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  In October, chrysanthemums are yellow and crabs are fat.

  The fleet of ships carrying crabs from Jiangnan sets sail at the beginning of the month and only arrives at the waterfront in Shengjing's southern suburbs by the end of the month. After calculating the losses along the way, the value of each crab is astonishingly high. These small things that can be seen everywhere in the southern rice fields have extremely high requirements for temperature and water quality. From south to north, the survival rate is very low, and it's really hard to come by.

  Such a rare thing, even the aristocratic families can only get a few to taste the freshness, and it's hard to get more, let alone hold a crab feast.

  Ming Xuan had come to the Zhou Dynasty for four years, and in the Yongning Hou Mansion, she had also gotten a few crabs at home banquets, but it was just a family banquet. The Gu family's prosperity was still so, but the Zhongshun Hou Mansion actually had such a strong financial resources to set up a luxurious autumn crab feast, this handwriting really made her a little tongue-tied.

  Pei Jingchen saw her expression and smiled to explain, "The Meng family of the Zhongshun Marquis's estate was originally from Jiangnan. It wasn't until the previous generation of the Zhongshun Marquis that they moved to Shengjing as a whole family. Although it has been several decades, the roots of the Meng family are still in Jiangnan. I heard that when their elderly lady was alive, she was not used to eating the dishes from Shengjing, so not only did they bring cooks from Jiangnan, but every month they would also send ships to transport vegetables and food materials back from the south."

  He buried his head in Ming Xuan's neck, greedily smelling the fragrance on her body, and continued to say, "The Meng family was originally a wealthy merchant, but later made great contributions and was granted a title. It has been three generations now, but several important offerings in the imperial court are still controlled by their family. In comparison, all the princes and nobles in Beijing are not as rich as them. So, these hairy crabs may be precious to others, but they are worthless to the Meng family."

  An autumn crab feast, costing a huge amount of money, enough to show off the wealth and power of the Zhongshun Marquis's estate.

  Meng's family affairs, Ming Xuan only had a slight hearing, she knew that the Zhongshun Hou Mansion was wealthy. But didn't know it was to this extent, however, having too much money easily makes people jealous, standing at the forefront of the storm is not a good thing. She thought for a moment and asked in a low voice, "At a time when the war with Western Xia is about to break out, why is the Meng family still holding such an autumn crab feast? Won't they be impeached by the officials?"

  If it were someone else's business, she wouldn't bother to care about it, but Yanyu was her best friend. Since she had already married into the Meng family, all honor and shame would be tied to the Meng family, so out of concern, she couldn't help but want to ask a few more questions.

  Pei Jingxun gently pulled Ming Xuan into his arms, "The Western Xia war. Grandfather and Yang Youzheng are in charge of the battle, Dongping King and several other clansmen are in charge of the peace talks, but the Emperor is hesitant to make a decision. However, whether it's war or peace, a conclusion must be reached within these few days. This kind of situation is not something the Meng family should be drawing attention to. But..."

  He suddenly changed the subject, "No matter what the emperor's decision is, there must be a period of unrest in the court. At this time, the Meng family took the lead and was able to divert the edge of the Western Xia war and shift public attention to the Meng family. Zhongshun Hou is a clever person and will not make a losing deal. This time it must have been done under imperial orders."

  Zhongshun Marquis Meng Zonghai is a cautious and low-key person. He has a gentle and harmonious temperament, and is generous to others. Over the years, he has made many close friends in the imperial court and among the common people. Relying on his substantial wealth, the Meng family has grown from an unknown new noble family to a prominent aristocratic family. With fame comes envy, and it's hard to avoid attracting jealousy, especially from those declining century-old families who may appear prosperous on the surface but secretly harbor resentment.

  The change of dynasty brings about a redistribution of power.

  Some families are in their heyday, while others are gradually losing favor; some families are rising to prominence, while others are declining. But one thing remains unchanged: the pride and dignity of the nobility. Flourishing aristocratic families want to seize an opportunity to show off their glory, while declining families refuse to acknowledge their own decline, even if they are inferior in every way, they still insist on maintaining their noble bloodline.

  So, the autumn crab feast at Zhongshunhou Mansion became a grand and spectacular Daguanyuan.

  Ming Xuan nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly burst out laughing, "Well said, I'm afraid the jewelry stores and clothing shops in Shengjing City will be bustling with business tomorrow."

  She didn't like to argue with others, nor did she plan to buy new clothes. She just treated this matter as a joke and soon forgot about it. After helping Pei Jingchen wash up, she helped him onto the bed.

  Two people embracing and lying down, biting their ears and whispering softly, although they haven't made love, but it's even more evident that their hearts are mutually dependent.

  The Jingyi Courtyard was warm and sweet, but the other courtyards of the Pei Manor were turbulent at this moment.

  In the Xue Song courtyard, Madame Pang, the second lady, said to Old Master Pei Xiaoqing with a grievance, "It's not that I'm heartless as an aunt, seeing my nephew's leg broken and feeling happy about it, but things have come to this, Zhen Ge'er's leg is already like this, shouldn't I think more deeply for the benefit of our second household?"

  She dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, as if wiping away tears, then sniffled and continued, "Has Master forgotten about the Crown Prince of Guangping? Eldest Sister has long been unable to tolerate Brother Chen. This time, she's taking advantage of his weakness to replace him with Brother Chen. In the future, the title will inevitably fall to Brother Chen."

  "Big brother only has two legitimate sons, if the emperor grants another noble title, it would be for the second legitimate son. Doesn't he have the qualifications to compete for it? Even if not for himself, shouldn't he think more about Rong's son?"

  The Second House is not the eldest, and after Marquis Pei's death, they will divide the family property. They will have to move out sooner or later. Although the second master, Pei Xiaoqing, has become a high-ranking official as the Judicial Commissioner, and his sons are all well-behaved and obedient, without a noble title, they are not closely related to the Duke of State's mansion. In fact, they are just a side branch, and it is difficult for them to form a marriage alliance with a prominent family.

  For so many years, the second lady, Mrs. Pang, has always acted in accordance with the wishes of the eldest son's wife, Mrs. Yang, and has not been spared the secret ridicule of the other wives. Isn't this all for that one-in-a-thousand chance? This time, the opportunity is right in front of her, as easy to obtain as spitting on her hand, as long as the second master is willing to take charge, this matter will be more than half settled, and she certainly won't give it up.

  Pei Xiaoqing's face sank, and he rebuked, "Foolish woman! This talk is only suitable for inside the house. If I hear even half a sentence of idle gossip outside, I will not let it go easily!"

  After decades of marriage and raising three sons and a daughter, this was his first time losing his temper with Mrs. Pang.

  Pang was stunned for a moment, and after coming to her senses, she burst into tears. She turned away from Pei Xiaoqing, sobbing and speaking in a choked voice, "You say I'm narrow-minded, but you have to tell me where I'm narrow-minded. You won't tell me anything, just telling me not to worry, how can I really not worry? Rong Ge is carefree, but Xiaowu and Xiaoliu are still uncertain about their future. Although they're sensible, their prospects are unclear. As a mother, how can I not be worried?"

  She cried more and more sorrowfully, "Shu Yu has also reached the age of marriage, if her father had a title, it would be even better to add flowers to the brocade, and we would have a better marriage. We only have one daughter, aren't we usually the most fond of her? If in the future Rong Ge has a title, Shu Yu will also hold her head high in her husband's family and not be bullied."

  After all, they were a married couple. When Mrs. Pang cried like this, Pei Xiaoqing's heart was slightly disturbed. He sighed heavily and finally sat down beside her, turned her body over, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with his fingers, and said softly, "Okay, okay, don't cry anymore. The future of our children is always on my mind, and as for the title... there will be opportunities in the future."

  He paused, "I used to tell you not to follow Big Sister's nonsense and be good to Zhen Ge. Of course, it's a pity that this child lost his mother at birth, but I also have my own selfish motives. To be honest, whether we can inherit the title has nothing to do with Zhen Ge. Why didn't the Xiangchu King's mansion fall into the palace after the Xiangchu King passed away nearly twenty years ago? It's because that king position was left for Zhen Ge!"

  Pang was shocked and cried uncontrollably, with tears still on her face. She asked directly, "Sir, are you saying that Brother Chen will inherit the throne of Xiang Chu Wang in the future, so he will never compete with Brother Xiao for the title of Town Country Public? Where did this news come from? Why have I never heard a single word about it?"

  She shook her head suspiciously, "No, if there was such an edict earlier, Zhen would have accepted it long ago. Why would he still be here enduring Eldest Sister's temper?"

  Pei Xiaoqing sighed and said, "Don't ask me where I got the news from, I only know that this news is absolutely reliable, and Father also knows about it. Xiang Chu Wang had outstanding military achievements, but was eventually harmed by others and died on the battlefield. When his death was reported, the previous emperor had many criticisms and accusations against Father. Everyone thought that the emperor was angry with Father because of the defeat and loss of the city, but in fact, it's not like that..."

  He slightly paused, "Those things about the imperial court, even if a woman were told, she wouldn't understand. All that's needed is to know that Crown Prince will inherit the throne in the future. We not only can't offend him, but also need to think of ways to help him if Eldest Sister makes trouble again next time."

  Although Pong didn't see through the matter in the imperial court clearly, she did understand what Pei Xiaoqing said. She suddenly patted her chest and let out a sigh of relief, saying, "In these years, although I have been following Big Sister in everything, fortunately, I didn't follow Big Sister's nonsense on Brother Chen's matter, otherwise it would be..."

  She said, and suddenly showed a smile, "It's true, Master Wang told me not to speak too much about everything. The matter of the title is not urgent, it seems that this is indeed the case. One family with two titles, what a great honor! Father and elder brother will not give up their titles, and in the main house there is only Xiao Ge, following the order of seniority, it should be next to the second house."

  Pei Xiaoqing looked at Pang's suddenly changed expression, shook his head helplessly, and then thought of something again. He paused for a moment before continuing, "From tomorrow on, let's just say we're sick and close the door to thank guests. If Eldest Sister has anything else she wants to find, just tell her that our body is not well and our energy is exhausted, and decline her."

  Pang furrowed his brow, "But in two days, it will be the Autumn Crab Banquet at the Zhongshun Marquis's residence. I've already promised Shu Yun that I'll take her there to see the world and also find a suitable son-in-law for her..."

  She hadn't finished speaking when Pei Xiaoqing interrupted her in one breath, "Listen to me, Autumn Crab Feast, don't go!"

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