Spring flowers.

Chapter 6 Colorful Silk Flowers
The person the old lady was referring to was Wei Yishang's uncle, Zhang, a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations.

He rose to fame at a young age, but after experiencing many setbacks, he chose to retire from public life. The location mentioned in the book is probably near Ye Mingzhen's hometown.

Wei Yishang's mother, Zhang, came from a wealthy merchant family, and Zhang, a scholar who passed the imperial examination, was once a very popular child prodigy.

Following the route in the book, Wei Yishang later chose to worship Buddha and met her uncle.

"I have heard that the third-ranked scholar is going back to his hometown of Ju County to visit his mother and neighbors. I am willing to take a large sum of money with me and make sure that the third-ranked scholar agrees."

Wei Changlin was clearly unaware of the perilous state of the world today, and that carrying such a large sum of money could lead to unforeseen circumstances.

Wei Changsheng, upon hearing this, couldn't help but chuckle slightly.

"Changlin, everything still needs to be decided by the old lady. Don't step forward rashly."

Master Wei glanced at Wei Changlin, signaling him to remain silent for now.

"I am an old woman and I have not met many people, but Zhang's elder brother, Zhang Juren, left a deep impression on me. His knowledge is truly profound."

The old lady sighed, "But now, I wonder where this scholar is."

As described in the book, Wei Yishang usually didn't speak, but now that she was thinking about the strategy mission, she stepped forward and spoke.

"May our ancestors be blessed. Your granddaughter also admires your uncle's knowledge. In our previous correspondence, your uncle mentioned that he was teaching near Ju County. You may ask your elder brother to invite him."

Everyone in the family looked up at Wei Yishang, seemingly surprised by what she said.

Wei Yishang, who was usually silent, has become eloquent.
“Yi Chang is right,” the old lady nodded in agreement.

"You women don't usually go out much, so why don't you take this opportunity to go to Ju County with Changlin to invite the third-ranked scholar..."

Although he was a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations and was so handsome, the Wei sisters thought he had high standards and would only be interested in legitimate daughters, and specifically, daughters of high-ranking families.

Since it has nothing to do with me, I don't need to get involved.

No sooner had the old lady finished speaking than the eldest sister, Wei Xinluo, claimed to be unwell, while the second sister, Wei Yingzi, with her domineering air, disdained such a task.

Seeing that neither of them responded, the third sister, Wei Mohan, said with a smile, "Recently, there have been some embroidery jobs in the palace, and I need to go and help with some crafts. Since Fourth Sister's uncle is here, let Fourth Sister go."

The old lady and Master Wei both looked at Wei Yishang. She realized that among so many people vying for the title of third-ranked scholar, her own sisters felt it was unnecessary.

“Since this is a family mission, I am willing to go with Brother Changlin.” Wei Yishang cupped her hands, secretly smiling to herself.

This task is so easy, there's no need to even compete for it; nobody wants to do it.

After the matter was settled, the eldest sister, Wei Xinluo, pulled Wei Yishang aside and invited her to sit in her courtyard.

Why not go? It'll be a good opportunity to learn about the Wei residence.

With this in mind, Wei Yishang arrived at her elder sister's residence.

A beauty is a beauty; not only is her residence perfectly furnished, but the greenery is also meticulously trimmed.

At the entrance, there is a dazzling indigo flowerpot.

"Sister really knows how to enjoy life." Wei Yishang was unaware of the purpose of Wei Xinluo's summons and was only focused on looking at the surrounding furnishings.

"It's just a way to pass the time." Wei Xinluo said, smiling from time to time and covering his mouth with his sleeve from time to time, showing that he had learned the proper etiquette very well.

But there was a strange anxiety in Wei Xinluo's eyes.

"Does my sister recognize the third-ranked scholar?"

“I don’t recognize him. We met briefly at the Shuyu Poetry Conference last time.” Wei Yishang clearly didn’t want to reveal herself to avoid attracting enemies. “I’ve heard he’s very talented…” Wei Xinluo hesitated, “Then I wish you a safe journey, sister.”

Wei Yishang was somewhat bewildered, then suddenly remembered the book, where at this time, one of her elder sister's suitors impersonated Ye Mingzhen and sent letters to her elder sister every day.

Later, the eldest sister believed it to be true and accepted the invitation. She was then drugged and assaulted.

This was not only a stain on the entire Wei family, but also the starting point for his elder brother's demise.

For her personally, this is a lifetime of filth.

"Elder sister, I can tell fortunes." Thinking that it was something that would happen soon, Wei Yishang calmly tried to smooth things over.

"Ten days from now, there will be a meeting at the Peony Pavilion with villains. Please, elder sister, do not go to the banquet."

Wei Xinluo was somewhat panicked; she hadn't expected her younger sister to have such abilities.

Indeed, the letters she has received recently are full of admiration for her, and they often mention a date at the Peony Pavilion. They are all signed Ye Mingzhen.

But since she hadn't even told her mother about such a private matter, Wei Yishang couldn't possibly know.

"Thank you for reminding me, little sister." Wei Xinluo didn't usually interact much with Wei Yishang, but seeing this made her feel somewhat favorably towards her.

"Ying'er, go and get the silk flowers I received as a reward from the palace a few days ago, and choose one for your sister."

A moment later, a maid brought in an exquisitely carved wooden box. She opened the golden lock and found three silk flowers of different colors inside.

The petals are brightly colored, and the flower buds are carved from gold, making it extremely luxurious.

Wei Yishang knew that at this time, it would be inappropriate for her to be of high moral character, and she would only be misunderstood, so she just picked one at random.

"Thank you, sister." She didn't ask too many questions about the origin of the silk flowers, when she received the reward, or why.
These are probably very private topics.

"It's getting late, so I'll head back now." Wei Yishang felt a little sleepy, yawned, and took her leave without much formality.

After Wei Yishang left, her maid Ying'er watched her retreating figure and said sarcastically, "The Fourth Miss is so ill-mannered."

"I'm tired, you can go down now."

Wei Xinluo knew that now was not the time to concern herself with etiquette. The empress in the palace intended for him to enter the palace, but at this critical juncture, he had no idea what to do.

Regardless of whether the person who sent the letter was a third-ranked scholar or not, he was simply powerless to handle matters within the palace.

Wei Yishang went back to pack her things. Looking at her somewhat shabby clothes and the simple furnishings in her room, she couldn't help but think that making money was truly the most important thing.

The next day, Wei Yishang and her elder brother Changlin set off for Ju County. Ju County was in the east, but the carriage obviously did not head east.

"Brother, what is this???"

Wei Yishang felt that something was wrong with the direction, and glanced at Changlin, who was explaining with an awkward expression.

"There is a pharmacy to the west. I will buy some medicinal herbs for the journey."

Wei Yishang didn't believe this. There were already many pharmacies along the way. Why would she need to specifically choose a particular place for any medicinal herbs?
Upon arriving at the destination, Wei Yishang kept an eye on the situation from inside the car. She saw that the pharmacy's front door was a woman with fair and delicate skin, charming eyes, and a touch of allure in her features.

The woman wore a headband, and a braid hung gracefully down her back, making her look even more charming.

Wei Yishang waited to see a good show. She quietly got out of the car, lowered the curtain, and went to the pharmacy.

(End of this chapter)