Even if Zheng Dinglian fails to keep his promise, she will be able to protect her heart from harm in time.
Seeing her so calm and composed, Fuyu was anxious but couldn't find the right words to comfort her.
Princess Duan was unaware of the subtle actions of Gu Qinlan and her servant. She was immersed in laughter and instructing the maids to arrange tables and chairs, intending to invite Liang Shi, Gu Qinlan, and Zheng Huiyi to enjoy the fun of playing cards together.
Time passed quickly as they played cards, and half an hour later, Princess Duan and Zheng Huiyi had not won a single round. This annoyed Princess Duan, and she finally slammed the cards on the table in frustration.
"Alright, alright, I'm done playing. You two, uncle and nephew, have really bullied us. Huiyi and I are completely dominated by you. We're human, how come your brains are so smart?"
In fact, Princess Duan was not truly angry; she was more frustrated by her consecutive losses at mahjong.
Zheng Huiyi rolled her eyes and suggested, "Mother, since we can't win, why don't we ask my brother to come over? He's very smart."
A glint flashed in Princess Duan's eyes: "That's right, how come I didn't think of that? Dinglian, come here quickly and take Huiyi's place. If my son and I join forces, I refuse to believe we can't beat those two, uncle and nephew!"
Zheng Huiyi quickly gave up her seat.
Princess Duan originally thought that with the addition of her exceptionally intelligent son, she would be able to turn the tide and catch Liang Shi and Gu Qinlan off guard. However, the result was that she lost even more miserably!
When Zheng Huiyi was on the field, Princess Duan still had a chance to play a few cards. But once Zheng Dinglian took the lead, she lost even the chance to play a card!
When she was once again forced to take out money, Princess Duan asked suspiciously, "Why do I feel that you are intentionally helping your wife?"
Zheng Dinglian remained calm and composed, his tone revealing his surprise: "I never expected that Mother would actually come to this realization; this is truly unexpected."
A burst of cheerful laughter immediately echoed in the air. Everyone had already seen through Zheng Dinglian's strategy. He not only gave Gu Qinlan a break, but also cleverly suppressed Princess Duan, preventing her from using her card skills.
Princess Duan finally understood the trick, and angrily widened her eyes, scolding, "Well, you are truly the most filial! What benefit do you gain from framing me? Aren't you afraid of losing your money?"
Zheng Dinglian responded seriously, "Since the money has gone into my wife's pocket, it is still mine. But if my mother's money doesn't pass through my hands, then it no longer belongs to me."
Laughter surged around them like a tide, while Princess Duan was heartbroken and complained that she had raised a useless son who had forgotten his mother's kindness after getting married.
Amidst laughter and cheerful conversation, time slipped away quietly until night fell and midnight arrived.
The children in the house had long since succumbed to sleepiness and drifted off to sleep in the warm attic. But before going to bed, they reminded their nanny to wake them up at midnight so they could ask their elders for New Year's money.
As the clock struck midnight, the children were awakened as usual. They were usually hard to wake even under thunder, but today was an exception. As soon as the nannies' calls ended, they immediately opened their eyes. After a moment of confusion, they immediately ran to their elders, full of energy, to kowtow and look forward to receiving their New Year's money.
After the younger generation finished receiving their New Year's money, Zheng Huiyi led Gu Qinlan and her cousins from the Jiang family to kowtow before Princess Duan.
Princess Duan had already prepared New Year's money, distributing a portion to each child who kowtowed. After the kowtowing ended, everyone turned to Lady Liang, who once again received New Year's money.
Amidst auspicious words, everyone bid farewell and returned to their respective homes.
Gu Qinlan felt utterly exhausted. The falling snowflakes made the ground look ridiculous, and she had to force herself to stay awake.
Just then, Zheng Dinglian walked up to her, half-squatted down, and said affectionately, "Come on, let me carry you back." His actions were full of care and tenderness, adding a touch of warmth to the cold night.
After a brief hesitation, Gu Qinlan obediently lay down on his back.
After all, they had long since crossed the line of physical intimacy, and everyone in the mansion was used to it. To her, those formalities were nothing more than uninteresting constraints.
To get rid of the maid's interference, Gu Qinlan reached out her hand to Fuyu, who immediately handed her the oil-paper umbrella she was holding.
Gu Qinlan held up an umbrella, while Zheng Dinglian carried her on his back, and the two slowly made their way towards their residence.
In the distance, Princess Duan looked at them, shook her head helplessly, and felt a pang of regret in her heart. If her son had not been injured, perhaps by autumn, her family would have been filled with the joyful laughter of a new life.
The first day of the Lunar New Year.
After having breakfast, Gu Qinlan began to carefully dress up.
Today, she will accompany Zheng Dinglian to the palace to attend a grand palace banquet.
According to the emperor's annual custom, officials of the third rank or above and their families are invited. Zheng Dinglian, who is now of the third rank, is naturally among them.
Fuyu and the other maids were unusually nervous. This was their first time stepping into the palace. Although a few days ago, palace matrons had come to teach them court etiquette, they were still worried that they would make mistakes and cause inconvenience to their mistress.
However, Gu Qinlan appeared calm and composed, as if everything was under control. She reassured them, "Don't be too nervous. Just follow me closely. At the palace banquet, there will be a lot of people. As long as you don't make any big mistakes, no one will notice you."
Fuyu asked curiously, "Madam, how can you be so calm?"
Gu Qinlan smiled and replied, "Of course I'm a little nervous, but then I think about it and there's not much to be nervous about. The heir's rank isn't the highest, and I don't expect my seat at the palace banquet to be too far forward. Those prominent figures might not even notice me, so I'm not that nervous."
In reality, she felt no nervousness at all. After all, in her previous life, she had visited the palace and attended palace banquets more than once, and she knew all the procedures by heart.
After hearing this, the maids felt that her words made a lot of sense, and their tension gradually dissipated.
After everything was ready, Gu Qinlan went to the front hall.
The other members of the Zheng family had been waiting there for a long time.
They will also attend this grand palace banquet together.
This marked the first time in nearly thirty years that the Zheng family had made their mark at a court banquet.
The three women's nervousness was palpable. Zheng Huiyi's face was even slightly pale, and her anxiety made her want to back out: "Sister-in-law, I think I'd better not go. I'm worried that I will bring shame to the family."
Her hesitation was contagious; even the Princess Consort of Duan began to waver: "I don't really want to go either..."
However, Zheng Huaiyu remained steadfast, his gaze sweeping over them with unwavering determination: "Grandmother, Aunt, it would be a real disgrace if you didn't go! Our Zheng family hasn't been involved in a palace banquet for decades. This opportunity was earned by Grandfather and Father with their lives. If you don't attend, wouldn't their sacrifice be in vain?"
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