Hua Xi Wan had just finished dressing when Yan Jinqiu walked in from outside. Because of the snowflakes, there was a small wet patch on his shoes. Seeing this, Hua Xi Wan had the servant girls take out shoes for Yan Jinqiu to change into. She brought a cup of warm tea to Yan Jinqiu, "Today isn't court, why have you come back so early?"
Yan Jinqiu was helped by Mutong to change into a pair of shoes. After waving his hand for the others to leave, he took a sip of hot tea and said, "Today, the Emperor fainted from anger because of the case that Dali Monastery is investigating."
With a son like this, it wouldn't be logical if he didn't faint a few times a year.
Even though she thought so inside, Hua Xi Wan still had some concern on her face, "What did the Imperial Physician say?"
"What else could he say, it was just anger attacking his heart." Yan Jinqiu saw Hua Xi Wan's grand attire and remembered that Hua Xi Wan was going back to the marquis fu to visit his mother-in-law and mother-in-law. He said, "The snow outside is lighter. I will accompany you to visit the two elders. Even though today isn't the taitai's birthday, as a grandchild, it is appropriate to go celebrate. Also, it has been many days since I played chess with Mount Tai daren."
"Alright," Hua Xi Wan said with a smile, "A few days ago, mother told me that ever since father played chess with you, he started to dislike the chess skills of my two brothers. Today, if you go, you can finally relieve father's addiction to chess."
When the wang ye and wang fei went out, even if everything was simple, in the eyes of other people, there was still some fanfare. Fortunately, the common people in Jing were used to the imperial family walking around and the nobility being as numerous as dogs. When they encountered the luxurious procession that appeared in the snow, they just gossiped behind each other's backs.
"I heard that in order to curry favor with Xian Wang Fei, Xian Wang once gave her a fist-sized luminous pearl. That is a rare item."
"Nonsense, my family has a distant relative who works in a certain Imperial Family fu. I heard that Xian Wang Fei doesn't like luminous pearls at all, so the gifts that are sent to Xian Wang Fei all avoid items like luminous pearls."
"I also heard of this. What luminous pearl, such a tacky thing. Would a peerless beauty like Xian Wang Fei like it?"
A group of common people on the streets imagined the lifestyle of the Imperial Family.... In their imaginations, people like Wang Ye Wang Fei was different from normal people in every aspect. Also, Xian Wang had a reputation for elegance. For him to favor Xian Wang Fei so much, she definitely was not a gaudy woman with only looks.
Even though there was a charcoal stove in the large carriage, Hua Xi Wan still felt slightly cold. When she lifted the curtain slightly, she felt the cold wind enter the carriage. She moved closer to Yan Jinqiu and exhaled a breath of cold air. She adjusted her wide sleeved palace robe with fox fur and said, "The weather is getting colder."
"I wonder what the harvest will be like next year." Yan Jinqiu frowned. "The weather is so cold and the ground is frozen. I don't know how poor people will survive the winter."
"The weather in Jing in winter is like this every year. Fortunately, some prestigious families will give rice and porridge in winter, or give thick winter clothing to poor families. Otherwise, the common people will not have good days." What Hua Xi Wan did not say was that under the Emperor's rule, the common people did not have to worry too much about freezing or starving to death. The ones who really suffered were the cold and remote places. The sky was high and the Emperor was far away. Who knew how much of the money the Ministry of Revenue gave out each year fell into the hands of those who truly needed it.
Hua Xi Wan did not say this, but it did not mean that Yan Jinqiu had not thought of it. But their identities were not suited to consider such a problem. Presently, the Imperial Family of Dazhao was showing signs of chaos.
The Emperor was old, and had changed from a wise ruler to a suspicious, headstrong, and muddle-headed ruler. The harem had difficulty producing children, and the Crown Prince was muddle-headed and absurd. If this continued, the court of Dazhao would undoubtedly be in chaos. At that time, the ones who would suffer the most would be the innocent common people.
Although the old Hua matriarch lived with the third son of the Hua family, this birthday banquet was still hosted by Hua Hesheng, the legitimate son of the family, at the marquis fu. No matter how the relationship between the three Hua family brothers was, in the eyes of outsiders, they were still brothers. If they made an ugly scene, it would just be another joke for others to see.
Fortunately, the three brothers appeared to be harmonious on the surface. In addition, although Hua Zhi Xun was the son of a second wife, he had a certain degree of talent in literature and was a very reasonable person. Therefore, there was no big conflict between him and the two brothers of the first wife. As for the quarrel between the women in the back of the house, in the eyes of the men, it was completely not a small matter worth mentioning.
Although the marquis fu had long made it clear that because it was not the old Hua matriarch's birthday, there would not be a big celebration, many people in the capital gave face and sent gifts over, giving enough face to the Fahrenheit family.
For example, the Zhang family, the Lu family, and the Yao family, these in-laws, all personally came to celebrate the old Hua matriarch's birthday. The old Hua matriarch's maternal family, the Luo family, was a small aristocratic family. This kind of opportunity to curry favor with the Hua family was not easily missed. Therefore, early in the morning, the matriarch of the Luo family, who was the old Hua matriarch's niece-in-law, came to the marquis fu to accompany the old Hua matriarch, laughing and singing, making the old Hua very happy.
However, Madam Luo also knew her identity. In addition, the old Hua matriarch was only the old marquis's second wife. The current head of the Hua family was the eldest son of the first wife. Therefore, she did not use her identity as the old Hua matriarch's maternal family to do anything impolite. She flattered the three Hua family brothers in every way, and was not biased towards anyone.
The old Hua matriarch was also satisfied with this aspect of her. She was sensible, smart, and tight-lipped. Therefore, of the womenfolk in her maternal family in recent years, the one she saw the most was this niece-in-law.
"Old Madam, Xian Wang and Xian Wang Fei have arrived." A young servant girl came to report with a face full of joy. "I heard that they have already arrived at the gate."
"It's snowing so heavily, why did these two children come? Didn't we say not to celebrate the birthday? What if they catch a cold?" Although the old Hua matriarch's mouth was reproachful, the smile on her face was very obvious. Hua Xi Wan was not her biological granddaughter, but she was still willing to bring Xian Wang to celebrate her birthday on such a snowy day. She had given enough face.
"Aunt, you can't say that. Who in Jing doesn't know that Xian Wang and Xian Wang Fei are filial people. They came in such a heavy snow to celebrate your birthday. That is their filial piety. How can you reproach them because of concern? Isn't this hurting the children's hearts?" Luo Taitai's words were very beautiful. She didn't just praise Jin Wang and Jin Wang Fei as filial children, she praised the old Hua matriarch as a loving old person who cared for the younger generation.
The young master of the Zhang Family, who had come from a side branch, also said a few words. However, his identity was slightly awkward, so after a few words, he did not speak. His furen was not a person good with words, so when the two of them sat in the hall, they seemed to be invisible.
The second wife of the Hua Family, Jang, was not very warm towards her adopted younger brother and sister-in-law. In her view, this adopted younger brother was not worthy of her attention. If it wasn't for the face of her maternal family, she probably wouldn't even look at the husband and wife.
Now that she heard that Xian Wang and Xian Wang Fei had arrived, Jang's expression was slightly complicated. Hua Xi Wan had saved her daughter, but she had cut off the path that she had arranged for her son. Therefore, she could not be grateful to Hua Xi Wan.
The Lu Clan did not care about these things. They turned and led their daughter-in-law to the second gate to welcome their daughter. Everyone present also followed them out. Who here had a higher status than Xian Wang and Xian Wang Fei?
When they reached the second gate, they saw from afar a group of maidservants escorting a few people in. The ones leading the way were the two brothers, Hua Changbao and Hua Ding Wei.
"Mother." When Hua Xi Wan saw the Lu Clan, she quickened her steps. As a result, the snowy floor was slippery and she stumbled. If not for Yan Jinqiu's quick reflexes, she would have fallen to the ground.
"Be careful." Yan Jinqiu reached out to straighten her skirt. "It's snowing. If you fall, you'll be in pain for a few days."
Hua Xi Wan coughed dryly and adjusted the hair ornament in her hair. "I know."
The Lu Clan smiled as she watched the interaction between her daughter and son-in-law. After the two of them stood still, she stepped forward and said, "How old are you? You're still walking so recklessly."
"Greetings to mother-in-law." Yan Jinqiu respectfully made a junior's bow. The Lu Clan supported him and said, "Son-in-law doesn't have to be so courteous. It's snowing outside. Let's go in and talk."
Everyone exchanged greetings and returned greetings before they finally returned to the main hall. Yan Jinqiu refused the Lu Clan's request to sit at the head of the table and sat with Hua Xi Wan on the first and second seats on the left.
When the others saw that Yan Jinqiu was very respectful to the Lu Clan, as though he was a normal son-in-law to his mother-in-law, they sighed inside. It was much better to raise a capable daughter than to raise a troublesome boy. Look at Xian Wang, someone of such status, treating his parents-in-law with such respect. It was clear how much he valued Hua Xi Wan as his wang fei.
Seeing the situation, the Jang couldn't help but look at her withered daughter sitting next to her. She felt anger and unspeakable envy. She couldn't help but show it on her face. Only after being coldly glared at by her husband, Hua Zhiming, did she control her emotions.
Because of her daughter's failed marriage, she and her husband had been living in separate rooms. Her son and daughter had become much colder to her. It was fine if her daughter didn't understand her, but she had done everything for her son. Why was it that in the end, even her son didn't understand her?
The Jang didn't understand and wasn't satisfied. Seeing the deep love between the Lu Clan husband and wife, the harmonious family, and the filial children, the dissatisfaction in her heart was like a prairie fire that couldn't be extinguished.
After Hua Xi Wan appeared, the adopted son and his wife became even more cautious. Zhang Furen was so nervous she didn't know where to put her hands and feet. When Hua Xi Wan asked her, she stammered, "No, no wang fei, everything is fine at home."
"That's good. Marquis Zhang is a rare noble person, and Old Furen is a virtuous person. It is the best that the two elders are healthy." Hua Xi Wan saw Zhang Furen's uneasiness and said a few words in a gentle tone before changing the topic to someone else.
She heard that this adopted child was the second son of a cadet branch of the Zhang Family. Now it seemed that this couple was more cautious than a proper noble family's young master and madame. However, they seemed to be two honest people. For the two elders of the Zhang Family, this was a good thing. At least there would be someone to take care of them in their later years.
"Right, I heard that second jiejie's marriage has been set. Which family is so fortunate to be able to marry someone as fortunate as second jiejie?" Hua Xi Wan and Hua Chu Yu were closer, so after exchanging pleasantries, she asked about her paternal family.
Hearing this, the members of the Yao Clan said smugly, "It is the eldest son of the Lin Family of the Marquis of Hewen. I heard that he is a child that strives for success."
The Lin Family of the Marquis of Hewen?
Wasn't that the maternal family of the Empress's younger sister-in-law?
She did not have a good impression of the Fang Family. The younger brother of the Empress, Fang Cheng De, was not a good person in her eyes. She had seen Lin shi a few times. She seemed to have a gentle personality, but they did not have any private interactions and did not know what kind of person she was.
The eldest son of the Marquis of Hewen was asking to marry Hua Chu Yu?
The smile on Hua Xi Wan's face did not change, but she became suspicious inside. She hoped that she was not thinking too much.
"Lin Zheng De is a proper person," Hua Changbao suddenly spoke from the side, "I heard that he will participate in the spring examinations next year. He is a person that strives for success."
The Lin Family had a third-rank noble title in Jing. Even though it was not a very prominent family in Jing, if one did not consider the problems of the Imperial Court, it was not bad for second tangmei to marry into the Lin Family.
Hearing this, Hua Chu Yu smiled. She did not appear to be very curious about Lin Zheng De's fiancé. Instead, she changed the topic, "Meimei, why are you teasing me? I haven't seen you in a while. You have become more mischievous."
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