Just after the New Year, Zhuangzi sent a message to Shou'an Hall, saying that Cuiwei's father was dying, and he hoped that his daughter would get married as soon as possible to have a good time, so he asked the old lady to show some mercy. Cuiwei was the last daughter in the family, and her brothers and sisters had all started families. Her parents were just worried about her, so the old lady nodded and asked Fang Mama to allocate thirty taels of silver to her family to prepare a dowry.
When Minglan received the news, she immediately dug out twenty taels of silver from her own room and gave it to Cuiwei for her dowry. Cuiwei refused, "My dear girl, this is not acceptable. You already gave me two sets of gold and silver head ornaments and five bolts of satin the other day. This is already generous enough. When Caizhan, who is in Madam's room, got married, Madam only gave me twenty taels of silver. Since I am considered the old lady's wife, this is a little more. If you give me more, firstly, it will not look good on Madam's side, and secondly, if another sister in the courtyard gets married, how will you provide for her?"
Minglan was deeply touched. Knowing that she was thinking of her, she said a little sheepishly, "I know your intentions are good, but... if you hadn't been so worried about me, I would have gotten married last year."
Seeing that no one was around, Cuiwei quietly closed the doors and windows, lowered the curtains at the end of the room, and said, "There's something I've been wanting to ask you for a while. This time, I'm gone, and you'll have to promote someone. We've been watching closely. Do you have any ideas?" Minglan had already thought about this question, so she asked first, "What do you think?"
Cuiwei said without hesitation: "If we talk about seniority, it should be Yancao, if we talk about straightforwardness and ability, it should be Jiuer, if we talk about... appearance and temperament, it should be Ruomei." Most of the maids who came with the dowry were to be the concubines of the son-in-law, and Cuiwei hesitated when she thought of Ruomei.
Minglan pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice, "I want to mention Luzhi."
Cuiwei was surprised and said, "Luzhi is so sharp-tongued, how could the girl miss her?"
Minglan smiled without saying anything, and asked, "If we recommend one, we'll have to bring in another little girl. Madam You has been recommending her daughter to me quite a bit lately. What do you think?"
Cuiwei thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "Mother You is not a worry-free person. She relies entirely on the young lady to keep her in check. If you bring someone from her family here now, wouldn't that just cause trouble? It would be better to ask the old lady, the madam, or the eldest grandmother directly for someone. Firstly, it would show that you respect your elders. Secondly, after what happened that year, I don't think they would send anything inappropriate."
Minglan nodded and said seriously, "My dear sister, everything you say makes sense." She then pushed the box containing twenty taels of silver back over to her and said in a deep voice, "Sister, you've worked very hard for me over the past few years, and you've also offended many people. You must accept this silver. If you're afraid of attracting attention, then don't make it public. Just put it at the bottom of the box and take it."
Cuiwei choked up a little. Since ancient times, the masters have rewarded servants and wanted to tell others about it in order to gain a good reputation. This Sixth Miss is kind-hearted, and her efforts are not in vain. Suddenly, she remembered the hint given by Fang Mama that day, that when the Sixth Miss got married in the future, she would let her family serve as a maid. Cuiwei was very moved.
Cuiwei was raised by Fang Mama, so news spread quickly. The next day, the old lady found Minglan and asked with a smile, "You want to mention that girl Luzhi? What are you thinking?"
Minglan confessed frankly, "Jiu'er won't stay with me for long. Madam Liu is determined to keep her daughter, so there's no point in mentioning her. Yancao and Danju are both of the same temperament and lack authority. Ruomei is too arrogant. Even now, she still looks down on everyone and doesn't dare to look down on everyone. If I really mention the eldest girl, I'm afraid it will cause trouble. Finally, my granddaughter thinks Luzhi is better. Although she's a little more talkative, she's less arrogant and quite jealous. With proper training, she might be useful. ... That's what I thought at first."
The old lady was curious: "At first? What about now?"
Minglan shook her head like an adult: "Then I thought about it, there is no point in causing resentment among the sisters, so I should promote Yancao based on her seniority. She is thoughtful and kind, so I will keep her by my side and live in peace." - Efficiency is not the key point, stability overrides everything.
After listening to this, the old lady nodded slightly and said, "I also felt that it was inappropriate. Now that you think so is good. Alas... some things are better left to chance... after all, you're old enough." Her tone was quite emotional. Looking at Minglan's fair and beautiful face, she thought of the delicate little chubby baby back then. Now she can make decisions and think things through carefully, and she felt like a hen.
Just after the first month of the lunar year, Hai's father, Lord Hai, was about to leave Beijing. Before leaving, Mrs. Hai came to Sheng's house specially, took her daughter aside and gave her many instructions. She also talked to Wang for a long time, her tone full of humility and gentleness. After Minglan and the others went out to pay their respects, they returned to their rooms. As usual, the three Lans gathered in Minglan's room for tea.
"Mrs. Hai is so kind and polite." Molan envied her noble demeanor. "I heard that Mr. Hai is serving as a third-rank provincial governor this time."
Rulan smiled and said, "Of course, we are in-laws."
Molan glanced at Rulan, blew on the teacup, and said, "That's not necessarily true. The last time we went to the Zhongqin Marquis's residence, my elder sister's mother-in-law wasn't so easy to talk to. She sat for a long time before serving snacks and tea."
Rulan was about to glare and explode again.
Damn it, you guys will die if you don’t bicker for a day! Minglan sighed and changed the subject, pretending to be curious: "Hey, is it true that my sister-in-law’s family does not allow concubines? Then my sister-in-law’s sisters-in-law would be very happy."
Rulan was bypassed and said proudly, "Our family has been a family of scholars for generations. I don't know how many Jinshi and Juren have come from our family. The rules are very strict. But because of this, there are so many powerful people who want to marry into the Hai family. They are more careful in choosing their daughters-in-law than the emperor is in selecting the top scholar. They require character, talent, appearance, family background, etc., and they don't marry unless they are legitimate children~~~~!"
The last sentence was dragged out, deliberately for the other two Lans to hear. Minglan was thick-skinned, but it was nothing, knowing that she was just a half-baked legitimate daughter of a wealthy family, so she just said "oh". Molan, however, was furious and sneered, "What's so great about the family rules? Yes! You can't take concubines, but you can have a maid as well. Oh, and you bought a house outside? Humph, it's just for fame and reputation, pretending to obey but secretly disobeying."
"Really?!" Minglan realized belatedly that her intelligence system was too backward.
Rulan argued, "There are all kinds of birds in a big forest. How can we manage the diverse populations of Haimen's branches?"
Minglan watched in fear as Molan slammed her beloved cup on the table, luckily it didn't break.
Mo Lan sneered, "I didn't say anything. I just feel that it's hard to live up to the reputation. If I can't keep it, what's the point of having such a big reputation?"
Rulan was furious, but Minglan didn't think it was a big deal. Finding monogamy in an official family in ancient times was as difficult as finding a pure man in a stud novel. Since she was a woman in ancient times, she had to be more open-minded and not make things difficult for herself.
A few days later, Cuiwei said goodbye to the old lady and Minglan and asked her family to take her back. Yancao was promoted, and the sisters congratulated her together. A little girl named Cuixiu came from Shou'an Hall to fill the vacancy. She was only eleven or twelve years old, smart and clever, and quickly became familiar with the girls in Mucangzhai. Seeing that everyone was happy, Minglan simply asked Danju to use copper scissors to wring two or three taels of silver and give it to the mothers in the kitchen, so that they could set up two simple tables, and then lock the gate of the courtyard early so that the girls could have a few drinks and have fun.
"Young lady, you are so kind! You let these little rascals have so much fun that they are all drunk. It's a good thing that Mother You is not here, otherwise they might gossip. Now that they are all on the kang, I feel relieved." Danju only offered a glass of wine and came out to look around the house. "Yancao is fine, but what's annoying is that heartless Xiaotao who didn't even come to watch the fire. And Rumei is so smart! She hasn't had a few drinks yet, but now she is searching the house with a lantern."
Minglan had just had a few drinks and felt dizzy. Looking at Danju, who was busy making her bed, she said leisurely, "It's so busy during the New Year, they haven't had any fun. They're all at the age where they love to play. It's so pitiful. I'll just treat it as drinking Cuiwei's wedding wine. Oh, I wonder how Cuiwei is doing? Is the groom treating her well? Has he bullied her?"
Danju turned around and smiled, "Mother Fang has checked out the marriage, it won't be bad." She said with some sadness, "Being a maid as respectable as Sister Cuiwei is already a blessing. We are lucky to have a mistress like you. If we were to ignore you, we would be mistreated."
"...How is Ke'er?" Minglan suddenly asked.
Danju smoothed the mattress and spread a blanket over the smoker, sighing softly, "Mrs. Lin is so cruel! She took advantage of the old lady's trip to Yuyang and the mistress's busy move to the capital to marry such a delicate girl off to the filthy son of a housewife. He's a drunkard and a gambler, and he's quite a jerk. Ke'er was bound, gagged, and taken away, and she died within two months."
"Didn't Third Brother say anything?"
Danju's usually kind face also showed some disdain: "The Third Master cried bitterly, but after three or five days, he gave up. Now his favorite is a girl named Rou'er."
Minglan felt a little sad and said softly, "Old Madam is right. Girls are most afraid of greed." Minglan was depressed for a moment, then came to her senses and said seriously, "Starting tomorrow, you and Yancao and Xiaotao must control everyone's words and actions. They are not allowed to joke around with the servants outside. Keep the door closed."
Danju looked at Minglan's solemn expression and responded seriously.
…
Minglan was sprawled on the kang in the outer room, copying a large-printed sutra for the old lady. Old Lady Sheng was sitting on the Luohan bed in the main hall outside. Down below, Wang and Hualan, mother and daughter, kept craning their necks to peer outside and talking incoherently. The usually relaxed old lady couldn't stand it any longer and said, "Be content. The He family lives in Huichun Hutong, and even before dawn they wouldn't leave so quickly. Now you're so anxious, how did you keep everything secret?"
Hua Lan smiled awkwardly, "Grandma, granddaughter, granddaughter...don't you want to bother you?" The old lady rolled her eyes at her and scolded, "If you had known the consequences earlier, you wouldn't have dragged it on for so many years!"
The three people were vague in their explanation, but Minglan inside had guessed what was going on.
As they were talking, a maid came outside and announced: Guests are coming.
The old lady hurriedly said, "Hurry up and call Ming Ya'er out from inside." She was busy inviting people in.
There was a sound of people moving around, and Minglan lifted the curtain and went out. She saw Madam He, whom she had not seen for a long time, and a tall young man standing beside her. Madam Sheng said with unusual warmth, "I am so glad to see you here. Please take a seat."
Old Madam He was still the same, with a rosy and round face, and her gray hair was neatly tied up in a bun and held in place with a flat, auspicious four-cent white jade hairpin. After a round of greetings, the two sides asked the younger generation to pay their respects. Hualan and Minglan kowtowed to Old Madam He first, and then He Hongwen saluted Old Madam Sheng and Wang.
Wang pulled He Hongwen around, looking him up and down, praising him: "He is indeed a handsome young man. No wonder the old lady praised him endlessly when she returned to the capital." Then she gently asked He Hongwen about his age, what he had read, and what he liked to eat. The old lady couldn't help but interrupt and said with a smile: "Alright! Let the child sit down quickly. Are you asking questions or demanding a debt?"
Everyone in the room laughed. Hualan stepped forward and took Wang's hand, turning back and smiling, "Don't be offended, Madam He. My mother likes it." Madam He shook her head, then glanced at Minglan and smiled, "Ming-ya'er has grown taller after the New Year." The old lady laughed and said, "This child has only grown in height, not in mind. She only knows how to be naughty."
Hua Lan's face lit up, and she said with a smile, "Grandmother, look at you. Even if you should be more modest, you shouldn't be so disrespectful to my sixth sister. My sister is very filial and sensible."
Wang also said in a humorous tone, "That's the truth. Among my daughters, the sixth one is the most lovable."
Minglan was a little dumbfounded by such strong praise, and felt a strange feeling in her heart. She looked at He Hongwen who was sitting opposite her, only to see that his face was flushed and his eyes were evasive. When she looked at him, he looked away like a little rabbit.
Minglan's heart was filled with alarm. She looked at the five women, young and old, sitting there and thought to herself: Is there anything they know that I don't?
They talked for a while, and then Mrs. Sheng pointed at Hualan and said with a smile, "My eldest granddaughter brought some thick velvet fabrics for high-quality use. I thought they looked good, and I was just about to send some to you. Why don't you come in and take a look? Which one do you like?"
Madam He's wrinkled eyes smiled like flowers, a hint of mischief in her eyes, and she said pretentiously, "Since it's your eldest granddaughter who sent it, why not ask her to accompany me to see it."
"Let's go together, let's go together." Old Lady Sheng was smiling. Hua Lan seemed to blush, but she quickly stood up and followed the two old ladies into the inner room. The maid from the He Mansion who followed them also followed in carrying a fat box.
These words sounded like a secret code, and Minglan thought to herself: What's the big deal? It's just an infertility specialist clinic!
After seeing this, she couldn't get out, leaving the absent-minded Wang Shi to chat with He Hongwen in a rambling manner. After a cup of tea, Wang Shi had asked He Hongwen "How is your mother?" for the third time. She couldn't help herself and said with an unnatural smile, "I'll go in and take a look too."
Then only Minglan and He Hongwen were left. They sat opposite each other, one holding a tea bowl and carefully examining the pattern on it, the other looking down at the ground, as if a crabapple flower had grown on the street stall. They knew each other and had joked and laughed freely when they met several times before, but this time Minglan clearly felt that the atmosphere was strange, so she was determined not to speak first.
The room was completely silent, with only the crackling of the charcoal fire in the seven-tiered brass stove in the middle of the room to be heard. He Hongwen couldn't help himself first, coughing twice and saying, "Why haven't you finished looking at this material yet?"
Minglan also replied in a similar manner: "It must be because there is too much material."
"No matter how much material there is, it's time to finish looking at it." He Hongwen felt a little uneasy.
"It must be because the material is so good." Minglan was very calm.
After a moment of silence, the two looked at each other and burst out laughing. He Hongwen's handsome eyes were as bright as a spring day by a lake, which made people feel warm. He sighed heavily and said, "It's not easy to be a doctor."
"Why bother? Can't you just look at it openly?" Minglan also breathed a sigh of relief.
He Hongwen smiled, "There have always been people who are afraid of illness and seeking medical treatment, especially for women. The word 'serious illness' is the most hurtful. Your elder sister is helpless."
Minglan looked at him quietly and said, "Do you also think it's not easy for women?"
He Hongwen's eyes were warm and gentle, like a hot spring. He said seriously, "If my grandmother had been born a man, her medical skills would surely be known throughout the world. It's a pity that she can only take care of household chores in her boudoir and teach me, her useless grandson, in her old age."
Minglan smiled. "No, of course I wouldn't be anything. I heard you've opened a clinic, but since it's just a clinic or pharmacy, I won't wish you a prosperous business. Congratulations on your wealth."
He Hongwen was amused. He glanced at Minglan's unusually flushed cheeks, and a plan came to mind. He put on a stern face and said, "Since you have praised me for my accomplishments, I must say something."
"Please speak." Minglan didn't care.
"Don't drink cold wine, especially before going to bed."
"Uh—" Minglan covered her mouth reflexively, feeling annoyed at being caught red-handed. She mumbled, "You—" She was about to deny it, but when she saw He Hongwen looking at her with a smile and a look of confidence, she gave in and said angrily, "You can see that too?!"
He Hongwen pretended to sigh: "There's nothing I can do. Who told me to be so capable?"
Minglan held her sleeves and murmured softly, almost bending over with laughter.
Hongwen looked at Minglan opposite him, with the corners of his mouth curved, revealing two cute little white teeth, looking embarrassed and ashamed. His emerald eyebrows reflected on his fair, almost transparent skin, looked as beautiful as peacock blue.
His heart warmed, and he lowered his head, not daring to look again.
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