Chapter 474: Green Bird (Part 1)

Li Ji, the second son of Li Zhong, the general of Fujian, got married. It was said that the ceremony was grand. The bride carried her dowry first into the Li family's new house in Guishu Hutong, and the last one was before she left Princess Ancheng's mansion. The Li family even set up a buffet for five consecutive days, with four cold dishes on the table, eight large bowls and two large bowls, and invited the three major opera troupes in Beijing to perform. The nobles went to Princess Ancheng's mansion, and the officials went to Guishu Hutong. For a time, the whole of Beijing was talking about this marriage.

In comparison, Jiange'er's full-month gift seemed a little deserted.

Eleventh Lady only invited some relatives and friends. There were about ten tables in the outer courtyard and more than ten tables in the flower hall in the inner courtyard. In the afternoon, Zhou Dehui, the owner of the Deyin class, and Geng Changsheng, the owner of the Changsheng class, each performed a performance.

The Lady Dowager, Lady Zheng and others were listening to opera in Dianchun Hall, while Lady Zhou and others gathered in Eleventh Lady's room to talk.

"I felt something was wrong with you during the baby bathing ceremony." Grandma Huang looked at Shiyi Niang, "Since you had just given birth, there were some things I left unsaid. How are you? Are you feeling better now?" She looked very worried.

"It's much better now." Shiyi Niang smiled. "At the beginning, Doctor Liu came to see Zhen every day, but now he comes every five days."

"That's good!" Mrs. Zhou said with a smile, "Doctor Liu has been in charge of the Imperial Hospital for twenty years and has superb medical skills. Don't worry, take your time."

Grandma Lin joked, "My sister-in-law is looking forward to marrying her home soon, and she is waiting for you to take charge of the situation. You must not be careless."

"Don't worry, don't worry." Eleventh Lady joked with her, "I will never delay the children's happiness."

As they were talking and laughing, Mother Gu came in holding her child, followed by Mother Wan's daughter-in-law, Wan San's family. She placed a red lacquered crabapple tea tray filled with all kinds of gold and silver locks, which shone brightly and were very dazzling.

"Oh my! Our little birthday boy is here."

Mrs. Zhou smiled and went to meet him. "I came to see if he was any different from when he was just born." Third Madam Huang and First Madam Lin also came over. "His eyebrows and eyes have grown, and he has become fairer. He looks more and more like the Marquis!"

Wan San's family carefully passed the tray over and said, "Madam, this is a gift from the gentlemen and masters."

Xu Lingyi's friends all clamored to see the child, and just now, Gu's mother specially brought Jiang'er to show him to the people in the outer courtyard.

Eleventh Lady then discovered that there were a few fine mutton-fat jade pendants, gold and silver bracelets, and other items mixed in the tea tray. She smiled and said, "Put all these things away. I'll let Zhu Xiang tell you how to register them later. Since you are serving in the Sixth Young Master's room, you have to take care of some things."

After hearing this, Wan San's wife quickly bent her knees and replied "yes".

A little maid ran in and said, "Madam, Grandma Liang is here."

Lanting!

Shiyi Niang said with a smile, "Please come in." Just as she finished speaking, Lanting, wearing a small silk jacket with a bright red swastika pattern and round flowers, walked in.

Her skin was as white as snow and her brows were bright, like a young lady waiting to be married and still a bit naive, not like a mother at all.

"You are late!" Eleventh Lady said with a smile. Lan Ting bowed and said, "Please don't blame me, sisters. I will punish you with three cups of wine later." As soon as she arrived, she shut up everyone else.

Grandma Huang San didn't want her to just slip away like that, so she said with a smile, "You're the one who said it, so don't make excuses when the time comes."

"Sis, when did you see that I don't keep my word?" Lan Ting smiled and took Huang San's hand. "Don't worry, I will definitely sit with you when the time comes and follow your instructions." Huang San's words made her turn her head and say to Madam Zhou, "Lanting's mouth is getting more and more powerful."

Lan Ting smiled and held Jiange'er in his arms: "This kid is quite heavy-handed." Then he smiled and said to Shiyi Niang, "He is one year younger and five months older than our Tonge'er."

Just as Eleventh Lady was about to respond, a little maid came in and said, "Madam Gan is here!"

After hearing this, Lan Ting frowned almost imperceptibly.

Mrs. Gan walked in, her eyes fell on Lan Ting, her expression relaxed slightly, she smiled and greeted everyone, then went to see Jian Ge'er: "This child is really good-looking."

Lan Ting, holding the child, smiled and handed the child to Shiyi Niang.

Grandma Huang San asked, "Has the show over there ended?"

"Not yet!" Madam Gan glanced at Lan Ting again, "Geng Changsheng is on stage - I don't like listening to Kunshan dialect."

"I think Zhou Dehui sings better!" When it comes to listening to opera, everyone starts to express their opinions, just like discussing their favorite singers, and they are familiar with all kinds of songs. Only Lanting seems a little silent, and Mrs. Gan seems a little absent-minded.

Everyone talked for a long time, and then Mother Song came over and invited them to the flower hall - it was time for dinner.

Everyone said goodbye to Eleventh Lady with a smile.

Lan Ting smiled and said, "I came late, so I will stay with Shiyi Niang for a while. You guys go first, I will be there soon!"

Mrs. Gan paused as she listened.

Huang San's grandmother refused to give in and said with a smile, "Just wait and see. I said I would find an excuse to shirk my responsibility when the time comes!"

A trace of annoyance flashed across Lan Ting's brows, but he quickly smiled and said:

"Don't worry, Sister Huang. If I don't go later, you can send someone to arrest me!" The smile was a little forced.

Before Third Grandma Huang could say something, Madam Zhou had already gently pulled her sleeve: "As an elder sister, how can you haggle with your younger sister?" She then called to the others, "Let's hurry up! We've been hiding here for so long. If we're still late for dinner, the Madam and others will probably fine us for drinking." Third Grandma Huang was a smart person. She didn't understand what was said. She smiled and covered her sleeves before going out with Madam Zhou.

Mrs. Gan walked at the end and looked at Lan Ting who was talking to Shiyi Niang.

He took a look, hesitated for a moment, then turned and left.

"What happened?" Eleventh Lady asked Lan Ting with concern.

Lan Ting did not hide it from her: "My eldest brother is doing business with the Bantang Gong family in Yangzhou, and he wanted my father-in-law to say hello to the Quanzhou Maritime Customs. I tried my father-in-law's tone, and he was not only embarrassed, but also tactfully warned me not to interfere in Fujian's affairs." She smiled bitterly, "I told my eldest brother, but he not only didn't listen, but also said that I didn't try my best. As soon as I got off the carriage, my eldest sister-in-law came to me to talk about this. No matter how I explained it, I couldn't explain it clearly, so I had to hide here with you."

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but sigh after listening to this, and told the story of how Xu Lingyi had helped Madam Gan to warn Earl Zhongqin: "...I don't know what the situation in Fujian is like now. Some people are afraid of being contaminated while others are flocking to it. It's really worrying." When she said this, she thought of the Qu family.

Lan Ting leaned over and whispered in her ear, "The last time my sister wrote to me, the people of the Qu family were fighting fiercely. All the families with some reputation in Fujian were dragged into it.

Some people fled to the Jiangnan area. Even the Jiang family warned their children to abide by customs and not to do anything arrogant or domineering. If they caused trouble, they should leave the house immediately.

Eleventh Lady's expression changed slightly.

Dynasties change, and only the family is a permanent support. Leaving home is like being abandoned by society.

But the internal turmoil in the Qu family was good news for the Xu family.

"I didn't expect the situation to be so serious." She pondered, "Is Cao'e okay over there?"

"How can it be good!" Lan Ting said helplessly, "Third brother-in-law already has two illegitimate sons and one illegitimate daughter."

"How could the Jiang family do this?" Eleventh Lady frowned slightly - the legitimate wife had not even entered the house, but the concubine was allowed to give birth to illegitimate sons and daughters.

"When my third sister got married, her husband was already in his twenties. How could there be no one in the room?" Lan Ting said bitterly, "The oldest of those illegitimate children was only a little over a year old."

A little over one year old...if you count the days, it was after the Gan family divided the property and the Jiang family sent their foster mother to come over.

As the two were talking, Madam Gan came back and said, "Lanting, is the lady asking about you over there?" She had actually come to urge him to come.

Lan Ting looked at Shiyi Niang as if asking for help.

Eleventh Lady immediately smiled and said, "I just happen to need Lan Ting's help with something. Madam Gan, please go ahead. We will leave after saying these few words."

Mrs. Gan had no choice but to leave in embarrassment.

Lan Ting took Shiyi Niang's hand and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you!"

"What's the problem?" Eleventh Lady said with a smile, "I don't like your sister-in-law very much either."

Lanting burst into laughter.

Shiyi Niang invited her to have dinner with her, and the two talked for a long time.

When it was time to light the lamps, she sent a maid to the flower hall to inquire about Mrs. Gan's whereabouts.

"He hasn't left yet." The little maid said, "He's talking to Madam Tai and Madam Huang!"

"It looks like she is determined to meet you." Shiyi Niang said, "It's not a good idea to stay like this. I think you'd better go back through the back door - Tong'er is still at home!"

Lan Ting's expression dimmed slightly and he nodded slightly.

In the evening, when Xu Lingyi came back, Shiyi Niang told him what Lanting had said: "...Is the situation in Fujian really so complicated?"

Xu Lingyi obviously understood this very well. He said calmly, "It's not complicated, but I don't want to get involved. Let's just mind our own business." Then he sat down on the bed and said with a smile, "I heard good news today. Shao Zhongran passed the martial arts exam."

"Really!" Eleventh Lady was very happy. "Grandma Lin didn't even mention it when she came just now."

"I just got the news." The implication was that Grandma Lin definitely didn't get the news as quickly as he did.

Eleventh Lady smiled brightly.

Xu Lingyi asked, "Are you so happy?"

"Of course." Shiyi Niang said, "This way, Zhen Jie'er will be more respectable when she gets married."

Xu Lingyi said: "Then why not find him a job...it will be more respectable if he gets married."

"No," said Eleventh Lady, "People grow up all their lives, what's the point of forcing them to grow too fast? I think Shao Zhongran is doing fine. After passing the exam for Wu Xiucai, he took the exam for Wu Juren, and after passing the exam for Wu Juren, he took the exam for Wu Jinshi, and after passing the exam for Wu Jinshi, he looked for a job. One step at a time, do what you need to do when you need to do it. You will feel more at ease. Besides, life is just a process, and the important thing is to appreciate the scenery around you."

"You have a lot to say." Xu Lingyi smiled and asked about Jiange'er: "...Where is he? Did the nurse take him away to feed him?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly realized that Shiyi Niang had many quirks - she didn't like to see the wet nurse feeding Jiang'er, so she would always stay aside when the wet nurse was feeding her.

Eleventh Lady said "hmm", and then she saw Gu bringing Jiang'er in.