The crabapple blossoms in the Marquis's mansion are in full bloom.
Ye Zhen ordered people to set up seating, tea, and fruit under the tree, so that the ladies could enjoy the flowers, chat, drink tea, and eat snacks.
Beyond the crabapple tree lies the Marquis's training ground.
Through the pink blossoms, one can vaguely see the heroic figures of soldiers, some riding horses and shooting arrows, others sparring and practicing martial arts...
This was a method devised by the Marquis of Zhongyong, which allowed the unmarried ladies and wives on the other side to see the charm of the bachelors without violating the strict rules of separation between men and women.
Originally, he had asked Xie Tingzhou to do this, but Xie Tingzhou declined, saying he was going to the palace to perform his duties that day.
In order for his sons who had followed him for many years to get married, the Marquis of Zhongyong had no choice but to take matters into his own hands. Naturally, the other male guests cheered and applauded along with him.
Everyone here is shrewd; there's nothing they don't understand now. Today's banquet for bestowing titles is also a banquet for mutual recognition.
After this great victory, almost all of the young generals under the Marquis of Zhongyong were rewarded. Those with daughters at home who were still unmarried began to have their own ideas.
Some wives, in order to choose a good one for their daughters, would even take advantage of their status as married women to peel back the branches to get a better look.
As long as the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery remains in power, these young generals all have a bright future, so how could the other ladies dare to fall behind?
Seeing that things were progressing smoothly, Ye Zhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief and picked up his tea to take a sip.
Suddenly, a maid rushed over and whispered in her ear, "Young Madam, something terrible has happened! Two young ladies are making a scene by the lake..."
After listening to the maid's story, Ye Zhen asked Xie Jinyao to entertain the ladies and young misses, while he followed the maid to the lakeside.
Xie Jinyao watched her leave, a cold smile playing on her lips.
When Ye Zhen arrived, he saw from afar that one of them had been knocked into the lake. Although the old women and maids around him pulled him out, he was soaking wet.
She hurriedly had a cloak brought and tied it around the other person's body, and then instructed a maid to lead her to change her clothes.
The girl who was pushed into the water was named Shen Bishui. Because her father was on good terms with Ye Zhengqing, she was able to stay by Ye Wantang's side.
She was unwilling to leave like that, and said to Ye Zhen, "Young Madam, you be the judge. The road is so wide, and she deliberately bumped into me, and then said it was an accident."
"Didn't I just show you what real intent is?"
Another girl, Roland, retorted, "If you're not satisfied, I can make you go into the water again."
She was the daughter of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, and she had a good relationship with Xie Jinyao, and was used to her arrogant temper.
She just bumped into Chen Bishui by the lake, saying it was an accident, but she didn't apologize.
Shen Bishui was angry because her dress was dirtied, and she was convinced that she was being bullied on purpose, which led to the argument.
To prove that she could deliberately knock someone into the water, Luo Lanqiao actually did knock someone into the water, just as Ye Zhen had just witnessed.
Ye Zhen smiled faintly, "I am not aware of the lawsuit between the two young ladies, but since you are guests at the Marquis's residence today, please give the Marquis's residence some face and put aside your grievances for the time being."
Once you leave the Marquis's residence, you can cause as much trouble as you want.
Seeing that Ye Zhen had no intention of getting involved, nor did he try to flatter or persuade her, Roland was taken aback.
When something like this happens, the host usually finds out what happened and then acts as a peacemaker.
Why doesn't Ye Zhen follow the rules? It must be because she grew up in the countryside, had no one to teach her, and doesn't understand the customs of the capital.
Just as she was about to start arguing, Ye Zhen said, "It's still chilly in early spring, Miss Chen should change her clothes in time to avoid catching a cold and suffering unnecessarily."
If we must settle this matter, I can send someone to invite two elders from my family, or perhaps I can invite the Marquis to come along as well.”
"Second Young Madam, have you lost your mind? How can you disturb the Marquis with such matters concerning a woman's private life?"
Roland was shocked. "Do you even know how to manage a household?"
Who's in charge of this household? Why do they always turn to the breadwinner whenever something goes wrong?
Men are all out there doing great things, while women depend on men for survival, and therefore have to manage the mundane affairs of the household for men.
Ye Zhen remained calm. "If you cause trouble at the Marquis's banquet, you are slapping the Marquis's face. Slapping the Marquis's face is slapping the Marquis's face. As his daughter-in-law, it is my duty to inform him of this."
Roland was speechless.
Xie Jinyao asked her to lead Ye Zhen to the guest courtyard, which is why she deliberately caused trouble for Shen Bishui.
Ye Zhen was the hostess, so she was responsible for handling any matters in the mansion. Once the guests arrived, she would make a scene and then find a way to get them to the guest courtyard.
But Xie Jinyao didn't tell her that Ye Zhen would use her parents and the Marquis of Zhongyong to pressure her.
Just as she was wondering what to do, she heard Chen Bishui say, "I'm going to change my clothes. Please don't inform my father and mother, Second Young Madam."
She was an illegitimate daughter, and her parents wouldn't stand up for her; instead, they would complain that she was causing trouble.
Ye Zhen nodded.
Shen Bishui glanced at Luo Lanqiao, seemingly afraid of being bullied by her again, and asked Ye Zhen, "Would the Second Young Madam like to come with me?"
"I still need to entertain the guests at the crabapple grove."
Ye Zhen wanted to refuse.
Luo Lanqiao's eyes lit up as she came up with an idea. Without any hesitation, she threw a punch at Chen Bishui, her eyes threatening.
Shen Bishui shrank back and grabbed Ye Zhen's sleeve, "Please, Second Young Madam."
They looked very pitiful.
Whether out of soft-heartedness or fear that they would really make a big fuss, Ye Zhen agreed to Shen Bishui's request.
The objective has been achieved.
Roland Qiao thought to herself with pride, "I want to go too."
To avoid any unforeseen circumstances along the way.
She watched Ye Zhen enter the guest courtyard before turning around to inform Xie Jinyao.
After changing her clothes, Chen Bishui was grateful to Ye Zhen, but said she dared not go to the front again, lest she be targeted by Luo Lanqiao again.
She was startled and wanted to rest in the guest room for a while.
Ye Zhen had no objection.
Before she could even leave the courtyard, a servant came running up with his head down. "Young mistress, there's a guest in the east room who's drunk too much and unconscious. You'd better go and check on him."
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