Xihe was helpless. She didn't know who this child took after. Not only did he like looking at beautiful women, he also loved to hear people praise him.
In order to please her, all the maids and servants in the mansion tried their best to dress up. Even the servants around Qingzhu, Zhuye and Meng Yuchuan subconsciously paid attention to their clothes, words and deeds... Everyone in the mansion was trying to please her.
Prime Minister Qiang was also particularly fond of his granddaughter. When he heard that Meng Xi had arrived, he couldn't wait to ask the servant to come and pick her up.
Xihe warned the little girl, "There are a lot of people here today, so follow your brother closely and don't act naughty!" He then gently reminded Meng Huaiyu, "Don't spoil your sister!"
The little girl nodded repeatedly: "I know, I know." She grabbed her brother and turned around and ran away.
Before Meng Huaiyu could even salute, the little girl dragged him away, shouting, "Sister, be careful! Don't fall!"
Behind them, the servants followed carefully, fearing that something might happen.
Xihe shook his head helplessly and said "Excuse me" to the ladies, then started talking about all kinds of gossip or clothes and jewelry.
It has been more than four years since Meng Yuchuan became the Prime Minister. Over the years, Xihe has long been accustomed to this kind of banquet scene, but she rarely goes out and prefers to stay in the mansion.
After a while, the banquet began and everyone took their seats one by one.
Xihe sat below the Prime Minister's wife, followed by Qiang Baorou, Qiang Baowen, and the wives of the other officials.
As the deposed Crown Princess, Qiang Baorou didn't want to show up in public or sit in such a prominent position, but Qiang Baowen couldn't bear to see his sister being ignored by everyone, so he forced her to sit in the main seat.
"elder sister."
Xihe called out politely.
Qiang Baorou also said, "Second sister."
Since the crown prince was deposed, Xihe had visited her several times and knew that she was not having an easy time - the crown prince blamed Prime Minister Qiang and Meng Yuchuan for his dethronement.
He felt that although they worshipped him as their master on the surface, they actually did not take him seriously at all behind his back.
Otherwise, one of them is now the Prime Minister, and the other is the Chief Minister, holding great power. Why don't they help him speak well of this to his father? Restore the position of Crown Prince!
He encouraged Qiang Baorou to plead with her father and sister, but Qiang Baorou went once and then said she would never go again.
The prince was furious and immediately hated Qiang Baorou. He didn't dare to hit or scold her, but he did say some sarcastic and derogatory words to her.
Xihe also asked her if she wanted to divorce, but Qiang Baorou refused.
Therefore, the two of them are not actually familiar with each other, just acquaintances.
Compared to Qiang Baorou, Qiang Baowen is different. He still speaks to Xihe in a careless and impolite manner, and sometimes even makes sarcastic remarks.
But Xihe didn't take it seriously. He just smiled and didn't bother with her.
Qiang Baowen got married two years ago. The man was naturally a young general of the Lin family. Although their life had some twists and turns, it was relatively smooth.
Halfway through the banquet, everyone began to present gifts. Xihe also presented her jade ruyi at the right time. The Prime Minister's wife took it with a smile on her face. Then came the other children and the younger generations... Meng Ying ran over holding her brother in one hand and a little girl in pink in the other.
She greeted her grandmother, aunt, and all the ladies in turn, then ran to Xihe and threw herself into her arms, smiling brightly: "Mother!"
Xihe wiped the sweat from the little girl's forehead, then pulled her brother over and wiped his as well.
Meng Huaiyu was already a young man of seven or eight years old now. He was very proud and blushed shyly: "My son greets his mother."
Xihe pursed her lips and smiled, and without bothering him, she patted his shoulder and said, "Go find your uncle."
Meng Huaiyu bowed and left. Xihe looked at the embarrassed little girl and asked Meng Ying whose daughter she was.
The little girl was about five or six years old, thin and small, and looked a little timid. Although her clothes were brand new, the collar of her undershirt was frayed, and it was obvious that she was not valued at home.
Speaking of this, Meng Xian had something to say: "Mom, Wan Niang was bullied, you have to help her get revenge!"
Xihe: ???
The women at the banquet looked at the blushing little girl in surprise.
Meng Xi immediately started talking about what happened...
At a table in the corner of the courtyard, the mistress of the Xie Mansion was leisurely eating her meal while instructing her niece, "Today is the Prime Minister's wife's birthday, and many people are coming. You should take this opportunity to get to know some young ladies. It would be best if you could find one or two close friends. It would be even better if you could meet the daughter of the Prime Minister..."
Suddenly a maid came hurriedly and asked the two to go to the main table.
Jin was startled, then reacted with ecstasy. She quickly stood up and took her niece away.
Facing the envious gazes from all around her along the way, she couldn't help but straighten her back. She was originally just a concubine's daughter of a third-rank official. Her best fate would have been to marry into the family of a fifth or sixth-rank official, or to marry a man from a poor family.
Later, by chance, I heard that Xie Fu, a third-rank Guanglu Temple official, was looking for a second wife for his legitimate son.
The legitimate son of a third-rank official! Even though he was a concubine.
She reported this to her stepmother, and with her stepmother's hard work, she was married into the Xie family soon after.
At this moment, she couldn't help but wonder, was the Prime Minister's wife asking her to go to the main table because they were both second wives, and her husband's ex-wife had a child, so they were closer? Did they have more topics to talk about?
With good wishes, Jin walked towards the main table with a smile, but the result was—
The first thing she saw was her troublesome stepdaughter.
Among the noble ladies dressed in jewels and gorgeous clothes, her stepdaughter lowered her head, her small hands tightly twisting, looking particularly petty.
Jin's face suddenly turned dark. What did this damn girl do behind her back?
But the ladies here were either super-rank ladies or first-rank ladies. She dared not show any anger in front of everyone and could only bow respectfully to greet the nobles.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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