The Li family had no officials in the court at that time, and they were about to become commoners within three generations. However, the old master did not hesitate and decided on the Li clan under pressure.

  Later, the family of Huai'an Marquis, who married Princess Jin'an, was exterminated, and the family of Jinnan Marquis, who married Princess Changzhou, was exiled and had their property confiscated... The meritorious nobles in the court were terrified and could not last for a day, thinking that even if they married the emperor's daughter, many noble families would still be exiled and exterminated. Under absolute power, even the most noble princess is useless.

  Chang Ning Bo is indeed a far-sighted and profound strategist.

  Li did not dare to use Li's identity to make a raft again, and turned to discuss the matter of Song Yan with Yu's mother.

  Song Chuyi had lunch in Old Lady Song's room, and Old Lady Song ordered the small kitchen to stew a bowl of black chicken soup with added codonopsis, angelica, and dried tangerine peel. The medicinal flavor mixed with the freshness of the soup hit her face.

  "You're not in good health, you should nourish yourself well." Huang's wife smiled and ladled a bowl of soup with a jade spoon for Song Chuyi: "This black chicken was just sent from the farm as a New Year's gift, but this year due to the plague, there were only twenty or so chickens, after distributing them among the different branches of the family, only three were left. The old lady ordered two to be taken to the main kitchen for the second master's return, and this one was specially kept for you."

  The old lady glared at her and said, "You talk too much." On the other hand, she urged Song Chuyi to finish drinking all the soup.

  Song Chuyi seemed to have something stuck in her throat, and after coughing several times, she managed to hold back her sobs and thanked him in a clear voice.

  Little Sun's daughter hung her head and didn't say a word, holding the jade bowl and drinking soup mouthful by mouthful. The old lady saw that tears were rolling down her eyes and falling into the jade bowl.

  After dinner, the lady spoke about the evening's welcoming banquet.

  "Originally prepared to have a big celebration, the British royal son and his wife happened to arrive at the right time. Today is already the 21st of the twelfth lunar month, and in three or five days, my third brother and his family will also return. My daughter-in-law thought that it would be better to wait until New Year's Eve to have a big celebration, when everyone is together it will be more lively. Let's just have dinner at home today..."

  This was indeed a reasonable thing, and Old Lady Song nodded her head, suddenly asking her: "I heard that you had a big blowout with several wives today?"

  The lady was taken aback, but after a moment's consideration, she readily acknowledged: "Although our family has always been kind to those under us, it's hard to guarantee that they won't harbor improper thoughts and disregard their master's words. Since last month, I've heard that the women at the second gate have developed a habit of gambling and drinking at night... A few sets of white porcelain bowls are missing from the kitchen, but who can investigate clearly? It's better to take this opportunity to discipline the people in the mansion, it's also a reminder for them to be diligent in their duties."

  Mrs. Song nodded: "A big family like ours is afraid of the roots rotting from below. How many troubles start from home? The previous Chengguo Gong..." She coughed here: "You did the right thing, just do this, take away their two months' worth of silver and rice, and exchange them for work in the outer courtyard."

  The outer courtyard wasn't anything special, just a place where the coarse laundry women washed clothes for the young masters and servants. The madam thought it was quite suitable, and she didn't have to play the villain herself, so she nodded in agreement with a hint of a smile on her lips.

  "Also said: 'The British public son's wife came with you to discuss the matter of going to Zhongyi General's mansion for a banquet, do you have any plans?'"

  Song Chuyi heard this and quickly raised her eyes to glance at the old lady.

  Zhongyi General's Mansion! Su Zhaohuai!

  The Su family's ancestors were also conferred as Zhongyi Marquis by Taizu himself, and the Su family relied on neither military merit nor imperial kinship, but solely because of the fact that Old Master Su Xian had provided a humble abode for Taizu to settle down in when he was down on his luck...

  Taizu cherished this kindness, and when the world was settled and rewards were given according to merit, he did not forget the Su family. He specially made Su Xin a Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness. The Su family developed from then on, and after hereditary demotions, it arrived at the current position of General of Loyalty and Righteousness.

  If Su's family can no longer produce talented people who serve as officials, they will soon become extinct.

  The old lady thought for a moment: "When did she say the day was set?"

  "On the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month." The madam smiled and replied, "I heard that on that day, the Princess of King Town South will also be going."

  These things didn't need to be avoided in front of younger generations anyway, so Song Chuyi listened openly and honestly.

  Among the aristocratic families, there are often various kinds of banquets with the intention of pulling relationships or asking for favors, and more importantly, taking advantage of the opportunity to find suitable boys and girls for their children's marriages.

  However, the number of banquets hosted by the elderly Mrs. Song has decreased significantly. She is of extremely high rank and one of only three remaining super-grade nobles, making her incredibly valuable. Even ordinary princesses and noble ladies must show deference to these elderly enfeoffed lords, nodding their heads in respect.

  Song Chuyi was a bit confused, if she didn't remember wrong, the last December 29th also had a gathering, but it wasn't at General Zhongyi's mansion, it was at King Zhen Nan's mansion...

  "Since the princess is also going, we might as well go too." Old Lady Song nodded and made a decision: "Bring Mei and Bin with us."

  Miss Song the Fourth and Miss Song the Fifth were fourteen and thirteen years old respectively, and had reached the age for marriage proposals.

  "Yes, then the daughter-in-law will send someone to communicate with the British princess." The old lady got up and said: "Today's banquet is set up in the rolling shed? It just so happens that all the narcissus flowers are in bloom, and a whole rolling shed is filled with them, which is very timely."

  The old lady had always liked elegance and refinement, and upon hearing this, she smiled: "It's a good place to go, I'm glad you thought of it. Let's settle on that then, but there's one thing, I don't like it too warm, so don't put too many warming pans, or else we won't be able to breathe."

  The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted for a while longer, discussing the possibility of hosting another banquet after the New Year, as a gesture of mutual respect.

  Song Chuyu took advantage of this opportunity to bid farewell and leave because he had to go welcome his father's younger brother.

  Xu's mother had been waiting for a long time, and when she returned, she hurriedly pulled her over and reminded her of many auspicious words to say when Song Yi came back.

  She paused for a moment, and then Xu's mother said with some surprise: "It's strange today, the second lady actually quarreled with the big madam... I don't know what medicine this one took."

  Song Chuyi smiled with pursed lips.

  Qing Tao looked deeply at Song Chuyi.

  She had already heard about Huang Yao sneaking into the bedroom last night and being punished for harming the green-robed red jade.

  Isn't this all a bit too coincidental?

  It seems that the madam's temperament has been calculated accurately. The madam loves her son as much as her life, and she knows that after her son goes to Qingzhou, it is inevitable that she will be worried and unhappy. - Moreover, this madam is not from a high-ranking family, so many things are inevitably revealed in her actions, such as intercepting Lin Hai who was originally going to pick up the second master.

  Li was most unbearable when people bullied Song Yi, and must stand up for Song Yi...

  The second lady got into a dispute with the first lady, and many things were no longer easy to handle.