Ye Caiping said, "He is an old gentleman who once received guidance from Mr. Shen, and this time he passed the imperial examination. He said he wanted to thank Mr. Shen properly."
"I see," the Marquis of Dingguo said with a smile, "My sister-in-law is so thoughtful!"
Shen Zhiyan coughed lightly: "I'm leaving."
After saying that, he took the lead and boarded the carriage.
Marquis Dingguo also got into the carriage.
Only after seeing that everyone else had boarded the carriage did Prefect Qin and his men dare to get on.
After Shen Zhiyan sat down, he lifted the curtain and looked at Ye Caiping.
Ye Caiping glanced at him, her eyes crinkling with a smile, then turned and went back into the house.
...
Only after the gate closed did Old Mrs. Ye and Mrs. Du breathe a sigh of relief: "They're finally gone."
Old Man Ye slumped into his chair, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
Ye Daquan's eyes lit up: "Little sister, let's go take a look at those things."
"Okay, come and see. They're all in my room."
Grandma Ye and the others rushed into Ye Caiping's room.
The treasure chest was placed on the ground. When it was opened, it was filled with silver coins.
Ye Daquan chuckled: "I thought it would be 50 taels, but it turned out to be 30,000 taels. Little sister, you've struck it rich."
Ye Caiping chuckled.
Jin'er, Huan'er, and Jinhua, however, were staring at the imperial robes, their eyes lighting up.
Ye Jin'er: "So beautiful. Is this the legendary phoenix coronet and embroidered robe?"
Ye Caiping stepped forward: "Yes. But this is only seventh grade. The higher the grade, the more luxurious and beautiful it will be."
Du said, "Aren't phoenix coronet and embroidered robes only worn by brides?"
Ye Caiping smiled and said, "The phoenix coronet and embroidered robe of the bride came from the imperial robes of noblewomen. Every woman hopes that her husband will rise to prominence and earn an imperial title for her. But not every woman in the world has this opportunity."
"Later, an empress proposed that every woman should wear a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe when she gets married, so as to fulfill their dreams. Therefore, the phoenix coronet and embroidered robe also became women's wedding attire."
Du and Jinhua nodded in agreement: "I see."
Mrs. Du smiled and said, "When my Jinhua gets married, she'll also get a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe to wear."
Jin Hua snorted, "I'm not getting married."
Du choked for a moment, thinking of Zhou Ziyang, and wondered if she had gone a little too far when she tried to dissuade her daughter from her romantic fantasies.
Ye Jin'er looked at the jade headdress and asked, "Mother, did that princess give you this?"
Ye Huan'er: "They even sent you two horses."
Jin Hua: "This is because they have performed meritorious service, so do the nobles in the capital give gifts to those who have done so?"
Ye Caiping didn't know how to answer for a moment, so she tucked a stray hair behind her ear: "Oh... well, it's not that... how should I put it, you'll know when you're older."
Ye Jin'er and the other two were completely confused.
Why wait until they're older to find out? Can't they find out now?
...
After leaving Ye Caiping's house, Prefect Qin returned to the city government, while Zhu Sinong and the group that delivered the goods all temporarily stayed at the county magistrate's office.
Marquis Dingguo naturally had to stay at the Shen family's residence.
The Shen family—
As soon as Shen Zhiyan entered the door, he saw Shen Manman sitting on the steps at the entrance of his courtyard.
Shen Manman ran over: "Daddy, where did you go so late... Oh, Uncle?"
Marquis Dingguo stepped out from behind Shen Zhiyan, smiling broadly: "Manbao."
"Wow, it's Uncle!" Shen Manman immediately beamed and rushed over.
Marquis Dingguo happily patted her head: "Your uncle brought you a whole cartload of things. They are all gifts that your grandmother and aunt picked out for you."
"They're all the latest fabrics, clothes, and jewelry from the capital. Your brothers also sent you a lot of little trinkets, and some new-style pastries too."
Shen Manman said happily, "I like it. Uncle didn't come here specifically to bring me something, did he? He didn't even send a message beforehand."
"No, I have official business to bestow a reward upon Lady Ye!"
"What?" Shen Manman was taken aback. "You mean, Aunt Ye's reward has been announced?"
"Is Uncle also one of the officials who bestowed the titles? You just returned from Qinghe Village? Have the bestowals already been completed?"
Marquis Dingguo: "Hmm."
Shen Manman's heart shattered: "Such a big thing, and you didn't even tell me! Father, it's one thing if you don't care, but you didn't even tell my uncle? You knew, you knew... Ugh, I'm so angry!"
Shen Zhiyan raised an eyebrow: "Know what?"
Shen Manman choked, knowing full well that she wanted Aunt Ye to be her mother.
She also secretly told her grandmother, uncle and aunt, great-uncle, and aunt the Empress Dowager about it...
If Father finds out she's spreading rumors behind his back about his peach blossom that doesn't even have a single leaf, he'll definitely punish her...
"N-nothing..."
Shen Manman looked dejected, staring at the Marquis of Dingguo with a look of utter grievance.
Marquis Dingguo was heartbroken, and only then did he realize that such an important matter should indeed be named Manman.
At that moment, all he could think about was meeting the legendary Lady Ye. He was a little excited, and in his excitement, he completely forgot...
Marquis Dingguo said awkwardly, "Hahaha... It's not that your uncle didn't want to inform you, but... it's official business. Yes, official business."
Shen Manman, however, was not buying his act and glared at him angrily.
Marquis Dingguo said anxiously, "Your Aunt Ye is coming to visit tomorrow."
Shen Manman finally cheered up: "Really?"
Seeing that they were chatting happily, Shen Zhiyan silently turned around and went back to her room.
Shen Manman and her companion left Shen Zhiyan's courtyard and went to the garden.
The two sat on the steps, and after chatting about the interesting things in the capital, Shen Manman sighed repeatedly.
Marquis Dingguo: "What's wrong?"
Shen Manman: "My father and Aunt Ye's relationship isn't progressing well. I've tried so hard for so long, but it's still the same."
Marquis Dingguo was bewildered: "That's not true, I think it's fine."
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