The winter solstice is not only a day for grand sacrificial ceremonies, but also a day for people to exchange greetings and congratulations.
Because Xiao Qingyin said they would make glutinous rice balls together at noon, Yun Shi brought Fu Weiyun to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence early in the morning.
The whole family was happily kneading dough and making glutinous rice balls.
The fillings were all prepared by Xiao Qingyin.
A black sesame filling.
A peanut filling.
There's also a milky purple sweet potato filling.
All of them are popular flavors.
Even Han, who doesn't usually eat glutinous rice, ate two bowls.
After eating glutinous rice balls, the family played cards together to pass the time.
When the game reached the third round, a servant came to report that a Lord Xiao had sent a congratulatory gift and was waiting in the south room.
Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing.
Han asked, "Which Lord Xiao?"
"Lord Xiao, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
Han was a little confused for a moment.
"There are actually two people with the surname Xiao in the Ministry of Revenue?"
Fu Weiyun chuckled and said, "Grandmother, you may not know this, but the current Vice Minister Xiao is the same person who was the Minister Xiao before."
Han chuckled to himself.
"Others who become officials all move up the ranks, but he's going downhill. He's really getting worse with age."
Xiao Qingyin then understood why the Lou family had come to Baibaozhai to cause trouble.
It turns out it was because of Xiao Shengyuan's demotion.
Yi Shuihan disliked Xiao Shengyuan, so he not only didn't dismiss him from his post, but also demoted him.
Isn't this like cutting flesh with a dull knife, deliberately torturing someone?
But she likes it.
Han already harbored deep hatred for Xiao Shengyuan, so when he came to curry favor, she naturally ignored him.
"Throw him out and never let him set foot in the mansion again."
The servant obeyed and left.
On the south side of the house, as Xiao Shengyuan waited, he recalled the first time he visited Yunfu.
The situation was similar to what it is now.
The Yun family ignored him for a long time before finally summoning him over.
He was filled with resentment at the time. It was Yun who took a liking to him first, not him who went out of his way to curry favor with the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion. Why did she act so high and mighty?
If it weren't for Yun's unwavering devotion, he would have left long ago.
But now that I think about it, all that so-called unwavering devotion was just an act.
If she truly loved him, why would she have eloped with Fu Junshi?
The thought of Fu Junshi made Xiao Shengyuan feel irritable.
Fortunately, the servants returned before he went mad.
He was kicked out and told that the Marquis's mansion did not welcome him as a guest and that he should never come again.
Xiao Shengyuan had foreseen this scene before he arrived.
His main purpose in coming to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence was not to deliver festival gifts to Lady Han.
Even so, he was still furious.
It felt like I was back twenty years ago when I went to Yun Wanyin's house to ask for her hand in marriage and was rejected.
But unlike back then, he no longer had the means to walk away.
He is now the complete opposite of the Yun family of yesteryear.
"If the Yun family can do it, I can definitely do it too."
He tried his best to comfort himself.
My mood gradually calmed down.
He then returned to the carriage and waited silently.
We waited from midday until dusk.
People came in droves to deliver gifts to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence, ranging from princes and ministers to commoners; even a palace banquet wouldn't have such a large gathering.
Xiao Shengyuan realized with absolute clarity that times had changed.
The most sought-after person in the entire capital right now is Xiao Qingyin.
People vied to curry favor with her, trying to establish a good relationship before she was crowned empress, so that it would be easier for them to get along in the future.
Thinking about this, he felt less ashamed of what he was about to do.
Everyone is the same; they all curry favor with the powerful.
He has an advantage over others, so he should make good use of it.
Before the sky completely darkened, Lady Yun finally emerged from the Marquis's residence.
Xiao Shengyuan jumped off the carriage immediately and walked towards her.
Before they even got close, a sword was pointed directly at their chest, blocking their path.
The one pointing the sword at him was Fu Weiyun.
Xiao Shengyuan stopped in his tracks and forced a smile: "Yinyin, I've been waiting for you for ages. There are some things I want to give you personally."
Yun said calmly, "Please, Lord Xiao, show some self-respect."
Xiao Shengyuan took out a sandalwood box from his pocket and handed it over.
“A lot of your dowry was embezzled by Yao Shi. When Qingyin came to collect her dowry, only a small portion remained. The box contains what I found later, but I haven’t had a chance to return it to you.”
Having heard Xiao Qingyin recount the process of retrieving the dowry, Madam Yun knew that the lost portion had already been discounted and Xiao Shengyuan had compensated for it. Although Xiao Shengyuan hadn't finished paying it back yet, she certainly wouldn't accept anything that had already been discounted.
Besides, this was something Yao had touched.
"Thank you, Lord Xiao. You can take it, so you can pay back that money as soon as possible."
Xiao Shengyuan's face stiffened.
After many years, the Yun family has indeed changed, and now they talk about money all the time.
What difference is there between her and those vulgar women?
It's a shame that God gave her a face that is beautiful but not seductive.
He paused, then replied, "If it were anything else, I wouldn't have brought it to you, but these are things you once said you'd give to Yinyin when she grows up..."
What did she want to leave for Yinyin?
Yun was somewhat surprised.
She honestly couldn't remember what jewelry she had ever wanted to give to Yinyin.
I don't know if it's because of the long time that it's become blurry or because of the amnesia I had back then.
Thinking of this, she said to Xiao Shengyuan, "Then open it and let me see."
Xiao Shengyuan shook his head: "I'm in a hurry to get back for dinner, I'm leaving now."
After saying that, he put the box on the steps, turned around and went back to the carriage, which drove away in the blink of an eye.
Fearing the box might be a trap, Madam Yun instructed her maid to examine it thoroughly before opening it, confirming it was free of poison.
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