Mrs. Xiao Zhao smiled and pulled Ning He to sit on the beauty's couch. She looked sideways at her and asked softly: "Are you really interested in the boss and you want me to pay for you?"
Ning He lowered her head with a guilty conscience, not daring to look at her mother. She had already spent more than eight thousand taels of silver this month, and now she came to ask for more money. She was afraid that her mother would blame her.
But she really liked the appearance of Zhenbao Pavilion... Ning Wei hesitated for a while, then took courage and nodded sheepishly.
Mrs. Xiao Zhao raised her hand and pinched the tip of Ning He's nose, and said dotingly: "What's the matter? Are you shy? Why are you so shy about asking grandma for money? Tell grandma how much silver is needed?"
Mrs. Xiao Zhao's tone made Ning He's thoughts arouse. He raised his head to look at Mrs. Xiao Zhao and said softly: "Twelve thousand taels."
Mrs. Xiao Zhao rubbed Ning He's head and said with a smile: "It's a small thing, just wait, I'll have someone get it for you."
After saying that, Mrs. Zhao raised her head and said to Jin Zhu: "Go and get the twenty thousand taels of silver notes."
After Jin Zhu left, Ning He looked at Mrs. Zhao and asked, "Mom, you didn't even ask which bank your daughter bought it from? Why is it so expensive?"
Mrs. Xiao Zhao raised her hand and smoothed Ning He's broken hair, and said with a smile: "It's just ten thousand taels of silver, what do you have to ask? Sister He has something she likes, and I'm happy for you."
After hearing this, Ning He happily threw herself into Mrs. Zhao's arms, "Auntie, you are so kind to He'er, He'er feels so good."
Mrs. Zhao smiled and hugged Ning He, and replied with a smile: "Silly girl, you are my daughter, if I am not good to you, who should I be good to?
Our family has no shortage of money, so you can buy whatever you like. If we don’t have enough money, come and ask for it from my mother-in-law."
Ning He was in a good mood. He put his arms around Mrs. Zhao's neck and said, "Thank you so much, grandma, I am so happy to be your daughter! Grandma, the day after tomorrow is a banquet hosted by Duke Chengguo, and my daughter will wear a new headdress to attend the banquet.
"
Mrs. Xiao Zhao straightened Ning He upright and joked with a smile: "Girls like their appearance to please themselves. Who is Sister He going to wear it for?"
Ning He lowered his head in shame and softly shouted: "Auntie! You are evil!"
When Mrs. Zhao saw Ning He's face turning red to her ears, she lowered her head and pressed it against Ning He's head.
He whispered: "What girl is not pregnant? What is there to be shy about? Is it because of that person that Sister He is looking forward to the banquet at Chengguo Duke's Mansion?"
Ning He's face turned redder, and after a moment, he nodded slightly, "Yeah!"
Mrs. Xiao Zhao straightened up and asked softly: "Aniang understands that Chengguo Palace is Shizi's maternal home. He will definitely attend the banquet in the future. He'er must seize the opportunity, and Aniang will also look for opportunities to meet Mrs. Hou."
say something."
He'er likes Shi Jingyang, and he has to do it, so she will try her best to make He'er happy.
Ning He blushed with embarrassment, but his heart was full of joy. He lowered his head and replied, "Okay, He'er listen to grandma!"
When Mrs. Zhao saw her daughter blushing to her ears, she knew she was shy.
The more this happens, the more Mrs. Zhao hates Mrs. Qian. If the old man hadn't ruined the engagement, why would she be in such trouble?
Mrs. Zhao asked tentatively: "He'er, how about we find another marriage?"
Ning He raised his head and looked at Mrs. Zhao, and asked in astonishment: "Why? Auntie, what do you mean by this? Did something happen?
Didn’t you say that there is a marriage contract between our family and the Weiyuan Marquis’s family? Isn’t it certain that our daughter will marry into the Weiyuan Marquis’ family? Why should we look for another marriage?”
Mrs. Zhao didn't want to see her daughter disappointed, so she said with a smile: "Nothing happened, I just wanted to see how much Prince Shi holds in He'er's heart."
Ning He breathed a sigh of relief, patted his chest and said, "Auntie, you scared He'er. He'er doesn't care. He'er won't marry anyone other than Shi Shishi in this life."
"Yes, yes, yes, grandma knows. You are really shameless, girl. If your words get out, you will make people laugh!" Mrs. Zhao scolded with a smile, her tone was extremely doting.
Jin Zhu came in with the silver note and presented it.
Mrs. Xiao Zhao handed the banknote to Ning He, "Here, hurry up and buy what you like."
Ning He took the banknote and thanked her: "Thank you so much, Mom, He'er is gone."
"Go, go, buy what you like." Mrs. Xiao Zhao warned.
Mrs. Zhao watched her daughter leave with her maid and mother-in-law, then turned to Jin Zhu and asked, "Where is the master? Are you back?"
Jinzhu shook his head and said: "Go back to my wife, the master has not come back yet."
Mrs. Zhao nodded, "If the master comes back, come and report!"
Jin Zhu bent her knees and responded, "Yes, I understand."
The next day, it was Mrs. Li's 40th birthday in the Chengguo Palace. Since it was the tenth birthday, the Chengguo Palace took it very seriously, and many people from the capital came to congratulate her.
After breakfast, Shi Jingyang and Shi Jingfan from Weiyuan Hou Mansion rode in front, while Madam Hou, Shi Jingxing, and Shi Jingchen followed in cars.
Together with a group of maids and servants who were accompanying them, the group headed to the Duke Chengguo's Mansion.
After the carriages and horses entered Zhenbao Street, their forward speed slowed down. Shi Jingchen stuck his head out of the car window and looked forward.
Seeing a long queue in front of her, she turned back and said to Shi Jingxing: "Sister, we are late, there is a long queue in front of us."
Shi Jingchen, the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Weiyuan, had a very out-of-touch temperament.
Shi Jingxing smiled and said: "On my aunt's birthday today, there will naturally be a lot of people coming to congratulate her. It doesn't matter if we wait."
Shi Jingchen stuck his head out again, looked around for a while, then retracted his head and sat upright, "Sister, my aunt likes peace and quiet and is most afraid of trouble. Why do you invite so many people to celebrate your birthday this time?"
Shi Jingxing glanced at Wu Jingchen and said softly: "Both cousins have reached the age of discussing marriage..."
Shi Jingchen looked clear, "Oh, I understand. This banquet is not only to celebrate my aunt's birthday, but also to choose a wife for my two cousins, and to choose a son-in-law for my cousin..."
Having said this, Shi Jingchen paused for a moment, looked at Wu Jingxing with a gossipy face, and said, "Sister, isn't Sister Yi your brother Xinyue?"
Shi Jingxing raised his hand and raised his index finger to his mouth, and whispered: "Ah Chen, be careful what you say! If my brother hears you, you will be punished."
Shi Jingchen stuck out his tongue, lifted the curtain and looked outside, and then whispered: "Brother is in front, so he probably didn't hear you."
Shi Jingxing whispered: "Brother's hearing is amazing, we still have to be careful."
Shi Jingchen nodded, "Thank you, sister, I understand. Does my mother-in-law also know about sister Yi's Xinyue brother?"
Shi Jingxing shook his head, "I don't know, but Sister Yi acted so obviously, so my mother should know."
Shi Jingchen became even more curious, and whispered to Shi Jingxing: "Mother knows, my aunt and grandmother don't know, right?
My aunt and the others knew clearly that Sister Yi liked her brother, so they chose a good wife for her. Now that Sister Yi knows, don't you feel sad?"
Shi Jingxing sighed, "The problem is that my brother's attitude is unclear.
Think about it, we all see that Sister Yi is happy with her brother. He is such a smart person, how can he not understand?
My brother has also reached the age of marriage proposal. If he has thoughts about Sister Yi, will he not let his mother come to propose marriage?"
Shi Jingchen thought about it and nodded, "Sister, what you said makes sense! So, my brother has no such thoughts towards Sister Yi."
Shi Jingxing shook his head, "You can't say that. Mother said that men become sensible late. Maybe my brother is still thinking about establishing a career and hasn't thought about starting a family yet."
Shi Jingchen nodded, "It is very likely that my brother is the heir apparent and will be the head of our Weiyuan Marquis Mansion in the future, so he will naturally focus on establishing his career.
Last time I heard from my brother that he was going to take the martial arts exam next year and he might want to concentrate on preparing for the exam.
Even if we discuss marriage, we should wait until after the martial arts examination."
Shi Jingxing nodded, "That should be the case."
Shi Jingchen continued: "I really hope that Sister Yi can become our sister-in-law. If that is the case, we will know everything about it, and there will be no conflict between sister-in-law and mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in our family."
Shi Jingxing smiled and poked Shi Jingchen's head, "You really think far ahead."
"That's right. Sister, don't you want Sister Yi to be our sister-in-law?"
Shi Jingxing smiled and whispered: "I hope, but what is the use of our hope? It must be liked by my brother.
In our family, the marriage of an elder brother is a big deal. In addition to the wishes of the father and mother, it also depends on the wishes of the empress and the prince.
In a word, our brother's marriage is beyond our control.
Whoever our brother marries in the future will be our sister-in-law.
The eldest brother is like father, and the eldest sister-in-law is like mother. We respect our brothers and we also respect our sisters-in-law. Do you understand?"
As a woman who grew up in a big family, she has been influenced by her eyes and ears since she was a child, so she understands some things at a glance.
Shi Jingchen nodded, "Yes, I understand!"
Shi Jingxing continued to warn: "So, you should be more restrained in front of Sister Yi. Don't be smart and say things you shouldn't say or do things you shouldn't do."
Shi Jingchen nodded, "Thank you, sister, I understand."
At the door of Duke Chengguo's mansion, Wu Erlin, the eldest son of Duke Chengguo, led a group of nephews and nephews from the Wu family to greet him at the door.
Shi Jingyang saw her from a distance. He first reported to Mrs. Hou, got off his horse with Shi Jingfan, and stepped forward to greet her.
After a while of greetings, Wu Linxuan led Shi Jingyang and Shi Jingfan inside.
"Hello, Your Majesty, Ning Guangyan, here to congratulate you! This is the dog Ning Yang, brother Yang, come quickly to greet Your Majesty."
Shi Jingyang stopped and turned around to look over.
When Wu Mingxuan saw Shi Jingyang stop, he followed him and asked, "Qing'an, what's wrong?"
Wu Mingxuan followed Shi Jingyang's gaze and said, "That's Mr. Lang Ning, a member of the Ministry of Industry."
Shi Jingyang nodded and said, "I know, I recognize it."
Shi Jingfan took over and said, "Brother is good friends with Lord Ning's second son Ning Yu."
Wu Mingxuan said "Oh" and said, "Yes, Mr. Ning doesn't go out often. I forgot. Since we all know each other, how about we wait and go in together."
Shi Jingyang walked inside, expressionless as he walked, "No, I'm not familiar with it!"
Wu Mingxuan was puzzled, "Huh? Not familiar? Qing'an, aren't you on good terms with Mr. Ning?"
Shi Jingfan knew something about Ning Mansion, so he followed Shi Jingyang as he walked in, turned to Wu Mingxuan and said, "Cousin, Ning Mansion. My brother is only familiar with Mr. Ning, not the other people in Ning Mansion."
Wu Mingxuan looked at Shi Jingyang and echoed without knowing why, "Oh, let's go then."
Ning Yang turned around and saw Shi Jingyang in front, and said to Ning Guangyan: "Dad, in front of me are people from Weiyuan Hou Mansion."
Ning Guangyan came to the banquet today with a mission. Last night, Mrs. Zhao talked to him for a long time.
In order for Ning He to marry into the Weiyuan Hou Mansion, he had to talk to the people from the Weiyuan Hou Mansion at all costs.
It is best for this person to be with Marquis Weiyuan. If not Marquis Weiyuan, the Crown Prince of Weiyuan Marquis can also do it, so that outsiders can see the close relationship between the two houses.
Ning Guangyan was a little frightened when he struck up a conversation with Marquis Weiyuan and was not very happy.
But she couldn't resist Mrs. Zhao, so she had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Seeing that the person in Weiyuan Mansion was Shi Jingyang himself, Ning Guangyan's mood immediately improved. He turned to Ning Yang and said, "Hurry up, let's follow Shi Shizi."
Shi Jingyang was on good terms with Ning Yu, and Ning Guangyan met Shi Jingyang several times in the house. Therefore, Ning Guangyan consciously included Shi Jingyang as an acquaintance.
As he spoke, Ning Guangyan quickened his pace and shouted in a loud voice as he walked: "Hello, Prince Shi."
When Shi Jingfan heard the shouting from behind, he turned to look at Shi Jingyang and said, "Brother, they seem to be very ignorant! What should I do?"
Shi Jingyang slowed down his pace, turned to look at Ning Guangyan and his son, and said softly: "Someone comes to your door to feel uncomfortable. What can you do? Continue!"
Shi Jingfan said with a smile: "Okay, let's continue, brother, look at me."
Shi Jingyang nodded slightly, "Okay!"
Wu Mingxuan didn't know what the two of you were going to do, so he asked: "What do you want me to do?"
Shi Jingfan looked at his cold-faced brother and said to Wu Mingxuan, "No need to do anything, just watch from the side."
Wu Mingxuan leaned towards Shi Jingfan and asked in a low voice: "Master Ning, did you offend Qing'an?"
Shi Jingfan wanted to reply, but saw the Ning family father and son walking up, looking at Ning Guangyan and Ning Yang with half-smiles, without saying anything, and motioned to Wu Mingxuan to look first and stop talking.
Wu Mingxuan was the host. When he saw Ning Guangyan and Ning Yang, he first bowed his hands and bowed in greeting.
As soon as they greeted them, the guests who came in from behind followed suit, and for a while, the road was blocked.
Wu Mingxuan hurriedly led everyone forward: "Let's go inside, sit down in the banquet hall and say, don't be stuck here."
Everyone nodded, "Okay!"
Ning Guangyan walked beside Shi Jingyang naturally, and said without saying anything: "It's been a long time since I saw the prince go to the mansion to play? How is the prince doing lately?"
Ning Guangyan did this deliberately to make outsiders think that Shi Jingyang was on good terms with the Ning family.
Shi Jingyang turned his head to look at Ning Guangyan, nodded and said: "I haven't been to the house for a few days, I'm fine..."
Shi Jingfan didn't wait for Shi Jingyang to finish speaking, and took over the words, "Didn't my brother just go visit Ning Er the day before yesterday? Why haven't you been to Ning's Mansion for so long?"
Shi Jingyang looked back at Shi Jingfan, his eyes full of smiles. This younger brother was really sensible and knew how to pass him the ladder.
"I went to see Yingzhe. But now Yingzhe doesn't live in Ning Mansion, but in Xu Mansion on Baoping Lane."
"Huh?" Wu Mingxuan looked confused and asked curiously: "Why doesn't Mr. Ning live in Ning Mansion? Instead, live in Baoping Lane?"
This was the first time Wu Mingxuan heard about this matter. Based on his intuition, there was a story here.
