The 48th time

  It's been almost two months since she left home, and Minglan suddenly felt a bit of heat in her eyes. Only then did she realize that at some point, she had begun to treat this household as her own family. Sheng Hong's chin had sprouted three short whiskers, arranged in a short-long-short pattern, which was said to be the most fashionable style for literary officials in the capital city these days. Wang had been so busy preparing for Changbai's wedding that she had broken out in mouth ulcers, and even makeup couldn't cover them up.

  "Old lady, if you don't come back, the daughter-in-law will jump into the river! It's a big mess inside and out!" Wang held onto Sheng old lady's arm, being unusually affectionate.

  This time, Hai Jia Lao Ye arranged an external appointment. For fear that it would be difficult to send his daughter far away in the future, he simply rushed to settle the marriage before the New Year. Wang Shi was busy on one hand arranging for her newly arrived family members in the capital and on the other hand preparing for the wedding, feeling dizzy and overwhelmed.

  The two-generation imperial teacher, Old Master Hai, has already retired, but his prestige remains in the Qing government. This time, when the Hai family marries off their daughter, nearly half of the prominent figures in the northern scholarly community will attend; although not every member of their families is necessarily wealthy and noble, each one can recite a couplet or two.

  "Your esteemed residence is truly a place of refinement, just look at this painting 'Playing the Zither' by Lin An, it's a wonderful conception, using form to convey spirit, fully capturing the essence of Guo Ziyi's style." A certain Hanlin lady commented on the painting on the wall.

  "The painting is good, but the calligraphy seems a bit too heavy-handed, suppressing the carefree spirit. If only it were written in the style of Mr. Tanwei, then the beauty of 'Gulü' would be complete. What do you think, Lady Wang?" The scholar's wife finished speaking, and the two of them looked at Lady Wang together.

  Wang smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject, pulling it open.

  Who can tell her what they just said?

  Lian Cui Wang still looked the same, pulling Minglan over to compare their heights and saying expressionlessly: "Two inches difference, six fen." - Are you selling fabric?

  Chang Song fell out of the imperial examination again this autumn, but he made a few poet friends in the capital. Recently, he just got the reputation of "Jia Song Gongzi". On a cold day, he was shaking his fan and didn't feel cold at all. Chang Song changed the most, as if he had just sprouted new buds, and his breath became much longer. "Sixth sister, I'm watching everything for you, even the leather on the trunk hasn't been scratched." Chang Song said hastily.

  "Brother Dong is really capable. Go back to my place and get the things, I've reserved them for Aunt Xiang." Minglan whispered in his ear.

  At the age of nine, Changgui's small face was red and puffy, seemingly embarrassed: "Sister has spent money again, Auntie said it wasn't needed, even Grandma sent some according to her share." Minglan leaned forward and whispered: "It's Aunt sending good fabric, you're growing up, let Aunt make two bright dresses for you, so you'll look presentable when you go to school later, this is the capital after all."

  Chang Dong was grateful in his heart and bowed his head slightly to thank him.

  Minglan knew clearly that if they only relied on their monthly allowance, how could Mulan and Changsong dress so well? Everyone knew, but Sheng Hong was a big master who never paid attention.

  "Sixth sister, you've finally come back. If you were any later, those trunks of yours might have been opened! Like Lan's nature is hard to change, as soon as she opens her mouth, she offends, and Mo Lan gets angry. Ming Lan hastily puts an arm around Pin Lan's shoulder, smiling and saying: "I have fifth sister here, even if I lose something, I know where it is! This time, I've left several bottles of osmanthus oil for fifth sister!"

  "Is it Cang Xiang?"

  "Really?" Minglan smiled with curved eyebrows, looking very cute, and said softly, "Although the osmanthus from Cangxiang can't compare to those from Xiyun Mountain, they are still used as tributes every year, and many bottles are allocated. Auntie easily got some from the official workshop, I insisted on taking some, not leaving a single bottle, all for sister to use as hair perfume!"

  Yu Lan was also delighted, and she hugged Ming Lan's waist, laughing: "That's great, I just happen to need it. Good sister, thanks for remembering me." She had been thinning and yellowing her hair since childhood, and after many years of nursing, it only got slightly better. The things Ming Lan sent were exactly what she needed.

  Mo Lan pouted and said coldly, "Little sister went back to her hometown and learned a lot of tricks, this flattery is really making Wu Mei happy!" Ming Lan didn't get angry, she smiled and turned around: "Yes, I haven't forgotten how to flatter you either, here's some fine ink from the south that has high-quality fragrance mixed in it. The words written with it even have a fragrant scent, very elegant. This silly girl who only knows two characters wouldn't waste such good things, so I'll give it to sister instead."

  Mo Lan took over a small, exquisite black lacquer wooden box, opened it and was greeted by a refreshing ink fragrance. Looking at the few ink sticks inside, their color seemed to subtly reveal a purplish hue, with smooth and fine bodies, not a single crack or flaw in sight, obviously of high quality. She couldn't help but secretly admire them, while her face remained calm: "Then thank you, sister. Next time I see Madame Xian Hai, I'll give you half of the South Pearl I receive."

  Minglan didn't stand on ceremony, clapping her hands and laughing: "That's great, eh, Fifth Sister, what about you?" She batted her big eyes and stretched out her small hand, looking like she was begging. Like Lan glared at her and scolded: "You're so shameless, I didn't forget about you, I left a pair of old Keng water-colored jade rings for you."

  Minglan pulled the two sisters, satisfied and sighed: "After all, it's good to have sisters, even if they came late, there are still good things to gain, I'm really lucky!" It seemed that Minglan's joyful mood had infected them, and both Lanlan and Molan were also smiling and shaking their heads, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

  In the evening, Sheng Hong returned to the mansion. Mother and daughter were once again delighted. Wang Shi decided to set a big table, and the whole family sat together for dinner. At the table, Ming Lan gave Sheng Hong a cup of wine and said loudly: "Congratulations to Father's smooth career! Without Father's hard work, there would be no such happiness for daughters like us. I wish Father good health, good fortune, and longevity!"

  Sheng Hong saw Minglan's sincere tone and dignified demeanor, and was deeply moved. He downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, repeatedly exclaiming: "My daughter is really sensible!" The other children also followed suit, raising their cups to toast Sheng Hong, who was overjoyed, saying: "Good, good, good! You kids are making me proud, this is even more delightful than being promoted as a father!"

  The boys all drank up, and Old Lady Sheng whispered softly, only letting the girls take a small sip.

  Today, everyone in the family was very cheerful and couldn't help but talk during dinner. Only Minglan was heard enthusiastically telling stories about her experiences on her trip back to her hometown.

  "When the time comes, it's just the ninth month of autumn, wow, the osmanthus flowers are like a blanket of gold, all over the mountains and fields, the fragrance is overflowing, and even if you just take a walk in Guilin, people will be filled with the scent!"

  "When we picked osmanthus flowers, someone tied a rope to the branch and then the person below held one end of the rope and shook it. With one shake, they were covered in osmanthus flowers! But when it was her turn, instead of getting flowers, she got several caterpillars! She even opened her mouth wide under the tree, and I swear, a worm almost crawled into her mouth!"

  "The water buffalo at the edge of the field was quite stubborn, I used a rope to gently urge it on, and it slowly walked. But then it suddenly became fierce, and nearly kicked me with its hind legs after I teased it, scaring me to death!"

  Minglan's voice was crisp and clear, her expressions vivid as she spun an interesting tale. When talking about embarrassing moments, her tone was measured and rhythmic; when describing scenery, it was elegant and smooth. The rustic charm of the mountains and fields seemed to come alive before their eyes. As they listened, the crowd couldn't help but feel a wave of longing and laughter. The children of the Sheng family had all grown up in grand mansions, surrounded by luxury from a young age - how could they have ever experienced such simple joys?

  "Our hometown is a great place! The land is spiritual and the people are talented, the scenery is beautiful." Sheng Hong was moved to homesickness and praised.

  Chang Song couldn't help but say, "Is Youyang really that fun? I've been there too." Mo Lan saw Minglan making a big show today and felt a bit sour: "Brother is a scholar, how can he compare to a little wild girl like you?"

  Sheng Hong frowned and said, "Your younger sister is still young, it's normal for her to be playful. Besides, there are servants watching over her, she can't go wild anywhere! Your uncle and aunt wrote a letter praising Ming Yu's good character and how sensible she is, they've also had a good influence on Pinlan."

  Mo Lan lowered her head and didn't speak, feeling discontent in her heart. When she saw Mo Lan being blamed, Bi Guo was even happier than herself, and happily gnawed on a chicken leg again.

  Minglan spoke in a low voice, "I've already promised my grandmother that I'll play with Pinlan for a while, and when we return to the capital, I'll be obedient." Sheng Hong smiled, "It's also right to get along well with relatives, don't put on airs, and after returning, just restrain your temper."

  Ming Lan said quietly: Of course, relatives are good. This time in the capital, Sheng Wei was afraid that the capital would be expensive, and Sheng Hui had to settle down and get married, worrying that there wouldn't be enough money, so he sent a lot of money again.

  But isn't it just you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours, a win-win situation?