♂?，，

  Ming Xuan gazed at Pei Jingchen, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily curved upwards.

  His eyes, which were as bright as the stars, used to be calm like the deep sea water that was impossible to see through, and so profound that it made people feel hesitant. However, when he took off his disguise, the warmth in his eyes revealed a childlike longing and simplicity, with a tone of joking, but the tension in his voice could be easily felt.

  Has anyone ever made clothes for him by hand?

  Her heart softened, and the smile on her face grew even more intense. "Mmm, I'll do it myself. From now on, all your seasonal clothes, shoes, socks, and belts will be made by me personally."

  Even if he doesn't ask for it, she will still do it, this is a wife's duty.

  Bai Jingchen's eyes sparkled with delight, like a child who had just received candy. He looked pleased and satisfied, and he leaned tightly against Ming Xuan's side. "Don't mind me, I'll just watch from here."

  At the quiet noon, the sunshine is bright and beautiful. Occasionally, there are sounds of servants moving trunks in the outer courtyard, but inside the room, it is serene and peaceful, filled with a gentle warmth and sweetness.

  It was three quarters past the hour of Shen, Yang's family sent a little maid over to invite, "The young master's wife has arranged a family banquet at Rong En Hall, and please ask Master and Madame to arrive before the hour of You. The lord is very punctual, if you are late, he will be displeased."

  After sending the little girl away, Yan's mother came forward and said, "When I was in the Hou Mansion, I heard people mention that Commander Pei is a violent and strict person. When he was young, his temper was fierce and he would draw his sword at the slightest disagreement. Later, he restrained himself somewhat, but if someone under him made a mistake and fell into his hands, they would inevitably suffer a severe beating."

  She said with some annoyance, "There's only one quarter of an hour left, and we've sent people to ask several times before, but they all said that Master Xiang hadn't returned yet. It seems that this dinner party is going to be postponed, but at this late hour, the Yang family has finally sent someone to invite us. This is clearly intentional, wanting to make a bad impression on Madam Pei as soon as she enters the door."

  Dan Hong also echoed, "This morning, Su Wan and I strolled around the backyard and spent some money to gather information. Without mentioning other things, they only mentioned Pei Shang. Those women were all trembling with fear, saying that although the young master's wife is in charge of the household, Master Pei doesn't care about those account books. When it comes to disciplining the servants, he personally takes action!"

  She paused, seeing Pei Jingchen still in the purification room and hadn't come out yet, so she whispered, "Last time, the woman at the second gate got drunk and gathered people to play cards, he personally chopped off the hand of that woman who was in charge!"

  Ming Xuan's eyebrows slightly furrowed, yet she seemed to understand. Yang Shi couldn't lift up Adou, if not for the sake of reputation, he was fundamentally unsuitable for managing household affairs. It's said that the young master is incompetent and idle, sleeping with flowers and lodging with willows every day. If it weren't for Pei Xiang's thunderous methods, this estate would probably not be so peaceful.

  Ke Pai Xiang cannot replace Yang Shi's prestige for a lifetime...

  The peace of the back house, the ability of the mistress, is related to the prosperity and longevity of the family. However, this Zhen Guo Gong Fu will eventually fall into the hands of the Yang family. If following common sense, if the Yang family cannot manage this household, they should find a capable eldest daughter-in-law to slowly hand over the power of managing the house. But it seems that the Pei family does not intend to hand over the manor to Pei Jing Xuan.

  It's just that Second Madam Min seems too lenient and doesn't seem like a decisive person who can take charge on her own. As for Second Master Pei Jingxiao, from the sudden change on the street that day, his wretched appearance was enough to reveal that he is not a deep-thinking and courageous person either.

  Ming Xuan's eyebrows slightly raised, and she was guessing the meaning behind Pei Xiang's words.

  Dan Hong, however, was getting anxious and hastily opened the wardrobe to pick out a bright red satin dress, saying, "Before the family banquet later, you still need to pay respects to Lord Pei and the elderly masters in the manor by serving them tea. You can't wear something too plain, come, let's get you changed into this dress first."

  She held up her clothes and took a look at the bun on Ming Huan's head, "The bun may not have time to be untied and re-combed, but the hairpins can be changed to two bright-colored ones. In any case, you are a new bride, it's always right to be brighter."

  Pei Jingchen came out of the dressing room and said, "There's no need to change clothes, Grandfather doesn't like women who dress showily, it's fine just like this."

  Ming Xuan didn't want to change clothes either, it was such a hassle. It was only a little more than a quarter of an hour before the hour of You, and Guan would not have enough time to re-dress and make up even if she changed quickly. Moreover, when they were strolling in the garden that morning, Pei Jingchen had mentioned that Rong En Hall was due east of the Pei Mansion, and it would take at least half a quarter of an hour to get there from Jing Yi Yuan. It was definitely impossible to make it before the hour of You.

  Being late for a short while is very different from being late for a long time.

  Although she had complex emotions towards Pei Xiang in her heart, no matter what, now that she has married into the family, there is no need to make a bad impression on their first meeting just because of dressing up. If someone were to make a big deal out of borrowing her clothes, she wouldn't mind playing the weak and delicate white flower, squeezing out a few tears, and turning the tables on Yang Shi by retreating in order to advance.

  Yang wanted Ming Xuan to offend Pei Shang, and Ming Xuan didn't mind making Yang lose face in front of the entire manor.

  On the way to Rong En Tang, Ming Xuan silently memorized the distance and number of steps between each courtyard. The more familiar she became with the back garden of Pei Fu, the more prepared she would be for unexpected situations in the future. Although there were no ponds in this mansion, the numerous clusters of fruit trees were abundant.

  The means of infighting among women in the harem are cruel and cause great harm, but in reality, they are far less complicated than the struggles on the imperial court. They are just framing, trapping, luring, and plotting. As long as one is cautious and careful, and takes preventive measures, it is still possible to avoid them. However, this requires sufficient observational skills and a keen and delicate heart.

  Since Pei Jingchen wholeheartedly devoted himself to this marriage, Ming Xuan naturally did not want to disappoint him. In any case, opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared, and by achieving a foolproof defense, one can also avoid harm and seek benefits.

  From the moment she stepped into the Town National Public House, it should have been thought that wanting to be in the midst of muddy eyes and not flowing with others, living a day of being unrelated and hanging high, looking so simple, but actually not knowing how many cruel battles to go through, under the surface of flowers and brocade, secretly hiding dirt and filth, often shocking people.

  This is the survival rule for all women in this era of intrigue and struggle among the wealthy and powerful families.

  Ming Xuan was led by Pei Jingchen into the main hall of Rong En Tang when the stone clock in the backyard was struck, not too early or too late, just at dusk.

  The Rong'entang of the Pei family was somewhat similar to the flower hall where the Hou Mansion held a banquet, only because there were many people, so the Rong'entang had to be bigger. Men and women sat at separate tables, with Mr. Pei and his five sons sitting at the main table, several madams sitting at one table, young ladies-in-waiting and older misses sitting at another table, younger masters and misses also sitting at a table, and on the outermost side were several aunts who had given birth to children in the family with dignity.

  As soon as she entered the house, Ming Xuan deliberately moved her body a little behind Pei Jingchen's back, keeping an appropriate distance. Whether it was etiquette or even the smile and expression on her face, she tried her best to be in the best state, looking elegant and refined, quiet and generous, with an inexplicable calmness and composure.

  She doesn't need to curry favor with this family, nor does she want to be misunderstood and bring unnecessary trouble.

  Yang smiled and said to Pei Xiang, "Father, this morning you and several uncles were not there, which will make Brother Chen and his new wife offer tea and pay respects to you and the Crown Prince."

  She beckoned with her hand, and a maid brought up the tea cups, holding them high, standing in front of Pei Jingchen and Ming Xuan.

  Pei Jingchen rushed to Ming Xuan with a faint smile, his eyes somewhat helpless and complicated, but still took the teacup and knelt in front of Pei Xiang, "Please have some tea, grandfather."

  Pei Xiangmo silently took the drink without a word, and the woman standing behind him, who looked like a matron of honor, immediately handed over a red envelope with great respect. He still didn't speak, placing the red envelope on the tray.

  Ming Xuan also followed suit, "Please have some tea, Grandfather."

  Yang's eyes had a hint of watching a good show, and she smiled as she looked over. In her heart, she thought that given the unclear and tense relationship between the Pei and Gu families, even if it was just for the rumors circulating in the streets about Gu Changping's death, Pei Xiang would at least have to say some stern words to Mingxuan, giving her a warning.

  But she seems to be disappointed.

  Pei Xiang's face slightly solidified as he said in a low voice, "Is it Gu Changping's daughter?"

  It was inexplicable, but in the Pei manor, on such an occasion, hearing the name "Gu Zhangping" from this person's mouth still made Ming Xuan feel a little stinging pain in her heart. She took a deep breath and slowly raised her head, with no expression on her face. "Yes, Gu Zhangping was indeed my father's name."

  Although Pei Xiang's reputation was well-known, she had never seen him in person before. Like Zhu Jia's uncle, Pei Xiang was also a man in his sixties, said to have come from a military background, with a sturdy build and resolute facial features. His eyes were bright and piercing, giving off an air of sharpness. The circle of white whiskers on his chin made him resemble the likes of Ao Bai or Xie Xun from old TV dramas.

  Neither Ao Bai nor Xie Xun is a good person.

  Pei Xiangding looked at Ming Huan with a fixed gaze, then stopped talking. He took the tea cup from her hand and drank it all in one gulp. Besides the red envelope handed over by the woman behind him, he suddenly took out a sandalwood brocade box from his pocket and handed it over, "This is the jade bangle that Brother Chen's grandmother liked most before she passed away, take it."

  The casket opened with a click, and a blood jade bangle, exquisitely carved, lay quietly inside, emitting a breathtakingly beautiful glow in the candlelight.

  The people at the two tables closer to them all held their breath, not just the women, but also the faces of several old men showed inexplicable complex expressions. Yang's displeasure was written all over her face, her long fingernails clenched into her palm, and the anger hidden in her chest was almost choking her. What did it mean that such a thing wasn't given to her daughter-in-law, but was given to her granddaughter-in-law?!

  This is a rare and precious Blood Jade!

  Even in the imperial inner storage, it's not necessarily possible to find something of this quality. The value is naturally beyond measure, but what's even more intriguing is the profound meaning behind Pei Xiang's actions.

  Ming Xuan's heart also skipped a beat, she had never expected it to be like this. This Blood Jade would bring her great honor, but also great trouble, she was always perceptive, how could she not understand these things?

  However, the elder's gift was not to be refused. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Ming Xuan could no longer decline, so she had to force herself to accept it respectfully, "Thank you, Grandfather."

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