After Song returned, she told the old lady and Linlang about the banquet.
"Everyone can see that Princess Huasheng doesn't really value Gu Yuanfang. She's just going through the motions to let people know that she is a kind and compassionate person who knows how to repay kindness."
"Gu Yuanfang tried to establish connections with our mansion and the Dongping Marquis's mansion. I told him bluntly at the time that you were just a guest living in our mansion. Your aunt said that they had separated a long time ago and she was under the care of the third branch."
Song smiled happily, "We all didn't want to pay attention to her, so she just sat there awkwardly. Mainly because she had nothing to talk about with the young ladies. She wasn't proficient in any of the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and she knew nothing about housekeeping."
"It's quite pitiful actually. What have you been doing all these years? You haven't achieved anything, yet you still have such petty minds and such low-brow tactics."
Song and Linlang glanced at the old lady, who didn't seem to feel anything. The mother and daughter looked at each other and tried to hold back their laughter.
"Also, Mother, you, and Amu didn't go. Princess Huasheng and Gu Yuanfang were very disappointed."
Song continued, "Gu Yuanfang has lived in the Marquis' Mansion for sixteen years. I know her to some extent. I can tell at a glance that she has no good intentions. She must have arranged a plan to plot against you."
"Your aunt, my wife, the Crown Prince's wife, and I were all very careful, fearing she would have some bad ideas to plot against us. Fortunately, we all returned safely."
The old lady hummed, "Linlang and I were right not to go."
Song also nodded and said, "After that, tell the ladies about finding wives for your four brothers. I have also secretly seen a few young girls. When your brothers come back, I will ask the matchmaker to introduce them to you."
The Song family was really worried that their sons were still unmarried at this age. Other families already had many children, but they were still not engaged.
Su Jinrui had someone he loved, and he'd agreed with the Hu family that the engagement would be arranged once the child returned from Beiguan. The other three were picky, and they were determined to get the marriage done this time.
Linlang thought that since the remaining three brothers had their own ideas, she should ask for their opinions. Speaking of which, Rong Yi was also old enough to start a family. When her father came to the capital in a few days, she would have to discuss her eldest brother's lifelong affairs with him.
When the old lady heard about finding granddaughters-in-law for her grandsons, she immediately became excited and said, "Which girls have you taken a fancy to? Tell me about them and I will let my grandsons have a look."
"I just have an idea, please don't tell anyone."
"Don't worry, I can tell everyone about this." The old lady disliked Song's nagging and urged, "Hurry up and tell me."
It was rare for the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to sit together and have such a calm conversation, discussing the girls' strengths and which children would be suitable for them. Linlang listened and watched from the side, and couldn't help but smile. This is how family members should get along.
Thinking of Gu Yuanfang and Li Guangping, if Fourth Brother hadn't told them to climb high or they would fall hard, Linlang would have wanted to let them fight each other right now.
These two people, after going around in circles, are still in cahoots with each other.
After discussing the potential matchmaking partners for her grandsons, the old lady said to Linlang, "Amu hasn't achieved success yet, and he's devoted to you. But once he becomes successful, that might not be the case. The rules of our mansion are that men don't take concubines, and women don't become concubines."
"He is marrying into our Marquisate. When your grandfather and his family return, we must set rules for him."
Knowing that the old lady had good intentions, Linlang did not force matters of the heart. If that day ever came, she would let go.
However, she trusted Amu.
Linlang smiled and said, "Don't worry, Grandma. Amu is not that kind of person. He won't do that. I believe him."
The old lady insisted, "This rule must be established."
Mrs. Song also agreed, as she didn't want her daughter to suffer any injustice.
Linlang didn't tell Amu about this when she returned home, but only told him about the banquet. Amu went to the old chief priest's place today and studied with Zhao Yuning.
He said, "Let them be arrogant for a few days, it will be over soon."
In the palace, Princess Huasheng accompanied Concubine Jin and the Emperor for dinner. While they were drinking tea, Princess Huasheng said, "This Xiao Zhen is really too angry. He has been away at the farm for over half a month and hasn't come back."
The Fourth Prince thought it was abnormal. It was impossible for Xiao Zhensheng to be away for such a long time, but someone over there wrote to say that Xiao Zhensheng had been there the whole time.
The Fourth Prince and Consort Shu were worried that their men would be discovered by Xiao Zhensheng, so they sent people over. However, the people around Xiao Zhensheng were too powerful to approach Zhuangzi at all. Today, Princess Huasheng was specifically asked to bring it up. After all, she admired Xiao Zhensheng, so it was normal for her to pay more attention to him.
The emperor put down his teacup. "Duke Dingguo is often away from home, spending little time with his wife and children. It's cold now, and his youngest son is weak. It wouldn't hurt for him to stay a while longer at the farm to keep warm. Duke Dingguo asked me for leave a few days ago, and I've approved it."
"Southern Xinjiang is very peaceful now, so it would be good to let him rest more."
The Emperor then turned to Princess Huasheng and asked, "I heard that you have already adopted a granddaughter from the third concubine of the Marquis of Dongping as your adopted daughter?"
"Yes, I originally wanted my brother to make her a princess or county lady, but after thinking about her lack of merit, I gave up the idea."
Princess Huasheng said, "She saved me once and became my daughter. With this status and position, it's not bad at all. People, those who are content are always happy."
The emperor smiled and said, "Yes, contentment brings happiness. It's easy to say, but how many people can do it? Most people are greedy and want to swallow an elephant."
Concubine Jin chanted "Amitabha," "Ordinary people are too greedy and fall into a cycle of suffering. Greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt, if you can abandon these five poisons, you will be sublime."
"No one can do it," the emperor said. "We are all ordinary people."
After chatting for a while, Princess Huasheng and Concubine Jin took their leave.
"Mother, why do I feel like what my brother said is suggestive?" Princess Huasheng asked softly, "Did he discover something?"
Concubine Jin shook her head. "I don't think so. Look, he still favors Concubine Shu and the Fourth Prince. The status of the wife and concubine he arranged for the Fourth Prince to marry is only slightly lower than that of the Crown Princess."
"Xiao Zhensheng is a bit suspicious. Tomorrow you should dress up nicely and go to Xiao Zhensheng's farm. No matter what, you must meet Xiao Zhensheng."
"Don't worry, mother. I will definitely complete the mission." Princess Huasheng touched her face. It was true that she liked Xiao Zhensheng, and it was also true that she had a purpose in approaching him.
It's a pity that Xiao Zhensheng is the prince's uncle and will eventually die. Thinking about his face and figure, Princess Huasheng often feels sorry for him.
After returning to the Princess Residence from the palace, Princess Huasheng called Li Guangping and asked, "What do you think of today's banquet?"
Li Guangping learned about the situation with the female guest from Xiao Cui. He stepped forward and replied, "We have a saying among the people: a teacher can only lead you to the door, but it's up to you to practice. The princess has created the conditions for Miss Gu. Whether she can seize them depends on her own ability."
"That's right." Princess Huasheng raised an eyebrow. "Get ready. I'll take you out of the capital to relax at the farm tomorrow."
Li Guangping immediately knelt down and said, "Thank you, Princess."
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