Chapter 244: 244
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After receiving the messages, Yuan Xuepei thought for a long time, and decided to arrange his marriage to dash Jiang Muting’s hopes. He couldn’t let the girl waste her youth like this.
However, he had to manage Yuan Mao and Zhiqin’s marriage first. Yuan Mao was the guard he recommended to Song Yixiao before.
After all, this marriage determined whether he could write off all the old scores with Song Yixiao. He couldn’t treat it as a common servant’s marriage. There was no hostess in Marquis Boling’s mansion, and Elder Lady Tu, was a mere figurehead now. He had no other choice but to arrange it in person.
Unexpectedly, just as he drew up a schedule for all the matters of the marriage, Song Yixiao suddenly made a request, “After Zhiqin marries Yuan Mao, I hope you will make them serve Xue’e.”
“Why?” Yuan Xuepei couldn’t help being surprised.
There were only two of them in the room at the moment, so Song Yixiao didn’t hesitate to say, “You are afraid that if the Crown Prince loses, it will get Xue’e involved. So you married Xue’e to Lu Guanlun in case of knowing the fierce internal strife in Prince of Hengshan’s mansion. Even you can do so much for Xue’e, of course, I have to consider for Zhiqin. After they get married, I would be worried no matter they are in Duke of Yan’s mansion or in Marquis Boling’s mansion. If so, why not send them to Xue’e. In this case, not only can Xue’e take care of them, but also it can spare all my worries! And in the future, if the Crown Prince wins, it will be convenient for Zhiqin to return to me.”
As for why didn’t she let them go free–what to do if Yuan Mao treated Zhiqin badly after setting them free?!
Song Yixiao had already burned Zhiqin’s servitude contract. As for Yuan Mao, before their children grew up and became Zhiqin’s patron, she wouldn’t set him free!
This might be unfair to Yuan Mao. However, since Yuan Xuepei chose him to marry Zhiqin, he must have made it clear with Yuan Mao.
What was more, just as Jian Xubai said, Song Yixiao was not the Minister of Justice, and she didn’t need to adhere to the heart of justice. So, why couldn’t she show partiality to her person?
“Are you sure you are marrying off a maid?” Yuan Xuepei shook his head and sighed after hearing her words. He said, “Even those who are marrying off a daughter are not as serious and concerned as you are.”
“Weren’t you concerned about Xue’e when you planned it for her?” Song Yixiao asked in retort, “It’s you who remind me of this!”
“Okay, okay, okay! I will take care of it! I’m so afraid of your seriousness!” chuckled Yuan Xuepei.
“Zhiqin isn’t married yet!” Song Yixiao looked at him with a spurious smile and then continued, “You should be afraid when she doesn’t have a happy life in the future!”
“With the good relationship between our families, and also for Xubai, how can I lie to you!” Yuan Xuepei reassured her.
At the end of the fourth lunar month, the wedding ceremony of Zhiqin and Yuan Mao would be held in the manor where Lu Guanlun recuperated. She begged Jian Xubai for a few days to attend the wedding, but Jian Xubai only reminded her, “Since you have buried the hatchet with Xuepei, why do you keep up with Lu Guanlun and Xue’e so frequently and make him worried?” With this, she only wrote a letter and entrusted Zhiqin to Yuan Xue’e, letting her take good care of Zhiqin. She finally didn’t go over in person.
After all, trying every means to arrange for Zhiqin was to avoid the possibility of getting Zhiqin involved after the Crown Prince lost. If she paid much attention to the girl now, it might get in her way later on.
A few days later, Yuan Xue’e wrote back. She said, according to her observation, Yuan Mao treated his wife very well. He was concerned about Zhiqin every day and was very considerate. Zhiqin was also very satisfied with Yuan Mao.
After reading the letter, Song Yixiao chose two stewards who hadn’t shown up much from her trusted men. She asked them to disguise as passing merchants and go to the manor of Lu Guanlun and Xue’e to make inquiries. What they reported was the same as Yuan Xue’e said. With that, Song Yixiao was finally relieved.
Zhiqin’s thing was settled, and she could let it go for the time being. But Ms. Zhao’s came next.
Not long ago, a man of Jian Xubai took back a piece of news. The You Family was now settled in a town 400 km away from the capital. Although the You Family was totally unfamiliar with the place and the people, with the financial aid of Duke of Yan’s mansion in secret, as well as the simple local people, it soon settled down.
Ms. Zhao also entrusted that man to bring some hand-made needlework to Song Yixiao.
“It seems that the departure of Ms. Zhao and the others is not that bad. At least in the future, if the Crown Prince loses, the new emperor will not be so narrow as to vent his anger on those who are no longer in the imperial capital, right?” At the thought of that Ms. Zhao’s family had started a new life in a new place, and Zhiqin also had a lifelong support, Song Yixiao felt the burden of years had finally been laid down. She only felt unspeakable easiness and joy.
She wanted to repay and compensate these two people no matter in her previous life and this life. Arranging them properly was much more important than finding herself a good retreat for Song Yixiao.
After all, the reason why she would have the idea of finding a way out was mainly because she was afraid that she entrusted a wrong person.
Her husband’s failure of participating in the battle for the throne might involve her in. However, Song Yixiao thought if the current relationship between them was maintained, one day, she would not care about sharing weal and woe with him.
It was the fifth lunar month now. The weather was getting hotter and the court had begun preparations to avoid summer heat.
For the Jian Family, there was one more thing in the fifth lunar month. The birthdays of Jian Likuang and Jian Limiao were on the 15th day of that month.
The two brothers were twins, and their birthdays were on the same day. However, they had already lived apart, and they wouldn’t celebrate it together, which meant that the juniors had to go to two places that day.
Anyway, they were both in the capital and there were also carriages. It was okay for the youth to run around. However, when that day finally came, Song Yixiao realized that it was a tough job to celebrate the twins’ birthdays!
One word could describe Jian Limiao’s birthday–quiet.
He didn’t have a wife or any children. And he didn’t like to socialize, so he had few speaking acquaintances. He only had two nephews and one niece in the imperial capital. Even Commandery Princess Qingjiang and the couple of Earl Shouchun came over, as well as his colleagues and subordinates, the long-silent courtyard still lingered with desolation.
The couple of Earl Shouchun and Jian Yimian came along with their children. The happy laughter of kids at play in the hallway did not add much excitement to his birthday, but set off the whole yard bleak.
The one who embarrassed the juniors was Jian Likuang, who was elder than Jian Limiao. The juniors came to Jinguo Grand Princess’s mansion to celebrate first. However, after arriving and sitting there for a long time, Jinguo Grand Princess finally came out with surprise, “What’s wrong? Why are you all here today?”
Everyone was rendered speechless.
Jinguo Grand Princess had already forgotten the birthday of her husband!
What was more terrible was that not only did she forget, Jiayue, who served her around and was responsible for reminding her of such things, also forgot. Now, Jiayue was standing aside with a look of astonishment. Her expression showed one meaning, “I’m ready for the next bad news, just say it.”
“The fruit here is especially sweet!” The hall had been silent for a while, but Jinguo Grand Princess and Jiayue still didn’t react. Seeing that the Princess was about to ask questions again, Commandery Princess Qingjiang showed resourcefulness in an emergency and pulled the fruit plate not far away over, saying, “Is it specially selected for Father’s birthday? It tastes very different from usual!”
Now it was the turn of Jinguo Grand Princess and Jiayue to look at each other in speechless despair!
After a while, Jinguo Grand Princess coughed dryly, “Prince of Yi passed away a few months ago. Likuang was very sad about that. He said that he would not celebrate this year’s birthday, but sorry I forgot to inform you guys. No wonder that you all come here today. I just didn’t react just now!”
Obviously, her words showed that she decided not to celebrate Jian Likuang’s birthday!
Commandery Princess Qingjiang never expected that her mother would embarrass her stepfather like this. When Jinguo Grand Princess remarried to the Jian Family, Commandery Princess Qingjiang was going to get married. So, her relationship with her stepfather was neither cold nor warm. She felt sympathy for her stepfather now. “Mother, we are not here for the banquet. We come here mainly to congratulate my father. Besides, I heard that Uncle Limiao has held a banquet. We are all here, so why not hold a family feast like what you did before? Everyone will have a good time then.”
Jinguo Grand Princess had made up her mind of not celebrating the birthday. Now, she was appreciating her nails’ polish which was painted just now, and saying without even raising her head, “Your uncle Limiao is not Prince of Yi’s brother-in-law. So Prince of Yi’s death has nothing to do with him. Of course, he can hold a banquet. As for Likuang, he is really not in the mood!”
Song Yixiao thought, “Even if my father-in-law is in the mood, your words may disappoint him!”
However, even her own daughter, Commandery Princess Qingjiang, failed to persuade her, Song Yixiao wouldn’t go to mediate, especially Jian Likuang didn’t treat Jian Xubai well. What she could do at the time was to be a looker-on and enjoy the tea quietly.
So after Jinguo Grand Princess said so, no one spoke, including Jian Yimian, the eldest legitimate daughter of her first husband. Finally, it was Jian Yiyou, who was obviously holding back the anger, stood up and said coldly, “I’m going to give Father a kowtow!”
“Jiayue, go to find Likuang.” Realizing that Jian Yiyou was angry, Jinguo Grand Princess put down her hand, slowed down her tone and said gently, “Yiyou, calm down. I can rarely see your father these two days. What if I do if he is not here when I hold a banquet?”
“Mother, you rarely see Father at usual, right?” Jian Yiyou was in a bad mood, and couldn’t help but sarcastically say, “The musician with the surname Qiao in the mansion has seen you more often than Father!”
Although what he said was correct, as her son, he shouldn’t say that. Even though Jinguo Grand Princess had long been accustomed to rumors, her face still froze at this moment!
“Yiyou, watch your language!” Commandery Princess Qingjiang frowned and scolded, “How can you be so confused? Apologize to Mother, Now!”
Jian Yiyou also realized what he said was rude after uttering his words. He pursed his lips, and followed Commandery Princess Qingjiang’s words, standing up first and then kneeling down to Jinguo Grand Princess. He lowered his head and said, “Mother, sorry for my rudeness! I’m willing to be punished!”
“It’s my fault.” Jinguo Grand Princess was always tolerant to her children. Although she felt upset at the moment, she just waved her hand and sighed, “You get up! I’ll let someone arrange the family feast!”
“But there are no preparations for the time being. Why don’t you go to your uncle for a lunch first, and then come here at night?” She continued.
Commandery Princess Qingjiang was afraid that the mother and son had another conflict, so she took the lead to agree hurriedly.
Therefore, everyone went to Jian Limiao’s mansion for a quiet and unpleasant lunch, and then entered the Grand Princess’s mansion in the evening. The mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers, which added atmosphere of celebrating a birthday. Yet, when Jian Likuang came out, he held a long face, as if someone important had just died, not like a birthday person at all!
No one was curious about that. The birthday banquet could be held because his son got furious. Jian Likuang must be overwhelmed by anger now!
In this condition, the atmosphere of the banquet could be imagined. Under the cover of singing and dancing, everyone smiled and congratulated Jian Likuang, and forced themselves to create a lively and joyful scene.
Finally, when Jinguo Grand Princess left, Jian Likuang jumped up without saying a word, kicked the desk over in public and walked away!
The splashing dish juice spilled on Commandery Princess Qingjiang and Jian Yiyou, who were sitting not far away. The dancer and musicians in the hall were so scared that they stopped subconsciously. In a dead silence, Commandery Princess Qingjiang accepted the maid’s handkerchief with a poker face. After wiping her face carefully, she said calmly, “It’s late at night. Time to go home!”
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After receiving the messages, Yuan Xuepei thought for a long time, and decided to arrange his marriage to dash Jiang Muting’s hopes. He couldn’t let the girl waste her youth like this.
However, he had to manage Yuan Mao and Zhiqin’s marriage first. Yuan Mao was the guard he recommended to Song Yixiao before.
After all, this marriage determined whether he could write off all the old scores with Song Yixiao. He couldn’t treat it as a common servant’s marriage. There was no hostess in Marquis Boling’s mansion, and Elder Lady Tu, was a mere figurehead now. He had no other choice but to arrange it in person.
Unexpectedly, just as he drew up a schedule for all the matters of the marriage, Song Yixiao suddenly made a request, “After Zhiqin marries Yuan Mao, I hope you will make them serve Xue’e.”
“Why?” Yuan Xuepei couldn’t help being surprised.
There were only two of them in the room at the moment, so Song Yixiao didn’t hesitate to say, “You are afraid that if the Crown Prince loses, it will get Xue’e involved. So you married Xue’e to Lu Guanlun in case of knowing the fierce internal strife in Prince of Hengshan’s mansion. Even you can do so much for Xue’e, of course, I have to consider for Zhiqin. After they get married, I would be worried no matter they are in Duke of Yan’s mansion or in Marquis Boling’s mansion. If so, why not send them to Xue’e. In this case, not only can Xue’e take care of them, but also it can spare all my worries! And in the future, if the Crown Prince wins, it will be convenient for Zhiqin to return to me.”
As for why didn’t she let them go free–what to do if Yuan Mao treated Zhiqin badly after setting them free?!
Song Yixiao had already burned Zhiqin’s servitude contract. As for Yuan Mao, before their children grew up and became Zhiqin’s patron, she wouldn’t set him free!
This might be unfair to Yuan Mao. However, since Yuan Xuepei chose him to marry Zhiqin, he must have made it clear with Yuan Mao.
What was more, just as Jian Xubai said, Song Yixiao was not the Minister of Justice, and she didn’t need to adhere to the heart of justice. So, why couldn’t she show partiality to her person?
“Are you sure you are marrying off a maid?” Yuan Xuepei shook his head and sighed after hearing her words. He said, “Even those who are marrying off a daughter are not as serious and concerned as you are.”
“Weren’t you concerned about Xue’e when you planned it for her?” Song Yixiao asked in retort, “It’s you who remind me of this!”
“Okay, okay, okay! I will take care of it! I’m so afraid of your seriousness!” chuckled Yuan Xuepei.
“Zhiqin isn’t married yet!” Song Yixiao looked at him with a spurious smile and then continued, “You should be afraid when she doesn’t have a happy life in the future!”
“With the good relationship between our families, and also for Xubai, how can I lie to you!” Yuan Xuepei reassured her.
At the end of the fourth lunar month, the wedding ceremony of Zhiqin and Yuan Mao would be held in the manor where Lu Guanlun recuperated. She begged Jian Xubai for a few days to attend the wedding, but Jian Xubai only reminded her, “Since you have buried the hatchet with Xuepei, why do you keep up with Lu Guanlun and Xue’e so frequently and make him worried?” With this, she only wrote a letter and entrusted Zhiqin to Yuan Xue’e, letting her take good care of Zhiqin. She finally didn’t go over in person.
After all, trying every means to arrange for Zhiqin was to avoid the possibility of getting Zhiqin involved after the Crown Prince lost. If she paid much attention to the girl now, it might get in her way later on.
A few days later, Yuan Xue’e wrote back. She said, according to her observation, Yuan Mao treated his wife very well. He was concerned about Zhiqin every day and was very considerate. Zhiqin was also very satisfied with Yuan Mao.
After reading the letter, Song Yixiao chose two stewards who hadn’t shown up much from her trusted men. She asked them to disguise as passing merchants and go to the manor of Lu Guanlun and Xue’e to make inquiries. What they reported was the same as Yuan Xue’e said. With that, Song Yixiao was finally relieved.
Zhiqin’s thing was settled, and she could let it go for the time being. But Ms. Zhao’s came next.
Not long ago, a man of Jian Xubai took back a piece of news. The You Family was now settled in a town 400 km away from the capital. Although the You Family was totally unfamiliar with the place and the people, with the financial aid of Duke of Yan’s mansion in secret, as well as the simple local people, it soon settled down.
Ms. Zhao also entrusted that man to bring some hand-made needlework to Song Yixiao.
“It seems that the departure of Ms. Zhao and the others is not that bad. At least in the future, if the Crown Prince loses, the new emperor will not be so narrow as to vent his anger on those who are no longer in the imperial capital, right?” At the thought of that Ms. Zhao’s family had started a new life in a new place, and Zhiqin also had a lifelong support, Song Yixiao felt the burden of years had finally been laid down. She only felt unspeakable easiness and joy.
She wanted to repay and compensate these two people no matter in her previous life and this life. Arranging them properly was much more important than finding herself a good retreat for Song Yixiao.
After all, the reason why she would have the idea of finding a way out was mainly because she was afraid that she entrusted a wrong person.
Her husband’s failure of participating in the battle for the throne might involve her in. However, Song Yixiao thought if the current relationship between them was maintained, one day, she would not care about sharing weal and woe with him.
It was the fifth lunar month now. The weather was getting hotter and the court had begun preparations to avoid summer heat.
For the Jian Family, there was one more thing in the fifth lunar month. The birthdays of Jian Likuang and Jian Limiao were on the 15th day of that month.
The two brothers were twins, and their birthdays were on the same day. However, they had already lived apart, and they wouldn’t celebrate it together, which meant that the juniors had to go to two places that day.
Anyway, they were both in the capital and there were also carriages. It was okay for the youth to run around. However, when that day finally came, Song Yixiao realized that it was a tough job to celebrate the twins’ birthdays!
One word could describe Jian Limiao’s birthday–quiet.
He didn’t have a wife or any children. And he didn’t like to socialize, so he had few speaking acquaintances. He only had two nephews and one niece in the imperial capital. Even Commandery Princess Qingjiang and the couple of Earl Shouchun came over, as well as his colleagues and subordinates, the long-silent courtyard still lingered with desolation.
The couple of Earl Shouchun and Jian Yimian came along with their children. The happy laughter of kids at play in the hallway did not add much excitement to his birthday, but set off the whole yard bleak.
The one who embarrassed the juniors was Jian Likuang, who was elder than Jian Limiao. The juniors came to Jinguo Grand Princess’s mansion to celebrate first. However, after arriving and sitting there for a long time, Jinguo Grand Princess finally came out with surprise, “What’s wrong? Why are you all here today?”
Everyone was rendered speechless.
Jinguo Grand Princess had already forgotten the birthday of her husband!
What was more terrible was that not only did she forget, Jiayue, who served her around and was responsible for reminding her of such things, also forgot. Now, Jiayue was standing aside with a look of astonishment. Her expression showed one meaning, “I’m ready for the next bad news, just say it.”
“The fruit here is especially sweet!” The hall had been silent for a while, but Jinguo Grand Princess and Jiayue still didn’t react. Seeing that the Princess was about to ask questions again, Commandery Princess Qingjiang showed resourcefulness in an emergency and pulled the fruit plate not far away over, saying, “Is it specially selected for Father’s birthday? It tastes very different from usual!”
Now it was the turn of Jinguo Grand Princess and Jiayue to look at each other in speechless despair!
After a while, Jinguo Grand Princess coughed dryly, “Prince of Yi passed away a few months ago. Likuang was very sad about that. He said that he would not celebrate this year’s birthday, but sorry I forgot to inform you guys. No wonder that you all come here today. I just didn’t react just now!”
Obviously, her words showed that she decided not to celebrate Jian Likuang’s birthday!
Commandery Princess Qingjiang never expected that her mother would embarrass her stepfather like this. When Jinguo Grand Princess remarried to the Jian Family, Commandery Princess Qingjiang was going to get married. So, her relationship with her stepfather was neither cold nor warm. She felt sympathy for her stepfather now. “Mother, we are not here for the banquet. We come here mainly to congratulate my father. Besides, I heard that Uncle Limiao has held a banquet. We are all here, so why not hold a family feast like what you did before? Everyone will have a good time then.”
Jinguo Grand Princess had made up her mind of not celebrating the birthday. Now, she was appreciating her nails’ polish which was painted just now, and saying without even raising her head, “Your uncle Limiao is not Prince of Yi’s brother-in-law. So Prince of Yi’s death has nothing to do with him. Of course, he can hold a banquet. As for Likuang, he is really not in the mood!”
Song Yixiao thought, “Even if my father-in-law is in the mood, your words may disappoint him!”
However, even her own daughter, Commandery Princess Qingjiang, failed to persuade her, Song Yixiao wouldn’t go to mediate, especially Jian Likuang didn’t treat Jian Xubai well. What she could do at the time was to be a looker-on and enjoy the tea quietly.
So after Jinguo Grand Princess said so, no one spoke, including Jian Yimian, the eldest legitimate daughter of her first husband. Finally, it was Jian Yiyou, who was obviously holding back the anger, stood up and said coldly, “I’m going to give Father a kowtow!”
“Jiayue, go to find Likuang.” Realizing that Jian Yiyou was angry, Jinguo Grand Princess put down her hand, slowed down her tone and said gently, “Yiyou, calm down. I can rarely see your father these two days. What if I do if he is not here when I hold a banquet?”
“Mother, you rarely see Father at usual, right?” Jian Yiyou was in a bad mood, and couldn’t help but sarcastically say, “The musician with the surname Qiao in the mansion has seen you more often than Father!”
Although what he said was correct, as her son, he shouldn’t say that. Even though Jinguo Grand Princess had long been accustomed to rumors, her face still froze at this moment!
“Yiyou, watch your language!” Commandery Princess Qingjiang frowned and scolded, “How can you be so confused? Apologize to Mother, Now!”
Jian Yiyou also realized what he said was rude after uttering his words. He pursed his lips, and followed Commandery Princess Qingjiang’s words, standing up first and then kneeling down to Jinguo Grand Princess. He lowered his head and said, “Mother, sorry for my rudeness! I’m willing to be punished!”
“It’s my fault.” Jinguo Grand Princess was always tolerant to her children. Although she felt upset at the moment, she just waved her hand and sighed, “You get up! I’ll let someone arrange the family feast!”
“But there are no preparations for the time being. Why don’t you go to your uncle for a lunch first, and then come here at night?” She continued.
Commandery Princess Qingjiang was afraid that the mother and son had another conflict, so she took the lead to agree hurriedly.
Therefore, everyone went to Jian Limiao’s mansion for a quiet and unpleasant lunch, and then entered the Grand Princess’s mansion in the evening. The mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers, which added atmosphere of celebrating a birthday. Yet, when Jian Likuang came out, he held a long face, as if someone important had just died, not like a birthday person at all!
No one was curious about that. The birthday banquet could be held because his son got furious. Jian Likuang must be overwhelmed by anger now!
In this condition, the atmosphere of the banquet could be imagined. Under the cover of singing and dancing, everyone smiled and congratulated Jian Likuang, and forced themselves to create a lively and joyful scene.
Finally, when Jinguo Grand Princess left, Jian Likuang jumped up without saying a word, kicked the desk over in public and walked away!
The splashing dish juice spilled on Commandery Princess Qingjiang and Jian Yiyou, who were sitting not far away. The dancer and musicians in the hall were so scared that they stopped subconsciously. In a dead silence, Commandery Princess Qingjiang accepted the maid’s handkerchief with a poker face. After wiping her face carefully, she said calmly, “It’s late at night. Time to go home!”
After receiving the messages, Yuan Xuepei thought for a long time, and decided to arrange his marriage to dash Jiang Muting's hopes. He couldn't let the girl waste her youth like this.However, he had to manage Yuan Mao and Zhiqin's marriage first. Yuan Mao was the guard he recommended to Song Yixiao before.After all, this marriage determined whether he could write off all the old scores with Song Yixiao. He couldn't treat it as a common servant's marriage. There was no hostess in Marquis Boling's mansion, and Elder Lady Tu, was a mere figurehead now. He had no other choice but to arrange it in person.Unexpectedly, just as he drew up a schedule for all the matters of the marriage, Song Yixiao suddenly made a request, After Zhiqin marries Yuan Mao, I hope you will make them serve Xue'e.Why? Yuan Xuepei couldn't help being surprised.There were only two of them in the room at the moment, so Song Yixiao didn't hesitate to say, You are afraid that if the Crown Prince loses, it will get Xue'e involved. So you married Xue'e to Lu Guanlun in case of knowing the fierce internal strife in Prince of Hengshan's mansion. Even you can do so much for Xue'e, of course, I have to consider for Zhiqin. After they get married, I would be worried no matter they are in Duke of Yan's mansion or in Marquis Boling's mansion. If so, why not send them to Xue'e. In this case, not only can Xue'e take care of them, but also it can spare all my worries! And in the future, if the Crown Prince wins, it will be convenient for Zhiqin to return to me.As for why didn't she let them go freewhat to do if Yuan Mao treated Zhiqin badly after setting them free?!Song Yixiao had already burned Zhiqin's servitude contract. As for Yuan Mao, before their children grew up and became Zhiqin's patron, she wouldn't set him free!This might be unfair to Yuan Mao. However, since Yuan Xuepei chose him to marry Zhiqin, he must have made it clear with Yuan Mao.What was more, just as Jian Xubai said, Song Yixiao was not the Minister of Justice, and she didn't need to adhere to the heart of justice. So, why couldn't she show partiality to her person?Are you sure you are marrying off a maid? Yuan Xuepei shook his head and sighed after hearing her words. He said, Even those who are marrying off a daughter are not as serious and concerned as you are.Weren't you concerned about Xue'e when you planned it for her? Song Yixiao asked in retort, It's you who remind me of this!Okay, okay, okay! I will take care of it! I'm so afraid of your seriousness! chuckled Yuan Xuepei.Zhiqin isn't married yet! Song Yixiao looked at him with a spurious smile and then continued, You should be afraid when she doesn't have a happy life in the future!With the good relationship between our families, and also for Xubai, how can I lie to you! Yuan Xuepei reassured her.At the end of the fourth lunar month, the wedding ceremony of Zhiqin and Yuan Mao would be held in the manor where Lu Guanlun recuperated. She begged Jian Xubai for a few days to attend the wedding, but Jian Xubai only reminded her, Since you have buried the hatchet with Xuepei, why do you keep up with Lu Guanlun and Xue'e so frequently and make him worried? With this, she only wrote a letter and entrusted Zhiqin to Yuan Xue'e, letting her take good care of Zhiqin. She finally didn't go over in person.After all, trying every means to arrange for Zhiqin was to avoid the possibility of getting Zhiqin involved after the Crown Prince lost. If she paid much attention to the girl now, it might get in her way later on.A few days later, Yuan Xue'e wrote back. She said, according to her observation, Yuan Mao treated his wife very well. He was concerned about Zhiqin every day and was very considerate. Zhiqin was also very satisfied with Yuan Mao.After reading the letter, Song Yixiao chose two stewards who hadn't shown up much from her trusted men. She asked them to disguise as passing merchants and go to the manor of Lu Guanlun and Xue'e to make inquiries. What they reported was the same as Yuan Xue'e said. With that, Song Yixiao was finally relieved.Zhiqin's thing was settled, and she could let it go for the time being. But Ms. Zhao's came next.Not long ago, a man of Jian Xubai took back a piece of news. The You Family was now settled in a town 400 km away from the capital. Although the You Family was totally unfamiliar with the place and the people, with the financial aid of Duke of Yan's mansion in secret, as well as the simple local people, it soon settled down.Ms. Zhao also entrusted that man to bring some hand-made needlework to Song Yixiao.It seems that the departure of Ms. Zhao and the others is not that bad. At least in the future, if the Crown Prince loses, the new emperor will not be so narrow as to vent his anger on those who are no longer in the imperial capital, right? At the thought of that Ms. Zhao's family had started a new life in a new place, and Zhiqin also had a lifelong support, Song Yixiao felt the burden of years had finally been laid down. She only felt unspeakable easiness and joy.She wanted to repay and compensate these two people no matter in her previous life and this life. Arranging them properly was much more important than finding herself a good retreat for Song Yixiao.After all, the reason why she would have the idea of finding a way out was mainly because she was afraid that she entrusted a wrong person.Her husband's failure of participating in the battle for the throne might involve her in. However, Song Yixiao thought if the current relationship between them was maintained, one day, she would not care about sharing weal and woe with him.It was the fifth lunar month now. The weather was getting hotter and the court had begun preparations to avoid summer heat.For the Jian Family, there was one more thing in the fifth lunar month. The birthdays of Jian Likuang and Jian Limiao were on the 15th day of that month.The two brothers were twins, and their birthdays were on the same day. However, they had already lived apart, and they wouldn't celebrate it together, which meant that the juniors had to go to two places that day.Anyway, they were both in the capital and there were also carriages. It was okay for the youth to run around. However, when that day finally came, Song Yixiao realized that it was a tough job to celebrate the twins' birthdays!One word could describe Jian Limiao's birthdayquiet.He didn't have a wife or any children. And he didn't like to socialize, so he had few speaking acquaintances. He only had two nephews and one niece in the imperial capital. Even Commandery Princess Qingjiang and the couple of Earl Shouchun came over, as well as his colleagues and subordinates, the long-silent courtyard still lingered with desolation.The couple of Earl Shouchun and Jian Yimian came along with their children. The happy laughter of kids at play in the hallway did not add much excitement to his birthday, but set off the whole yard bleak.The one who embarrassed the juniors was Jian Likuang, who was elder than Jian Limiao. The juniors came to Jinguo Grand Princess's mansion to celebrate first. However, after arriving and sitting there for a long time, Jinguo Grand Princess finally came out with surprise, What's wrong? Why are you all here today?Everyone was rendered speechless.Jinguo Grand Princess had already forgotten the birthday of her husband!What was more terrible was that not only did she forget, Jiayue, who served her around and was responsible for reminding her of such things, also forgot. Now, Jiayue was standing aside with a look of astonishment. Her expression showed one meaning, I'm ready for the next bad news, just say it.The fruit here is especially sweet! The hall had been silent for a while, but Jinguo Grand Princess and Jiayue still didn't react. Seeing that the Princess was about to ask questions again, Commandery Princess Qingjiang showed resourcefulness in an emergency and pulled the fruit plate not far away over, saying, Is it specially selected for Father's birthday? It tastes very different from usual!Now it was the turn of Jinguo Grand Princess and Jiayue to look at each other in speechless despair!After a while, Jinguo Grand Princess coughed dryly, Prince of Yi passed away a few months ago. Likuang was very sad about that. He said that he would not celebrate this year's birthday, but sorry I forgot to inform you guys. No wonder that you all come here today. I just didn't react just now!Obviously, her words showed that she decided not to celebrate Jian Likuang's birthday!Commandery Princess Qingjiang never expected that her mother would embarrass her stepfather like this. When Jinguo Grand Princess remarried to the Jian Family, Commandery Princess Qingjiang was going to get married. So, her relationship with her stepfather was neither cold nor warm. She felt sympathy for her stepfather now. Mother, we are not here for the banquet. We come here mainly to congratulate my father. Besides, I heard that Uncle Limiao has held a banquet. We are all here, so why not hold a family feast like what you did before? Everyone will have a good time then.Jinguo Grand Princess had made up her mind of not celebrating the birthday. Now, she was appreciating her nails' polish which was painted just now, and saying without even raising her head, Your uncle Limiao is not Prince of Yi's brother-in-law. So Prince of Yi's death has nothing to do with him. Of course, he can hold a banquet. As for Likuang, he is really not in the mood!Song Yixiao thought, Even if my father-in-law is in the mood, your words may disappoint him!However, even her own daughter, Commandery Princess Qingjiang, failed to persuade her, Song Yixiao wouldn't go to mediate, especially Jian Likuang didn't treat Jian Xubai well. What she could do at the time was to be a looker-on and enjoy the tea quietly.So after Jinguo Grand Princess said so, no one spoke, including Jian Yimian, the eldest legitimate daughter of her first husband. Finally, it was Jian Yiyou, who was obviously holding back the anger, stood up and said coldly, I'm going to give Father a kowtow!Jiayue, go to find Likuang. Realizing that Jian Yiyou was angry, Jinguo Grand Princess put down her hand, slowed down her tone and said gently, Yiyou, calm down. I can rarely see your father these two days. What if I do if he is not here when I hold a banquet?Mother, you rarely see Father at usual, right? Jian Yiyou was in a bad mood, and couldn't help but sarcastically say, The musician with the surname Qiao in the mansion has seen you more often than Father!Although what he said was correct, as her son, he shouldn't say that. Even though Jinguo Grand Princess had long been accustomed to rumors, her face still froze at this moment!Yiyou, watch your language! Commandery Princess Qingjiang frowned and scolded, How can you be so confused? Apologize to Mother, Now!Jian Yiyou also realized what he said was rude after uttering his words. He pursed his lips, and followed Commandery Princess Qingjiang's words, standing up first and then kneeling down to Jinguo Grand Princess. He lowered his head and said, Mother, sorry for my rudeness! I'm willing to be punished!It's my fault. Jinguo Grand Princess was always tolerant to her children. Although she felt upset at the moment, she just waved her hand and sighed, You get up! I'll let someone arrange the family feast!But there are no preparations for the time being. Why don't you go to your uncle for a lunch first, and then come here at night? She continued.Commandery Princess Qingjiang was afraid that the mother and son had another conflict, so she took the lead to agree hurriedly.Therefore, everyone went to Jian Limiao's mansion for a quiet and unpleasant lunch, and then entered the Grand Princess's mansion in the evening. The mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers, which added atmosphere of celebrating a birthday. Yet, when Jian Likuang came out, he held a long face, as if someone important had just died, not like a birthday person at all!No one was curious about that. The birthday banquet could be held because his son got furious. Jian Likuang must be overwhelmed by anger now!In this condition, the atmosphere of the banquet could be imagined. Under the cover of singing and dancing, everyone smiled and congratulated Jian Likuang, and forced themselves to create a lively and joyful scene.Finally, when Jinguo Grand Princess left, Jian Likuang jumped up without saying a word, kicked the desk over in public and walked away!The splashing dish juice spilled on Commandery Princess Qingjiang and Jian Yiyou, who were sitting not far away. The dancer and musicians in the hall were so scared that they stopped subconsciously. In a dead silence, Commandery Princess Qingjiang accepted the maid's handkerchief with a poker face. After wiping her face carefully, she said calmly, It's late at night. Time to go home!
