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  The door of the inner house moved, and Ming Xuan's accompanying maid entered in a line, Que Hong holding a clean basin and towel standing on one side, Su Wan came to the bedside to tidy up the bedding, Ou Si waited for Ming Xuan to wash, Dan Hong skillfully helped her dress and style her hair, "Madam, shall we braid a peony bun today?"

  Ming Xuan nodded slightly, gazing at the reflection of Gui Yatou in the copper mirror. She was a middle-aged woman in her 40s with an ordinary appearance, but the fabric of her clothes was exceptionally bright and shiny, making her look like one of Yang's trusted attendants. Her eyebrows were slightly raised as she smiled and asked, "Are you Gui Yatou? I'm about to go with Master to pay respects to Mother."

  She slightly raised her jade hand, and Lotus had already taken out a thick gift from last night's preparations and handed it over.

  The old woman put down the bundle and said with a smile all over her face, "Madam is afraid that Master and Mistress will be anxious, so she sent me to inform you first. Last night, an imperial edict was received, it seems that there has been a change in the military situation in the Western Frontier. The Marquis and several old masters went to court early this morning, I don't know when they can come back."

  The ceremony was then moved to the Ping Sha Hall, and Madame Wang told Master Baoyu and Grandmother Jia not to rush, as it would be fine if they arrived before noon. As for Uncle She and several other elderly gentlemen, they could pay their respects during the family banquet in the evening, which would be just as good.

  Ping Sha Hall was the residence of Yang Shi, the wife of the Crown Prince.

  Ming Xuan's heart skipped a beat as she heard the words, her attention caught by "changes in the Western Frontier military situation". She suddenly thought of her fourth brother, Yuan Jing, who had appeared at her wedding ceremony yesterday. At that time, her emotions were overwhelmed with excitement, and afterwards, she was always tense, without thinking deeply about it. Now that Gui Yatou mentioned it, she realized the severity of the problem.

  A few days ago, Xue Su brought a letter from Gu Yuanjing. Judging by the scribbled handwriting, he must have been in the midst of battle at that time. The war in Xinjiang has been going on for several years, and I heard it's now at a critical juncture. Yet, at this moment, Gu Yuanjing returned to Shengjing City alone. Looking at his disheveled hair and dirty face, with bloodstains still on his armor, he must have rushed back on horseback just to see her off personally.

  To flee in panic before the battle and abandon military situation is a capital offense punishable by death!

  Moreover, three years ago, Gu Yuanjing was sent to the Western Frontier Garrison by the current emperor. Although there was no explicit decree for his exile, without an imperial edict summoning him back, it's not good for him to return on his own accord. Yesterday, he appeared in public and caused such a commotion. Everyone knows that the fourth master of the Gu family has returned to the capital. If the emperor were to blame him later, it would be another layer of guilt.

  What is brother thinking? What is the current situation in the mansion?

  Ming Xuan's heart was both anxious and urgent, but her face still had to maintain a calm demeanor. She forced herself to suppress her nervousness, mustering up a few smiles, "Thanks, Gui Yatou."

  The old lady Guan hastily bid farewell, "That servant will take her leave first."

  Although she said goodbye, her feet didn't move. Her eyes were fixed on a purple sandalwood box at the head of the bed, occasionally glancing at Nurse Yan, the implication was so obvious. It's just that I want to ask about Yuan Pa.

  Yan's mother understood and handed the box to Gui's mother to take out.

  As soon as the man left, Ming Xuan's face immediately fell, she grasped Dan Hong's hand and said in a serious tone, "Quickly go find He Gui, let him think of a way to return to Hou Fu to inquire about what happened to Fourth Master, the Western Frontier war is urgent, how did he come back? Hurry!"

  Dan Hong saw her usually calm face, for the first time, such a big wave, and in her heart, she was also startled, hastily putting down the comb in her hand, saying, "The arrangement of the accompanying room for the eldest lady is where, I don't know, I have to ask the manager of the yard."

  The matter of Jingyi Courtyard was originally always managed by Changgeng.

  Ming Xuan then shifted her gaze to Pei Jingchen, with a hint of pleading in her voice, "Yesterday was my fourth brother who sent me out the door, he made a scene in the mansion, you know about this? I'm worried that he'll get into trouble, and I want to find someone to go back to the Hou Mansion to ask for news. Can I ask Changgeng to take this little maid with me to look for my companion?"

  She paused for a moment and emphasized, "My fourth brother absolutely cannot come to any harm."

  Gu Yuanjing is a man who will hold up the gate and establish a household, she is still waiting for him to become her strongest support.

  Pei Jingchen saw the deep worry between her eyebrows and couldn't help but hold her hand, comforting her by saying, "The battle in Western Frontier had a clear direction half a month ago, it should be good news. Your uncle has endured for three years, he won't give up at the last moment, it's probably nothing to worry about, don't overthink it."

  His voice was low and gentle, with a warmth he himself had not noticed. "When you first arrived, I sent someone to your mother's house to gather information, but those people found out and started gossiping again. It's better this way. I'll let Chang Geng think of a solution and handle it. Just wait for the news calmly."

  The gentle comfort dispelled her anxiety, and a hint of clarity returned to her mind. She thought that Gu Yu Jing had always been measured in his actions, and on the battlefield of Xijiang, he had fought bravely and shed blood to achieve success, all for the sake of one day avenging his father. Before his great cause was achieved, he would absolutely not take a wrong step.

  It seems that Wan's reason is enough to cope with this crisis.

  Ming Xuan nodded slightly in her heart and nodded, "Uh-huh."

  As soon as she finished speaking, she heard a faint red laughter beside her. She opened her eyes and looked over, only to see that the maids in the room were all smiling with ambiguous intentions. Following their gaze, she lowered her eyelids and saw the pair of hands that had been tightly clasped together without knowing when.

  Ming Xuan was slightly stunned, just now she was too tense and didn't notice this point.

  It's strange that she could see it clearly, but she didn't have an immediate reaction of wanting to pull away.

  Bai Jingchen's hands were warm and comfortable, with an endless supply of energy emanating from his palms, transmitting a sense of security to her. She thought that if these hands could always hold hers like this, accompanying her through countless seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, it wouldn't be so bad after all.

  It's clear that for this marriage, the man in front of her is also making an effort, just like herself.

  He lost his mother since he was a child, his father is weak and cannot protect him, his grandfather is iron-fisted and cold-blooded, disregarding his life, his stepmother is vicious and wants to kill him, his uncle and aunt are indifferent and take advantage of the situation, all the brothers and sisters in the household look down on him. This is a man who lacks love, no matter how strong he becomes, deep down inside, he must be yearning for warmth.

  For some reason, Ming Xuan's mouth slightly curved up, and a brilliant smile emerged. He was interested in her, she could feel it, so she also wanted to show him kindness.

  The room was silent and still, but the air was filled with a deep and rich warmth.

  When Pei Jingxuan appeared in the Ping Sha Hall with Ming Xuan's hand, it was exactly at noon. The five madams of the Pei family were already seated in the main hall, with their respective daughters-in-law standing behind them. Sons without official duties also sat beside them, and as one looked around, they saw a sea of dark heads, crowded and numerous.

  Ming Xuan silently remembered the order of seats in her mind, matching them with the characters she had memorized from her previous studies. Her face wore a warm and harmless smile, her bright eyes sparkling as she curtsied to the front of the hall, but secretly thought to herself, "Pei Xiang is really capable!"

  Zhen Guo Gong Pei Gus had five sons, each of whom was extraordinary and held important positions in the imperial court.

  The eldest son, the heir of the Duke of State, Pei Xiao'an; the second son, the Investigating Censor, Pei Xiaoqing; and the third son, the Minister of War, Pei Xiaochi, were all born to his first wife, Madame Huang. The fourth son, the Salt Transport Commissioner, Pei Xiaozhong, and the youngest son, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, Pei Xiaojue, were both born to his second wife, Madame Liang.

  Madam Liang of Zhen Guo Gong had passed away a few years ago. The management of the Pei household was then taken over by Yang Shi, the wife of the eldest son.

  Yang sat at the top, smiling and said to the woman next to her, "It's all said that our housewives are beautiful, now that Zhen's daughter-in-law has come, I'm not boasting, they've all been outdone!"

  Ming Xuan's eyes moved slightly, and she felt a bit disdainful. Yang Shi was using her appearance to attack again. She was about to say something beautiful to counter Yang Shi's provocation, but she felt the weight in her hand had increased slightly. She quietly turned her head and saw Pei Jingxun smiling at her, indicating that she didn't need to speak.

  She stood there motionless, with a silly smile on her face, neither refuting nor being polite.

  Pei Jingchen slightly bowed and began introducing from the left, "This is Third Aunt, Fourth Brother Jing Tang and Fourth Sister-in-law, this is Seventh Sister Shu Yi."

  The household is simple, Pei Xiaoxi comes from a military background and has self-control over women. In the house, apart from the three madams, there are only two concubines who look good, Fourth Master Jing Tang is still studying at the Imperial Academy and has not yet taken office. Fourth Brother's wife, Meng Shi, is the niece of Marquis Meng Hou, which makes her a cousin of Madam Bian. She looks gentle and quiet, unlike Madam Bian who is loud and talkative.

  Both sides exchanged gifts and got to know each other.

  Then there was the second house, Pei Xiaoqing's wives and concubines were not few, but most of the children were born to his wife, Mrs. Pang. The third master, Pei Jingrong, worked in the Ministry of Justice and had also gone to the yamen for roll call, so he wasn't present either. The third madam, Yan Shi, was the daughter of the East City Governor and looked a bit shrewd. The fifth master, Jing Kao, and the sixth master, Jing Yan, were both still unmarried. The sixth miss, Shu Yun, stood silently with her head down, not showing much enthusiasm.

  Although Yang was somewhat displeased with Pei Jingchen's way of introduction, since everyone was present and she couldn't show her discontent on her face, she patiently waited until the second and third branches had finished their introductions. Following the order from left to right, it should be this branch's turn now.

  Who would have thought that Pei Jingchen actually pulled Ming Xuan to the right and said with a warm smile, "This is Aunt Wu, this is Ninth Brother Jing Yuan, and Tenth Sister Shu Xin."

  Pei Xiaojun was still young, and the children were not yet adults. They leaned against Madame Tang's back with a pair of bright eyes, carefully observing the bride and groom's every move, their eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of vigilance.

  The four houses of Pei Xiaozhong have only two sons and one daughter. The fifth young lady, Shu Qian, has already married out. The seventh young master, Jing Yi, and the eighth young master, Jing Yang, are a pair of twins who just turned eleven this year. The fourth madam also surnamed Yu, is the younger sister of Ding Guo Gong Yu Keqin. She smiles faintly, without reaching her eyes, looking like someone with very heavy thoughts, not easy to get along with.

  Ming Xuan gently turned her head to look at the group of people behind Yang Shi, and a few curious thoughts arose in her heart. She looked at the composition of the Pei family's mouths and it seemed that this family was very particular about their legitimate and illegitimate children. Most of the second house, third house, fourth house, and fifth house were all legitimate children, but the main house...

  Yongjia County Master only had one son, Pei Jingchen. Yang also only had two children: Empress Pei and Second Master Pei Jingxiao. Therefore, the two masters and two misses who were still standing after her death should all be illegitimate children born of concubines.

  She was lost in thought when she suddenly heard Yang's angry voice saying, "Princess, Princess, the tea has gone cold. Are you going to offer it or not?"

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