Do you know: I am Qi Heng

Ru Lan wore a short jacket underneath a pink embroidered jacket with a floral collar, and a lively pleated skirt.

She had her hair styled in an exquisite cloud-like pattern, adorned with a jade hairpin, and wore a pair of light pink pointed shoes.

Her overall attire was fresh and elegant, but she lacked the stiffness of a well-bred lady, giving people a lively feeling.

Qi Heng had accompanied his mother to the palace several times before. During the Spring Festival, he visited relatives and friends with his parents.

I've met many so-called heiresses, but when they're in front of outsiders, they always have a serious face and act like little adults, giving off a stiff feeling.

While Qi Heng was sizing up Ru Lan, Ru Lan was also secretly sizing up him.

Their eyes met; there was no avoidance, only curiosity.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Madam Wang invited Princess Pingning and her son into the house.

Upon arriving at the main hall, the guests and hosts took their seats, and servants served tea and then withdrew.

Princess Pingning smiled and chatted with Madam Wang about everyday matters, eventually concluding that the Guo and Wang families were related by marriage.

Although the relationship was somewhat distant, Wang Da Niangzi considered it an honor to be able to establish a connection with Princess Pingning.

He immediately perked up, and his smile became even brighter.

After chatting for a while, Princess Pingning explained her purpose: "My son Heng'er aspired to take the imperial examination when he was young, and he has been studying at the Imperial Academy for many years. However, there are too many spoiled brats at the Imperial Academy, which makes it impossible for him to concentrate on his studies."

I've heard that the Sheng family has hired Scholar Zhuang from Mingde Academy to set up a private school at home to teach their young master. We'd like Heng'er to come and study here temporarily. Would that be convenient?"

"It's convenient, and it's not a big deal."

Madam Wang immediately agreed, saying, "My sons and daughters all want to go to school, so it doesn't matter if the young master is added."

The original purpose of inviting Zhuang Xuejiu back was to tutor Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng.

But yesterday, Sheng Hong suggested to Old Madam Sheng that Sanlan should also go to school.

The three orchids are all around the same age. The oldest, Mo Lan, is already eight years old, and the youngest, Ming Lan, will also turn eight years old in a few months.

While they were in Yangzhou, they had already begun to learn to read and write, but their learning progress was far behind that of Sheng Changbai and the others.

However, women studied to become knowledgeable and reasonable, unlike men who needed to take the imperial examinations and did not need to learn such detailed knowledge.

Even if there are differences, it doesn't matter.

Minglan was somewhat depressed because of her mother's death, and Rulan and Molan didn't like going to Shou'an Hall.

Although Old Madam Sheng could see that Lin Xiaoniang was involved, she wanted Minglan to interact more with her peers and get over the shadow of her mother's death as soon as possible, so she agreed.

Madam Wang was unaware that Lin Xiaoniang was involved, so she didn't think much of it and therefore didn't object.

Sheng Hong then instructed her to explain this matter when Princess Pingning suggested that Qi Heng study at the Sheng family's residence.

In order to avoid the possibility that, upon later discovery, one might think the Sheng family did it on purpose.

Princess Pingning frowned imperceptibly upon hearing this. Before visiting the Sheng family, she had naturally inquired about some information about them.

I know that the Sheng family has three daughters of similar age.

Although she was unwilling to let Qi Heng study under the same roof as the Sheng family's daughters, it was, after all, their family school, and she needed their help.

Qi Heng's studies have been delayed for so long, they can't be delayed any longer.

Thinking that the Sheng family's daughters were only seven or eight years old, they would naturally avoid suspicion when they grew a few years older.

Moreover, Qi Heng's temporary stay at the Sheng family's school was just a temporary measure. Once the situation becomes clearer, there will be no need for him to stay at the Sheng family, so there's nothing to worry about.

Therefore, he didn't say anything, but instead suggested that he visit Old Madam Sheng.

When visiting a family where elders are still alive, it is proper to pay your respects and offer your regards.

For example, when Old Madam Sheng forbade Kang Wangshi from paying her respects, it was a disguised way of preventing her from coming to the Sheng family.

It's definitely not feasible to directly forbid Madam Kang from visiting. The two families are relatives, and she and Madam Wang are sisters. Forbidding sisters from seeing each other would be impolite for the Sheng family.

But she instructed Madam Wang to tell Madam Kang that she was not allowed to visit her, and that even if she did, Madam Kang would not see her.

Therefore, it would be difficult for Madam Kang to visit her, otherwise, if word got out, people would only think that Madam Kang had done something to displease her.

Princess Pingning and Old Madam Sheng did not know each other, but they still had to be polite.

Madam Wang naturally wouldn't refuse, and immediately led Princess Pingning and her son to Shou'an Hall.

When we set off, a maid had already gone to inform them.

Grandma Sheng didn't hold back either, and greeted Princess Pingning at the entrance of Shou'an Hall.

"May the old lady be well!"

Princess Pingning greeted her with a smile and said, "I apologize for the intrusion and for disturbing you."

Grandma Sheng nodded in return and said with a smile, "Your Highness, you flatter me. Please come in!"

Both of them lived in the palace and were raised by the empress.

However, Old Madam Sheng was raised by the late Empress Dowager, and her time in the palace was short, less than two years.

"This must be Minglan, right?"

Qi Heng glanced at the round-faced little girl following Old Madam Sheng. She looked to be about the same age as Ru Lan, but a little shorter.

Although her clothes were exquisite and her face was expressionless, she did not appear dull; instead, she gave people a sense of composure.

"Heng'er, quickly pay your respects to the old lady," Princess Pingning called out.

"Greetings, Madam Sheng! May you be well!" Qi Heng bowed respectfully.

Grandma Sheng smiled and praised him a few times, then invited Qi Heng to sit down.

The mother and son did not stay at the Sheng family home for long. After chatting with Old Madam Sheng for a while, Princess Pingning took her leave.

Madam Wang tried to persuade the mother and son to stay a few more times, then personally saw them off at the gate of the house. She watched them get into the car and leave before turning around and entering the house herself.

"Heng'er, the other day you were invited to a banquet by Gu Erlang and met with the eldest son of the Sheng family. Did you discuss the matter of coming to the Sheng family to study?" Princess Pingning asked.

Qi Heng's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm and said, "Mother, Second Uncle only introduced us; he didn't mention this matter."

From his mother's words, he sensed her suspicion of the Sheng family.

The suspicion is that the Sheng family knew he wanted to study at their home, so they deliberately arranged for their daughter to go to school with him.

Did he say it to me alone?

Princess Pingning looked at Qi Heng, but couldn't detect anything unusual on his face.

"No."

Qi Heng shook his head and said, "Without the elders present, how could Second Uncle have done something so rude?"

If you study at someone else's house, you will owe a favor to many people.

However, others also have the right to refuse. If the younger generation informs the elders in advance before the elders have spoken to them, it is somewhat coercive.

A normal refusal would leave Princess Pingning feeling uncomfortable, but she wouldn't be able to say anything.

If the Sheng family refuses Princess Pingning's visit after Sheng Changbai has agreed, it would be a bit of a charade.

Therefore, it was actually very inappropriate for Sheng Changbai to reveal in advance that Qi Heng should contact him.

Of course, this is only under normal circumstances. Gu Tingye treats the two as friends, and his introduction of them was also intended to make them friends.

It wasn't just a simple matchmaking; rather, it involved fewer reservations.

Secondly, he was in a hurry to leave the capital and didn't care about anything else.

Princess Pingning was unaware of these things, and hearing Qi Heng say this, her doubts dissipated somewhat.