Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 812 is right~~~~~ [Thank you! Thank you again! 6k words owed]

The lanterns are on.

Jiying Lane, Sheng Family Residence, Weirui Pavilion.

Inside the room, Wang Ruofu sat at the table with a smile on her lips, eating her dinner by candlelight, taking bites here and there.

While eating, Wang Ruofu would occasionally look up and gaze outside.

Soon, Caihuan entered the room with hurried steps and curtsied, saying, "Madam, this servant has returned."

Wang Ruofu put down her chopsticks, stood up, and looked at Caihuan with Liu Mama, asking with great interest, "How is it? Is the lord still in the study?"

Caihuan shook her head: "Reporting to Madam, the master has already left the study and gone to Linxi Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu smiled and exchanged a glance with Liu's mother before slowly sitting back down in her chair.

Caihuan walked to the side and stood by.

"Hmph!" Wang Ruofu couldn't help but laugh out loud. After picking up her chopsticks, she exclaimed, "Hua'er and her husband are really good. They bring back such good news after just one trip home."

"Now I really want to go to the entrance of Linxi Pavilion and hear how my husband will reprimand that little slut Lin Qinshuang."

“What you say is true, madam,” Liu’s mother agreed with a smile.

After eating a few bites of food with gusto, Wang Ruofu sneered, "Does Lin Qinshuang really think the Duke's mansion is some ordinary family?"

"Lin Qinshuang just can't see that her underhanded tricks only succeed because she has her master protecting her! They wouldn't work so well elsewhere!"

"Sending someone to Quyuan Street to inquire and curry favor for no reason, she must have something up her sleeve. It's no wonder others will notice!"

Mrs. Liu nodded with a smile.

A maid brought soup into the room, and Caihuan took it and placed it on the table.

While serving the soup, Liu Mama said, "Madam, before Lin Xiaoniang's family committed any crimes, they weren't exactly a wealthy and powerful family!"

"She had no idea how vigilant the servants would be before a grand banquet was held by a wealthy and powerful family. She really thought the Xu family was just an ordinary family from a humble background."

"Humph--"

Wang Ruofu gave a snort with a mix of arrogance and sarcasm, shook his head a few times, and said smugly, "Before, the old lady and Hua'er were even thinking of finding a good family for that girl Mo Lan, putting aside past grievances."

"Hua'er even advised me to be more open-minded! Look at me now! What did I say wrong about that bitch Lin Qinshuang?"

"Madam, you have sharp eyes; no demon can escape your discerning gaze," said Mama Liu with a smile, handing over a bowl of soup.

Wang Ruofu accepted it triumphantly.

Madam Liu continued, "Madam, but as I see it, the old lady wants to give Fourth Miss a good match, but she's only saying this out of respect for the master."

"Actually, the old lady was wary of Lin Xiaoniang from the bottom of her heart."

"Hmm?" Wang Ruofu looked up at Liu Mama with curiosity, putting down the soup bowl she was about to drink. "What do you mean by that?"

Madam Liu smiled slightly: "Didn't you notice that since yesterday, when Sixth Miss came to pay her respects, Madam Cui was accompanying her?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu froze on the spot: "Did Aunt Cui come with Sixth Girl?"

Mrs. Liu smiled and nodded.

After thinking for a while, Wang Ruofu's eyes lit up: "You mean, the old lady is guarding against Lin Qinshuang using some kind of method?"

"The old lady hit the nail on the head."

Hearing this, Caihuan looked at Liu Mama in surprise: "Liu Mama, the Sixth Miss's marriage was bestowed by His Majesty's own decree. How could the people of Linxi Pavilion dare to lay a hand on her?"

Wang Ruofu also had some doubts.

Liu's mother replied, "Caihuan, you are young and don't know much about things."

"If the maid is negligent and the sisters accidentally injure the sixth young lady's face while they are playing around, do you think the lord will severely punish the fourth young lady?"

After thinking for a moment, Caihuan nodded and said, "There will be punishment, but with Lin Xiaoniang around, it shouldn't be too severe."

"Yes, it won't be too serious! But if the girl's face is injured, she won't have a good time in her husband's family."

After Liu's mother finished speaking, Wang Ruofu curled her lips and said, "What is that bitch afraid of? When Lin Qinshuang was sent to the old lady before, she was all alone."

"She's only been raised for a short time, and Lin Qinshuang, all alone, dares to use the opportunity of discussing poetry to seduce the master, and even..."

Even though Wang Ruofu didn't explain it clearly, Liu Mama and the others knew that the following words meant, "She even had an affair and got pregnant."

"If the old lady had been a little more ruthless and had simply covered this up, do you think Lin Qinshuang would have survived? She's not afraid of death, so what else is she afraid of?"

As she spoke, Wang Ruofu also pouted somewhat angrily.

Although Sheng Hong distanced himself from Wang Ruofu back then, it was because Wang Ruofu not only looked down on the Sheng family, but also interfered in cases in the front yard, almost ruining Sheng Hong's career.
This gave Lin Qinshuang an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

However, over the years, Wang Ruofu did not feel that she had done much wrong. Instead, she resented the old lady for taking in Lin Qinshuang and for not punishing Lin Qinshuang severely after the incident.

"You know, there are still quite a few days until Sixth Girl's wedding."

"Given enough time, we'll naturally have time to plan other things, to find a way to get that lord to mediate and get Xu's fifth son to change his mind! After all, they're both daughters of the Sheng family, and both born out of wedlock, so what's the difference?"

As she spoke, Wang Ruofu curled her lips in disgust and lowered her head to drink the soup.

Linxi Pavilion
"The lord has arrived."

As the announcement was made, Sheng Hong strode into the house with a stern face.

Lin Qinshuang, who was setting the table inside, turned to look at the door and a gentle smile instantly appeared on her face: "Honglang, you've finally arrived!"

Seeing Sheng Hong's expression, Lin Qinshuang walked to his side nonchalantly: "Honglang, is there some happy occasion that the young lady and her husband are returning home today?"

Zhou Xueniang, who was standing to the side, glanced at Sheng Hong with some surprise.

You should know that in the past, Sheng Hong would have already been smiling and talking to Lin Qinshuang in this situation, but today he still had a stern face.

Noticing Zhou Xueniang's gaze, Sheng Hong frowned and glared at her.

When Zhou Xueniang saw the anger in Sheng Hong's eyes, she was so frightened that she trembled and quickly lowered her head and hunched her chest.

After Sheng Hong looked away, he asked, "Where is Mo'er?"

"Ah?" Lin Qinshuang was a little surprised, but still said, "Perhaps she is copying your calligraphy, Honglang, or reciting poetry. Poetry and calligraphy are her favorite things, as you know, Honglang."

Sheng Hong took a deep breath, glanced at Lin Qinshuang from head to toe, and then waved his hand, saying, "Servants, all of you, leave."

Although Lin Qinshuang was puzzled and surprised by Sheng Hong's gaze, she still waved to the side.

"Close the door and wait at the courtyard gate," Sheng Hong said again.

"Yes, my lord."

After Zhou Xueniang took the lead and agreed, she quickly withdrew.

"Ouch."

Perhaps she was walking too fast, because Zhou Xueniang's toes hit the threshold and she almost fell to the ground.

This made Sheng Hong's expression even more unpleasant.

After a while,
The door was closed.

"Honglang, what...what are you doing?" Lin Qinshuang looked at Sheng Hong with seductive eyes and asked somewhat shyly.

Seeing Lin Qinshuang's expression, Sheng Hong's expression softened slightly, but he still stared at Lin Qinshuang and asked coldly, "Some time ago, did you send someone to the Duke's Mansion on Quyuan Street to inquire and investigate?"

"what?"

Lin Qinshuang froze on the spot upon hearing this.

Seeing Sheng Hong's expression and eyes, Lin Qinshuang did not deny it. She nodded quickly and replied with a puzzled tone, "Yes, Honglang, I sent someone to inquire around the Xu family area! Why are you asking about this?"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong's expression softened somewhat, but he asked with a stern face, "Why am I asking this? What are you, a concubine, doing sending people to inquire about the Xu family for no reason?"

"I—I was thinking that the Xu family relatives have a bright future, and if I could know more about their preferences, it would be easier for our family to give gifts in the future."

"Changfeng was a classmate of a relative of the Xu family, but he failed the imperial examination and was only a Juren (a lower-level scholar)!"

"With such good relatives as the eldest daughter's husband's family, Shuang'er can give gifts that cater to their tastes and get along well with the Xu family. Maybe she can even help Changfeng in the future."

Sheng Hong looked at Lin Qinshuang helplessly: "This is something that Madam should worry about."

"Yes, yes, yes." Lin Qinshuang lowered her head and nodded in a pitiful tone, "It was Shuang'er who added unnecessary details and did something superfluous."

"You've gone to great lengths! It's one thing to inquire and pry, but why did you have to bribe the Xu family's maids and servants in an attempt to find out what the Fifth Master of the Xu family likes about the young lady?"

Lin Qinshuang looked up in surprise upon hearing this: "Honglang, where did you hear that? Did Shuang'er not?"

Sheng Hong waved his hand to interrupt Lin Qinshuang and questioned, "What are you plotting behind my back?"

Lin Qinshuang looked at Sheng Hong with a pitiful expression, tears welling up in her eyes: "Honglang, I, I was planning something."

Sheng Hong closed his eyes, and Xinruo seemed to murmur, "You want Mo'er."

"Honglang, what nonsense are you talking about? Is that what you really think of me?" Lin Qinshuang asked fiercely, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

These words gave Sheng Hong a glimmer of hope.

Sheng Hong opened his eyes and looked at Lin Qinshuang, whose expression was stubborn yet heartbroken: "Then why did you ask about these things?"

Lin Qinshuang wiped away her tears with her sleeve: "It's nothing!"

With that, Lin Qinshuang 'resolutely' turned her back to Sheng Hong, her heart ashen, and said in a choked voice:

“Honglang, it was Shuang’er who shamelessly inquired about the preferences of the fifth son of the Xu family, wanting to send my most beloved Mo’er to the Xu family to become some kind of damn concubine.”

"Suck--"

After a sob, Lin Qinshuang raised her head haughtily and said resolutely, "Honglang, since you think so much about Mo'er, then just kill me!"

After Lin Qinshuang finished speaking, she felt uncertain and looked guiltily at the empty space in the room behind Sheng Hong's back.

The room fell silent.

Hearing Lin Qinshuang's words and watching her retreating figure, Sheng Hong breathed a sigh of relief. After closing and opening his eyes, his expression softened considerably.

"Shuang'er, what nonsense are you talking about? What do you mean, 'I'll beat you to death' or 'I'll beat you to death'?"

As he spoke, Sheng Hong walked behind Lin Qinshuang, intending to straighten her body.

Lin Qinshuang angrily twisted her body, seemingly wanting to leave Sheng Hong's embrace, but the movement only increased the contact area between her and Sheng Hong.

After several struggles, Lin Qinshuang was embraced by Sheng Hong.

Even while being held by Sheng Hong, Lin Qinshuang still squirmed, her voice filled with sadness as she said:
"Honglang, if you miss Shuang'er so much today, you might as well let Shuang'er die!"

"It's good that Shuang'er is dead. That way, Shuang'er won't be heartbroken and suffer excruciating pain because Hong Lang doesn't want her!"

"That would hurt too much, it would be excruciating, Shuang'er is scared!"

"Uuuuuu——"

As she spoke, Lin Qinshuang buried her face in Sheng Hong's chest and wept bitterly.

Lin Qinshuang cried because she was genuinely afraid, but only she knew what she was afraid of.

Hearing Lin Qinshuang's heartfelt cries, Sheng Hong hugged her even tighter: "Shuang'er, don't talk nonsense! How could I abandon you!"

After the couple hugged for a while, Lin Qinshuang reluctantly left Sheng Hong's arms.

Seeing Lin Qinshuang's tearful face, Sheng Hong lovingly touched the corner of her tearful eyes.

Lin Qinshuang lowered her head in embarrassment.

"call!"

Sheng Hong instantly felt incredibly tall and took a deep breath, thoroughly enjoying himself.

After enjoying the moment, Sheng Hong gently placed Lin Qinshuang on a chair and asked in a soft tone, "Shuang'er, why did you send someone to the Xu family to inquire?"

Knowing that Sheng Hong would believe anything she said at this point, Lin Qinshuang sighed softly, "Honglang, I entered the Sheng family before Wei's sister. When I was pregnant with Minglan, I watched Wei's sister's belly grow bigger every day." "When we were in the south, I witnessed Minglan grow from an infant to a toddler. To be honest, I consider Minglan my own daughter!"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong smiled and nodded with satisfaction.

Lin Qinshuang's eyes were filled with memories and self-reproach as she said, "Back in Yangzhou, I made a mistake and caused Wei's sister and Ming'er to suffer so much, especially since Wei's sister was six months pregnant."

"Shuang'er felt extremely guilty but could not express it in words."

"A few days ago, I learned that a great joy had come to the Sheng family, but Shuang'er was half happy and half worried."

Sheng Hong asked in confusion, "Oh? Shuang'er, what are you worried about?"

Lin Qinshuang sighed: "Honglang, what kind of families are the Chai and Rong? These noble ladies have grown up in luxury since childhood, so they must be used to being bossy and arrogant, and probably even look down on everyone!"

As she spoke, Lin Qinshuang lowered her head: "Just thinking about Minglan's 'bitter days' in the Xu family makes me so sad that I can't sleep."

"I kept thinking about what I could do to help Minglan if she was bullied in the Xu family."

"But I only have the property that Honglang gave me because he dotes on me, which is not as good as the business of Wei's sister. My family is also not as powerful as Aunt Wei's and Miss Xiaodie's."

"After much thought, I can only try to find out more about the Prince's preferences! Then I can tell Minglan so that she can win the favor of that young Prince, which will be a way of making amends for Shuang'er's oversight back then."

Having been persuaded by Lin Qinshuang, Sheng Hong hugged her with immense tenderness.

Feeling the strength of Sheng Hong's arms around her, Lin Qinshuang, who had been looking down, smiled.

Holding Lin Qinshuang in his arms, Sheng Hong said with relief, "Shuang'er, you're overthinking it. Even if Minglan and my cousin hadn't been classmates for many years, just considering the old lady's reputation, Minglan wouldn't have any problems in the Xu family."

Lin Qinshuang looked up at Sheng Hong, her eyes filled with admiration, and said, "Yes—Honglang!"

"Shuang'er is foolish and has made a mess of things! Not only has she troubled the young lady and son-in-law to come to our house to inquire, but she has also made a fool of herself and caused Honglang to misunderstand."

Sheng Hong smiled and shook his head: "You mean well! Come on, let's eat! We've been talking for so long, the food's getting cold."

"Yes! Shuang'er will serve Honglang."

Night had fallen.

The moon had not yet risen into the night sky.

Wei Rui Xuan
Wang Ruofu sat up from the bed: "Someone come here!"

A moment later, Caihuan came over with a candle: "Madam, I'm here. Would you like some water?"

Wang Ruofu angrily sat down on the edge of the bed, throwing back the bed curtains, and said, "Is there still no movement from Linxi Pavilion? Why isn't my husband going to punish that wretched woman?"

Caihuan, who was standing by the table pouring water, said in a low voice, "Reporting to Madam, I heard from the maid that after 7 PM, the candles in Linxi Pavilion were extinguished, and there has been no further activity since."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu stared wide-eyed in confusion and said, "Are we supposed to wait until tomorrow morning to deal with her?"

Caihuan offered the bowl of water without saying a word.

After taking a couple of sips of water, Wang Ruofu got into bed in a huff and angrily threw herself onto the bed.

Time flies, and the rooster crows at dawn.

As the sun gradually rises higher.

Wei Rui Xuan
After finishing breakfast, Wang Ruofu was changing clothes with the help of Liu Mama.

After stepping into the room, Caihuan shook her head at Wang Ruofu: "Madam, when the master left Linxi Pavilion, he looked refreshed and had a smile on his face. He didn't seem like he was going to punish a concubine."

"What? No, no action?"

As she spoke, Wang Ruofu shook her head, both angry and puzzled: "What kind of magic did this vixen use? How could she not be killed!"

After changing her clothes, Wang Ruofu went to the outer room.

As she reached the door, Wang Ruofu turned her head to look at Rulan's room: "What time is it? Why hasn't Ru'er come yet?"

"I'll go take a look."

Liu's mother turned and walked towards Rulan's bedroom.

"If she doesn't get up soon and is late for the Xu family's trip, you'll see if I don't beat her up!"

With that, Wang Ruofu led Caihuan outside.

Liu's mother hurriedly entered Rulan's room.

Seeing Rulan still lying on the bed, Liu's mother became a little annoyed and took a step forward, directly pulling the quilt off Rulan.

"My little darling! Get up! Madam is in a bad mood today!"

"Didn't they say Father was going to deal with Linxi Pavilion? Why is Mother in a bad mood?" Rulan asked blankly.

Please don't bring up things that are hard to talk about!

Shouantang,
The old lady wore understated yet dignified jewelry and new clothes, sitting in a Luohan chair.

Sheng Hong sat at the lower end of the table and spoke.

She originally thought

"This Lin family really meant well but did something wrong."

The old lady looked at Sheng Hong, who had his head bowed, and said with a hint of helplessness, "Since you believe in these things, Hong'er, then this old woman has nothing more to say."

Sheng Hong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and bowed his head, saying, "Mother, rest assured, I will definitely discipline Lin Shi strictly in the future and prevent her from acting so recklessly again."

The old lady nodded and sighed, "The noble ladies from the Chai and Rong families haven't even entered the Xu family yet, and the concubines from the relatives' families have already sent people to inquire about those matters, and they've already been discovered."

Sheng Hong pursed his lips.

The old lady sighed and said, "In that case, Mo Lan should not go to the Xu family today, lest she upset your cousin and his wife."

"Huh?" Sheng Hong looked up in surprise.

Seeing the old lady's expression, Sheng Hong could only bow his head and say, "Yes, Mother, I understand."

"The lady has arrived."

Before he finished speaking, Wang Ruofu, wearing a colorful ring, entered the house.

After bowing and paying her respects, Wang Ruofu looked at the jewelry on the old lady's head with envy in her eyes, and then glanced at Sheng Hong.

"Madam, this outfit is very nice, it suits your complexion very well," the old lady praised with a smile.

"Daughter-in-law thanks Mother for the praise!" Wang Ruofu said with a smile.

The old lady nodded: "Hong'er, send someone to inform Mo Lan."

After Sheng Hong agreed, he waved to Danju, who was standing at the door, and said, "Go and tell Molan to rest at home today."

"Yes, my lord."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu felt a surge of pleasure and couldn't help but grin.

At this time,

Minglan came out from behind the screen, curtsied, and said, "Daughter greets Father and Mother."

Sheng Hong forced a smile and nodded.

Wang Ruofu smiled and praised, "Mother, look how beautiful Ming'er is! What's even more remarkable is that Ming'er is polite, sensible, obedient, and filial."

As she spoke, Wang Ruofu glanced at Sheng Hong again.

“Mother, you flatter me,” Minglan said with a smile.

The old lady waved to Minglan.

When Minglan came closer, the old lady instructed her, "Today, your grandmother is going to the Xu family with your father. Tomorrow, you will stay at home. Remember to listen to Cui Mama."

"Grandmother, don't worry," Minglan said with a smile.

The old lady did not laugh, but continued to speak seriously to the others: "After we leave, no one from either Shou'an Hall or Weirui Pavilion is allowed to leave the courtyard."

"When I return, if I find out that anyone from any of the courtyards has left without permission, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu looked at the stern old lady and quickly stood up and bowed in agreement.

The second gate of the Sheng family

Wearing new clothes and expensive jewelry, Rulan, in a very good mood, walked over with Liu's mother and Xique.

Seeing the old lady standing beside the carriage, being helped into it by Wang Ruofu, Rulan quickly bowed and called for help.

The old lady nodded and stepped into the carriage.

Wang Ruofu walked up to Rulan, frowned and said, "Ru'er, if you sleep in like this again next time, I promise I'll spank you."

Rulan smiled and nodded: "Oh! Daughter understands."

Seeing Rulan's expression, Wang Ruofu asked again, "What's making you so happy?"

Rulan glanced at Changfeng not far away, and said with a smile in a low voice, "Mother, when I came here I heard that Molan was making quite a scene in the house, smashing pots and bowls. Haha, she's finally got her comeuppance!"

Wang Ruofu's mood improved considerably upon hearing this: "Serves you right! This is all thanks to your father."

Just as Rulan smiled and nodded, preparing to leave,
Madam Fang lifted the carriage curtain and called out, "Fifth Miss, the old lady says you should ride in the same carriage as her."

Rulan's smile froze on her face: "Huh?"

Subsequently,

The three Changbai brothers rode horses, while the rest of the Sheng family rode in carriages, and so the whole family headed towards Quyuan Street.

Quyuan Street,
The area around the street corner is bustling and lively.

"Uu——"

Nagamaki and his brother reined in their horses.

Taking advantage of the high vantage point on horseback, Nagamaki looked ahead and saw a number of carriages and horses entering Quyuan Street one after another.

Each driver was experienced, and the speed of the carriages and horses was neither too fast nor too slow, and the distance between them was just right.

After the carriages and horses in front of the Sheng family had traveled some distance, a servant of the Xu family at the street corner gestured: "Honored guest, please come in."

So, the Sheng family's carriages turned into Quyuan Street.

Nagamaki, who hadn't been to Quyuan Street many times, looked at the street with great curiosity.

As they approached the Xu family's gate, Changfeng scratched his head and said to Changbai, "Second brother, why do I feel like the stone lions at the Xu family's gate have gotten bigger?"

Changbai glanced at Changfeng with a hint of helplessness but remained silent.

The male members of the Sheng family dismounted in front of the gate.
"Father-in-law."

Zai Zhang, who was greeting guests at the entrance, bowed and greeted them.

"Brother-in-law."

Changbai and the others called for help from behind Sheng Hong.

After nodding, Zai Zhang bowed to the elders in the carriage.

The old lady nodded and smiled through the car window.

As she was about to enter the Xu family's gate, the old lady looked up at the large plaque above the gate, which was decorated with red silk flowers.

Looking at the four large characters "Duke of Dai's Mansion" written in vigorous calligraphy, the old lady's bright eyes were filled with a mixture of nostalgia, joy, and melancholy.

After all, she had seen that "Marquis of Yongyi's Residence" plaque since she was a child.

After glancing at the plaque again, the old lady took a deep breath, smiled, and lowered the carriage curtain in her hand.

(End of this chapter)