♂?，，

  Yan's mother said, "As the saying goes, a hundred-legged insect dies but doesn't stiffen. Although the Yongning Marquis Manor has been empty for years and is not as prosperous as it was when the old marquis was alive, it is still one of the most prestigious families in Shengjing City. The share that Fourth Master will get in the future may not be small. These two boxes of gold and jewelry are affordable for Fourth Master, and you can naturally afford them too."

  She smiled and continued, "Fourth Master is a good brother, he didn't disappoint Eldest Madam's expectations of him, this is your blessing. If Third Master and Third Madam knew about it in the afterlife, they would also feel comforted."

  Ming Xuan thought for a moment, and then let it go. "Forget it, brother Hong's ambitions are high, why bother with these external things? If I don't accept, it would only displease him instead. Strict Auntie, please help me put them away, if he needs them urgently in the future, sending them over will be the same."

  She paused slightly and asked again, "What's going on with the flower meeting at Yang Right Commander's house?"

  Yan's mother patted her head somewhat embarrassedly, "I received the invitation a few days ago, but I forgot about it. Luckily, Fourth Master reminded me, otherwise, I would have made a fool of myself in front of Eldest Madam."

  She took out a crimson invitation from the drawer of the screen base in the main hall and handed it to Ming Xuan. "In such hot weather, originally there would be no flower meeting, but Yang Youzhong's house planted several hectares of lotus ponds, and it is said that the lotus flowers are particularly good. The princess of Dongping Wangfu and the third lady of the Yang family are friends, so they want to hold a poetry meeting at the Yang house."

  Miss Yang San is about to come of age next month, and Yang Youzhong has always doted on this eldest granddaughter of the main house. So he decided to make this flower meeting a big event, not only inviting female guests but also all the unmarried young masters in Shengjing City. This is probably to arrange a marriage for Miss Yang San."

  Noble marriages often rely on these flower meetings, poetry gatherings or banquet invitations to meet each other, and often become particularly grand and solemn.

  Miss Yang of the third branch...

  Ming Xuan asked in a low voice, "Is it the one that the young master's wife originally wanted to marry to her husband?"

  Yan's aunt shook her head, "That is the Fourth Miss of the Second House. Yang San Niangzi, named Le Hong. She is the legitimate daughter of the First House and has a reputation for being talented, known as the Female Zhuge in Shengjing City. And that Fourth Miss Le Nian, it's said she's mute, although these are just rumors, but over the years there have been many banquets in the city, yet no one has ever seen her."

  Ming Xuan lightly said a word. As expected, Yang Shi had never been so kind to Pei Jing Chen.

  Her eyes moved slightly, and she said with a pensive expression, "This is my first time going out as a guest after I got married, and it's also the first time in four years that I've gone to someone else's home. Moreover, with the recent rumors, I don't know how many people will be staring at me, so, nanny, please help me gather some information about the flower gathering, so I can take care of myself accordingly."

  Pei Jingchen's promise still echoes in her ears, he wants her to wait another two years, so during these two years, she must hold the fort for him in this small courtyard and not let anyone outside find fault with him because of her.

  The day the flowers bloom will soon arrive, and the young master's wife sent Old Lady Gu early in the morning to pass on a message, saying that the carriage would be waiting at the second gate at noon, and told Big Madam not to miss the appointment.

  Ming Xuan smiled and agreed, but in her heart she felt a sense of relief.

  She and Yang were like fire and water in the mansion, after Yang had made several provocative moves without getting a good result. She also learned to be clever, these days she didn't use any tricks to make things difficult for her, so everyone in the mansion knew that the young master's wife and the eldest lady were not on good terms, but no one could say exactly why.

  Today, for the first time in many days, Yang sent someone to Jingyi Temple. Although Gui's message was a ordinary reminder, Mingxuan knew that this was a temporary truce. No matter what, letting people see that they were like strangers would only confirm the rumors circulating outside, which wouldn't be beneficial to either Yang or the Empress.

  Since Yang still cares about her reputation, she thinks that for the time being, she won't do anything improper. That is Yang's maternal family home, if she really wants to harm herself, it would be easier than ever, losing face in public isn't a good thing, now this way, for her, also saved trouble, nothing bad about it.

  Ming Xuan saw off Gui Yatou and returned to the inner chamber to see Pei Jingchen.

  It was during the busy season of auditing, and the Ministry of Revenue had to deal with many old accounts that had been piled up for years. He worked late every night before returning home, and on top of that, he had many things to attend to outside, so he slept very little. Today being a rest day, she wanted him to have a good sleep and didn't want to disturb him.

  As she entered, she saw him about to get up. She hastily pressed him down and said, "Why don't you just stay today? It's rare for you to rest, sleep well at home, I can handle it alone, no need to accompany me. Besides, male guests and female guests are seated separately, even if you go, we won't be in the same place."

  Pei Jingchen smiled and gently pecked on Ming Xuan's face, "I heard that the Yang family's ideal son-in-law candidate is not only my uncle, but also that new Jinhuolang. I've admired Yan Huofeng for a long time, and today's opportunity is hard to come by, it would be a pity if we didn't go."

  He smiled brightly, with a hint of vinegar in his tone, "What am I wearing today?"

  It's strange to say, Han Xiu was her ex-fiancé, and they still have an unclear relationship. He is a refined person who has been tempered on the battlefield, with an extraordinary temperament and appearance. Although his actions are sometimes unscrupulous, such as his despicable behavior towards Gu's family and Mingxuan, he is also a prominent figure in the Zhou Dynasty. However, he has never felt troubled by Han Xiu.

  But Yan Qingye was different.

  Although he and Ming Xuan hadn't even had time to make a marriage pact yet, he was the man she had chosen for herself.

  Pei Jingchen had never seen Yan Qingye before, but every time he heard people mention this Top Scholar, the words were all praise: elegant, refined, with a strong character, and overflowing talent. He wanted to see for himself what kind of person Yan Top Scholar was.

  Ming Xuan gazed at him quietly, suddenly bursting out laughing, "Jealous?"

  Pei Jingchen refused to admit it, took out a set of snow-blue brocade from the closet and asked, "Is this one good?"

  Ming Xuan shook her head, "Wear that newly made purple silk dress with a straight skirt, since you've already decided not to show your sickly husband's face anymore, might as well wear something bright and cheerful, just in time to make an appearance at the Yang family's flower gathering with renewed spirit."

  Waiting for him to dress, she helped him comb his hair and braid it. For more than two months, her ears had been close to his temples, allowing her to easily grasp every nuance of his emotions. At this moment, she felt the faint unease and hidden anxiety in his heart, and a helpless bitter smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

  Yan Qingye was once a dream of hers to leave the Hou Manor, but it was just that - a dream.

  His character and demeanor, all made her sincerely convinced that if she could really marry him, it would also be her good fortune. To speak of feelings, it seemed that she had been too concerned about his family background and the possibility of becoming relatives at first, and neglected the deepest problem. In fact, she was driven by the idea that she could get through life without love from the beginning.

  Due to the special circumstances at that time and place, she didn't even have time to develop feelings for Yan Qingyan, let alone more than just a good impression. Pei Jingchen was really overthinking things.

  "Ming Xuan said in a low voice, 'I and Yan Tanhua indeed discussed marriage. If not for Han Xiuyi's malicious obstruction of the Yan family, I would already be his wife by now. This is not something to be ashamed of, because it is fact. I admire Yan Tanhua's character and integrity, and also appreciate the simplicity of the Yan family's words and actions. Although they are a humble and lowly household, they do not have the intrigue and scheming of large families. To me, this is the most suitable place to settle down. But...'"

  The hand holding the purple gold hairpin suddenly stopped, "Now I am your wife, since I have promised this life, then I will follow you in life and death. I keep my promises, don't you believe me?"

  Pei Jingchen grasped her arm with a reverse hand and pulled her into his embrace. He tightly wrapped his arms around the woman who had fallen onto his knees, and his eyes gleamed with a hint of moisture. "Ah Xuan, to me, you are a wonderful and mysterious existence that has given me all the emotions I yearned for but lacked. Once I've tasted it, I couldn't help but crave more, and I don't want to let go. This beauty came too suddenly, sometimes I feel like it's not real enough, so my heart also feels afraid."

  His gaze grew thicker, "Afraid this is just a dream, and it will disappear when I wake up."

  Ming Xuan felt herself melting into his scorching gaze, her tone involuntarily softened. "It's real, not a dream, and you don't have to be afraid that I'll leave, I won't. I said it before, if I don't leave, then I won't abandon, unless I'm no longer needed, otherwise I will always be with you."

  Is it because you're being too mindful?

  A faint flush suddenly flashed across her face, and she whispered softly, "Besides, I haven't liked any other man yet, so stop worrying..."

  The words were spoken extremely softly, but Pei Jingchen heard them clearly. He felt a surge of wild joy in his heart and couldn't help but kiss her. After a fierce and passionate kiss, he finally managed to move away from Ming Xuan's lips. "It was my fault, I shouldn't have had such thoughts, nor should I have been afraid."

  The man who had always been gentle and affectionate was now easily agitated, and seemed somewhat unlike himself. However, his wife's soft words of comfort helped him regain his composure, and his eyes grew moist as he exclaimed loudly to her, "Ah Xuan, I only like you too!"

  Ming Xuan's face turned red as she nodded, while playfully hitting him with her hand, "Quickly put me down, you've messed up my hair!"

  She glanced at the outside again and said with embarrassment, "Auntie and Dan Hong are all outside, can you speak softly? Are you not afraid of being laughed at?"

  Pei Jingchen, however, was completely unbothered. He chuckled and said, "Seeing how loving we are as a couple, the nanny and those maids are thrilled, who would dare laugh at me? Don't you know, every day the nanny makes me a nourishing soup with dates, peanuts, longan, and lotus seeds, she's hoping we'll have a noble son soon!"

  The next second, his expression suddenly became solemn, and he held Ming Xuan's face and said, "I know that at present in the Pei Mansion, we are surrounded by enemies, and I'm afraid that being pregnant now will be a burden. So, I've been secretly drinking an abortion potion. Actually, it's not necessary. As Pei Jing Chen, if I decide to take a wife, I have the ability to guarantee my child's safety."

  "If you want to have another child in a few years, it's fine. Just don't drink that stuff again later on. Grandma said that medicine is three parts poison, and drinking too much of those medicinal soups isn't good for your body."

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