Do you know: I am Qi Heng

"My sixth sister and I are naturally no match for my fifth sister, the legitimate daughter."

Mo Lan was not angry when she heard this, which made Ru Lan feel like she had punched a cotton ball.

"Fifth Sister is a legitimate daughter, of noble birth, unlike us illegitimate children. I've never seen such a heavy necklace before, Fifth Sister, could you let me see it?"

Rulan didn't notice the sarcastic tone in Molan's voice; instead, she felt somewhat smug because of Molan's words.

However, upon hearing Mo Lan's next words, she immediately became alert and said warily, "You just stole a jade pendant that my uncle gave me last time, don't try to fool me this time!"

When Sheng Hong's brother-in-law learned of his promotion, he sent someone to deliver a gift.

Among them were gifts for nephews and nieces; the gift for Rulan was a piece of high-quality black jade, which was quite valuable.

Rulan showed off in front of Molan, and the next day Sheng Hong took it and gave it to Molan.

It is said that the jade is a good match for the name Mo Lan, and Ru Lan has many jewelry pieces, so she doesn't need that one.

Mo Lan looked at Ru Lan with some surprise, not expecting that she had become smarter and would not fall for the trick.

Just as she was about to speak, Minglan interjected, "Sisters, these gold necklaces are already tiring enough; how can we wear anything heavier? Besides, it's getting late; let's hurry. If we're late, even if the scholar doesn't punish us, Father will!"

Mo Lan was a little annoyed when Ming Lan interrupted her, but she was stunned when she saw the jade lock around Ming Lan's neck.

The lighting inside the hall was poor, and after coming out, I was so busy arguing with Rulan that I didn't have time to take a closer look.

Upon closer inspection, the jade lock appears to be a lustrous white with a subtle hint of emerald green.

The jade is delicate and smooth, crystal clear, pure and flawless, truly a superior piece of jade.

Although Mo Lan didn't know how to distinguish value, none of the jade pieces she saw from her mother were as beautiful as Ming Lan's jade lock.

A hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes. Minglan's concubine was not favored and her clothes were never as nice as hers. She couldn't possibly have such a fine jade. It must have been given to her by her grandmother.

When Lin Xiaoniang wanted her to go to Shou'an Hall and be raised by the old lady, she was reluctant.

Lin Xiaoniang told her that the old lady had a lot of good things, and if she could stay with the old lady, all of them would be hers in the future.

At the time, Mo Lan didn't believe it. After all, the old lady usually dressed simply, ate vegetarian food and chanted Buddhist scriptures, and didn't seem rich at all.

Now that she sees this piece of jade, she believes it.

If she were the one who stayed with the old lady, wouldn't this jade be hers?

"This is truly fine jade. I've never seen jade with such clarity and quality before. Sixth Sister, may I have a good look at it?"

Although Mo Lan was asking a question, she had already reached out her hand as she spoke.

"Sixth Sister!"

Seeing this, Rulan stepped forward to block Molan's hand and looked at Minglan, saying, "You'd better be careful. Fourth Sister has taken a liking to your jade lock. If she goes back to Father and begs for mercy and sheds a tear, your jade lock might just become hers!"

Mo Lan was annoyed when Ru Lan blocked her way, and her face turned ashen with anger upon hearing this.

"Fifth Sister, what do you mean by this? Do you think I'm the kind of person who steals from my sisters?"

"Isn't that right?"

Rulan glanced at the jade lock hanging around Molan's neck.

Minglan looked in that direction and saw that it was also a piece of warm and fine white jade.

Strangely, upon closer inspection, the color on it turns into ink, making it look like a traditional Chinese ink painting.

She had initially thought that the black jade Rulan mentioned earlier was not white jade, but now, combining their conversation, she realized that the jade lock hanging around Molan's neck must have been carved from the jade that her uncle from the Wang family had given to Rulan.

Mo Lan also noticed Ru Lan's gaze and said angrily, "It's true that the Wang family sent this jade, but Father gave it to me because it matched my name. It wasn't something I wanted."

Moreover, to compensate you, your father found a superior piece of hibiscus jade that suits you even better, and its value is even higher than this piece. Why are you still not satisfied?

"I don't care whether the jade is good or not, it's just my uncle's kind gesture!" Rulan retorted.

Mo Lan smiled insincerely and said, "Fifth Sister, don't forget, he's also my uncle."

"..."

Ru Lan was speechless for a moment.

According to etiquette, children born to concubines must respect the principal wife as their mother, and their maternal relatives are from the side of the legal mother, not the side of the birth mother.

You can address your maternal uncles and aunts on your biological mother's side normally in private, but when you talk about your maternal uncles in public, you must be referring to your legal mother's brothers, not your biological mother.

She could refer to Mo Lan as an illegitimate daughter without hesitation, and even if her father found out, he would only scold her a few times.

However, if she denies that Mo Lan calls her uncle "uncle," it would be the same as denying that Mo Lan is a member of the Sheng family, which is completely different.

"Fourth sister, fifth sister, we've arrived."

Minglan inwardly groaned, caught in the middle of the two men, she was in a difficult position.

Seeing that they had arrived at the courtyard where the school was located, he quickly said.

"snort!"

Rulan snorted coldly, taking the opportunity to back down, and said nothing more.

Mo Lan smiled slightly. She knew Ru Lan's personality all too well. Her words had planted a thorn in Ru Lan's heart, which Ru Lan could easily detonate later. Therefore, she was not in a hurry.

…………

Sheng Changbai brought Qi Heng into the school and showed him around.

The Sheng family also invested heavily; to improve the lighting in the school, both sides were opened up and replaced with windows.

When the weather is not cold, opening both windows will ensure that the room is well-lit.

Inside the school, there were two rows of desks, about two meters apart.

"Yuanruo, that's where my three younger sisters sit. I also have a younger brother. The three of us will sit here."

Sheng Changbai pointed to a row at the back and said, "You can sit in the front seat."

"No, no, no!"

Qi Heng quickly refused: "I came to the Sheng family to study, how can I take the front seat again?"

Since ancient schools did not have blackboards, there was no problem of obstruction.

There's not much difference between the front and back, but at least the back provides some coverage.

He didn't want to sit under the teacher's nose during class.

As the two were making excuses, a boy of similar age to Qi Heng walked in, followed by an attendant carrying a book box.

Sheng Changfeng's eyes lit up when he saw Qi Heng. He stepped forward with great enthusiasm, cupped his hands, and said, "This must be Young Master Qi?"

Qi Heng returned the greeting with a cupped hand and smiled, "Indeed!"

"I am Sheng Changfeng, the second son of the Sheng family. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

"My nickname is Yuanruo. Brother Sheng, you can just call me Yuanruo."

They had just exchanged a few pleasantries when the light at the doorway dimmed, and Sanlan entered with her maid.

"Greetings, elder brother and second brother!" Sanlan bowed slightly.

"Yuan Ruo."

Sheng Changbai introduced, "This is my fourth younger sister, and this is..."

He introduced his three younger sisters one by one, but he certainly didn't mention their names.

A girl's name is called her maiden name, which is only known to her family or close female friends.

Many people have a misconception that women have a low status and are not even given names, so in ancient times they were addressed as "elder sister" or "second sister" or "so-and-so girl".

In fact, the women were all named, like Gongsun Da Niang, which was not her public name, but rather how outsiders addressed her in formal settings.

It's similar to that of a certain young master.

Very few women are actually recorded in history books. Even many empresses are only recorded by their surnames. Their real names are fabricated by later generations.

When Sheng Changbai introduces his sister to outsiders, he naturally wouldn't mention her name.

"Greetings, Young Master!" Sanlan performed a curtsy.

Qi Heng returned the greeting and said, "Greetings, ladies!"