Chapter 175 The friendship between the three ultimately came to an end.
After His Majesty's personal visit, the number of invitations from various prefectures in the capital increased significantly.
There were just too many, so the maids brought them in in baskets and put them all into a wooden box.
When Green Willow was tidying up the house, she sorted all the invitations according to their rank.
"You can read?"
Meng Shilan's eyes swept over the top book in each stack.
Green Willow bowed her head and replied, "Yes, the young lady in the past loved reading and writing when she was still in her boudoir, and I learned some from her."
“How could a maid who serves you closely and is literate be released?”
All the maids who entered the manor had their backgrounds thoroughly investigated.
However, some things can be faked.
Green Willow didn't hide anything, "Miss, I have a father who loves gambling and works on the estate. He wants me to marry into a better family."
“When the third young master and the fourth young lady of the manor went to the estate, my father drugged the young master, hoping that I would have a good time with him.”
"It was only because the head maidservant by the Third Madam's side discovered this that a major mistake was averted. My father had his leg broken and was sent back to the countryside, and I was also sold off."
Meng Shilan nodded. "I remember you were at the Marquis of Xingyang's residence before, right?"
Green Willow: "Yes, this servant used to serve Miss Gao Si."
Her fingers traced the stack of books by dukes and marquises, taking them down one by one.
Finally, it paused on the invitation from the Marquis of Xingyang's residence.
Then he chuckled and said, "Since you're innocent, and even your young lady didn't protect you, it's better that you left."
Green Willow lowered her head and said, "Miss Gao is just a concubine's daughter in the manor. She has done her best. It is all my father's fault."
Meng Shilan pulled out a visiting card and handed it to her, saying, "Even if she is born out of wedlock, she is still a young lady carefully raised by a prominent family."
"Since you know everything, I'll leave it to you."
The family in the post is the Dong family, celebrating the one-month birthday of their grandson.
Grand Tutor Dong was Your Majesty's teacher when Your Majesty was still a prince. After Your Majesty was made crown prince, the late emperor replaced him with Grand Tutor Li.
Both were Grand Tutors, but the Dong and Li families were vastly different.
Grand Tutor Dong had only one son and one daughter. His son had no interest in officialdom, but although he did not take the imperial examinations, his talent was widely recognized.
If it weren't for the fact that he taught His Majesty for a few years when he was young, Grand Tutor Dong would have been an ordinary person long ago.
The banquet at the Dong family's house was attended by Dong family members, close relatives, and friends.
There were almost no other people.
When the carriage of the Duke of Zhenguo arrived, the steward at the gate was taken aback for a moment, and then immediately told his servant to go forward and announce the arrival.
Madam Dong did not expect that the Meng family would actually send someone after she sent out the invitation as usual.
Other families would send a servant to deliver a gift.
Meng Shilan stepped down from the carriage, holding the hand of Xiao Fu'er, whose eyes were full of curiosity.
She chose to visit the Dong family first, partly for her brother and partly for Fu'er.
The Dong family is not prominent in the imperial court, but the young master of the Dong family is highly respected among scholars throughout the country.
Fu'er is her daughter, and her identity will not change because of her.
Over time, opinions will vary, so rather than letting people speculate, she should lead the way herself.
Let's start with the Dong family, who are even more virtuous and less conspicuous.
So when Madam Dong saw Fu'er, who looked like a little jade child, she was first taken aback, then stepped forward with a smile, "Seeing is believing, Miss Meng is indeed a rare beauty."
Madam Dong had met Meng Qinglian when she was young, but her memory of her was now hazy.
But now, seeing his daughter, the old images are becoming clearer.
Meng Shilan curtsied and said, "Greetings, Madam. I have come to share in your joyous occasion today."
Fu'er was used to being wild in Ding County, and she was still not used to the current fine clothes.
But she still remembered her mother saying she could see the baby.
She quietly tugged at her sleeve, then clasped her hands in a gesture of respect.
"Greetings to Aunt Dong."
After getting up, she blinked her big eyes and asked, "Where's the baby? Where is the baby?"
Mrs. Dong was amused by her adorable appearance.
"The baby is inside, would you like to go see him/her?"
Fu'er immediately nodded with bright eyes, "I want to see!"
The Dong residence wasn't very large, but every flower and plant there showed that careful attention had been paid to its design.
The daughter-in-law of the Dong family was not from any prominent family. It is said that Dong Liangxing met her when he was studying at the academy, and she was the daughter of the headmaster.
A woman who is truly learned and knowledgeable.
Huang Yuning lay half-reclined on the bed, with her sleeping baby beside her.
Dong Liangxing and Huang Yuning have been married for nearly ten years, and the two have been studying abroad and have no children.
It was only after Madam Dong urged them that the two returned to Beijing, and the Dong family finally welcomed their first grandson.
Meng Shilan stretched out her finger and gently tapped the child's tiny finger. "This child is so well-born."
Fu'er didn't hesitate at all, and knelt down by the bed, her innocent little face full of surprise, "The baby is so small!"
Now, in her eyes, Pangxi is no longer a cute little baby, but a mischievous little rascal.
"Auntie, let's switch babies."
Huang Yuning was surprised when she heard that people from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had come, since she didn't recognize them.
But seeing such a cute little girl now, she couldn't help but smile, her eyes crinkling with joy.
"This baby is so good! Fatty Xi is always causing trouble!"
Fu'er wrinkled her little nose. A few days ago, the kite she and Xuan'er made hadn't even dried before it was snatched and destroyed by Xiao Pangxi.
Huang Yuning didn't know what her relationship with Pang Xi was, but that didn't stop her from teasing the child.
"Okay, next time you bring him and we'll switch."
Fu'er's eyes lit up, then she shook her head again.
"It still won't work, Fatty will cry."
Huang Yuning touched Fu'er's little face, "You haven't even changed yet, and you're already reluctant to part with it?"
As she spoke, she looked up at Meng Shilan and said, "This little girl is so interesting. I just never had a daughter."
Meng Shilan laughed and said, "Young Madam is trying to make a perfect family, and Madam Dong's eyes are practically disappearing from laughter."
Everyone present was laughing and joking, but all eyes were on this latest hot topic in the capital.
Huang Yuning then steered the conversation toward her, saying, "I'm afraid this wish will make my mother-in-law wait for another two years."
"Miss Meng's family is very good; I'll bring them along next time too."
Meng Shilan knew everyone was curious, so she smiled frankly and said, "My son has never had a peaceful life since birth, so he is a little afraid of birth."
From the moment Xiaopangxi was conceived, the journey took them through the capital, Yuzhou, Dingxian, Chuzhou, Jinzhou, and back to the capital.
At such a young age, he has already traveled to many places.
She didn't say anything more, but those present had already imagined a dramatic scene unfolding before their eyes.
Huang Yuning knew that saying any more would be offensive, so she quickly changed the subject.
After responding to a few words, Meng Shilan led Fu'er out.
She looked up and saw Green Willow, who should have been waiting at the door, hurrying in through the courtyard gate.
Seeing that she came out so quickly, Green Willow went up and took Fu'er's little hand.
"I'm late."
Meng Shilan smiled nonchalantly.
When she left, Madam Dong came out to see her off and gave Fu'er a small waterwheel that she loved.
After the carriage left, the Dong residence became much more lively.
Everyone is speculating that this Miss Meng is a divorced woman who has returned with her child.
Some speculate that Meng Gong disliked the man and forced him to divorce.
After all, Duke Meng had treated his own daughter the same way.
She can no longer hear these words.
Those in the capital who originally intended to form a marriage alliance with the Meng family have almost all given up on their plans.
When Zhou Congxian came out of the capital's yamen, Chai Sijiu had already counted the ants on the roadside several times.
"Brother Congxian!"
He tossed the sesame seed cake in his hand to him, saying, "You haven't left the house in so many times. I thought you'd taken root in the government office."
Zhou Congxian glanced at him and said, "Speak if you have something to say."
Chai Sijiu grinned, "Brother Xian understands me best."
"Now, not only the capital's yamen, but the entire Imperial Guard is under your command. Adding one more person is just a matter of a word!"
Zhou Congxian took a bite of the sesame seed cake and said, "Okay, you can come tomorrow."
Chai Sijiu, “…Brother, you know who I’m talking about.”
"Gao Zhian is your brother-in-law's older brother; the Zhou and Gao families are brothers-in-law."
Gao Zhian originally had a good job, but Zhou Congxian had not gained the emperor's favor, so he served in the imperial court.
He has a bad habit of drinking. Last year at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Zhou Congxian was not in the capital, and His Majesty entrusted him with an important task.
He got drunk and chased after palace maids in the imperial garden.
Although he hadn't committed a major offense, most of the officials had witnessed it, and His Majesty was so angry that he immediately dismissed him from his post and threw him out of the capital.
Since last year, Gao Zhian has been living a life of debauchery every day.
They were all classmates and close friends.
Previously, Gao Zhian was the highest-ranking, and Zhou Congxian was the lowest-ranking.
Now the tables have turned, and Gao Zhian is even worse off than Zhou Congxian was at his lowest point.
Chai Sijiu had received kindness from his brother, and now he returned to Beijing to see how his once glorious brother had become.
He couldn't bear to do it.
Zhou Congxian didn't even look at him. "Let him speak for himself."
Chai Sijiu sighed helplessly, "If he could just say that, would he still be spending his days drinking every day?"
Zhou Congxian, "You think he'll accept the job you got for him?"
Chai Sijiu paused for a moment, "How will you know if you don't try?"
Zhou Congxian shoved the half-eaten pancake into his hand, saying, "I've tried it."
Have you tried it?
"Hey, where are you going!" Chai Sijiu chased after him.
He saw from the street that Zhou Congxian acted quickly, pinning a thief to the ground at the street corner.
The thief handed over the money bag, and Zhou Congxian turned around to see Gao Zhian, who was unusually lucid.
He tossed the money bag to Gao Zhian, saying, "When did you become so careless, Zhian, that someone could steal your money bag from you?"
Gao Zhian's face stiffened for a moment, then he forced a smile and said, "Time to go home."
Chai Sijiu caught up, "Brother Zhian!"
Gao Zhian looked at the sesame cakes that he was holding in his hand, the ones they used to eat together when they were in school.
The friendship between the three eventually came to an end.
Zhou Congxian's kick at Dexinglou is now Chai Sijiu's sesame cake.
His eyes turned cold, then he looked up and said, "I won't disturb the two gentlemen's reminiscing any longer."
He turned and left.
"Huh??" Chai Sijiu pointed at Gao Zhian, who had already walked away. "What does he mean by that?"
Gao Zhian fell from grace, and he has never recovered.
His past is like a mountain weighing on his heart.
"Your Highness."
The servant beside him reminded him, "That night, it was that woman's guard who kicked you."
Gao Zhian turned his head and saw a familiar face walking out of the jewelry store.
And the little girl she was holding hands with.
His eyes flickered slightly.
If one person looks like another, it's a coincidence; if two people look alike, is it still a coincidence?
The servant said, "I heard she's the granddaughter that Lord Meng recognized, and she's with two children."
Gao Zhian laughed, "There are such coincidences in the world."
The servant didn't understand, but his master had already turned and gotten into the carriage.
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