Gu Yankai's legitimate son returned to the capital a few months after he was born. Perhaps the son was weak when he was born, so Gu Yankai did not invite anyone to a banquet after returning to the capital. He only held a banquet when the son was one year old.
After Xu Wen sat down, she greeted the women at the table, then chatted with Jiao Niang for a few moments, agreeing to go to Longyan Temple in the suburbs to burn incense together in a couple of days. Before the meal began, Xu Wen met the Crown Prince's wife, Qin, whose delicate demeanor was truly charming. Glancing at the other women, Xu Wen saw that most of them looked at Qin with disdain. Xu Wen, with a faint smile on her face, sipped her fruit juice.
Behind Qin, the wet nurse held a wrapped baby, revealing only its frail face. It was hot, and she had wrapped the child tightly. Xu Wen and Jiao Niang exchanged a glance and, like everyone else, offered their congratulations. The gift had already been presented.
The child's surname was Gu, and his given name was Tingyu. He was the eldest son of the Gu family, yet he was the seventh child among his peers. The baby was brought up and then taken away in less than a cup of tea. Xu Wen looked at the child's face, which was so pale, and sighed in her heart. It was said that this child was born with a sickly appearance, and he drank more medicine than milk.
Qin only showed up once and left with the baby without staying to entertain the guests. The banquet was hosted by the ladies of the fourth and fifth rooms.
Even Xu Wen, a bold person like her, couldn't help but admire Qin. Not only did she dare to disrespect her elders and stop her husband from taking a concubine, she also dared to abandon everyone at her son's first birthday party. Xu Wen thought of the unmarried girls in the Qin family and sighed again.
Nothing happened at the banquet, and no one dared to cause trouble in such a founding marquis's mansion.
After the banquet, the ladies of the fourth and fifth chambers led the group on a tour around the pond and the small lake by the forest. As befitted a founding marquisate, the gardens were meticulously arranged, with flowers and trees thriving and fragrant. The women admired the gardens as they wandered, taking an hour to complete their leisurely stroll. Snacks and tea were served at the lakeside pavilion, and after touring the gardens, they sat down to rest for three quarters of an hour before bidding farewell to their host.
Xu Wen and Jiao Niang left together, exchanging a few words before they separated and returned to their respective residences. Jiao Niang's husband, Yu Shuyuan, was currently a Zhongshi Daifu (Grand Doctor of the Imperial Court), a fifth-rank official. Though he came from a humble background, he wasn't as illustrious as Sheng Huairen, a top scholar, but he had also steadily risen through the ranks, earning an excellent reputation for his integrity. Sheng Huairen greatly respected Yu Shuyuan and often interacted with him.
The autumn examinations were approaching. A while ago, the eldest wife of the Sheng family announced the good news that Sheng Wei had passed the Tongsheng exam and would take the provincial examination this autumn. Xu Wen remembered that Sheng Wei looked very much like Sheng Huaizhong, a steady character who spoke and acted cautiously despite his youth. Upon receiving the news, Sheng Huairen collected some commentaries on the classics and sent Xu Wen to Youyang. Xu Wen, in turn, prepared some valuable medicinal herbs and fabrics.
The letter from the eldest wife also mentioned Mr. Sheng's illness. Sheng Huairen had planned to return to Yuyang to visit his family in three months. Mr. Sheng had been in poor health since the old lady's passing several years earlier. Xu Wen had spent several months in Yuyang tending to the old lady's medicine. Mr. Sheng's condition had worsened, and Xu Wen might have to tend to him during her return. Then Xu Wen remembered her good friend, Mrs. He. The He family of Baishitan was en route to Yuyang. It would be a good idea to see if she could get the He family's physician to see Mr. Sheng.
Speaking of the autumn exam, Sheng Shu was still young, with the exam not expected for another two years at the earliest, so he was currently studying diligently. Xu Wen wasn't worried about her son's schoolwork at all. Sheng Shu had always been bright and studious, and his work had always earned praise from his teachers and Sheng Huaizhong.
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