Qiuhong and Donghong pretended not to hear. One of them smiled and said, "Auntie, which shop managers should we write to?" The other smiled and said, "We don't know these things either. Should we ask Madam Song for a list and buy them accordingly?" Aunt Wen smiled and said, "Don't worry, don't worry. Madam said that the two families are getting married. The Xu family only made one request, which is to wait until the eldest daughter is sixteen years old before getting married. The Shao family agreed without thinking. We still have a few years to work!" Thinking of this, her heart came to life and she felt that life was suddenly much better. The next day, she showed the list of dowry to Shiyi Niang for review: "Do you think it's right?"

Eleventh Lady left the list behind: "I'll show it to the Madam!"

Madam Wen smiled and told Eleventh Lady about the invitations she had sent to several shop owners. After drinking half a cup of tea, she stood up and said goodbye.

Xu Lingyi came out from the inner room and said, "Why did you leave the task of purchasing things to Madam Wen? If you really want to use her, just let her take care of the accounts!"

"Let Madam Wen try, and we'll tell you if she can't do it!"

There is a difference between inside and outside. This is the inner courtyard's business after all. After hearing what Shiyi Niang said, Xu Lingyi did not say much. He sat in the hall with Shiyi Niang and talked about Zhen Jie'er's matter: "... The Shao family invited Lord Lin to be the matchmaker. On our side, I want to invite Earl Zhongqin. What do you think?"

Both of them are highly respected ministers.

"My Lord, you have considered everything carefully." Eleventh Lady smiled. A maid came in and said, "Madam, Princess Fucheng has sent an invitation to the eldest lady. She said that the Crown Prince's wife will be married in the fall, and she wants to hold a summer banquet at home these days and invite a few close friends to appreciate the lotus."

In a few days someone will come from the uterus to instruct Fang Jie'er on court etiquette. Although this is not a difficult task for Fang Jie'er, it will not be convenient for her relatives and friends to see her.

This is also the last gathering for me as a girl.

Eleventh Lady nodded and agreed: "...If the eldest lady wants to go, then let Mother Song accompany her!"

The whole family now knew about Zhen Jie'er's marriage. Zhen Jie'er was shy and hid in her room, refusing to see anyone. Even when Hui Jie'er invited her a few days ago, she didn't go. Thinking that Fang Jie'er would enter the palace in the future, she would marry in Cangzhou, and she was afraid that she would never have the chance to meet her in this life. She shyly reported to Shiyi Niang, and accompanied by Song Mama to Princess Fucheng's mansion.

Xu Lingyi came back and told Shiyi Niang, "I went to the residence of Marquis Zhongqin. Marquis Zhongqin has been ill for more than a month, and Madam Gan politely declined the matchmaking request."

Eleventh Lady had only seen Earl Zhongqin from a distance once. He looked listless, as if his body had been hollowed out by alcohol and sex.

"I didn't hear about it the last time Madam Gan came." She frowned slightly, "Is the uncle okay?"

"I heard it was because of the hot weather. He drank two bowls of iced mung bean water and had some diarrhea." Xu Lingyi said, "Although he doesn't look very energetic, he can still speak clearly. He should be fine!"

The situation of the Gan family is very complicated. The Crown Prince and his wife have always been on guard against Madam Gan. Now that Earl Zhongqin is ill, I am afraid that Madam Gan will have a hard time.

Eleventh Lady was a little worried about Madam Gan.

"My Lord, shall we go visit the patient together?"

Because the patient was Earl Zhongqin, female relatives usually did not need to show up, but the two families were relatives, so she was a little unsure.

"No need!" Xu Lingyi said, "I've already visited the patient." Then, thinking of the good relationship between Shiyi Niang and Madam Gan, he said, "If you're worried, just send a mother to check on him!"

Eleventh Lady only asked Mother Song to send two bottles of Guiluxian Pills to Madam Gan.

After returning, Mother Song sighed: "...The prince is taking care of the uncle, and Madam Gan hasn't seen the uncle for some time. When I went there, I happened to see the prince's wife's personal mother coming to Madam Gan to ask for incense and candles, saying that the uncle has been ill these days, and the lights are on in the room day and night, and the incense and candles are not enough. The tone of her voice seemed a bit excessive. Seeing that you brought her something, Madam Gan was very excited, and her eyes were wet at the time. She also asked if you were in good health and whether you had moved back. She said that she would come to thank you again when the uncle was better!"

Eleventh Lady remained silent.

This Zhongqinbo is not dead yet. If he dies...

Seeing that Shiyi Niang looked unhappy, Mother Song realized that she had said something wrong. She smiled awkwardly and took out a red lacquer and gold-painted box with a small copper lock, which was one inch high and three inches wide. "Madam, this is what Madam Gan asked me to give you. She said it was some of her small things, and asked you to keep it for her first."

Eleventh Lady was shocked.

Could it be that Mrs. Gan has sensed something and is keeping a backup plan?

She took the box calmly.

Mother Song grew up in a noble family, and although she had never seen or heard of it, she added pointedly, "When Madam Gan gave it to me, no one was there."

Eleventh Lady nodded, and Mother Song stepped back.

She climbed onto the bed, pushed open the headboard carved with a plum blossom pattern, and carefully placed the box inside.

Xu Lingyi asked Zhou Shizheng, the third son of Princess Fucheng and Fangjie's father, to be the matchmaker, and the engagement was arranged on June 22nd.

After that, the weather became hotter and hotter, and the sound of cicadas filled my ears. Chilled mung bean soup, lotus seed soup, and sour plum soup were available every day. The rooms of the Taifu, Shiyi Niang, Wu Madam, and Er Madam began to be filled with ice to cool down. Zhun Ge followed Taifu. The Lijingxuan was surrounded by trees and it was cool. Shiyi Niang felt sorry for Zhun Ge, so she invited him to her room to play in her spare time and told him stories from the Three Character Classic. After half a month, he could recite several stories by heart, which made Shiyi Niang feel very accomplished. She asked someone to find copperplate paper and wanted to make some cards for Xu Sijie.

As the middle of July was approaching, a letter from Xu Siyu was delivered, reporting his safety.

"...The teacher is rigorous in his studies, and his wife is kind and amiable... In her spare time, she would go hiking with her classmates in the mountains behind the academy. Everything is fine with me, please don't worry about me, father, grandmother, and mother."

"As long as he's a good person, that's good. As long as he's a good person, that's good!" The old lady nodded as she listened. A little maid ran in and said, "Madam, I've heard from the office that Earl Zhongqin has passed away."

Eleventh Lady's heart choked, and she couldn't help but cover her chest with her hands. The lady had already asked the little maid in a stern voice: "Did you hear clearly?"

The little maid turned pale with fear: "That's what Manager Zhao ordered!"

The lady did not speak for a long while.

For a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the room.

"This summer is too hot!" the lady muttered, "It's no wonder he couldn't make it."

Eleventh Lady came to her senses and thought that Uncle Zhongqin was younger than the Madam, so she could not help but feel lucky that the Madam was in good health. She asked the little maid, "Did Manager Zhao say when we will go to pay respects?"

The three sacrificial animals for worship were all prepared by the Huichu.

The little maid said tremblingly: "We will go to worship early tomorrow morning!"

The lady ordered Eleventh Lady: "You go with Danyang tomorrow!"

Uncle Zhongqin is younger than the lady dowager, so the lady do not need to go to pay homage.

Eleventh Lady replied "yes", went to say something to the Fifth Lady, returned to her own inner room, sent away the servants, quietly took out the red lacquer and gold-painted box that Madam Gan asked her to keep, stroked it for a long time, and then quietly put it back.

The next day, the people in Xu's mansion changed into plain clothes and went to pay tribute to Earl Zhongqin.

The mourning shed for receiving the female members of the family was where Grandma Gan thanked the guests who came to pay their respects, and there was no sadness on her face.

Eleventh Lady and Fifth Lady burned incense and asked Grandma Gan directly, "Why don't we see Madam Gan?"

The Fifth Lady secretly pulled her sleeve.

Eleventh Lady pretended not to know and looked at Grandma Gan calmly.

Grandma Gan's eyes flashed with astonishment, and after a moment she said, "My father-in-law passed away, and my mother-in-law was too sad and fell ill!"

"She's sick!" Eleventh Lady pretended to be surprised, "I didn't expect Madam Gan to be sick. Please ask Grandma to send someone to accompany me to see her!"

Grandma Gan hesitated for a moment, then instructed a mother-like person beside her: "You go with Madam Yongping!"

The fifth lady frowned.

Eleventh Lady followed the mother to Mrs. Gan.

Mrs. Gan was in the west wing behind the main house. She was not surprised to see Shiyi Niang. She struggled to sit up and asked the maid beside her to bring Shiyi Niang a brocade stool and pour tea.

Yanrong helped the little maid cleverly, making the mother standing in front of the bed feel uncomfortable.

Eleventh Lady looked at Mrs. Gan, who looked pale and haggard, lowered her head and sighed, then tucked the corner of the quilt for her.

"I'm fine!" Madam Gan looked at him and said softly, "My sister-in-law came to see me just two days ago. After the seventh day, my brother will come to see me too."

Eleventh Lady breathed a sigh of relief.

Madam Gan's brother is a third-rank minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and he is willing to help her. Not only is it legitimate, but the prince also dares not to be careless.

"That's good!" She said with a pun, "When you calm down, I'll treat you to a box of snacks."

Mrs. Gan nodded slightly.

Eleventh Lady glanced at her mother who was listening attentively, then stood up and said goodbye.

On the way, he met He Ye, the maidservant of the Fifth Lady.

"Madam!" Her brows relaxed, "Fifth Madam is waiting for you in the flower hall behind the main hall!"

Apparently, it was Madam Five who asked He Ye to come find her.

Eleventh Lady felt a little warm in her heart and followed He Ye to the flower hall.

The Fifth Lady whispered angrily, "Everyone is waiting to see the joke of the Zhongqin family, why are you getting involved?"

"Mrs. Gan is my sponsor at my coming-of-age ceremony after all." Shiyi Niang said, "I should go see her for both emotional and logical reasons!"

There is no point in talking. Madam Wu glared at her, turned around and sat on the armchair beside her.

Eleventh Lady smiled faintly.

Then, as the Fifth Lady said, the whole summer, people in Yanjing were watching the Zhongqin Marquis's Mansion. First, it was about Madam Gan's matter. Madam Gan's family and the Gan family had a big fight. In the end, the Gan family had to compromise and handed Madam Gan's dowry to Madam Gan for management. They also built another courtyard in the back garden for Madam Gan to accommodate the widowed Madam Gan. Then, the Gan brothers took the case from Shuntian Prefecture to Dali Temple over the division of the family property. Everything about you keeping a concubine and him keeping an actor was exposed.

The Jiang family in Fujian heard about this and sent two housekeepers to come. They said they were worried that Miss Gan would be too sad and the maidservant around her would not understand, so they came to serve her for a few days.

People in Yanjing were talking about it. They all said that Miss Gan's horoscope was not good. She had not yet finished her mourning period at her husband's family but had already encountered her own mourning period. Now, she was dragged down by her brothers and looked down upon by her future husband's family...

In fact, another incident happened during this period, but compared with the events in the Marquis Zhongqin's Mansion, the people of Yanjing felt that it was not gossipy enough and did not arouse enough interest.

In mid-August, the former general of Shanxi was transferred to the general of Fujian.

※

Add more and more, pink tickets, pink tickets...

Looking eagerly at the middle...