Although the Duke of Zhenguo has returned to the capital, Wan Jinlan's elder brother Wan Muxing and second uncle are still in the southwest, as well as her half-brother Wan Songqing, and the nephews and nieces of the other two families and the neighboring Wan family.
There are quite a few people with the surname Wan, including the direct and collateral branches. There are even more Wan family members in the Southwestern Army.
Obviously, although the Duke of Zhenguo returned to Beijing to take up his post, he still wanted the younger generation in his family to gain some experience in the army.
Tang Xiuning's incident happened at the birthday party, but fortunately Wan Jinlan and Wan Jinyu reacted in time and did not cause any major disturbance.
But the old lady still knew.
In the past, when there was a banquet at the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, Chen Qing would send maids to guard all the doors leading to the backyard, and there would also be four strong maids who could swim guarding the lotus pond in the hall where guests were received, for fear that a girl would accidentally fall into the water and cause trouble.
In the wealthy families, there are many women whose reputations were ruined because they were rescued by playboys after falling into the water. There are also people who use this trick to plan their marriages. There are both men and women who take the initiative in scheming marriages.
The old lady knew all about these things, but she didn't expect that her two daughters-in-law would fail to meet their expectations this time.
Tang Xiuning was about to get married, and the old lady didn't want to cause trouble and involve her grandson, so she didn't make a fuss.
Thus, the housekeeper power returned to Shen Qing.
Shen Qing is not someone who likes to take power, but there are some things that she can't push away just because she wants to.
The Duke of Zhenguo is the eldest son of the family, and she is the wife of a first-rank Duke. If she cannot hold on, not only will she be looked down upon, but her children will be looked down upon even more.
Therefore, even though she doesn't like to be in charge, once the housekeeping power falls into her hands, she will still do her best to do it well.
In August, the weather became cooler in the morning and evening. Although it was still hot at noon, it was much more comfortable than in June and July.
On the ninth day of August, it started to drizzle.
Wan Jinlan stood outside the Imperial Examination Hall holding an oil-paper umbrella, watching the search officer inspect Wan Zhijing's body.
After finishing, Wan Zhijing turned around and saw his sister under the carriage outside the crowded Imperial Examination Hall. He waved his hand and told her to go back with her mother quickly.
Wan Jinlan got on the carriage holding an umbrella.
Shen Qing also withdrew his gaze from the bamboo curtain window and said, "Go to Jinhua Tower."
Jinhualou was Shen Qing's dowry, selling gold and silver jewelry. Among the many gold-selling buildings in Beijing, Jinhualou was one of the best.
Wan Jinlan smiled. Not to mention that she was about to reach adulthood, even on ordinary days, Chen Qing would often make some jewelry for her. As long as she was a woman, there was no way she would dislike having too many jewelry.
As the owner of Jinhua Tower, Shen Qing naturally had a separate elegant room in Jinhua Tower. However, when the mother and daughter entered, they happened to run into Xiao Minghuan.
Prince Duan's mother was a beautiful dancer, so naturally he had a good appearance. At this moment, he was wearing a moon-colored brocade robe embroidered with silver patterns, and a half-palm-wide belt tied around his waist, which made his figure look more slender.
Prince Duan has always been known as a gentleman of integrity in the capital. Wan Jinlan always felt that there was a sense of déjà vu in the way he dressed and walked.
Inexplicably, the image of King Qi Xiao Feng, dressed in jade-green clothes, standing at the bow of the ship, looming in the mist, flashed through her mind.
In terms of appearance and demeanor, Prince Duan lost.
She was thinking silently in her heart when she saw Xiao Minghuan coming towards her.
"No need to be so polite, aunt and cousin."
Xiao Minghuan smiled and said, "Sister Anyang is feeling depressed in the palace, so I thought of buying her some jewelry to cheer her up."
Princess Anyang is the only daughter of Concubine Wan. Xiao Minghuan can feel the obvious difference between how Concubine treats him and how she treats Anyang. It is his habit to make Anyang happy.
Recently, he didn't know if it was his illusion, but the imperial concubine treated him a little coldly.
Every day after court, he would go to Yongfu Palace to pay his respects, but he had not been allowed in in recent days.
He felt a little panicked, as if something was wrong.
He hated this feeling of being out of control and worried about gains and losses.
Ultimately, it was because his connection with the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was not close enough.
Although he is now the son of the imperial concubine, his relationship with her is not deep.
If he could marry the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's family as his principal wife, all his worries would no longer be a problem.
Ever since Wan Jinlan returned to Beijing, he had people watching the mansion every day, and whenever she went out, he would get the news quickly.
When there were no opportunities, he created them himself.
He now works in the Ministry of Justice, which is not a very important position. He has been investigating a case of missing persons in Beijing recently, so he has relatively free time.
Since the birthday banquet, Wan Jinlan has only gone out once.
She didn't expect to meet Xiao Minghuan by chance.
Looking at the burning heat in his eyes, she thought, maybe it was more than just a coincidence?
The three of them exchanged a few simple pleasantries. Because of the previous incident, Shen Qing had always been wary of Xiao Minghuan.
"Since it's a gift to Princess Anyang, Prince Duan can take whatever he likes. Don't be polite."
Looking at the backs of Shen Qing and Wan Jinlan going upstairs, Xiao Minghuan clenched his fists.
There was a determination in his eyes to win.
Wan Jinlan is really the best candidate for her principal wife. Not only is she born in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, but her mother, Shen, is also extremely wealthy.
It had only been a year since he left the palace to build his mansion, and he needed money everywhere. He was different from Prince Shun and Prince An. The two princes were supported by the Chen and Wang families respectively, and they also had some industries of their own, so they were not short of money.
Only he, though nominally the son of the Imperial Concubine, and supported by the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, did so financially, but it wasn't much. He had to support his staff, manage his subordinates, and privately build up his property, so the money was simply not enough to spend.
If I could marry Wan Jinlan, this golden child, home, I would be killing two birds with one stone.
"Madam, the silk bracelet has been boiled and washed with herbs and can be worn directly."
Chen Qing handed the newly made silk bracelet to Wan Jinlan, "Take a look, do you like it?"
The green silk bracelet is made of thin silver wires of uniform thickness twisted together. After being boiled and washed with herbs, it becomes smooth and shiny with silver, like snow and moon, and it remains fresh over time.
Every girl who reaches the age of 12 will receive a black silk bracelet.
The twisted silver threads represent a girl's hair. After a girl gets engaged, she can give the hair bracelet to her future husband as a token of love.
Wan Jinlan put the rather heavy bracelet on his wrist. The thickness was just right. "Not bad."
After saying that, she took off the bracelet and looked at other jewelry.
On August 15th, the palace hosted a banquet for ministers of the third rank and above and their families. Wan Jinlan did not go because Anyang had sent a message yesterday that she would leave the palace today and take a night tour of the capital with her.
Since the Duke of Zhenguo gave up his military power and returned to the capital, Emperor Jian'an's favor for Concubine Wan reached a new level, and he even agreed to Princess Anyang's request to leave the palace on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Compared to the night banquet in the palace, Wan Jinlan and Princess Anyang both felt that the capital was more lively.
Wan Zhijing is still in the Imperial Examination Hall. If they go out tonight, it will be Wan Jinyu and her brother, Wan Jinlan, and Princess Anyang who will be accompanied by maids and guards. If they don't bring more people, the elders in the mansion will not feel at ease.
A young man from Yangzhou was squatting at the entrance of the alley, eating dry biscuits patiently, thinking about how to deliver the letter in his hand to Wan Jinlan, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
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