Consort Fu's banquet was not very large; she only invited a few families of officials, seemingly just for the purpose of entertaining guests.
This year, Yang suddenly caught a cold and felt unwell for more than ten days. It's truly frightening that someone who doesn't get sick often falls ill.
Xu Lingzi also returned to the Duke's Mansion for a short stay these past two days. Even Guo Xun prepared a courtyard for her and specially accompanied her back.
“My mother doesn’t like to get sick, but when she does get sick, she doesn’t like it.”
As Xu Lingzi walked out of the main courtyard, her face was filled with worry, likely concerned about Yang's health.
"The previous doses of medicine didn't work, so we prescribed a new prescription. If it still doesn't work, we'll have to find another way."
"The imperial physician said it was due to deficiency of qi and blood, and lack of energy. My mother has always managed the household affairs. Only now that I have taken over the Duke's mansion do I realize that her good appearance is the result of her hard work."
"This cold is not serious, but it has brought out the accumulated fatigue of my mother over the years, which has made her illness more serious."
Li Shiyue lifted her skirt with one hand and stepped onto the stone steps in front of her.
This was no lie. Previously, the Duke of Rong and Xu Yunci were busy outside, and now they were also away from home due to the epidemic and the refugees. How could Lady Yang not be worried?
“My grandmother is old and her body can’t withstand much stress. A cold can be quite frightening.”
"It's a good thing you're back, otherwise I really wouldn't be able to run back and forth between the two places by myself. My fourth aunt has been at Shousong Hall these past two days."
Xu Lingzi sighed softly: "Now you still have to manage the household, worry about your grandmother and mother, and you also have to keep an eye on your father and brother who are away. You must be careful and don't get sick."
“If my brother comes back, the whole family will be sickly, and it will break my heart.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Granny Sun walked over. She was not surprised to see Li Shiyue and Xu Lingzi together. She curtsied and said, "Madam Zhang and Madam Yang from the General's Mansion have come to visit. They said they have come to visit the Old Madam and the Duchess."
"Both families have come? Chunling, go and invite your fourth aunt. Just tell her that the matriarchs of the Zhang and Yang families have come to the mansion."
Li Shiyue quickly led Granny Sun towards the flower hall, not daring to keep the guests waiting.
Both families were chosen by Zhou for her own children, and they would become in-laws in the future. It was better to inform Zhou in advance to ensure a smooth transition.
Inside the flower hall, Madam Zhang and Madam Yang sat on wooden chairs, with teacups that had just been brought up by a maid beside them.
"We apologize for not greeting you properly as our distinguished guest has arrived." Li Shiyue walked out from behind the screen with a smile. Upon seeing her, the two ladies also stood up.
"What honored guests? We were the ones who were abrupt. We just happened to agree to come and visit the old lady and the Duchess." It was Madam Zhang who spoke. She was also a military officer's wife, and even her voice was stronger than that of an ordinary woman.
With a round face, a normal natural skin tone, and thick, dark eyebrows, Mrs. Zhang had a cheerful smile and waved her hand casually as she spoke.
"We heard that the old lady and the duchess have been ill for quite some time, and we were thinking of coming to visit them today. We didn't send an invitation beforehand, so please don't think we are being presumptuous."
In contrast, Madam Yang spoke softly and smiled apologetically.
Just as they finished speaking, Zhou Shi arrived, glancing at Li Shiyue with a smile and a hint of joy in her eyes.
"I'm a little late, please forgive me, ladies. Yan Yan sent someone to call me, so I rushed over as fast as I could."
They walked together toward the back courtyard, first to Shousong Hall, then to the main courtyard to see Madam Yang, before returning to the flower hall to sit down and drink tea.
"At the small banquet in Pixiang Palace today, the Consort mentioned that she had invited the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, but she had not accepted the invitation. We thought we would stop by the Rongguo Duke's Mansion on our way out of the palace to take a look, and now that we have seen it, we feel more at ease."
Madam Yang looked around thoughtfully, glancing at Madam Zhou and Madam Zhang walking ahead. She deliberately lagged behind by half a step, walking alongside Li Shiyue.
"It was indeed Consort Gui who sent an invitation to the small banquet at Pixiang Palace, but my elder is unwell and unable to leave the palace. I was afraid that even if he came to the palace, it would be disrespectful to Consort Gui. So I declined and will go to Pixiang Palace another day to apologize to Consort Gui. I hope Consort Gui will not be angry."
Li Shiyue held a handkerchief in her hand and looked up at Madam Yang.
"Most of the families we visited today were prominent ones from the capital, but no one from the Grand Tutor's residence came. I heard it was because of Miss Qin's marriage, and they haven't been receiving many guests lately."
Qin Wanyin?
It's been so long since I've seen Qin Wanyin. Is she getting engaged?
Li Shiyue was somewhat surprised. She had been busy with her own affairs these days and hadn't really paid much attention to her friend's situation.
A pang of guilt and curiosity struck her; she wondered which family's young master Madam Qin had chosen.
As if she had seen through Li Shiyue's thoughts, Madam Yang smiled and said, "I heard the ladies talk about this today. I heard that the family that Madam Qin favored for Miss Qin was not a noble family in the capital."
"He is a student favored by Grand Tutor Qin. I have heard that he is handsome, has a refined appearance, is kind and honest, and his talent is recognized even by Grand Tutor Qin."
"After leaving the palace, I learned that both families seemed to have the same idea, but Grand Tutor Qin and Madam Qin wanted to follow the wishes of the eldest daughter of the Qin family, so nothing was decided yet."
Li Shiyue was somewhat puzzled, her suspicion undisguised: "If it wasn't decided, how could it have become common knowledge?"
If it doesn't work out, wouldn't that give people something to talk about? There will always be mouths that can't be kept from gossiping, which is not good for Qin Wanyin's reputation.
Madam Yang seemed not to have considered this, and nodded slightly, also feeling that the matter was not very safe.
"Perhaps the Qin family knows as well. Let's just wait and see. If Ayin gets engaged, I'll definitely go and ask for a drink at her wedding."
Li Shiyue smiled slightly, and as soon as she finished speaking, Madam Zhou and Madam Zhang in front of her also stopped in their tracks.
"What are you saying? Be careful not to leave you behind."
Madam Zhang covered her mouth and smiled as she walked over, her gaze falling on Li Shiyue: "I just mentioned that I invited the county princess to our residence for a small gathering the other day. If it's convenient, it would be even better if she could come along with her brothers and sisters."
“I have a daughter who is also quite young. I thought she could learn a lot from the county princess. But after seeing the county princess and seeing how adventurous my daughter is, I’m afraid she won’t be able to find a husband in the future.”
She has two daughters; the one she was betrothed to Xu Yunyao is her eldest daughter, and the one being mentioned now is her youngest daughter.
“Her father died early, and the little girl and her older sister learned a smattering of kung fu from my eldest son. They love to climb on the roof and tear off the tiles all day long.”
"Only her older sister can keep her in check. After her older sister gets married, I'm really afraid that she'll become unruly and become an old maid. I'll regret it to the core."
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