Sheng Xing'an was looking forward to Chu Yuanchen's early promotion. In this way, Sheng Xiyan would be a princess once she married in. The ceremony of a princess was much more solemn than that of a crown prince's wife. When the time came, it would be a great honor for a princess to be born in their mansion...

He was extremely grateful now. Fortunately Zhou Jingxun was not a good person and was easily seduced away by Zhao Yuanrou. Otherwise, their family would not have been able to get such a good marriage.

But when he thought of Zhao Yuanrou, Sheng Xingan started to have a headache again.

His family was somewhat related to Zhao Yuanrou, and even in the government office, someone asked him if he would soon become the brother-in-law of King Zhao's wife, which made him not know what to say for a moment.

Sheng Xing'an was an official in the court, so he could clearly understand the situation there.

Especially in the past few days, under the leadership of Prince Heng, someone had hinted at him. In order to avoid being criticized, the words were not made very clear, but the implicit meaning was to ask him about his intentions, asking him whether he wanted to surrender to Prince Zhao.

They spoke vaguely and he answered vaguely as well. Anyway, he didn't make any promises at all and still smiled when they met.

Sheng Xing'an didn't know who they had asked privately, but it was obvious that King Zhao had already set his sights on the throne.

In his opinion, King Zhao was still far behind and was not as insightful as Sister Yan.

Sheng Xingan was thinking in a mess, and his thoughts were flying farther and farther away.

"Sister Yan, I've thought about it and I think your dowry is still too small."

Sheng Xiyan was drinking tea with her head down when she suddenly heard it. She looked over and tilted her head in confusion.

Just now she saw Sheng Xingan's expression changing again and again, and she didn't know what kind of psychological process he went through before he started talking about her dowry again.

Sheng Xiyan smiled slightly: "As long as father has decided." Anyway, she would never think it was too much.

Sheng Xingan nodded. With the wealth of their Sheng family, they could still afford to add another 10,000 taels.

He then remembered something and lowered his voice, saying, "Sister Yan, if the Emperor does not agree with the Crown Prince's succession to the title, doesn't that mean..." Doesn't that mean that his last guess might be true?

Sheng Xiyan did not comment, just pretended not to know.

Sheng Xingan's heart beat faster.

No one knows how serious the emperor's illness is now. If something really happens... even if we bet, it would be better to bet on the Zhenbei Palace which has military power rather than on Prince Zhao who can't even defeat Xiao Shuo.

He felt that the people in the court were extremely stupid, which made him feel excited as if he was the only one sober while everyone else was drunk, just like a gambler who couldn't wait to wait for the emperor to open the dice cup.

Not only Sheng Xingan, there are many sharp-minded people in the court.

Princess Jingle's memorial was like throwing a stone into an already turbulent lake. The water in the lake became turbulent and the undercurrent gradually turned into a bright current. Many people had different thoughts and were ready to make a move.

As a result, the whole capital city knew that the Zhenbei Palace had submitted a petition for a title.

However, the emperor was still absent from court due to illness, and Jingle's memorial had not been approved for a long time. However, this matter was already a done deal in the eyes of most people, and the Sheng Mansion, as the in-laws, also prospered and welcomed many guests.

This call was certainly not made in the name of congratulations. All kinds of excuses were used, which greatly satisfied Sheng Xingan's vanity. For several days, no matter where he went, he was beaming with joy and walked with his head held high.

Especially since Sheng Xiyan has two younger sisters of marriageable age who have not yet been engaged. Even though they are concubines' daughters, they have attracted the attention of many families.

So what if she's a concubine's daughter? Which family doesn't have a concubine's son to marry?

At one time, several families came to Liu's house to ask for information, including some from the duke's and marquis' mansions. Liu herself was tempted, but could only sigh that the daughter of her cousin was too young.

However, Liu still secretly inquired about the young sons of these dukes and marquises, thinking that maybe she could arrange a marriage for them.

Sheng Xiyan saw all these things but didn't care much about them.

Unless Sheng Xingan does something stupid that drags the whole family into it, Sheng Xiyan will not interfere in anything concerning the Sheng family.

Especially recently, she has been busy feeding Jiuyang and has no time to take care of these things.

After taking the medicine for the past few days, the cold that caused Jiaoyang has been cured, but her body is too weak. She is young, so she cannot use strong tonic medicine, and can only be treated slowly with warming medicine. In the past few days, her complexion has improved a lot, and her face has grown some flesh, and it doesn't hurt to poke her fingers so much anymore.

Jiuyang was extremely wary of everyone. When he slept, he looked like an abandoned little animal cub, curled up with the quilt tightly held in his hands.

This quilt was given to her by Sheng Xiyan when she first arrived.

Later, the room was cleaned up, and when I took her there, she held me in her arms and refused to let go. It's the same now, she wants to sleep with me in her arms every day.

Sheng Xiyan let her do as she pleased, it was just a quilt.

Just seeing her having to hug the quilt to fall asleep makes one feel sad.

After Jiaoyang gradually recovered, he liked to follow Sheng Xiyan. Not only did he follow her to read, write and knit, but he would also go with her to the martial arts field to practice riding and archery.

This small martial arts training ground in the Sheng Mansion was built for Sheng Yan by Sheng Xing'an, who demolished a yard in the front yard after Sheng Yan decided to take the martial arts exam. Jiao Yang was still too weak, and Sheng Xiyan did not take her to practice together, so she just sat aside and watched obediently.

She follows Sheng Xiyan wherever she goes.

Learn to speak like her, learn to laugh like her, learn her every move.

She thought she was being sneaky, but Sheng Xiyan had actually noticed it a long time ago and just pretended not to know. Then, when she wasn't paying attention, he suddenly turned around and looked at her with a smile.

Jiuyang was startled and quickly turned his head away as if nothing had happened. Then, when Sheng Xiyan turned her head back, she followed her stealthily again.

When Sheng Xiyan raised his hand, she also raised her hand. When Sheng Xiyan served tea, she also served tea.

At first she was startled at being discovered, but later she smiled quietly, and her peach blossom eyes became brighter.

The big and the small seemed to be addicted to the game, and they played for several days without getting bored at all.

Xigui watched them playing with the flower rope and quietly went over to serve tea: "Girl, have some tea."

"I'll do it."

Jiuyang jumped down from the beauty bed and took the teacup without waiting for Xigui to move away. Xigui was afraid that the tea was too hot and would splash her, so she didn't dare to snatch it.

She imitated Xigui's behavior and held it in both hands and presented it to Sheng Xiyan.

"Sister...have some tea."

Sheng Xiyan didn't take it, and Xigui quickly took the teacup from her hand.

Jiaoyang tilted his head, somewhat confused.

In the past few days, no matter what she did, Sheng Xiyan never refused, which made her wonder if she had done something wrong.

She didn't want Sheng Xiyan to be angry.

Sheng Xiyan waved to her, asked her to sit next to him, and said seriously: "Jiaoyang, you have to remember that girls cannot serve tea to others casually."

Jiaoyang didn't understand, no one had ever told her.

Seeing that she didn't quite understand, Sheng Xiyan patiently explained to her, "Only when performing the concubine ceremony will a girl serve tea to people other than her relatives and elders." For example, the mistress.

In the court of Darong, apart from relatives and elders, only concubines offered tea to their mistresses, and slaves offered tea to their masters.

"So, you can't offer me tea, understand?"

Sheng Xiyan spoke gently.

Jiuyang understood and nodded obediently, then looked at Xigui again, meaning that Xigui could do it.

Sheng Xiyan smiled: "Jiaoyang, you are a guest, different from Xigui." She said jokingly, "If I want to buy a little maid, I just need to spend a few taels of silver. I spent a lot of money on medicine just to bring you back. You are different from a maid."

Jiaoyang tilted his head and stared at her.

She had gained some weight, but her skin was still dark and rough, her hair was very frizzy, and she was thin and small. At first glance, she looked even smaller than the servants in the mansion. Jiaoyang really didn't understand why Sheng Xiyan was so good to her.

Sheng Xiyan smiled and said, "What do you want to say?"

Jiuyang asked.

Since the day he was picked up by her, Jiaoyang wanted to ask this question. He had just casually jumped onto her carriage and lied to her, but she fed him, gave him a name, and brought him back to raise him.

She also told herself that she was not a slave.

Jiaoyang doesn’t quite understand.

From childhood to adulthood, she has never felt the slightest bit of kindness.

Sheng Xiyan's kindness made her a little uneasy.

"Because..." Sheng Xiyan looked at her seriously and said, "Whenever I see you, I always think, if only someone had been willing to help me back then."

Jiuyang looked confused.

Although Sheng Xiyan in her previous life was not beaten, scolded and abused like Jiaoyang, she was also isolated and helpless and didn't know what to do.

If someone had given her a hand at that time, told her that she didn't need to stick to worldly views, didn't need to believe in the female teachings she had learned since childhood, and didn't allow others to put shackles on her, perhaps she wouldn't have sunk deeper and deeper into the quagmire.

When seeing Jiuyang, Sheng Xiying felt as if she saw her own shadow, the kind of shadow that was trying desperately to break free from the quagmire and find a chance of survival.

Jiaoyang nodded as if he understood, and she slowly moved over and leaned beside her.

"Jiaoyang likes you."

Jiaoyang raised his head and spoke in a tender and gentle voice.

Jiuyang seldom speaks. Most of the time, he is a quiet and thoughtful child.

When she spoke, her voice was so pleasant to the ear, especially her serious look, which made Sheng Xiyan's heart tingle, and he couldn't help but raise his hand to touch the top of her head.

Sheng Xiyan smiled with her eyebrows curved, she had wanted to do this for a long time, and it felt really good.

Jiuyang was a little stiff at first, but soon he began to relax slowly. The corners of his mouth curved into a cute arc, and he rubbed his little head into her palm.

It was very warm, just as warm as her little quilt.

Then, she heard Sheng Xiyan ask: "I'm going out tomorrow, do you want to go out with me?"

Jiaoyang hesitated for a moment. She was afraid that the Jiang family would find her, and she also wanted to be with Sheng Xiyan. Finally, the idea of ​​going out with Sheng Xiyan prevailed. She nodded vigorously and said, "Okay!"

Sheng Xiyan said happily, "Chu Yu is going to take the girls' school exam tomorrow. Let's send her there first, and then I'll take you to Huashang Street. I heard there's a troupe of circuses there, it's really interesting."

There was a hint of anticipation in Jiuyang's eyes, and his long eyelashes fluttered.

This little expectation made her so excited that she couldn't sleep all night. The temptation of watching the circus was far greater than the fear of running into the Jiang family.

Jiuyang's new clothes were not ready yet, so she was temporarily wearing the clothes that had been altered last time. The lilac-colored dress was plain and clean. Her skin was still a little dark, so Sheng Xiyan applied a thin layer of powder on her and put a pearl flower on her hair. This dress was completely different from when they first met. On her small face, her facial features were already delicate.

Jiuyang looked at herself in the bronze mirror for a while, then smiled. It turned out that she could be so beautiful.

Sheng Xiyan took her on the carriage. Ten days later, when Cheng Chuyu saw her again, she was shocked.

"Her name is Jiuyang." Sheng Xiyan introduced her solemnly.

"Jiaoyang." Cheng Chuyu read these two words and praised with a smile, "What a good name, it sounds really nice."

Jiuyang was originally staring at her nervously, but when he heard her praising her name, the corners of his mouth curled up, and his alert little face became more lively.

Cheng Chuyu looked her up and down, smiled and clapped his hands, saying, "She's getting prettier. If she gets fatter and whiter, she'll definitely be a little beauty."

Jiuyang was originally so thin that his cheekbones were sunken, but after recuperating over the past few days, he gained a little weight, his face became rounder, his facial shape improved, and his facial features gradually became more relaxed.

Sheng Xi Yan Shen agreed. We need to continue to encourage you!

It's easy to gain weight, but as for whitening, she has recently figured out a recipe for a whitening and skin-nourishing ointment, and will give it to Jiaoyang to try after it's ready.

"I'll take you to the girls' school first. We're going to watch a variety show on Huashang Street. I'll pick you up after we finish watching the variety show. Then, we'll go to the theater together in the afternoon."

Sheng Xiyan had made full arrangements and was ready to take Jiaoyang out to play for a whole day before going back.

Cheng Chuyu also wanted to watch the show and looked at her eagerly.

"We'll tell you after we finish watching it!"

Cheng Chuyu was satisfied and replied "OK" happily.

Jiuyang pulled Sheng Xiyan's sleeve and moved closer to her, like a little hedgehog with its spines raised, looking at Cheng Chuyu cautiously.

The carriage first drove to the girls' school. When Cheng Chuyu got off the carriage, Jiaoyang became happy again. He loosened her sleeves and said, "Sister, shall we go to the variety show?"

"Let's go to Huashang Street."

The driver cracked the whip and the carriage headed straight for Huashang Street.

The circus on Huashang Street just started this month. It is right at the corner of the street and has been there for several days.

A few days ago, Sheng Xiyan asked Xi Gui to come and get some medicine. When Xi Gui came back, she mentioned it casually. At that time, Sheng Xiyan noticed that Jiuyang's body leaned forward and was listening very seriously, so she decided to take her out to play.

"Look! There it is!"

Sheng Xiyan's face was covered with a light purple scarf, and she also put a pink scarf on Jiaoyang. She pointed to the crowd in front of her, took Jiaoyang's hand and ran over.

In the crowd, there were two men in brown robes playing gongs and drums. Many passers-by gathered around after hearing the sound. The crowd grew larger and larger, and there was a bustle all around.

They arrived just in time: after the gongs and drums had finished playing, the variety show began.

First, two girls clasped their fists and bowed, then did a backflip and jumped onto a small platform. One of them stepped on the other's shoulders, standing on one leg to keep their balance. Then someone threw a sword to them. The girl standing on her companion's shoulder took the sword nimbly, danced a beautiful sword flower with one hand, and stuffed the sword into her mouth.

The sword looked very sharp, emitting a cold light under the sunlight. Jiaoyang was so frightened that his eyes widened. He pulled Sheng Xiyan's sleeve and called nervously, "Sister..."

Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. She covered her mouth with her hands, not daring to utter a word. She stared intently at the woman as she swallowed the sword bit by bit into her mouth.

Many people also gasped, and the timid ones even covered their eyes and dared not to look.

Finally, the woman swallowed the entire sword, leaving only the hilt in her mouth.

She flew up and did another backflip, landing steadily on the platform. When she turned around, the long sword was back in her hand.

"Wow!"

Jiaoyang let out a cry of surprise and clapped his hands excitedly.

There was applause and cheers all around.

"good!"

"One more!"

After the woman bowed to everyone, two men jumped up and began a series of performances, including spitting fire and breaking rocks with her chest. Jiaoyang cheered continuously and his palms almost turned red from clapping.

"give."

At this time, Sheng Xiyan grabbed her hand and stuffed a pink purse into her hand.

Jiuyang was stunned, not understanding what was going on.

"There are a few silver ingots in it. Take them and use them."

She raised her hand and pointed, and Jiaoyang looked over there, and saw a man holding a large bowl walking towards them, bowing to the crowd as he walked. Wherever he passed, people would throw a few copper coins to him.

Is this for copper money?

Jiuyang felt in his purse, but found no copper coins, only five small silver ingots.

"Here's your monthly allowance. Give it to him. And you have to treat me to lunch later. Okay?"

"Okay!" She came to invite her sister!

Jiuyang's eyes became brighter.

She held her purse tightly. She had never spent so much money before. She looked nervously at the man with the bowl walking towards her. She didn't even bother to play tricks.

The man was about to reach them. Jiaoyang reached into her purse and was about to take out the silver when suddenly, someone ran past her quickly and snatched her purse.

Jiuyang looked at his empty hands and his face suddenly became stern.

Purse!

My sister gave it to me!

The thief had already skillfully slipped into the crowd and was running around like a loach.

There were too many people. By the time Jiuyang chased after him, the thief would have already run away.

"Forget it, Jiaoyang..."

Sheng Xiyan was about to say forget it when Jiuyang quickly jumped onto the juggling platform. Then, he took a longbow from the weapon rack nearby and climbed onto the stacked boxes on the platform one after another.

Jiuyang stared closely at the thief who had run to the edge of the crowd, and raised his hand to pull the bowstring.

Her movements were extremely fast. After the string was fully drawn, she let go and a wooden arrow flew out with a sharp sound of breaking through the air. Amid the shouts of a group of people, the arrow steadily hit the thief's back.

This arrow was used for juggling. The arrow head was blunt and wrapped with several layers of coarse cloth. The arrow hit the thief hard on the back. The thief was caught off guard. He stumbled and fell face down on the ground.

"Wow!"

The onlookers treated this scene as a performance by a circus troupe and applauded and cheered, with some even reaching into their pockets for coins.

Jiuyang threw the bow and arrow to the ground, jumped down from the platform nimbly, and with a swift and brisk gait, he pushed through the crowd and chased after the fallen thief.

"Give me back my purse!"

Jiuyang raised her hand to grab it, but the thief was a grown man after all, and his strength was certainly much greater than that of a little girl like Jiuyang. After struggling to get up, he raised his hand and slapped Jiuyang. Jiuyang dodged it nimbly and tried to grab the purse again, but then a horsewhip was swung at him.

Bang!

The whip hit the thief's arm. He withdrew his hand in pain, his face full of resentment.

Sheng Xiyan walked to Jiuyang with a horsewhip in hand.

She had learned from Jingle for a few days and was now quite skilled in swinging the whip and could hit whatever she pointed at.

The thief covered his arm and did not dare to delay. He pushed through the crowd and ran away.

"Purse!"

Jiuyang was about to chase after him, but the next moment, the thief was grabbed by the shoulders and lifted up, then thrown to the ground, and a foot in riding boots stepped on his back.

"Ji Mingyang, Han Qianzhi! It's you." Sheng Xiyan greeted with a smile.

It was Ji Mingyang and Han Qianzhi who came over. They clasped their fists and greeted Sheng Xiyan. The former asked, "Miss Sheng, who is this person?"

Ji Mingyang only saw Sheng Xiyan whipping people with a horsewhip from a distance and had no idea what was happening.

"Purse."

Jiaoyang was only thinking about the purse, and pointed at him and said, "He stole my purse. My sister gave it to me."

Ji Mingyang followed the reputation and walked over. The moment he saw Jiaoyang, his pupils shrank slightly.

Then he picked up the thief and ripped open his sleeve.

Several purses of different colors fell out of his sleeve pockets. Jiuyang saw his own purse at a glance, and hurried over to pick it up, patted the dust off it, ran happily to Sheng Xiyan, and said, "Sister!"

Jiuyang looked at her with burning eyes.

Sheng Xiyan touched her head as she wished and asked, "When did you learn the bow and arrow?"

Jiuyang covered his mouth and smiled: "Look at my sister's practice!"

Sheng Xiyan was stunned by the arrow shot by Jiaoyang just now. For a moment, she even thought that Jiaoyang had learned archery. But Jiaoyang actually learned it from her? And she had only watched it a few times!

But when I think about it again, the way he held the bow just now is quite similar to me!

I couldn't even hit the target until now, but Jiaoyang always hit the target once he made a shot.

Sheng Xiyan felt sad for a moment, and said decisively: "I'll buy you a bow later!"

Jiuyang's eyes were burning. She loved the feeling of holding the bow and arrow. It was as if as long as she had the bow and arrow in her hand, no one could bully her anymore.

Ji Mingyang looked at Jiuyang again, his eyes falling on her little face half covered by the pink veil.