When the imperial edict arrived, Mi Niang was with her youngest son Tang Ge'er. The youngest son's name was taken from the flower of Tangdi, which implies brotherhood. Fang Weiyan was also inspired by his own family situation and hoped that they brothers could value the relationship between brothers.
Tang Ge'er is as smart as his brother, but this kind of intelligence is not innate. Mi Niang also spent a lot of effort on it.
Because she knows that people want to see the results. It is useless to say every day how well you raise your child and how fat and strong he is. Especially for families who give birth to boys, they must not really raise rich and idle people.
Therefore, we should train our sons to speak and understand things early, so that no matter where they go, they at least know what to do, and people around them will not dare to bully them.
"Mom, flowers, flowers..." Tangger pointed at the flowers, very happy.
Mi Niang smiled and said, "My little monk also wants to wear flowers in his hair? Okay, I'll pick one for you, okay?" The one-year-old child did not have his hair grown yet. Mi Niang liked to touch her son's little head and affectionately called him little monk.
Chun Tao said, "I'll pick them for you. Roses have many thorns. It would be bad if you hurt your hands."
Yes, roses are mostly grown in Pingyin. There are seven types of roses: Chinese rose, rose, rose, silk flower, wood fragrance, golden cherry, and tea rose. Mi Niang especially likes roses, which are small but eye-catching and emit a rich fragrance. She often dislikes expensive things, so she often wears roses in her hair, but roses have many thorns and are not easy to get close to.
But when it is pinned on the head, it is dazzling and very charming.
"Okay, go pick them." Mi Niang nodded.
At this time, they heard that the governor had come to convey the imperial edict, and the servants were very excited. Fang Weiyan's three-year term was about to expire, and everyone was guessing where Fang Weiyan would be promoted. Unexpectedly, it was the governor of a province who came to convey the imperial edict, which meant that he was very likely to be promoted.
Xia Lian quickly and happily said to Mi Niang: "I, the servant, congratulate you first. It seems that our aunt is going to be promoted."
Everyone was very impressed by the fact that Mi Niang remained calm, as if she had expected it.
Mi Niang said, "The Fourth Master has never been arrogant or eccentric. He has the talent of Guan Zhong and the bearing of a minister. If no one uses such a person, it is the fault of the court."
This is of course the difference between her and Fang Weiyan. Mi Niang is more impatient and wants to dominate others. Although Chang Yuzhu is jealous and competitive, Mi Niang is not the kind of person who can tolerate others surpassing herself.
She doesn't like to compromise with people she doesn't like, and she has the attitude that those who obey me will prosper, while those who disobey me will perish. However, she is also very self-aware. Fang Weiyan is probably the only person in the world who is most tolerant of her. Therefore, in addition to some marital feelings, she also has a strong possessiveness towards Fang Weiyan, which she cannot tell others.
Pianfang Weiyan himself didn't understand, and always thought that she was distant towards him. He also felt that she deserved the best, so he ignored her and thought he was doing it for her own good.
So, she could have expected him to be promoted, but more importantly, she and Fang Weiyan could now understand each other.
Therefore, honor or disgrace does not surprise me.
Fang Weiyan was also normal. He calmly said to Tong Zhi: "I will recommend you to be the prefect, but you must remember to do more for the people of Dengzhou during your tenure. Then I will be relieved."
He is a very kind person and a considerate person.
He even managed to make proper arrangements for Fang Weiyan's son's husband, which made people even more reluctant to let him go.
Mi Niang liked his behavior, but she was also a little unhappy. At night, she crawled on his chest and said, "So many people like you, I'm jealous. How can anyone think of you? Will you behave like this if any woman marries you?"
This is also what Mi Niang cares about the most. He is nice to everyone and everyone likes him.
At that time, all the young ladies in the mansion admired him. Even Jin Shuhui could not get his love, so she wrote a book to satirize herself.
Strangely enough, she had never had this feeling in her previous life. She was fighting for the right to be favored, those visible things, but she was not jealous when His Majesty went to other people.
Unless that person brings a threat to her and affects her position, she will not care whether the emperor has ten women.
But she had one thing in mind for Fang Weiyan: he was her own man, and she would not allow him to have anyone else, even if that person was a maid and did not affect her status in the slightest.
Fang Weiyan did not expect Mi Niang to say this. He felt both strange and happy, because in this relationship, although he liked Mi Niang very much, due to the inequality of their identities in the previous life, his status towards her was actually unequal.
She was so beautiful that he sometimes loved her, sometimes feared her, and sometimes couldn't leave her.
She was like his medicine.
He, who usually speaks without showing his stance, now said: "No, only you."
"You are the only one who is most special to me and the one I love the most."
These words were like honey, seeping into Mi Niang's heart.
"Me too. If it were someone else, I would never do this. But I am like this because it's you."
Fang Weiyan agreed: "If it weren't for you, maybe we would have treated each other with respect, but it would still be hard to accept."
Mi Niang hugged him tightly: "Anyway, you are mine, and you are not allowed to change."
Fang Weiyan coaxed her in a good-tempered manner: "Okay, I'm yours."
When he was exiled, he only had one son, Xian'er. Now when he returns, he has another son, Tang'er. Xian'er is good at speaking. He is eloquent at a young age and has a very good memory.
For example, children like to play in puddles. If a kid accidentally encounters one while walking, he will loudly tell people around him that there is a puddle. If he gets stained, he will just laugh it off and not take it to heart. He may even try it himself when he sees others having fun. He will also conclude that it is fun to step on it, but it will dirty his clothes, so it is not a big deal.
But even though Tangger is young, he never steps into a puddle, not even by accident.
From this point, it is enough to see the difference between the two sons.
Fang Weiyan's aide Chen Yiming hit the nail on the head: "The eldest son is Xiao's mother, and the second son is Xiao's father."
The former is like his mother, with a heroic spirit. No matter whether the matter is good or bad, he will always give it a try. The second son is like his father, cautious, upright, and smart. He rarely falls into a trap. The two brothers have their own strengths.
On the way, Mi Niang made wreaths for each of her two sons. Tang Ge'er felt a little embarrassed to wear the wreath. He envied Tang Ge'er because he had studied for a few years and felt like a grown-up boy, so he made a fuss and refused to wear it.
Mi Niang respected him: "If you don't wear it, I will wear it myself."
She put it on by herself, and Fang Weiyan looked at her with a smile: "It looks good."
"Of course." Mi Niang looked at him, as if she couldn't look enough.
This time when I go back, getting promoted is a good thing, but it may not be a good thing when it comes to the dispute over the country's foundation.
Everything went smoothly all the way, and they finally got back to the Marquis' Mansion before Qingming Festival. However, Fang Weiyan had to go to Li Tan's mansion first. Li Tan had made great efforts for his reinstatement this time, and this was the rule in the officialdom, and he had to make his attitude clear.
Mi Niang took her two sons home. She said to Xian Ge'er, "Do you still remember your grandparents? And all the aunts and grandmothers, remember to show your respect."
"I understand, my dear mother."
The seven-year-old Xian Ge'er has grown into a young man. He is very tall and looks like his mother, a young man from a wealthy family. Mi Niang is also very proud of her son. Apart from other things, his mouth is very good at coaxing people.
Although men should not talk too much, those who know how to talk have a greater advantage than those who don't.
When they walked into the second door, Mother Tang was already waiting there. She was very happy to see Mi Niang and said, "Fourth Madam, our old lady and all the ladies are waiting for you."
"Madam? Has the title changed now?" Mi Niang smiled.
Mother Tang nodded: "Since the old lady passed away, after the mourning period ended, we have changed the name in our house."
As the saying goes, while parents are still alive, one never grows old.
When Old Madam Weng was around, Mrs. Xu was always addressed as Madam. Now that Old Madam Weng has passed away, everyone's way of addressing her has changed.
Just like meeting everyone again, Xu seemed to have become much kinder. When she left, Xu was still a beautiful middle-aged woman. Now, wearing a brown jacket and a crimson purple mud-gold horse-faced skirt, she looked like an old noble, and her hair on her temples had turned a lot grayer.
This made Mi Niang very emotional. Ten years ago, when she first met Xu, Xu really looked like a beautiful woman. She didn't look like Fang Wei Yan's mother, but more like his sister. But now it's different.
Xu noticed that Mi Niang seemed different in some way. She was still dressed the same as before, but she smiled more often.
"Grandma, we are really unfilial for not being by your side to fulfill our filial duties in the past few years." Mi Niang kowtowed with Xian Ge'er and Tang Ge'er.
Xian'er could lift up his clothes by himself and perform the ritual, while Tang'er kowtowed while being held by his wet nurse.
Xu also pressed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief: "Good boy, get up quickly."
The Crown Prince's wife Chang Yuzhu said enthusiastically, "Fourth sister-in-law is finally back. The old lady has always been jealous of Ge'er and Tang'er. Hey, this is Tang'er, he is so beautiful, his eyes look exactly like Fourth sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law, I heard that your brother Ren was also very well raised. I specially asked for a jade pendant from Jiuru Pavilion for this nephew whom I have never met."
What should Xu say when she says that both sons are like Mi Niang and not like Fang Weiyan? Mi Niang then uses the gift to show her inconsiderateness.
Chang Yuzhu knew in her heart that she had lost a move, but she kept smiling. Others, such as Yu and Xiangjun, came forward to talk. They hadn't seen each other for three years, so they gathered together to talk about their sorrow of parting.
Yu was still childless, and was very happy to see Tang'er. She also said that Sheng'er was engaged to someone else, and everyone was gossiping about each other. Xiangjun was secretly comparing Min'er and Xian'er. If it was okay before, the gap now seemed to be getting bigger and bigger.
"Sister-in-law, are you saying that Xian'er has already started reading the Three, Hundred, Thousand, and Four Books?"
Mi Niang knew the nature of Xiangjun and could not help but say, "He only knows a little bit, and the master said he doesn't know much."
According to the normal process, children start learning small regular script at around eight years old. Xian Ge'er is seven years old now and has already learned it for one or two years. In fact, he has already learned more than normal children. However, learning at a young age does not necessarily mean being better when he grows up. Mi Niang will naturally not brag about it now, lest if the child fails to learn it well in the future, she will be slapped in the face.
Chang Yuzhu had just been humiliated and didn't dare to say anything more.
When Xu saw Xian'er, she didn't know how to be happy. She thought that he was so graceful and eloquent, and that she couldn't love him enough. She also saw that her little grandson Tang'er was so well-behaved and cute, so she held him on her lap.
"Xian'er is grown up now. All the younger brothers in our house have to live in the outer courtyard."
"That's as it should be. Everything is up to you to arrange."
In the past in the palace, it was very difficult for concubines to raise children. They were all older and were sent to the princes. Moreover, Xian Ge'er had already lived separately when he was in Dengzhou. Anyway, he studied every day, so Mi Niang agreed.
Xu was very happy to see that Mi Niang listened to her in everything. She just felt that Chang Yuzhu had too many ideas, but she often couldn't stick to them to the end. So even though she let her be in charge now, Xu didn't completely give up her power.
At the welcoming banquet, Mi Niang also gave them a lot of Dengzhou specialties, especially candied cherries. She said, "If we bring them back like that, the journey is long and there will be a lot of damage due to collisions. I'm afraid we won't be able to eat anything fresh. But if we make candied cherries and use ice on the way, they will taste great."
We also brought back a lot of seafood, including sea cucumbers and swimming crabs, which were delivered to the kitchen.
Yu couldn't help but say, "Brother Lao's wife always thinks about us."
Mi Niang was very happy: "This is nothing, just some local products."
Yu thought to herself that her fourth brother's wife had become more cheerful after her trip. She used to be a cold beauty, and although she would smile, it was only slightly. Now she seemed like a different person.
After the meal, the sisters-in-law saw that Xu was hesitant to speak, and naturally knew that Xu had something to say to Mi Niang, so they all made excuses to leave.
Mi Niang also asked the wet nurse to take the children to the back room. As expected, Xu said, "I am very happy that Wei Yan has been promoted. Now the brothers can help each other again."
Mi Niang had heard a long time ago that Fang Weijun's job was taken away by the wife of Marquis Xinling, who originally had deeper connections with the palace. In order to get this position, she even went so far as to frame herself and Fang Weiyan. Naturally, she was not a good person.
She heard the music and said elegantly, "I have heard a little about Weijun's mission. Now that we are back, if there is anything we can do to help, we will certainly help."
But Xu waved her hands and said, "I am not that kind of person. Wei Yan has just taken office and has not yet established himself. How can I ask for that?"
Mi Niang was very surprised. She asked in confusion, "What do you want me to do?" No matter what, Xu was still a very good mother. They were able to obtain the huge private property of Madam Weng because of Xu's planning.
She originally thought it was Fang Weijun's business, but unexpectedly it was not.
Xu sighed, "As long as Weijun is the crown prince, I have nothing to worry about. Moreover, I heard that war is raging in the north. If he is sent out at this time, it may not be a good thing. But you, you don't know yet, Defei was reprimanded by the emperor, and Zheng Zhaoyi was promoted to Xianfei. We can't say anything about the emperor's harem, but you know that the Hanhai Mansion has been hit. Now the eldest prince, the second prince, and even the fifth prince born by Defei have formed their own factions and are ruling their own politics. We, the nobles, just need to keep our wealth. As for Weiyan, I hope you don't get involved."
Unexpectedly, Fan Yuzhen was actually reprimanded. Although his position was not demoted, he was afraid that his prestige would be completely lost.
Furthermore, Xu said, "The daughter of the aunt is also in the palace. I heard that she is not favored. In my opinion, not being favored is not a bad thing. But the aunt sends letters every now and then, as if complaining that we are not doing our best. I can't do anything about it."
After being frustrated with Mi Niang, Fang Yazhen certainly did not give up. Instead, she often came to ask Xu and Chang Yuzhu to help her.
Mi Niang smiled and said, "How can we care about who the emperor favors? She has already come to me and asked my niece to give birth to a princess if she doesn't want a prince. The emperor is such a man. If we make too many moves, it will be bad. I think she is worrying too much. How can she have the final say on my daughter marrying into the royal family?"
"That's exactly what you said." Xu didn't want to complain about her concubine's daughter, but she felt happy when she heard Mi Niang say that.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked for a few words, and Mi Niang asked who Sheng Jie'er was betrothed to. Xu said, "Originally, her father said that since the Shen family was there, they would let the Shen family take care of her. The Shen family was looking for a scholar, but your eldest brother thought that the family was too poor, so he looked for another one. It happened that Wei Yan was promoted, and many people came to the mansion to propose marriage. It happened that the son of the Guo family proposed marriage, so he married into the Guo family."
Guo family?
Mi Niang frowned: "Is it Concubine Guo Jin's family home?"
Everyone in the court knew that although Concubine Guo Jin was not favored enough, she had the advantage of the eldest prince. As long as the eldest son ascended the throne in the future, the Guo family would become foreign relatives.
Xu took a sip of tea and said, "Now that the position of queen has not been decided, he is placing a bet in advance."
By marrying the daughter of the Fang family to the Guo family, outsiders who did not know the details thought that Fang Weiyan wanted to help the eldest prince. This Fang Weichang was really shrewd in his calculations. Even if something happened to the eldest prince in the future, he would only have to give up a daughter.
"Wouldn't it make the people in the court think that we want to stand with the eldest prince? Why didn't the Marquis and you object at the beginning?" Mi Niang was puzzled.
No matter what, Fang Weichang is still a member of the Dong'an Marquis Mansion.
Xu said, "How many people want to have the honor of following the emperor? The reason why the Marquis was so honorable was because he was the commander of the emperor's guards. You know, Weijun, you are young and inexperienced. How can you be in charge of a government in the future?"
Xu is no longer young, let alone the Marquis of Dong'an himself.
Mi Niang understood immediately that what the Marquis of Dong'an was thinking was that if Fang Weiyan made the right bet, the Marquis's Mansion would benefit, and Fang Weichang himself would be able to make further progress in his career with this identity. If he lost, it would just be a matter of dividing the family. Fang Weichang was born out of wedlock anyway, so the family would have to be divided, and it would have nothing to do with the Marquis of Dong'an Mansion.
As for Fang Weiyan, he was not within his consideration. Fang Weiyan was not the crown prince, and he would be separated eventually. Moreover, he took the path of a civil official. Unless one was a high-ranking official, the two civil and military officials were most taboo to interact with each other. Taking Fang Weiyan's path, the two brothers would be envied by the emperor.
Wouldn't this harm Fang Weiyan? Therefore, when Fang Weichang married his daughter, the Marquis of Dong'an did not say anything.
"Master Hou really thinks deeply."
Xu nodded: "It's good that you understand this principle. You can't get too close to the eldest son."
Parents who love their children will plan long-term for them.
Xu did not dislike Yu, and even thought she had noble character. Even after Yu's father passed away, she often brought her brothers, sisters and stepmother to her house to take care of them. However, in terms of relationship, she was definitely closer to her own son.
Mi Niang stood up and kowtowed to Xu: "We will always remember your love and care for the Fourth Master and me."
Xu quickly helped her up, "Why are you saying all this? Although you are my daughter-in-law, I also treat you as my daughter. And Wei Yan, when I saw Tang Ge'er today, I somehow thought of him."
As expected, as soon as Xu finished speaking, she said that Fang Weiyan came to pay his respects. Although Xu said that Mi Niang was like her daughter, she loved Fang Weiyan more and burst into tears when she saw Fang Weiyan.
Fang Weiyan asked about Xu's health with concern. Now it was Mi Niang's turn to leave. Xian Ge'er was drowsy, while the youngest son Tang Ge'er was already fast asleep.
"Let's go. Let the two young masters sleep in the side room for now. When the yard is cleaned up in a few days, let Xian Ge'er go to the outer courtyard."
There had not been any major changes in the Fengwu Court where they lived. After all, when they left, they had left someone to look after the house. But even so, Chuntao reported that several registered items had disappeared.
"I think it was stolen."
"Don't make it public yet. Go to the pawnshop and ask what you need first, and then see who it is."
Otherwise, if you create a huge mess just for a few objects, people will accuse you of being nosy.
Anyway, Mi Niang always carries valuable things with her.
Chuntao couldn't help but nod. While she and Xu were having dinner, the servants had already arranged everything. Mi Niang was also a little tired, so she washed up and prepared to lie down. She thought Fang Weiyan must have a lot to say to Xu, so she went to sleep peacefully.
Unexpectedly, when I was about to fall asleep, I heard him coming back.
After a quick wash, Fang Wei Yan got on the bed, and Mi Niang immediately rolled inside, leaving the outside to him.
She thought they were both very tired, but he reached out to untie her dress. Mi Niang chuckled and slapped his hand: "You bastard, you're still thinking about this at this time."
Fang Weiyan, however, could not wait any longer. It was not easy for the two of them to get close to each other on the road, and it was rare for them to get home. He could not hold it back any longer. It was strange to say, because he had never been intimate with anyone in his previous life, and he was very pure and had no desires.
Once I start to indulge in love in this life, it seems I can’t stop.
When the rain and cloud had just stopped, Fang Weiyan personally fetched water to help Mi Niang clean herself. Mi Niang blushed and said, "You don't have to do this."
Fang Weiyan said softly: "You don't have to be shy, we are husband and wife."
"Yeah." But Mi Niang was still very embarrassed.
After finishing the cleaning, Fang Weiyan said, "Mother talked to me a lot today. My eldest brother wants to marry into the Guo family. I'm afraid that others will misunderstand that I want to stand on the side of the eldest prince. Is this not okay?"
Mi Niang said hurriedly: "But didn't mother say that we should be prepared for both situations? I think that makes sense."
But Fang Weiyan waved his hands and said, "A gentleman should not seek perfection in his life. If he seeks perfection, everything will be spurned in the future. Even if I wrote a letter advocating the establishment of the foundation of the country, it was out of my own will, not for this."
"But the Marquis' Mansion..." Mi Niang looked at him.
Fang Weiyan lowered his eyes and said, "It is inevitable that the family will be divided. Although it is said that we will not divide the family while our parents are still alive, it will be too late if we wait until that time comes. The reason why my eldest brother tried so hard to marry his daughter to the Guo family was also for Weijun's position."
Mi Niang never thought Fang Wei Yan would be so decisive, and suddenly she felt that she might not really understand him.
In her heart, he is a good man who is loyal to his emperor and loves his country, but now he shows her the cold-bloodedness of a politician?
Which one is the real you?
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