Chapter 191 Banquet on the same day
Although Chunxi rejected Yun Wantang's advances, Yun Wantang still took good care of her throughout the whole process.
Before leaving, Yun Wantang made another invitation: "I went to the Wei family to see He'er. She seems to be in a bad mood recently. I want to invite her out to relax in a couple of days. Is Madam Shen willing to come?"
Yun Wantang is Wei Lingze's aunt, so it is normal for her to visit the Wei family after returning to Beijing.
But being looked at so tenderly by her, Chunxi felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
Yun Wantang had just returned to Hanjing with two children. She didn't know how much she had to do, but she knew that she was good at cooking and that she had a good personal relationship with He'er, but they were obviously not related at all.
Yun Wantang is a very good person, but he pays too much attention to her.
Thinking this way, Chunxi replied in a gentle voice, "My nephew-in-law has been suspended. He'er must be worried about him, so she's in a bad mood. She'll be fine once he's reinstated. If others keep nagging her, it will only put pressure on her."
Chunxi pretended not to know about the breakdown of Xiao Qinghe and Wei Lingze's relationship, and blamed Xiao Qinghe's unhappiness on Wei Lingze's suspension.
Although Yun Wantang knew the truth, it was difficult for her to refute it. She could only smile softly and said, "I was overthinking it. Madam Shen is really a very insightful person."
After a few more polite words, Chunxi followed Shen Qingyuan away.
Shen Qingchi had been following Yun Wantang all the time. Seeing that she had been rejected twice by Chunxi, he couldn't help but comfort her: "Don't mind Fifth Aunt. My eldest sister-in-law probably rejected Fifth Aunt because she doesn't like me. Fifth Aunt is so good. No one would dislike Fifth Aunt."
There was resentment in Shen Qingchi's words, and he was very dissatisfied with Chunxi's attitude towards Yun Wantang.
"I've only just met your sister-in-law, so it's perfectly normal for her to be reluctant to accept my invitation," Yun Wantang said, not without any displeasure, but in a serious tone. "Although you're now the Fourth Young Master's wife of the Imperial Tutor's Mansion, she's still your sister-in-law. You shouldn't be talking about her behind her back. It not only makes you look uncultured, but it also makes us in the Imperial Tutor's Mansion seem short-sighted."
Yun Wantang had been very kind to Shen Qingchi these past few days, but when she suddenly lectured her like this, Shen Qingchi didn't feel angry, but only flustered and embarrassed. She hurriedly explained, "Fifth Aunt, I'm not disrespecting my eldest sister-in-law. I just regret your kindness."
"I'm not a petty person, so there's no need to feel sorry for me," Yun Wantang said firmly, then softened his tone. "I'm not trying to be mean to you, but your mother is gone, and as an elder, I can't bear to see you go astray. Your second and third brothers can't take the imperial examinations right now, so your only support is your eldest brother, so you can't be prejudiced against your sister-in-law. Do you understand?"
Yun Wantang spoke earnestly, and Shen Qingchi felt ashamed and moved. She forced herself to hold back her tears and nodded, "I know Fifth Aunt is doing this for my own good. I will listen to her and will definitely mend my relationship with Big Brother."
Yun Wantang rubbed Shen Qingchi's head and said with relief, "Be good."
Chunxi has always trusted his intuition.
Shen Qingyuan was not a person who liked gossip, and he didn't know much about Yun Wantang. The next day, Chunxi went to visit Old Madam Xiao.
She is now close to Xiao Qinghe, and when Mrs. Xiao heard that she was coming, she soon came to Songheyuan as well.
After some pleasantries, Chunxi mentioned Yun Wantang: "The Fifth Madam of the Taifu Mansion was very caring towards me when we first met. She even asked me to accompany He'er to relax, but I didn't know her well enough, so I declined. Today, I've come here specifically to ask my aunt and cousin's wife for advice. I want to know if this Fifth Madam is someone I can make close friends with."
Madam Xiao subconsciously glanced at Old Madam Xiao, and sure enough, she saw admiration in Old Madam Xiao's eyes.
Chunxi had divided the family business on her own before, and now that she is in charge of the family, she has not gotten carried away. Whenever she encounters something she is unsure about, she still knows to ask the elders for their opinions. It is rare that she is neither arrogant nor impatient.
Mrs. Xiao talked about Yun Wantang's past in detail.
Yun Wantang is the youngest daughter of the head of the Yun family. At the age of six, she showed talent that was no less than that of boys. Since then, she has written many amazing articles and poems, and even studied with boys in the Yun family school for a time.
However, as she grew up, her appearance became too outstanding, disturbing the students from studying. The head of the Yun family strictly forbade her to go to the clan school and began to look for a marriage partner for her.
Yun Wantang's fame has spread, and the children of the noble families in the capital all regard her as the bright moon hanging high in the sky. It is no exaggeration to say that the people who went to the Yun family to propose marriage almost broke down the door of the Yun family.
However, there were countless people who came to propose marriage, and Yun Wantang still couldn't find a suitable candidate. Until Zhaoling produced a stunningly handsome scholar, Princess Hengyang chose her as her husband. Yun Wantang suddenly got married and went to Wengzhou. Everyone knew that the daughter of the Yun family had already had a crush on someone, but unfortunately, Princess Hengyang snatched her love away, so she had to go far away to avoid her attention.
From then on, everyone in Hanjing knew that Princess Hengyang was a spoiled and domineering shrew.
Chunxi couldn't help but ask, "Were they engaged at the time? Did the Yun family tell the third-place winner that they would marry their daughter to him once he passed the imperial examination?"
After all, they had met several times, and Chunxi actually preferred Princess Hengyang. She always felt that Princess Hengyang was rich and powerful, and lived a free and easy life. There was really no need for her to compete with Yun Wantang for a man.
Madam Xiao had only heard some rumors and hadn't delved into the details. Just as she was about to respond, Old Madam Xiao spoke solemnly, "Of course not. While the royal family is noble, the Yun family is no ordinary family. If Yun Wantang truly fell in love with the third place winner and decided to spend her life together, this marriage wouldn't be possible."
Hearing this, Chunxi immediately felt relieved. However, Madam Xiao did not stop and continued, "There are many talented women in the capital, but she is the only one who has caused such a big stir. Moreover, she has been away from Hanjing for nearly ten years, but the rumors about her and Princess Hengyang have never stopped. Such a talent is not something that everyone can possess."
The implication is that Yun Wantang is not as simple as he appears, and Chunxi should be more cautious.
The Xiao family is now headed by Madam Xiao. Madam Xiao has not interfered in outside affairs for a long time. She can give Chunxi such advice because she really treats Chunxi as her own family.
Since her father passed away, Chunxi has been responsible for everything by herself. Today she came to the Xiao family just to find out some gossip, but she didn't expect that Madam Xiao would directly point out the key to her.
It feels so good to have someone protecting you from behind.
Chunxi's eyes were a little hot, and she couldn't help but stand up and hugged Madam Xiao: "Aunt, you are so kind. Ah Xi will definitely be filial to you in the future."
After returning from the Xiao family, Chunxi received invitations from Yun Wantang and Princess Hengyang at the same time, and the time was three days later.
Chunxi did not hesitate and directly rejected Yun Wantang, choosing to go to the princess's mansion to taste wine.
Princess Hengyang was quite surprised to see her: "Huh? Ah Xi, you didn't go to keep your appointment with Yun Wantang."
Chunxi was even more surprised than Princess Hengyang: "Princess, do you know that Yun Wantang is also hosting a banquet today?"
"I know. She also sent an invitation to this princess."
After a moment of silence, Chunxi tentatively asked, "Did the princess invite many people today?"
"No, this princess only invited you today."
“…”
So if she doesn't come to the banquet today, will she be able to step into the princess's mansion in this life?
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