Chapter 127: Longer Than Nanshan (Pink Tickets +400 for More Updates)

  Liáng Yuān was a posthumous child. In those years, in order to secure the title of Dìng Yuǎn Hóu, the elder lady had already cut off all ties with her two natal families, and instead became close with several of her uncle's families. So, her two sisters-in-law from her natal family sat outside in the corridor chatting with relatives, while several sisters-in-law from her uncle's family brought their grandsons and great-grandsons to the main hall to pay their respects and wish her a happy birthday.

  The old lady smiled and looked at the few children in a hurry, and ordered Zi Juan to reward them.

  The children received their reward money and were led away by their mothers.

  "You're indeed blessed!" one of the silver-haired sisters-in-law said with a smile, "The young master has become a general and his son has passed the imperial examination... this family's fortunes have reached new heights under your care, growing more prosperous by the day!"

  Old Lady's eyes flashed with a hint of pride, but her face showed a humble expression: "At that time, we still owed it to several people who spoke for us widows and orphans. This kindness, I have not forgotten until today!"

  A few people chatted and surrounded the old lady to sit on the large kang by the window, several elderly aunts sat on the large armchairs with red cushions beside the kang.

  The maidservants flitted about like butterflies, serving tea.

  An old woman wearing a dark green sleeveless jacket took a sip of tea and smiled: "At the longevity banquet, why didn't I see Third Young Mistress?"

  The old lady sighed and nodded: "She came to me to pay her respects after the birthday ceremony, then went back to her mother's house - with such a big thing happening in the Shen family, there is no one at home to take charge. Fortunately, the imperial grace is vast, and all the servants who were locked up have been released, otherwise, it would really be chaotic."

  Someone nodded: "This is also a skill that San Shao has. If she can't afford to stay at home, how can a little girl like her make ends meet?"

  The old lady nodded: "This daughter-in-law of mine is indeed a rare virtuous woman..."

  Everyone began to talk about Shen Muqing's goodness.

  Madam listened, and a hint of impatience flashed across her face.

  A thin-faced woman exclaimed loudly, "Ah!" and laughed: "Third Aunt, today is the old lady's good day, why did you mention this? Today is actually the young lady's good day!"

  The man came back to his senses and smiled: "Yes, yes! Look at my memory..."

  Everyone was chatting and laughing, just as things were getting lively, a loud "bang" suddenly came from outside, accompanied by cheers and laughter.

  "What is this?" someone in the house asked curiously.

  The old lady smiled and said: "It's fireworks. Princess Fuhua specially called the pyrotechnic team from Xiangyang to come over, saying it was for my birthday!"

  "Oh dear, even the princess has arrived..."

  The women either smiled or flattered, making the lady's face smile like a blooming chrysanthemum. She shouted at Zi Juan, "It's not dark yet, why are you letting them go?"

  Zi Juan went out to investigate as soon as she heard the noise. When Tai Furen asked her, she immediately smiled and said: "It's Fu Hua Gongzhu and Da Shaonai, Er Shaonai, and Feng Jia's cousin together in the back garden, setting off a proper firework, but they have to wait until it's completely dark before lighting it."

  Old Mrs. gently nodded and said to the person beside her, "Later we'll go to the waterfront pavilion to watch the fireworks! The view is clearer there, and my sisters can also take the opportunity to chat!"

  ******

  In the backyard, the maid servants in red and green dresses surrounded the elegant Princess Huahua as she slowly walked towards the artificial hill made of Taihu stone, followed by Wang Wenxian, Jiang Shuangrui and Feng Wanching.

  "Let's wait until evening and watch the fireworks here," said Princess Fuhua, pointing to an octagonal red pillar pavilion on the mountain top. "It must be very beautiful."

  Wang Wenxi smiled reservedly and said: "I've troubled Your Highness!"

  Princess Fuhua turned her head and smiled at Wang Wenxiu, with a playful expression, where was the elegant and noble demeanor in front of people.

  "I just want to find an excuse to have some fun!"

  "But it's worked out for our benefit!" Jiang Shuangrui covered his mouth and smiled.

  Princess Fu Hua gazed at Jiang Shuangrui and burst out laughing.

  Wang Wenxi knew that Princess Fuhua had always been close to Jiang Shuangrui and might not like her following them. Thinking of her suggestion to go to the pavilion to watch the fireworks, she also thought that the wind in the pavilion was strong this season, so she smiled and said: "Second brother and sister accompany the princess for a walk! I'll tell the mothers to hang up the canopy around the pavilion, lest we get chilled when we go to watch the fireworks later."

  Feng Wanqing immediately said: "Elder sister-in-law, I'll help you!"

  "Wen Hui is indeed a great sister-in-law, we follow her and can always enjoy good fortune." Princess Fu Hua praised Wang Wen Hui with a smile, but stopped Feng Wan Qing, "You are now a guest, wait until you pass the door, it's not too late to show your diligence then."

  Feng Wanqing was extremely embarrassed, her face flushing bright red.

  Wang Wenxi smiled faintly and said a few words of courtesy before taking her leave.

  Jiang Shuangrui blamed Princess Fuhua: "You really are, speaking like that in front of your elder sister!"

  Fu Hua Gong Zhu and Jiang Shuang Rui were very compatible, largely because Jiang Shuang Rui treated her like his own sister.

  She pouted and said: "I just can't stand her hypocritical virtuous appearance."

  Jiang Shuangrui knew that Fuhua Princess was feeling wronged for herself, and she was very grateful. She pulled her towards the east: "Let's not talk about these messy things - look at our noble sister, white and chubby, don't know how lovely!"

  Fu Hua Gongzhu had three sons but no daughters, and was very fond of Gu Xijiu. She even jokingly said that she wanted to be in-laws with Jiang Shuangru.

  It is said that she went to see Gu Jie, and with a smile, she left with Jiang Shuangrui for Xiangyun Temple.

  Because of the madam's birthday, the noble sister wore a large red hundred-flower butterfly cloak, setting off her small face to be as beautiful as crystal jade.

  The princess saw her and immediately hugged her in her arms: "Give her to me!"

  Jiang Shuangrui thought that with Feng's attitude towards this child, he really had the idea of marrying off Fuhua Princess to him.

  She smiled and said: "Okay, you like it? Take it home!"

  "Really! I can take her home now!"

  Jiang Shuangrui also nodded solemnly.

  "Then it's settled," Princess Fuhua said with a smile. "I'll go back and discuss it with the prince."

  Jiang Shuangrui nodded, and Feng Wancheng hurriedly knelt down to pay respects to Princess Fuhua and Jiang Shuangrui: "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Second Aunt!" Jiang Shuangrui returned the courtesy with a thank you. However, upon hearing the address, Princess Fuhua furrowed her brow and asked, "Wancheng, I'm asking you for the last time - are you really prepared to marry Liang Jimin as his concubine?"

  It seems that this issue has been discussed among them many times. Feng Wanqing did not show any unusual expression, but only lowered her head.

  The rich princess also tried to persuade her: "Do you know that once you enter the Liang family's gate, you will never be able to call us like this again?"

  "Princess, this is all my fate!" Feng Wanqing's eyes were slightly red, and her voice was choked with sobs as she said, "I have already accepted my fate!"

  Jiang Shuangrui and Princess Fuhua exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

  The three of them fell silent, and a brief stillness filled the room.

  Jiang Shuangrui looked at the unpleasant atmosphere and was about to say something when he heard Yan Hong reporting from outside the curtain: "Second Young Mistress, Third Young Mistress's attendant, Ding Xiang, has arrived!"

  What perfect timing!

  Jiang Shuangrui was worried about what to say, and upon hearing this, he hastily said: "Quickly invite him in!"

  "Rich and noble princess Qidao: 'When did you get so close with Lao Da?!'"

  Jiang Shuangrui gave her a white eye and said in a low voice: "Do you want me to perform a full martial arts performance with Lao Da every day?"

  Fu Hua Gongzhu smiled and didn't say another word, while Feng Wanqing looked thoughtful and glanced at Jiang Shuangrui.

  Ding Xiang made a courtesy to Fu Hua Gongzhu, Jiang Shuangrui and Feng Wanqing, smiling: "Our young mistress wants to invite Miss Feng to go to Cuicuiyuan to accompany the second young lady - now that San Shaonai is not here, the maids who followed her have also been taken to the Shen family, and Er Guiniang is alone in Cuicuiyuan."

  There were many guests at home, and Liang Youhui had been staying in the Di Cui Yuan and didn't dare to come out. When it was time to pay respects to the old lady on her birthday, Jiang Shuangrui still accompanied him there.

  Fu Hua Gongzhu immediately said to Feng Wanqing: "Go quickly! You two have been close since childhood, she will be very happy to see you."

  Feng Wanqing bowed to Princess Fu Hua and Jiang Shuangrui, then followed Ding Xiang to Die Cui Yuan.

  Fu Hua gazed at Feng Wan's receding back, her eyes filled with deep concern: "Shen Muqing's temper, is it okay?"

  Jiang Shuangrui smiled and said, "What temper or no temper, she's only thirteen this year, still a child!" As he spoke, his eyes darkened again, "As for what happens later, nobody can say for sure!"

  "Exactly!" Princess Fuhua also felt emotional, "Who is born with a bad temper?"

  For a moment, each of them was lost in their own thoughts.

  "Second sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, when did you come back?"

  The two looked up and saw it was Liang Youhui.

  She pouted, looking very unhappy.

  Jiang Shuangrui hastily shouted: "The princess is here, why don't you quickly pay your respects!"

  Liang Youhui had already met with Princess Fuhua, and when Jiang Shuangrui spoke, she was already kneeling down.

  The princess knew her situation and quickly helped her up, instructing someone to give her a seat.

  Liang Youhui sat down and teased Gu Jie: "You're all gone, it's really boring me to death!"

  The Princess Fu Hua saw that she had come alone and said such things, and couldn't help but ask in surprise: "What's wrong, didn't Wan Qing accompany you?"

  Liang Youhui looked unhappy and said, "Third Brother is back, he says he wants to have a few words with Wan Qing sister - I had nowhere to go, was wandering around on the road, saw Yan Hong, knew you were back..."

  Jiang Shuangrui was taken aback: "Sanhuai is back? Didn't he go to the Shen family with San Diemei? How did he suddenly come back?"

  "San Shu told San Ge to come back and fetch an inkstone... Old Master Shen wants to write a few words!"

  Three people were teasing Gu Jie in Xiangyun Temple, after a while, Feng Wancheng still didn't come back, Princess Fuhua felt uneasy and consulted Jiang Shuangrui: "Why not let someone go find her?"

  Jiang Shuangrui thought for a moment, then said: "Alright. After all, there's no need to make it public - with so many relatives here today and Shen Furen just buried, if any rumors get out, everyone will lose face."

  Princess Fuhua nodded, and Jiang Shuangrui called Yanhong to find her. She also whispered to her: "Don't alarm anyone else."

  Yan Hong left at the sound of the voice.

  After a while, she walked in with swift steps and a flustered expression.

  "Second Mistress, I...I don't think this is right..." Her face was pale, with beads of sweat the size of beans on her forehead. "In broad daylight, they've actually closed the door...I...I didn't dare knock..."

  Princess Fuhua and Jiang Shuangrui's faces changed at the same time, "Ah" stood up.

  Liang Youhui tilted her head and looked at them with a confused expression, saying: "What's wrong? I don't want to be bothered when I'm not in the mood either, so I'll just close the door."

  Two people's eyes fell on Liang Youhui with a complex gaze.

  Alas! Sigh...