choose

Madam Feng's birthday banquet was a great success, with a large number of guests in attendance.

The banquet was filled with distinguished guests, who toasted each other and enjoyed themselves immensely.

"Grandmother, I have been away from the capital for many years and have not been able to be filial to you. I am truly ashamed." When it was Feng Qiang's turn to offer her birthday wishes, she spoke.

“However, I have kept in mind my grandmother’s teachings. Even though I am married, I have never neglected myself. This year, I have prepared a special gift for my grandmother.” Feng Qiang’s words were sincere and heartfelt, which aroused the curiosity of the old lady Feng.

"Oh? What good things did Qiang bring back?"

With a gesture from Feng Qiang, Feng Shu understood immediately and led two young girls forward, carrying an embroidery piece.

“This piece is called ‘Embroidered Maidens Offering Birthday Greetings.’ My granddaughter originally wanted to embroider a hundred girls to celebrate her grandmother’s birthday, but unfortunately, flood prevention work in Qingzhou County came up, and time became tight. There were also many twists and turns during the preparation, which resulted in only ten girls being embroidered in the end. But these girls were not just randomly embroidered; they come from Qingzhou, Qingyin, and Qingling counties, and they are all sincerely celebrating their grandmother’s birthday,” Feng Qiang explained, pointing to the embroidery.

"I've never met these young girls before, so why are they celebrating my birthday?" Old Madam Feng smiled kindly, waiting for Feng Qiang to explain.

"That's naturally because my grandmother is kind-hearted and compassionate; even women far away can feel it!" Feng Qiang said with a mischievous smile.

"You're married now, but you're still acting like a little kid!"

"No, my granddaughter did not deceive her grandmother. These girls are all pitiful women, either living under the roof of others or homeless. When I was in Qingzhou, I became friends with the wife of a county magistrate in a neighboring county. That lady was skilled in embroidery, and my granddaughter was skilled in managing a household. We hit it off immediately and took them in as apprentices for free. We also established an embroidery workshop to help them support themselves."

"They learned that I would be returning to Beijing to celebrate my grandmother's birthday, and to express their gratitude, they specially prepared this gift."

"Qiang'er has grown up!" Old Madam Feng nodded with satisfaction, then deliberately asked, "Then they are thanking you, what does it have to do with me?"

"Grandmother, if it weren't for your teachings in the past, how could I have done such a good deed today? They should naturally thank you, Grandmother!"

"Look, you always know how to make me happy. Good, good, I'm so glad to receive this gift today." Madam Feng smiled happily, and Feng Qiang sat down again. Then, others wished Madam Feng a happy birthday.

At this moment, a young maidservant quickly stepped forward and whispered a few words to Old Madam Feng.

After hearing this, Madam Feng stood up, leaning on her cane, and straightened her clothes before saying, "Come with me to greet our distinguished guest!"

The group followed Madam Feng out of the hall.

Upon exiting, they discovered that it was the Empress herself who had arrived.

Before Madam Feng could even offer her greetings, the Empress herself helped her up.

The young eunuch announced the imperial decree bestowing upon Madam Feng the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady, and then stood aside awaiting orders.

The others accompanied them, watching the mother and daughter chat about everyday things.

In a corner unnoticed by anyone, a young palace maid who had accompanied the Empress walked with Maple Leaf towards the inner quarters.

Three days after the birthday banquet, the court remained calm and undisturbed, just as usual.

The common people, however, were very enthusiastic about the feast, and the storyteller performed for three days straight, with every performance still packed to capacity.

An Hongdou and Wu Linglong were sitting below, listening with great interest.

The two whispered among themselves, discussing how the scenes described by the storyteller in the east were not as luxurious as those in the west, and how the stories told by the storyteller in the north were not as substantial as those in the south.

Seven days later, the court and the public were in an uproar.

An Hongdou knew that the evidence the Empress had brought back to the palace had come in handy.

Some had their homes raided, others were transferred. For a time, everyone in the officialdom felt insecure, and many became more law-abiding.

But it did not affect people's lives at all; on the contrary, it gave them a lot of topics to talk about during their leisure time.

When the news arrived, An Hongdou and Wu Linglong were enjoying the bustling atmosphere of the city's markets.

"Linglong, the capital is truly different! Just the ink, paper, and inkstone alone have so many varieties! Almost every famous brand from all over the country is available. I've only heard of those things before but never seen them in person, and now I can see them all! I'm going to buy a lot to take back to my family. I don't know when I'll be back in the capital this time!"

“Yes! And this food, there’s so much of it I’ve never tried before! Let’s stay a few more days, and let me try everything we can’t take with us,” Wu Linglong said happily.

"Oh right, we still have some important business to attend to! Let's find some best-selling items like these bags and clothes and take them back to learn from them. Merchants in the capital can't sell them in our remote little town, so we'll produce and sell them ourselves back home!"

An Hongdou never forgot to plan the development of Xiuge, and at the same time, she also missed the girls in Xiuge.

"Also, let's buy some rouge and face powder that's unique to the capital to take back as gifts for the girls," she continued.

"You reminded me, the stories from the capital don't reach us. I need to buy more storybooks before I go back. I wonder if Li Zeren's escort agency can open in the capital, so I can ask him to help carry them back!" Wu Linglong said with delight.

Seeing Wu Linglong having a great time, An Hongdou smiled knowingly and then naturally joined in.

It's a rare treat to travel with friends, so let's enjoy the moment! As for serious matters, we can think about them later; that won't delay things.

On her way home, An Hongdou suddenly exclaimed, "Linglong, I'm so happy today, it's been a long time since I've been happy! It feels like we've gone back to the time before we got married."

Back then, the two often went on trips together, listened to audiobooks together, went shopping together, skipped classes together and got punished, and daydreamed together.

"Yeah! It feels like we've gone completely wild and lost track of time. On our way home, we're trying to figure out how not to get scolded." Wu Linglong was also lost in her memories.

“Your husband is going to be an official, and my husband is going to be a镖师 (bodyguard/escort). Let’s go back to my parents’ home for a short vacation!” Wu Linglong suggested.

An Hongdou's eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded in agreement.

The two women married into the same family, thinking their lives would continue as before. Little did they know, many things would unfold in the blink of an eye. They grew up, but still cherished those innocent and naive teenage years.

Back at the Feng residence, Li Zeli was waiting for An Hongdou.

Seeing that he had important matters to discuss, Wu Linglong and An Hongdou said goodbye and left first.

Li Zeli carried a lantern and invited An Hongdou to take a walk under the moon.

Seeing that he was in a rare good mood, An Hongdou did not refuse.

“However, I spent the whole day with Linglong today, my husband?” An Hongdou hinted to Li Zeli.

Li Zeli understood immediately, handed the lantern to An Hongdou, and then squatted down in front of her.

An Hongdou jumped onto his back, holding the lantern in her left hand and patting his shoulder with her right hand to indicate that she was ready.

Li Zeli then carried An Hongdou on his back and strolled under the moonlight.

“My husband seems to be in a particularly good mood today. Why are you not going back to your room so late? What are you contemplating about life here?” Seeing that Li Zeli had no intention of leaving, An Hongdou yawned and couldn’t help but ask.

"Red Bean, do you like the capital city?"

"I love all the places I haven't explored yet."

"So, would you like to stay in the capital?"

An Hongdou realized that Li Zeli wasn't simply asking her about her preferences.

After a moment's thought, An Hongdou followed her heart and said, "The capital city is nice, but it's not my hometown!"

"Yes! The capital is nice, but it's not my hometown."

Li Zeli repeated it, then suddenly realized and said, "Red Bean, let's go home! Not to the shade of the trees, but to our hometown!"

Seeing that Li Zeli had recovered, An Hongdou silently swallowed the words she hadn't said—"But wherever you are, that's home."

“Okay! Let’s go home,” An Hongdou replied.

“But if I go home, I might not be able to continue my official career. Will you look down on me?” Li Zeli’s tone was somewhat bitter.

“My embroidery room is in need of a tutor to teach the girls to read. You can apply for the position!” An Hongdou joked.

"Oh? Then, Madam, could you perhaps point me in a shortcut?" Under An Hongdou's prompting, Li Zeli shifted his attention.

"Tsk, all those years of studying have gone to waste, and you still can't win people's hearts. No wonder you need shortcuts!" An Hongdou said in a mocking tone.

"I am foolish, please forgive me, madam."

An Hongdou pointed with the lantern and said, "Here you go, the shortcut you wanted."

She was pointing in the direction of returning to her room.

Li Zeli understood immediately and said, "I will cherish the opportunity given to me by Madam and will certainly serve you well."

The following day, Li Zeli submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Personnel.

Upon learning the news, Zhang Zhao hosted a banquet for Li Zeli.

"Lord Li, have you made up your mind?"

"I am no longer an official, but just a commoner, and I am not worthy of being called 'Your Excellency'."

"Are you sure you won't regret going?"

"It is impossible to know. But when I was in Jiangnan, I regretted entering officialdom. I was inexperienced and did not know myself. After several trials, I realized that I had no great ambitions and only asked for the safety of my family. If I had the strength, I would protect my neighbors, and that would be enough."

"Alright, we've been through thick and thin together. I'll give you a chance. If you ever regret it, write to me and I'll recommend you for a new career."

"Thank you for your high regard, sir. But could the payment be changed?"

What do you want?

"My elder brother enjoys traveling and opened a security escort agency to facilitate his journey. He has witnessed the prosperity of the capital city on this trip and wishes to open an agency there. Unfortunately, he is outnumbered and lacks the connections. He hopes that you, sir, can help him."

Seeing Li Zeli's serious expression, Zhang Zhao finally gave up trying to persuade him.

"Alright, everyone has their own ambitions. Think it over. I agree to your request. My Zhang family happens to have a security escort agency in the capital. I will allow your brother to use the name of the Zhang family branch to solicit business in the capital."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Zhang. I wish you a smooth promotion and that you will soon be granted a title and become a high-ranking official." Li Zeli bid farewell to Zhang Zhao.

On the day they left the capital, An Hongdou and Wu Linglong prepared a carriage full of things.

Feng Qiang successfully transferred her husband back to the capital and has already begun preparing for their residence there. She will not be accompanying them this time.

"I intend to open the Jinxiuge embroidery shop in the capital. Your embroidery may lack exquisite detail, but it is certainly novel. Blind box handkerchiefs are very popular among young ladies. You can continue to recruit apprentices. I will sell the embroidery in the capital to provide you with funding."

“Maple Tree will go back with you. If her business doesn’t go well, don’t worry about me, just criticize her directly.”

Feng Qiang held a farewell party for An Hongdou and her companion.

"It is my great fortune to have met you, Mr. Feng. After this parting, I fear it will be many years before we meet again. From now on, the mountains are high and the roads are long, so let us take care of ourselves!" An Hongdou toasted Feng Qiang, indicating that she had remembered her words.