Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 835 Tonight, I can't let you, my lord, be so presumptuous! [Thank you! Bows again! 7k words owed]

Time flies, and three days have passed.

That morning, around 10 a.m., the sunlight was a little intense.

Jiying Lane, Sheng Family

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu stood with their children in front of the gate, which had been washed several times and was very clean.

Beside them were Zai Zhang and Hua Lan, who had arrived at the Sheng family earlier.

At this moment, amidst the music, a slightly less imposing royal procession slowly passed in front of the Sheng family.

"stop!"

As Qingyun shouted, the procession stopped, and one of the luxurious carriages stopped right in front of the Sheng family.

The saddle stools were placed in place, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Xu Zaijing, wearing a jade crown and a blue formal suit, was the first to step out of the carriage.

Upon seeing Xu Zaijing, Zai Zhang and his wife, along with the rest of the Sheng family, bowed and greeted him, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Xu Zaijing stepped down from the carriage, smiled and nodded, then returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Father-in-law, mother-in-law, elder brother, sister-in-law, everyone, please rise and do not stand on ceremony."

"Thank you, Prince Xie."

After the Sheng family and Zai Zhanghua finished speaking in unison, Ru Lan, who was standing next to Hua Lan, stood on tiptoe and raised her chin, looking at the carriage with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation.

Mo Lan, standing next to Ru Lan, had her gaze not on the carriage, but on Xu Zai Jing beside it.

Putting everything else aside, the dragon pattern on Xu Zaijing's clothes alone is something only a prince would be qualified to wear.

"Hehe, Brother Xu Wu's outfit is really impressive!" Chang Feng, who was in front of Mo Lan, praised while grinning foolishly.

Rulan smiled and nodded upon hearing this.

Mo Lan nodded, but when she saw Xu Zaijing turn around and help Ming Lan down from the carriage, Mo Lan immediately put on a stern face.

After getting off the carriage, Minglan looked at the crowd at the gate and quickly curtsied: "Greetings, Father, Mother! Eldest Sister, Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Brother, Fifth Sister, and Seventh Brother."

After curtsying, Minglan felt discomfort in her waist and legs. Just as she was about to frown, she felt Xu Zaijing beside her give her a boost.

With Xu Zaijing's help, Minglan immediately felt much more relaxed.

So, Minglan habitually looked into Xu Zaijing's eyes, her smiling eyes full of gratitude.

Xu Zaijing responded with a smile.

Watching Xu Zaijing and Minglan interact, Changbai, who had been expressionless, had a slight smile on his lips.

Rulan's mouth agape, her eyes filled with surprise. In all these years, Rulan had never seen Minglan like this before.

Minglan rarely wore makeup while living in the Sheng family, and she had the bangs typical of young ladies. Her beauty was 'sealed', like a flower bud that had not yet bloomed.

Under the sunlight today, Minglan, dressed in a low-key yet luxurious manner, with her hair styled in a woman's bun and adorned with makeup, looked stunning, like a beautiful flower in full bloom.

"Sister," Nagamaki called out, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

Upon hearing this, Minglan quickly smiled and looked at Nagamaki.

As her gaze shifted, Minglan noticed the stares of Changbai and the others.

Upon seeing this, Minglan instantly felt her cheeks burning, and Xu Zaijing's hand holding hers felt even hotter.

"The sun is quite strong, son-in-law, Minglan, let's hurry inside!" Wang Ruofu said with a smile.

Sheng Hong gestured, "Yes, yes, let's go in. Mother is still waiting for us at Shou'an Hall!"

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "What my father-in-law and mother-in-law say is true, please."

"please."

As everyone walked towards the door, Minglan tried to let go of Xu Zaijing's hand.

She tried several times, even scratching Xu Zaijing's palm with her fingernails, but Xu Zaijing remained unmoved.

And so, Xu Zaijing took Minglan's hand and walked beside Sheng Hong toward the courtyard.

Zai Zhang and Hua Lan followed behind with Chang Bai and the others.

Shouantang,
inside the house,

The old lady paced back and forth, her eyes occasionally glancing expectantly at the doorway.

Wearing new clothes, Wei Shuyi stood to the side, clutching a handkerchief in her hand, her expression very similar to that of the old lady.

"Grandma, they're here! The son-in-law and the sixth young lady have arrived!"

At the entrance, a young maidservant lifted the bamboo curtain and announced the news with a smile.

The old lady nodded with a smile.

Fang's mother went to the old lady's side and helped her sit back on the daybed.

Wei Shuyi, who was standing to the side, gripped the handkerchief in her hand even tighter.

quickly,

The sounds of talking and footsteps came from outside.

The bamboo curtain at the door was lifted again, and Xu Zaijing, who had finally let go of Minglan's hand, walked in with Sheng Hong.

Following Xu Zaijing and Sheng Hong were Wang Ruofu and Minglan, with Zai Zhanghualan and the other children of the Sheng family walking behind them.

“Mother, the children are back,” Sheng Hong said with a smile.

Xu Zaijing paused upon entering the room, then let Minglan walk to his side before they walked together toward the old lady.

Inside the house, Mama Fang, Mama Cui, Wei Shuyi, and others quickly curtsied upon seeing Xu Zaijing.

The old lady also stood up and couldn't help but take two steps forward.

"Great aunt/grandmother!"

Seeing the two bowing together, the old lady smiled and took their hands.

The old lady first glanced approvingly at Xu Zaijing, who was wearing a jade crown and green robe and had an imposing presence, then smiled and nodded before looking at Minglan, who was sitting on her lap.

Just a few steps away, and with Minglan dressed in her finest attire, the old lady couldn't see her clearly.

At this moment, Minglan stood in front of the old lady. Even her makeup couldn't hide the dark circles under her eyes, and she no longer had the vibrancy she had when she was a young girl.

However, Minglan's eyes and brows revealed a charming allure that only a woman could possess.

Upon seeing this, the old lady's smile faltered slightly.

Upon closer inspection, the old man noticed that Minglan's face seemed to have thinned out a bit.

Seeing the old lady's concerned gaze, Minglan pursed her lips shyly.

Standing behind the old lady, Fang and Cui, the two mothers, couldn't help but exchange a glance as they looked at Minglan.

The old lady smiled at Minglan and then held Minglan's small hand tightly.

When she looked at Xu Zaijing again, the old lady's eyes showed a hint of reproach.

Xu Zaijing felt the old lady's warm hand and looked into her eyes, then smiled a little embarrassedly.

It wasn't that Xu Zaijing didn't know how to cherish her; it was just that at times, Minglan's unintentional frowns and pleas for mercy only added fuel to the fire.

With the encouragement of others, Xu Zaijing's criticism became somewhat excessive.

Wei Shuyi, who was standing by, also noticed the old lady's mood. Looking at her daughter, Wei Shuyi lowered her eyes and sighed softly.

After glancing at Minglan again, the old lady released her hand and said with a smile, "Please sit down."

Everyone sat down.

After chatting for a while, it was lunchtime.

The old lady always preferred quiet, and since Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu were Xu Zaijing's parents-in-law, the banquet was held at Wei Rui Xuan.

After seeing everyone off from Shou'an Hall, the old lady waved to Madam Fang and Madam Cui and said, "Ru'an, go and ask Cuiwei what's wrong with Sixth Girl!"

“Yes, madam,” Mrs. Cui replied with a bow.

As soon as Mrs. Cui stepped out of the house, she couldn't help but shield her eyes from the sunlight with her hand.

Looking at the young maid in the courtyard, Madam Cui asked, "Where did Cuiwei go?"

"Reporting to Mother, Sister Cuiwei is in the outer courtyard, helping to set up the Prince's ceremonial guard."

"Ah."

When they arrived at the outer courtyard,
Madam Cui called Cuiwei aside and asked softly, "Cuiwei, Sixth Master married daughters from the Chai and Rong families within half a month. It's unusual for Sixth Miss to do this."

Hearing Cui's mother's words, Cuiwei said helplessly, "What you say is true, Mother! But the sixth son-in-law is..." "Is what?" Cui's mother looked at Cuiwei, who seemed to be hesitant to speak, with some doubt.

After looking around, Cuiwei whispered in Cui Mama's ear, "I'm not tired at all! These past few days, every evening after returning home, I've carried the Sixth Miss to bed."

"Not only do we have to work on it at night, but we also have to work on it before our morning exercise!"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Cui looked puzzled: "This, this, how come Sixth Son-in-law has so much energy? Eldest Son-in-law wasn't like this back then!"

“Who says otherwise!” Cuiwei nodded a few times, then said with a somewhat unnatural expression, “I heard from Danju and Xiaotao that Sixth Miss has been crying and begging several times these past two nights!”

"This..." Madam Cui frowned and said, "Can't we let the sixth son-in-law go to the Princess and the others' place?"

"Sixth Miss said it on the very first day after her marriage! But the Princess and the others wouldn't allow it. And..."

After Cuiwei said "moreover," she fell silent. Mother Cui said softly, "It's hard to say?"

Cuiwei pursed her lips and shook her head, saying, "Mama Cui, it's nothing to tell you. Besides, the Princess and the Consort have been here these past few days."

"Take nourishing medicine?" Mrs. Cui looked surprised.

Cuiwei said, "Yes, it's not good for your health if you don't eat."

Mrs. Cui shook her head helplessly: "Good heavens! But looking at Sixth Son-in-law today, he doesn't seem like someone who indulges in debauchery!"

"Yes, yes!" Cuiwei nodded repeatedly, "Aunt Cui, please tell me."

Cuiwei hesitated, as if she wanted to speak.

"What did you say?" Mrs. Cui asked, frowning.

"Do you think Sixth Son-in-Law knows how to cook some dishes?"

"nonsense!"

Before Cuiwei could finish speaking, Mother Cui frowned and said...

Cuiwei quickly shut her mouth.

"You can't say things like that anymore!"

"Yes, I understand!"

"I'll try to persuade her later. Never mind, I'll go and report to the old lady."

After saying this, Madam Cui glanced at Cuiwei and then walked towards Shou'an Hall.

In the afternoon,

Minglan has already returned to Shou'an Hall.

at this time,

The old lady sat in a day chair.
Minglan did not sit on the embroidered stool in front of the old lady as before, but sat opposite the old lady.

After rubbing her face to clear her mind, Minglan said, "Grandmother, this morning, I went to the Xu family ancestral hall with Xu and my husband."

Listening to Minglan's account, the old lady nodded with a smile.

"I didn't know until I went there. After seeing the many plaques and memorial tablets hanging in the ancestral hall, my granddaughter realized that you married into the Sheng family."

Seeing the old lady's reproachful look, Minglan pursed her lips and didn't continue speaking.

The old lady sighed and said, "You two should try to control your coughing!"

"Granddaughter knows," Minglan said somewhat awkwardly, "but, but sometimes, what granddaughter says doesn't count."

"Hmm." The old lady nodded: "That brat is really bullying people."

As the old lady spoke, she beckoned to Cui's mother, who was standing to the side.

Mrs. Cui smiled and handed over a folded piece of paper.

"While you were eating, I sent someone with a letter to the He family. It was a dietary therapy prescription written by Old Madam He."

"what?"

Minglan took it and asked a question.

The old lady said, "I told her about your condition these past few days. She then prescribed this dietary therapy, and in the letter she sent, she said that eating these would be good for your health."

Upon hearing this, Minglan's cheeks instantly turned red, and she looked at her grandmother with gratitude.

Seeing the slightly reproachful look in her grandmother's eyes, Minglan quickly lowered her head and pretended to study the prescription.

After catching her breath, Minglan raised her head and said, "Grandmother, when I get the medicine, please also get some for the two elder sisters from the Chai and Rong families."

"Oh!" The old lady shook her head and waved her hand: "Ming'er, you mustn't do that!"

Minglan: "Huh?"

"You can't just send medicine and food to your two older sisters! If nothing goes wrong, that's fine, but if something happens, what will your husband think of you?"

Seeing Minglan hesitate, the old lady waved her hand and continued, "Even if there's nothing wrong with what you sent, what if it gets used by certain people? Wouldn't you be in a difficult situation?"

"You can have your princess sisters consult on the prescription, but don't help them get those other things."

Seeing Minglan's sudden realization, the old lady smiled.

Taking a deep breath, the old lady instructed, "Anyone with eyes can see that there will inevitably be a war between the Great Zhou and the Northern Liao! Your husband already led an army before the marriage, and he will have plenty of opportunities to make a name for himself in the future!"

"At that time, he will surely be like my nephew, fighting on the front lines year after year. If your two older sisters become pregnant, you must remember what I just said: do not send them anything casually, especially anything that is ingested."

Minglan quickly nodded and said, "Grandmother, I understand! I will avoid suspicion in the future."

"Hmm! If..." The old lady hesitated for a moment, then looked at Minglan and said, "If you are pregnant before those two, you should also be more careful."

Minglan said anxiously, "Grandmother, Sister Zhengzheng's dowry is extremely generous. I will not compete for it."

The old lady waved her hand to interrupt Minglan: "Ming'er, Grandmother is not asking you to fight for it, but rather that if anything happens to you, it will greatly harm your health!"

"One should not have the heart to harm others, but one should not be without the heart to guard against others! I suppose the elders of those two would also have given such advice, and they must know these things."

Seeing the old lady's appearance, Minglan stood up from the day chair, walked to the old lady's side, squatted down in front of the old lady's knees and placed her cheek on the old lady's lap.

"grandmother--"

Seeing that Minglan understood, the old lady smiled and patted Minglan's back: "Did you speak with your mother just now?"

Minglan nodded: "Yes, she did! Mother also gave her granddaughter a few words of advice. She said that if granddaughter behaves herself, she will surely have a rich and peaceful life in the future."

The old lady sighed with regret: "Your mother is right! Back then, she only had your aunt, but you had parents, brothers, and sisters. I heard from your father that Nagamaki studied even harder when he was in school."

"Yes! Nagamaki is a sensible person," Minglan said with a pleased smile.

"Has the move to a different residence been decided yet?"

Hearing the old lady's question, Minglan lifted her head from the old lady's lap and looked at her grandmother, saying, "It's settled! We'll go to the palace to express our gratitude tomorrow! The day after tomorrow is an auspicious day for moving, so we'll begin there!"

“My mother-in-law and Zhengzheng’s sister had already taken stock of the items and handed them over properly, so my granddaughter didn’t have to worry about it.”

The old lady nodded slowly: "I suppose the Prince's mansion is not yet finished?"

"Yes! But the mansion he was originally awarded is ready to be lived in. It's just that it might be a bit noisy due to construction."

"But Sister Zhengzheng said that the backyard to the north is the royal garden, and the view from the second floor is excellent!"

Hearing Minglan's words, the old lady smiled and nodded: "That's good! By the way, Ming'er, what do you think of Brother Hongwen from the He family?"

Minglan was taken aback upon hearing this.

Blinking, Minglan pondered for a moment, then smiled and asked with great interest, "Grandmother! Are you introducing her to Sister Pinlan?"

"You! Little girl, you're quick-witted!" The old lady said with a helpless smile, "That's right! I was just thinking about that! What do you think, Ming'er?"

Minglan nodded: "Grandmother, I think it's a good match! Brother-in-law Shulan is a comrade of the official, with superb medical skills and a good reputation in the army! After returning to the capital, he has treated many high-ranking officials and nobles!"

"We even helped Brother He figure out the root cause of his birth mother's illness! Even if no one from the He family holds an official position in the court in the future, with our family connections, we can protect the He family!"

After saying that, Minglan pretended to look bitter.

The old lady hurriedly asked, "Ming'er, what's wrong with you?"

Minglan sighed, "Grandmother, how many happy occasions will our family have this year! My purse is going to be full."

The old lady was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh: "You little miser! If there's a happy occasion in our family, it's the Prince's Mansion that pays!"

After laughing for a while, the old lady said seriously, "Tomorrow we will go to the palace to express our gratitude. Tonight, we cannot allow your husband to be so presumptuous!"

"Ok!"

Minglan covered her face and nodded a few times.

(End of this chapter)