If you were to ask what's most prevalent in circles of power and wealth, it would undoubtedly be gossipy aunts and uncles.
What do gossipy aunts and uncles like most? First, they like to talk about people's shortcomings and gossip. Second, they like to play matchmaker and arrange marriages. Third, they like to tease and admire teenagers.
Firstly, these aunts and grandmothers are all elderly and naturally love having their children and grandchildren around them. When they see a pretty child, they like to tease them a bit. Secondly, why "half-grown children"? Because very young children don't know how to respond or express gratitude and cry easily, while half-grown children are the most interesting.
So this theatrical troupe, whose main actors were children under ten years old, became an instant hit in Kyoto.
According to these gossipy women: regardless of what they sing, say, or act, just watching these children's innocent faces and their well-behaved performances is pleasing to the eye, and just listening to their clear voices on stage is refreshing.
Moreover, these child actors performed remarkably well, telling stories full of twists and turns, sometimes even bringing tears to the eyes. These wealthy ladies experienced a new kind of pleasure amidst the extreme contradiction between shedding tears and adoring the adorable pets.
What unsettled Jiang Mingyi was that this opera troupe, which had previously only performed plays like "Farewell My Concubine," had recently switched to a new play called "The Execution of Chen Shimei." It told the story of Chen Shimei, who, in his quest to become the emperor's son-in-law, not only abandoned his wife Qin Xianglian but also, to monopolize her wealthy dowry, had his twin sons murdered. The brother died, but the sister survived. To avenge her mother and brother, the sister went to the authorities, where the upright and just Judge Bao investigated and, in a fit of rage, executed the emperor's son-in-law.
Although the play is supposed to tell the story of Chen Shimei and Qin Xianglian, those in the capital who have seen it and know a little about the story all unanimously associate it with Jiang Mingyi and Princess Qingping.
He had never seen the play in person; he had only heard his mother recount the story, and even that made him shudder.
Lady Yong'an was filled with remorse. "It was all because Mother acted impulsively that day and let it slip. Unfortunately, your son isn't in the capital, so you can't stop them from talking. These past two days, people have been subtly probing me, asking if my third grandson is really dead. It's infuriating!"
Jiang Youchen is the third son in the Jiang family and the third grandson of the Lady of Yong'an.
Jiang Mingyi asked, "Has Mother sent someone to investigate? Where exactly has Chen-ge gone?"
"The informant reported that it was very likely that they went to Guigu Mountain."
"Ghost Valley Mountain?" Jiang Mingyi was taken aback. "What exactly did that mother and her two children experience in Taizhou County?"
Why was the daughter granted the title of a minor county princess, while the son went to the legendary Ghost Valley Mountain?
What about the Su family? Has anything changed about them as well?
Lady Yong'an hesitated and said, "I heard from the people of Wufeng County that your two children are very skilled in medicine. They saved the lives of an entire village in Dadu Village and even contributed a prescription that relieved the suffering of people in dozens of villages along the Jinjiang River. That's why they were granted the titles of County Princess and County Baron."
As for the folk tales that the brother and sister were little lucky charms or lucky stars, she had no reason to believe them.
How could someone who is always breaking cups, smashing bowls, and throwing away jade pendants at home be a lucky charm?
However, Jiang Mingyi was surprised again, "County man?"
Lady Yong'an said sullenly, "Yes, both of them are fifth-rank officials, and I heard that he was also awarded the title of fifth-rank civil merit."
The civil service examination was only for men; after a few years, they could directly be selected as officials.
Jiang Mingyi fell silent.
His son was eight years old and his daughter was five years old, and they had already obtained the fifth-rank noble title.
Even though he had worked so hard to obtain the title of Commandant of the Imperial Household, it was only a nominal fourth-rank position.
Moreover, they had only been in the capital for a short time, and the princess had not yet submitted her petition for official appointment.
The fourth rank is just a pipe dream.
Lady Yong'an asked, "Yi'er, what about Madam Su..."
"Don't do anything for now!" Jiang Mingyi quickly said. "Don't make any rash moves recently."
The best way to deal with such unfounded rumors is to ignore them.
If you ignore it, it will slowly dissolve into nothingness.
Most importantly, is the Xuanwang Mansion someone to be trifled with?
He's a living devil!
...
The day after Xiao Youran caused a scene at Princess Qingping's mansion, someone visited the county princess's mansion, bringing endless joy to both Xiao Youran and Madam Su.
The person who arrived was Princess Yueyue. Upon seeing Xiaoyou, she hugged her and jumped and laughed, "Oh my, I've finally seen you again, Xiaoyou! Why didn't you tell me you were going back to the capital?"
Xiao Youran was both surprised and delighted. "Senior Brother Da Bai only said you left, but he didn't tell me where you went. I didn't know either. You actually stayed right under the emperor's nose."
The kidnapping of Princess Yueyue gave her some clues. She suspected that someone in the capital was trying to harm the princess and her daughter. Otherwise, the princess wouldn't have fled to Wufeng County while three or four months pregnant, only to get into trouble and almost suffer a terrible fate.
If Princess Yueyue hadn't been rescued from that pleasure boat by Xiao Youran, one can only imagine what she would have faced in the future.
Yueyue felt quite embarrassed after hearing this. "My mother said that we have unseen enemies lurking in the shadows, so we must return to the capital in secret as well as secretly leave it. My cousin said that the most dangerous place is the safest place. After thinking it over, we decided to return to the capital."
Xiao Youran asked in surprise, "So, you're in Kyoto now, are you allowed to show yourself? Aren't you afraid of being discovered just by walking so openly here?"
Yueyue laughed, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid! Uncle Xuanwang came back last month! With him here, we have nothing to fear!"
Madam Su interjected at the opportune moment, "In that case, I should find some time to pay my respects to the Princess. Also, I wonder if the Prince Xuan's residence has any female relatives? If so, we should certainly pay our respects as well. We have received tremendous help from the Prince Xuan's guards on our journey, and we have been quite troubled as to how to express our gratitude."
Yueyue quickly waved her hand, "Although Uncle Xuan has returned, Aunt is still in Liaozhou County. There isn't a single woman in the Xuan Prince's mansion in the capital. Besides, Uncle Xuan dislikes being disturbed the most, so please don't stand on ceremony, Aunt!"
During her time in Sanyang Village, she became quite familiar with Madam Su and Madam Zhou, addressing them as "Auntie." Madam Su and the others, knowing the Princess did not wish to reveal her identity, let her be.
Madam Su sighed, "Then I'll have Zhao Mama pack two food boxes for the Princess to take back later. You can try one box, and the Princess can give the other one to Prince Xuan. Is that alright?"
Yueyue nodded, "That's wonderful. Mother hasn't had much of an appetite lately and often talks about Zhao Mama's cooking! It's a pity that you can't buy Liufangzhai pastries in the capital."
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