"Don't say such things again, understand? Go and get some osmanthus honey, we'll take it to the concubine," said Madam Wu.
After Wu Ruyue left as instructed, Madam Wu sat down, looking somewhat worried and lost in thought.
"My lady, I don't know if I should say this or not," Hongying said, seeing Wu's worried expression.
“Speak!” said Madam Wu.
“This servant thinks that Miss intends to stay by the master’s side for a long time. If Miss has taken a fancy to the master, how can the master and the concubine explain this?” Hongying said.
Wu looked at Hongying in surprise and said, "She was just joking. How do you know she has taken a liking to Master? She hasn't even met him yet."
Hongying said, "My lady, I heard from Bicao and Bisi, who serve Miss, that Miss has expressed this idea several times. Perhaps Miss does not want to get married; she wants to stay by your side."
Wu looked at Hongying in astonishment. She had never even considered that Ruyue might be betrothed to the Fourth Prince, so that she could share a husband with him.
“She is still young and is only interested in the superficial glory. In fact, it would be better if she could find a soulmate and stay together until old age,” said Madam Wu.
“Princess, if you have already made arrangements for Miss, you must not let her have any more of this illusion,” Hongying said.
"Why don't we send her back first? We can bring her back later when I've found her a good match!" said Madam Wu. She hadn't expected that her kind offer to let Wu Ruyue stay would lead to such thoughts.
“Your Majesty is wise! Miss is probably already envious of Your Majesty’s life in this wealthy royal household. She may not be willing to marry the man Your Majesty has chosen for her,” Hongying said.
Madam Wu nodded, but began to worry that Wu Ruyue might have become enamored with the prosperity and wealth of this place. She wondered if Wu Ruyue would be willing to go home now.
Around 5 PM, Madam Song, supporting Old Madam Song, arrived at Wanfang Anhe. There, Lanqin had already arranged for tables and chairs to be set up on a lawn near the main hall entrance, with several barbecue grills placed along the west side. Maids were already grilling meat skewers, and the enticing aroma of meat filled the air.
Old Madam Song had never seen anything so festive before. Leaning on her cane, she walked to a grill and stared at it for a long time.
"Isn't this just wild roasted chicken and rabbit?" said Madam Song.
"Yes, but we've prepared a lot of things to bake. You see, we're brushing oil on them as we bake," Grape said.
"Mmm, it smells really good!" said Madam Song.
As night fell, all the people Lanqin had invited arrived. She arranged for everyone to eat barbecue skewers, drink osmanthus wine, and watch a play. Under the flickering lights, women of all ages laughed and ate heartily. Several children, holding greasy barbecue skewers, watched the performance on the stage with smiles on their faces.
Today, the maids are performing a play about three sisters-in-law in a rural family. The script was written by Lanqin, and it's about everyday family matters. The three sisters-in-law initially have conflicts and are not united, but later they experience war together, and all the men in the family go to fight. They are forced to unite and fight against all kinds of life's challenges.
The elderly and children alike enjoyed this family drama immensely. The maids were also very dedicated, putting their hearts into the rehearsals. Si Hua, Shui Ling, Yu Xiao, and Hong Ying were all in it.
The Song and Wu families also loved watching it. They felt as if the characters were acting out their own lives, as if the scenes were happening right next to them.
Wu Ruyue sat obediently beside Wu Shi the whole time, remaining quiet and well-behaved throughout the night.
Meanwhile, after finishing writing the supplementary memorial, Fourth Master remembered that Lanqin had prepared a barbecue dinner. He put down his pen, got up, and prepared to go to the banquet.
"Master! Should I go and inform the concubine?" Su Peisheng saw the Fourth Prince stand up from behind his desk and knew that he wanted to go and check on Lanqin.
"No need!" Fourth Master said, "Just wash my face!"
When the Fourth Master appeared at Lanqin's place after changing his clothes, all the women hurriedly got up to greet him. Seeing that the Fourth Master had come after all, Lanqin quickly said to Song Shi, Wu Shi and the others, "The Master said that he wanted all the ladies to have a good time here today. He was going to write a memorial, but now he couldn't help but come over. He must want to see their performance."
Wu Ruyue rose with Madam Wu and bowed to the Fourth Master. She looked up and secretly observed the Fourth Master. She saw that he had a refined and noble appearance. Although he was not the kind of handsome man who would make people swoon, he definitely belonged to the aloof and handsome type.
"Sit down, everyone, and keep watching the show! I'm just here to join in the fun!" Fourth Master said.
He walked over to Lanqin and sat down next to her.
"Sister, brother-in-law looks very young!" Wu Ruyue whispered.
"Don't speak carelessly. Ruyue, your elder sister warned you. You must not talk nonsense in front of the concubine and the master." Madam Wu looked at her younger sister warily.
Fourth Master noticed that a certain gaze kept lingering on him. He instinctively followed that gaze and saw a stunningly beautiful little girl sitting next to Madam Wu, who looked to be only twelve or thirteen years old.
When Wu Ruyue saw that the Fourth Prince was looking at her, she tried her best to put on what she thought was a beautiful smile and smiled at him.
The Fourth Master had seen many beauties, and even the women in his own household possessed their own unique charm. At this moment, Wu Ruyue was like a newly sprouted lotus bud, carrying a strong sense of immaturity and naivety, yet as delicate and pure as a flower stamen.
"Is that Wu's sister over there?" Fourth Master withdrew his gaze and asked Lanqin beside him.
“Exactly! What a lovely and beautiful girl. Sister Wu wants to find her a suitable marriage, preferably one where she can stay in the capital,” Lanqin said.
"Oh, so you still have to go through the talent show," Fourth Master said.
“Of course. The laws of our Great Qing Dynasty stipulate that women who have not gone through the imperial selection process are not allowed to get engaged,” Lanqin said. She felt that this law was a bit perverse, just like the right of first night in Western society.
"If you mean making them princesses, would that be alright?" Fourth Master asked.
“Seventeenth Prince, you seem to be fifteen this year. You and Ruyue are a perfect match. I’m afraid it’s impossible for you to be the primary consort, but could you perhaps be made a secondary consort?” Lanqin said.
"The Wu family's affairs are not enough," Fourth Master said.
“But Sister Wu doesn’t want her younger sister to become someone’s concubine. She wants to get married and become someone’s legal wife,” Lanqin said.
“Then she can’t stay in the royal family. She has the looks, but her family background is far from it,” the Fourth Prince said.
“That’s what I was thinking too. Sister Wu’s idea is to find someone who is an official in the capital. Or how about this year’s second and third place winners?” Lanqin thought of the young man who had spoken up for her.
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