The next day, Xu Wen took Sheng Yun to the Meng family's current residence. This residence was the Meng family's courtyard in the capital. The location of the second courtyard was not as good as the Sheng family's, but it was much better than some other small officials' residences.
The visit was arranged yesterday. As soon as the carriage arrived outside the Meng Mansion, an official lady came forward to ask if it was the Sheng Mansion. After confirming, the official lady came forward and led Xu Wen and her group into the mansion.
The Meng family in Shanxi is a family steeped in poetry and literature, even producing a queen. However, in recent years, lacking a successor, the family has gradually declined. Meng Lizhang's ability to study under the same master as Master Lin demonstrates his exceptional talent. However, misfortunes can occur at any moment. That year, just as he was about to enter the capital for the imperial examination, Meng Lizhang was attacked by bandits and injured his leg, which was unable to be healed. This ultimately derailed his career in officialdom. Originally teaching at a Shanxi academy, Meng Lizhang would not have appeared in the capital had it not been for his son's medical care.
After entering the mansion, Madam Meng was already halfway there to meet them. After exchanging greetings, they entered the main courtyard's flower hall. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Madam Meng took Xu Wen to see Meng Zizhou.
Looking at the handsome young man on the bed, with a hint of illness on his face, it made people feel even more pity. Seeing Xu Wen come in, Meng Zizhou sat up straight and saluted Xu Wen respectfully.
Afterwards, Xu Wen asked Meng Zizhou about his health, and Meng Zizhou answered very appropriately. Xu Wen secretly thought that if this young man had a healthy body, he might soar to great heights in the future.
After expressing her concern for Meng Zizhou, Xu Wen suggested that she would visit him another day, fearing that he was ill and tired. Meng Zizhou bowed respectfully and sent Xu Wen off. After Xu Wen took a tour of the mansion with Madam Meng, she left.
On the way back, holding the clay inkstone given by Mrs. Meng, he asked Li Yuxin, "Aunt, when can Brother Meng get up and play?"
Xu Wen, hugging Sheng Yun, replied, "Soon. Brother Meng will be able to come out and play in a few months."
Sheng Yun said happily: "That's great, Brother Meng looks a bit like my eldest brother, then I can let my eldest brother see what Brother Meng looks like."
Xu Wen didn't see any resemblance and asked in confusion, "Do they look alike? Why didn't Auntie notice it?"
Sheng Yun raised her head and said with sparkling eyes: "They look alike, very similar, and they are both equally beautiful."
Unexpectedly, if little Sheng Yun knew what a handsome man was, Xu Wen would take Sheng Yun to see more men so that she wouldn't be seduced by beauty like her.
After returning home, he went to see Sheng Hong again. Sheng Hong was no longer feeling unwell today. She had just had a minor illness and was still a little groggy. As soon as Sheng Yun saw Sheng Hong, he chattered to her about what he had seen today, and Sheng Hong listened patiently.
Xu Wen and Li Yuxin, sitting nearby, talked about Youyang's letter, which mentioned that the third wife wanted to monopolize the household expenses, but was rejected by Liu Mama. Sheng Huaizhong now understood the importance of the matter and became Liu Mama's supporter, saying bluntly, "The two families have long since separated. Let's each take care of our own affairs."
It turned out that the reason they asked the Third Wife to come to the First Wife's House was because they were afraid that Sheng Huaizhong would ruin the family business, so they wanted her to keep an eye on him. Unexpectedly, the person they should be on guard against was the Third Wife. Li Yuxin rubbed her head and said to Xu Wen, "I was on guard against the wrong person."
Xu Wen covered her mouth and laughed secretly, saying, "Who would have thought of this?"
Before her marriage, Xu Wen knew a lot about the bizarre affairs of her sisters-in-law. The second wife had always lived alone in the capital, rarely interacting with them. The last time Xu Wen helped the third wife, she was blamed, and she had no intention of interacting with her again. When Li Yuxin came to Beijing this time, the third wife wanted her son Sheng Zhui to come along, but Li Yuxin refused.
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