"Li Bai walks down the street, carrying a wine jug to buy wine; he doubles his purchase at each shop he encounters, and drinks a whole jug when he sees flowers; after three encounters with both shops and flowers, he has drunk the entire jug. So, how much wine was originally in the jug?"
After hearing the question, Hongxuan realized that it was not a question he could answer, so he stepped back.
Both Hongyao and Hongjing were intelligent. They had learned this kind of math problem in the Imperial Study and their mother had also taught them, but it still took them a while to solve it, so they were a little silent for a moment.
The little devil, thinking they couldn't do it, became smug: "Hehehe, you can't do it, can you? Let me tell you..."
"Who says we can't? The answer is seven-eighths of a bushel."
Hearing the brat's arrogant tone, Hongye couldn't help but speak up and give the answer directly.
The little rascal was stunned that his question had been answered so quickly. He pointed at Hongye in astonishment and exclaimed, "You, you actually figured it out so fast?"
"Hmph! What's so difficult about this?" Hongye said casually, but his arrogance was evident. This made the little brat very angry. She was a bit unconvinced and asked him another question.
"Nine hundred and ninety-nine coins can buy one thousand pears in a timely manner. Nine pears cost eleven coins each, and seven fruits cost four coins each. Question: How much are the pears and what is their price?"
This question was clearly more difficult than the previous one. Hongye's mind raced through the calculations, and he arrived at the result: "Pears: 803 coins, Fruit: 196 coins!"
The little brat's eyes widened in surprise, and he was speechless: "You..."
If she thought Hongye's answer was a fluke or a stroke of luck just now, she now had to admire the person in front of her for being truly amazing.
Before she could say anything more, Brother Gua Er picked her up and carried her inside, stopping her from speaking.
Brother Gua bowed to Hongyao apologetically, saying, "Your Highness, the child is ignorant and has been rude. It's almost time, please come in!"
Hongyao waved his hand to indicate that it was nothing. "It's alright, brother. You're exaggerating. It wasn't rude at all. That kid is quite clever."
Having finally passed the test, he was allowed to go in and greet the bride. Hongyao waved to the people behind him to follow, and together they entered the Guarjia Mansion.
After paying respects to his parents-in-law, Brother Gua carried his younger sister onto the bridal sedan chair, and Hongyao finally received his new wife.
The wedding procession was bustling and lively as it entered the Yong Prince's Mansion. Hongyao led his wife to his own courtyard.
After the two entered the main courtyard and completed the ceremony, Hongyao instructed the servants to take good care of his wife before going out to deal with the guests who had come that day.
A knocking sound came from the door. It turned out that Hutuli had brought several of her sisters to keep her sister-in-law company.
When Guarjia heard her maid report that several young ladies from the manor had arrived, she felt a little nervous, but she still let them in.
Once inside, Hutuli, knowing that her sister-in-law didn't recognize them, considerately introduced everyone's identities.
Having received this kindness, Guarjia felt a greater fondness for her younger sister.
Before she entered the manor, her mother had told her about the situation there.
Her husband was the eldest son of a prince, born to Consort Song. He had three younger brothers and two younger sisters from the same mother.
Consort Li, a concubine in the household, had a son and a daughter, while the primary wife had a daughter.
Furthermore, Princess Niohuru has a son, and Princess Geng is pregnant but has not yet given birth.
Guarjia treated her younger sisters with great gentleness, and with Hutuli easing the tension, the atmosphere among the sisters-in-law was harmonious.
After chatting for a while, seeing that it was almost time, the group left and went back to their lodgings.
Hutuli and Erlinzhu are Hongyao's younger sisters, so it's normal for them to come and accompany Guarjia. However, the other two came for a different reason.
Qi Buchen came here because Song Eniang was the concubine of her mother, so she was also trying to make friends with her.
Erdeni was the eldest daughter of the primary consort, and her status was the most precious among her sisters. However, her mother had no sons, so the chances of the future heir apparent or even the title of prince were highest among the sons of Consort Song.
It was also out of a desire to maintain good relations that Erdeni made this trip.
Erdeni walked slowly on his way back to the main courtyard, head bowed in deep thought.
Because of the winter snow, the road was wet and slippery, making it difficult to walk. The maidservant beside her held a lantern in one hand and supported her mistress with the other, and the two walked very carefully.
As they passed by the rockery in the garden, the maid Jinzhu accidentally tripped and fell, causing Erdeni, whom she was supporting, to lose her balance and fall to the ground as well.
Unable to control her body, and seeing that she was about to fall face-first onto the artificial hill, Erdeni closed her eyes in fear. Just then, a pair of broad, warm hands embraced her.
With the help of others, she finally regained her balance and looked up to thank them, only to find that it was someone she knew.
"Thank you so much, Brother Song! If it weren't for you, I would have fallen to the ground!"
Song Zhiheng was the cousin and study companion of the eldest prince Hongyao, and the nephew of the concubine's family. Erdeni called him "brother" along with her two older sisters.
Song Zhiheng waved his hand and added a few words of advice: "It's alright. Fourth Princess, please be careful when you walk. It's hard to see at night, and it's snowing. Please take care of yourself."
After speaking, Song Zhiheng bowed and took his leave.
He was an outsider and was not allowed to enter the backyard, but today his cousin was getting married and his aunt invited him over for a chat. He had just come out of Peach Blossom Courtyard when he met the Fourth Princess in the backyard.
Erdeni watched him walk away, a faint flutter in his heart.
The eunuch beside him kept his head down the whole time, not daring to look. Now that the young master of the Song family was leaving, he led the way.
He then reported what had happened that night to the Fourth Master.
The next morning, Hongyao brought his wife, Lady Guarjia, to the main courtyard to pay respects to his father and stepmother.
Yinzhen still had that icy expression, looking very serious. As his father-in-law, he couldn't say anything, so he just patted his son on the shoulder and told him to live well with his wife.
The primary consort, Ulanara, has gotten along well with the secondary consort, Yunyi, over the years. Since she has no son, she has also treated the eldest son in the household very well.
She spoke some standard words and gestured to the maid beside her.
Qingci stepped forward with a small tray, taking out the gifts bestowed by the Fujin. Guarjia respectfully accepted them and then expressed her gratitude.
Afterwards, the two went to Taowuyuan to pay their respects to Hongyao's biological mother.
At this moment, Yunyi was already sitting in the main hall, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her son and daughter-in-law.
"Mother, we've arrived! I can see my elder brother and sister-in-law."
Erlinzhu skipped in and reported what he had just seen.
Yunyi felt somewhat helpless with her overly lively and active daughter, and couldn't help but say a few words to her: "Alright, alright, Mother knows. You need to be quiet. Don't be like a little monkey and make your sister-in-law laugh at you."
With a pout, Erlinzhu obediently sat in her seat, looking very well-behaved.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
