After entering the mansion, Marquis Yongyi took his sons Xu Ting and Xu Lin to the study in the main courtyard. The Marquis' wife took Xu Wen to the courtyard where she had lived before her wedding. Seeing everything exactly as she had left it, Xu Wen felt a warm warmth in her heart. She put her arm around the Marquis' wife and said coquettishly, "Mother, you are so kind to me. Being your daughter is a blessing earned through many lifetimes."
What old mother could resist being pampered by her spoiled daughter? The Marquis’ wife laughed giddily and said, “Hahaha, your little mouth is as sweet as osmanthus cake.”
The furnishings in the room remained unchanged, only some new ones were added. The Marquis's wife took Xu Wen by the hand and introduced her, "Look, this ugly porcelain bowl was made by your father himself as a gift for your Double Tenth birthday." Seeing the strange shape of the thing, which was completely unrecognizable as a porcelain bowl, Xu Wen picked it up and examined it carefully.
Then, pointing to the red coral ornament on the bedside table, she said, "This is your twenty-fifth birthday gift. Your father personally went to the coast to buy it." After a pause, she added, "We get a few more birthday gifts here every year."
Turning around and hugging the Marquis's wife, Xu Wen said lovingly, "Mother, why don't I go back to live in the mansion? Since I got married, I have realized how good it is to be at home."
The Marquis's wife thought that was a good idea, but she couldn't agree to it. She could only stroke Xu Wen's hair and said, "Then stay a little longer."
At this moment, the Marquis's wife thought of Sheng Shu again and asked, "Didn't you say the child would come back with you? Why haven't I seen him?"
Xu Wen thought of her son and sat up straight. "The boat is going too fast. Shu'er can't handle it. With Mama Cui accompanying him on the next boat, we might be able to arrive tomorrow."
After all, she was still a child, and she had grown up in the north. Even if she practiced martial arts to strengthen her body, she couldn't immediately adapt to the turbulence of the boat. The Marquis's wife nodded and began to urge Xu Wen to wash up: "I've prepared a lot of your favorite food for you. Mother is waiting for you outside."
The Marquis's wife went to the outer room for tea, while Qiu Ling and Qiu Ming helped Xu Wen remove her makeup and wash up. Half an hour later, Xu Wen, having changed her clothes, left the inner room.
Before the family dinner, Xu Wen met Xu Ting's son, Xu Jiang. The young Xu Jiang, only five years old, had an adorable smile. His chubby little face was rosy, and he looked well-fed. After Xu Jiang saluted, Xu Wen presented him with a welcome gift.
Only the legitimate descendants were invited to this family banquet; the rest of the concubines' families were not allowed to attend.
Many of the concubines in the Yongyi Marquis's mansion were sent by the Emperor and various princes. It was not wrong for a Marquis to have several concubines. However, the Marquis rarely visited the backyard, spending more time with the Marquis's wife. After the concubine in the backyard had a child, she never saw the Marquis enter the courtyard again.
On weekdays, the Marquis's wife rarely saw the women in the backyard. She would only see them once every ten days, after which they would pay their respects and leave. Her daily necessities of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation were distributed according to the rules, without any embarrassment or deductions.
The Marquis had no time to care for his concubines' sons and daughters. When they reached a certain age, the concubines' sons were sent to academy, while the concubines' daughters lived with their concubines.
Last time, Xu Xia, the concubine who wanted to get to know Princess Jinyi, was complaining to her aunt: "Aunt, why didn't you let us sit at the table at the banquet when my sister came back?"
Aunt Xiu, who was sewing, lowered her head and said, "You will have to meet people someday, so be good when the time comes. If you can please the young lady, then marrying in the capital and finding a good marriage will be easy for you."
Xu Xia ran to the bronze mirror and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, Auntie. I will naturally behave well and please my sister. But, Auntie, my sister only married a minor official from a merchant family. What good marriage can she offer me?"
Aunt Xiu raised her head, revealing a charming expression. Her brows furrowed slightly as she said, "How could you forget why Princess Jinyi came to our house? Although the eldest lady is married, she has always been in contact with Empress Jing'an in the palace. Think about it, you and the eldest lady are sisters, so Empress Jing'an will definitely look at you differently."
Hearing this, Xu Xia's face flushed and she rested her chin on her hand, imagining the days to come.
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