♂?，，

  "Old Mrs. Zhu smiled and said, 'Foolish child, dignity has always been earned by oneself, others can't give it to you.'"

  She gently stroked Ming Xuan's forehead, saying softly, "Wives and concubines are all women, but there is a difference between them like clouds and mud. It's not just about their different status. Being a man's favorite concubine is only about beauty, serving her husband well is her greatest responsibility. But the main mother who manages the household needs to be as calm and brave as a son."

  Her tone was slightly hesitant, "The imperial court is in turmoil, affecting the back palace, children and relatives, as well as the servants' every move. One misstep can lead to a chain reaction, impacting the foundation of the family. If the eldest aunt had been strict in her governance, how could it have ended up like this?"

  Marrying a virtuous wife, the wife does not need to be beautiful and lovely in appearance, but should have the ability to manage the household and establish a career. Although Luo seemed clever and capable, she was actually superficial and lacking in substance, neither gentle nor having any remarkable abilities. This time, being forced to leave the capital to recuperate from illness, although it was due to the heartlessness and ingratitude of Yongning Hou, she herself could not escape blame.

  Ming Xuan nodded her head and said softly, "Uh-huh."

  Grandma's words are all based on her experience, but these sayings carry the old-fashioned idea of respecting one's husband above all else. Although she agrees with them, deep down she can't fully identify with them.

  As for her and Pei Jingzhen's future, it's still early days, and no one can make any assertions. But there is one thing she is certain of: if he ever entertains the idea of having three wives and four concubines, they will soon be parting ways.

  It's so hard to survive in this male-dominated world, ordinary women can't even leave their families and husbands. But inside this ancient woman's body is a soul from the future. She was able to get through those difficult three years at Yongning Houfu, carrying a large sum of private money, she didn't believe that without the protection of her family and husband, she wouldn't be able to survive.

  Riding horses in Jianghu or living a carefree life in the countryside, there is always a suitable way of living for oneself.

  Madam Zhu didn't know what was on Ming Xuan's mind, and she kindly put her arm around her shoulders, smiling. "Grandma knows you have something to ask your brother, it's still early, hurry up and go over there, if Eldest Sister-in-law has prepared lunch, I'll get someone to call you over."

  Ming Xuan thought for a moment, Gu Yuanjing had been away from home for almost four years, and indeed had a lot to say to him. She was now married and didn't have many opportunities to return to her parents' home often, if she missed this chance, who knows when the next time would be to have a good talk again.

  She rushed to Old Lady Zhu with a grateful smile. "In that case, Grandma will take a rest first, and granddaughter will come to disturb you later."

  Gu Yuanjing's former residence was called Duanhua Pavilion. Since he had been away from home for a long time and his life or death was unknown, last year when the third son of the second house, Yuan Jincheng, got married, Madame Hou ordered someone to renovate it again and then allocated it to the second house. In fact, with the increasing population in the mansion, several courtyards that originally belonged to the third house had been reassigned within less than four years.

  It seems no one thought Gu Yuanjing would come back.

  Nor did anyone sincerely wish for his return.

  Ming Xuan stood at the entrance of Changhua Courtyard, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. She stopped in her tracks and asked, "Is this where Fourth Master is staying, as arranged by the young master's wife?"

  Changhua Yard is located on the northeast side of Yongning Marquis's mansion. It is close to Hou Street and near the servants' quarters, making it a noisy but not elegant place. This yard was previously uninhabited, only renovated last year before Old Madame's birthday, looking not too shabby from the outside, but without major repairs inside.

  The old man in the government office said that a aunt of my grandfather's had once hanged herself here.

  The little girl who led the way to Antai Courtyard quickly replied, "Madam Shizi invites Fourth Master and Fifth Master to squeeze together for two days. When she has tidied up Haitang Courtyard where her aunt used to live, she will invite Fourth Master to move over. However, Fourth Master said it was not necessary, as he would probably receive an imperial edict in a few days and return to Xizang, so there was no need to specially arrange a residence for him."

  She continued, "I heard that several military officers from the Western Garrison who followed Fourth Master back to the capital are also staying at the Jun Zai Lai Inn, which is just across the street from our mansion. Since Changhua Temple is located on a side street and has a small gate in front, it's only a short walk away. Fourth Master likes the convenience of this place, so he chose it and had the young mistress tidy up a bit before moving in."

  Ming Xuan suddenly realized that the news of the great victory in the Western Frontier was so important that General Zhen Xi would not have sent only his brother to report it to the capital. It must be that her brother had received news of her upcoming wedding and hastened to arrive in time to see her off, which is why he rushed day and night to reach the capital ahead of schedule.

  Her eyes suddenly became even softer, and her steps also quickened a bit.

  When Xiao Shun welcomed Ming Xuan into the house, Gu Yuanjing was playing chess with Pei Jingchen. The wooden chessboard had every square as a mystery, and the black and white pieces were arranged in a seemingly harmonious yet actually deadly manner, like the glint of swords and shadows of knives, a warm scene that hid killings and war cries.

  He furrowed his brow and dropped the chess piece, "Brother-in-law, you're done."

  Pei Jingxuan revealed a smile, her slender and clean fingers pinched the last chess piece into place. "Uncle, I concede."

  Gu Yuanjing was shocked, thinking he had pushed his opponent to a desperate situation. Unexpectedly, Pei Jingchen made a clever move, not only calmly withdrawing from danger but also turning the tables, leading Gu into a dead end. A single misstep sent him tumbling from the clouds to the dust.

  He suddenly burst out laughing, and his gaze at Pei Jingchen also had a few more points of appreciation. "Brother-in-law, good chess! Such wonderful thinking, I'd gladly admit defeat!"

  The way of chess is just like the way of war.

  A master of chess is also skilled in deploying troops.

  The man in front of him was absolutely not as despicable as the rumors said. A sickly husband? Gu Yuanjing smiled, he had been in the army for four years, had gone through countless dangers, and thought that his ability to judge people was sharp and keen. If Pei Jingchen was a sickly husband, then there might not be many brave and good warriors left in the Western Frontier Cavalry.

  Suddenly, his brow furrowed slightly again. If Pei Jingchen was not weak, then those rumors must have been intentional. This proved that the young master of the Pei family had not pretended or hidden anything from him, but treated him with a true heart. However, it also meant that those rumors in the streets were true. His only precious and beloved younger sister had entered such a den of wolves and tigers, how could she escape unscathed without suffering any harm?

  He was lost in thought when a clear and melodious voice called out beside his ear, like the first chirping of an oriole, "Brother!"

  There was no one else in the house, so Ming Xuan didn't bother with those formalities anymore. She almost flew into Gu Yuanjing's arms, her eyes brimming with tears, her nose scrunched up as she choked out a call, "Brother!"

  It seems like no matter how hard I try, it's still not good enough.

  The sharpness between Gu Yuanjing's eyebrows and eyes dissipated instantly, he gently stroked Mingxuan's hair, thinking that four years ago when they parted ways, she was still in a daze, if the imperial physician hadn't said she wasn't seriously injured, he probably wouldn't have made such a desperate move.

  On the battlefield of Western China, day and night, at the most difficult and desperate moments when his life was in danger, every time he wanted to give up, what appeared in his mind, apart from the cold corpses of his father and mother, was her face without any vitality. The deceased is gone, but there is still a spoiled younger sister growing up in Shengjing City, just for her, he must live on!

  The scene is too warm and fuzzy, it's a bit annoying.

  Bai Jingchen's heart was filled with a sour taste, and he couldn't help but let out a soft cough.

  Gu Yuanjing came back to his senses, and the little sister who had been pampered like a pearl was now married. Although these intimate actions were pure, they were indeed not suitable in front of her husband. He slowly put down his arm and pulled Mingxuan into the seat.

  He gazed at her quietly, still with the same beautiful face as before, but with a few more shades of serenity and tranquility between her eyebrows and eyes. She had lost weight, yet looked spirited, with a faint flush on her cheeks, like the clouds at dawn, and just sitting there, she was radiant.

  He felt a slight relief in his heart and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Sister, have you been doing well these past few years?"

  Ming Xuan nodded and then shook her head, "Compared to the past, it's not going well, but with grandma taking care of me, I haven't suffered too much. Instead, in recent years, I often dreamt of my brother, and when I woke up, I wanted to write him a letter, but didn't know where to send it."

  She pursed her lips, "I thought the mansion had always been sending people to contact my brother, until last year I found out that actually..."

  There was only correspondence in the first year after Gu Yuanjing went to Xizang, and later the people sent there lost contact, and my uncle did not send anyone else again.

  Gu Yuanjing's eyes flashed with a fierce color, and after a long time, he asked in a low voice, "In these years of intense warfare, I have been busy with tasks on the tip of my knife, tasting blood every day. But when I had some spare time, I also wrote letters to you, didn't even one of them reach you?"

  Ming Xuan shook her head vaguely, "No, if there was a letter from my brother, why would I have to go through so much trouble to ask Uncle Qian San to find him in the Western Frontier?"

  Her face suddenly changed, and her tone became solemn, "Brother, have you ever written a letter to me?"

  If so, those letters must have been hidden away by someone.

  Gu Yuanjing's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and he hummed softly as he comforted Ming Xuan, "Don't worry about those letters for now. Am I not standing right in front of you, safe and sound? After the military banquet is over, I will request to stay in Shengjing. From now on, with your brother here, no one can bully you again."

  He paused, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Grandmother said it was a request to her to open an ancestral hall and record me under my mother's name? Foolish girl, no matter who I was born to, Mother will always be my mother, and forever be my younger sister, whether I am the eldest or youngest, I don't care at all."

  "But I mind."

  Her eyes were slightly closed, and she didn't mind Pei Jingchen being present. "When Fifth Brother gets married and Xiaojie gets married, the household will inevitably be divided. As long as Brother is here, he won't miss out on his share of the third house. Brother can ignore those things, but Father's share, just let it be taken away by Eldest Uncle and the others like that? I'm not resigned to it."

  Gu Yuanjing's eyes flickered, "Wealth and riches are external things, I don't care about them. But what happened back then, the eldest wife gained an advantage over the third wife, yet still wanted to use my sister's lifetime, this is something I also find hard to accept!"

  Complete works txt download, full text free, e-book, remember 77 reading books