That day, Wei Shu had just finished lunch in his small courtyard when his mother, Madam Sun, rushed over.
Ever since Wei Shuwan was punished by the old lady last time, Sun Lurong used the excuse that it was getting colder and that instead of everyone going to the dining hall, it would be better to use the small kitchens in each courtyard to eat in their own courtyards, and abolished the rule that the whole family should eat together in the dining hall.
She treated Wei Wenshi with respect, but Wei Wenshi acted as if she were the head of the Wei family in Shengjing, taking the initiative instead of being the guest.
However, those unpleasant things are nothing compared to the matter at hand right now.
Sun Lurong placed the invitation directly on the table in front of Wei Shuwan: "Take a look, your mother can't tell whether this is a good thing or a bad thing!"
Seeing her solemn expression, Wei Shuwan quickly picked up the invitation on the table and glanced at it. She also slowly frowned: "The Imperial Concubine is hosting a plum blossom appreciation banquet, and she even sent me an invitation?"
"Yes, it is said that all the daughters of officials of the fifth rank or above in the capital have been invited."
Wei Shuwan closed the invitation, then suddenly looked up: "Is this to select a consort for His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Mother thinks so too. There was a similar event during the Southern Hunting Autumn, and it's said that His Highness the Crown Prince didn't fancy any of them that time. Perhaps that's why he's lowered the bar this time. Since it's an invitation personally extended by the Imperial Concubine, we can't just refuse it. But Mother is worried that if you go, what if..."
Sun Lurong didn't continue speaking, but raised her hand and stroked Wei Shuwan's head. "Many official families hope their daughters will become phoenixes and eagerly send them to the palace, but Mother doesn't want that. Mother only wants my Wanwan to be free and not be a caged bird in the deep palace."
Wei Shuwan's heart skipped a beat, then she covered her mouth and chuckled: "Mother, what are you thinking? Do you really think His Highness the Crown Prince can choose me? Father is only a fifth-rank official. If I go, I'll just be there to make an appearance and serve as a foil for those real daughters of officials! The position of Crown Princess involves many things and will only be contested in the mansions of first-rank officials."
"Really?" Sun Lurong's face lit up with surprise.
Wei Shuwan nodded seriously: "Mother, just relax. Besides, Sheng Yun will definitely be on the invitation list. She's been to the palace many times, so I'll just stick close to her!"
Hearing her daughter say this, Sun Lurong finally felt relieved. Then she remembered something else and instructed her, "You must be careful after you enter the palace and not offend those noble people. This time you are only allowed to bring one maid to accompany you into the palace. You should take Ziqiao with you. She is more clever than Miaoxiang when things happen."
...
At this moment, in the main room of Songheju, Madam Meng, the first wife, also rushed over to ask Madam Weiwen for advice.
"Mother, have you heard? The Imperial Concubine is going to hold a plum blossom appreciation banquet in the palace and has sent invitations to many officials and noble families in the capital. The invitation has just arrived at our residence as well!"
Lady Wei Wen, having just finished a bowl of porridge while sitting on the daybed, leisurely wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. Only after the servants had taken the bowls and spoons from the table and left did she speak, her voice tinged with resentment:
"Ever since I punished Sanya last time, she and her mother have never set foot in my room again, and they've even stopped eating at the dining hall. Where am I, this old woman, supposed to hear about these things?"
Madam Meng blushed slightly. She was well aware of this, which was why she rushed over immediately after receiving the news. However, since she needed the help of the second branch of the family today, she couldn't go along with the old lady's wishes and blame them. So, she spoke in a conciliatory tone:
"Mother, please don't blame Lü Rong. With my second brother away from home, she has to take care of the whole family by herself, so it's inevitable that there will be some shortcomings."
Upon hearing this, Madam Wei was taken aback at first, but then she guessed Madam Meng's intention and directly exposed her: "Do you want Shuwan to bring Yao'er with her when she enters the palace?"
So quickly the old lady saw through her thoughts, and Madam Meng smiled awkwardly, saying truthfully, "That young master Du is indeed good, but unfortunately he doesn't have Yao'er in his heart. Even if we don't give up, our hopes are ultimately slim. So I think it would be good if Yao'er could go out and see more of the world!"
Wei Wen sighed silently, "Not to mention that the second branch no longer cares about this old woman, even if Sun Lurong agrees, will the palace guards agree? They let people into the palace according to the Imperial Concubine's invitation, so what excuse do you have for letting Yao'er go in empty-handed?"
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Meng's head. She felt a jolt in her heart and immediately extinguished that thought.
Yes, even if the second branch of the family agreed, the palace isn't theirs to own. It's all my fault for losing my mind with envy the moment I heard the news…
Seeing Meng's dejection, Wei Wen remained calm, saying, "However, it's not like there's no way at all."
Meng's eyes lit up again: "What ideas does Mother have?"
"If you're willing, you can let Yao'er accompany you as Shuwan's personal maid, and she can go too."
Upon hearing this, Madam Meng was taken aback. "A...a maid?"
That won't do!
Meng thought this to herself, but dared not say it aloud, unwilling to extinguish this last glimmer of hope.
Seeing that she was hesitant, Madam Wei said, "This matter is not up to you or me to decide. We have to ask Yao'er if she is willing. If she is not willing, even if we force her to go in, it would be better if she went with a long face."
Madam Meng thought this made sense, nodded, and got up to leave, intending to discuss it with her daughter first.
Wei Wenshi, as Wei Shuyao's grandmother, knew her personality all too well. From a young age, she loved to compete with Wei Shuwan and never dared to admit defeat. Such a strong-willed girl would certainly not want to enter the palace as Wei Shuwan's maid.
But if that's the case, then expecting her to establish herself and take root in this vast city of Shengjing would be as difficult as climbing to heaven.
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