After exchanging a few more words, Qin Sheng, still having matters to attend to, instructed her maid to help Xue Mei back home.
Xuemei is very good at winning people's hearts. Now her personal maid Min'er has become her confidante and listens to her every word.
"Auntie---" After leaving Zhefang Courtyard, Min'er immediately lowered her head and whispered in Xue Mei's ear, "This servant has inquired and found out that the Earl did stay at Mingyue Pavilion yesterday, but he did not call for water last night."
Xuemei wiped her lips with a handkerchief and smiled: "With her frail body, she can only rely on past favors to win over the Earl now."
But men...
In the end, how many men are truly devoted to only one woman?
All things considered, having a child is still the safest option; relying on a man's affection is not a long-term solution.
...
Qin Sheng hadn't dreamed about her childhood in a long time.
That night, she dreamed of it. In the dream, Yue Rongheng was still making her practice calligraphy with a stern face. There was a plate of pastries next to her, and he said that she could eat them only when she finished writing the characters.
He sat down and read a book.
Qin Sheng was also stubborn back then. If he didn't let her eat, she would insist on eating. She would always sneak a small piece of pastry into her mouth when he wasn't paying attention.
By the time Yue Rongheng arrived, she had already finished the entire plate of pastries.
Seeing his exasperated look made Qin Sheng happy, and she puffed out her cheeks and stared at him.
When Qin Sheng woke up, she was still a little dazed. She raised her hand and rubbed her temples, wondering why she had dreamed about these things.
Sitting in front of the dressing table, as Emerald combed her hair, Qin Sheng saw the wooden dog carving.
She couldn't resist reaching out and taking the puppy.
He touched the puppy's tail, then put his hand down.
Today, we have guests at the mansion. They are Yin Wenxiao's aunt, who has brought her daughter-in-law and several female relatives from the mansion.
Yin Wenxiao's aunt did not have a good relationship with her family in her early years, and Qin Sheng was not very clear about the reasons.
It was only after Yin Wenxiao took up a position in the Hanlin Academy that the two families resumed their contact.
Yin Wenxiao's aunt married into the Yu family, the Minister of Justice. However, she was not the current Minister of Justice, but rather the illegitimate son of the Yu family, the illegitimate younger brother of the Minister of Justice.
However, I heard that he has been promoted in the past two years.
Qin Sheng happened to run into Yin Wenxiao at the entrance of Songliu Courtyard.
The room was filled with laughter and chatter. Yin Wenxiao deliberately lagged behind a few steps, waiting to go in with Qin Sheng.
After everyone exchanged greetings, Madam Yin smiled and called Qin Sheng to sit down next to her, saying, "I was just talking about you with your aunt."
With guests present, Old Madam Yin was all smiles, showing no trace of the dislike she had shown towards Qin Sheng a few days ago.
Yin Wenxiao also went over, greeted the elders, and sat down next to Qin Sheng.
Qin Sheng's gaze secretly swept over the people in the room.
Yin Wenxiao's aunt, Madam Yu, her daughter-in-law, Ms. Bi, and Madam Yu's youngest daughter, Yu Xiuxiu.
Qin Sheng called her aunt, and Old Madam Yu immediately smiled and gave her a pair of mutton fat jade bracelets as a greeting gift.
"Although you've only been married into the family for a short time, you should work harder on having children. The Yin family has always had few offspring, so you should try to have more children for Wenxiao as soon as possible," said Old Madam Yu, holding Qin Sheng's hand with a smile.
Qin Sheng lowered her head, looking shy.
Madam Yin joked, "Don't rush her. The young couple is newly married, they'll have a child eventually."
Old Mrs. Yu's daughter-in-law, Ms. Bi, chimed in, "That's right. Children also depend on fate. When the time is right, they will naturally come."
As they talked, the conversation turned to Bi's son.
Although this woman surnamed Bi came from a merchant family, she was especially favored by Old Madam Yu, and her only son was treated like a treasure.
Qin Sheng listened quietly to the elders, but her hand was suddenly grasped.
She was startled, and that feeling of disgust surged up all at once, giving her goosebumps all over her body.
However, in front of her elders, Qin Sheng had no way to shake off his hand and could only endure it.
Qin Sheng's eyes reddened with anger, but Yin Wenxiao took this as shyness.
The way he looked at Qin Sheng carried a deeper meaning.
...
The people from the Yu family did not leave until evening.
Although Madam Yu did not say it explicitly, she mentioned her youngest daughter, Yu Xiuxiu, several times during their conversation. Yu Xiuxiu was initially a little shy, but later she became more and more poised and confident.
Qin Sheng's bad premonition grew stronger and stronger.
Sure enough, after the Yu family left, Old Madam Yin asked Qin Sheng, "What do you think of your cousin Xiuxiu?"
“Uh…” Qin Sheng thought for a moment and said, “Cousin Xiuxiu looks gentle and generous. My aunt said that she has been practicing the zither since she was a child, so she must play the zither very well.”
"Yes, Xiuxiu's piano skills are not only unparalleled in the world, but I'm afraid there are few in the entire capital who can play better than her." Old Madam Yin said with great pride.
After saying that, she looked at Qin Sheng meaningfully: "In the past two years, suitors have practically worn down the threshold of the Yu family mansion, but Xiuxiu hasn't taken a liking to any of them. On the contrary—"
"She said she doesn't like bookish, pedantic people; she prefers great heroes."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Qin Sheng understood everything. So, it turned out that Yu Xiuxiu had taken a liking to her brother.
"Ah Sheng, your brother is twenty-one this year, isn't he?"
Qin Sheng nodded and sighed, "Yes, last time I went back with the Earl, my mother was also worried about his marriage."
Madam Yin smiled and said, "Your brother is so young yet already holds a high position and has a wealth of military achievements. He is both talented in literature and martial arts, so naturally many young ladies admire him. There's no need to rush."
Madam Yin didn't directly address this matter with Qin Sheng.
But Qin Sheng is clever. With her hint, Qin Sheng must have understood what she meant. As long as she understood, that was good.
Qin Sheng and Yin Wenxiao left Songliu Courtyard together.
Before Yin Wenxiao could say anything, a servant rushed over, looking at Yin Wenxiao as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
"Why are you stammering?" Yin Wenxiao frowned. "Just say what you have to say!"
The servant was startled and lowered his head, saying, "It's Consort Ye. Consort Ye went out today, and on her way back, she bumped into the women of the Yu household at the gate—"
"..."
Yin Wenxiao's face darkened, but Qin Sheng spoke up: "How did Aunt Ye offend the women of the Yu family? Where is she now?"
"The person...the person has already left, but...but..." the servant stammered, sweat beading on his back.
After listening to the explanation, Qin Sheng understood.
For some unknown reason, Consort Ye left the manor. When she returned, her carriage happened to bump into the carriage of the women of the Yu family. Consort Ye got out of her carriage and, not recognizing the women of the Yu family, did not greet them. When she learned that Consort Ye was Yin Wenxiao's concubine, Old Madam Yu gave her a few words of admonishment. Unexpectedly, Consort Ye talked back...
According to the servant, Old Madam Yu looked grim when she left, and Aunt Ye cried...
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