Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 831 Qi Heng, Changzhen, and Suimeng [Thank you! Thank you again! 9k words owed]

"It would be better if Lin Qinshuang stopped causing trouble at home, but if..."

Hearing Hua Lan's words, Wang Ruofu, who had been in a bad mood, suddenly brightened up.

His expression was no longer one of annoyance.

A smile gradually appeared on Wang Ruofu's lips as she patted Hua Lan's hand: "Hua'er, you're right! How come I didn't think of that before!"

As she spoke, Wang Ruofu glanced at Liu's mother standing to the side.

Mrs. Liu responded with a smile.

Rulan, who was some distance away, looked blankly at Wang Ruofu and Hualan, whose mood had improved: "Sister, what did you say to Mother?"

"Don't ask about adult matters."

After scolding Rulan, Wang Ruofu frowned and said in a low voice, "With Lin Qinshuang's greedy nature, how could she not cause trouble? If Molan really marries into a high-ranking family, she'll probably be so arrogant that she'll be strutting around like crazy."

Hua Lan nodded.

Wang Ruofu finished speaking with a smile, but the smile gradually faded.

Seeing Hua Lan's questioning gaze, Wang Ruofu said in a low voice, "Hua'er, what if Lin Qinshuang causes trouble? But Mo Lan has married into a high-ranking family. If she really has to fight her, wouldn't it be even more difficult than it is now?"

Hua Lan said in a low voice, "Mother, how could it be more difficult? Before, when Ming'er was at our house, she had no money, no one to help her, no father's favor, and..."

As she spoke, Hua Lan glanced at her mother, Wang Ruofu.

Standing to the side, Mrs. Liu seemed to recall her eldest daughter-in-law's 'glorious achievements' over the years and sighed helplessly.

"Anything else?" Wang Ruofu asked.

Hua Lan shook her head: "It's nothing! Before, I couldn't help much, but now it's different!"

"Now that Sixth Sister has entered the Prince's mansion, and Ming'er will have money and people at her disposal, why would she continue to tolerate this?"

“That’s not necessarily true!” Wang Ruofu shook his head and said, “Given her submissive and honest nature, she might really just put up with it.”

"Look at the past few years, does the Wei family have no money or no connections? Speaking of which, Xiao Die is very loyal to her, she comes to see her two or three times a month!"

"And what was the result? They're still hiding in Jin'anzhai, aren't they?"

Hua Lan smiled and said, "Mother! But Sixth Sister's marriage hasn't been arranged yet!"

"Uh—" Wang Ruofu was speechless for a moment.

Hua Lan continued, "Now that my sixth sister has been betrothed to the Prince's mansion, my uncle is legally your son-in-law! Even if Lin Qinshuang gets cocky, you can easily suppress her!"

"No matter which high-ranking family Mo Lan marries into, in the end she still has to do it because of the Prince's influence."

After thinking for a moment, Wang Ruofu nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with anticipation for Lin Qinshuang to cause trouble.

Hua Lan smiled slightly upon seeing this.

"Oh, right! There's something else!" Wang Ruofu said with a smile.

Seeing Hua Lan's questioning gaze, Wang Ruofu smiled and said, "Your great-aunt and aunt came to our house yesterday."

"Oh? Your great-aunt and the others came about Sixth Sister's wedding?"

Wang Ruofu replied, "That's one reason! But the main reason is that many families have been visiting the eldest son's family to inquire about things lately."

Hua Lan's eyes lit up, and she suddenly realized, "Did someone go and ask Pin Lan about her marriage?"

Wang Ruofu nodded: "That's right! Exactly."

Hua Lan exclaimed, "There are so many clever people in Bianjing!"

Madam Liu chimed in, "What the eldest young lady says is true. Everyone knows that the fourth young lady is in high demand now, but the eldest son's daughter, Pinlan, is just as desirable."

Pinlan and Rulan are cousins, and the elders of the two families have a very close relationship. If one were to marry Pinlan, he would still be related to Xu Zaijing.

"Which families are involved?" Hua Lan asked with a smile.

in the afternoon,

Quyuan Street,
Duchess's Courtyard

Sun looked at Hua Lan with a smile: "So, it seems that most of the families inquiring about Miss Pinlan from the eldest branch of the Sheng family are military officers and nobles?"

Hua Lan nodded: "Yes, Mother! Now the eldest son, Changwu, is in the army! Most of the military officers and nobles who go there are doing so because of our family."

"Moreover, Yun'er is the eldest daughter-in-law of Changwu, and because of the Kang family's affair, her family's reputation among civil officials is really not good."

Sitting diagonally opposite Hua Lan, Chai Zhengzheng said, "There are probably quite a few people who look down on Pin Lan for coming from a merchant family."

Hua Lan smiled and nodded: "Sister-in-law is right."

Chai Zhengzheng could say this, but Xie Shi and Hua Lan couldn't.

Xu Zaijing, who was sitting above Chai Zhengzheng, put down the drink he was holding and smiled as he looked at Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan, who was sitting below him.

Looking into Xu Zaijing's eyes, Chai Zhengzheng asked in confusion, "My lord, what's wrong? Is there some other reason?"

Feeling the gazes of his family members inside the room, Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "Not bad."

Before anyone could ask, Xu Zaijing said directly, "So many military officers and nobles went to ask Pinlan, so besides our family's reasons, there's also the Yu family."

"Shulan's in-laws?" Madam Sun asked with a smile.

“Yes!” Xu Zaijing nodded and smiled, “Little Physician Yu’s medical skills are superb. Back then, he saved many sons of nobles and military officers in the Western Army.”

"Shulan and Pinlan are sisters. With Physician Xiaoyu as their brother-in-law, they can learn a few life-saving skills from him. They might even have an extra life on the battlefield."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room nodded in agreement.

Madam Sun said, "Hua'er, when Madam Wu comes to our house, you should tell her carefully about those families and make sure to find a good family for your cousin!"

"Yes, mother."

later.

Although it was exactly 6 PM, the sun had not yet set and the sky was still very bright.

Two blocks away from Jiying Lane, in front of the gate with a plaque that reads 'Manor Residence', several carriages and horses were parked.

As they spoke, Changfeng and Changzhen walked out of the door one after the other.

After bowing and saying goodbye to their classmates who were leaving school, the two of them, one on horseback and the other on foot, headed towards Jiying Lane.

In the carriage by the roadside,
Qi Heng lifted the carriage curtain slightly and watched Chang Feng and Chang Zhen's figures disappear at the street corner before he breathed a sigh of relief.

Hiding inside the carriage, Li Chong listened to the sighs coming from within and looked up to ask, "Young Master, when shall we go in?"

"Let's go, let's go over there."

When the carriage arrived at the gate of the manor, Qi Heng lifted the curtain, stepped off the carriage onto the stool, and entered the courtyard.

It wasn't until dusk that Qi Heng emerged from Zhuang Xuejiu's house.

Got on the carriage.

Amidst the rumbling of the carriage, Qi Heng lifted the curtain and looked at Li Chong beside the carriage, saying, "Let's not go back to the manor yet, let's go to Jiying Lane."

"Son."

"Don't talk too much."

"Yes."

The carriage then turned around and headed towards Jiying Lane.

As they approached the side gate of the Sheng family's residence, Qi Heng said from inside the car, "Stop the car."

"Uu——"

The carriage stopped, and Li Chong, who was standing to the side, said, "Young master, we haven't arrived at the Sheng family yet."

"I know."

As he spoke, Qi Heng lifted the carriage curtain and stared blankly at the courtyard gate not far away, which had two doors open and lanterns with the character "盛" hanging on them.

Qi Heng had walked through this door several times before when he came to the Sheng family to study.

Whether he went through the side gate or the main gate, Qi Heng still vividly remembers the longing and joy he felt when he went to school.

In the school, the source of all this was the sixth sister, who sat to his side and behind him, with bright eyes, white teeth, and a beautiful face.

Li Chong looked up at Qi Heng's expression, thought for a moment, and then said nothing more.

Qi Heng, inside the car, looked at the side gate of the Sheng family, clenched the curtain in his hand, and after thinking for a moment, made up his mind and said, "Li Chong, go and announce that I want to see the old lady of the Sheng family."

"Ah?" Li Chong looked troubled, but after a moment of hesitation, he still cupped his hands and said, "Yes, young master."

As Li Chong walked toward the side gate of the Sheng family, Qi Heng also stepped down from the carriage, looking at the side gate of the Sheng family with anticipation.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, the servant boy from the Sheng family who had come to announce the arrival of the guests came out.

Under the lantern at the side gate of the Sheng family, Li Chong exchanged a few words with a servant of the Sheng family before quickly walking over.

"Young master, the old lady of the Sheng family said that it is too late to entertain guests. If there is anything you need, please send an invitation to the Duke or the Princess tomorrow."

After glancing at Qi Heng, Li Chong continued, "Young Master, even if you enter the Sheng family tonight, you won't see Sheng Liu."

Qi Heng frowned and looked over. Li Chong immediately shut up, bowed, and remained silent.

"Go home."

"Yes."

at night,

The Duke's Mansion of Qi.

Princess Pingning, sitting in her chair, waved her hand at Li Chong: "Go down."

"Yes, Your Highness! Duke, I shall take my leave."

After Li Chong left the house, Princess Pingning took a deep breath, composed herself, and said, "Well? My lord, are you still going to the Xu family to tell the Duke and Duchess of Dai that Qi Heng wants to be the best man for the Prince of Wei?"

Duke Qi clicked his tongue in exasperation at Yuan Ruo's lack of self-control: "That child, how could he be so... ignorant!"

"Hmph!" Princess Pingning snorted coldly, "Luckily, that woman didn't marry into our Qi family, otherwise, your son would probably have completely forgotten about me, her mother!"

Duke Qi waved his hand and said, "My lady, you can't say that. Yuan Ruo is still filial! I think that once the Shen family's daughter enters the family, gets married, and has children, Yuan Ruo will naturally settle down."

Pingning County Chief said with a stern face, "Let's hope so! When the Xu family marries the Sheng family's daughter, let Yuan Ruo stay at home obediently, so as not to cause any trouble."

"Listen to my wife."

Two days later, there was only one day left until the wedding of Minglan.

In the afternoon.

Quyuan Street, the backyard of the Duke of Dai's mansion.

"Seventh Brother, this way please."

With a smile on her face, Cui Chan, who had her hair styled like a married woman, spoke to Nagamaki.

"Thank you."

Wearing a new outfit, Nagamaki nodded like a little adult.

Liu's mother, standing behind Nagamaki, waved her hand with a smile: "Cuichan, I've been to my relatives' house so many times, so please don't stand on ceremony with me."

"Yes, Aunt Liu."

As she spoke, Cui Chan led the two of them into the courtyard.

Upon arriving at the Duchess's courtyard,
After the maid announced the arrival, Nagamaki and Liu Mama bowed slightly and went through the bamboo curtain together.

inside the house,

The light was much more comfortable than outside.

After entering the house, Nagamaki glanced at everyone inside.

Standing in the center of the room, Nagamaki bowed and greeted everyone with a cupped-hand salute: "Greetings, Aunt, Madam, and Sister!"

Sun, Xie, and Hualan nodded with smiles.

Nagamaki turned slightly to the side and bowed to Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan, saying, "Greetings, sisters-in-law."

Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan smiled and nodded in return.

Liu's mother, who followed her into the house, also smiled and gave a curtsy.

"Qilang, please sit down."

"Thank you very much, Auntie Nagamaki."

"I heard from your older sister that you are studying hard at the academy, Nagamaki. It's a good thing that you're diligent, but you should take good care of your health."

Upon hearing this, Changzhen stood up and bowed, replying, "Thank you for your concern, Auntie. I understand! In terms of diligence, I still have some way to go compared to my second brother." "You silly child, we're all true relatives, why all this formality? Sit down!" Madam Sun said with a smile, waving her hand.

As they continued speaking, Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan exchanged a glance, noticing Nagamaki's remarkably composed demeanor despite his young age.

Chai Zhengzheng sighed inwardly, while Rong Feiyan felt envious.

After speaking,
Nagamaki stood up and bowed to Madam Sun, Madam Xie, and Hua Lan: "Then I'll take my leave and go about my business."

"Yes, go ahead," Madam Sun nodded and smiled.

"Yes." With that, Nagamaki turned to the side and bowed to Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan.

Nagamaki, who should have bowed once and stood up, bowed for three or four breaths longer this time.

After bowing, Nagamaki and Liu's mother left the house together.

After watching Nagamaki leave with some surprise, Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Feiyan exchanged glances with their mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

"Mother, sister-in-law, what's this, Nagamaki?"

Sun smiled approvingly and said, "He should be thanking you for your righteous act of protecting his sister at Yuqing Temple that day."

Hua Lan nodded repeatedly from the side.

"She's so sensible," Xie exclaimed.

Chai Zhengzheng smiled and said, "Mother, sister-in-law, we met that Wei Xiaoniang at the Sheng family the other day. But today, this young man looks more like my cousin from the Sheng family."

“Sister is right. He looks like another potential Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination).” Rong Feiyan chimed in.

Hua Lan nodded: "They do look somewhat alike, but their personalities are more like my second brother."

Madam Sun laughed and said, "That would be even better!"

Everyone in the room burst into laughter.

outside the house,

At the entrance of one of the Xu family's courtyards,

The maids and servants from the Sheng family stood there, carrying dressing cases, bedding, and curtains.

Cui Chan gestured, "Seventh Brother, Mother Liu, this courtyard originally belonged to Miss Anmei."

Nagamaki smiled and nodded, and Liu's mother nodded and said, "It's really impressive."

As they entered the courtyard, Cui Chan smiled and said, "A couple of days ago, the Prince led a group to visit the Prince's residence. The young man accompanying him said that the courtyard there is even bigger than ours!"

"My God, how big must that be?" Liu's mother exclaimed.

Cui Chan laughed and said, "You'd have to go there to know! It seems like every courtyard has a small kitchen!"

As they spoke, the group entered the house in the courtyard.

After inviting everyone into the house, Liu's mother said, "Judging from the journey here, the courtyard is truly filled with joy."

Cui Chan smiled and nodded: "Who says otherwise! In less than a month, there have been three happy events, and the red silk has been changed three times, all of which were brand new ones bought from the silk shop."

Although Nagamaki looks like a little adult, he is still a child at heart.

Upon hearing Cui Chan's words, Nagamaki couldn't help but smile slightly.

Seeing Nagamaki's appearance, Suichan's smile became even brighter.

evening,

When the lights come on,

Shouantang,
By candlelight, the old lady sitting at the table looked at Minglan with a kind smile, as if she could never get enough of looking at her.

Minglan felt a little embarrassed by the gaze and softly called out, "Grandmother."

The old lady smiled and nodded, then took a deep breath and sighed, "When you came to the capital, you were just a little girl, and now you're about to get married!"

“Grandma thought you could stay with me for another two years, but I never expected you to get married earlier than your fourth and fifth sisters.”

"It's all Jing-ge'er's fault."

Minglan smiled and nodded in agreement.

"What did your fourth and fifth sisters do this afternoon?" the old lady asked with a smile.

Minglan pursed her lips: "My fourth and fifth sisters came to give my granddaughter some things. My fourth sister gave me a piece of calligraphy, and my fifth sister gave me a purse full of gold and silver jewelry."

"Just one piece of calligraphy?"

"Ok!"

Seeing Minglan nod, the old lady shook her head and smiled enigmatically.

At this time.

"Wei Xiaoniang has arrived," a maid announced.

Seeing Minglan's somewhat surprised expression, the old lady said, "Ming'er, what your grandmother wanted to say, what she needed to say, I already told you a couple of days ago! Tonight, let your stepmother talk to you."

"Oh!"

After a while,
Wei Shuyi went inside the house.

Just then, they saw the old lady walking towards the bedroom.

The old lady also saw Wei Shuyi, waved to her, and then disappeared behind the screen with her mother.

Although he knew the old lady couldn't see him, Wei Shuyi still straightened up and gave a curtsy before walking towards Minglan.

"Auntie."

Hearing Minglan's words, Wei Shuyi frowned unhappily.

But seeing Minglan's expression, Wei Shuyi ultimately said nothing.

Standing to the side, Cui Mama pointed to the side hall and said, "Sixth Miss, Madam, come over here to talk."

After settling down at the table in the side hall, Mrs. Cui lit a few more lanterns and then left.

Wei Shuyi got up to see him off and then sat down again.

The mother and daughter looked at each other in silence.

The side hall was quiet for a moment.

"Ming'er."

"Mother."

Seeing Wei Shuyi's reproachful expression, Minglan smiled apologetically: "Little Madam."

Wei Shuyi's expression softened slightly: "Tomorrow, you're getting married. Did the old lady give you any instructions?"

Minglan nodded and counted a few words on her fingers.

After listening, Wei Shuyi looked at Minglan and thought to himself, "The old lady has said everything she needed to say; there's nothing left to say."

"Alright! Tomorrow, there's one more thing." After Wei Shuyi finished speaking, Minglan's face flushed red, and she didn't know where to look.

Looking at Minglan's appearance, Wei Shuyi continued, "I suppose both the Chai family and the Rong family would educate their two noble ladies, so that Prince is not ignorant either."

Minglan lowered her eyes and nodded repeatedly in embarrassment.

Wei Shuyi pondered for a moment: "The old lady and the eldest daughter-in-law have worked so hard for your marriage! Once you enter the Xu family, never forget the kindness and guidance of the old lady and the eldest daughter-in-law."

"Yes, young lady, I understand."

Wei Shuyi continued, "If it weren't for the help of the two noble ladies from the Chai and Rong families, your reputation would have been ruined and this marriage would have been lost, given what happened to you at Yuqing Temple earlier."

Minglan nodded gently.

"You should always be grateful and not take advantage of your years of being classmates with the prince to be jealous and cause trouble in his household."

"Mother, I won't do that," Minglan quickly waved her hand and said.

“Good!” Wei Shuyi nodded: “I think you’ll know tomorrow that the prince has a good heart when we’re in Yangzhou.”

"This kind of person is quick-witted and worldly-wise. As long as you treat him sincerely, your life will not be too bad! If you have another son and two daughters later, you will surely live a peaceful life."

Seeing Minglan's gaze, Wei Shuyi smiled slightly: "Now that your brother is in the Sheng family, you don't need to worry about me too much. The better you are, the better I am."

"Mm." Minglan nodded with a smile.

"If you encounter something in the future and don't know what to do, ask the old lady and your sister Hualan more often."

"Yes, madam."

"I've thought about it, because you'll definitely find a good family tomorrow, but I never dared to imagine that you'd actually be entering the Prince's mansion as a concubine tomorrow."

"Daughter, I never expected this either," Minglan said, her voice filled with emotion.

Actually, a long time ago, Minglan had told herself that she should give up any thoughts or feelings for Xu Zaijing.

"Although the Xu family has many children, the Duke and Duchess manage the household well. I heard from your sister Hualan that the brothers and sisters are kind and loving to each other."

"You should teach your children in the same way when you have them in the future."

Once the conversation started, Wei Shuyi felt like he had endless things to say to Minglan.

Sometimes, after Wei Shuyi said a few words, he realized that the old lady had already said this before.

So, Wei Shuyi gradually stopped talking.

Suddenly, Wei Shuyi chuckled softly.

Looking at Minglan who was looking at him curiously, Wei Shuyi said, "Ming'er, when your brother Changbai and the others took the imperial examination, I prayed for them in Jin'anzhai. One day, I was probably very hungry, and I had many dreams while half asleep and half awake."

"Young lady, are you laughing because of a dream? What did you dream about?"

Wei Shuyi nodded: "I can't really say what the dream was about. The various images were fragmented and completely unrelated."

"I vaguely remember a scene where you were in a room, surrounded by the smoke of incense, and you were exchanging a few words with a young nobleman."

Minglan had never been alone in a room with a man before, and she was also confused by Wei Shuyi's words.

“Some of them were your aunts, kneeling in front of me, muttering to themselves, and tears were streaming down their faces as they spoke.”

"But there is one scene I remember clearly: tomorrow you will be wearing the official robes of a noblewoman."

Wei Shuyi smiled and shook his head: "I suppose it's because I've been thinking about it during the day and dreaming about it at night. After sincere prayers, the immortals and gods gave me some hints."

Upon hearing this, Minglan lowered her head shyly.

Upon becoming a concubine of the Prince, Minglan was immediately granted an imperial title.

"Alright! Go to sleep early! You'll be busy tomorrow!" With that, Wei Shuyi stood up.

"Auntie."

Minglan called out.

Then, Minglan stood up and walked to Wei Shuyi's side.

Under Wei Shuyi's surprised gaze, Minglan hugged her tightly.

The sudden closeness surprised Wei Shuyi. After a while, she hugged Minglan and gently patted her back.

"Don't just hug me," Wei Shuyi said with a smile.

“I know, I’ve already hugged Grandmother several times just now,” Minglan said, refusing to let go.

The next day,

morning,

Minglan has already taken her maid to the Sheng family ancestral hall to pay respects to their ancestors.

Changzhen and Changbai stood at the gate of the Sheng family, watching Gu Tingye and Liang Han riding towards them on horseback in the distance. Several carriages followed behind them, carrying the betrothal gifts.

Looking back into the room, Changbai said to Hanniu, "Go and ask why Changfeng hasn't come out yet! The best man is about to enter!"

"Yes, son."

Changbai turned around, looked down at Changzhen, and said, "Seventh Brother."

"Huh? Second brother, what's wrong?"

Changbai took a deep breath and said softly, "Minglan is getting married today, so please don't cry!"

Nagama blinked: "Second brother, did you cry when eldest sister got married?"

"You! Me!" Changbai was speechless for a moment.

(End of this chapter)