The 67th time

  Minglan was intently drawing flower patterns, using the bright sunlight to meticulously depict the antennae on top of several cicadas, making them look lifelike. Danju carried over a tea bowl and looked at Minglan's focused expression, her heart aching as she said: "Miss, take a break and rest your eyes, don't strain them."

  Minglan's forehead was beaded with fine sweat, but she didn't move: "I'm afraid of ruining my eyesight, that's why I've been enduring the daytime work." After adding the final stroke, Minglan finally let out a long sigh and put down her brush. "It's done, you and Yanzhu can cut it out together now."

  Danju tried the temperature of the bowl wall and handed the tea bowl to Minglan, then went to the case to take a look, smiling: "The young lady's painting is really good, this small cicada as big as a fingernail cover and the small golden oriole are like they're moving."

  Xiaotao, who was arranging clothes in the courtyard, heard this and put down her work, coming out to complain: "It's not as good as catching a few live ones to save trouble, young lady. If you had done your work a bit worse, you wouldn't have gotten involved in this matter; no wonder people outside say that humans fear fame and pigs fear..." She suddenly realized she had misspoken and hurriedly covered her mouth.

  Ming Lan shook her head and sighed, pointing at Xiao Tao. Dan Ju also burst out laughing, then immediately put on a serious face and said: "You're all so old, yet you still talk nonsense like this. If it were another master, they would have skinned you alive!"

  Xiao Tao looked embarrassed and lowered her head, saying: "I won't dare next time." Then she crawled back to clean up.

  At this time, the bamboo curtain rustled and a smiling green branch came in, but still politely stepped aside to hold the bamboo curtain, allowing a round-faced woman with a fortune to enter from behind.

  "Sixth Sister is well." The old woman was wearing a silver-red jacket with a hidden pattern, underneath which was a dark green silk long gown. She held a flat, long brocade box in her arms and half-knelt down to pay respects to Minglan; she was also one of Wang's concubines, Liu Kun's family hadn't arrived yet and she had been quite favored by Wang, but now she had retreated to a lower position, probably because she wasn't strong enough in the struggle against Lin Daiyu.

  Miss Lin smiled and said, "Mother Qian is too polite. Green Branch, don't you see the tea on the table?" She glanced sideways, giving a signal to Dan Ju, who understood and immediately went into the inner room.

  Money Mother sat down with a smile, turning her body to Minglan and said: "Today I brought several needlework wives to measure the bodies of the maids in the girl's courtyard, so they can make summer and autumn clothes."

  "It's not worth troubling you, Mother." Minglan pointed to a plate of rose-petal and honey cake in front of her, and asked Green Branch to send it over to Qian Mama. "This was taught to me by Housekeeper Fang, the ingredients are troublesome to prepare and the process is complicated, I think it's too sweet and soft, but the old lady likes it, Mother, try some."

  Qian's mother picked up a small piece and tasted it, feeling the entrance was clear, sweet and soft. The green branch then carefully handed over newly brewed cloud mist melon slices. Qian's mother took another sip of tea, feeling even more fragrant, and repeatedly praised.

  "If Mother likes it, I'll bring some of these pastries and tea back for her to enjoy in her free time." Minglan said gently.

  Money's mom liked it in her heart and said hesitantly: "How can this be good, eating and taking?"

  The green branch mouth is the most clever, hurriedly gently shaking Qian Mama's arm, coquettishly saying: "Mama, quickly don't be polite with our sister, if Mama feels embarrassed, then next time secretly make two more dresses for us sisters."

  "Look at this girl, isn't she possessed by a greedy ghost? Mother, don't bother with her."

  At this time, Danju came out from the inner room, holding a small package in her hand and handed it to Qian Mama. Minglan spoke warmly and caringly: "I heard that Mama caught a cold a few days ago, and everyone says that the spring chill is the most severe. Mama is also getting older, and she has been working hard every day, so she must take extra care of her body. This is the leftover material from the old lady's last batch of brown silk cotton padded jacket, which I pieced together into a vest. If Mama doesn't mind, please wear it inside; it's both warm and breathable."

  Qian's mother hastily took over, repeatedly thanked her, and sighed: "It is said that Liu's sixth daughter is the most considerate of people. All the maids in the courtyard are raised to be white and fat. Alas...Liu's ninth son is still lucky, unlike my maid who can't even come in here."

  Minglan didn't respond, only smiled and humbly said a few words. After everyone had their fun, Qian Mama handed the brocade box next to her to Lü Qi, saying: "There are several palace flowers in here that Madame wants me to give to you." Minglan hastily asked: "Do Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister have some?" Qian Mama replied: "They already do." Minglan let out a relieved sigh: "That's good then."

  Only then did she open the brocade box, and inside were five palace flowers in pale pink, bean green, sky blue after rain, rose purple, and peach red. The petals were made of silk gauze, and the stamens were made of velvet, with bright colors and delicate shapes.

  "Qian's mother leaned over and whispered: 'This was left for you by me in advance, it wasn't picked from the leftovers.'"

  Minglan praised: "This flower is really beautiful, thank you mom, where did it come from?"

  Money mother put down the tea bowl, smiling and explaining: "A few days ago, when the list was announced, the young master of Pingning County's mansion ranked among the top few in the second grade. Yesterday, the Qi Guo Gong Fu opened several tables for a banquet, and Madam was invited to go, so she got this and shared it with the girls."

  Minglan's expression didn't change, and she also smiled: "This is really something to congratulate, Madam has always gotten along well with the Duchess, must be very happy; I wonder why this morning when I went to pay my respects, Madam's face was still flushed, probably had a few cups last night?"

  "That's right." Qian's mother clapped her hands and laughed, "I followed them and saw it with my own eyes. The princess treated our madam very kindly, just like a sister, and they chatted for a long time in the inner room."

  Minglan's eyes flickered slightly, and she continued anxiously: "Last night I heard that Fourth Sister returned quite late from the mistress' quarters. I'm afraid the mistress was drunk again, and it was probably Fourth Sister who took care of her alone? Alas, I didn't know about it, truly unfilial." Her face showed a worried expression.

  Money's mother waved her hand: "It doesn't matter, madam will be fine after drinking the medicine soup, it's just that madam is really happy and called fourth young lady to chat." Minglan seemed to have let out a sigh of relief, smiling sweetly: "Now I can rest assured."

  Money Mother left before, and again leaned into Minglan's ear and whispered: "Yesterday at the banquet, Madam was still talking to Mrs. Yongchang Hou for half a day, I vaguely heard that it seemed to mention the lady in the mansion."

  Minglan was startled in her heart.

  After sending off Money Mom, it wasn't until half a while later that Green Branch came in with a pout on her face, complaining: "That useless Yan Cao can't even control those few little maids, letting them rush to measure... Now Money Mom isn't being used much either, why do you have to be like this, Miss?"

  Minglan quietly looked at her, and Lü Qi immediately retracted her mouth, hanging her head in shame. Danju came over and pinched her nose: "Don't talk nonsense, the young lady has her own reasons, you just do your job properly."

  "Every grass and tree has its use." Minglan said slowly, "Insignificant people also have their uses." As she spoke, she looked at Green Branch and said, "Yancao is gentle in nature, but after all, she entered the manor before you and has more experience handling things. You must not look down on her."

  The green branch was trembling with fear, her hands grasping the hem of her skirt, not daring to breathe loudly. After a while, Minglan slowed down her tone and said: "Whoever treats me sincerely, I will always remember their kindness, Yancuo... is still several years older than you, so take back your words and temper."

  Luozhi thought for a moment, as if she had heard something, her eyes lit up, and she looked up to say: "Miss, Luozhi knows."

  After several maidservants withdrew, Minglan sank into thought for a moment. She took out a few sheets of letter paper, placed them on the desk and smoothed them out. After thinking briefly, she picked up her brush and began to write.

  That night, Sheng Hong had dinner at Xiang Yiniang's place. Due to the exhaustion from consecutive days of socializing, he originally wanted to take a break and call it a day. However, Wang Shi insisted on calling him back. Upon arriving at the main house, he saw his legitimate wife, Xu Niang, sitting properly on the edge of the bed, her face flushed with a hint of joy in her eyebrows. Sheng Hong decided to have a talk with her about the "rain and tea cup" issue, as they couldn't sleep together every night and had to consider the feelings of others. Just as he was about to speak, Wang Shi hastily closed the door and began a rapid-fire monologue, instantly stunning him into silence.

  "What did you say? Are you going to match Rouran with Qi Heng? Did the princess really say that?" Sheng Hong was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed, "Then... what about your mother's family? Isn't Rouran supposed to marry her uncle? It's just a matter of finalizing it."

  Wang hesitated for a moment, but thinking of his sister-in-law's dissatisfied expression as she looked at Rulan, he said stiffly, "Isn't this still not settled? Can't I find a better place for my daughter?"

  "Is Zhi Heng okay?" As a man, Sheng Hong's first thought was the lush green color above the Qi mansion.

  Wang's voice was low and urgent: "I've thought it through carefully, this is a good marriage. Regardless of whether the title has anything to do with Heng's share, at his age he already has a reputation and will have a bright future ahead of him, and with the support of the imperial court, he'll be set for life! Moreover, the Marquis of Xiangyang has no heir, so that title will go to an heir, but aside from the ancestral property, the wealth accumulated by the Marquis over the years is substantial, and it's all been given to the young lady. And then there's Qi Gongzi, the salt administration position is a lucrative one, you know better than I do, sir, how many years he served as an inspector, and didn't that silver pile up like mountains? In the future, won't all of this be Heng's?"

  Sheng Hong was dazzled by the golden light in Wang's eyes, as if he saw countless silver coins flying in her eyes. At this moment, Wang's mind was exceptionally clear, and she said straightforwardly: "Last year, the Qi Manor had such a humiliating incident, and it wasn't good for Heng to save face immediately after proposing marriage. The county princess privately told me about it."

  Wang's voice dropped even lower, and he said mysteriously: "The princess said that the emperor's body... will be in two months. At that time, people like us will have to guard for a year. After one or two years, who will still remember the dirty things of the previous emperor? Anyway, Rulan still has a year before she comes of age, so we can wait and see."

  Sheng Hong slowly regained his composure, thought carefully and said: "This time the imperial examination results were announced, but the emperor delayed the palace exam, saying that he would wait for the eighth prince to return to Beijing before proceeding with the ranking. It's clear that this batch of new scholars who passed the exam are being reserved for the new emperor to use... maybe... Heng'er really has some prospects, and this marriage is not impossible? ... But what about my brother-in-law?"

  "Wang hesitated: 'If Your Majesty... , brother is also an official and should observe mourning rites, let's take a look again.'"

  Sheng Hong thought for a moment and nodded.

  Wang saw her husband nodding in agreement with her plan, and she became even more pleased with herself. She dropped another bombshell: "Yesterday when I was drinking wine, I also ran into the wife of Duke Yongchang."

  Sheng Hong hummed in response, slightly yawning and leaning against the headboard. She casually tossed aside her outer garments, instructing Wang Shi to pick them up. As Wang Shi gathered the clothes, she chuckled and said, "Madam Liang gave me a hint; she's taken a liking to our Minglan!"

  "What?! When did this happen?" Sheng Hong was no longer sleepy, and he sprang up with a start, his head still muddled. He growled in a low voice, "The old lady just left two months ago, and you dare to make plans for Ming Yatou? Isn't she already engaged to the He family?"

  "Look at you, are you afraid that I will deceive Mingyutou? Listen to me." Wangshi pressed her husband down forcefully, with a smile on her face, saying: "On the day of Shigero's full moon, at the banquet in the relative's house, Mrs. Liang took a liking to Minglan at first sight, and didn't mind that Minglan was born out of wedlock, but said that the girl had good looks and temperament. The Liang family of Yongchang Hou is what kind of family? Although that son is the eldest, he is also the legitimate son. Now they are thinking about filling the vacancy of the fifth battalion commander in the Imperial Guard, even if it's not filled, there is a seventh-grade camp guard position in the Forbidden City. How is that? This marriage won't humiliate Mingyutou, will it? It's much better than the He family!"

  Sheng Hong wanted to stick to Lao Tai Tai's decision, but thinking of the Liang family's foundation and influence, he hesitated again.

  The Wang family looked at her husband's wavering expression, added a firewood and said: "You also think about it, Ming Yan was born so well, if she married into the He family, wouldn't it be a waste? If she can marry into the Qi or Liang families, Ba Ge Er will have something to rely on in the future." In fact, the most important thing is that Ming Lan has no biological brothers, apart from her own son, what else can she rely on from her natal family.

  Sheng Hong was moved, lightly gritting his teeth, and asked: "What about the character of that young man? If the old lady is unwilling, it's all in vain."

  Wang knew that things had already gone halfway, so he slowed down his tone and pretended to be wronged, saying: "Look at what the old master said, as if I wanted to sell my daughter for glory. Ming Yutou has been obedient and filial in front of me all these years, brotherly love, sister-in-law harmony, and loving her brothers and sisters. I am thinking of her. As for that young man named Liang Huan, you can ask about his character yourself, so as not to be criticized by others later."

  She pouted and fell silent, her face sullen with anger. Sheng Hong hurried to placate her with gentle words, and after whispering a few more words in her ear, Wang Shi finally smiled again.

  "Alright then." Wang revealed all her calculations, "Master, please slowly ask around and think of a good excuse to persuade Old Madam when she returns; you know Old Madam's temper, if that Liang Huan is decent, I'm sure Old Madam won't make things difficult for the He family."

  Sheng Hong was indeed moved by the proposal of marriage with the Liang family, but thinking of having to persuade Old Lady Sheng made him feel a headache. For all these years, he had almost always given in to her, never daring to disobey even in the slightest. And now... He couldn't help but say: "We've been in the capital for so many days, and no one has taken a liking to Mo Lan?"

  If Liang's family chose Mu Lan, wouldn't that be a perfect solution for both parties, and he wouldn't have to worry anymore.

  Wang's wife was busily untying Sheng Hong's belt, but upon hearing this, her face immediately changed color and she couldn't help but let out a few cold snorts: "Old Master! Let me say something you might not want to hear, Mo Yan is no good, and yet she's just like that one, the young masters might like it, but the respectable madams would be the first to despise such behavior."

  Sheng Hong didn't refute this time, and could only sigh. Wang Shi glanced at Sheng Hong's profile, coldly smiling in her heart. No matter how favored a concubine was, as time passed, love would fade, and only social status and children were reliable. It wasn't until now that she understood this principle.

  But for some reason, after the excitement passed, my heart felt a deep loneliness.

  I've worked myself to death!!