth daughter left the Sheng family with a palace lady.

This back-and-forth exchange inevitably led the Sheng family to speculate and ponder.

At the second gate of the Sheng family.
Liu Mama's daughter, Jiu'er, stood by the door with several maids, holding a few fruits in her hands.

After peeking into the main gate, Jiu'er rolled her eyes at Zhou Xueniang and Lu Zhong of Linxi Pavilion.

"Miss Jiu'er, when Mother Liu sent you here, she didn't tell you why Miss Liu entered the palace?" a maid asked curiously.

As soon as this word comes out,
Everyone around, from servants and old women to maids, turned to look at Jiu'er.

"Some people say that the Sixth Miss is going to enter the palace as a maid! The maids in the palace are all daughters of officials."

An old woman shared her guesses.

Jiu'er pouted at the old woman: "What are you saying? If we want Sixth Miss to enter the palace as a maid, we can just inform our master or the eldest mistress. Why would we need the lady-in-waiting from the Empress's side?"

"Sister Jiu'er, is Sixth Miss going to the palace to become a concubine?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xueniang and Lu Zhong exchanged a tense glance.

Jiu'er frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about? You think becoming a concubine in the palace is that simple?!"

An old woman said, "Miss Jiu'er is right! Being a concubine is no child's play! If it's not about being a concubine, then is Her Majesty the Empress choosing someone for the Crown Prince?"

After he finished speaking, the people around him felt that the chances were very high.

"Don't say anything!"

"Hiss! The Crown Prince is the future emperor!"

Seeing that their words were getting increasingly out of line, Jiu'er scolded, "If you don't want to be punished by the family and then sold off, shut up!"

As the daughter of the matriarch and her personal mother, Jiu'er's words were quite effective.

The area around the second gate immediately became much quieter.

"Miss Jiu'er, you have quite the air about you," Zhou Xueniang said with a forced smile.

"Tch—" Jiu'er rolled her eyes at Zhou Xueniang and sneered, "I wonder who heard the news of the Sixth Miss entering the palace and became so anxious, like an ant crawling on a hot pan."

"Who are you talking about?" Lu Zhong asked, frowning, standing behind Zhou Xueniang.

Jiu'er glared at her: "My mouth is my own, I can say whoever I want, what business is it of yours, you little brat?"

Lu Zhong wanted to retort, but Zhou Xueniang glared at him.

Looking at Lu Zhong with his head down, Zhou Xueniang flicked her handkerchief and said, "Miss Jiu'er, you really are sharp-tongued!"

After glancing at the people around her, Zhou Xueniang continued, "We servants only entered the palace because we were hoping that the Sixth Miss had some happy occasion."

"Oh, Madam Zhou, does that mean you don't hope the Sheng family's daughter is doing well?" Jiu'er questioned.

"That's what Miss Jiu'er said, but that's not what I really think!" After saying that, Zhou Xueniang leaned over and glanced at the gate.

Jiu'er was speechless for a moment.

After a moment of careful consideration, Jiu'er's eyes lit up, and she laughed, "Yes, yes, I can't control what Madam Zhou thinks! But Madam Wei has already entered Shou'an Hall and is waiting for news from the Old Madam and Madam."

"Oh dear—there really are differences between people."

Before Zhou Xueniang, who was feeling uncomfortable from the teasing, could speak, someone pointed to the gate and shouted, "The lord and the others are back."

Upon seeing this, Jiu'er immediately turned around and ran towards Shou'an Hall.

Linxi Pavilion
inside the house,

Zhou Xueniang had just stepped into the house,

Mo Lan, who was sitting next to Lin Qinshuang, stood up anxiously: "How is it? Have Father and the others returned? Where is Sixth Sister? Has she come back?"

Zhou Xueniang gave Mo Lan a fake smile, then nodded at Lin Qinshuang.

Lin Qinshuang glanced at Mo Lan and asked, "Why did Sixth Sister enter the palace? Did Honglang tell you?"

Zhou Xueniang shook her head: "He didn't say, but I could tell that Master was in a good mood."

"In a good mood? Then that brat Minglan must have had some kind of adventure? Is she really going to enter the Eastern Palace?" Molan took a few steps anxiously.

"Sit down! There's no news yet, and you're already panicking! What ability do you have to handle major events in the future?"

Seeing Lin Qinshuang's furrowed brows, Mo Lan angrily sat back down in her chair. Zhou Xueniang, noticing Lin Qinshuang's 'continue speaking' look, quickly said, "But this servant thinks Second Brother's complexion isn't very good."

The Dew Seed on the side nodded repeatedly.

“If it’s not Second Brother’s own sister Rulan who’s entered the palace, how could his expression be pleasant?” Mo Lan frowned and interjected.

Lin Qinshuang glanced at Mo Lan with slight annoyance, then shook her head and said to Zhou Xueniang, "There's too little information, and we can't figure anything out!"

"Go wait outside Shou'an Hall and see if Honglang can come to Linxi Pavilion tonight."

"Yes, little girl."

Zhou Xueniang then turned and left.

"Also! Take the silver and ask Dong Rong directly what he saw when he received the lord."

"Yes, little girl."

Shouantang,
inside the house,

The old lady, Wang Ruofu, and Wei Shuyi, who had already been informed, were standing respectfully inside the room.

quickly,

Sheng Hong and Chang Bai stepped into the house together.

After entering the house, the two bowed and clasped their hands in a salute to those behind them.

The old lady and the others quickly bowed and stood respectfully.

quickly,

Minglan stepped into the house.

Without bowing to her grandmother and other family members, she went straight to the old lady and said, "His Majesty has decreed that his granddaughter inquire after your well-being."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern."

The old lady bowed and said.

Wang Ruofu and others also bowed in greeting.

"His Majesty's decree has been delivered."

After saying that, Minglan quickly walked to the old lady and helped her sit up straight: "Grandmother."

Minglan then bowed to Sheng Hong, Changbai, and the others.

"Sit down, everyone! Bring a small embroidered stool for your mother tomorrow."

After everyone was seated, the old lady sighed and said, "Hong'er, tell me in detail what happened today."

Sheng Hong, who had no idea that his stepmother knew the current emperor, sat with utmost respect and bowed slightly: "Yes, Mother! After my son and Bai'er left the palace, Wu Lang stopped us at the bridge and said..."

As Sheng Hong spoke, the old lady sitting in the armchair glanced at the table not far away.

The table was already covered with all sorts of gifts and rewards that Minglan had brought back from the palace.

Turning her gaze away, the old lady glanced again at Minglan, who was sitting with her head down on the embroidered stool in front of her.

Sitting opposite Sheng Hong, Wang Ruofu listened to Sheng Hong's narration with wide eyes, occasionally glancing at Minglan.

After looking at Minglan, Wang Ruofu turned back to look at Wei Shuyi on the embroidered stool.

"It all happened so suddenly that Goro could only say our child's name for the time being."

After Sheng Hong finished speaking, Wang Ruofu sighed, "Mother, Wu Lang is truly favored by the Emperor. Even the position of concubine was personally decided by His Majesty."

Before Wang Ruofu could continue speaking with a regretful tone, she felt Liu's mother subtly poke her with her finger from behind.

Wang Ruofu was stunned for a moment, then said, "I just didn't expect that our sixth daughter would become a concubine in the future."

After nodding, the old lady looked at Changbai and asked, "Bai'er, what do you think?"

Changbai bowed slightly and said calmly, "Grandmother, Sixth Sister's marriage was bestowed by His Majesty, which is already better than the daughters of many families in the capital."

The old lady smiled and said, "In that case, I'll trouble you, Madam, to prepare for receiving the imperial decree."

Wang Ruofu quickly stood up: "Daughter-in-law knows."

"Also, although it is a marriage bestowed by His Majesty, the sisters of tomorrow cannot have their life's important matters delayed."

"Ru'er's matter is easy to discuss; she's going to marry into the Wang family! But Mo Lan's marriage is still undecided."

Sheng Hong nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

“Mo Lan is the oldest, so Madam should pay more attention to this matter.”

Wang Ruofu forced a smile: "Yes, Mother, your daughter-in-law understands."

"Madam is Ming'er's legal mother, but Consort Wei is Ming'er's birth mother."

Before the old lady could finish speaking, Wang Ruofu quickly said, "Mother, after we receive the imperial decree, we will hold a banquet for Ming'er's birth mother and promote her from a concubine to a noble concubine."

The old lady nodded with satisfaction: "Changbai's wedding process still needs to be completed this month. We must make this clear to the Hai family before it is finalized."

Wang Ruofu smiled sincerely: "My daughter-in-law is frugal."

"Alright! You've all had a long and tiring day, now you can all go home."

Sheng Hong and the others stood up, bowed, and said goodbye.

Before leaving Shou'an Hall, Wei Shuyi stood at the door and glanced at Minglan, his eyes filled with both concern and worry.

Once everyone had left Shou'an Hall, the room fell silent.

The old lady looked at Minglan, who was bowing her head, and said, "After conveying His Majesty's decree, you'll keep your head down all day tomorrow. Do you want to ruin your neck?"

Minglan looked up at the old lady: "Grandmother, are you not angry with your granddaughter?"

"Angry? Why should I be angry?" the old lady asked.

"Grandmother, ultimately, it's up to my own consent to what happened today! You've raised me with such care and love for so long, yet I've agreed to enter the Prince's residence as a concubine."

As Minglan spoke, she looked at the old lady with a guilty expression.

But she saw the old lady shake her head at her: "Ming'er, you are still too young. You are facing questions from the current emperor and empress. How could your grandmother be demanding of your performance?"

"Besides, my maternal grand-nephew is not a spoiled brat at all, but a talented young man who is skilled in both literature and martial arts."

"You were classmates with him for many years, how could you not have a good impression of him?"

"Yes." Minglan nodded a few times: "Grandmother, I actually know what Brother Xu Wu did when my mother was about to give birth to Qilang."

"From that time on, my granddaughter knew that Brother Xu Wu was a very good person."

The old lady stroked Minglan's hair: "Ming'er, tell your grandmother, how did you feel when you learned that the noble ladies of the Chai and Rong families had been betrothed?"

Minglan thought for a moment, looked into the old lady's eyes and said, "Grandmother, I am happy from the bottom of my heart, but I am also sad from the bottom of my heart."

Seeing the old lady's furrowed brows and puzzled expression, Minglan pursed her lips and said, "Grandmother, please don't tell anyone what I'm telling you."

The old lady nodded in agreement.

"This year, Brother Xu Wu is taking the imperial examination, and Miss Chai pricked her finger."

Hearing Minglan's words, the old lady shook her head in surprise and incomprehension: "How could this noble lady treat Jing'er like this?"

"Yes! My granddaughter guessed this, so she knew that the noble lady was sincere, and naturally she was happy."

"My granddaughter is upset because of these things."

Seeing the old lady's serious expression with her brows furrowed, Minglan asked in confusion, "Grandmother, what's wrong?"

"Tomorrow, this noble lady will be a princess in the future. The way she treats Jing'er so well shows the depth of her affection! You've entered the royal palace..."

"Tsk! If I had known this would happen, I..." The old lady slapped her thigh, "I was afraid your days wouldn't be easy."

"Fortunately, your marriage was also arranged by His Majesty. I hope you two will live in harmony."

(End of this chapter)