Do you know? Do you know? It should be Green Fat Red Thin Episode 38

  As the parents of the young couple, their potential for preparing for the wedding was limitless. Sheng Wei and Kang's family rushed to prepare everything, and the wedding was set for the end of September when the autumn weather is pleasant, so that the new daughter-in-law can go to the ancestral hall at the end of the year to offer incense to the ancestors; Sheng Hong received the news and gathered his children together on this day to talk.

  Minglan suppressed a yawn, being pulled by Danju into the house, saw Sheng Hui and Wang Shi already sitting on two high-backed wooden chairs in the hall, one at the east head and one at the west head, with brothers and sisters standing below them according to their order of birth. Only seeing the eldest brother Chang standing at the far end of the left side quietly casting a reassuring glance at herself, Minglan knew it was all right, and walked lightly to Youlan's side, standing neatly in line.

  Sheng Hong had just finished drinking a mouthful of hot tea when Wang Shi looked at him put down his teacup and said, "All of you sit down, the old master has something to say."

  Minglan sat down, raised her eyes and looked at Sheng Huan, only to see him with a pleased expression saying: "Your uncle's family is going to have a wedding, it's a good thing that we're related by marriage." As he spoke, he stroked his beard and smiled.

  No one dared to ask Sheng Hong, and they all looked at Minglan with their eyes. Minglan smiled in response: "It's Wu Erge and Yuner Biao Jie, Dabo said that after seeing Biao Jie, she liked her very much, saying that she was gentle and elegant. The old lady sent a letter saying that this was all arranged by our ancestors, did Father and Dabo send the matchmaker's red envelope?"

  Sheng Hong pointed at Minglan and laughed: "You naughty girl! You're already a big girl, but you're still so mischievous!"

  "Wang said with a smile: 'As for Yun'er's character and family background, there is really nothing to pick on. It's a blessing that your family can get such a good daughter-in-law, this matter can be settled is truly fate!'"

  Mo Lan smiled: "Fate is fate, but if we must discuss it, the good fortune of our family also has to do with Father's face."

  This sentence is quite subtle, the Kong family, as a noble family, would marry their legitimate daughter to the Sheng family, and it's also because of Sheng Wei's face. Mo Lan hinted at Sheng Wei's weakness, and indeed, Sheng Wei didn't say anything after hearing this, but his expression became more pleasant, nodding repeatedly towards Mo Lan, with a look of appreciation in his eyes.

  Minglan lowered her head, looking at the side of Rulan who was clenching her fists in her sleeves, and secretly sighed: If Minglan said that Molan used to be an idol, she has become a strength faction in recent years. No matter what kind of virtue she is in front of Rulan and Minglan, as long as Sheng Hong is present, she is a gentle and considerate good daughter, caring for her elders and being considerate of her younger sister.

  Sheng Hong smiled and said: "The old lady sent a letter saying that this time the wedding must be attended by the old lady, if not, she will come to invite us in person. Yesterday I discussed with the old lady, at the end of the month we will set out for Yu Yang. I have official business and cannot go, my term as governor will expire at the end of October, Zhang Bai will soon go to Beijing to sort out his mansion, Zhang Feng is preparing for the autumn examination, Zhang Dong is still too young, Ming Lan must accompany the old lady, Mo Er, Ruo Er, are you willing to go?"

  As Lan turned her head to glance at Minglan, she was also taken aback. Given Old Madam's usual aloof and reclusive nature, Minglan had thought that this time she would definitely not agree to go. She was just thinking of helping to come up with an excuse when unexpectedly Old Madam agreed in one breath.

  Mo Lan glanced at Ming Lan and smiled: "Such a happy event, I was originally very willing to go, but our whole family has to move to the capital, Madam's household chores are complicated, busy with no time to spare, we have to pack our luggage and boxes ourselves, I also need to help Fifth Sister and Third Brother with some errands, so I won't be going, please ask Sixth Sister to congratulate Wu Er Ge for me."

  Minglan smiled and agreed.

  Compared to the prosperous city of Beijing, Youyang is far inferior, not to mention that Qi Heng is there! Rulan also thought of this and coldly said: "Who asked you to help with the arrangements? If Fourth Sister doesn't want to go, then she won't go. Don't use me as an excuse!"

  Wang's eyebrows furrowed as he went to look at Sheng Hong, and indeed he had already spoken in a low voice: "How dare you speak like that? You've been careless and reckless since childhood. Your sister kindly helped you, how could you be so ungrateful?! This kind of behavior is not allowed, it's humiliating!"

  Like an orchid, Lan's face turned red, but she didn't dare to retort. Wang Shi feared that she would scold again and hastily mediated: "Children don't understand things, sisters quarreling is normal too, Father has something to say quickly, the timing isn't early anymore, you still have to go to court."

  Sheng Hong glared at Wang Shi for a moment, then turned his head and said warmly: "Minglan, this time you'll accompany Old Madame to Rao Yang alone. She's getting on in years, so keep an eye on her along the way!"

  Going out to play, Minglan was willing. Since she came to ancient times, she had never been out of the house. But as soon as she thought about taking a horse-drawn carriage again, she frowned and said: "Father, you're wrong. With my constitution, I get dizzy just seeing a horse-drawn carriage. It's already good that Old Madam doesn't have to worry about me. Why don't I just walk there?" Sheng Hong looked at Minglan's worried face and found it amusing. He kept a straight face and said: "With your short legs, even if you ran until you were exhausted, you'd only be able to catch up with the full moon banquet!"

  The atmosphere in the house relaxed and everyone burst out laughing. Minglan became even more worried: "Why don't I just not go either?"

  "Go! Take this opportunity to visit your relatives at home, and then go to the ancestral temple to offer incense. If your brother and sister have any gifts to send, you can bring them along."

  After finishing speaking, Sheng Hong stood up, and the crowd of children on both sides also followed suit. Wang Shi walked over to help him tidy up his purple cloud crane flower sash. As Sheng Hong passed by Minglan's side, he reminded her again: "Minglan, hurry up and pack your things, don't let Old Madam worry about you. When we go out, we must be polite and courteous. After returning to the capital, just in time for New Year's, Father will take you to the street to watch the lanterns."

  Minglan nodded immediately, and Sheng Hong smiled and patted her head. He turned around and beckoned to Changbai, then strode out the door. Changbai followed close behind, while Changfeng looked on with a sense of loss at the backs of the father-son duo.

  "Father called Eldest Brother over, I wonder what's going on?" Mo Lan noticed Chang Feng's concerns and casually asked.

  Like Orchid glanced at her and said, "Want to know? Go ask your father." Then she swished her handkerchief and followed Wang into the inner room. Minglan was most afraid of this, and hastily slipped out the door.

  As soon as she entered the house, Lan was scolded by Wang: "You're getting more and more stupid as you grow up. If you can't learn from Si Yatou's cleverness, at least learn from Liu Yatou's cleverness in pleasing people. In these years, your father has been fond of her, often praising her in front of me for being gentle, kind-hearted, and humble. He would often tell me that we must not wrong her in our daily lives."

  "But you can just make a few pairs of shoes and some handbags to curry favor!"

  The Wang family became even angrier: "Although shoes are a small matter, they represent a piece of filial piety. Even if I wear the shoes she sent over, I feel that she has put her heart into it. Why don't you do the same? You only know how to quarrel with Siyi and cause trouble! This time, your father asked Minglan to go to the ancestral temple to burn incense, which is a way of informing our relatives that this child will be registered under my name!"

  "Really? What about Fourth Sister, she also went to the ancestral temple when she was young, did she...?"

  "I don't know, let's just see how things go." Wang sat down on the kang, exhausted.

  On this side, the mother and daughter were in a state of anxiety, while on that side, Ruan Fu Sheng was walking along the garden path with Zhang Bo, saying: "I have already instructed Qian to prepare those several boxes of gifts; before we leave, your mother will once again inspect them. I wrote a letter to Liu Shi Shu, and if nothing unexpected happens, after he completes his term as the head of the Dalisi Temple, he will be appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. You should also write a letter to Wu Ge Er, telling him about Mr. Liu's likes and dislikes, as well as some details about his family, so that he can prepare early and pay a visit after returning to Beijing."

  Chang Bai nodded and after a while suddenly said: "Great Uncle is very capable."

  In just seven words, Sheng Hong turned his head to look at his son, with a gaze full of praise: "You can think of this point is very good, in this world even if it's relatives, people respect me one foot I respect people one zhang. To say that your uncle is the most like your great-grandfather, but relying on my little help, he was able to build up a big family business with empty hands. Two sons, the elder inherits the family business, the younger enters officialdom, and in the future, his family will not be defeated; Boer, I just hope that in the future you and Feng'er can take care of each other on the official path, Dong'er doesn't seem to have a scholarly nature, but is clever and resourceful. When he grows up, let him engage in business and manage property, so that your three brothers will be rich and noble!"

  Chang Bai looked at his father's spirited and dignified profile, and coughed lightly: "This time the old lady went to Yu Yang, I'm afraid she'll meet the three old gentlemen again. The eldest lady... is also quite something."

  Sheng Hong gazed at his eldest son, Chang Bai, with a hint of melancholy. If Chang Feng were here, he would surely respond enthusiastically to the plan, perhaps even applauding loudly. But Chang Bai showed no interest whatsoever. Sheng Hong sighed, thinking that he relied heavily on this eldest son. "The Third Elder's family has been declining in recent years. When Tian'er went to visit your uncle, he saw that Song Ge and his wife had no children, so he stirred up the clan elders to adopt his own grandson. Now that Wu Ge is getting married, he will surely make a fuss again. The First Elder's wife is constrained by the face of the clansmen and cannot be too forceful, but your grandmother, with her high status and strong temper, can suppress this Third Elder."

  Sheng Hong said with a wry smile, Zhang Bai raised an eyebrow and stopped talking.

  ……

  Minglan's trunk was almost packed, and she thought of saying goodbye to her close friend Hong Qinyu, who was two years younger than herself. She wrote a letter to explain the situation and asked Granny for permission to go see Yuran before leaving. Granny knew that Minglan got carsick, so she ordered Housekeeper Fang to prepare a sedan chair with a green canopy for her to ride in when going to bid farewell to Yuran.

  Just as they arrived at the Yu estate, fifty meters away, Minglan felt something was off. She slightly lifted the curtain and saw that the main gate of the Yu estate was tightly closed, with many people gathered outside pointing and whispering to each other. Minglan vaguely heard a few sentences "... Chen Shimin... abandoning his wife and child... relying on power to bully others..." and immediately ordered the servant standing outside, Cui Mama, to take the sedan chair around to the back door to enter.

  The gatekeeper of the Yu household was familiar with the Rong family's carriage, but today she looked embarrassed and unsure whether to let Minglan in. Just as they were at an impasse, a nurse from the Rong household rushed over and ushered Minglan inside, whispering urgently in her ear: "Ming Miss treats our young mistress like a closer sister than blood relatives... I won't hide it from you, but this morning a woman came to our gate with two children, kowtowing and begging to see the young mistress and the old master and mistress. She said if she wasn't allowed in, she'd dash her head against the door until she died! Oh dear, what's to be done? Why is our young mistress so beset by misfortune?"

  Minglan listened to her and thought for a moment, then somewhat understood, hesitated and said: "That woman... is the second son of Ningyuan Marquis Gu?"

  The wet nurse was on the verge of tears, covering her mouth with a handkerchief: "This is truly a sin! ... What does this have to do with our family's daughter? That woman kept saying she wanted to offer tea to our daughter and begged our daughter to take pity on them, mother and three children, and give them a name, otherwise she would kneel down and not get up. The two children cried out loud throughout the house, and the old master was so angry that he spat up blood and fainted. The old lady couldn't hold on either, but unfortunately, the second master's family had gone to Jinan, and there was no one in charge here! Our daughter is gentle and weak, she only knows how to cry, and has no way... Oh dear Buddha, what sin is this!"

  Minglan's heart tightened, and she quickened her pace to the backyard. As soon as she passed the half-moon gate, she saw a group of maids and servant women gathered there, whispering among themselves, some talking, laughing or discussing. Minglan turned around and ordered the wet nurse: "Go and invite the manager mom from your second madam's side, what is going on with them surrounding her like this?!"

  The wet nurse was startled, suddenly came to her senses, and hurriedly ran away. Minglan, who was familiar with the Yu residence, led Xiaotao, Dantao, and Juju directly into the inner courtyard. As they entered the courtyard, they saw a woman in plain clothes kneeling in the middle, hugging a boy and a girl, all three of them crying uncontrollably. Minglan slowed down her pace and walked around them, heading straight for the house.

  As soon as she entered the house, she saw Old Lady Yu weakly panting on the soft couch, Yanran sitting weakly on the edge of the bed, her face pale and her eyes dazed. As soon as she saw Minglan, she came over and tightly grasped her hand, trembling with her lips and murmuring: "Sister laughed at me..." Then she forced herself to be spirited, loudly saying to the woman: "You still don't get up quickly, I won't drink your tea! You hurry and leave!"

  The woman raised her head, and saw that she was delicate and pitiful in appearance, with bloodstains on her forehead, apparently from kowtowing. Her eyes were red from crying: "From now on, you will be my mistress. If you are unwilling to tolerate me, how can we mother and child survive? If you do not agree today, it would be better for us three to die here! Can you bear to watch us die?"

  Her face was pale and her heart was soft, but being spoken to like that, she couldn't say a word. Under Minglan's gaze, she became even more embarrassed, weakly shouting: "You get up first, I...I won't let you die..."

  Lin Lan rolled her eyes, Yu Ge was strict with himself and never took a concubine in his life. Old Mrs. Yu lived comfortably until now, and the daughter-in-law didn't dare to disobey herself. Yan Ran grew up under the care of her grandparents, and it's estimated that the grandfather-grandson duo had never seen such an array before, so their resistance was naturally weaker. If it were Wang Shi or Ru Lan Mo Lan here... Lin Lan suddenly missed those three women with strong combat power. Looking at Old Mrs. Yu's gasping for air, Lin Lan gritted her teeth and leaned into the old lady's ear: "Old madam, please forgive me, I'm going to overstep."

  Old Lady Yu opened her eyes a slit, saw it was Minglan, understood in her heart, but couldn't muster up the energy, only laboriously gasping: "You're just like my own granddaughter, go...go give that useless girl of mine some support!"

  Ming Lan stood at the entrance and looked down at the woman on the steps, her clear voice ringing out: "Who are you to make my sister drink your tea? You should at least give your name!"

  The woman gently lifted her head and saw that the maids around her were very respectful to Minglan, so she thought this was the second daughter of the Yu family. She restrained her tears and said: "I... I'm called Man Niang, these are my two poor children!"

  Minglan's expression was gentle, and she smiled: "Accepting a concubine is not a trivial matter like the mistress drinking a cup of tea. As the saying goes, 'A household in disorder will bring disaster from within.' Even in an ordinary family, taking a concubine requires investigating her background. How much more so for Ningyuan Hou, a prominent and noble family in the imperial capital? If my sister doesn't even know your origins or past, and simply accepts you after drinking this cup of tea, wouldn't that make people laugh at the Yu family for lacking dignity?"

  Her voice was clear and her words were logical, everyone who listened nodded in agreement. Man Niang's expression changed slightly, looking at Ming Lan with some surprise. At this time, the maid brought over a soft cushion for Ming Lan, who sat down elegantly and smiled as she asked: "Now I'll ask you a few questions on behalf of my grandmother and sister, only after we've clarified things can my sister drink your tea! I don't know if you'd like to respond kneeling or standing?"

  Seeing Minglan's demeanor, the surrounding maidservants gradually stopped their gossiping voices. Looking at the mother and son as if they were a joke, Man Niang gritted her teeth and stood up, saying in a low voice: "I'll answer whatever questions you ask."

  A maid brought a tray to Minglan, who leisurely picked up her teacup and took a sip. With a gentle tone, she asked, "I wonder if you are from the Gu household?" Man Niang lowered her head and muttered, "...No."

  Minglan smiled secretly in her heart and asked again: "Oh, so that's the family outside, I don't know how your parents and brothers are doing? What kind of business do they run?"

  Her pale face suddenly turned green, her lips trembling as she stuttered: "...... I...I don't have parents, only an older brother who runs a small business..."

  "What business?" Minglan asked closely, and the maids around her widened their eyes in wait.

  "At...the dock where the boats are moored." Man Niang's voice was almost inaudible.

  Miss Minglan was about to speak, and the dock worker was also a proper profession. Suddenly, an old lady next to her leaned over and said something, and Miss Minglan frowned: "What does this have to do with Liu Xi's class?"

  "My brother used to work there as a handyman."

  Minglan suddenly realized that since Gu Er was the kind of wealthy young master who could recognize women from outside, whether they were from brothels or theaters, it would be difficult to deal with. She said: "This is going to be tough! My sister probably can't make decisions on her own, why don't you go ask the Gu family yourself?"

  Man Niang knelt down again with a thud, tears streaming down her face as she kowtowed repeatedly: "The Gu family disdains my humble origins and refuses to accept me. I have no choice... I can only beg you, Miss, to take pity on me. As my children grow up, they must be given a place in society!"

  Minglan looked at the two children, who were only three or four years old, ignorant and innocent, and felt a slight pang of sympathy in her heart. She tentatively asked: "Even if Gu's family doesn't acknowledge you, this child will still be wanted, right? I just fear that it would be unfair to you."

  Madam Mann was frantic, crying out: "Are you going to separate us mother and child? Look at my daughter's jade-like beauty, how can you be so heartless! If I'm separated from my child, I'd rather die..."

  He said, heavily knocking his head on the ground, and the woman next to him hurriedly pulled him up.

  Minglan sneered inwardly, her tone gradually turning cold: "Miss is really good at scheming, knowing that the Gu family won't tolerate you, so she wants my sister to become an unfilial daughter-in-law. This hasn't even entered the door yet, and already wants to disobey elders!"

  The woman's eyes sparkled, and she lowered her head to say pitifully: "Miss, please have mercy on me! Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. The lives of my mother and three children are in your hands! In the future, I will serve with my sister-in-law, respectfully obeying only your orders, these two children are also your children..."

  She hadn't finished speaking when a faint sobbing sound came from the inner room. Old Lady Yu panted heavily: "Get out, get out! Break off the engagement! Break off the engagement!..." Her voice was very low and couldn't be heard outside, but Minglan, who was standing at the door, sensed it and suddenly stood up, shouting loudly: "Shut up!"

  The girl's voice was sharp and loud, suddenly making everyone in the courtyard stunned. Minglan stood up immediately, walked to the entrance of the steps, looked down at Man Niang from a high position, and said coldly: "What do you mean by 'serving one husband together'? Without matchmaker or betrothal gifts, what does my sister have to do with the Gu family? You'd better be careful not to make your mouth dirty, or I'll slap you!"

  Man Niang was stunned, she couldn't believe that this flower-like beautiful little girl would suddenly become so terrifying. One moment ago, she was still gentle and soft-spoken, but the next moment, she immediately turned her face and didn't recognize anyone. Man Niang's heart felt a bit timid, but then looking around at all these people, she mustered up her courage again and shouted loudly: "If you don't let me live, then none of us will live!"

  She then picked up her children and rushed to the wall, intending to knock their heads against it. She was immediately stopped by the surrounding servants, after which she wailed loudly and uncontrollably, while the two children were also frightened into screaming and crying. For a time, the air was filled with cries of "Mother! Child!", and the scene was one of utter chaos.

  At this time, the wet nurse and the housekeeper finally arrived. Seeing the scene before them, they immediately ordered everyone to disperse. Then, two robust women were instructed to lift Man Niang up by her arms, one on each side. Man Niang was so frightened that she didn't dare cry anymore. Ming Lan lightly waved her hand and coldly gazed at them, her voice clear and slow: "Although your background is humble, you haven't committed any great wrongs. You could have married a commoner and lived an ordinary life; but knowing that your background made it difficult for you to be accepted by a prestigious family like the Gu's, why did you become someone's concubine? Now that you've become one, why must you come here crying and making a scene?! Could it be that you were forced into this situation?!... Hmph! You want my sister to accept you, someone who is not tolerated by the Gu family, and thus trap her in unfilial behavior; you stir up trouble among the servants of the Rongguo household, causing them to point fingers at my sister and trap her in unrighteousness; you keep calling yourself 'main wife' and 'concubine', but my sister is a chaste and noble person, yet you've ruined her reputation for no reason! You are not related to my sister by blood or marriage, yet you recklessly came to our doorstep, causing my sister to be unfilial and unrighteous, and damaging her reputation. Today, even if I were to slap you out of here with a single strike, it wouldn't be excessive!"

  Minglan scolded, "You're right, it's a way. You should be grateful that I'm showing you mercy." The maids all looked at her with disdain. Manniang saw the situation turning around and was about to open her mouth to argue again. Minglan preemptively spoke up: "Now you have two options. One, you can leave quietly on your own, and the Yu family will send someone to escort you back to Beijing. Two, you'll be gagged and bound, carried out from the back door, and thrown onto a boat back to Beijing! Choose one for yourself!" The clever housekeeper immediately called for ropes and bindings upon hearing this.

  The girl's face changed color several times, biting her lower lip, soft and weak, pitifully looking at Minglan, and then said a few more words: "Miss, I..."

  Minglan interrupted her again, looking at her with a cold gaze and said: "You only need to say yes or no! Mother, the rope is ready?"

  The next sentence was directed at the busy mother, and the mother immediately responded: "Already prepared! Only the young lady can speak!" The several robust women on the side were also ready to pounce, only waiting for an order, and then they would take action.

  Man Niang stared at Ming Lan, but Ming Lan didn't flinch and looked back at her. Having witnessed the mother-daughter pairs of Wang Shi and Lin Daiyu competing with each other in skills for years, today's scene couldn't intimidate her.

  The two of them locked eyes for a long time. Man Niang looked weak and dispirited, she herself pulled the two children to their feet and let the servant girl pull them out.