Volume 3: The Lotus Does Not Spare Its Rouge Colour, Nor Does It Wait for a Golden House to Recommend a Grand Hall Chapter 98

  It turned out that after the storm had passed, the biggest beneficiary was Sheng Hong.

  In ancient times, scholars valued their integrity and moral character. Sheng Hong, as a government official who came from a respectable family through the imperial examination system, had three daughters married into noble families. Even if the Zhongyuan Bo's mansion was declining, even if Liang Huan was only a youngest son, but that new noble Gu Tingyan was not fake. In the eyes of the scholar-officials who prided themselves on their nobility, this would inevitably earn him a reputation for 'clinging to the powerful'.

  However, Old Sheng was quite lucky and before they even reached the bridgehead, the boat straightened itself.

  "You want to marry the third daughter to Wen Huizi?" Lu Lao, Sheng Hong's old superior and current Deputy Premier of the Grand Council, was somewhat surprised. He had gotten along well with Sheng Hong in the Ministry of Works and knew that Sanmei was the eldest daughter of the Sheng family.

  Sheng Hong bowed his head heavily and immediately cupped his hands, saying: "Your humble servant lost his father at a young age, and the elders of the clan are not in the capital. Please let the old master be the matchmaker for those two girls."

  Lu Lao Da Ren was willing, but still couldn't help asking: "I originally thought..." A characteristic of scholars is to leave half unsaid.

  Sheng Hong's face was filled with remorse, his expression somber: "Ashamed, ashamed, I had promised to marry her first, but I have wronged Wen Shi greatly. I had intended to renew our engagement long ago, it's just that I didn't want to go back on my word to the Emperor."

  Lu Lao was deeply moved and readily agreed to be the matchmaker for the Sheng family. When this matter spread out, all the people in the capital were amazed, and after being stunned for a long time, they all praised Sheng Hong's magnanimity.

  Long before the engagement between Mo Lan and Wen's family was settled, Wang thought that things were settled and had revealed his intentions in front of people. Many people knew that the Sheng family intended to marry Mo Lan off to a talented young man. Who would have thought that later on, a storm would brew, and Mo Lan would end up marrying into the Liang household? While many people secretly envied Mo Lan's good fortune, they also pitied the unfortunate talented young man who had been jilted. What was even more unexpected was that Sheng Hong insisted on giving his eldest daughter to this unlucky talented young man. Wasn't the Sheng family afraid of offending Gu Er Lang?!

  Who would have thought that after waiting for a long time, Gu's family didn't make any moves, but instead were busy preparing for the wedding. This made all those who were waiting to see what would happen feel disappointed and frustrated. The most depressed was the Peng family - they had used their concubine-born daughter to replace their legitimate daughter, so why did the Sheng family get away with it while their own family couldn't? Gu Tingyan, you're really something!

  From the Qingliu celebrities to the officials of the six ministries, they were all very happy and praised Comrade Sheng Hong's "wind bone" highly. Old Man Sheng gained both fame and wealth, and had both face and substance.

  Generally speaking, husbands and wives are like enemies, often encountering opposite situations. Just when Sheng was being praised by his superiors and admired by his subordinates, Wang's situation was going badly in every way. At the beginning of November, Old Lady Wen finally came to the Sheng household with a full set of betrothal gifts; at first, when talking about marrying Mo Lan, Wang thought that Old Lady Wen was still all right, but when it came to Ruolan, she found herself worrying about everything.

  One moment she felt that the betrothal gifts were too meager, another moment she felt that Madame Wen was stingy and miserly. Who among the women in the family couldn't see through her thoughts? Hai Shi was very clever to pretend to be ill and not come out of her room. As for Sheng Lao Tai Tai, Wang Shi didn't dare speak up, so she spent her days feeling depressed and irritable, with a temper that became ten times more violent.

  The old lady had been angry with Wang Shi about Ming Lan's affair, and seeing Wang Shi like this, she couldn't help but secretly feel relieved in her heart. However, as Rulan was also her granddaughter, after a few days, she really couldn't bear it anymore and could only speak up.

  "How can you make such a big decision without discussing it with your family? Can you just do whatever you want?" The old lady sat on the kang, her voice and expression stern.

  Wang stood at the bottom, with a look of discontent on his face, and explained: "The Wen family is ordinary, like my son's humble circumstances. My daughter-in-law has a kind heart and can't bear it, so she added some extra money."

  The old lady looked at Wang's face, her anger rising, and slapped the head of the bed, shouting: "You foolish thing! Do you think I'm here because I'm heartbroken over that little bit of money? You've been married into this family for so many years, have your dowry ever been on my mind or your father-in-law's?! Who are you showing off your petty-mindedness to?!"

  Mrs. Wang saw that the old lady was really angry, and hurriedly knelt down, saying repeatedly: "Don't be angry, old lady, it's all my fault, I should have told you first...it's really too humiliating..." As she spoke, Mrs. Wang couldn't help but moisten her eyes, took out a handkerchief to wipe them, "Old lady, you haven't seen that mother-in-law of mine, she's really a coarse and rustic countrywoman, I'm taking pity on Rourou, that's why..."

  The old lady looked at Wang with a kind heart and couldn't help but soften her tone: "Wen's father was also a scholar, unfortunately, he had bad luck. He had just passed the imperial examination and hadn't even taken office when he died of typhoid fever. If your mother-in-law wasn't strong enough, how could she have supported the family? I know you're afraid that Ruzi will suffer in the past, so you bought a house for her in the city, but this is actually counterproductive!"

  Wang's eyes dried up, she raised her head in a daze, with a face full of confusion.

  The old lady, facing Wang's foolishness, was actually helpless in her heart. She lowered her head and stroked the stone-gray mouse hair trim on her sleeve, took a deep breath, and calmly said: "Although I haven't met my aunt-in-law, I think she, as a widow raising two sons, must be careful with money. Looking at what your brother used to wear and use in the past, I think you also saw this point, which is why you're worried, right?"

  Wang nodded and hastily interjected, "Mother is right, I've heard that the aunt's family has always been biased towards their younger son, giving him a large sum of money. On the day they came to discuss the betrothal gifts, my wife had tried to sound her out, but she actually made excuses about not having enough silver and wanted our daughter and son-in-law to rent a house after getting married! That's why my wife..."

  The Wang family fell silent under Old Lady Sheng's glare, and only after she let out a sigh did she say, "You buying a house for your son-in-law may have been a bit excessive, but it's not entirely wrong. It's common for official families to support their poor but promising sons-in-law in their studies. But what you did wrong was that you shouldn't have bought such a large two-story three-section mansion all at once! Can they even use it?!... The eldest son has a big house in the city, how can his mother not come over to enjoy the comforts?! You just wait and see, eventually your daughter-in-law will bring her whole family from the countryside outside Beijing to move here, and by then you'll be the one suffering!"

  Mr. Wang thought for a moment and realized that this was indeed the case, his lips gradually trembling and his face turning pale.

  The old lady scolded, shaking her head repeatedly: "You've always been like this, loving to take charge and make decisions on your own. It's not that you can't be the mistress of the house, but you have to let others put their minds at ease! But when it comes to critical moments, you become muddled! If only you had consulted with me beforehand, how would things have turned out like this? Even if Rulan didn't turn out well, I've watched her grow up, how could I harm her?!... If you really want to make amends with Rulan, just sell the silver and land, then buy them a small house with a small door. The relatives will see that the place is small and won't dare to come over and squeeze in, and your son will be comfortable!"

  Wang's face turned pale, and he stuttered for half a day before saying: "What to do now? ... The daughter-in-law has already arranged for someone to collect the new house, even the servant girl has been bought, and the Wen family also knows!"

  The old lady was angry in her heart and said with a huff: "It's your own daughter, you make the decision yourself."

  The Wang family only then knew the severity, knelt down and begged the old lady for half a day, repeatedly apologizing for their own wrongdoing, pulling on the old lady's sleeves and crying. Although the old lady was angry and unfair, she couldn't completely ignore it. In the end, she just said: "You don't have to worry too much, even if your mother-in-law is fierce, she won't bully her daughter-in-law to death over dowry; besides, Rulan's temper probably can't take advantage of anything. You yourself don't say anything, once you open your mouth, things will get worse. Tell Bo Ge to go and talk to his uncle, tell him to be smart, if there is a conflict between his mother and wife, he must distinguish right from wrong, use no partiality, do what should be done... Hmph! To think of it, our Sheng family has had daughters who have been divorced!"

  Wang's eyes welled up with tears and she stood frozen on the ground.

  As a habitual eavesdropper, Minglan, who was hiding in the inner room and dozing off, had already woken up. She listened and shook her head repeatedly.

  Ms. Wang is like a clumsy director of a tea table, when she shoots comedies, the audience often cries and weeps, when she shoots tragedies, the audience bursts into laughter; although the film also sells well, it always makes people cry and laugh, but fortunately, the investors and producers are reliable, grasping the overall direction, and the overall will not lose money.

  Wang cried again for a few sentences, and finally left in a state of distraction. Only then did Minglan dare to come out, and she couldn't help but ask: "Grandmother, is Old Lady Wen really that troublesome?"

  The old lady was so angry with Wang that she slowly drank her tea, and when she heard this, she lightly said: "There's no mother-in-law in the world who doesn't cause trouble. However, this matter depends on the husband. Your sister's husband didn't understand like Bai Ge, and made your sister suffer a lot; fortunately, it was Hua Er who endured for many years, and slowly her husband changed his ways. Now he is willing to help his wife everywhere, but instead looks at his mother with disapproval."

  Ming Lan applauded and praised: "Elder sister is indeed extraordinary, elder brother-in-law is also considered filial, unexpectedly calling Elder Sister to slowly turn things around." She didn't have the chance to encounter her mother-in-law in her previous life, and she greatly admired Hua Lan's skills. If modern women all had Hua Lan's skills, it's estimated that Yao Yi's workload would be reduced by half.

  The old lady sighed slightly and said, "The most difficult thing is just a 'tolerance' word. Even if the eldest brother-in-law is filial and fraternal, he can't bear his own mother being partial to that extent, wanting to give all the good things to the main house. The eldest brother-in-law is also a person who wants to make progress and save face, and he has to deal with outsiders and socialize, when he is in trouble, his mother pushes him away and leaves him alone, he can only find his own wife and lower his head to ask for help. When there's something going on at the main house, his mother urges him to assist with all his might. Everyone in this world has their own private heart, and the eldest brother-in-law also has a wife and children, year after year, month after month, even if he is a biological son, he will become estranged."

  Minglan applauded in a timely manner: "Grandmother said well, it's just that this 'endurance' is very difficult to get, big sister is a strong-willed person, can move her heart and endure her temper, all thanks to grandmother's good upbringing!"

  The old lady glanced at Minglan, who had a flattering expression on her face, with two cute dimples appearing as she smiled. Since she and Pan had exposed Gu Tingye's affair, she had been feeling guilty towards her grandmother and had been making an effort to make amends every day. The old lady secretly found it amusing and deliberately said, "Speaking of which, your luck isn't bad. Your mother-in-law is a stepmother, so you'll have fewer worries in the future."

  As soon as the words were spoken, the old lady went to see Minglan with interest. Who knew that Minglan didn't show any sign of blushing and calmly shook her head saying: "Not so, not so, without personally hearing and seeing it, one cannot lightly draw conclusions."

  The old lady finally responded with an "oh" after a long time.

  As a legal worker, Minglan has always advocated for speaking with evidence.

  At present, the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion is in a state of decline and has not only been stripped of its plaque, but also had its official documents confiscated. The censorial officials' memorials to the throne have clearly stated that the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion "formed cliques and acted arbitrarily, with a history of unscrupulous behavior". Moreover, some members of the aristocracy who have already been detained for questioning have confessed that the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion is also implicated. The Dali Temple, which is responsible for investigating treason, has proposed that even if the marquis's title and seal are not immediately confiscated, he should still be taken in for questioning.

  The current Ningyuan Houye, Gu Tingyu, is already seriously ill and often falls into a coma. The emperor, considering Gu Tingyu's face, has held back the memorials to impeach the Ningyuan Hou Mansion, so the precarious mansion can temporarily maintain its integrity among the many related noble families.

  Nowadays, Gu Tingyan's momentum is booming. Not to mention that after Gu Tingyan returned to Beijing, he has been living in the Dutong Mansion granted by the emperor. Even when it comes to discussing marriage with the Sheng family, they have asked General Bo and his wife to act as matchmakers. This way, without saying anything, outsiders can't help but speculate; people with ulterior motives have slowly dug up the old affairs of the Ningyuan Hou Mansion, spreading rumors and hints that Gu Tingyan was bullied in the past.

  Madam Qin, the lady of the Gu household, has always had a good reputation among the noblewomen in the capital. She is warm, gentle, and kind, often taking care of orphans and widows. Even now, no one has ever directly accused her of being cruel as a stepmother, except for those who want to curry favor with Gu Tingyan. Most people still secretly sympathize with Madam Qin.

  However, the result is contrary to the reason. Qin's own son is fine, married and had children, even if Gu Tingyu was ill and weak, he managed to hold on for so many years. Only Gu Tingye left home and wandered away, drifting for many years without returning. This rumor would be unpleasant to hear. But what are the facts? Minglan looked up at the roof, this... is probably... very complicated.

  It seems that Heaven has heard Minglan's inner voice, and before long, Gu Tingye sent someone to deliver a message, saying that he wanted to pay his respects to Qin Taifu. Upon hearing this news, Minglan was stunned for a moment. After a brief silence, the old lady sighed and said: "This is also good, don't think about past grievances, what's important is to be thorough in handling family matters." She paused and continued: "Gu...he has a kind heart..."

  Minglan didn't say anything, she knew what the old lady meant.

  According to the normal marriage procedure, it's up to the parents to arrange for the couple to meet and get engaged. If this step is changed, it won't look good. Even if Qin had wanted to interfere with Gu Tingyan's marriage, after being rebuffed by Gu in a very embarrassing way, she didn't dare say anything more; now that Gu is willing to compromise, Qin is also happy to let the matter drop.

  However, Lady Qin did not use a donkey cart, but instead used a four-wheeled carriage with a dark red top and green iron nails, so she arrived quickly.

  On the second day, Minglan lay on the kang with a full stomach, lazily holding a large red satin mandarin duck pillowcase, and had just embroidered two pieces of water grass when Cui Ping hurriedly came to report that Madame Ningyuan had arrived and was speaking in Shou'and Hall.

  "The old lady said, tell the girls to dress up a bit!" Cui Ping saw Xiaotao dazedly holding a plain-colored everyday outer garment, and hastily reminded Danju. The girls immediately rummaged through the closet.

  Minglan changed into a dress with embroidered peony and apricot flowers on the diagonal collar, underneath was a rose-pink pleated skirt with deep edges, her hair styled in a curved crescent moon bun, only adorned with a pair of double happiness and double auspiciousness jade hairpins, bright and elegant.

  A group of people hurried along the road to Shou'antang, and when they arrived at the door, Minglan slowed down slightly, adjusted her hair, and followed the servant's announcement as she stepped inside. She walked slowly with her head bowed, and wherever her eyes glanced, she saw the old lady sitting high on the main seat, with a woman in brocade clothes sitting beside her. Wang Shi was seated below, attending to her. Seeing Minglan enter, she pointed at her and smiled, "This is my sixth daughter." Then she introduced the woman in brocade clothes, "This is the Lady of Ningyuan Marquis's manor, Minglan, come and pay your respects."

  Minglan bowed down with her hands clasped together in front of her, her skirt remaining still and her body upright, looking elegant and refined.

  Madam Qin took a glance, and a look of surprise flashed in her eyes. She hastily called Minglan to get up, then pulled Minglan over to examine her closely, thinking that the girl's skin was as white as snow and her face was as beautiful as a flower, beyond description. She couldn't help but praise: "What a lovely child! How did you manage to give birth to such a good one?"

  Minglan was shy and lowered her head, but she secretly glanced at Madame Qin with a sideways glance. After taking a look, she couldn't help but be secretly shocked.

  Madam Qin wore a deep-colored iron-rust colored embroidered chrysanthemum overcoat, a honey-colored cotton-padded skirt, and on her head, she simply coiled a bun, securing it with a transparent white jade longevity plaque. Her skin was smooth and lustrous, the corners of her mouth curved in a dignified smile, making her seem approachable, warm, and gentle. She was an extremely beautiful middle-aged woman, except that the fine lines at the corners of her eyes slightly revealed her age.

  In terms of age, she is several years older than Wang, but in terms of charm, Wang would absolutely not dare to call her "sister".

  Madam Qin pulled Minglan and He Xiangyu to ask questions, asking what she liked to eat, what books she read, and what she usually did. Minglan answered one by one according to etiquette, Madam Qin seemed very satisfied, took off a pair of jade bracelets from her wrist and put them on Minglan's hand, turned around and smiled: "Really a good-looking child, isn't it like coming out of a painting!"

  Minglan's face was slightly red, she lowered her head and stood still, looking shy. The old lady glanced at her lightly and turned to answer in a gentle tone: "Zhenzhen is still a child, doesn't understand things very well."

  Madam Qin gently chided, smiling: "Old Madam is too modest. This child's entire demeanor isn't fake; they're intelligent and perceptive, with a clear and transparent spirit. The young ladies in the manor are indeed well-raised."

  Mr. Wang couldn't help but say with a hint of pride, "I'm not boasting, my family raises girls more carefully than boys, teaching them to read, do needlework, and manage household chores in detail."

  Madam Qin's eyes sparkled and she smiled in agreement for a few sentences; Madame Wang listened with great satisfaction.

  Qin's voice was soft and gentle, whispering softly like a gentle breeze, unknowingly persuading you, yet not losing her noble elegance in her words and laughter. If the nobility of Princess Yongchang's wife, Madame Liang, carried a sense of aloofness, then Qin's was warm and gentle without being showy.

  She was eloquent, speaking with elegance and refinement to the old lady, her words as gentle as spring breeze and snow. She had the demeanor of a noble lady. When she spoke to Wang Shi, she was cheerful and carefree, chatting freely and easily. After talking for a while, the old lady seemed fine, but added a few more polite phrases. However, Wang Shi gradually put down her initial guard and became more and more congenial as they talked.

  The ladies chatted for a while, when Madame Qin suddenly looked hesitant, glanced at Minglan, and seemed to want to say something but stopped. Mrs. Wang, who was usually slow-witted, suddenly became clever and said: "Madame, please speak your mind, there's no need to be polite."

  Madam Qin smiled and said, "Since that's the case, I won't be polite anymore. This time I came to your house is to deliver my family's second son's engagement letter." She took out a large red paper fold with gold sprinkles from her sleeve and handed it to the old lady with both hands. Then she said, "If you two don't despise the humble gift of the Gu family, I'll be bold enough to ask for Miss Ming's engagement letter in return."

  Minglan lowered her head, feeling extremely vexed in her heart. At this moment, she should have been blushing and looking shy, but...her face didn't turn red at all! She couldn't possibly slap herself a few times, could she?

  The old lady took the letter, flipped through it briefly, and a look of satisfaction appeared on her face. She glanced at Wang Shi, who understood immediately and turned around to smile: "What's this talk about being dissatisfied or not? The Ningyuan Marquis' family has made great contributions to the country, defending the borders and establishing prestige. Who in the world doesn't admire them? I'm afraid we might not be worthy of them tomorrow!"

  Actually, Mrs. Wang was just being polite, it was only an expanded version of "where, where" rhetoric, but unexpectedly, Madame Qin suddenly felt a surge of emotions, her expression slightly melancholic.

  The Wang family looked at each other, and hastily asked to follow up. Madame Qin wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and forced a smile: "It's nothing, but... I came today to say something else, and I hope the old lady and Sister Wang won't blame me for being rude."

  "Please speak, madam." The old lady's eyes sparkled as she said quietly.

  Madam Qin put down her handkerchief, still smiling gently, but with a hint of sadness: "Second Brother has been a stubborn child since he was young. Ever since he fell out with Old Master Hou and left home all these years, he gradually became estranged from the family. His elder brother and I have been feeling terrible about it. After all, this is his family, and now that we're arranging his marriage, I think...it's only proper to hold the wedding at Ningyuan Duke's residence."

  The Wang family hesitated slightly, and the grudges between her son and stepmother were not something this not-yet-official mother-in-law should bring up prematurely. After a moment's thought, the old lady said, "Not to mention that the marriage has not yet taken place, even if Ming Yu had married in, the affairs of the Gu family are not something our family can easily interfere with."

  Madam Qin let out a soft sigh, looking straight at the old lady with an honest and sincere gaze, saying in a low voice: "Huo Er's older brother is now seriously ill, lying on his bed every day thinking of Er Lang, saying that this big mess needs to be helped by his own brothers, the younger ones are not capable, if Huo Ge can return to the manor, in the future..." followed by a soft sigh.

  Madam Wang's eyes lit up, and it was no secret that Gu Tingyu was childless and critically ill. Marrying into the Hou Mansion and becoming the Madame of the Hou Mansion were two completely different concepts. The value of being the mother-in-law of a young master in the Hou Mansion versus being the mother-in-law of the Master of the Hou Mansion himself was even greater, not to mention that the Ningyuan Duke indeed needed Gu Tingyu to support the family's reputation now. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but say: "Of course it's better to go back home..." The rest of her words were interrupted by Old Madam's gaze, and Madam Wang slowly withdrew her statement.

  The old lady withdrew her gaze from looking at Wang Shi and smiled: "Director Gu is a sensible person, he must understand the difficulties of Lord Hou and the kindness of his wife."

  Madam Qin seemed not to be displeased at all, turned her head to glance at Minglan standing beside her, then turned back to face the old lady, looking straight at her again, and slowly said word by word: "It's always difficult for a stepmother to do well, everyone in our family knows that my second son is mischievous and has been wandering outside since he was young, so his temper can't be helped but be somewhat unruly; he once said 'I won't marry anyone who isn't the eldest daughter', now... I think Minglan is very good, if I'm around, I won't say anything else, but I absolutely won't let people bully her!"

  Finally, with a voice that was almost choked with emotion, Wang's expression changed and he felt that what was said made sense, so he lightly sighed and nodded his head.

  The old lady frowned, seemingly puzzled, and turned to look at Minglan. She saw that Minglan slightly raised her head, with no expression on her face, but a pair of big eyes shining brightly; Minglan immediately lowered her head, not daring to let anyone see the subtle changes in her expression, she knew where the problem lay!

  Gu Tingyan expressed his intention to form an alliance with the Sheng family through marriage, and this matter had already reached the ears of the emperor. Everyone thought that the one who would be married off was the eldest daughter of the Sheng family, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better, and instead, Gu Tingyan quietly accepted the younger daughter of the Sheng family. Why were the officials so delighted? Because they believed this was a compromise and a show of respect from the newly risen noble family towards them, which led to all the praise and flattery on the surface.

  Minglan's heart was clear and bright, and ordinary people would probably think that Gu Tingye had given in, but in fact, only she and the old lady knew that the situation was exactly the opposite, and she was the one who had been schemed against.

  Following the usual way of thinking, with Gu Ting Ye and Qin's consistent reputation, what Madam Qin said just now is actually very persuasive. However... Minglan's face revealed an inexplicable smile, she finally knew where her greatest advantage lay - she recognized a Gu Ting Ye that others didn't know, especially those in the Gu household, they wouldn't know.

  Minglan slowly raised her head, her eyes directly meeting those of the old lady. The old lady seemed to have gradually understood as well, a faint and subtle smile floating at the corner of her mouth. She turned her head to respond to Madame Qin: "Madame is mistaken, my sixth sister was born to the legitimate wife."

  The author has something to say:

  Two pieces of news, one good and one bad.

  Sorry: My body can't take it, normal office workers can't update daily, only updating every other day, if I have the energy that day, I might update more.

  Good: But sometimes I guarantee the number of words, actually I've always disliked short chapters, feeling that the story is fragmented.

  P.S. The comments section is really wonderful, some topics are quite controversial so I won't participate in them to avoid being bombarded, I'll just keep sending points (once they're all gone, that's it).

  Finally, out comes a handsome guy.

  Who dares to quarrel again, who dares to cook ginseng and public chicken soup, look at my Tathagata palm!!!!!!