Yan Qingqing invited the two to sit down and rest under the eaves.
Because Master Ding is a man from outside the family, it is not appropriate for him to go into Yan Qingqing's room.
This pergola was specially built by Yan Qingqing. It's a great place to cool off in the evening, and Li Xiangyang also practices horse stance here when it's hot.
Yan Qingqing asked Ruyi to serve tea, and the three of them began to chat casually.
Yan Qingqing took the initiative to bring up the noble act of Master Ding when he made the donation.
Although Ling Ziyuan did later erect a monument to their merits.
Ding Yuanwai's name was listed first, but there was no substantial compensation.
Yan Qingqing wanted to make up for Ding Yuanwai's losses, so she said, "I'll think about it and see if there's any suitable business opportunity. I have to make up for your losses."
To everyone's surprise, Master Ding replied righteously, "Madam Mingzhao, you are mistaken. Although I do not have your magnanimity and vision, as a member of the Great Yan, it is my honor to do my part in times of crisis."
Furthermore, Magistrate Ling erected a monument to our merits for future generations to admire.
In the past, everyone said we were merchants who were not without guile; now everyone praises us as righteous merchants.
To be honest, Madam Mingzhao, many people who heard about our actions at the time have come to me seeking cooperation.
Mr. Ding felt that donating those items was very worthwhile.
Ling Ziyuan had promised them that he would petition the emperor for their merits, but nothing had happened for so long.
It's unclear whether there were too many merchants doing this and the emperor couldn't reward them all, or whether Ling Ziyuan had simply forgotten about it.
However, Yan Qingqing still felt quite comforted when she heard what Master Ding said.
At least they didn't get nothing out of it.
Master Ding chatted with Yan Qingqing for a few more minutes and learned that Yan Qingqing had asked Qichen to go to the capital to meet the emperor. He was genuinely happy for her.
Yan Qingqing added, "My family is having a banquet in a few days, so remember to come and eat."
I won't create separate posts for you two.
Upon hearing this, Madam Ding smiled even more brightly and said, "The banquets at Madam's house are the most precious, and not everyone can afford to eat them."
My Xiu'er is the luckiest of all, having made a friend like the Fourth Young Master. He often comes over to freeload, and once he's here, he doesn't want to leave.
"I've been waiting so long for you to prepare a feast, there's no need for an invitation, I came just because of the delicious aroma."
Madam Ding wasn't stupid. The more impolite Yan Qingqing was to them, the more it proved that she considered them her own people.
They are now qualified to enter Yan Qingqing's courtyard; ordinary people don't have this honor.
Some wealthy ladies and young women in Chengyang County knew that Yan Qingqing had some influence over her, so they all vied to curry favor with her.
Those people used to disdain associating with her, their second wife, especially since she was disrespectful to Old Madam Ding.
Even when she tries to befriend people, they all look at her with disdain.
But things are different now. Those people, in order to curry favor with her, have sent her countless invitations to listen to music and watch plays, and have been showering her with smiles.
Madam Ding was shrewd and knew how to navigate social situations; those people simply wanted to curry favor with Yan Qingqing through her.
Therefore, Madam Ding accepted the gifts they gave her and went to listen to music and watch plays when invited.
However, if you want her to introduce you to Lady Mingzhao, sorry, that's out of the question.
Anyway, Madam Ding now considers the Ding family to be Yan Qingqing's people. It's quite like one person achieving enlightenment and all their relatives and friends benefiting from it.
After seeing off Master Ding and his wife, Yan Qingqing had someone fetch Li Xiangping.
With Li Xiang'an not home, Yan Qingqing was worried that Yuan Huiniang wouldn't be able to handle such a large event on her own, so she had to give her some more instructions.
Li Xiangping rushed over quickly, and because he was walking too fast, he tripped over Li Xiangyang's toy.
Seeing this, Yan Qingqing laughed and said, "You're such a big person, why don't you watch where you're going?"
Aren't you afraid your colleagues will laugh at you if you tell anyone?
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangping said helplessly, "Mother, you really saved me by sending Ruyi to find me."
I never realized before that people were so enthusiastic.
That's really beyond my ability to handle.
Yan Qingqing laughed and said, "You've been an official for so long, haven't you gotten used to these social obligations in officialdom yet?"
Li Xiangping replied, "Actually, I was mentally prepared after my father-in-law read out the imperial edict yesterday."
But these people's reactions far exceeded the son's expectations.
Yan Qingqing smiled and asked, "So what's your opinion on this?"
Li Xiangping thought for a moment and replied, "Don't laugh at me, Mother, but I never dared to imagine that those officials would one day try to curry favor with me."
How to describe this feeling? While it's incredibly annoying, there's also a little bit of pride inside—they actually tried to be nice to me one day!
Yan Qingqing laughed twice upon hearing this. Li Xiangping was really honest, and she could understand his mentality.
She had only lived a little over a decade longer than Li Xiangping, and in her previous life she had seen this kind of fawning over the powerful and belittling the weak, otherwise she would have felt the same way.
Yan Qingqing didn't say anything wrong about Li Xiangping, but instead guided him from the side: "It's normal for you to have this kind of mentality. They say things change every thirty years."
If one day our family falls into decline, we may need you to put on a smiling face and try to please others.
Or perhaps we'll be heading to the capital soon, where high-ranking officials are as numerous as hairs on a cow. Once you meet them, you'll realize that our current situation is utterly insignificant.
You'll probably miss Canghe Town then.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangping's mind immediately cleared up considerably.
Yes, although their family is considered the best in Chengyang County, they are really nothing special in the capital.
Because they had no foothold in the capital.
His mother is going to Beijing before the new year, and he will definitely go with her.
Seeing that Li Xiangping looked deep in thought, Yan Qingqing said again, "But with your mother here, you don't need to worry too much."
"Since Mother is going to the capital, she must have some trump cards up her sleeve. Just you wait and see; within three years, we will surely have a firm foothold in the capital."
Li Xiangping nodded seriously after listening to Yan Qingqing's words. Yan Qingqing never lied, and she would never do anything she wasn't sure of.
His mother must have some trump card that he doesn't know about.
He doesn't need to know what his mother's trump card is; he just needs to do his job well.
This interruption almost made Yan Qingqing forget the important matter, so she quickly said, "Your second brother isn't home, and I'm afraid Hui Niang won't be able to manage on her own."
Go back and bring your fourth brother back from the academy. Let him help you greet guests and learn about social etiquette.
Don't just focus on studying all the time; you'll end up a bookworm, which will be a real problem.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangping laughed and said, "Mother, you're really overthinking this. Fourth Brother doesn't look like a bookworm at all."
I think he's more like my second brother.
Yan Qingqing smiled upon hearing this, thinking to herself that it might not be so. Environment shapes people and can also change them. She was doing this just in case.
Yan Qingqing then gave Li Xiangping some instructions on what to pay attention to when hosting guests, before letting him go off to get busy.
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