After Li Yuxin took a liking to Yu Jiaxing as her son-in-law, she worried that Hong'er wasn't interested in him, and that Yu Jiaxing didn't like her either. After all, she wanted them to be as loving as Mr. Yu and Mrs. Yu. So, she gritted her teeth and disregarded etiquette, arranging for Hong'er and Yu Jiaxing to meet by chance a few times.
Yu Jiaxing was a man of integrity, and when he encountered someone he simply exchanged polite greetings. It wasn't until he overheard a conversation between Hong'er and Xin Jie'er that a ripple of emotion began to stir in Yu Jiaxing's heart.
That day, Xin Jie'er finally arrived at the Sheng residence as a guest. She met the elders, exchanged greetings, and received gifts from Xu Wen and Li Yuxin. After a brief conversation with the elders, Hong'er took Xin Jie'er to her own courtyard. The two played chess, while Yun'er learned from them. After a few games, the three of them strolled through the gardens.
Xin Jie'er and Hong'er discussed the recent situation with the Duke of Yingguo's wife. The Emperor, fearing the Duke of Yingguo had only one daughter and lacking an heir, considered granting him a concubine to continue his lineage. Unexpectedly, the Duke of Yingguo's wife stood at the door of the mansion, two kitchen knives in hand, and declared that if the concubine dared to enter, she would kill her with one knife and herself with the other.
The Emperor was making trouble out of nothing. He had no concubines in his own harem, and now he only had Empress Jing'an to look after, yet he was meddling in other people's affairs. After being scolded by Empress Jing'an, the Emperor was about to take the concubine back. But when he heard about the incident, he immediately flew into a rage. The Duke of Ying rushed into the palace and knelt outside the main hall to beg the Emperor. The Emperor, having found a way out, made the Duke of Ying kneel for a day before letting him go home.
A concubine bestowed by the emperor was like a noble concubine. Other concubines, as long as they had a bond, could always be dealt with. But a concubine bestowed by the emperor, like this, was completely beyond the control of the mistress of the household. Beating or scolding was fine, and even more so, dictating rules to her was forbidden, as it would be a slap in the emperor's face. This wasn't a concubine; it was a traitor who had been invited home to steal her husband.
Xin Jieer was so angry when she talked about this that she said to Honger, "If it were me, I wouldn't risk my life. I would kill the concubine first, and then kill the unfaithful man."
Hong'er first comforted Xin'er, then said to her, "If you commit crimes for others in life, wouldn't that be fulfilling their wishes? Just live your own life well. If a man is unreliable, don't rely on him. There's no need to risk your life for him."
I didn't expect Hong'er to think this way. Xin Jie'er couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so open-minded?"
Hong Er turned her head to look at the pond and murmured, "I don't know either."
Sometimes Sheng Hong always had a feeling that her life was saved by her mother. She would always remember how rampant Concubine Liu was at that time, and Sheng Hong always had a vague feeling that Concubine Liu would harm her.
As the two were talking, Yu Jiaxing, who was holding the puppy, accidentally overheard their conversation. Only after Xin Jie'er and Hong'er left did Yu Jiaxing step forward, holding the puppy. Watching the two people walk away, Yu Jiaxing began to feel differently about this girl he had met several times.
When Lin Jiaoniang saw Hong'er again, she felt even closer than before. When she heard Xu Wen was looking for a husband for Hong'er, she thought of her own son. She had met Hong'er a few times, and she knew she was good-natured and well-mannered. She had even seen how Hong'er managed the household at the Sheng family. Wouldn't someone so perceptive at such a young age be a perfect match for her silly son?
After inquiring with Xu Wen, she learned that Li Yuxin had no objection to her son, so she immediately told Xu Wen about her thoughts. The two sides hit it off immediately and agreed to hold the betrothal ceremony next year, exchanging tokens in advance.
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