After being away from home for nearly two months, Minglan suddenly felt her eyes getting hot. She then realized when she had actually treated this family as her own. Sheng Hong had three short strands of beard under his chin, distributed in a pattern of short and long lengths. It was said that this was the most popular beard style for civil servants in the capital. Wang had a mouth full of blisters from preparing for Changbai's wedding, which could not be covered up even with makeup.
"Madam, if you don't come back, your daughter-in-law will jump into the river. There's a big mess inside and outside the place!" Wang held Madam Sheng's arm with unprecedented affection.
This time, the master of the Hai family planned to send his daughter to a distant place. In order to avoid the difficulty of sending her daughter to marry far away in the future, he simply arranged the wedding before the New Year. Wang had to settle the whole family who had just arrived in Beijing and prepare for the wedding at the same time. She was so busy that she was dizzy.
Although Old Master Hai, the tutor of two generations of emperors, has retired, his prestige among the elite remains. This time when the Hai family marries off their daughter, almost half of the leading figures in the northern literati will come. Their families may not all be rich, but they can all speak a few words of literature.
"Your house is truly an elegant place. Look at this painting 'Playing the Lute' by Lin Anzhi. It has a wonderful imagination and uses form to depict spirit, fully embodying Gu Chi's unique style." The wife of a certain Hanlin scholar commented on the painting on the wall in a flowery tone.
"The painting is good, but the inscription is a bit heavy, suppressing the elegant spirit. If it can be painted with Mr. Tanwei's brushwork, the beauty of 'Gu Lu' can be fully realized. Madam Sheng, what do you think?" After the wife of a certain scholar finished speaking, the two of them looked at Wang together.
Wang =＿=... laughed a few times, quickly changed the subject and walked away.
Who can tell her what they just said?
Changbai, the culprit who implicated Wang Shi, was still the same as before. He pulled Minglan over and compared her height with himself, and said expressionlessly: "Two inches and six centimeters." - You are selling cloth.
Changfeng failed the imperial examination again this time, but he made several friends who were good at poetry and literature in the capital. He recently earned the reputation of "Master Jiafeng". He didn't feel proud to fan himself with a fan in the cold weather. Changdong had changed the most. He was like a newly sprouted bud, growing a lot in one breath. "Sixth sister, I've been watching all your things. I haven't even touched the skin of the suitcase." Changdong said hurriedly.
"Dong'er is really capable. Come back to me to get the things. I reserved them for Concubine Xiang." Minglan leaned over and whispered in his ear.
Nine-year-old Changdong's face flushed, as if he was embarrassed. "I've made you spend money again, sister. Auntie told us not to bother with it. Old Madam has given us our share." Minglan leaned over and whispered, "These are some fine materials sent by our aunt. You're growing taller now, so I asked Auntie to make you two bright suits. You'll look good when you go to school. This is in the capital."
Changdong was grateful in his heart and lowered his head to thank him softly.
Minglan knew in her heart that if they lived on their monthly allowance, how could Molan and Changsong dress so well? Everyone knew it, but Shenghong was a master and never noticed.
"Sixth sister, you're finally back. If you're any later, those boxes and crates won't be opened." Rulan's nature was stubborn, and she started to choke, which made Molan angry. Minglan quickly put her arm around Rulan's shoulder and said with a smile, "I have Fifth Sister here. Even if I lose something, I know where it is! This time, I left several bottles of osmanthus oil for Fifth Sister!"
Rulan's eyes lit up: "Are you from Cangxiang?"
"Isn't it?" Minglan smiled, her eyebrows curved, very cute, and she said softly, "Although the sweet-scented osmanthus in Cangxiang is not as good as the ones in Xiyun Mountain, they are used as tribute, and there are only a limited number of bottles every year. My aunt worked hard to get some from the government, and I insisted on taking some. I kept every bottle and gave it to my sister to use on her hair!"
Rulan was also very happy. She put her arm around Minglan's waist and said with a smile, "That's great. I can use it right away. My dear sister, it's great that you remember me." She had dry and thin hair since she was a child, and it had only gotten slightly better after many years of care. The thing Minglan gave her was exactly what she wanted.
Molan pouted and said coldly, "Sister, you've learned a lot about manners since you went back home. Look how happy Fifth Sister is with all this flattery!" Minglan wasn't angry either. She turned around with a smile and said, "Yes, I haven't forgotten Fourth Sister's flattery. Here, this is a mellow scented ink from the south. They say it's mixed with fine spices. The words written with it are fragrant and very elegant. I, a stupid girl who can only read a few words, won't waste such a good thing. Give it to you, Sister."
Molan took a small black lacquered wooden box with mother-of-pearl inlays. When she opened it, she was greeted by the elegant fragrance of ink. She then looked at the ink sticks, which were slightly bluish-purple in color. The sticks were smooth and sleek, without a single crack. They were clearly top-grade. She couldn't help but secretly admire them, but her expression remained calm. "Thank you, sister. I'll give you half of the South Pearls I got when I met Madam Hai."
Minglan wasn't shy either, clapping her hands and saying with a smile, "That's great. Hey, Fifth Sister, how about you?" She raised her eyes wide and held out her hands, begging for something. Rulan glared at her and scolded her, "You good-for-nothing! You're not going to get anything less. I've left you a pair of jade rings the color of old pit water."
Minglan held her two sisters and sighed with satisfaction: "After all, it's good to have sisters. Even if I came late, I can still get good things. I am so blessed!" Perhaps Minglan's joyful mood infected them, Rulan and Molan also smiled and shook their heads, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
In the evening, Sheng Hong returned home, and the mother, son, father, and daughter were delighted again. Wang simply set up a large table, and the family sat together for dinner. At the table, Minglan toasted Sheng Hong with a glass of wine and said loudly, "Congratulations to Daddy on your successful career. Without Daddy's hard work, you daughters wouldn't be able to enjoy such happiness. May Daddy be healthy and live a long and happy life!"
Sheng Hong was deeply moved by Minglan's sincerity and upright behavior. He drank the wine in his glass in one gulp and praised her repeatedly, "My Ming'er has become sensible!" Seeing this, all his children raised their glasses and toasted Sheng Hong. Sheng Hong was extremely happy and said, "Well done, you have done me a great job. I am happier than if I had received a promotion!"
The boys drank it all in one gulp, and Mrs. Sheng whispered to the girls to only take a small sip.
The whole family was in high spirits today, and they couldn't help talking during the meal. Minglan excitedly recounted her experiences on her trip back home.
"When we arrived, it was the golden autumn of September and October. Wow, the mountains were covered with sweet osmanthus flowers, as if they were paved with gold. The fragrance was everywhere. Just walking around Guilin, you would be filled with fragrance!"
"When we pick osmanthus flowers, we have people tie ropes to the branches, and then the people below grab one end of the rope and shake it vigorously, and then you get all the osmanthus flowers all over you! Pinlan's hands are really smelly. Others shake the flowers, but she shakes down a few caterpillars! She even stood under the tree with her mouth wide open, looking. Oh my God, a worm almost got into her mouth!"
"The buffaloes by the field were very good-tempered. I used a rope to gently spur them on, and they walked slowly. Pinlan was clumsy, so she used too much force, which angered the buffalo. She was nearly kicked by the raised hind legs. It scared me to death!"
Minglan had a clear voice and lively expression. She picked out interesting stories and told them slowly. When she told the funny things, her voice was ups and downs, and when she described the scenery, it was elegant and comfortable. The wildness of the mountains and the pastoral scenery seemed to be vivid in their minds, and her words made everyone laugh with longing. The children of the Sheng family all grew up in a big house and were raised in a pile of splendor. How could they have such fun?
"Our hometown is a great place! The land is blessed with outstanding people and the scenery is beautiful." Sheng Hong was aroused with homesickness and exclaimed in admiration.
Chang Feng couldn't help but ask, "Is Yuyang really that fun? I've been there too." Seeing Minglan stealing the show today, Molan felt a little jealous: "Brother is a scholar, how can he compare to a wild little girl?"
Sheng Hong frowned and said, "Your sister is young, so it's normal for her to like to play. Besides, with the servants watching over her, she can't get too wild! Your uncle and aunt wrote to praise Ming'er for her good nature and understanding, and that she has brought Pinlan down a lot."
Molan lowered her head and said nothing, feeling dissatisfied. Rulan was happier to see Molan being blamed than to see herself being praised, and happily ate another chicken leg.
Minglan whispered sheepishly, "I've already agreed with my grandmother that I'll have some fun with Pinlan for a while, and then I'll have to behave myself when I return to the capital." Sheng Hong smiled and said, "It's right to be friendly with your relatives. You shouldn't put on airs. Just be more collected when you get back."
Minglan thought to herself: Of course relatives are good. This time when going to the capital, Sheng Wei was afraid that the capital would be short of rice and gold, and Sheng Hong wanted to settle down and hold a wedding, so he was worried that there would not be enough money, so he sent an unknown amount of money.
However, between officials and businessmen, it is a win-win situation where you help me and I help you.
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