Today is the wedding banquet of Liu Jian, the eldest grandson of Grand Secretary Liu.
Grand Secretary Liu was highly respected and had once served as the tutor of Prince of Jin. After returning to the capital, the emperor required Prince of Jin to study like other princes of the same age, and Liu Jian became Prince of Jin's tutor.
Although this master-disciple relationship was short-lived, the ancients valued the saying "a teacher for a day is a father for life," and respected teachers. Therefore, when there was a happy occasion in the Liu family, the Prince of Jin was invited.
In fact, most of the high-ranking officials and dignitaries from the capital came.
Tang Zhuyun also arrived with Yanran.
Jiang Ruo waved to Yanran.
Yanran pretended not to see it.
She felt that she was still young and hadn't thought about relationships; moreover, given her temperament, she probably wouldn't be controlled by anyone in her life and would likely remain a disliked aunt in her parents' home forever.
However, if she were to fall in love, she would definitely be the type to act swiftly and decisively.
If it works, great; if not, let's part ways. No dragging things out.
She found Jiang Ruo a straightforward person, which suited her taste, but when it came to matters of the heart, she just wanted to roll her eyes.
Undoubtedly, she came to him again, crying and complaining about that "unspeakable" but actually just sentimental nonsense between her and Wen Heng.
Yanran didn't want to talk to her.
A resentful woman should not be tolerated, otherwise she will become even more bitter.
She was doing this for Jiang Ruo's own good, hoping she would realize her mistake and learn from Qu Hua.
--There are so many handsome older brothers, if one doesn't work out, move on to the next one!
Tang Zhuyun noticed this and nudged Yanran, saying, "I think Jiang Ruo is looking for you?"
I don't want to talk to her.
Tang Zhuyun: "... Are you having a tiff?"
"No."
As they were talking, Jiang Ruo couldn't wait any longer. She lifted her skirt and came over to find Yanran, her jade pendants jingling loudly, attracting the attention of everyone around.
Jiang Ruo didn't care about all that.
Forget about rules and regulations, she's lost her man now.
Yanran could only accompany Jiang Ruo out, listening to the latter's incessant nagging.
"Why would that young widow bring food to Wen Heng for no reason? She must have her eye on him!"
"And that dark-skinned girl who carries the melons on a shoulder pole to sell for her family gave Wen Heng an extra crooked melon. What does that mean?"
Yanran's head was throbbing from listening to this.
"What, now that you're no longer Wen Heng's wife, you're going to be his mother?"
Jiang Ruo stomped her foot in anger. "Can't you speak properly?"
"Won't."
Jiang Ruo: "... I simply can't let him go!"
"So you were the one who released them in the first place?"
Jiang Ruo: "I regret it, okay?"
"It's no use if I say yes, it has to be Wen Heng who says yes."
Jiang Ruo suddenly deflated, slumping against the railing and watching the koi carp splashing on the water's surface. "I'm going to find him..."
"Then what?"
He asked me what I needed, and I just said, "Nothing, I was just passing by."
Yanran: "... You really are a talent."
"I didn't come to you today so you could ridicule me," Jiang Ruo said. "I need your help!"
"How can I help? Knock Wen Heng unconscious and send him to your bed?"
It seems we need to consult Nanxing to get the timing right.
She was afraid that she might accidentally put the person into a permanent coma.
Jiang Ruo glared at her. "Rude!"
"Then why did you have to choose someone as rude as me?" Yanran rolled her eyes. "Can't you see how many men there are in the world? Why is it that you can't live without him? Does he have three eyes or something? Why is it that you can't live without him?"
That's outrageous.
"You little brat, you'll understand when you're older," Jiang Ruo said. "Seriously, isn't your brother studying at the Imperial Academy now?"
After returning to the capital, Linlin entered the Imperial Academy.
Tang Zhuyun didn't really understand this matter.
I've had VIP one-on-one tutoring since I was a child, taught by top-tier masters. Why would I want to take large group classes now?
Isn't that a waste of time?
The Prince of Jin spoke meaningfully, emphasizing the importance of the large number of people at the Imperial Academy.
Oh, so you went there to meet people.
So Linlin went to the Imperial Academy to report for duty, and now she works diligently from early morning to late at night.
Yanran hearing Jiang Ruo mention Linlin, Yanran immediately became alert. "What are you trying to do? If you try to interfere with my brother's affairs, I won't hesitate to turn my back on you."
"Your brother? You're overthinking it! Wen Heng is teaching at the Imperial Academy now!" Jiang Ruo's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Then what?"
"Aren't you going to bring your brother food and clothes? I'll go with you!"
Yanran: "I'm not going."
She couldn't stand the sound of reading aloud; it gave her a headache. Every time she saw the Imperial Academy, she had to walk two streets away to keep a safe distance.
"Go, go, for my happiness!"
Yanran: "Don't give me that."
Just then, Qu Hua, the last member of the trio, arrived.
"You've finally come out today," Yanran said.
Qu Hua's legs felt weak when she walked.
That bastard Mu Ziyu, he had to say something like, if I don't satisfy her, she'll be eyeing men all over again today.
The three sisters chatted amongst themselves for a while, then a maid announced that the feast was about to begin.
The three of them squeezed together to sit.
Jiang Ruo was curious about Qu Hua Mu Ziyu's relationship, and Qu Hua needed someone to confide in, so the two of them talked animatedly.
Qu Hua's complaint and Jiang Ruo's envy resulted in a surprisingly harmonious situation.
Yanran is more pragmatic.
While others were not eating properly, she was enjoying her meal immensely.
Especially since a whole roast chicken was served, everyone was afraid that tearing it apart would be unrefined, which made it a real treat for her.
Yanran tore off a chicken leg herself and ate it with Jinjin.
She's at the age where she's growing, and her mother said she should eat more meat!
Jiang'er handed over a handkerchief. "Princess, please wipe your hands."
"No need, I'll just go wash up after I finish eating," Yanran said nonchalantly.
Even after they'd finished the whole chicken leg, the two were still talking.
Yanran stood up and said, "I'm going to change."
However, after getting up, she saw Tang Zhuyun talking to Sangsang, so she went over to greet her.
Sangsang had a son at the end of the year before last, and now she has gained some weight.
But the rosy glow on her face was enough to prove that these things were not a burden for her.
Compared to younger men, the retired Grand Secretary Xu had already passed the age of having a "slender waist".
Sangsang stood up and bowed to Yanran.
Yanran smiled and said, "No need, no need. You should keep my mother company and talk to her. It's such a rare opportunity to meet her."
Sangsang rarely goes out.
This time, it was because Grand Secretary Xu and Grand Secretary Liu had a good relationship and had given prior notice, explaining that bringing a concubine out was not disrespectful, but rather because he was getting old and genuinely needed someone to accompany him... Grand Secretary Grand Secretary Liu understood and made special arrangements, which is how Sangsang got a place.
After Yanran left, Sangsang smiled and said, "Your Highness, in the blink of an eye, the Princess has grown up so much. I've heard so much about her beauty and I've been so eager to see her. Today I'm finally able to meet her."
"Charm, my foot!" Tang Zhuyun sighed, "It's more like a long list of misdeeds."
How could she have given birth to such a little tyrant?
Especially recently, there have been fights almost every day, and the gates of the Prince's Mansion are practically worn down by people filing complaints.
And they're still talking about marriage like this!
I'd better keep it myself.