Chapter 130: Birthday Party

  "Mu Qing" gazed at Shen Muqing with piercing eyes and said softly, "Someone recommended me to Zeng Ju!"

  Shen Mu Qing raised her head, looking at him with a bewildered expression like a small deer that had lost its way in the forest.

  Xiao Xiao's expression was calm, but she couldn't help holding her breath: "Mu Qing, someone recommended me to Zeng Ju. He wants to find a more skilled writer for the position of Zhishi. What do you think? Should I stay in the Five Armies Commander's Mansion or go to Gansu?"

  There is hope in his eyes, there is hesitation, there is anxiety... and also pain!

  In the flash of insight, Shen Mu Qing suddenly understood.

  This is a probe... Clever Xiao Xiao quickly sorted out her emotions and probed back.

  She couldn't help but take a closer look at him.

  Her tightly clenched fist, her slightly trembling lips, her stiff body... all told her of his waiting... his expectation...

  Shen Mu Qing lowered her eyelids.

  The rounded fingernails sank deeply into the palm without feeling any pain.

  "She slowly opened her mouth: 'I heard the old master say that Zeng Ju is a rare talent in a hundred years... You are still young now, and you have time and capital to fail...'"

  Xiao Xiao closed her eyes.

  He was afraid, afraid of seeing those eyes as clear as the wind and moon, afraid of seeing his own anxious reflection in her eyes, and even more afraid that he would not be able to bear to argue with her and let his despicable thoughts be exposed before her.

  What am I really yearning for?

  Are you going to drag her down with you?

  A thought flashed through his mind, and his heart suddenly felt a sharp pain!

  For one's own incompetence... For one's own powerlessness... For one's own inaction...

  That clear and crisp voice was like mercury, pouring into his heart like salt: "Gansu may be bitter, but you can learn a lot of useful things there... Military officers are not the same as civil officials, promotion and demotion depend on military merit, it's all about fighting with swords and knives. If you don't go to the front line, how can you be confident? You want to leave your name in history and be worshipped in the Temple of Heaven, don't you? The Great Zhou Dynasty doesn't confer titles without military achievements, you know that..."

  It turns out that extreme pain is numbness.

  The corners of Xiao Xiao's mouth lightly curled up.

  On this girl's body, I've tasted all the hatred, anger and resentment... One day, will she forget? Can she forget?

  The carved flower fan at the back of the carriage was lightly blown up like a silk, and the sleeves fluttered like a crane flying out of the sky...

  After worshiping the Kitchen God, it was New Year's Eve, and before you knew it, it had already arrived at the ninth day of the first month.

  Shen Muqing invited Wang Wenxu, Jiang Shuangrui, Liang Xihui, several of Feng's sisters-in-law, and Feng Danqing, Princess Fuhua, and several aunts to come over: "Although we can't have a big feast, at least come sit for a bit."

  During the New Year's period, there was another excuse for a gathering. Except for Feng Manor's eldest sister-in-law who had to entertain guests at home and Princess Fuhua who said she wasn't feeling well, everyone else arrived.

  Everyone gathered in the Treasured Pavilion, and after a while, Madame Feng left with several older sisters-in-law. The women of the same generation were having a lively time, playing cards, tossing cups, drinking wine, and having a great day.

  In the evening, Shen Muqing invited everyone to stay: "Tomorrow is You Hui's birthday, and we can't be partial."

  Wang Wenxi said, "As for the place to live, I've already taken care of it. It's in Yu Hui's new residence in Xinzhu, which is secluded and quiet, and we don't have to be under the eyes of our elders."

  Everyone who heard it was somewhat moved, except for two uncles and aunts who were a bit timid due to the decline of their family's fortunes; all the others stayed behind.

  Feng Youhui was unable to bear the night, Shen Muqing said good things and bad things, leaving her in Diecuiyuan, and moved with a group of concubines to Xinzhuyuan to fight for the signboard.

  She and Feng Jia's three elder sisters-in-law, five elder sisters-in-law, and an aunt named Liu together played cards, with Feng Wanqing sitting beside Shen Muqing watching. Normally, relatives playing cards rarely involved Shen Muqing; when she did join the card table, her movements were slow, but surprisingly, she had good luck, and before an hour was up, the table was already piled high with silver coins.

  Sanjie's sister-in-law was getting impatient and complained: "Mu Qing, can you hurry up?"

  Shen Mu Qing hummed softly, took out the card in his hand and put it back again, repeating this action several times before finally drawing a single card.

  The three others at the table were all anxious for her, and when they saw that she had made a good play, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

  "Seven tubes, nine locks, three tens of thousands" quickly came out and it was Shen Muqing's turn again.

  She shuffled a card and inserted it, came back and forth several times, then smiled and turned the card over: "Big Four Happiness."

  "Alas!" The three of them sighed and handed over the money.

  Sanjie's sister-in-law gave a glance at Wang Wenxian, who was standing aside directing the maids to serve tea and add coal.

  Wang Wenxian smiled and walked over to San Biao's side, sitting down on the embroidered stool: "San Biao's hand is so unlucky? Let me take a look."

  Just a few rounds had been played when Ding Xiang said: "Young Mistress, the cards at Old Madam's place are almost finished, do you want to go take a look?"

  Third Sister-in-law hastily grasped Wang Wenxu's hand: "Wait a minute, finish this round first before you go."

  Wang Wenxian hesitated for a moment: "Don't go... just need to instruct the kitchen to prepare supper for Madame..."

  "Why don't I go in place of Eldest Sister... She's been busy running around for the past few days, she should take a break and sit down!"

  Sixth sister hurriedly pulled Shen Muqing: "No way, you won and now you're leaving?"

  Shen Muqing immediately pulled Feng Wanqing over: "Or let Wanqing and I fight!"

  Third Sister-in-law gazed at the pile of silver coins in front of Shen Muqing and repeatedly said "good"

  Feng Wanqing had been subdued and humble all day in front of Shen Muqing, if it weren't for the fact that she was used to standing like this at home, she would have probably collapsed long ago.

  "No, no, no," Feng Wanqing gazed at that pile of silver coins and pushed it away, saying: "I, I won't play cards either!"

  "Can't play cards" San Biao's sister was eagerly waiting for Feng Wanqing to take the seat, and she changed her luck, "Can't play cards just told Mu Qing that it became a clear color, don't push it anymore, start dealing..."

  Feng Wanqing still hesitated for a moment.

  "Go ahead and hit me. I'll just win back the money that's been taken out, and neither of us will be sleeping tonight."

  Feng Wanqing didn't understand the temperament of her own sister-in-law, and not putting it on the table was just afraid of losing the lucky money won by Shen Muqing and getting blamed. Now that she got Shen Muqing's words, naturally there was nothing to worry about, and she smiled and sat down on the brocade stool that Shen Muqing had let out for her.

  "I'm not very good at this... sisters-in-law, please spare me."

  Third Aunt saw Shen Muqing and two maidservants walking out, her eyes rolled around, and she smiled: "You're all family, why bother saying two words."

  Feng Wanqing's face immediately turned red.

  Liu's sister-in-law rarely visited the Liang family unless it was a holiday or special occasion, and upon hearing this, she looked puzzled: "Who is considered one family with whom?"

  Third sister covered her mouth and smiled, just about to say something, when she saw Wang Wenxian lightly pinch her arm and laugh: "She's saying it's fun, everyone play cards, play cards!"

  Sixth sister looked at these two people with raised eyebrows and felt that there was a problem, pulled Third Sister's sleeve: "Quickly say, what is it?"

  San Biao's gaze swept across Feng Wanqing's bright red face and smiled: "Nothing, nothing!"

  Liu's sister-in-law looked at Feng Wanqing with some suspicion.

  Feng Wanqing felt very uneasy and constrained.

  "There's no one else here," Wu Ye's sister-in-law, who had been silent until now, gazed at Feng Wanqing with a smile and said softly: "After the New Year, our fifth sister will be marrying into the Liang household."

  The people playing cards were all stunned, and the room fell silent.

  Although everyone has vaguely heard some rumors in private, no one has heard any specific news.

  Astonished, disdainful, scornful, gloating... all sorts of gazes fell on Feng Wanqing's body.

  Feng Wan's face was like sitting on pins and needles. She pursed her lips, suddenly stood up, and shouted with a mix of shyness and anger: "Wu Biao's wife!"

  "Although it's for Ji Min to be a concubine, are you planning to quietly bring her in without making a sound?" Wu Biao's sister didn't show any weakness, furrowing her brow and saying, "At the very least, we should prepare a few tables of wine and food to entertain us relatives!" with a sarcastic tone.

  Feng Wanqing's face turned red and green with rage, her whole body trembling with anger, and for a long time she couldn't utter a single word.

  Wang Wenxian saw this and hastily came out to mediate: "Fifth Aunt's words are too hasty. This is just the old lady's private intention, after all, there is no final conclusion yet, let's focus on playing cards!"

  The sensitive relatives immediately chimed in: "Yes, Old Lady Feng, don't worry, if this matter is settled, we can't do without your dowry and wine."

  "Right, right!" The wife, who had reacted, downplayed the matter and followed along. "Who should be blamed..."

  Wang Wenxian took the opportunity to press down Feng Wanqing, who was standing upright: "Hurry up and play cards, be careful that Mu Qing comes back and finds out you lost money absent-mindedly and settles accounts with you!"

  Feng Wanqing sat down with some annoyance.

  She was restless, and after a few rounds, the silver fragments in front of Shen Muqing were reduced by a small corner.

  A hint of complacency flashed across San Biao's eyes.

  When Shen Muqing returned to Hsinchu Mansion, Feng Wanqing was left with only a few pieces of broken silver in front of her. On this cold winter day, there was a thin layer of sweat on her forehead.

  Seeing Shen Muqing return, Feng Wanqing reluctantly stood up and shouted "Third Aunt"

  Shen Mu Qing suddenly winked at her with a playful expression, then turned around and smiled to the people in the house: "It's already midnight, sisters-in-law, let's have some supper before continuing!"

  "Thanks for your hard work, Third Grandma!" Everyone chuckled and thanked Shen Muqing.

  Those who have finished a game of cards pushed their chairs back, while those who haven't finished yet quickened their pace.

  Shen Mu Qing spoke in a low voice with a smile to Feng Wan Qing: "Let's go have some supper, perhaps after a while our luck will change."

  Feng Wanqing nodded and grasped Shen Muqing's hand, saying gratefully: "Sister is really good to me!"

  Everyone went to the east wing, where the tables were already set with five-spice cashews, peanut brittle and other small dishes, as well as dishes like braised yellow croaker, tofu and cabbage, congee, dumplings, and various types of buns, over a dozen in total.

  A group of women sat down in order of seniority, smiling and chatting, while the maidservants came forward to serve them.

  Shen Mu Qing dynasty wearing Ying waved his hand.

  Ying Fan immediately placed a bowl of white porridge in front of Feng Wanqing.

  Shen Muqing whispered to her: "I heard Wu Jin say that you like to eat white porridge, this was originally prepared for Madame Tai, try some."

  Baidu's good things come to those who wait