The capital city in January is bitterly cold.

  The carriage entered the Chengguo Gongfu and went straight to the Weihua Gate.

  The curtain hangs down, as if there is a faint scent of plum blossoms, vaguely the icy soul and jade spirit of the wax plum.

  The horse carriage slowed down and came to a stop, and before getting off, I heard the sound of cheerful laughter.

  There were many people who came to welcome them.

  The horse carriage stopped steadily, and Zhu's mother and two maidservants got off first, then they wanted to help Gu Jinzi down.

  Gu Jinzhi also got off the car with their hands.

  The flowers were blooming at the entrance, and the jade was surrounded by emeralds. The crowd was filled with people, each face lightly floating with a welcoming smile. With a glance, most of Gu Jin's acquaintances were unfamiliar to him.

  It's been six years since I left, and there have been so many changes.

  On the right side of the Vihara gate, there is a red plum tree with tortuous branches and leaves. It has some impression, Gu Jinzhi planted it when he was still in Beijing. After the frost, the fragrance comes quietly. The branches are either dense or sparse, all wrapped in sparse shadows, with a gentle and elegant demeanor.

  Song Pan'er and Gu Yanjun, Huang Ge'r and Xu Ge'r also got off the carriage.

  Everyone went up to welcome them.

  Great Aunt Ning stood up, and Gu Jing remembered her. But in these six years, she seemed to have aged a lot all at once, was it because of being too worried about household chores?

  Second Aunt Ye also felt a bit older.

  Everyone stepped forward, each bowing in turn, and then they began sizing one another up.

  Gu Jinzhi and Song Pan'er sized them up, and they also sized up Gu Jinzhi's family.

  Song Pan'er is even more lovely and fair-skinned than when she was in the capital, with a pair of round and bright big eyes that are as clear and charming as autumn water. With just one glance and one smile, her charm is revealed.

  Compared with her, the skin of these women in Beijing is a bit dry.

  Indeed, Jiangnan's water and soil nurture people.

  Gu Yanzhong didn't change much.

  The children have changed greatly.

  "It's freezing outside, let's not talk here, go inside first." said the elder aunt with a smile.

  Inside the gate with drooping flowers, in the corridor, several tame mules and small oil carts were parked, each led by a woman.

  Everyone first sent off Gu Yanzhen and his family, then each waited for their own car to head towards Eldest Maternal Aunt's place.

  The flower hall on Madame Gu's side had already been heated with a warm brazier, and it was as warm as spring.

  Gu Jin brought two younger brothers and sat down with their mother.

  Behind them was a room full of people sitting in silence.

  They were newcomers and everyone's attention was on them.

  Song Pan'er smiled and spoke with everyone in a gentle tone.

  Gu Yanzhong and Gu Jinze were among several others who remained relatively silent, listening with a faint smile.

  The two aunts occasionally asked Gu Jinzhi and Huan Geer, Xiu Geer one sentence, and the siblings would answer one sentence, without any extra words.

  There are several girls of similar age to Gu Jinzhi, all of whom are elder female cousins from the second branch of the family. Although Gu Jinzhi can no longer tell them apart.

  They had been sizing up Gu Jin from the moment they entered, but now they've lost interest.

  Gu Jing's body was tall and slender, but she had a doll-like face. Her eyebrows and eyes seemed to be closed. The girl with the clear broth and noodles didn't pose any threat to other girls at all. Moreover, her silent and expressionless appearance indeed looked a bit stupid.

  Several elder female cousins of Zhou Zheng were all more beautiful than Gu Jin.

  After chatting for the time it took to drink two cups of tea, Auntie said: "You've all been traveling by horse and carriage, you must be tired. Go back and rest first, we can talk again tomorrow when we have some free time."

  Song Paner and others stood up to thank him.

  They still live in the original Jingyuan.

  Jingyuan is located on the west side of Chengguo Gongfu, adjacent to Er Bomu's Xiangfang Pavilion.

  It so happened that Second Aunt and three cousins were also returning to their rooms, so they followed along, another group of people swarming together, heading towards the Quiet Garden.

  In the quiet courtyard, Eldest Aunt had already dismissed over a dozen maidservants, and they had thoroughly cleaned and warmed up the heated bed.

  "You're busy too, just go back first." The elder aunt said to the second aunt and others.

  My second aunt smiled and left with my three cousins after exchanging some pleasantries.

  Song Pan'er's eyes were poisonous, carefully measuring this yard and house. The flowers and grass in the courtyard were all neatly trimmed, with newly planted winter plum blossoms and various other flowers and grasses that had not been there before. While the furnishings inside the house all showed signs of wear and tear from years of use.

  It's absolutely unreasonable for them not to be in the capital and instead plant flowers and grass in their courtyard.

  This should be inhabited by someone.

  Song Paner was not very happy.

  However, the house in the capital is small and crowded with people, pitifully squeezed together. Thinking of her spacious and carefree life in Yanling Fu, her discontent was somewhat alleviated.

  One can't be too demanding of others.

  "This courtyard, the second house was lived in by Shan Jie and Pei Jie for two or three years. The two children were careful and didn't damage the house. I've also looked at it before." Seeing Song Tian'er's expression change, Da Bomu knew she was usually meticulous, so she honestly said, "Take another look, if there's anything wrong, tell me, I'll replace it all together."

  The furniture was all purchased by Song Pan'er and Gu Yanzheng when they got married. After they left, Eldest Aunt put them away in the warehouse, only taking them out when she heard they were coming back.

  They just came to Beijing for a happy occasion, visiting relatives, why did Song Pan'er have to invite trouble?

  She smiled and said, "Sister shouldn't be like this, let Shan Jie and Pei Jie follow along with the trouble. Our home has a guest room, we can just live in the guest room! To have the children move back and forth, it's adding trouble for all of you, I really don't feel right about it."

  The great aunt smiled slightly: Song Pan'er has changed that ruthless personality of hers since returning to Jiangnan these years...

  But if they were really placed in the side house, Song Pan'er might not be so easy to talk to.

  "This is your home." said the elder aunt, "What's troublesome or not! I wanted you to stay for more days, so we can be close together."

  Then all the maids and wives in the courtyard were called in, introduced to Song Dang'er one by one, and the rest were arranged by Song Dang'er.

  Jingyuan is a medium-sized courtyard with four main rooms and two small wing-rooms on each side.

  One of them is a main hall and cannot be lived in, so there are only three main rooms left.

  Song Paner couple in one room, Gu Jin in one room, Gu Xuan and Gu Xun in one room.

  Their luggage has already been sent in.

  Once the house was arranged, each servant began to unpack and tidy up.

  In the evening, I met my uncles at a dinner gathering.

  Grandfather is not at home.

  "Where did Father go? Didn't he wait for Father to have dinner?"

  "The Empress Dowager has been unwell for the past two days, and Father is staying at the Imperial Hospital to take care of her." Eldest Uncle Gu Yanwu explained with a smile.

  Gu's impression of his uncle was somewhat cold and stern. Now, he had become more and more modest. The higher the official position, the more smooth and tactful he became in dealing with people and things.

  The old man was serving in Tai Hospital, which confirmed one of Gu Jin's family members' speculations before going to Beijing.

  Gu Yanwen and Song Pan'er didn't ask anything more.

  Er Bo Gu Yan Huan was the most handsome among his father's three brothers. He had a long beard and starry eyebrows with sword-like eyes.

  The several sisters of Erniang are all lovely and beautiful, inheriting some of the beauty of Erbo.

  After having a reunion dinner, Gu Jinzhi recognized all his uncles, aunts and cousins at home and remembered their identities.

  The next day was the Lantern Festival, and a banquet had already been arranged at home.

  Gu Jinzhai made an excuse that she was not feeling well and hid in her room. As a result, her two younger brothers followed suit and also stayed in Gu Jinzhai's room. The three siblings played guessing games together.

  The great aunt was busy entertaining guests with her feet off the ground, but she also noticed the absence of Gu Jing's three siblings and was about to order the eldest sister-in-law to go invite them personally.

  Song Pan'er knew her daughter well. If she didn't want to, coming out would be just sitting around in a daze, which wouldn't be pretty.

  "...the kids are all tired and exhausted from the ride. They're also from rural areas, so they're a bit shy." Song Pan'er explained to her aunt.

  The great aunt smiled: "Where is the prosperity of Jiangnan compared to the capital? But my third brother and sister kept saying that it's a rural place. Is this because we treated you too lightly?"

  Then he said to Datang's sister-in-law, "Manjing, you quickly go and invite your sister and two brothers to come."

  Dàtáng sǎo's given name is Lin Manjing.

  Song Pan'er hurriedly persuaded him again.

  Finally, Auntie asked Eldest Sister-in-law to personally bring the maid servant and sent a few bowls of exquisite dishes from the banquet to Gu Jin's younger brother.

  The Lantern Festival went on till midnight, and Song Pan'er also had a wonderful time. She also saw many familiar ladies from before.

  On the Shangyuan Festival, the old master still hasn't returned to the mansion.

  It was already the sixteenth of the first month. The old man came back very early in the morning.

  Gu Yanzhun took his wife and children to pay their respects, but the old man waved his hand and said directly: "Jin Jie, follow me into the palace for a trip. You all scatter and go your separate ways, I don't need anyone to serve me!"

  The personality is still so weird.

  The elder uncle's expression had a few points of ridicule.

  He saw Lao Yezi bring Gu Jin into the palace. He furrowed his brow slightly, not understanding Lao Yezi's intention.

  Song Pan'er's eyes flashed with uncontrollable wild joy.

  This is an opportunity. This is Gu Jing's chance. If she succeeds, maybe there will be a good future, and Song Wanting will have one less thing to worry about.

  It wasn't just Dabo, but also Lao Yezi and Gu Jin who heard about this matter when they walked out of the Chengguo Gongfu.

  Everyone was shocked and guessed the old man's intention.

  The two daughters of the Second Mistress, Gu Shan and Gu Po, originally lived in Song Daner's Jingyuan.

  Now they all moved back and lived in the ear chamber of their mother's Xiu Fang Pavilion.

  They were chatting idly with their mother and sister when the maid who had been eavesdropping on the news said, "The old master returned to the mansion today, taking Gu Jinzhi to the palace." Several people were stunned.

  The fifth girl, Gu Pei, threw the needle and thread in her hand, her face changed greatly: "Mother, is something wrong? Why did grandfather take seventh sister into the palace?"

  The second lady Ye was also full of fox-like bewilderment.

  Last year in the twelfth month, Eldest Uncle said that the palace also selects beauties to fill the Rear Palace, and the Gu family has a quota. Eldest Uncle's own daughter had already married out, and Fourth Sister of the second branch was engaged, so he secretly discussed with Second Master and decided on Fifth Sister of the second branch, Gu Pei.

  It's just that the matter of going on a talent show last spring didn't know why it dragged on until the end of the year without any movement.

  The second lady Ye sent her husband to ask about the old man's intentions and was scolded several times, but she also found out that the selection of the imperial concubine had been changed to this March.

  It's just the beginning of the first month, and Sanfang has already brought his daughter back to Beijing, while the people in the second house are racking their brains trying to figure out what's going on.

  The worst outcome would be for the third wife's daughter to replace the second wife's.

  Everyone in the second house had a glimmer of hope.

  Until now, Gu Jinzhi was led into the palace by Old Master Gu, and Fifth Young Miss Gu Peizhi could no longer hold back.

  ——*——*——*——

  Thanks for the rewards from Ben Xiao Xin, Hot Love ^^ and Sudaez.

  Today is the third update, tears request pink tickets!!!!!

  Looking at the pink ticket chart, Chunxiang's lead is getting bigger and bigger, and the relatives behind are catching up, feeling a bit squeezed out. I took a few glances at the books on the chart, I'm not the most diligent, but it's passable, right? Classmate 15, who types slowly, has already given their all. New book periods can be prone to gains and losses, so let's give some motivation and comfort to each other, dear friends!!