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  Chapter 14

  Today is the ninth day of the first month, still during the New Years festival, relatives are visiting and entertaining each other, which is a common practice. However, in the households of high-ranking officials and nobles, they place great emphasis on etiquette, so it would be unseemly for someone like him to suddenly go out unless there was some urgent matter that couldnt wait.

  If the Duke of Jianans mansion extends an invitation, they must prepare and send out invitations several days in advance. After the Hou Mansion accepts the invitation, the Duke of Jianans mansion will make preparations for the banquet and other matters. The Hou Mansion also has time to prepare gifts and letters; or if the Hou Mansion pays a visit, they must also send over visiting cards ahead of time, so that both parties can be prepared.

  However, if there was a banquet, Madame Hou should have been informed long ago. Why would she be in such a hurry to send someone to invite her and say that she had to leave immediately?

  Ming Xuans eyebrows jumped, and she had a bad premonition in her heart. It wouldnt be Madame Jianan, would it...

  She slightly frowned and said to Xue Su, "Let Douzhu come in and talk, and ask again if there are any other young ladies besides me that Madam Hou has called."

  Xue Su nodded and left.

  Ming Xuan thought for a moment, then called Dan Hong over. "Go around to the back courtyard and go to An Tai Yuan to find Yan Niangniang. Tell her that Ive put that grey fox fur coat in the warm pavilion. Madame Hou will take me out soon and will need it, so have someone fetch it back."

  She didnt know what had happened at Jianan Bos mansion, but asking her grandmother for advice was always right.

  As soon as Dan Hongs front foot had just left, Xue Su led Dou Zhu, the second-class maid of Yi An Tang, into the house.

  The expression on Douzhus face was anxious, she hastily asked for peace and replied, "Yesterday, Big Sister had another bout of coughing up blood. The imperial physician said that her condition is getting more critical, its likely... Madame Hou sent me to invite Seventh Miss to go with you, Madame Hou said that who knows if this isnt the last time theyll see each other, as sisters, lets just consider it a farewell trip for Big Sister."

  She paused slightly and added, "Today, the Fuchun Marquiss family is hosting a banquet. The sixth and tenth young ladies left early in the morning, so Madame Hou had no choice but to invite you and ninth young lady to go together."

  Ming Xuan nodded slightly, "I understand, Ill go back and tell Aunt right away, and then come immediately."

  Big sister, is this to see who will replace her as Mrs. Jiananbo? She wont live long, and if she leaves behind two six or seven year old brothers, its indeed pitiful. Wanting to see what kind of person will take care of her children in the future, thats still somewhat understandable.

  When a person is about to die, his elder sister is also a poor victim, and Ming Xuan does not want to blame her.

  But Auntie Kao is really going too far.

  This marriage, they never asked her opinion from start to finish, regardless of whether she was willing or not, as long as they used the banner of putting the overall situation first, they could bully this helpless and dependent orphan girl, making decisions for her whole life.

  This is nothing, the big families value family interests the most, daughters are just tools for consolidating power through marriage, if we talk about flesh and blood relationships, there may be some, but compared to the familys future, how light is it? She knew these rules, when her soul entered this world, she had already remembered them in her heart, not daring to have any extravagant hopes.

  Now, her aunt had ordered her to accompany her to the Jianan Marquiss residence to visit her elder sister, and also chose the Fuchun Marquiss residence for a banquet to meet with Sixth Sister and Tenth Younger Sister at an inconvenient time. Although she had also called Ninth Younger Sister to accompany her, anyone with discerning eyes would know what was going on as soon as they saw it. When the time came, others wouldnt say that Eldest Sister wanted to see her, but rather think that the Jianan Marquis wanted to take a look at her. If something were to happen again at the Jianan Marquiss residence, this marriage would be settled once and for all.

  Ming Xuan thought of her sixth brother Yuan Yis birth mother, Xu Shi. Xu Shi was originally the niece of Zhong Dingbo, a thousand gold in the Bo Mansion, and no matter how noble she was, she couldnt marry out, but became the concubine of her great uncle. Although she had the title of noble concubine and received the same treatment as the marchioness, she was after all just a concubine, and the children she gave birth to were always known as illegitimate.

  Its said that it was because she spilled something on her clothes at a banquet and went to change, but took a wrong turn...

  The dark machinations of a woman in the inner chamber, though not like knives and arrows that can take lives instantly, can shatter a beautiful life that was proceeding in an orderly fashion, leaving it disfigured.

  Ming Xuans eyes contained a hint of thin anger, no, she didnt want this, and absolutely couldnt be calculated into it!

  In a moment, Dan Hong returned to the house. She helped Ming Xuan put on the grey cloak and whispered, "Old Madame heard that Big Miss is getting worse and her heart is aching, so shes lying down on the kang with a headache. Strict Nanny gave me the cloak and told me to tell you not to worry, shell be coming too."

  Ming Xuans heart was slightly settled, with Yan Nian in charge, Eldest Aunt would definitely not dare to act rashly.

  She nodded, "Stay here and watch the house, Xue Su will follow me."

  After being instructed, Ming Xuan got into the soft sedan sent by Madame Hou. The sedan jolted along the way until it reached the second gate. Two yellow flower pear wood carriages were parked at the gate, followed by an ordinary circular wooden carriage. Yans nanny stood in front of the carriage and nodded slightly when she saw her arrive.

  Her eyes showed a grateful expression, and she was about to go straight over and say a few more words to Yan Niangniang.

  At this time, the curtain of the second horse carriage was slightly lifted, and Mingwu poked her head out from inside, "Seventh sister, come up quickly."

  Ming Xuan had no choice but to stop in her tracks and let the old woman help her onto the carriage.

  The sound of horseshoes sank, the rhythmic sound of clip-clop was imprinted on her ears, and when the heavy gate closed, it made a "creaking" sound. Ming Xuan knew that the carriage had already left the Yongning Marquiss mansion.

  Outside was the street scene she had been longing to see, the world outside the Yongning Marquiss mansion. As long as she lifted the curtain of the carriage, she could see this prosperous Shengjing City, and take a look at this world that did not match the history she knew, but now, she didnt have the mood.

  My mind is in a mess, I always feel like something will happen.

  Gu Ming sat quietly beside him, his big eyes staring at Ming Xuan sitting opposite.

  Her gaze was too intense, and Ming Xuan felt a bit hairy under her stare, so she could only smile and ask, "Jiū Mèi has been staring at me, but is there something on my face?"

  Ming Wu shook her head and explained, "When I saw my sister, I thought of the hairpin that our grandmother wore on her birthday, which was embroidered with a technique called pointing to create a lifelike effect. Its all thanks to my sister that I remembered it. I felt a little sentimental, so I stared at my sister in a daze. Please dont blame me, sister."

  She thought for a moment, then added, "Actually, my mother...my aunt had also taught me the technique of adding the final touches before, but unfortunately I was not talented and didnt learn it well. To be honest with you, sister, these past few days Ive been trying to embroider that kind of hat that grandmothers wear on their heads, but no matter what I do, I just cant get it right."

  Ming Xuan was slightly surprised.

  Ming Xuans family background is also a source of her artistic talent, as she has been practicing calligraphy and painting since childhood. The technique of "pointing the eyes" has been passed down for hundreds of years, with each generation of artists summarizing and innovating it. She has mastered the technique, making it not too difficult to create vivid and dynamic effects. However, this technique is a rare existence here, and it is said that after Tang Boan, no one else can use it as skillfully. Many have imitated her, but few have truly grasped the essence of the technique.

  Ming Wus birth mother was called Xi Nang, who was not only from a good family but also had exceptional beauty and talent. It was surprising that she could do such things.

  But Ming Xuan suddenly thought that her aunts good method could restrain Xu Yiniang without any temper, but she couldnt do anything to Xiuniang. In her heart, she felt it was reasonable. As for Xiuniangs affairs, she only knew some rumors and didnt hear them clearly, but Mingyu being raised outside and born with a low birth order was true.

  If Xiuniang didnt have some skills, she wouldnt be able to keep Dabo from leaving, nor would it be possible for Dabo, who had always prioritized his own interests, to break so many rules for her sake.

  Thinking of this, Ming Xuan lightly pursed her lips, "Another day when Im free, bring over the embroidery pattern, Ill take a look"

  Ming Wu was delighted, "Thats great."

  Ming Xuan chatted with her for a few sentences and felt that this girl was actually not as gloomy as she usually seemed.

  After a bumpy ride, they soon arrived at the residence of Duke Jianan.

  The horse carriage stopped at the second gate, and a small sedan chair came to pick up people. Xue Su helped Ming Huan onto the sedan chair, and Yan Niangniang followed for a few steps, supporting her on the soft sedan all the way to the inner courtyard. Because she had been warned in her heart, Ming Huan sat upright and still, not daring to make any mistakes even in the sedan.

  As soon as she entered the An Spring Hall of Madame Jianan, a neatly dressed maid came out to greet her, "Madame Hou has finally arrived, when the lady woke up, she had me return to the mansion to invite you to come and see her."

  "Madam Hou hastily asked, How is Sister Ru doing now?"

  The old womans face immediately became worried, "Last night she coughed all night and spit up a basin of phlegm, it was all red, I didnt dare let her see it or scare her, so I just told her it was vomited phlegm. The illness is also being kept from her somewhat. But the mistress has always been such an intelligent person since she was young, I guess she must have known, thats why shes been waiting for you to come over."

  Her eyes were red-rimmed, and a single tear rolled slowly down from the corner of her eye. "The imperial physician said it would be just a matter of days."

  Madam Hous face turned slightly cold, and she stepped into the house. She only ordered Ming Xuan and Ming Wei to sit at the table in the outer room, then lifted the pearl curtain and entered the inner chamber.

  Ming Xuan soon heard the sound of sobbing coming from inside, followed by a series of coughs, and then the sound of bowls and basins being moved. Before long, a young maid with a serious expression came out carrying a spittoon.

  She caught a glimpse of the shocking red color and felt even more desperate in her heart.

  Looking at the situation, Eldest Sister wont even make it to March, and might be gone in a few days. The Jianan Marquiss estate cant do without its mistress, so within 100 days, theyll have to bring in a new one.

  This means she didnt even have a chance to hold onto a glimmer of hope for a miracle.

  The beaded curtain rustled as Dieluo emerged from beside Madame Hou to invite Mingxuan and Minglian inside.

  Mrs. Jianan lay on the couch with a sickly complexion, looking very weak. Perhaps due to the sealed doors and windows and the heavy charcoal burning in the house, her face didnt look particularly pale, but instead had an unusual flush. She glanced at Mingwu quickly, then shifted her gaze to Mingshuang.

  Her gaze was focused and meticulous, although she was ill and looked like this, but still very sharp, as if to see Ming Xuans whole person clearly.

  Ming Xuan felt a bit uneasy and hastily bowed, "Big sister."

  As soon as the words fell, a little girl rushed in and replied, "The uncle is here!"

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