Chapter 773, Receiving Gifts
The emperor was unwilling to tolerate the Jiang family any longer, which disturbed the minds of many officials in the court. The faction headed by the Jiang family also began to surge with undercurrents.
Originally, Jiang Jinghui wanted to redeem himself by receiving the Western Liao delegation, and resume his work, but he was reported by officials from other parties because the horses brought by the Western Liao people were lost at the Xijiao Posthouse.
This time, Jiang Jinghui was forced to resign and stay at home.
The first day of August is the birthday of Rice Flower.
This was Daohua's last birthday at home. Madam Li originally wanted to hold a grand celebration, but remembering that Jiang Wanying had just hastily gotten married two days ago, she didn't want to irritate the Queen Mother and the Jiang family at this time, lest they do something even crazier. So she just planned to have the family get together.
"Mother."
The day before Rice Flower's birthday, Han Xinran came to see Mrs. Li with a letter from the Han family.
Mrs. Li has been very busy lately. Wentao is getting married next month, Wenkai is getting married the month after that, and her daughter is getting married in December. She is busy almost every day.
"What's up?"
Mrs. Li looked at the gift list without even raising her head.
Han Xinran: "Mother, isn't tomorrow my eldest sister's birthday? My sister from my natal family wants to come over to celebrate her birthday and has sent me a card. Do you want to accept it?"
Madam Li looked away from the gift list and glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law. She thought to herself, she had finally stopped acting on her own. "We're all relatives. Since your family is so willing to accept the gift, how can we refuse?"
This is my daughter's last birthday at her parents' home, so it would be helpful to let her interact more with relatives there to avoid estrangement in the future.
Han Xinran noticed the satisfaction on Madam Li's face and felt relieved. She finally understood how to handle her relationship with her mother-in-law in the future. "Then I'll reply right away."
After coming out of the main courtyard, Han Xinran walked slowly on the road, looking at the two new houses and yards that were being hastily decorated, feeling a little heavy.
In the past, she was the only daughter-in-law in the family and she didn’t feel anything. But now that her third and fourth brother’s sisters-in-law are about to come into the family, she has gradually felt some pressure.
Especially the fourth brother's wife, her family background and character are not inferior to hers, and she is also the daughter-in-law of the eldest wife. In the future, they will inevitably be compared.
The fourth brother's wife is good friends with the eldest sister. They grew up under the care of the elders of the Yan family, so naturally they are more popular with the elders than her. In addition, when she returned to Beijing this time, she failed to strike a good balance in getting along with her mother's family, which made her mother-in-law unhappy, which made her feel a great sense of crisis.
She grew up in the uncle's house and knew too well that conflicts and frictions were inevitable when living under the same roof. Whoever the elders favored would live more comfortably.
After looking away, Han Xinran first returned to his yard to reply to the message, and then went to the kitchen in person to check whether all the ingredients needed for tomorrow were purchased.
Early in the morning on the first day of August, Han Xinman brought the Han sisters and the two girls from the Fang family to the Yan family.
When Han Xinran came to pick them up, she saw her eldest sister and saw that she had brought the Fang sisters with her. She frowned slightly and said, "Sister, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
Han Xinman affectionately took Han Xinran's arm and asked with a smile, "Don't you welcome me?"
Han Xinran looked at her and said, "If I took the girl from the Yan family to the Yongqing Marquis's Mansion without telling you, would you welcome me?"
Han Xinman was stunned for a moment and looked at her second sister in surprise. Now that she had a husband, her second sister was much more assertive than when she was at home.
"Alright, alright, it's your fault, big sister. I was lazy, thinking that the invitation had already been sent home and I was in a hurry, so I didn't say hello to you. Are you really angry with your big sister?"
Han Xinran was silent for a moment: "Big sister, my sisters don't understand, but you and I are both someone's daughter-in-law. It's okay for us to be casual at home, but when we go to our respective in-laws' homes, we should still observe etiquette. What do you think?"
Han Xinran's relentless pursuit made Han Xinman very unhappy. Is it just a small matter?
Nowadays, anyone in the capital who is well-informed knows that the Yan family has offended the Jiang family. I really don’t know what’s so great about her, the second sister.
If her father-in-law had not asked her personally this time, she would not have bothered to bring her two younger sisters from the Bo Mansion to visit the Yan family.
"My dear second sister, this time it was my elder sister who was not considerate enough. Please forgive me this time, okay? This is my first time visiting your in-laws' house, and you are still going to block me outside and not let me in?"
Han Xinran glanced at her eldest sister. When she was at home, her eldest sister always liked to please the elders. Sometimes it was clearly her fault, but after she said that, it seemed as if others were wrong.
The people have arrived. Although Han Xinran felt very uncomfortable, she still led the Han sisters and the Fang sisters to Old Lady Yan's yard.
Before the Han sisters came, Yan Siyu brought Yang Xiujun and the Yang sisters here. Now, she was chatting and laughing with Old Lady Yan, Madam Li, Mrs. Wu, and the four Daohua sisters.
Seeing Han Xinman, Old Lady Yan and Madam Li were surprised for a moment. Thinking of the Han family's behavior, the smiles on their faces faded a little.
In fact, you can tell how others treat you from the little things in your daily interactions.
Han Xinman brought the girl from the Fang family here without even saying hello, which clearly shows that she doesn't take the Yan family seriously.
If she were asked to treat other powerful families in this way, she probably wouldn't do it and wouldn't dare to.
Han Xinran could see the unhappiness of the old lady and her mother-in-law at a glance. She felt bitter and had to step forward to explain.
Daohua sat nearby and watched the scene unfold. Without saying anything, she simply smiled at Yang Xiujun and said, "I heard that cousin Xiujun is engaged to the third son of the Shaoqing family of the Taichang Temple?"
Yang Xiujun nodded shyly.
Daohua immediately smiled at Yan Yihan: "That's such a coincidence, Yihan has also made her decision, you two can get together to discuss how to embroider the wedding dress."
Yang Xiujun immediately looked at Yan Yihuan: "Really? Which family did cousin Yihuan choose to marry?"
Yan Yihan looked a little embarrassed and was too embarrassed to speak.
Daohua smiled and said, "He is the eldest son of Mr. You, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He has just come of age and has already become a Juren."
Yang Xiujun immediately smiled and congratulated Yan Yihuan. The Yuwenlang of the Ministry of Revenue was a fifth-rank official, which was enough to match Yihuan's cousin whose father and brother were still commoners.
"Do my second uncle and aunt know about it?"
Daohua nodded: "Of course, we have to tell my second uncle and second aunt about Yihuan's marriage. Now my second brother and second sister-in-law have already set off for Beijing. We just need them to come and see the You family, and then we can make the decision."
Yang Xiujun looked at Yan Yihan with a smile: "The family that my uncle and aunt choose must be a good one." She was able to get engaged to the youngest son of the fourth-rank Shaoqing of the Taichang Temple because of the Yan family.
His eldest uncle was the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, his eldest cousin was a Hanlin, his third and fourth cousins were Jinling Guards, and his cousin Yi Yi was about to marry into the royal family. If his family did not have such a relationship with the Yan family, she would not have been able to get such a good marriage.
The last time in Zhongzhou, because of her grandmother's preference, everyone lived together again, and her relationship with her cousins was very ordinary. Now everyone treats each other as relatives, with no conflicts of interest, and they are neither too close nor too distant, so the relationship has become even better.
Every time she came to the Yan Mansion, her cousins were very welcoming.
Yan Yihan nodded, a look of gratitude on her face: "I know, my uncle and aunt have been worrying about me a lot."
"What are you talking about?"
Han Xinran smiled and led the Han sisters and the Fang sisters over.
Daohua smiled and said, "It's really hot today."
Yan Yihan, Yang Xiujun and others nodded quickly.
Han Xinran looked at Daohua and said, "Big sister, please help me with the reception. I'll go check on the kitchen."
Daohua smiled and nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, sister-in-law."
Han Xinran smiled, shook his head, turned and left.
The third daughter of the Han family smiled and said, "Is it hot? I don't think so. I just passed by the flower corridor in the yard, and I thought it was quite cool there." As she said that, she looked at the rice flowers.
"Sister Yan, how about we sit over there and talk? We can enjoy the cool breeze and appreciate the flowers at the same time, killing two birds with one stone."
Daohua glanced at the third daughter of the Han family, picked up the teacup and pretended not to hear what she said.
As a guest, he didn't even know the most basic rule of following the host's wishes. He made such and such requests as soon as he arrived. It's not without reason that the Han family, a baronial mansion, could fall into decline so quickly.
Seeing Daohua being so disrespectful, the third daughter of the Han family felt a little embarrassed, while the sisters of the Fang family were a little stunned.
It is really rare to see a host who is so disrespectful to his guests.
Yan Yihan didn't want the atmosphere to become too awkward, so she smiled and changed the subject.
Daohua didn't hold on to it, but in the subsequent conversation, she ignored the Han sisters intentionally or unintentionally.
After several contacts, she had figured out the personalities of the Han sisters. They relied on being daughters of the Earl's family to act a little arrogant and bossy. If you were to be nice to such people, it would only make them do more and more outrageous.
When it was almost noon, Ping Tong walked into the room with a smile on her face. After bowing to Old Lady Yan and the others, she said with a smile, "Old Lady, Madam, Prince Ping's Mansion has sent a birthday gift to the eldest daughter."
Madam Li said quickly, "Please invite the person in."
The person who came this time was Huai En again. Huai En first greeted Old Lady Yan and Madam Li, then bowed to Daohua and handed her a half-meter-long golden nanmu box: "Your servant respectfully wishes the county lady a long and beautiful life."
Daohua took the box with a smile: "What is this?" As she said that, she opened the box, and then a light green jade ruyi came into everyone's sight.
"The prince hopes that the county lady will always be happy!" Huai En said at the right time.
The smile on Daohua's face became even wider. Although Prince Ping gave her such an expensive gift mostly to make up for his previous guilt, she was still very happy.
"Thank the prince for me. I like this gift very much."
"If the county lady likes it, the prince will certainly be very happy. I will return to the palace to report."
Huai En bowed to Old Lady Yan and Madam Li again, and was then escorted out by Bishi.
Prince Ping personally sent someone to deliver gifts, which surprised everyone present.
After Huai'en left, Old Lady Yan and Madam Li were very happy. The more satisfied Prince Ping was with his granddaughter (daughter), the better her (daughter's) life would be in the future.
As for the others, their expressions changed slightly, thinking that rumors really couldn't be trusted. Everyone used to say that Prince Ping didn't want Yan Yiyi to be his daughter-in-law, but looking at her today, it was obvious that Prince Ping was very satisfied with this marriage.
"Sister Yan, the prince really values you. This jade ruyi is transparent and bright in color. It is obviously not an ordinary item. When you marry into the prince's palace in the future, you can expect to enjoy happiness."
Han Xinman smiled and complimented. She now understood a little bit what her father-in-law meant. With the support of Prince Ping's Mansion, even if the Yan family offended the Jiang family, it would not be a big deal. It was still worth making friends with them.
Daohua smiled but didn't say anything. She just handed the jade ruyi to Guyu and was about to let her take it back to the yard and put it away when Pingtong walked in again.
"Madam, Madam, someone has arrived from the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion."
Hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Everyone was surprised when Prince Ping's mansion sent someone, but it wasn't too surprising.
But when the Duke Dingguo's Mansion sent someone, everyone was really surprised.
Madam Li glanced at Daohua and said, "Please invite them in."
Soon, Mei Xue, who was beside Guo Ruomei, walked in.
"It's you!"
Daohua looked at Meixue in surprise. She knew this person. She was the personal maid of Xiao Yeyang's mother.
Mei Xue smiled and bowed to Daohua: "Your servant greets the county lady." Then she bowed and greeted Old Lady Yan and Madam Li, and then looked at Daohua again.
"Today is the County Lady's birthday. Madam cannot come in person, so she specifically asked me to send some jewelry over for her to enjoy."
As she spoke, she smiled and asked the four maids behind her to hand over the jewelry box in their hands.
Daohua looked at the jewelry box in the maid's hand and smiled: "Madam, this is really very kind. Thank you for me."
Hearing Daohua's answer, Meixue's eyes narrowed with a smile: "As long as the county lady likes it."
Daohua asked Guyu to accept the jewelry box, exchanged a few words with Meixue, and then Meixue left.
"Sister Yan, come and see what gifts the Duke Dingguo's Mansion has given you?" Miss Han San couldn't help but say.
Daohua was also very curious, so she asked Guyu to open the box.
A box of various gems, a box of thumb-sized South China Sea pearls, a set of kingfisher feather head ornaments, and a set of phoenix hairpin head ornaments.
Well, very practical and luxurious.
Daohua thought to herself that Xiao Yeyang's parents were more generous than each other.
"Put the things away for your daughter."
Seeing the envy in everyone's eyes, Madam Li told Guyu to pack up the things.
Guyu nodded, and he and Lixia took the box and left quickly.
"Duke Dingguo's Mansion also values Sister Yan very much." Han Xinman smiled again, but the smile on her face was a little stiff.
This visit to Yan's Mansion was really beyond her expectations.
Both Prince Ping's Mansion and Duke Dingguo's Mansion value Yan Yiyi so much that the birthday gifts they sent her were all good things that she rarely saw in her daily life.
Han Xinman glanced at Han Xinran who was serving beside Madam Li. This second sister was really lucky. Looking at the current situation of the Yan family, it was just as her mother said, better than her life in the Yongqing Earl's Mansion.
Xiao Yeyang arrived around noon with Yan Wentao and Yan Wenkai. Wu Dingbai also came with the three of them.
While Yan Wenkai was introducing Wu Dingbai to everyone, Daohua walked over to Xiao Yeyang and asked, "Why is he here? Our family and the Jiang family are not on good terms right now, and the Wu family is not far away from us."
Xiao Yeyang chuckled and said, "Commander Wu is very smart. He is an old fox. He is willing to let his son get along with your two brothers. Naturally, he can see that the emperor's uncle is unwilling to tolerate the Jiang family any longer."
Daohua laughed and said, "The Emperor is being very rude to the Jiang family this time."
Xiao Yeyang smiled and said, "Let's talk outside."
Daohua nodded, and went out of the house with Xiao Yeyang, standing under the flower shed in the yard and talking.
Xiao Yeyang: "Your Majesty was able to succeed to the throne because of the kindness of the Jiang family. He tolerated the Jiang family in the past because he did not want to be known as someone who repays kindness with enmity."
"This time, the Jiang family brought disaster upon themselves. They committed such a shameful act in the imperial palace, and the Empress Dowager personally intervened. This is like handing the knife to the Emperor's uncle."
"Using this opportunity, the Emperor's uncle expressed his dissatisfaction with the Jiang family. At this time, no one will think anything of the Emperor's uncle, but will only think that the Queen Mother and the Jiang family are too much."
"There are many officials in the court who dislike the Western Liao people. The Queen Mother is colluding with the Western Liao people, which has really stirred the nerves of many people. Wait, without the protection of the Emperor's uncle, there will be many noble families waiting to take a bite of the Jiang family's fat meat."
Knowing that the Jiang family was going to be in trouble, Daohua felt relieved.
"I heard that you received a lot of good things today?" Xiao Yeyang looked at Daohua with a smile.
Daohua stretched out her hand in front of Xiao Yeyang: "Where is my birthday present?"
Xiao Yeyang grabbed her hand, lowered his head and pecked it lightly: "Would you mind if I gave myself to you?"
Daohua quickly withdrew her hand, looked around, and seeing that there was no one around, she glared at Xiao Yeyang.
(End of this chapter)
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