Chapter 1108, The Tenderness of Prince Xiao (Twenty)
Yan Mansion.
Today, the Yan Mansion is no longer as crowded as it was when it first came to Beijing. All the people who come and go are nobles and officials. When the Yan family holds a plum blossom viewing banquet, there will be a constant stream of carriages and horses in front of the Yan Mansion's gate early in the morning.
"It's just a plum blossom viewing party. Is it really necessary to come so early? It's okay to arrive a little late for this kind of party, but grandma insisted on rushing us out so early in the morning."
In the carriage of the Zhaode Marquis's mansion, the girl from the Han family yawned and complained in dissatisfaction.
Mrs. Han glanced at her daughter and said, "Keep your mouth shut when you're out there!"
The girl from the Han family curled her lips and didn't dare to say anything more.
Madam Han sighed, "Our family's title will end with your grandfather. Once he passes away and the inscription on the Earl's Mansion is removed, we will become ordinary people."
"Your father's official position is not high, and your two brothers' futures are still uncertain. If things continue like this, the Han family will fall into decline sooner or later."
"Now all we can hope for is that the Yan family, considering they are related by marriage to the Han family, will support your two brothers."
"We have something to ask of them, and the Yan family is in trouble, so why don't we come here early? Even if we can't help, at least we should be polite."
The Han family girl hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Mother, Second Aunt is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yan family. Logically, our family and the Yan family should have a very close relationship. Why is the Yan family so cold to us?"
Hearing this, Madam Han sneered: "Why else? It's not your great-grandmother and grandmother's fault. Not only did they offend the Yan family, but they also offended your second aunt."
"When the Yan family first came to the capital, they were not yet so prominent. Your great-grandmother and grandmother relied on the power of the Earl's Mansion to look down on the Yan family many times."
"You can imagine how difficult it was for your second aunt at that time, caught between her husband's family and her own family."
"That's all for now. What really caused a rift in the relationship between the Yan and Han families was your aunt's interference in the marriage of the fourth daughter of the Yan family."
"It would have been fine if the fourth young lady of the Yan family had a smooth marriage, but it ended up in a divorce."
"Of your two aunts, your grandmother favored the eldest aunt. After doing some things too much, your second aunt's heart grew cold. Later, she simply followed Master Yan to take up her post. She hasn't returned to Beijing in all these years."
"Your second aunt is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yan family after all. If she is willing to talk more about the Han family, the Yan family will at least give her some face. Unfortunately, she is obviously unwilling to do so."
The girl from the Han family sighed when she heard this.
Mrs. Han sighed repeatedly, "Over the years, our family has been getting worse and worse. Your grandmother has finally realized the seriousness of the problem and is now anxious to repair the relationship between our two families."
She said that unless her second aunt returned to Beijing, the relationship between the Han and Yan families would be at most a face-saving one, nothing more.
Madam Han looked at her daughter and said, "My child, you must remember that when you see those who are less powerful than you, don't be too arrogant. Even if you don't like them, just stay away from them. You can't predict their fate. You never know if they will soar to great heights."
Take the Yan family for example. When she first met the Yan family, she never thought that the Yan family could climb to such a prominent position today.
However, among all the members of the Yan family, the one she admired most was Miss Yan, who married into Prince Ping's mansion. It was because of her that the Yan family became what it is today.
Marrying into the royal palace directly changed the Yan family's status, and her friendship with the crown prince and the emperor's grandson was even more amazing.
When the crown prince ascends the throne in the future, the Yan family may be able to make further progress given the relationship between the crown prince and Prince Weiyuan and his wife.
"We've arrived at the Yan Mansion!"
Hearing the coachman's voice, Mrs. Han said nothing more. She got off the carriage with her daughter, met up with Old Lady Han in front, and then went to the backyard with the maid of the Yan family.
"Is this the Yan Mansion?"
"How magnificent! As expected of Princess Weiyuan's family."
Mrs. Wang and her two daughters arrived neither early nor late. Looking at the bustling Yan Mansion, the three of them straightened their backs, fearing that they would be looked down upon.
"You two have to behave well today."
Mrs. Wang whispered something to her two daughters.
At this moment, Ping Tong, who was waiting at the door, saw the mark on the Wang family's carriage. Her face suddenly brightened, and she walked quickly towards Madam Wang and the other two. "Is this Madam Wang who just arrived in Beijing?"
Mrs. Wang was stunned for a moment, then quickly smiled and nodded: "My family has indeed just arrived in Beijing, Madam, who is it?"
Ping Tong smiled and said, "I am the old lady's housekeeper. She specifically instructed me to come and welcome Madam Wang."
When Madam Wang heard that the housekeeper from Madam Yan's side had come to greet her personally, her face immediately lit up with glory. Noticing the glances from everyone around her, her smile deepened. "Madam, you're so polite."
While greeting each other, Pingtong led Mrs. Wang and the other two into the backyard, and kept looking at Miss Wang Da and Miss Wang Er.
There's nothing special about these two girls!
Their looks are just pretty. There are many ladies here today who are prettier than them. Their behavior is even more difficult to describe. How could such a person catch the eyes of the young prince?
Could it be that the old prince made a mistake?
When the people around saw the housekeeper nanny beside Madam Li coming to greet them in person, they all asked about the origins of Madam Wang and the other two.
On the way, Ping Tong asked with a smile, "Mrs. Wang, which one is Miss Ye?"
Madam Wang's smile froze, but she quickly regained her composure: "Mammy, you're asking about Yueying, right? That child is at home taking care of her grandmother."
Hearing this, Ping Tong paused and looked at Madam Wang in surprise: "Miss Ye didn't come?!"
Because of the surprise, the voice was a little loud, which immediately attracted the attention of people around.
Mrs. Wang did not expect Pingtong to react so strongly, and she felt a little uneasy.
Pingtong pointed at Miss Wang Da and Miss Wang Er: "Then who are they?"
Madam Wang laughed wryly and said, "These are my two worthless daughters."
Hearing this, Pingtong was speechless. Why did their family organize such a plum blossom viewing banquet? Wasn't it just to meet Miss Ye, whom the young prince liked? Unexpectedly, the real host didn't come!
Seeing the enthusiasm on Pingtong's face disappear, Madam Wang had to bite the bullet and speak: "Mammy, what's wrong?"
Pingtong glanced at Madam Wang indifferently. Miss Ye, who was staying there as a guest, did not come, but her two daughters came in their best clothes. How could she not notice something was wrong after being immersed in the rear house for so many years?
"Madam Wang, to be honest, my grandmother and grandmother both wanted to see Miss Ye, but they didn't expect her to come. So, I have to hurry back and report this. You can all come with everyone else to the courtyard to enjoy the plum blossoms."
After saying that, he turned around and left quickly.
This huge change made Mrs. Wang, Miss Wang Da and Miss Wang Er a little dazed.
Looking at the pointing and talking around them, the mother, daughter and their two children all looked very embarrassed.
This was still considered good. After all, no one knew what exactly happened and they were just talking about it in low voices. However, with the arrival of Prince Ping, the mother and daughter were really embarrassed.
Prince Ping is already in his sixties and there is no need for him to avoid female relatives too much.
As soon as he arrived, the women around him stood up to greet him.
Prince Ping signaled everyone to do as they pleased, and then kept glaring at Yan Wentao who was forcibly dragged over.
Yan Wentao was helpless. He coughed twice and asked, "Who is Mrs. Wang who just arrived in Beijing?"
Madam Wang's heart tightened, and she stepped forward cautiously: "It is I."
Prince Ping's eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly looked at the two girls behind Madam Wang. Just one glance and a look of disappointment appeared on his face.
Who is he? As a prince, he must have met too many people. Looking at the evasive and wandering eyes of Miss Wang Da and Miss Wang Er, he knew that these two were not simple-minded people.
Is this grandson blind? How could he fall for someone like this?
Yan Wentao continued, "During the Northern Frontier War, General Ye and I fought side by side. I'm deeply sorry for General Ye's passing. I wonder which one of you is Miss Ye?"
Hearing Ye Yueying mentioned again, Madam Wang thought something was wrong. With so many people watching, she could only repeat what she had said before: "Yueying is at home taking care of her grandmother."
"Aren't these two Miss Ye?"
Prince Ping suddenly asked loudly.
Madam Wang was startled and said quickly, "These are my two good-for-nothing daughters."
Prince Ping had always been praised by others. Except when facing the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince, Prince Ping rarely controlled his temper. He immediately said without saving face:
"Where's Miss Ye? I sent you a message hoping to invite her to come and enjoy the plum blossoms. Now that your whole family is here, how could we leave her behind?"
In order to meet Miss Ye, whom his grandson was suspected to like, he even bothered the Yan family, but he didn't expect that all his efforts were in vain.
When Prince Ping thought of this, he became furious: "Since Miss Ye didn't come, what are you guys doing here? The main person didn't come, but you came here as a by-product. It's really speechless."
Having said that, he flicked his sleeves and left.
Yan Wentao felt a bit of a headache. The old prince's temper was getting worse and worse. Some things didn't need to be said. It was so embarrassing!
Seeing Madam Wang and her mother and daughter in such an embarrassing situation, Yan Wentao didn't know what to do when Zhou Jingwan arrived supporting Madam Li.
"Aunt!"
Madam Li nodded and asked Yan Wentao to catch up with Prince Ping.
When Madam Wang saw Madam Li coming, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief and quickly greeted her with her two daughters: "Greetings to the old lady."
Madam Li smiled and asked the mother and daughter to be polite. "Don't mind, Madam Wang. It's true that our family has some old ties with General Ye. Thinking of the great disaster that the Ye family has suffered, I wanted to meet Miss Ye. I didn't expect that she didn't come, so I was a little surprised."
Afterwards, Mrs. Li spoke to Mrs. Wang politely but not rudely. After easing the awkwardness, she went to talk to the other female members of the family.
None of the female members who came to the Yan family had not experienced the twists and turns of the harem, and they all looked down on Madam Wang, who was so stupid and ignorant. Later, when they went to appreciate the plum blossoms, no one approached the mother and daughter of the Wang family.
Mrs. Wang, her daughter and the other two sat there fidgeting as they watched everyone talking and laughing. They wanted to fit in, but they couldn't find the opportunity. They were right in front of them, yet it seemed as if there was a chasm between them.
Mrs. Wang felt very regretful. She had thought too simply. She thought that as long as she used Ye Yueying's care for the old lady as an excuse, everyone would tacitly let it go. However, she never expected that because Ye Yueying did not show up, the Yan family actually ignored them directly.
If I had known earlier, I would have brought Ye Yueying with me. Even if she would steal some of the limelight from my two daughters, it would still be better than them being left on the bench like they are now.
"Brother Xi, please walk slower."
At the palace gate, Xiao Moxi quickly jumped onto his horse, and Wu Yutang followed behind him.
After catching up with Xiao Moxi, Wu Yutang said in a tone of watching a play: "Didn't the old prince really tell you that the Yan family held the flower viewing party just to meet Miss Ye?"
Xiao Moxi glanced at him sideways. If he knew, why would he still be in the palace at this time?
Thinking of Ye Yueying's cold and aloof personality, Xiao Moxi increased the speed of swinging the whip.
Grandfather was just fooling around. He hadn't even figured out how to meet Miss Ye yet, and his rash intervention had made her a little flustered.
“Ouch~”
When riding to Ximen Street, Xiao Moxi suddenly reined in his horse and stopped, looking in surprise at the blue figure walking into the temple not far ahead.
"Why don't you leave?" Wu Yutang looked at Xiao Moxi puzzled.
Xiao Moxi glanced at him, then dismounted, threw the reins to him, and strode towards the temple.
In the temple.
Ye Yueying first accompanied Mrs. Wang to the main hall to burn incense, and then added some incense money.
When Mrs. Wang saw the fortune teller sitting at the entrance of the temple, she was moved and looked at Ye Yueying with a smile: "Yingying, I think the scenery in this temple is quite nice, why don't you go and take a look."
Ye Yueying shook her head: "I'd better stay here with my grandmother."
Madam Wang patted Ye Yueying's hand and said, "I'm tired and want to rest. You can go for a walk. You must be bored since you've been staying with me in the courtyard these days."
Ye Yueying looked at Madam Wang and realized that she was trying to get rid of her, so she smiled and hid in the corner of the hall wall. When she saw Madam Wang walking to the fortune teller's stall, she shook her head in amusement.
"Let's go, the red plum blossoms in this temple are in full bloom, let's go and take a look."
When Xiao Moxi found Ye Yueying in the temple, Ye Yueying was standing in front of a red plum blossom, holding a red plum blossom in one hand and looking down at it.
Wu Yutang, who followed over, saw Xiao Moxi standing there stupidly. Just as he was about to step forward and pat him on the shoulder, he saw the scene that looked like a painting of a lady with red plum blossoms.
Wu Yutang exclaimed, "Brother Xi, you are going to be lucky in love. You can even meet a gorgeous lady when you come to the temple."
The noise here startled Ye Yueying. When she turned around, she saw Xiao Moxi and Wu Yutang not far away. An expression of surprise that was difficult to conceal immediately appeared on her face.
Seeing Ye Yueying discover them, Xiao Moxi glared at Wu Yutang, then walked out with a smile: "Miss Ye, long time no see!"
Ye Yueying lowered her eyes to steady her suddenly panicked heart. When the two men got closer, she raised her eyes to look at them and bowed to them: "Master Xiao, Master Wu."
Before Xiao Moxi responded, Wu Yutang exclaimed in surprise. He circled around Ye Yueying with obvious suspicion on his face, "Miss Ye? Are you Brother Ye?"
Ye Yueying felt a little embarrassed when being stared at, but fortunately Xiao Moxi grabbed Wu Yutang and glared at him, telling him not to move.
Confirming that Ye Yueying was the Ye brother they knew in Liaodong, Wu Yutang exclaimed in amazement: "Brother Ye. No, Miss Ye, I have to say, you disguised yourself quite thoroughly in Liaodong. If it weren't for Brother Xi, I wouldn't have recognized you."
Ye Yueying didn't respond. She had a relatively fair complexion, and when she dressed up as a man, she applied a lot of gouache to lower her skin tone by several shades, which was indeed a good way to deceive people.
I’m posting both updates together!
(End of this chapter)
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