Yuan Xiqing and Cao Ruwan have been living in the mansion for some time now. To avoid trouble, Ji Meiniang has exempted Yuan Xiqing from paying her respects morning and evening. However, Cao Ruwan runs to the main courtyard early every day.

That day, Xiang Wan was pruning the flowers in the plum garden when her maid, Zijuan, ran over excitedly, her face beaming with joy. "Miss, Madam sent me to deliver a message, asking you to go to the front hall."

"Oh? What good news has made you so happy?"

"Miss will know when she gets there; she'll definitely be even happier than Zijuan."

Xiang Wan shook her head, trimmed the last excess branch, washed her hands, changed her clothes, and went outside.

If there was anything that could make Ji Meiniang happy, it would be the return of Ji Pengyu, the eldest son of the Ji family. Ji Pengyu was Ji Meiniang's elder brother, born of the same mother. Since Ji Meiniang's marriage, he had been working away from home and rarely returned to the capital. Today was the day he returned to the capital to report on his work, bringing his family with him and a lot of local specialties.

The Ji family had received Ji Pengyu's letter half a month ago and had been eagerly awaiting it. Today, Ji Pengyu had just returned to the Ji family and sent a box of things to Ji Meiniang, showing that this elder brother still cared deeply for his younger sister.

Upon arriving at the front hall, Ji Meiniang had already ordered people to prepare the items, waiting for Xiang Wan to come and choose.

There were many unusual items there, quite rare for that era. Various jewelry and ornaments, with their exotic flair, were exquisite and unique. The maids and servants helping out were completely mesmerized.

“Wan’er,” Ji Meiniang said, her face turning unpleasant and uncomfortable. So she changed her address, “My dear daughter, come and see, your uncle and aunt specially picked this out for you.”

Even Ji Meiniang liked these pieces of jewelry, thinking that a young girl like Xiang Wan would love them.

This was a token of the uncle's affection for his niece, how could Xiang Wan refuse? However, although such a thing seemed insignificant now, it later became the evidence used by them to frame the Ji family, how could she be happy about that?

The original owner really loved these pieces of jewelry, wearing them every day and reluctant to give them away. After getting tired of wearing them, they became treasured possessions stored away until someone finally found them.

Besides jewelry, the gifts sent included many vases, antiques, and glassware, all of which looked exquisite. Very few households in the capital possessed such items.

Xiang Wan picked up a few items, looked at them, and then put them back in their original places.

Ji Meiniang held the jewelry up to Xiang Wan's head for a while. Seeing her expression was indifferent, she said worriedly, "My dear daughter, are you feeling unwell? I'll go get a doctor for you. Don't delay your treatment."

Seeing Ji Meiniang's concerned expression, Xiang Wan shook her head and said, "Where does Uncle work? These things don't look cheap, I'm worried..."

Ji Meiniang was somewhat surprised, then dismissed all the servants, pulled Xiang Wan to sit down beside her, and said with relief, "My dear daughter, you never cared about this before. It's my fault for not protecting you well; you're so young and you're thinking so much."

"Mother, your daughter will grow up eventually. Please tell me about Uncle; I want to hear it."

Ji Meiniang sighed and began to recount her story.

The Ji family was originally considered a prominent and wealthy family in the capital. Old Master Ji, Ji Meiniang's grandfather, once held the official rank of third grade and served as the Vice Minister of the Imperial Clan Court. Ji Meiniang's father, Xiang Wan's maternal grandfather, also served in the Court of Judicial Review. The saying "wealth doesn't last three generations" was well exemplified in the Ji family.

In his youth, Ji Pengyu associated with a group of纨绔子弟 (spoiled young men) in the capital, and there was nothing he wasn't good at, including fighting, gambling, and whoring. As a result, he accidentally killed someone in a fight and was imprisoned.

He was the only male heir in the Ji family. The old master and master Ji tried everything they could, but unfortunately, the capital was undergoing a crackdown, and Ji Pengyu ran afoul of the law. The court intended to make an example of him. The old master pleaded with the emperor, offering to resign his official post and live out his remaining years in peace, thus saving his life.

After resigning from his official post, Old Master Ji lost his spiritual sustenance, and his children and grandchildren were not up to par. He fell ill and never recovered, and soon passed away.

Without the protection of Old Master Ji, Old Master Ji suffered repeated setbacks in his official career. One day, he was caught off guard and someone found fault with him. He was dismissed from his post but not exiled, which was already the best outcome.

That's how it is in officialdom: when you're at the height of your power, everyone fawns over you. When your glory fades, few people come knocking. Now, only Ji Meiniang's mother remains in the Ji family. Ji Pengyu, after experiencing a series of setbacks, has finally become much more restrained, properly passed the imperial examinations, and was assigned to serve as an official in a small, remote border region. All affairs of the Ji household are managed by the old lady of the Ji family. Over the years, thanks to the support of Ji Meiniang's uncle, the Qiu family, they haven't been brought down by their political enemies. Even so, their fortunes are far from what they used to be.

At this point, Ji Meiniang sighed repeatedly and said nothing more.

Xiang Wan comforted her, "Mother, now that Uncle is back, Grandmother can finally rest. You should be happy."

“Over the years, most of the Ji family’s assets in the capital have been used for social obligations. To be honest, I’m not sure what to expect from your uncle suddenly acquiring so many things.”

“Mother, if you have any questions, why don’t you just ask Uncle? I haven’t seen them in a long time, and I miss them terribly.”

"Okay, let's go right away."

Ji Meiniang instructed her servants to pick out a few items as a return gift. Xiang Wan picked out a glass porcelain vase and a bouquet of hair ornaments from the box, and had Zijuan wrap them up and carry them with her.

Ji Pengyu has three children, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to go without bringing anything. Family ties always need to be maintained. So she took a wolf-hair brush, a brocade handkerchief, and some small trinkets from the side room, and went to the Ji family home in a carriage with Ji Meiniang.

The Cao family and the Ji family were separated by half the capital. After passing through the bustling city and several streets, the Cao family's plaque came into view.

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