Chapter 718, Red Jade Agate Mandarin Duck Ring (Two chapters in one)
Madam Li lectured Han Xinran for a few words and let her leave the main courtyard. As for how she was going to talk to the Han family, she didn't bother to care.
Han Xinran returned to the courtyard silently. Looking at the housekeeper who was looking at her eagerly, she kneaded her brows and said, "The Yan family was able to buy the manor because of someone else's connections. We can't help the Han family. Go back and tell your mother to think of other ways."
The housekeeper sighed with disappointment, saying, "What can Madam do? If the family could find a way, they wouldn't bother the Second Young Miss. My dear girl, just be considerate of Madam and think of another solution."
As he spoke, his eyes lit up.
"Oh, right, Master Yan San and Master Yan Si in the mansion are working for the Jinling Guards, who are also in charge of the Eight Princes' gang case. They must have a way. How about you go and ask them for help?"
Han Xinran's face suddenly darkened. "Madam, please stop talking like that. How can I, as a sister-in-law, ask my brother-in-law for help?" Thinking of Madam Li's scolding today, her tone became heavier. "If I really ask my third and fourth brothers for help, Madam, you won't let me stay in the Yan family peacefully."
Not to mention my mother-in-law, even my husband would be unhappy if he knew about it.
The housekeeper was stunned for a moment, then quickly said something softly: "My dear girl, I never meant that."
Han Xinran said coldly: "I really can't help you with this matter, you should go back and tell your mother."
The housekeeper glanced at Nanny Han, wanting her to help speak up, but unfortunately Nanny Han didn't even look at her. So, she could only bow and retreat helplessly.
"etc!"
The housekeeper's face lit up with joy, and she said, "Well, the second young lady always listens to the lady at home, so how could she not help her parents' family?"
Han Xinran looked at the housekeeper and said, "If there is nothing important in the future, please don't send people to the Yan family all the time. I am the daughter-in-law of the Yan family now, so it is not appropriate for me to meddle in my mother's family affairs. When you go back, please talk to my mother about it for me."
The housekeeper opened her mouth slightly and looked at Han Xinran in surprise.
Han Xinran looked away and gestured to Nanny Han to send the person away.
After sending the housekeeper away, Nanny Han returned and saw Han Xinran sitting by the window with a worried look on her face. After a moment's thought, she stepped forward and comforted her, "Miss, don't worry. Madam will definitely understand you."
Han Xinran smiled bitterly. "I hope so." After a pause, she said, "I remember that after my eldest sister got married, my mother never asked her to help with anything at home. She said she didn't want her to be embarrassed by her husband's family. Why did she do that with me?"
"Is it because my elder sister married up and I married down?"
Nanny Han didn't expect Han Xinran to think of this. She pondered for a moment and said, "Don't think too much, young lady. Madam probably doesn't mean that."
Han Xinran frowned and said nothing.
The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, and officials from various provinces have begun to transport tribute to the capital.
On April 15th, the governor of Yunnan Province presented several boxes of precious gems and jades to the emperor as tribute, among which a pair of red agate mandarin duck rings were particularly eye-catching.
Apart from its bright colors and delicate texture, the most important thing is the meaning it contains.
Agate is regarded as a symbol of happiness and good luck. When carved into a mandarin duck ring, it is perfect for lovers or newly engaged couples.
The moment the emperor saw it, he thought of his nephew and the eldest girl of the Yan family.
Two years ago, when his mother passed away, the eldest daughter of the Yan family married his nephew, but until now the royal family has not given her a public status. Sometimes he feels really sorry for the girl. No wonder his uncle didn't give him a good look when he went to see him last time.
"Give this pair of mandarin duck rings to Ye Yang and let him use them as a betrothal gift."
The emperor asked Eunuch An to deliver the mandarin duck ring to Xiao Yeyang.
As soon as Eunuch An left, the Empress Dowager and the Queen's people arrived.
The red jade agate mandarin duck ring has extraordinary meaning. The empress dowager has liked to act as a matchmaker in recent years and wants to keep it as a reward for arranged marriages; the queen wants to keep it as a dowry for her only daughter.
Unfortunately, both of them arrived a step too late.
Upon learning that the Emperor had given the gift to Xiao Yeyang, the Empress Dowager frowned. Although the Queen felt a little regretful, she did not dwell on it too much.
Xiao Yeyang was very happy to receive the red jade agate mandarin duck ring. The image of Daohua wearing the dazzling agate ring on her slender white fingers appeared in his mind, and he couldn't help but murmured, "It must be very beautiful."
After finishing his mission that afternoon, Xiao Yeyang went to the palace to thank for the reward. As soon as he came out of the Qianqing Palace, he was summoned by the Empress Dowager to the Cining Palace.
"Brother Yang!"
As Xiao Yeyang stepped into the Cining Palace, he saw Jiang Wanying. Seeing her running towards him happily, Xiao Yeyang couldn't help but step back a little.
"Please don't call me that from now on, it's not good for your reputation."
The smile on Jiang Wanying's face froze. She bit her lip and looked at Xiao Yeyang pitifully: "But...but Wanying has always called you that since you were a child."
Xiao Yeyang frowned and said, "The county lady has grown up now and will get married in the future. If your future husband hears this, he will be unhappy." After that, he walked into the Cining Palace.
Looking at Xiao Yeyang's back as he left without hesitation, Jiang Wanying's eyes were filled with tears. She was silent for a while, then a smile appeared on her face again, and she followed him in, lifting her skirt.
In the hall, not only the empress dowager was present, but also the wife of the Crown Prince and the second wife of Jiang from the Cheng'en Mansion.
The Queen Mother wanted to invite Xiao Yeyang to dinner, but Xiao Yeyang refused on the grounds that he had official business to attend to.
The Queen Mother didn't bother with small talk and went straight to the point, asking, "I heard the Emperor gave you a pair of red jade agate mandarin duck rings today?"
Xiao Yeyang: "Yes."
The Queen Mother glanced at Jiang Wanying who had walked in and said with a smile, "Since they're a pair, you definitely can't wear them all. How about giving one to Wanying?"
Xiao Yeyang's brows knitted together: "Grandmother, please forgive me. The ring is for my future wife and is not suitable for the county lady."
Hearing Xiao Yeyang's resounding rejection, Jiang Wanying shook her body: "Brother Yang, you and I grew up together as childhood sweethearts, so you..."
Xiao Yeyang interrupted Jiang Wanying with a look of disapproval: "County Lady, please respect yourself in front of the Empress Dowager. When did you and I become childhood sweethearts?"
"Xiao Yeyang, don't go too far!"
Madam Jiang II looked at Xiao Yeyang with a dark face. At the last palace banquet, Xiao Yeyang had embarrassed his daughter in public, and this time he didn't even give his daughter any face at all.
The Queen Mother also looked unhappy.
Xiao Yeyang ignored her and saluted: "Grandmother, if everything is fine, then Yeyang will take his leave first."
The Queen Mother looked at Xiao Yeyang calmly and said meaningfully, "Yeyang, do you really not want the title of Prince Ping's Mansion anymore?"
Xiao Yeyang remained calm: "The palace belongs to my father, and I don't dare to say anything about who he wants to give the title to."
The Queen Mother sneered, "Young people all have a common problem: they are too impulsive and only realize regret when they are old."
Xiao Yeyang lowered his head and said nothing.
Seeing him like this, the Queen Mother waved her hand indifferently, indicating that he could leave.
Xiao Yeyang said directly: "Yeyang, take your leave!"
After everyone left the palace, the Queen Mother looked at Jiang Wanying, whose eyes were blurred with tears, and said coldly, "Stop thinking about a man who doesn't like you. Your tears won't arouse any sympathy from him. On the contrary, he will find you troublesome and annoying."
As he spoke, he looked at Mrs. Jiang Er.
"Wanying is not young anymore, so take good care of her. There are many people who want the daughter of my Jiang family."
After Xiao Yeyang left the palace, he exhaled a breath of foul air, dispelling the unhappiness in the Cining Palace. Just as he was about to ride away on his horse, he saw the steward of the Guo family coming over.
"Little Prince"
As soon as Manager Guo opened his mouth, Xiao Yeyang interrupted him: "From now on, don't call me Little Prince, call me Master Xiao."
The young prince was given to him by Prince Ping, and Lord Xiao was earned by him with his blood and sweat.
Steward Guo immediately changed his tone: "Sir Xiao, the Duke got a jar of fine wine today and would like to invite you to his house for a couple of drinks."
Xiao Yeyang thought that he had only visited the Duke Dingguo's Mansion once since returning to Beijing, so he nodded in agreement.
After arriving at the Duke Dingguo's Mansion, Xiao Yeyang originally thought that he would just have dinner with his grandfather in the front yard, but he never expected that he would be led to the backyard by the steward.
In the living room in the backyard, Duke Dingguo and Madam Guo were already waiting there, and Guo Xueming was sitting below them.
Seeing this, Xiao Yeyang frowned slightly.
After the greetings, Duke Dingguo asked about everything that had happened to Xiao Yeyang after he returned to the capital, and his words were full of concern.
Under the loving gaze of Duke Dingguo, Xiao Yeyang's expression gradually softened. Mrs. Guo tried to interrupt several times, but was stopped by Guo Xueming.
After Duke Dingguo learned about Xiao Yeyang's food, clothing, housing and transportation, he ordered the servants to serve the dishes.
Halfway through the meal, Mrs. Guo couldn't help herself and asked with a smile, "Yeyang, I heard that the emperor gave you a pair of agate rings today?"
The smile on Xiao Yeyang's face faded instantly. He glanced at Duke Dingguo and saw that he was also looking at him, so he nodded: "Yeah."
Madam Guo immediately smiled and said, "The agate ring the emperor bestowed upon me must be top-notch. Yeyang, I'm going to be cheeky today and ask you for an agate ring. To be honest, your cousin Xueming has grown up so much, and she still doesn't even have a decent ring."
Xiao Yeyang did not respond immediately, but looked at Duke Dingguo. Seeing that he had no intention of objecting, he immediately understood why his grandfather called him over.
"Grandfather, aunt, I'm sorry, but the agate ring is for my future wife and can't be given to cousin Xueming."
Mrs. Guo's face suddenly turned ugly. Now the news spread in the palace that the emperor rewarded Xiao Yeyang with a pair of red jade agate mandarin duck rings, saying that they were used as a betrothal gift. She used the excuse of asking for the agate rings to show that the Guo family wanted to marry him, but this man directly refused!
Guo Xueming, who was standing by, bit his lip, blushed, and lowered his head.
The smile on Duke Dingguo's face froze, but he quickly recovered. "Since you have other uses, forget it. Come, have a few drinks with Grandfather."
Mrs. Guo was a little embarrassed to be rejected on the spot. She said something to Duke Dingguo and hurried away with Guo Xueming.
After the mother and daughter left, Duke Dingguo looked at Xiao Yeyang, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Yeyang, what do you think of your cousin Xueming?"
Xiao Yeyang looked at Duke Dingguo and said seriously, "Grandfather, I have a sweetheart."
Duke Dingguo was silent for a moment. "She's the eldest daughter of the new Minister of Revenue?"
Xiao Yeyang nodded.
Duke Dingguo: "Yeyang, Grandfather doesn't mean to interfere with your marriage, but you should think carefully. The Yan family's foundation is weak after all. Marrying the eldest daughter of the Yan family will not be helpful to your future career. On the contrary, the Yan family still needs your help."
"Especially, your father has made the Ma family his legitimate wife. Now Xiao Yechen is someone who can compete with you for the title of the royal palace. The Ma family has developed well in recent years, and Xiao Yechen has married the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Wei. If you don't have a capable Yue family to help you, I'm afraid you won't be able to compete with him."
Xiao Yeyang smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Grandfather. I will fight for everything I want. If the Yue Family can help, that would be great. If not, I won't force it. The eldest daughter of the Yan Family is the one I really want to marry, regardless of social status."
Duke Dingguo sighed and said nothing more. After a moment of silence, he asked again, "Does your mother know about this?"
Xiao Yeyang nodded: "I know."
Upon hearing this, Duke Dingguo stopped talking and just invited Xiao Yeyang to drink and eat.
When Xiao Yeyang came out of Duke Dingguo's Mansion, the moon was already high in the sky.
Xiao Yeyang took out the red jade agate mandarin duck ring from his arms and looked at it. He knew that this was not a good time to look for Daohua, but he still went to Yan's house for some unknown reason.
Outside the Yan Mansion, Defu and Deshou looked at each other in confusion as they watched their master staring blankly at the Yan family's courtyard wall.
Defu muttered quietly, "Master, are you trying to climb over the wall?"
Deshou's eyes widened. "That's impossible. The master would never do such a shameless thing."
Defu chuckled in his heart. When he met Miss Yan, all his moral principles could be thrown aside.
Deshou listened carefully to the distant night watchman's call: "It's almost 9:00 PM. Miss Yan should be asleep. Even if the master climbs over the wall, she won't see anyone. Why don't you go and tell the master that we should go back first and come back tomorrow?"
Defu glanced at Deshou and said, "Why don't you go and tell him?"
While the two were talking, they saw Xiao Yeyang suddenly throw a chicken leg against the wall, and then leaned against the wall without moving.
At the same time, Daohuaxuan.
Daohua had just finished washing up and was about to dry her hair and go to bed, when she suddenly heard a dog barking in the yard. She walked out of the house and saw Bishi coaxing the dog Xiaoyi.
"What's wrong?"
Sweat dripped down Bishi's forehead. She shook her head and said, "Xiaoyi was fine before, but just now he suddenly started jumping and screaming again. No matter how hard I tried to comfort him, he wouldn't calm down."
Daohua walked over and touched Gou Xiaoyi's head: "It's late at night, please be quiet and don't disturb others' sleep."
The dog Xiaoyi bit the hem of Daohua's skirt and dragged her out.
Daohua was puzzled: "What is Xiaoyi going to do?"
Bishi asked uncertainly, "Is it trying to take the girl somewhere?"
"Where are you taking me?" Daohua was curious and followed Gou Xiaoyi out of the yard.
Soon, Gou Xiaoyi brought Daohua to the back street courtyard wall.
“Woof, woof, woof!”
Outside the courtyard wall, Xiao Yeyang, who was not sure whether his approach would work, heard a dog barking. A look of ecstasy flashed across his eyes, and then he jumped onto the top of the wall.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang suddenly appear, Daohua's eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly.
(End of this chapter)
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