There was no time to lose. In order to avoid the New Year's busy schedule and the mistresses of each family being too busy, Minglan sent out invitations at the end of November. After getting the consent of each family, she asked Cuiwei to prepare.
On the second day of the twelfth lunar month, Liu and Hualan arrived early, their faces filled with excitement. Hualan sipped her tea, put down her handkerchief, and said, "When I left, my fourth brother was so young, barely able to speak clearly, and now he's looking for a wife."
Liu's face showed a hint of fatigue as she said, "That's right. When my sixth sister brought the news, the master and my husband were stunned and it took them half a day to come back to their senses. The master asked me to help with the selection, and it was really difficult for me. I'm so young and I don't know much. How can I be qualified to help my uncle find a wife? I didn't sleep well last night, and it was thanks to my eldest sister and sixth sister for their help."
Hua Lan smiled and said, "Now that the Madam and the Old Madam are both away, it's just you and me who are left at home to take care of things. If you are pleased with me today, there will be many more things for you to take care of in the future. You should not refuse."
Minglan pinched her waist and leaned on her elder sister with a flattering smile, "Fourth sister-in-law, don't worry. Big sister is here today. Whether it's good or bad, it's not our fault, right?"
Liu was afraid that if she found the new wife bad after marrying her, she would be blamed. After hearing Minglan's words, she felt relieved.
Hualan twisted Minglan's ear, glared at her, and scolded her with a smile, "No wonder the old lady called you a little enemy. If you keep pushing the blame around like this, if anything happens in the future, I'll be the only one blamed by the master and fourth brother, and you'll be completely blameless."
Liu said hurriedly, "Don't say that, big sister. Besides the fact that the master relies on the eldest daughter, big sister has been around for a few more years than us and has more experience. With big sister leading the way, we'll have more confidence."
"You two stop trying to coax me with sweet words. Come on, come on, can't I just stand there and take on the responsibility?" Hua Lan pretended to be angry.
The three of them chatted and laughed for a while, and Cuiwei came to pass on the news that the wife of Weibei Marquis and the mother and daughter of the Shen family had arrived.
Mrs. Shen was nearly fifty years old, with a slightly dark complexion and decent facial features, but even the careful grooming and gorgeous clothes she wore could not hide the wear and tear of her early years of hard work. Miss Shen, on the other hand, was born with delicate features and was pretty and charming.
In terms of appearance alone, Hai and Liu were far inferior to her. She was just too shy. When Hualan asked her softly what she liked to eat and what she liked to play, she only answered with a few words as soft as a mosquito's hum, and Minglan had to read her lips several times before she could understand.
Madam Shen was embarrassed, smiling bitterly inwardly. Her daughter was actually quite bright and cheerful, but ever since she learned she was going to marry someone from a scholarly family, and after hearing from her second son that every man in the Sheng family had achieved academic success, coupled with their important in-laws, she had become like this. She was afraid that if she said one more word, or raised her voice a little, it would seem she was looking down on her.
Hua Lan smiled, but thinking of her own three sons, both legitimate and illegitimate, she couldn't help but put herself in her mother-in-law's shoes. Miss Chen's sullen expression really didn't suit her straightforward disposition. If she were asked to choose her as a legitimate daughter-in-law, she would definitely reject her, fearing she wouldn't be able to support the family in the future. However, she also said that for the sake of family harmony, a illegitimate daughter-in-law was acceptable; being shy and submissive was always better than being fierce and aggressive.
Meanwhile, Liu had already mentally said, "Alright." The most feared thing about sisters-in-law is competition. The eldest sister-in-law, Hai, was already incredibly powerful, and she wouldn't be able to handle a more formidable younger sister-in-law. Miss Shen was just the right person.
Minglan was in a leisurely mood, chatting and laughing freely, while looking at Miss Shen's childish face. She thought that she was only two years older than Rong Jie'er, but she had already started discussing marriage. She felt guilty and thought that she was really harming a young seedling.
She had already inquired with Zhang in detail, and she knew that any knowledge of embroidery was secondary; a kind and honest heart was the most important. Changdong, though seemingly honest and somewhat dull, actually had great ambitions. As long as he could be harmonious and respectful with his wife, even if Miss Shen was clueless, she could slowly learn.
After Zhang understood, she praised Miss Shen highly, saying that she was an absolutely excellent person. When she lived with her family in the countryside, she often loved to help the elderly cross ditches. She was a perfect match for Changdong, who loved to carry the elderly down the mountain.
Ming Lanmo, ...this is your first time as a matchmaker.
They were assessing Miss Shen, and Madam Shen was also secretly sizing up the daughters-in-law of the Sheng family. She saw that Hualan was graceful and elegant, while Minglan was kind and gentle, and both were top-notch in terms of temperament and upbringing. Then she looked at Mrs. Liu, who, although ordinary in appearance, had a dignified and upright air, and thought it would not be difficult to get along with her.
Madam Shen couldn't help but nod secretly, thinking that they were from a family with a solid background, well-educated, polite and amiable, but not pedantic or hypocritical, using rules to pressure others.
After three or four rounds of tea, Zhang and Madam Shen rose to take their leave. Minglan escorted them all the way to the second gate, exchanging many pleasantries before they parted ways. Back in the house, Liu and Hualan had already exchanged their opinions on the matchmaking. One said Miss Shen was well-groomed and looked very pitiful, while the other said the Shen family was wealthy and her father and brother were capable. In short, both agreed that the match was a good one.
"After all, it was Sixth Sister who acted as the matchmaker, so we don't have to worry about all this. We should know that she is reliable." Finally, Liu took Minglan's hand and thanked her again, then said goodbye, saying that she would go back and report to Sheng Hong.
After watching Liu leave, Hua Lan turned back and said with a smile, "This guy is really ruthless and even dragged you into the water."
Minglan sighed, "She's only the third sister-in-law, not the eldest, and it's understandable that she's worried about being unfairly treated if she has to arrange Fourth Brother's marriage. We're Fourth Brother's biological sisters, and we're one level below him, so we should just shoulder more of the responsibility."
"...The old lady always said you were kind and would be blessed in the future. Now I believe it." Hua Lan was silent for a moment, then sighed, "You're right. It's really not easy for the third brother's wife. You don't know, that useless third brother. A few days ago, a maid in his room was found to be pregnant, which really pissed off Dad!"
"How can this be? Third sister-in-law hasn't given birth to a child yet." Minglan was shocked. "Third brother is too confused. Everyone in the house knows what father means. Third brother and sister-in-law are still young. How can the eldest son be born by marriage? Isn't there any medicine for him?"
"Of course not! That girl was cunning. She secretly poured out the medicine, hoping to use her pregnancy to climb up the social ladder." Hua Lan pouted. "Dad was furious. He scolded the third child for not making progress and not wanting to study hard to make progress, but instead indulging in women. He immediately tied the third child up and gave her a beating. It was only after my younger sister-in-law begged for mercy that the third child was spared from kneeling in the ancestral hall as punishment."
"...Where's that girl?"
Hua Lan said disdainfully, "They drugged her and sold her to a trafficker. I'm not saying this, it's all because of the Third Brother. The maids in the room are all as bad-tempered as imperial concubines. They don't know their place, and they even have the guts to break the rules of the master's house!"
Minglan sighed. Without the sentimental Jia Baoyu, there would be no explosive Qingwen. Liu was not a simple person either. She would probably take this opportunity to clean up the house. It was expected that a group of girls would be in trouble again.
"It was the same with Ke'er and Ruomei back then. Alas, Third Brother couldn't control his sentimental and soft nature. He made those girls harbor thoughts they shouldn't have, and in the end, it only harmed them."
Hua Lan frowned slightly, and unconsciously let out a tone of disdain: "What good can there be from someone taught by the Lin family?"
After a pause, he continued, "Fourth sister is also in trouble right now. The imperial clan's succession certificate hasn't come down yet, so the family has no choice but to wait and see. Your brother-in-law said that his eldest sister is now very much valued by the general of Xuanda. Alas, poor Madam Liang..."
Minglan was silent for a long moment before she spoke, "This marriage was obtained through untold hardships by Fourth Sister. Whether it's good or bad, no one else can be blamed. If anything happens to the Liang Mansion, we will do our duty as relatives and that's enough."
Hua Lan praised: "That's exactly the truth."
…
During the New Year's Day, in order to avoid it being too lonely, Minglan handed over the task of making winter clothes to Rongjie'er and Xianjie'er early on, asking the two girls to run around, sometimes checking the newly bought cotton cloth, sometimes asking for advice on needlework, and even distributing it herself. The atmosphere was lively and noisy, and in the end Minglan was spared an extra thirty taels of silver.
Mrs. Shao brought her daughter and Rong Jie'er to apologize, saying apologetically, "These two silly girls, you were so focused on your own fun that you almost delayed the important work. Fortunately, my sister-in-law had already ordered some clothes from the clothing store, otherwise I don't know what would have happened to you two!"
The two girls blushed, twisted their hands, and didn't dare to raise their heads.
Minglan leaned against the kang and said with a smile, "A few dozen taels of silver is not expensive to teach my sisters a lesson."
Xian Jie'er raised her head happily and admitted her mistake sincerely. Rong Jie'er followed shyly and expressed her willingness to deduct the money from her monthly salary.
Minglan found it amusing and smoothed her chest, saying, "Now I know. Studying is one thing, and doing things is another. Remember that you suffered a loss this time, but you don't have to pay a monthly fine. Go back and think carefully about where you made a mistake, and don't make the same mistake again next time."
She added, "When something went wrong during your first assignment, I thought you were going to blame each other. But now you're sharing the responsibility, and the two sisters are getting along. That's great."
After receiving such praise, the two girls' annoyance seemed to fade away. They went out hand in hand, smiling happily like little birds. Shao Shi saw them and shook her head and smiled.
On the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, Minglan led the housekeepers and wives in offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God. The whole household shared noodle soup, cleaned the courtyards, and prepared the New Year's Eve dinner. On New Year's Eve, everyone ate dumplings together. A few lucky maids and servants even found silver ingots weighing two or three qian, and they were all overjoyed. To avoid startling pregnant women, the maids set off firecrackers from a distance. Rong Jie'er was bold enough to set off a double-kick firecracker by herself, but Xian Jie, held tightly by Shao Shi, could only light two firecracker sticks.
Minglan pulled Tuan'er and lay on the edge of the kang by the window to watch the brilliant fireworks in the sky. The little fat boy stretched out his chubby fingers, pointing at the sky and making a sound, and no one knew what he was laughing about.
Early in the morning of the New Year, Liao Yong's wife and Hao Dacheng led all the stewards and servants in the mansion to kowtow to Minglan and wish her a happy new year. As usual, Minglan asked people to bring several baskets of copper coins to distribute as New Year's money, and each steward received an extra portion.
The following days were spent entertaining the friends and family who came to celebrate the New Year. Everyone was very considerate. Gu Tingye was away, and Minglan was pregnant and looked tired. The guests didn't stay long, and they chatted for a while before leaving. Che Sanniang, on the other hand, was particularly happy these days. She had just received a letter from her husband from afar, saying that the military food supply was completed and he would be back soon to take her back to Jianghuai.
At the beginning of the first month of the lunar year, the emperor also gave out New Year's money. In addition to royal family members, those whose husbands were fighting in the front, such as Minglan's family, the Duan family, the Geng family, and the Bo family, all received rewards. Minglan received a large white jade bowl and several pots of kumquats in the greenhouse.
The sight of such a vibrant plant in the middle of winter, with its delicate fruity aroma, delighted both girls. The fat boy, however, was tempted by the plump, brightly colored fruit and eager to pick and eat it. Minglan didn't try to persuade him, but swiftly plucked one, peeled the flesh, and tore off a piece before feeding it to the fat boy.
…
The little fat boy was so jealous that he was dumbfounded. His eyes were filled with tears and his mouth was flat. His face was wrinkled into thirty-two folds like a big crab roe soup dumpling, fresh and juicy.
No one cares about the kumquat anymore. Your Majesty’s grace is immense, Amen.
In addition, the Emperor has other graces, including the decree that the legitimate son of Marquis Yongchang will inherit the title.
Mrs. Liang finally felt relieved. Since the funeral had just happened, she could only hold a small banquet to celebrate. Minglan sent gifts according to etiquette, and Molan also did not forget to go back to her parents' home to show off. Unfortunately, Liu's attitude was cold, and Changfeng's hip injury had not healed yet, so he was not suitable to see anyone.
Sheng Hong was quite supportive. Since his father-in-law's title was secured, he of course continued to remind his daughter to have a child as soon as possible, otherwise she would have no status in her husband's family. This was really like rubbing salt in the wound. Molan was filled with anger and thought that it would be better if she didn't show off.
There are many happy events in the first month of the year. A few days later, good news came from the front. General Xuanda annihilated a small group of Jie slaves wandering around Xuanfu and Datong, and the remaining remnants were driven to the northwest border, which was a good omen for the upcoming war.
The emperor was very pleased. When awarding rewards based on merit, the master of the Liang Mansion was ranked among the top three. For a time, the Yongchang Marquis Mansion was no longer deserted, but was once again bustling with people.
Unfortunately, this good situation only lasted for about ten days.
That day, Liu came to find Minglan. In a few words, she told her that the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion was going to split up, and that it had been going on for several days, involving Liang Han and Molan. She asked Minglan if she wanted to go and take a look.
Minglan was silent for a long time before she said, "Ask big sister when she's going, and I'll go with her."
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