Chapter 244: Afterglow of the Prosperous Era
It is almost the end of June and autumn is about to begin.

Jiying Lane.

Sheng family.

When Sheng Hong and Chang Bai returned home from work, Wang Ruofu took the initiative to take the father and son and Rulan to Shou'an Hall for dinner.

The lights in Shou'an Hall are bright, and the lamps reflect warm orange light.

After dinner, Wang Ruofu immediately talked about the gossip she and Hualan had talked about during the day when they went to burn incense outside the city.

"July is approaching, and August is Changwu's wedding."

As she spoke, Wang Ruofu looked at Old Madam Sheng at the top of the table and said:
"Mother, have you made any plans?"

Old Madam Sheng showed a slightly surprised look on her face and asked curiously:
"Why is the lady concerned about this today? Are you planning to go back with me?"

Seeing this, everyone looked at Wang Ruofu strangely.

Wang Ruofu has never looked down upon Sheng Wei's family in Youyang, so why is she so attentive today?

"I see the day is near."

Wang Ruofu really enjoyed the feeling of leading the family's decision at this moment, but seeing that everyone around him still didn't believe it, he could only continue:
"Well, when I was burning incense in the daytime, Huaer mentioned it. She said that the Yang family had someone look at it and said that the Moon Star was in the south and not in the main palace, so it was difficult to get pregnant. So, isn't the Yang family's ancestral home just in the south? So she told me that she wanted to go back to the Yang family's ancestral home after a while."

This is of course an excuse, but it is not entirely perfunctory.

After all, Hualan, the mistress of the Yang family, has never returned to the family's ancestral home, so it is not very reasonable for her ancestors to recognize her.

At least the ancestors who may be staying in the clan temple should be allowed to see the new daughter-in-law, right?
It's a good opportunity to do it together.

Wang Ruofu obviously thought of this as well, and said immediately:
"I was thinking at the time, isn't August the month of Changwu's wedding? I thought Hualan might not be able to make time to go, but now she is just in time, so we might as well go together. We are all going south anyway, so it doesn't matter if the direction is a little off."

"That's why I asked my mother what her plans were."

Wang Ruofu didn't think too much about it. She just thought that it would be a bit lonely for her daughter to go south alone, so it would be best for her to go with her family.

Sheng Hong looked a little confused and didn't say anything. Old Madam Sheng said:

"Old Madam Youyang said she was ill, so I am going to go see her."

Sheng Hong immediately stated:

"The son will take leave in a few days and go back with his mother."

Old Madam Sheng shook her head and said:

"I heard that the emperor is not feeling well, and the succession to the throne could change at any time, so it is not appropriate for you to leave."

Seeing that Sheng Hong wanted to speak more, Old Lady Sheng interrupted him:
"Besides, how many days can you take off? I want to spend more time talking to my elder sister in Youyang."

After hearing what Old Lady Sheng said, Sheng Hong had no choice but to suppress his thoughts.

"Why not let Changbai go?"

"It's not appropriate. Although he was selected as a scholar, he still has many lessons and things to do in the Hongwen Academy, so he can't spare the time."

"What about Feng'er? He has no interest in studying at home anyway."

"I'm afraid Brother Feng is not very useful."

Old Madam Sheng said, picking up what Wang Ruofu had just said:

"Didn't the Madam just mention Hua'er? Hua'er's travels are much more secure than mine. I will go back with her when the time comes."

Old Mrs. Sheng smiled lightly, and it was unclear whether she understood her granddaughter's filial piety or was happy to meet her best friend whom she hadn't seen for a long time.

Sheng Hong was speechless now.

After all, her own man was too busy to spare the time, and Hualan was doing well, so it would be a bit awkward to refuse.

At the same time, Sheng Hong was also somewhat happy.

Although he couldn't go back, the presence of his daughter, the Marchioness, would make the family seem close.

"So it's settled then?"

Wang Ruofu saw that no one had any objections, so he said:

"So I told Hualan this?"

At this time, Mrs. Sheng added:
"It would be a shame if none of the children in the family went away. In this case, I will take Minglan with me."

Sheng Hong also nodded slightly.

After all, Hualan is married and can only be considered half a child of the Sheng family. It is normal for her to have someone of the same generation in her own family.

When Rulan heard that her sister and Minglan could go out to play, she was eager to try it out. She immediately went to Wang Ruofu and pleaded in a low voice:

"Mother, my daughter wants to go too."

Wang Ruofu glanced carefully to the side and said in a low voice:

"What are you going to do? You're tired from traveling so much, and besides, it's not like you haven't been to your uncle's house before."

“It’s been several years.”

Rulan murmured softly:
"Except for Brother Changwu, I have forgotten what the other brothers and sisters look like."

Wang Ruofu was stunned when he heard this.

Suddenly I thought of my uncle's brothers.

They treated me like their own sister when I was a child, but since I was taken back home, I haven't seen them for more than 20 years.

Last time, I took the opportunity to meet Yang Wenyuan when he went back to his hometown, but I only met my eldest brother Wang Zhuo, and the other brothers were not at home...

The appearance is also somewhat unfamiliar, and the face in my memory has long been wasted by time.

Thinking of this, Wang Ruofu looked at Rulan with pity in her eyes:

"Rulan will soon be coming of age. When she gets married, I'm afraid she won't be able to leave her home easily, let alone travel far away..."

Thinking of this, Wang Ruofu did not stop him and said:
"I think Ru'er hasn't seen the elder brothers and sisters in the first house for a long time. It's a good opportunity for us to go back and see them together."

Sheng Hong frowned immediately:
"Why are you joining in the fun? Ru'er should just rest at home. Why does she have to go out and run around?"

"You asked me to be closer to your family's eldest wife, but I'm afraid I can't do it. Why are you not happy now that Ru'er has done what you want?" Wang Ruofu, who was now a little quick-witted, asked back.

Sheng Hong was also stunned.

Does this seem to make some sense?
"Okay, okay, there's no need to argue."

Old Madam Sheng said:
"Since the Madam is interested, then let Rulan come along as well. It's all for the sake of our own children's closeness."

After that, Old Lady Sheng asked Rulan:

"Rulan, are you willing to go back to Youyang?"

"Uh-huh!"

Rulan nodded rapidly, her face full of joy.

Without Minglan at home, and without her sister to come and give good things, how can there be any fun in the house?

Should I be locked in the room to learn needlework, or should I quarrel with Molan?
I have a very clever brain!
……

Hualan got the exact information from the Sheng family and immediately started packing her luggage.

According to Old Lady Sheng's opinion, they should set off earlier. After all, Hualan's matter is the important matter and should not be delayed. So they should let Hualan go back to the Yang family's old house first and then rush to Youyang.

Maybe I can stay a little longer.

Hua Lan naturally had no objection to this.

So he immediately ordered the steward of the Marquis's Mansion to arrange the ship and guards, and they could set off as soon as they were ready.

Unexpectedly, the next day, Yang Wenyuan saw Qi Heng coming to his house.

"How many days will the Sheng family return to Youyang? Will the Sheng family's sixth daughter be among the entourage?" Early in the morning, Qi Heng hurriedly knocked on the door of the Marquis' Mansion, and rushed into the hall without stopping to ask Yang Wenyuan.

Yang Wenyuan was quite speechless.

You mobilized so many troops so early in the morning, I thought something happened in the palace. "The eldest son of the Sheng family's Youyang branch is getting married, and the Sheng family's grandmother and the old lady of the first branch are very concerned about him, so they want to go back and visit him as soon as possible, and bring Minglan with them."

"Oh, and my wife and Rulan."

Qi Heng, the two people behind him, naturally didn't care. He just nodded perfunctorily and immediately asked anxiously:
"Why do you want to take Minglan away?"

Qi Heng was still thinking of taking advantage of his mother's birthday to curry favor by bringing up the matter between himself and Minglan, but his own matter was still being planned, while the real person, Minglan, was about to be taken away.

How does this work?
If the mother agrees by then, but still can't see Minglan, what if something happens later?
Qi Heng realized that he was too anxious. His words could not shake the Sheng family's itinerary, so he asked again:
"But when is the departure date?"

Yang Wenyuan straightened his green official robe. Well, there was nothing he could do. Shujishi had no human rights.

"In three days."

Yang Wenyuan understood what Qi Heng was thinking and replied softly:

"My wife is going back to her hometown to pray for blessings, and she has been preparing these things these days."

"what?"

Qi Heng looked a little unhappy.

My mother's birthday is in two days, and I'm preparing for it now. It will definitely be a grand celebration, but the next day is when Minglan will leave Beijing...

This timing is really unfortunate!

You can't just go to the Sheng family's door the next day and wait for them to get married, right?
Seeing Qi Heng's embarrassed expression, Yang Wenyuan also saw what he was worried about, and smiled secretly in his heart:

"Brother, you are really overthinking this. How could the princess agree to this? She might even take you to claim her sister the next day."

Yang Wenyuan heard that Madam Rong was visiting Duke Qi's residence more and more frequently, and it was obvious that she had set her sights on Qi Heng and wanted to quickly finalize the marriage between the two families.

It was also rumored that Princess Jiacheng had taken a liking to Qi Heng.

It's just that Prince Yong is aware that he will soon be the new emperor of the Great Zhou. Even though he loves his daughter, Princess Jiacheng, he can't bring himself to go to the Duke of Qi's Mansion all the time. So he doesn't go as often as Madam Rong, but the meaning is clear.

And now Qi Heng is rushing to push Minglan in front of Princess Pingning, which is undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.

Qi Heng didn't understand the reason. Maybe Princess Pingning didn't say it because she didn't want to put pressure on her son, or maybe Qi Heng really loved Minglan and didn't want to think about it and wanted to survive.

"Since we are preparing the ceremony for Sister Hua, can we postpone it for one day?" Qi Heng asked with a pleading look on his face.

I won't give up until I reach the Yellow River, and I won't turn back until I hit the south wall. Yang Wenyuan sighed in his heart and nodded gently:
"It's okay to stay overnight, but Yuan Ruo, you..."

"what?"

"nothing."

Yang Wenyuan finally straightened his official uniform and looked at Changqing who was already standing outside:
"If there's nothing else, then I'll go out?"

"Then Yuan Ruo will take his leave first. I am really rude today. I hope you can forgive me!"

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter..."

Two days later.

On Princess Pingning’s birthday, Duke Qi’s mansion held a grand banquet.

Even the officials and the queen in the palace sent gifts, which shows how favored Princess Pingning was.

If the emperor had not been in poor health and had no children, the wealth of the Duke of Qi's Mansion would not have fallen on Qi Heng's shoulders alone.

Yang Wenyuan and Hualan came with gifts.

Sheng Hong, Wang Ruofu and Chang Bai also followed.

Normally, the Sheng family was not qualified to attend Princess Pingning's birthday banquet, but thanks to their classmates in the academy, the Sheng family also received an invitation.

Today's guests are all high-ranking officials and dignitaries, so it can be said that the house is full of distinguished guests.

However, if you look closely, you can see that people do not have much respect for the birthday girl, Princess Pingning. They just greet her politely. Most people's focus is on Prince Yong and Prince Yan's family.

As the adopted daughter of the current emperor and empress, Princess Pingning can be considered a royal relative. In addition, she is favored by the emperor, so Prince Yong and Prince Yan also came in person to Princess Pingning's birthday banquet today.

It can also be considered as winning the favor of the officials.

On one side was Princess Pingning, who appeared somewhat depressed despite her politeness, and on the other side were Prince Yong and Prince Yan, who were surrounded by the enthusiasm of the crowd.

The two scenes clearly demonstrate the afterglow of the prosperity of the Duke of Qi's Mansion.

One of the results after a banquet is a mess.

Fortunately, at the dinner, Qi Heng set a table with delicious food prepared by the chef of Fanlou. He also personally prepared a bowl of longevity noodles for Princess Pingning and painted celebratory lanterns. Only then did Princess Pingning's loneliness disappear and she showed an expression of surprise and joy.

"It's worth it that I gave birth to you!" Seeing the sweat on Qi Heng's temples, Princess Pingning's eyes rarely turned red.

After a hearty exchange of motherly love and filial piety, when the banquet was over and Princess Pingning was eating longevity noodles, Qi Heng suddenly spoke:

"Mother, there are rumors that my marriage is undecided and there are many suspicions, but I already have someone in my heart. I hope you can help me go to her house to propose marriage."

The smile on Princess Pingning's face froze for a moment, and the noodles slipped quietly from the chopsticks in her hand, splashing ripples on the soup.

She knew that Qi Heng was being attentive today because he had something in mind, but she couldn't bear the filial piety of a mother to her child, so she forced herself not to think about it.

"I finally said it!"

Princess Pingning put down the chopsticks in her hand and said calmly without waiting for Qi Heng to speak:

"But the Sixth Miss of the Sheng Family?"

The words were questionable, but the tone was very certain.

Seeing Qi Heng's face full of doubt and uncertainty, Princess Pingning remained calm:
"You thought you were hiding it well, but you didn't know it was like a firefly in the dark night. Others could see it clearly at a glance. I just hoped you could keep it to yourself, so I didn't tell you. Now it seems that you still can't keep it to yourself, and you have to be like a firefly flying into a flame."

Qi Heng turned his head to look at his father, Duke Qi, but saw that there was no surprise on his father's face. When he saw him looking at him, he just sighed lightly and turned his head away.

"Please allow me to marry Minglan!" Upon seeing this, Qi Heng said nothing else. He just knelt down and begged Princess Pingning.

Princess Pingning snorted coldly without saying anything, and the situation suddenly became deadlocked.

In the end, Duke Qi helped Qi Heng up and said in a gentle voice:
"Heng'er, since you love Minglan from the Sheng family so much, why don't you settle the marriage first and then bring her home as a concubine in the future? This way, you can have the best of both worlds."

"No!"

Qi Heng flatly refused:
"It's impossible for Minglan to be someone else's concubine!"

"Please help me, mother!"

Seeing Qi Heng's resolute expression, Duke Qi could only sigh from the bottom of his heart. He looked at Princess Pingning again, and seeing that his wife was unmoved, he could only stand aside in silence.

"Are you really attracted to Sheng Minglan?"

Princess Pingning suddenly said:
"Even if Miss Rong and Princess Jiacheng fell in love with you, you would not agree?"

Qi Heng knelt down again and saluted:

"This is the only one in my life!"

"Only one person? And she's a concubine's daughter of a minor official..."

Princess Pingning suddenly laughed out loud, but there was no joy in her laughter, instead it was filled with sadness:

"It seems that you have followed your father and I and have also swallowed the whole thing and doted on only one person."

Qi Heng could hear Princess Pingning's dissatisfaction and anger, but there was nothing he could do but hope that his mother would show mercy.

The atmosphere was stagnant for a while.

Princess Pingning suddenly spoke:
"By the way, is the Sheng family going on a trip soon?"

Qi Heng was startled and quickly replied:

"Someone in her eldest branch is getting married, so she needs to go back to Youyang and leave in two days."

Princess Pingning nodded silently, and after a moment, she said calmly:

"Happy events rarely come in pairs, so let's go together as a family to congratulate."

Qi Heng thought his mother had agreed to his request, so he kowtowed quickly with a look of joy on his face.

(End of this chapter)