Episode 125

  Guests filled the door, noisy and prosperous, many women gathered in one hall, seeing the Gu's family furniture was thick and stable, simple and unadorned, but upon closer inspection, they were all extremely valuable fine things, a tranquil and comfortable atmosphere with understated wealth, the tea cups, bowls, plates, and utensils on the table were all pale pink official kiln peony jade porcelain, elegant and refreshing yet not lacking in beauty and translucency, very suitable for the spring season.

  The maids serving tea, water and dim sum all wore white cheongsam with green floral patterns, tied with waistbands of different colors. When they came in and out to serve tea, their footsteps were light and steady, their heads bowed as they replied politely, not daring to glance at the guests more than once.

  As they looked around, the women couldn't help but secretly praise Minglan, and their initial underestimation of her was dispelled. After all, she came from a scholarly family, although she was born out of wedlock, the rules for managing the household were quite strict. In such a large compound, without any elders to supervise, at such a young age, alone by herself, she had managed everything inside and out with neatness and efficiency.

  Along with this, the ladies also looked up to Wang a few points higher, and several noblewomen walked over to chat with her proactively. Wang had received enough lessons from Princess Pingning, deeply understanding the way to deal with these noble women, and while not being arrogant or humble, she was quite elegant.

  Minglan settled the oldest and latest-arriving Old Lady Lu in the highest seat, then bustled around for a while. She spotted Little Shen sitting in the corner, walked over to thank her: "If it weren't for you today, I wouldn't have known what to do, really thanks so much." Then she personally poured a cup of tea for Little Shen, whose mouth was dry from talking.

  Xiao Shen took the tea bowl without hesitation, smiling and saying: "No need to thank me, it's just a waste of saliva; I'm a rough country girl who can't talk about poetry or painting, and I don't know how to follow your complicated rules, so don't mind me in the future."

  "What's the origin of this?" Minglan turned her head to glance at the guests filling the hall, and saw that Eldest Mistress Zheng, Shen's elder sister-in-law, was standing beside Dowager Madame Shou, chatting with her. Her heart skipped a beat as she turned back with a smile, "The Emperor's younger sister, the Imperial Uncle's daughter is my maternal aunt, don't think I'm just saying it; come, you've been introducing me to everyone for half the day, now it's your turn to meet my elder sister."

  Xiao Shen looked over at Mrs. Zheng and quietly followed Minglan to pay respects to her aunt, the Madame of Shoushan. After meeting, Minglan smiled and curtsied: "Auntie, it's been a long time since we last met. My elder sister said you returned to our hometown for a visit; was your journey smooth?"

  Mrs. Shoushan has always been straightforward and optimistic, with a smile on her face: "Everything is fine, take advantage of my good health to hurry back to the countryside to handle things that need to be handled, so as not to regret it later; I didn't expect that when I returned this time, you would have already gotten married, which ruined Wenlian's chance to attend your wedding banquet."

  Yuan Wenyi smiled and leaned against Minglan's arm: "Tell me, how are you going to treat me to a drink?"

  Ming Lan poked the center of Yuan Wenyin's forehead with her finger, scolding with a smile: "Hmph, you're so muddled and unreasonable. You ruined my wedding banquet, and yet you still have the nerve to say that? Why don't you tell me how you plan on making it up to me?"

  Xiao Shen looked at the woman beside Shou Shan Bo's wife and said in a low voice: "Sister-in-law."

  Mrs. Zheng was about thirty-three or four years old, with a dignified and elegant appearance, and had a somewhat majestic aura. She slowly nodded her head: "Why didn't your mother's sister come?" She was asking about the wife of Weibei Marquis, Lady Zhang.

  "Brother said she's not feeling well and won't be coming today," Xiao Shen replied with a lowered head.

  Mrs. Zheng's eyes swept over Shen Shi with a cold gaze and said lightly: "Your aunt is over there, you go see her with me."

  Xiao Shen hastily responded, with a hint of joy on her face, and gave Minglan a grateful smile. Then the two sisters-in-law bid farewell to Shoushan's wife and walked to the other end of the main hall.

  Leaving behind Minglan and Yuan Wenyin, the three women looked at each other, their faces showing different expressions. It was still Yuan Wenyin who spoke first, sighing: "What an intimidating sister-in-law, even more formidable than Mother."

  Mount Shou's wife said slowly, "You don't know, Old Lady Zheng is weak and ill, she hasn't managed anything for many years. I heard that Zheng Xiao was almost raised by his sister, so he regards her as a mother."

  Minglan shook her head and said, "Even if it's Zheng's wife, she's still too intimidating."

  "Yes, yes."

  Mount Shoushan's wife glared and said: "You two don't understand, what do you know? You haven't suffered at the hands of your mother-in-law!"

  Minglan smiled and said, "Look at what you're saying. I won't say anything for now. Wenlian sister is indeed very lucky, with Auntie as her mother-in-law, she's been pampered to the point of being overwhelmed, where's the suffering?"

  "Mother! Look at Ming'er's mouth!" Yuan Wenyi pouted, tugging on Madame Shoushan's sleeve, glaring at Minglan. Madame Shoushan smiled and pulled the two girls close, gently stroking them, saying: "Alright, alright, you're both blessed children!" After chatting for a while, she sighed again, "It's also Shen family's fault, though it can't be said that they favored the concubine over the wife, but they've really indulged that Zhōu lady too much. Today, National Uncle's wife didn't come, probably because she was angry again."

  Minglan didn't understand: "What does this have to do with the Zheng family?" Why did Mrs. Zheng want to give Shen a hard time.

  Mrs. Shoushan glanced around and saw that there was no one else, so she said: "The British Gong was a general in his early years, and the Zhang family had a deep foundation. Among those who mixed with the army, how many did not have a relationship with the Zhang family? Moreover, in those days, Old Master Zheng also owed his life to the old master."

  Minglan understood, turned her head to glance at the Zheng sisters-in-law on that side, and softly sighed: "Speaking of treating elder sister-in-law like a mother, I heard that Young Mistress Zheng was almost raised by Madame Zou, the wife of the national uncle from the previous generation. The bond between sisters-in-law is deep."

  Everyone has their own emotional ties and bitter intentions. As they spoke, Madame Shoushan also sighed and shook her head lightly. At this moment, Yuan Wenyi's eyebrows moved slightly, and she suddenly thought of something else, unable to help but say: "Actually, it's not just that, there's also..."

  The words had not been finished, when a noblewoman of about forty or fifty years old walked over. She was born with a round face and rich temperament, but she wore a purple gold-embroidered jacket, with pearls and jade on her head, really too luxurious. Minglan hurriedly stood up and saluted: "Mrs. Gan."

  Mrs. Gan smiled and grasped Minglan's wrist, saying warmly: "You child, look at you, you've lost a circle of flesh, I'm afraid you're overworked! You too, if you're tired, just say so, don't mention others, I'm the most willing to help! But you're also a capable child, look at this house, this garden... tsk tsk..."

  Mrs. Gan's voice was high-pitched and she liked to speak in a shrill tone, so as soon as she opened her mouth, the whole house heard it. She went on and on, lavishly praising everything inside and outside the house, holding Minglan's wrist and couldn't stop complimenting her - although Minglan had received countless praises throughout her life, this round of praise was the most unbearable for her at this moment. She only felt a buzzing in her ears and her scalp was numb with anger.

  Madam Gan went on and on, and even got more intimate as she spoke. Minglan couldn't help but feel puzzled - when had she become so familiar with this old lady?

  Madam Gan said, stroking Minglan's temples with a warm and intimate expression of an elder, while Minglan was trying her best to hold back her discomfort and maintain a smile. She wondered what kind of trick this old lady would come up with?!

  For nearly half an hour, Mrs. Gan spoke wildly, and ordinary people would be overwhelmed, but Minglan remained calm and unruffled, only smiling politely with her head down. No matter how many sentences Mrs. Gan said, she only responded with two or three words, although her tone was cold, it was warm and respectful, without any disrespect. Mrs. Gan could no longer hold back, then changed the subject, and all of a sudden said: "...if you have any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to me, after all, we are one family! Uh... how is my adopted daughter Feng Xian'er doing now?"

  Ming Lan's heart tightened slightly as she smiled coldly to herself, "Finally arrived." She said with a smile: "It's pretty good." She didn't say another word.

  Madam Gan paused for a moment, held back her temper and smiled: "Oh my, I've met someone who values words like gold today."

  Minglan still smiled and said nothing.

  Madam Gan gritted her teeth in anger, thinking that this naive and inexperienced daughter-in-law should be easy to deceive. However, she found herself at a loss for what to say, as Minglan responded to everything with a calm and collected demeanor. So, Madam Gan continued: "My adopted daughter was also born into an official's family, but unfortunately, her life has been tough. Now that she's married into the Gu family, she's finally escaped her hardships. I hope you'll take my face into consideration and treat her well in the future!"

  Meilan still smiled: "That's natural."

  Madam Gan was somewhat out of breath, and she forced a smile: "Feng Xian'er can read books and learn characters, and has also learned some poetry and songs. However, how can she compare to you? If she does something wrong, please teach her quickly, don't give me face! But if you two can get along harmoniously, in the future, both at home and outside, won't it be helpful for you to have an extra pair of hands?"

  Ming Lan lowered her eyelids, and in a warm, bashful voice said, "This is easy to say."

  Madam Gan stared at Minglan for a long time, finally unable to hold her face anymore, and raised her voice somewhat unpleasantly: "Look at you being so busy today, as an elder I also can't bear it, why not call Fengxian out to help with the work, and have me meet her too!"

  As soon as the words fell, the surrounding laughter and conversation suddenly became a few degrees lighter. Although their conversation was not heard by everyone in the house, the several groups of women around them all heard it. Minglan clearly felt countless curious glances shooting over from all sides. They all pretended to be nonchalant about this, but were openly or secretly sizing up the development of the situation.

  Many noblewomen secretly shook their heads, thinking that Mrs. Gan was too deceitful. Which proper mistress would force her concubine to come out and serve during a banquet in front of everyone?

  Minglan quietly stared at Mrs. Gan, her eyes suddenly sharp and clear. Mrs. Gan was illuminated by such a gaze, instantly feeling a bit guilty but also a bit pleased.

  Yuan Wenyi's mother-in-law was quite anxious, as the host of such a grand banquet could not afford to lose her temper, let alone argue with the guests. Moreover, Madame Gan was notorious for being stubborn and unafraid to make a scene, always picking on others. The only worry was that Minglan might not be able to extricate herself from this situation, and when the time came, Madame Gan would lead the woman out in front of everyone and force her to pay her respects, which would be a disaster waiting to happen!

  "Need help?" Minglan smiled and asked back.

  Mrs. Gan burst out laughing: "Yes, we're all one family, it's not good for you to be busy and tired all the time, while she enjoys herself." Her tone changed, and she worriedly said, "Come to think of it, I haven't seen her in a long time..."

  "Alright!" Minglan interrupted her, readily agreeing. The crowd was shocked, some secretly mocking, some sneering, and others just watching the show.

  Madam Gan was overjoyed, just about to speak, when Minglan suddenly smiled like a spring flower and said in a soft voice: "I've long heard that Fengxiang is exceptionally talented. In her youth, she was the best at the Music Bureau. Today, I'm afraid those few young ladies won't be able to hold their own on stage. Why not invite Fengxiang to come out and perform a song and dance? What do you think, Madam Gan?"

  As soon as this was said, half the room fell silent. The women all stared over in a daze, several of them were so shocked that their mouths hung open. However, Lady Shoushan couldn't help but laugh and quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief. Yuan Wenying leaned behind her, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably - wonderful! Too wonderful! Dealing with this shameless scoundrel, might as well be straightforward and drop all pretenses!

  Minglan's words couldn't be faulted, all she said was true. The fact that the teaching agency existed and that her talents surpassed others were both facts. Even if Fengxiang was a concubine who had been brought in through improper means, what of it? Wealthy families also have their masters bringing out their concubines to sing and dance for guests.

  Mrs. Gan was trembling with rage, but saw Minglan staring straight at her, her eyes calm and firm, not afraid in the slightest.

  Mrs. Gan could only withdraw her gaze, she never dreamed that Minglan would so bluntly pierce through that layer of paper, she still thought that Minglan as a young daughter-in-law was too ashamed to speak up and could only swallow this breath; her face changed several times, her face turned black with anger, gritting her teeth, and at the same time, she faintly heard the sound of ridicule and mockery coming from all around, suddenly her face turned bright red like pig's blood.

  Actually, many of the noblewomen present also disapproved of Mrs. Gan's behavior, but since it didn't concern them, they didn't need to intervene, and watching the joke was done with great enthusiasm, they wouldn't help Minglan, naturally they won't come to help Mrs. Gan either.

  Madam Gan was at a loss for what to do next when Old Lady Lu, who had been pretending to be deaf and dumb all along, suddenly spoke out in a loud voice: "Sixth Sister-in-law, I say when can we have the banquet? If you starve me, your mother-in-law, to death, I'll go complain to your ancestors!"

  The words made the ladies-in-waiting around her burst out laughing, Minglan blushed and said: "Oh dear, I've met so many people today, I got a bit carried away with the conversation and almost forgot! Please don't mind me, Your Ladyship, let's start the banquet now."

  Mrs. Lu waved her hand and said, "It doesn't matter, little girl has already handled things well!"

  As they spoke, Minglan called the maids to lead the women out of the flower hall and towards the lotus pond pavilion where lunch was laid out. The interruption by Old Lady Lu left many of the women somewhat disappointed that the show was not going to continue, but Madame Gan let out a sigh of relief and followed them down the slope.

  Mrs. Yu watched as the dispute dissipated into thin air, and quickly helped to usher the guests out, with Minglan bringing up the rear behind them. Just as they were about to exit, she was suddenly pulled back by Yuan Wenyin, who was standing beside her. Yuan's face was flushed bright red as she leaned in close to Minglan's ear and whispered, "Do you know how many '義女' this shameless woman has sent out?"

  "How many?" Ming Lan asked strangely.

  Yuan Wenyi nodded excitedly: "One from your family, one from Shen Guojun's family, one from Little Zheng's family who was in command, and several generals from the Northern Border! I heard it was during a banquet when General Gan gave them all a sendoff!"

  Minglan was shocked, she had already seen through Gan Furen's thick skin earlier, but didn't expect the Gan family to be so shameless: "But, but...the Shen and Zheng families are both newlyweds!"

  Making things so high-profile and conspicuous, I'm afraid it's just a horse in front of the cart, without knowing who the backing mastermind is.

  "Exactly! I was afraid to tell you, but now that I see you're not afraid, I'm relieved!" Yuan Wenyi showed her pearly white teeth, her eyes shining with excitement. "The Zhous' aunt from Shen's family is formidable, she sent the woman away as soon as she got her hands on her; the Zhengs were in a predicament, they didn't want to offend the Gans, but young Mrs. Zheng had just gotten married and wouldn't agree to it. She cried and made a fuss for over half a month. Lord Zheng was afraid of offending the Empress, so he decided to take in the woman as his brother's concubine. But then Mrs. Zheng refused! Mrs. Zheng is known for being dignified and strict, she can't stand women who are too flirtatious. She didn't say a word to her husband, but instead took in a virtuous concubine herself, saying that taking a concubine was fine, but not one like this... and then they had another row..."

  "What happened next?" Minglan asked with growing interest.

  Yuan Wenyi laughed so hard she almost fainted, stuttering: "Hehe... Later, Old Lady Zheng stepped in, she, she... Hehe, she helped Old Master Zheng take that woman as a concubine! Hehe...... Old Master Zheng has been bedridden for many years and can't even move much..."

  Minglan sighed in admiration, her mouth agape: "Good heavens, good heavens... this, this..."

  "So, that's why the two sisters-in-law of the Zheng family are so awkward with each other." Yuan Wenyi finally caught her breath and wiped away tears of laughter. "My elder sister-in-law and Madame Zheng were originally close friends, but since her own hometown is far away, she often came to our house as a guest. After she told us about this matter, we all felt indignant! Humph, who would be so shameless!"

  The two of them held their bellies and laughed for half a day, after laughing enough, they hurriedly walked out together. They were both straightforward and humorous in nature, very compatible with each other. As they walked and talked, they laughed all the way. Minglan casually asked: "By the way, have you returned to your mother's house and seen your new nephew?"

  Yuan Wenyi suddenly sighed: "Alas, I've been there, Second Aunt is fine, Little Nephew is also fine, everyone is fine, only my mother is not well."

  "What's wrong?"

  Yuan Wenyi frowned and said, "The other day, my aunt gave my father a concubine, and my mother was so angry that she almost flipped the roof off, but it was no use, and she has already entered the house with tea in hand."

  "What?! So... fast?!"

  Minglan was overjoyed and almost revealed her true feelings, but quickly changed her words: "Why is Auntie being like this?"

  "Yes!" Yuan Wenyi said with concern, "I don't know what Auntie is thinking, she's a 20-year-old spinster, from a respectable family, but after her parents passed away, she delayed her marriage to raise her younger siblings, she's got a good appearance and temperament, and can read and write... Father really liked her."

  Minglan deeply admires the efficiency of Shoushan Bo's wife, she is indeed a high-quality talent, and it shows at once.

  Zhongqin Bo was getting older and had a serious and solemn personality, so a young girl in her teens might not have caught his eye. Instead, it was this kind of woman with life experience who was warm, strong, and more suitable for him. Moreover, a woman who could put off her own marriage to raise her younger siblings must have good character and would not be the type to cause trouble between wives in the future.

  Now that Hualan's mother-in-law has something to do, I hope Hualan can live a more comfortable life. Minglan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Yuan Wenyin with the corner of her eye, feeling guilty again.

  She rubbed her nose, lowered her head and furrowed her brow, pulled up Yuan Wenying's arm, and took a step forward with a solemn expression: as BFFs, they would share sorrow and fate together. Your mom being cheated on is the same as my mom being cheated on. In this world full of legitimate mistresses, let them work hard together to create a better tomorrow.

  The author has something to say:

  Finally some comprehensive ones:

  All are wearing jade pendants, soft yarn fabrics, large flower patterns. Tan Chun is a noble orchid in elegant and luxurious autumn fragrance color, Ying Chun is a bright pink blue color after the rain, Xi Chun is a delicate yellow goose, with double buns on her head (very similar to double buns), and all three sisters have red gold necklaces around their necks.

  In the past, there were no printing machines, so the patterns on fabrics were either embroidered or woven (famous brocades). Tan Chun's dress should be a thin satin brocade, but the picture is too blurry and looks like printed flowers.

  A purple single-breasted jacket with orange-red piping and an orange-red peony flower pattern, a purple pleated skirt, butterfly-loving flowers dotting the emerald green pendant earrings, hair styled in a curved crescent moon bun's complex version, very homey attire yet looks great.

  A few words about eyebrows, according to Mr. Shen Congwen's research, ancient women did paint their eyebrows, but it wasn't necessary to shave them all off, sometimes if the eyebrows grew naturally well, they could leave some of it, I especially like Bao sister's pair of eyebrows, elegant and refined, clear and gentle, as if they would speak.

  It's said that the casting of the 87 version was really reliable! Casting what, resembling what, such a precious sister, it's hard to make people truly hate her, can only learn from Brother Bao and say "You are not my beloved, why bother".

  Pink cherry blossoms, yellow thin silk long skirt, white undergarment, silver red folding fan, butterfly loves flowers, green jade pendant, pearl hairpin... I used to not know what it meant by "long eyebrows entering the temples", always thought it was just an ancient people's fantasy. Now that I think about it, having long eyebrows that reach the temples is really a kind of static beauty.

  That's all there is to say about this pass.