The next morning, with dark circles under her eyes, Old Lady Li and her daughters-in-law began preparing luggage for their grandsons.
Jiayin also took this opportunity to gather her brothers together for a second round of training.
Last time it was a martial arts theme, this time it's an overseas theme.
From Jiaren to Maoge'er, they were all fascinated by the strange customs overseas.
Of course, they were more worried about the potential risks at sea.
Even though no one else besides Jiaxi and Jia'an needed the skills, they still studied them carefully and diligently, such as how to save themselves at sea and how to determine direction...
That evening, Jiayin unusually didn't go online, but instead insisted on sleeping with her grandma.
She nestled in her grandmother's arms, listening to the old lady sigh, reminiscing about the past, and lamenting that her children had grown up and she could no longer keep them at home...
In short, she listened to whatever her grandmother said, becoming a good listener.
The elderly fear loneliness most; their children and grandchildren have become successful, but their lives are empty.
At this moment, her little darling's unwavering devotion was the grandmother's last source of security...
The whole family was reluctant to part with the two boys, and Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru shed many tears in private.
But no matter what, the thirteenth day of the first lunar month still arrived.
Jiaxi and Jia'an boarded the carriage with large and small bags of luggage.
Not many people from the family could go to see him off, so only Li Zhensheng and Li Lao Er went into the city with him.
Despite the Marquis's favor, Li Zhensheng still managed to smooth things over with everyone in the Foreign Affairs Department.
Jiayin was worried that her grandmother, third aunt, and mother would be sad at home, so she urged them to go to the city for two days and come back after watching the lantern festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Li Laosan and Li Laosi also strongly encouraged it.
Li Zhensheng and Jiaren both have small courtyards in the city, especially Jiaren's courtyard, which has been empty since Mr. Wen moved out.
If a courtyard is left uninhabited for a long time, it will easily fall into disrepair due to the lack of human presence.
It would be best if family members went over and tidied it up.
Old Mrs. Li rallied her spirits and took her daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and other family members to the city.
On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, after sending a message to the Jia family in advance, Old Lady Li went to talk to Old Madam Jia.
Coincidentally, Jia Xu and Lu Zong were also at home.
So, Jiaren and his brothers also came to visit.
The boys gathered in Jia Xu's courtyard, chatting and playing, while the older women gathered around Old Madam Jia.
With the encouragement of her old friends, Old Lady Li smiled and even tried her hand at playing cards with Old Lady Jia.
Taking advantage of this moment, Madam Jia took Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru to her courtyard and then took out an invitation.
Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru were curious, and upon closer inspection, they discovered it was actually a flower appreciation invitation from the Princess's residence.
Madam Jia Er's expression was full of worry, not joy. She said, "I was planning to take a carriage to Broken Gold Beach, but I didn't expect you to come today. That's wonderful."
“Look at this post, it’s really strange. Logically speaking, our family has no connection with the Bao family, and we’ve never even spoken to the Princess.”
"But yesterday, the nanny from the princess's residence suddenly sent an invitation, specifically asking Baozhu to attend the banquet and forbidding me from going with her. It's really hard to understand, it's too strange."
"I wonder if the princess has received the invitation? If she has, that would be wonderful, and Baozhu will have someone to keep her company!"
Tao Hongying thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "Jiayin is older now, and she's been in charge of the Marquis's affairs lately, so I rarely inquire about her social interactions."
"Okay, let's have someone call her here and ask her."
"It's best if both children go together, so they can look after each other."
Madam Jia was overjoyed and quickly sent someone to invite Jia Yin.
Jiayin and Baozhu were playing in Baozhu's room. The two sisters were eating snacks, chatting about things that happened during the New Year, throwing sachets and picking up agate stones. They were very happy.
Suddenly hearing that their mother wanted to talk to them, the two of them went over hand in hand.
Upon hearing the details, Jiayin frowned, instinctively believing that Baozhu had received the invitation because of her connection.
Busy and lively during the New Year, she had long forgotten about the princess's invitation.
Moreover, Grandma was in a bad mood and had no desire to attend any flower viewing banquet.
But now that Baozhu has received the invitation, given the Jia family's resources, they cannot easily refuse, so Baozhu must go.
If she couldn't bear to see Baozhu attend the banquet alone, she would definitely have to go to the princess's residence...
But this was just her guess, and she couldn't say it out loud, lest the Jia family worry unnecessarily. There was nothing she could do about it.
So she smiled and said, "I also accepted the invitation. It's perfect timing to go out and have fun with Baozhu. My family is worried about me, so I'll take Granny He and Shuiling with me."
"Granny He comes from the palace and knows the rules best. Shui Ling knows martial arts; if anyone makes Bao Zhu or me unhappy, just let Shui Ling beat them up!"
Madam Jia found it amusing, but ultimately felt much more at ease.
Tao Hongying knew her daughter too well and noticed that something was off about her expression, but she didn't point it out. Instead, she smiled and helped to reassure Madam Jia.
"It would be best if Baozhu went with Fu Niu'er. Baozhu could keep Fu Niu'er company. Otherwise, Fu Niu'er has a bad reputation, and I'm afraid no one would dare to sit next to her. That would be awkward!"
Everyone laughed, and the matter was dropped.
Madam Jia was busy choosing clothes and jewelry for her daughter, and she was very attentive.
Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru also offered their advice, and for a while it became quite lively.
Jiayin found an opportunity to give Shuiling a few instructions, and Shuiling left the Jia family.
They returned from Zhengjiazhuang on the eighth day of the month and have been enjoying good food and drink ever since. Today they finally received their assignment!
The Li family had lunch at the Jia family's house, and after sitting for a while, they went home.
Tao Hongying avoided the old lady and pulled her daughter aside to ask her questions carefully.
Jiayin didn't hide anything and told the whole story.
Tao Hongying had absolutely no good impression of the Princess's residence. Just thinking about how the Princess was over fifty years old and yet had the nerve to bully her young daughter made her want to chop the Princess up and braise her!
But she didn't quite believe that the Princess's mansion would go to great lengths, even involving Baozhu, just to force their daughter to attend the banquet and harm her in front of everyone.
After all, it had only been a little over a month since the Chen family was almost buried alive, and the girl's infamous reputation had not yet been forgotten by the people of Xindu!
I doubt anyone would dare to court death at this time...
Just then, Shui Ling returned.
She began by saying, "Princess, the old nanny from the Marquis's mansion went to various embroidery shops and jewelry stores to inquire, and she came back to tell me that quite a few noble ladies have indeed received invitations."
"As a result, the embroidery shop and jewelry store have taken on a lot of business and are working late into the night to keep up with demand."
"But most of the orders were placed before the Lunar New Year, which means that the invitations from the Princess's residence were also sent out before the Lunar New Year."
"Only the Jia family received the invitation at the last minute."
Tao Hongying frowned immediately and said angrily, "What exactly does the Princess's Mansion mean? Did they really send an invitation to Baozhu just to force you to attend the banquet?"
"Now it seems that's how it is." Jiayin's expression was also not good.
It wasn't that she was afraid of the princess's mansion, but rather that she didn't want Baozhu to be involved in any danger because of her, and if she were to get hurt, she wouldn't be able to explain it to the Jia family.
After thinking for a moment, she instructed, "Mother, don't tell the Jia family about this. On the day of the banquet, I'll bring Aunt Mei along, and Uncle Dashan will drive the carriage."
"If something goes wrong, Aunt Mei and Shui Ling will be there to protect me and Baozhu."
Tao Hongying thought that Ye Shan and Dong Mei were both highly skilled and reliable, and finally felt a little relieved.
But she still instructed, "On the eighteenth, when I go to Xiankelai, if anything happens, have someone come and report it immediately!"
Served at midnight~~~
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