The atmosphere in Jinchun Hall was harmonious. After the laughter, the old lady looked at Shen Qing: "Where is the girl you mentioned? Go and call Aunt Zhao out to identify her."
Chen Qing winked at Cuiwen and asked her to bring Wan Qiuyu over.
Shen Qing had already told the old lady the specific situation in the letter. Now, all she needed was Aunt Zhao to recognize the person.
Aunt Zhao is a few years older than Chen Qing. She is an honest person and has a low presence in the mansion.
Because Shen Qing was not the kind of person who would make things difficult for his concubines. Although Aunt Zhao had given birth to a son and had some confidence, she was not the kind of person who would cause unrest in the family.
Generally speaking, the concubines of the three masters in the mansion do not even have the qualifications to pay their respects to the old lady on weekdays.
When Aunt Zhao heard that her biological daughter was found and asked to identify her, she was quite nervous.
In Wan Qiuyu's past life, whether before or after entering the palace, she was best at pleasing men. Her words, actions, and manners were all based on men's preferences.
On the way back to Kyoto, she tried to please Shen Qing, who was also generous in giving her some advice, including suggestions on her words, actions, and dressing.
The way you dress can change, but what is accumulated in your bones over time cannot be changed in a short time.
Even though Wan Qiuyu walked in with his head down and looked calm and composed, the old lady at the table still frowned.
The old lady had such a sharp eye that she could tell from Wan Qiuyu's gait that she was charming in nature, just like a seductive concubine in some unrefined family.
The old lady's eyelids drooped and she began to turn the Buddhist beads in her hand again.
The Wan family had daughters of both legitimate and illegitimate children. She cared more about legitimate ones, but treated all illegitimate daughters equally. The one in front of her was already quite old, and it was probably too late to educate her.
Aunt Zhao was wearing a blue jacket and skirt, with her hair combed neatly in a bun. Just like her face, she looked like an honest person.
"I remember the birthmark on the girl's body. I hope the old lady will allow me to investigate."
The old lady signaled the maid beside her to take the two of them to the inner room of the side hall.
The second and third wives sitting in the hall didn't take this concubine's daughter seriously. She was just a concubine's daughter, and from the first wife's house. What did it have to do with them?
The Second Madam glanced at Chen Qing and said in a gloomy tone, "Sister-in-law is kind-hearted. She actually brought back a concubine's daughter who had been lost for many years from Yangzhou."
"From the look of her, she doesn't look like a good person. Bringing her back would be a hassle."
The Second Madam was just looking for trouble, but after hearing this, she was really unhappy. The girl in their house couldn't have her reputation ruined because of this newcomer.
"Sister-in-law is really something. She hasn't thought clearly about whether she should bring this person back. Is the reputation of our girl still worth it?"
Second Madam Lin always spoke like this. She liked to complain on weekdays, and what she liked most was to squeeze Shen Qing.
Wan Jinlan looked up at his grandmother and saw that she had her eyes slightly closed and was turning the Buddhist beads in her hands, as if she didn't hear what his second aunt said. He knew that his grandmother was also a little unhappy.
She wanted to speak up to defend her mother, but she knew that it was not appropriate for her, a junior, to speak when the elders were speaking.
Shen Qing also has a temper, and she and Lin have been like this for a long time.
Shen Qing asked gently, "What my sister-in-law means is that if the girl from your second house is lost, you won't bring her back if you happen to find her?"
Lin was choked.
Obviously, no matter how she answered this question, it was wrong.
If she answered "bring it back," wouldn't that contradict her earlier complaint? If she didn't, what would her mother-in-law think of her? And what would her husband think of her if he heard about it? She would be branded as unvirtuous.
Third Madam Gu shook her head slightly in her heart. This second sister-in-law always showed everything on her face. She looked smart, but actually she was not a smart person.
Wan Jinlan's lips curled up slightly, and when he looked up, he exchanged glances with Wan Zhijing beside him, and the brother and sister smiled knowingly.
When Second Madam Lin was in a dilemma, Aunt Zhao came back with Wan Qiuyu.
Aunt Zhao's eyes were filled with tears. She knelt down and kowtowed. She grabbed Wan Qiuyu's hand and knelt with her. "I thank you, old lady, and madam, for allowing us mother and daughter to meet again one day."
Wan Qiuyu breathed a sigh of relief. She had considered traveling from Yangzhou to Kyoto, but the journey was so long that she doubted she would even leave Yangzhou before being captured by Mother Hong. She had always placed her hopes on Shen Qing, knowing her well enough to know that she was a soft-hearted and kindhearted person, unlike Wan Jinlan.
The maid who had gone with the old lady earlier nodded slightly to her, indicating that there was nothing fishy going on between Aunt Zhao and Wan Qiuyu.
The old lady put the Buddhist beads aside and said, "I'm glad you're back. I'll ask the nanny to teach you the rules. You don't have to leave the courtyard until you've learned the rules well."
Although Aunt Zhao felt sorry for her daughter, she also knew that learning etiquette would be a good thing for Wan Qiuyu.
Wan Qiuyu bit her lip in embarrassment. She knew it all, knew it all. Her biological aunt was weak, and as for the rest of the Zhenguo Mansion, none of them were good people either. This old lady, in her past life as in this one, was a nagging, nagging wretch. Sooner or later, she would make them all live under her thumb.
"Alright, let's all go. Shen and Lan Niang will stay."
The old lady began to chase people away.
Wan Jinyu gave Wan Jinlan a look that said, "I'll find you in your yard later," and followed Gu.
The old master didn't like a room full of people. If his grandson hadn't been on the list today, he wouldn't be here now. He felt like he had been pardoned when he heard the news, and he left the fastest.
"Grandma, what's wrong?"
Wan Jinlan took the initiative to stand beside the old lady and massage her shoulders and neck.
She didn't want her mother to be angered by her grandmother because of Wan Qiuyu, so trying to please her now was also a strategy.
The old lady spoke as if nothing had happened before, "Seven days ago, the Empress Dowager sent someone to the mansion to announce her decree, summoning Lan Niang to the palace for an audience. Do you two know why?"
When the Empress Dowager sent people to summon him with great fanfare, everyone in the mansion was confused, and the old lady couldn't figure it out either. Now, isn't it time to get to the bottom of it?
Although she was not clear about the Queen Mother's purpose, the eunuch looked good that day, so she thought it was probably not a bad thing.
Shen Qing looked a little puzzled. He glanced at his daughter and instantly thought of King Qi Xiao Feng.
Shen Qing was also unsure, and after careful consideration, he said, "The day we left Yangzhou, the King of Qi sent someone to deliver some food."
Because she was not sure, she did not say anything else, but the old lady was so smart that she understood it immediately.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
