Wen Mingke regained some composure.

It's one thing that the Ninth Princess is still young, perhaps it's just her playing with her sisters, but what about the Fifth Prince?

He is now truly certain that his niece is completely different from before.

It is said that Eunuch Su from the palace came to announce the imperial decree several times.

That was Su Quan, the Emperor's top eunuch; it seems that the rumors were not unfounded.

"Father, should we continue to wait?"

"Don't rush. You need to stay calm in important situations. You're not as good as your sister in that respect."

Hao Da'er didn't feel embarrassed at all, saying, "Of course I'm not as good as Wan'er."

Wen Mingke sighed.

The eldest son is useless. If he could stand up, pass the imperial examinations, and become an official, would I still have to suffer neglect at someone else's door?

"Remember this: once you're inside the manor, don't say anything out of line."

If you ruin Wan'er's plans, you'll be in for a beating.

The eldest son mumbled an agreement, but in his heart he wondered if they would even let them in.

Just then, the gatekeeper made a noise.

Upon seeing Mo Yi, Old Fang immediately stood up and greeted her respectfully, "Miss Mo Yi."

He knew that the women His Highness later brought back were all former Qingluan Guards, and they dared not serve as ordinary maids.

After a few words of explanation, Lao Fang knew that his feeling was correct.

Did you hear that?

Mo Yi deliberately spoke loudly, and Lao Fang immediately echoed in a loud voice.

The servants of the Wen family kept a close eye on the door. They clearly heard the noise, but the door remained closed for a long time, so they couldn't help but move closer.

"Old man, it's almost noon, and there's still no news from His Highness?"

The elder, with a reserved air, suggested, "Perhaps our distinguished guest should return first?"

The servant peeked through the gap into the doorway, but didn't see the maid who had just spoken.

My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly grabbed Lao Fang.

"No, my husband has been waiting for so long, how can we not see him?"

Old Fang's face immediately darkened, and he shook off the dragging.

"Even if they are relatives, why would someone visit without sending a visiting card?"

Besides, you relatives of the Wen family... ha, haven't you had any contact for years?"

After he finished speaking, he turned to leave, but the servant was unwilling and took two quick steps before grabbing him again.

This time, without having time to demonstrate his skillful technique, he hurriedly pulled out a ten-tael silver ingot and stuffed it into Lao Fang's arms.

"Thank you so much, sir. Please help me out again."

This time, however, Old Fang refused decisively, completely refusing to accept the offer and unwilling to pick up the silver ingots even as they fell to the ground.

The servant quickly picked it up, his face showing a blank expression:

What do you mean? You don't want the benefits? That's ten taels of silver!

"Let go!"

Old Fang's attitude changed abruptly, his brows furrowed and he looked rather fierce.

"To tell you the truth, the maid in the backyard had already informed them."

His Highness was unwilling to see him and was even reprimanded.

If you truly wish to see him, you must offer a bribe to the guard who came from the palace; otherwise, please return home.

The servant, sensing an opportunity, quickly pressed on, "Sir, please don't be angry. How much do you think would be appropriate?"

Seeing the old man hold up one finger, and not asking for the ten-tael silver ingot...

"Hiss... One hundred taels?"

"Heh, it's a thousand taels." After saying that, he turned and left.

The servant thought the old man had probably gone mad. A thousand taels? Just for a meeting?

He pursed his lips and went to reply.

When Wen Mingke heard the price of one thousand taels, he was stunned.

"Are they desperate for money?"

The grown man was dumbfounded; he only received fifteen taels of silver a month.

Although there were subsidies from her mother and grandmother, one thousand taels...

Wen Mingke didn't say anything; he also felt it was a bit excessive.

However, if the information is correct, the guard's identity is that of the centurion who came from the palace.

A thousand taels of silver to ask someone for a favor is really nothing.

Moreover, the servant also said that Zhaoyue harbors resentment towards the Wen family, and spending money to resolve this could be a viable option.

After pondering for a dozen breaths, he actually took out a thousand taels of silver notes, and after thinking for a moment, he took out another one.

The eldest son's eyes widened like copper bells. His father agreed, but why did he have to pay an extra bill?

"Father, what you're doing..."

"go!"

One word sums it up.

Since you're willing to take the money, then get it done in one go.

The eldest son dared not refute, and personally got off the carriage, handing the two silver notes to the servant.

With my back to the car, a thought immediately popped into my head:

Why don't you keep one for yourself? After all, they only want a thousand taels.

Swallowing hard, he reluctantly handed it all over.

There was no other reason than that he was afraid of being beaten to death by his father if he found out.

The servant's hands were trembling; he had never handled such a large matter in his entire life.

Without daring to delay, he strode towards the gatehouse and pounded on the door.

When Lao Fang accepted the banknotes, his expression was quite calm.

When Miss Mo first mentioned this matter, he thought it was a disguised rejection. Who would be willing to spend a thousand taels to enter the house and meet someone?

To everyone's surprise, they not only agreed, but also paid double!

Arise! The Sixth Princess's residence shall prosper!

However, he had met with several imperial heirs and nobles in the palace in the past two days, so he was much more confident than that servant.

He remained calm, carefully placing the banknotes down before extending his other hand.

servant: ?

Old Fang rolled his eyes. This servant isn't very good either.

"Those belong to the master's family, what does it have to do with me? Why did you make me run errands for nothing?"

The ten taels of silver ingots eventually returned to his hands, and two months' wages were earned so easily.

"Wait."

This time, it didn't take long; in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the three members of the Wen family were invited into the mansion.

The person who came to pick them up was Mo Yi, who was not dressed as an ordinary maid, but in a smart and capable outfit, with half of her face covered in armor.

Without the insignia of the Azure Phoenix Guard, the faceplate had been left in the palace; it was just a thin, plain iron-colored suit of armor.

The person leading the way exuded an aura of authority, and Wen Mingke, who had originally intended to gather some information, was unable to utter a single word.

They walked in silence all the way to the main hall of the third courtyard.

Wearing a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) over a half-sleeved jacket with gold cloud patterns, the collar edge is decorated with lotus flower lace.

The main colors are autumnal pink paired with moon white, accented with an amber-colored shawl, and cinched at the waist with a turquoise-gold sash.

Apply a light layer of butterfly-welcoming powder to the face as a base, and set the makeup with jade hairpin flower dew.

Lightly sweep Linglingxiang rouge across both cheeks to create a "red smartweed blush" effect.

To depict distant mountains shrouded in mist, the eyebrow color is slightly darker than that of midsummer, and is blended with a mixture of Qingquetou Dai and Luozi Dai.

The lips are painted in a sandalwood color, with the upper lip shaped like a three-petaled lotus flower and the lower lip painted with a single-petaled lotus.

The person who usually goes out without makeup at home is now wearing a full face of makeup.

Although not as grand as attending court, it was still a rare and solemn occasion.

Apart from her, the Mo Group members standing on the left and right were all dressed the same as Mo Yi.

Originally, the participants were rotated, but now they were all dressed up for the occasion.

When Wen Mingke led his two children into the house, this was the scene that greeted them.

He immediately sensed a chilling aura and unconsciously suppressed his smile...