Wei Mengying replied very affirmatively to her daughter: "The prince even let me see the memorial requesting the title of Crown Prince, how could it be fake?"

  He also said, "After the beginning of the year, he will submit a memorial."

  "What's with the cloud and you?" Although it's true or false, it will be known after the beginning of the year. Wei Mengying didn't need to lie, but Song Yixiao still felt that something was off, as her impression was that her own mother wasn't someone who could be easily fooled!

  She thought for a moment and asked tentatively, "But I wonder if Your Highness has any arrangements?"

  "Yun'er will have to rely on himself in the future, let's see if he can pass the imperial examination!" Wei Mengying glanced at her lightly and said, "As for me - didn't you always think that Lu Guanlun is a broad-minded person? My stepmother is also my mother, I expect him to support me in my old age, isn't that reasonable?"

  Song Yi Xiao hastily smiled: "I didn't mean it that way - although I think Lu San Gongzi is magnanimous, you are my own mother! I just feel that this matter is quite sudden!"

  "That's because you still don't understand me, your mother!" Wei Mengying sneered and said slowly, "It's also because you were too young back then, so you don't remember when I left the Song family? From the time I entered the Song family until now, I've fought with that old thing Peng Shi countless times! It wasn't until 7 or 8 years ago that I stopped paying attention to her. As for why, I think you should be able to figure it out by now?"

  Song Yi Xiao certainly wants it!

  Wei Mengying and Song Yuan broke up seven years ago!

  "What are you looking at? I'd rather learn from that old lady, unfortunately, I don't have her good fortune!" Seeing her daughter's shocked expression, Wei Mengying snorted, "Besides, there are only a few identities in the world more noble than the princess, and I still have some self-awareness!"

  She fiddled with the bangle on her wrist, saying lightly, "When there's hope for something, one naturally has to go all out to fight for it! But if there's no hope left, I'm not someone who drags things out unnecessarily! Otherwise, this King's household wouldn't be mine to manage, and you might not have married Jian Yu Bai either!"

  Song Yi Xiao was at a loss for words, and after a moment of silence, she heard Wei Mengying say: "The prince personally promised that the legitimate wife of Lu Guanglun must be approved by me before entering the door. I really want Yuan Xue to be my daughter-in-law, if you still consider me your mother, don't interfere in this matter!"

  "Hmph! I didn't expect you to help me anyway!"

  "...I could hear the desolation in her tone, and Song Yi's heart also ached. After struggling for a moment, he finally said in a low voice, "I just hope you and Sister Yuan are both well."

  Wei Mengying sneered coldly and stopped paying attention to her, only instructing those around her: "The time is almost up, go to the old master's courtyard to receive the guests!"

  A moment later, Lu Guanyun and his three siblings were brought back, and saw Song Yiliao - the two younger sisters were too small, they could only be held in front to play with for a while, and then they were taken back to their room by the wet nurse to rest.

  Lu Guanyun was both surprised and delighted, clinging to her half-sister and asking this and that, chattering nonstop. Finally, she asked: "Can I go to your place in two days? It's so boring staying at home all the time! And there's no one to play with me!"

  Song Yi Xiao wanted to agree with him, but Wei Meng Yin raised an eyebrow and said: "The New Year has already passed, and you are now five years old! Even if you don't start your education formally, you should put your heart in order! Otherwise, now that you have your father the king to support you, what will you do in the future?"

  Seeing her brother's dejected appearance, Song Yi couldn't help but smile and said with a gentle tone: "Mother, during the winter break, let him come to my place for a day or two. It shouldn't affect his studies much, should it?"

  "You girls' future is nothing but getting married!" Wei Mengying sneered and glanced at her slowly, "Their men's glory and wealth, if they can't inherit from their ancestors, have to rely on themselves bit by bit! You're spoiling him now, in the future when he's lazy and doesn't want to study, will you support him? Have you asked your husband if he's willing or not?"

  Song Yi was speechless and couldn't meet her brother's expectant gaze, instead turning away with a guilty conscience.

  In this case, Wei Mengying was also extremely embarrassed even though she stayed for lunch.

  It was a relief to finally bid farewell, but they still had to go to the Song Mansion for another engagement - fortunately, this time they were not out of luck: Lady Lu had caught a cold two days ago and couldn't make an appearance.

  Song Yuan is said to have to take care of his wife and cannot extricate himself.

  The couple stood outside the gate for a while, not disturbing Grandma. Finally, Zhang Cuiniang led Song Yibao out to kowtow to them and receive gifts and red envelopes. She gave them the red envelopes prepared by Pang Lao and Song Yuan's wife - as for where this money really came from, Song Yi didn't need to think about it, she knew it was definitely her stepmother who had prepared it alone. The two sisters chatted casually for a few words, then Song Yi smiled and said "It's windy here, sister, hurry up and go in, don't catch a cold", hinting that this New Year's visit was over.

  When they returned to the Yan State Duke's mansion, it was not yet completely dark. The two of them first took a bath each, washing away the fatigue from a day of rushing about, and only then did they have someone bring in dinner.

  According to the rules at that time, on the first day of the first month, we would pay our respects to our own family's ancestors, and on the second day, we would visit our wife's family. It wasn't until the third day that we would start visiting other relatives and friends, as well as superiors and subordinates.

  That is to say, from tomorrow on, the Yan State Duke's Mansion will also receive guests who come to pay their New Year's respects.

  Jiang Zhe naturally had to visit the Dong Gong and the homes of high-ranking officials in the Ministry of War.

  "Tomorrow, we'll have to part ways. You stay home and receive the subordinates who come to visit on my behalf." After dinner, the servant presented tea, and after they rinsed their mouths, Jian Yu Bai said, "I'll leave Ji Su behind, if they come on their own, let Ji Su receive them; if they bring their wives, you help deal with it - as for other relatives, wait until Big Sister's side has set a time, someone will be sent to inform us, and we'll go together then!"

  Song Yi Xiao nodded and made a note, then gave a look to dismiss the servants below. She put down her tea cup and said: "Today, Mother will ask in front of me whether or not Sister Yuan is willing to marry Young Master Lu San."

  Jian Yu Bai heard the words and was slightly surprised, but soon became nonchalant: "The girl's future is for Xue Pei to worry about, we don't need to interfere with other people's business, also to avoid Mother-in-law's dislike!"

  She heard the confidence in his tone towards Yuan Xuepei, and Song Yi's original words had to be swallowed back, she could only secretly think that next time if there was a chance, she would often come into contact with Yuan Xuepei, once something went wrong - anyway, she absolutely did not want Wei Cui's experience to happen again!

  Because it was still early and also because both husband and wife had their own concerns, the two didn't say anything else that night and went straight to bed.

  The next morning, Jian Xuwu got up and dressed as usual, then woke up his wife.

  After washing and having breakfast, Jian Xubai took out the gifts that had been prepared early and went out. Song Yixiao, who was left to guard the house for him, soon welcomed the first batch of visitors - it was Jian Xubai's several subordinates who came together.

  Due to the distinction between men and women, these people had their own rules in the front yard, but the female relatives who came with them had to go to the back hall to pay respects to Song Yixiao. Two of the female relatives even brought their young children along.

  After Song Yixiao received the gift, she smiled and called out to the servants to bring tea for everyone in the hall. She also asked them to bring some snacks and fruit for the children. After a round of hospitality, the guests began to chat with each other, exchanging pleasantries and discussing various topics until noon. It was only natural that they would be invited to stay for lunch. After lunch, when it seemed that no one else was coming and there were no other matters to attend to, Song Yixiao saw off her guests with a cup of tea in hand.

  After the guests left, Song Yi shed off her dignified demeanor that she had maintained for most of the day and revealed a tired look, ordering someone to prepare the bath.

  She was soaking in a shoulder-high bathtub with her eyes closed when Jin Xun came in to massage her shoulders and casually told her: "Madam Liao, the wife of Officer Ming, just left and gave two silver hairpins to Xiaochen, asking about your birthday and preferences!"

  "What did Qiao Lin say?" Song Yi smiled and asked without surprise, still with her eyes closed.

  This Mingyuan is the deputy of the Ministry of War, and he is also a straightforward person. As the saying goes, "the wife is honored with her husband", among the people who came today, although Liao's wife did not take the lead, her status can be seen to be relatively high as well.

  Jin Xun said, "Qiao Xin sister told her your birthdate. As for your hobbies, Qiao Xin sister said that although you are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, you have never been one to seek the spotlight."

  "She's quite eloquent!" Song Yi couldn't help but smile. "Isn't this the perfect opportunity for someone to give gifts? It has to be expensive, and it can't be something common."

  Jin Xun smiled and said: "Something so ordinary and tacky is really not worthy of you!"

  All of these were the tacit understanding and courtesy that had been formed over the years in official circles. Song Yi Xiao also didn't plan to advise her husband to stand out alone and make an enemy of worldly conventions. After asking Liao Shi and others, their words and actions were all within reason, so she didn't pay attention to it anymore.

  She tidied up the past, and when her husband came back in the evening, she roughly described it. After listening to it briefly, he nodded: "On February 9th, I will take a leave of absence and make a big fuss for you at home!"

  Song Yixiao's birthday is on February 9th.

  "In my opinion, it's better if you don't attend!" Song Yi laughed and reminded him, "At that time, those who come to celebrate my birthday will definitely be women. If you're present, how can they possibly give me their blessings? It would only make things awkward!"

  It's actually your birthday, "Wait until April 13th, you'd better come back early to attend the wine banquet and receive guests' congratulations!"

  It's only the beginning of the first month, and there is still some time in February and March. Jian Yu Bai didn't argue with her, but asked: "Did big sister or second brother send someone to talk about going to relatives' homes today?"

  Song Yixiao shook her head and said, "Then I'll go to a few colleagues' homes tomorrow. You stay at home, I reckon some colleagues will come to our place too!"

  Actually, among the people who came to pay New Year's greetings today, there were also one or two fifth-grade officials. So Liao couldn't take the lead. After all, Jian Yu Bai, even if not counting his title, was a top-notch official in the fifth grade.

  Colleagues of the same rank who don't have a backstage will proactively visit each other as an unwritten rule, which is not considered very flattering.

  However, the imperial capital is under the emperor's feet. Although Jian Yu Bai is a high-ranking official in the fifth grade, he is not the only one. Moreover, he is young and has been an official for a short time, so he still needs to show respect to some of his seniors.

  The next day, the couple went their separate ways again - on this day, Song Yixiao sent off the guests and Qingjiang County Master immediately dispatched someone: "County Master plans to go to Duke Mou's house for New Year's greetings in two days, and sends servants to ask if the lord and lady will go together?"

  Song Yi Xiao heard the words and thought of that sentence again: "If you're not from the same family, don't enter the same door." In the midst of busyness, she almost forgot that both her husband and herself had a troublesome father to deal with. Although she still had a troublesome grandmother, Jian Yu Bai also had a troublesome maternal uncle!

  She told the person sent by her elder sister: "Of course I'll go with my elder sister!"

  His eyebrows, like willow leaves, furrowed slightly: he had pinched himself again and again in the imperial court, but he didn't know how this rolling knife meat, his maternal uncle, would treat them as a couple at the Qu Mansion.