Ningguo Marquis's Residence
Madam Mei sat slumped on the couch with a somber expression.
An old woman came in: "Lady Ye... no, Lady Ye has been granted the rank of third grade. Should we prepare a congratulatory gift?"
Madam Mei said, "She sent the invitation. When is the banquet?"
"No. I heard that the New Year is just a few days away, and they moved a couple of days ago, so they won't be having a celebratory banquet. But everyone has given them gifts."
Madam Mei's face darkened: "She didn't invite me to her housewarming party last time, even though I've been fawning over her for so long."
The old woman said, "Madam, please calm down. The most important thing now is the young master's marriage."
Madam Mei frowned, got up without saying a word, and turned to leave the room.
Finally, they arrived at Mr. Gu's study.
Mr. Gu was writing something when he saw his beloved wife come in. He put down his pen and smiled, "What brings you here?"
Madam Mei glared at him and said, "You can still laugh? I'm so worried. Yang'er is getting older every day, and the marriage can't be delayed any longer."
Father Gu's expression also turned serious: "I've heard that the Empress Dowager intends to appoint Shen Zhiyan as Grand Tutor."
Mei took a deep breath. How could that peasant woman be so lucky! She seems to have all the good things in the world.
Father Gu said, "No matter what, we must get on the Shen family's ship. Whether it's Shen Manman or those two wild girls, Yang'er won't lose out by marrying either of them."
Although he was a third-rank official, there were still higher ranks above him: third-rank official, second-rank official, second-rank official, and so on...
If you want to climb up, you have to enter a higher circle.
Moreover, he knew better than anyone what kind of person Gu Yang was.
He's neither good at literature nor martial arts, and can't even become a scholar. Without official rank, he can't even be recommended to the imperial court. Only the Shen family can help Gu Yang.
Moreover, if he could become in-laws with the Shen family, he would rise to a higher level!
Gu's father said, "Why don't you ask that peasant woman in person? If it works out, that would be great. If not... then we'll use that one."
Madam Mei immediately beamed with joy: "Anyway, this matter is bound to succeed. The only concern is that some petty people might speak ill of us...and damage the master's reputation."
"What's the big deal? We've weathered so many storms, and besides, we're in the right. Let's just say it."
As he spoke, Gu's father pinched her cheek.
Mei blushed and spat lightly, "At your age, you're still acting like a young person."
Father Gu laughed heartily: "No matter how old you are, you will always be my beautiful Mei'er!"
Madam Mei stayed in the study for a quarter of an hour before coming out.
Then he personally went to the Ye family with congratulatory gifts.
......
Ye Caiping, who rarely has free time, is currently reading a book in her room.
The room was still warm even without a brazier, thanks to the heated wall.
Changxi walked in: "The Lady of Ningguo Marquis is here to visit. Would you like to see her, Madam?"
Ye Caiping turned a page: "What's she here for?"
"Send a congratulatory gift."
Ye Caiping had no desire to deal with her: "I won't see her."
Chang Xifu bowed and turned to leave.
Then we went to a small warm pavilion in the outer courtyard.
Mrs. Mei was drinking tea there.
Chang Xi said, "I'm sorry, Madam Gu. When I went in, Madam had already retired for the night."
Madam Mei's smile stiffened: "Oh, I was being presumptuous. I didn't send a visiting card beforehand. Please give her the gift. I'll take my leave now."
Changxi saw her to the gate before turning back.
She silently complained to herself, "Everyone else said they wouldn't be holding a banquet, and all the gifts were delivered by servants. But this Lady Mei insists on delivering them herself."
They're not hosting a banquet because they don't want to entertain guests, and they're still so tactless.
On the carriage.
Madam Mei's face darkened: "You peasant woman, you're getting more and more arrogant! Who knows who'll be behaving like this in the future!"
......
The festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year is getting stronger.
December 30th is fast approaching; today is Lunar New Year's Eve.
The Ye family was filled with joy and celebration at that moment.
Shen Zhiyan was writing Spring Festival couplets, and Ye Caiping was grinding ink for him.
Sisters Shen Manman, Jin Hua, and Ye Jin'er pasted paper-cut window decorations everywhere.
Shen Manman put her hands on her hips and looked at her masterpiece: "In previous years, the servants did it. This year, I did it myself. It has a unique flavor."
Ye Jin'er said, "Then let's put them up together every year."
Shen Manman's eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter: "Great! This year has been so wonderful!"
Ye Huan'er said somewhat dejectedly, "I wonder how Grandma and the others are doing."
She was thinking about Qinghe Village.
Jin Hua said, "They must be thinking of us."
Qinghe Village —
The village was filled with the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year.
Hu Xiuxiu was nine months pregnant. She sat in the courtyard with Grandma Ye, watching Ye Yong and the servants put up Spring Festival couplets.
Hu Xiuxiu was heavy-set, and although she had servants and a wet nurse, Old Lady Ye was still worried about her and had moved to live with Ye Daquan.
Ye Caiping's family was guarded by Old Man Ye and a large group of servants.
Grandma Ye looked into the distance and sighed softly, "I wonder what happened to Caiping and Daquan. I miss them so much."
Hu Xiuxiu said, "Don't worry, I'll be back in two months!"
Just then, Wei Xiaojuan walked in, supporting her back:
"Sister-in-law, do you have any dried sour apricots here? We've run out, and we can't wait to buy some outside."
Hu Xiuxiu and Old Lady Ye's lips twitched slightly as they watched Wei Xiaojuan enter, supporting her back.
Wei Xiaojuan was only two months pregnant, but she was holding her back as if she was afraid others wouldn't know she was pregnant.
Hu Xiuxiu said casually, "Oh, I don't have any dried sour apricots at home."
Wei Xiaojuan exclaimed in surprise, "Oh no, how could this be? We're carrying our precious grandson, don't we all like to eat sour things?"
Hu Xiuxiu gave a slight smile: "Everyone has different tastes. I'm not picky about food now that I'm pregnant."
Grandma Ye glared at Wei Xiaojuan: "Xiuxiu is a lucky girl. She's a very well-behaved child and doesn't cause any trouble at all. You can tell she's a good girl at a glance."
Wei Xiaojuan laughed and said, "I love sour food, the more sour the better."
Sour for a boy, spicy for a girl! She's carrying a boy!
But the sister-in-law is carrying a money-losing baby!
Grandma Ye got angry when she saw Wei Xiaojuan: "There are no dried sour apricots here, go look for them elsewhere."
Wei Xiaojuan then went out, supporting her back.
Then they asked each family which family had sour apricots, the sourer the better.
Everyone who saw her praised her, saying that sour foods indicate a boy and spicy foods indicate a girl, and that she was clearly going to have a big, chubby boy.
After being praised by everyone, Wei Xiaojuan carried two bowls of dried sour apricots and went home satisfied.
night.
Grandma Ye and her husband went to Ye Daquan's house for dinner, while Ye Erquan's family ate by themselves.
......
The capital city.
Ye Daquan, Du Shi, Ye Sanquan, and others stayed home for New Year's Eve dinner.
Ye Caiping, along with Jin'er, Huan'er, Jinhua, and Ye Xuan, attended the palace banquet with the Shen family.
She is now a third-rank imperial consort, which gives her the right to attend the banquet, and she can also bring her niece and nephew.
The group first arrived at the Empress Dowager's palace.
After speaking for a while, Empress Dowager Shen kept Ye Caiping behind alone.
Empress Dowager Shen said, "I hope that Brother Yan can become the Grand Tutor of the Prince. I have mentioned this to him in previous years, but he refused. Now that you are here, I hope you can persuade him."
Ye Caiping was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "This subject will certainly talk to him properly."
Empress Dowager Shen was satisfied, and Ye Caiping was willing to persuade her, so the matter was settled.
As for Chief Minister Lin and the others... well, as long as Brother Yan agreed, there's no problem.
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