Do you know: I am Qi Heng

Grandma Sheng often said that the most ideal marriage for a man and a woman is for the woman to marry someone of higher social standing or someone of lower social standing.

If a man is capable, even if he marries a woman from a high-ranking family, she will be happy to agree.

Even if the husband has other affairs after marriage and the couple's relationship is not good, they dare not neglect each other out of consideration for the care the wife's family has given them in the past.

This is perfectly illustrated in the relationship between Sheng Hong and Madam Wang.

Sheng Hong never liked Madam Wang, and Madam Wang's personality was indeed somewhat problematic.

However, the couple was able to continue getting along well.

Sheng Hong dared to favor his concubine, but dared not kill his wife. And although Madam Wang often did some foolish things, Sheng Hong had no intention of divorcing her.

The root of all this lies in the fact that the two of them married someone of higher social standing than their spouse.

On the other hand, women who marry into wealth or status often live unhappy lives.

Hua Lan is just like that. After marrying into the Yuan family, she suffered a lot of difficulties from her mother-in-law, who even handed over the power to manage the household to her.

Her mother-in-law seemed to treat her very well, even giving her the power to manage the household.

But she wasn't given the key to the storeroom. The housekeeper was in charge of all household affairs, social interactions, and daily necessities.

Without the key to the storeroom, Hualan had to use her dowry to support the family's expenses.

On the surface, she appeared to have gained control of the household, but in reality, she used her dowry to support everyone in the Yuan family.

But Yuan's brother-in-law was blindly filial; he knew perfectly well what was going on, yet he did nothing about it.

In reality, even if Yuan Wenshao wanted to do something, he couldn't.

Parents are never wrong; if a child dares to cause trouble, then he is considered disobedient and unfilial.

At most, we can only comfort Hualan and make her feel a little better.

Hua Lan always thought it was because she gave birth to a daughter. When she learned that Old Madam Sheng and Old Madam He were old friends, she asked Old Madam Sheng to ask Old Madam He to take a look at her.

She became pregnant last winter and temporarily relinquished her management duties, citing her pregnancy.

Minglan believes that marriage is a lifelong commitment, and the family environment is more important than the husband himself.

If a husband is unambitious and disappointing, a wife can still find ways to appease him.

But if your in-laws don't like you, and they pressure you with the concept of filial piety, you have no way to resist.

Of course, marrying down is not always a good thing; for example, Old Madam Sheng's life was not very happy.

However, Minglan knew that it was because of Old Madam Sheng's personality.

Old Mrs. Sheng was too strong-willed and disdained to use tricks to win her husband back.

Upon learning that her husband had gone to a brothel, she returned with a blank expression and wouldn't even let him into the room.

After several such incidents, the relationship between the couple actually deteriorated further.

Minglan didn't think the old lady had done anything wrong; it's just that everyone makes their own life.

To live a good life, you must compromise with yourself.

She always felt that getting married was like a servant finding a new employer; as long as she was compliant and didn't have too many expectations of her husband, she could definitely make it through.

Qi Heng is good in every way, but the Qi family is too prestigious. With the Sheng family's status, even if she, a concubine's daughter, climbed the ladder to heaven, she couldn't possibly reach them.

After marrying into the family, facing Princess Pingning's dislike and difficulties, would Qi Heng disobey his mother because of her?

But she had no choice. When Empress Cao mentioned arranging a marriage for them, she could clearly sense that Princess Pingning was very unwilling.

Even Princess Pingning had no choice but to agree, so what could she do?

Why do you sound like you're reluctant?

Ru Lan asked suspiciously, "The young master is such a good person, don't you like him?"

"Fifth Sister, once you enter the gates of a noble family, it's like entering a deep sea. The Qi family is a duke's mansion, not as good as you think," Minglan said, shaking her head.

"That's true. It's said that Princess Pingning is picky and arrogant, and not easy to get along with."

Rulan grasped Minglan's hand and said, "Why don't we ask Father to find an excuse, like saying your marriage is already arranged?"

"No, I already said before that nothing has been arranged. The news that Her Majesty the Empress said the Emperor should bestow a marriage upon us has also spread. To say that a marriage has been arranged at this time would be a crime of deceiving the Emperor!" Minglan shook her head and said.

In fact, she had considered the method Rulan mentioned, but ultimately she gave up on the idea.

The reason she gave up was not because of the reasons she mentioned.

In fact, marriage is usually decided by parents, and it's normal for a young woman like her to be unaware of it.

She could simply explain that the marriage had already been arranged, but she was unaware of it, which wouldn't constitute a crime of deceiving the emperor.

However, she was adopted as an adopted daughter by Empress Cao and also received a marriage bestowed by the emperor, which was an unparalleled honor.

Given Sheng Hong's personality, he would be too happy to do something so risky.

But she couldn't tell Rulan these things.

As the two sisters chatted, the carriage stopped in front of the Sheng family's house.

After getting off the carriage, Madam Wang glanced at Rulan and Minglan, who were getting off the carriage behind her, with a complicated expression.

Seeing Rulan's smiling face, he sighed.

To be fair, although Madam Wang often does foolish things, she is, after all, the principal wife, and her understanding of certain matters is several levels higher than that of Madam Lin.

Lin Xiaoniang supported Mo Lan's relationship with Qi Heng, but she neither supported nor opposed Ru Lan's relationship.

Because she knew that there was almost no chance for Rulan and Qi Heng to get together, and that normal contact in the school wouldn't have any impact, she didn't stop them.

Empress Cao's decision to adopt Minglan as her goddaughter and request the Emperor's decree for a marriage between them did indeed drive Minglan to the brink of madness with jealousy.

Throughout the journey, she kept thinking how wonderful it would be if that person were Rulan.

But seeing Rulan's carefree and indifferent attitude, she felt somewhat relieved.

"Mother!"

"Madam!"

Madam Wang nodded slightly and said, "Ming'er, you should go back to Shou'an Hall first. I've already sent someone to fetch the master back. We can talk about the rest when he returns!"

"Yes!" Minglan replied.

Madam Wang glanced at Mo Lan, who had her head down, and felt a sense of satisfaction.

It is neither like an orchid nor a black orchid.

Rulan and Minglan had a good relationship, and because Minglan was being cared for by the old lady, Rulan never mistreated Minglan.

Even if Minglan rises to prominence, it will still be beneficial to Rulan.

Thinking of this, she smiled and led the way into the house.

Minglan followed behind, and they parted ways in the front courtyard, returning to Shou'an Hall.

When Grandma Sheng saw her return, she was somewhat surprised and said, "Why are you back so early?"

"grandmother!"

Minglan didn't bother with the formalities and sat down next to Old Madam Sheng, recounting the whole story to her.

"What?"

Upon hearing this news, Old Mrs. Sheng was so shocked that she remained silent for a long time.

"Grandma, are you alright?"

Minglan was terrified by Old Madam Sheng's reaction and hurriedly said, "Grandmother, how many women in this world can get married with the emperor's blessing? This is my honor, and you should be happy for me."

"I'm fine."

Grandma Sheng forced a smile and said, "I'm so happy, Grandmother is so grateful for you... my poor Minglan!"

As she spoke, Old Madam Sheng could no longer hold back and burst into tears, hugging Minglan.

"grandmother!"

Minglan couldn't help but cry too.

"Don't cry!"

Grandma Sheng wiped away her tears, then wiped Minglan's tears as well, and said, "The Madam wouldn't have done this without a reason; it must have been the young master who asked for it."