Shen Muqing let out a sigh of relief, but still feared that Liang Youhui would be embarrassed, so she told Luomei to call all the maidservants who were standing under the eaves blowing in the cold wind into the Baoge to rest: "If there's anything, it will spread to them!"

  The plum blossoms fall with a sound and then leave.

  Liáng Yòu Huì's face showed a grateful expression.

  Shen Muqing was in a difficult situation.

  The two were not familiar with each other, and let themselves entertain Liang Youhui. How to entertain? If it weren't for this episode, they could go out to enjoy the snow, visit the flowers in the warm pavilion, or take a walk at Jing Shun An...

  Liáng Yòu Huì was also in a difficult situation.

  If Shen Niang suggested going out for a walk, with her current situation, if she wanted to use the restroom halfway...

  Thinking of this, she hastily said: "Sister, can you play cards... why don't we also play cards?"

  This is a good idea! It can kill time and doesn't require going out.

  Shen Mu Qing nodded: "In the first two years, I also accompanied my wife to play, but later entered school, and my wife didn't have the energy anymore. It's been a long time since we played!"

  Liang Youhui heard that Shen Muqing could play Yezi Pai and let out a breath, smiling: "I'm also just accompanying my grandmother to pass the time!"

  Shen Mu Qing called out to Ying Fen to fetch the leaf cards and then asked Liang You Hui: "Do you want to call over Zi Sha or Dan Bi?"

  Liang Youhui smiled and shook her head: "I'm afraid my sister won't be able to fool me!"

  Shen Mu Qing ate inaccurately, Liang You Hui was really not afraid of herself being beaten three times in a row, or she didn't want the two attendants to serve her in front of them. However, she didn't want anything unpleasant to happen because of winning or losing at cards. She smiled: "I'd like to fool my sister, but I need someone on my side - only Yin Fen and I can play cards in this house, the others won't!"

  Liáng Yòu Huì was shocked: "All of them won't work?"

  It's not that they really can't, mainly because she herself isn't very good at it, while Ying Fen is the most astute and skilled player among them. Although she doesn't want to win Liang You Hui's money, she also doesn't want her side to lose badly.

  Shen Mu nodded calmly: "Really, none of us will be able to. Even I can only barely play around!"

  Liang Youhui smiled and said: "Then let's call Zixia over - her cards are quite good."

  Four people, Liang Youhui and Shen Muqing sat on either side, by the window was Zi Sha, half sitting on the edge of the bed was Ying Fen, they started playing cards.

  ******

  The east wing of Chaohuidang is a three-room hall where Li entertains the female relatives of his close friends.

  Because everyone had a drink on the banquet, the hall was burning with a brazier, and several ladies took off their jackets and wore small swaddling clothes to sit in front of the red lacquer sea thorn flower table in the south wing, playing cards and chatting, whispering to each other. The maidservants were busy serving tea and refreshments, it was very lively. Li Shi sat with Hu Xian's wife on a black lacquer bed with cloud patterns inlaid with mother-of-pearl in the main hall, covered with a black fox fur blanket, chatting idly.

  "...just at the age of being active, seeing anything wants to take it in hand to see..." Mrs. Hu Xin said with a smile on her face about her precious great-grandson, pointing to the several water lilies in the Yangxian sand basin on the kang table, "The things at home have all been pulled out by him, and now only leaves are seen, no flower buds."

  Mr. Li chuckled: "It's good to be lively, lively children are all smart!"

  Madam Hu was delighted to hold her great-grandson, her eyes narrowed into a slit, nodding repeatedly: "This is indeed the case. Although it's said that he's still young, he's very clever, whatever you teach him, he'll learn it in no time... our family's old master dotes on him so much... every day, he has to hold him for a while, or else he can't sleep."

  Just as they were talking, they heard Mrs. Zhao's voice coming from the south: "Mrs. Qin, you can't see both families' cards... it's a win-win situation!"

  The two of them couldn't help but look up at the sound.

  Just then, Mrs. Liu Jin sat in the east, Mrs. Zhao Fu sat in the south, Mrs. Liang Yuan sat in the west, and Mrs. Xie Min sat in the north. Madame Qin Wei was sitting at the corner of Mrs. Liu Jin's and Mrs. Zhao Fu's table, directing Mrs. Liu Jin to play cards.

  Madam Qin covered her mouth and smiled, while Madam Liu hurriedly explained: "Madam Qin thought I wouldn't be able to... so she sat down beside me to help me watch!"

  Madam Liangyuan smiled and said: "It must be that Madam Zhao has set up a big signboard, fearing that we would know... Everyone can take a closer look, she has written two lines of characters in front of her."

  "Zhao Fu's wife smiled and softly exclaimed: 'A true gentleman does not speak of the truth when reading a plaque, a true gentleman does not speak of the truth when reading a plaque...'"

  Everyone burst out laughing.

  Li and Mrs. Hu Xinfu withdrew their gaze.

  Mr. Li smiled and said: "A few years ago, I could still play with you, but in recent years, I really don't have the energy for this anymore!"

  "This is a big deal, but young people like them can handle it." Mrs. Hu Xinfu nodded repeatedly, "Speaking of which, you haven't been out and about for a long time. I'm going to the temple to eat vegetarian food in a few days, do you want to come with me?"

  Li listened and stiffened, laughing: "Our family is not like the Kyoto Qu's, with too few people to spare, afraid that when the time comes, we won't be able to take care of it - so let's not go!"

  Mrs. Hu Xing listened and was about to say something when a clear voice cut in: "Who wants to go to the temple?"

  The two looked up and saw Qin Wei's wife walking over with a smile.

  The maid beside her hastily set up a seat.

  "I sat there, only to be remembered by them, or sit and chat with the two ladies." Qin Wei's wife smiled and sat down, "I just heard that someone wants to go to the temple, which lady is it?"

  "In a few days, it will be the 15th!" said Mrs. Hu Xing with a smile. "I wanted to invite Mrs. Shen along, but she said there were too few people at home and was afraid they wouldn't be able to take care of things properly." As she spoke, she smiled thoughtfully.

  Madam Qin Wei smiled slightly and said warmly, "This is a trivial matter! If the madam has decided on a date, just let me know - my younger brother from my hometown happens to be in the capital on official business. Let him lead the way for the madam's procession, I don't think anyone in this city would dare to cause trouble!"

  Li was taken aback.

  Qin Wei's wife, Dài Shì, her father was Town National General and Liao Dong General Commander Dài Shèng Huī, also a famous general of the Great Zhou Dynasty, known as "East Dài North Yuán" with Town An King Yuán Chǎn. She is the eldest daughter of Dài Shèng Huī, having only one younger brother Dài Guì, who two years ago inherited the position of Commander-in-Chief, a fourth-rank military officer.

  Hu Xian's wife showed a look of surprise: "What? Your younger brother has arrived in Kyoto? I don't know what errand he came on."

  Madam Qin Wei's face flashed with pride: "This September, the Koreans took advantage of my father's illness to launch a surprise attack. My brother took command in the crisis and led 2,000 men to defeat the Korean army of 30,000, achieving a great victory. The Empress Dowager was overjoyed when she heard the news and specially summoned him to come to the capital to pay his respects."

  "Ah yo!" Mrs. Hu Xinfu raised her voice, "This is a huge joy! How could you not say a word, we also want to share in the joy."

  Madam Qin's expression turned gloomy, saying: "What is there to be happy about... Building achievements and establishing a career are their men's affairs. I'm only concerned with his marriage - he's already eighteen years old today, and that younger sister-in-law of mine still doesn't know where she is! Father has been worried sick about this."

  Mrs. Hu Xìn was taken aback: "Now that you mention it, I'm indeed not young anymore. Why hasn't my marriage been settled yet? Is it because my expectations are too high?"

  Madam Qin Wei smiled wryly: "My mother passed away early, and my father didn't remarry. Instead, he entrusted this matter to me, but I'm always at home, either busy with household chores or taking care of the children... Ah, this time he came to the capital, Father specially wrote a letter to me, asking me to help my brother settle his marriage this time..." As she spoke, her eyes lit up, and she pulled Madam Hu's hand, "Madam is kind-hearted and has many connections, if there's a suitable person, please help me speak up. In the future, I will definitely make shoes for you to wear in all four seasons."

  Li sat quietly there, lowering her head and gazing at the cup of tea on the kang table, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

  Mrs. Hu Xìn smiled and said: "No need for shoes, having this heart is enough." She said, her face turning serious, "I don't know what kind of person your family is looking for?"

  "Madam Qin Wei smiled and said: 'You also know the situation in our household. My mother passed away early, and for now, the household is managed by a childless old aunt who takes care of the food, and there are no younger brothers born to a concubine... my three younger sisters have all been married off...'

  Huxin's wife nodded as she listened: "In that case, it would be best to find someone who can do more - after all, they will be the master of the house from the moment they enter."

  Madam Qin Wei nodded in agreement: "What the madam said is absolutely right. My family also has a bit of property, and eventually it will all be handed over to my sister-in-law. If she's too weak-willed, I'm afraid she won't be able to manage it."

  "Let me think..." said Mrs. Hu Xìn, "Eighteen years old... one or two years younger, doesn't seem to be any... a bit older... there are indeed two..."

  "Mother Qin hastily said: 'Father once told me that he had my younger brother's eight characters read, and it was said that he couldn't find a big one, only a small one. And best of all, it would be best to find a little five or six year old, best...'"

  "Really!" Hu Xinfu smiled at Li and said, "At such a young age of five or six, she hasn't even had her hair pinned up yet, I'm afraid this marriage..."

  Madam Qin was about to speak, but suddenly heard laughter and shouting from the south: "No way, no way, this round doesn't count... Who plays like that?... Madam Qin, come quickly to salvage the situation..."

  Three people looked away, and they saw Mrs. Liu Jin rushing towards them like an escape: "...... My card is clearly a big three yuan, but you said it was a cheat ...... Mrs. Qin, come quickly to help me take a look......"

  Madam Qin's eyebrows slightly furrowed, while Madam Liang followed with a smile: "Madam Qin, come quickly! Otherwise, this mahjong game will be dismissed!"

  As they spoke, the two of them walked over, one in front and one behind.

  Mrs. Liu pulled Mrs. Qin's hand: "Good sister, help me take a look! If I lose again, I won't even have money to buy flowers!"

  Madam Zhao Fu was laughing uncontrollably at the card table, teasing Mrs. Liu Jin: "I don't care if you have a flower or not, pay up first and we'll talk about it later!"

  Mrs. Xie Min smiled and teased along with a few other fortune-telling ladies, "See? People from the Chai Yuan are indeed different from others. Even if the person is gone, the debt still can't be left unpaid!"

  Everyone burst out laughing.

  (Sweat... Due to the U-disk problem, I don't have many manuscripts in my hand, and finally rushed out a chapter. If there are any errors, please leave a message in the comment area! Thank you for everyone's votes (*^__^*) Hehe...)