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  In the midst of everyone's eager anticipation, the day of the autumn crab feast arrived before long.

  Ming Xuan got up early, wearing a silver silk gauze shirt with a sea pink color, lined with a Xiang Fei colored underskirt, only at the hem of the skirt was embroidered with five blessings on the satin surface pressed with Dai Luo color. The clothes were made before getting married last year, although they were new, but after being pressed in the box for a period of time, they didn't look so bright and looked steady and elegant.

  She wore the most common low bun among women nowadays, and chose a simple and introverted peony spring full of jade hairpin ring. She lightly applied powder and rouge, looking elegant and understated. She didn't lose the festive atmosphere of a new bride, nor was she overly flashy and attention-seeking. At the banquet surrounded by pearls and emeralds, she probably wouldn't attract any unnecessary attention.

  She finished dressing, glanced around vaguely in the copper mirror, and saw that there was nothing improper, so she tidied up her collar and said to Pei Jingxuan who was lying on the chaise longue by the window, "Yuan sister repeatedly invited me in her letter, I couldn't not go, so I can only leave one person at home."

  She leaned forward and stuck to his face, smiling and saying, "I'll use lunch to find an opportunity to bid farewell, and at home I'll take a look at the book, practice writing, and spend some time, not long after that, I can come back to accompany you."

  Although Pei Jingchen's legs were still paralyzed, his spirit was getting better day by day and he no longer had the worried look on his face as he did at Baiyun An. Upon hearing this, he grasped Ming Xuan's hand and nodded with a smile, "It's good that you're back early, the Zhongshun Marquis' estate holds an autumn crab feast every two years, but it never ends peacefully, something always happens, it's not a place to stay for long, lest one gets burned."

  He put her fingers to his lips and kissed them lightly. "Not now, I'll finish painting Mother's portrait first, then come back to add the finishing touches."

  In a few more days, November 12th is Pei Jingchen's birthday. His birthday is also the death anniversary of Yongjia County Princess.

  Since he was old enough to remember, he had never celebrated his birthday, and the Lord of the Town's mansion had not held a memorial service for the death anniversary of Princess Yongjia. Every time before and after the princess's birth and death anniversaries, he would go to the Qingliang Temple, first to find a quiet place to reminisce about his mother, and secondly to avoid meeting people from the Pei family and his maternal grandfather's old friends.

  But this year his leg disease is serious and he has already gotten married, so it's probably impossible for him to hide in the Qingliang Temple again.

  In the Zhen Guo Gong Fu, Yang's family was overbearing and tyrannical. They refused to allow the former official to hold a memorial service, and even mentioning this proposal would be enough to make Yang stir up trouble for the Pei family at this sensitive moment. Pei Jing Chen also didn't need to argue with Yang's family about who was right or wrong.

  Moreover, sorrowful thoughts are harbored in one's heart, unbound by formality.

  He also didn't want someone like Yang to appear on his mother's memorial day, Yang wasn't worthy.

  So, Ming Xuan proposed that on November 12th, in the Jingyi Temple, they would burn incense and fast together. The couple wanted to work together to recreate a portrait of Princess Yongjia, leaving a memento for themselves and their future children. For several days, based on the small portrait hanging inside Baoyun An, Pei Jingxun and Ming Xuan had already outlined the princess's features, only waiting for the ink to be colored and the final touches added before considering it complete.

  Ming Xuan nodded hastily upon hearing this, "Yes, I'll go quickly and return quickly."

  She has deep affection and reverence for her mother in this title.

  Like Pei Jingchen, she is also a child who lacks maternal love. Her mother died in a traffic accident when she was very young, and her father did not remarry afterwards. She grew up with only her grandfather and father, two men, so she has a strong and independent personality like a man.

  Later, after dying and being reborn, she came to this fictional Zhou Dynasty era, just as the Yongning Marquis Manor's third house was experiencing that shocking turn of events. By the time she woke up from her daze, the mother of this body, Lu Shi, had long since passed away, and she missed out on a second chance to experience maternal love.

  As for this, Ming Xuan often feels regretful.

  It is precisely because of this sense of regret that she attaches great importance to the memorial day for Princess Yongjia.

  According to the rules, Ming Xuan should have been in the same carriage as Concubine Min, but Concubine Min was called away by Madame Yang. She then let Dan Hong help her into the carriage first. As the carriage started moving, someone outside suddenly shouted, "Wait a minute!"

  It wasn't long before the carriage curtain was lifted, and Third Granny Yan bowed slightly with a apologetic expression, her tone very sincere. "I'm sorry to trouble you, Eldest Sister-in-law. My mother-in-law is unwell, and Fifth and Sixth have gone to Qingliang Temple to pray for blessings. We can't spare a carriage from our residence at the moment, so I thought I'd come to bother you for a bit - would that be alright?"

  As for the second wife's younger brother's wife, Ming Xuan had a shallow impression of her, only having met her once at the tea ceremony on the second day of their wedding, and only knew that she was the daughter of the East City Governor, looking like someone who couldn't be easily fooled. This time was still the first time hearing her speak, with clear articulation, neither arrogant nor humble, but rather seemed to be a clever person.

  The autumn crab feast had been arranged long ago, but such a big thing was to be taken away by the carriage, and the third house could not temporarily take out the carriage to send the third young lady, which made people feel a bit suspicious.

  But since they took the initiative to ask for it, what's wrong with that?

  Ming Xuan busily smiled and invited her to come up, "Originally, I was sitting with my second brother's sister, but she was invited by the madam to go to the front carriage. It just so happens that I'm alone and feel empty and uncomfortable. Third sister is coming up, it's also good to have someone to talk to me, where do you still need to ask if it's okay? Hurry up!"

  Don't hit a smiling face, Second Mistress has been getting along with Yang's family recently, but she has never followed Yang to bully or suppress her since she got married. She is a person who distinguishes between kindness and resentment, unwilling to be a hypocrite, but also doesn't want to wrong good people.

  Yan Shi and her personal maid got on the carriage, it slowly started moving, following the car in front of them to speed up.

  "Has your leg gotten any better, brother? I had wanted to come visit you early in the morning, but grandfather said not to disturb you while you're resting. Of course we have to listen to grandfather's words, but my father is very concerned about your illness. He knew I was coming to the Duke of Zhongshun's residence today, so he asked me to be sure to ask after you, sister-in-law."

  This is explaining why Fei and Ming Xuan are sitting in the same car.

  Ming Xuan could hear the flattering tone in his words, although he wasn't clear about the underlying meaning, it was hard to brush off, so he smiled and said, "Although Master's leg can't get out of bed yet, his spirit has already improved a lot. Thanks to Third Brother and Third Sister for their concern, I'll definitely tell Master when I go back."

  She paused for a moment and changed the subject, "I heard that Auntie Er's body is not well, what's going on?"

  Yan's head drooped down, shaking his head with some worry, "Just saying it hurts in the heart and mouth, inviting a doctor to take a look, also can't say what's going on, can only rest in the house without moving. Now, precisely because there is no specific cure for medicine and stone, Xiao Si and Xiao Wu thought of going to Qingliang Temple to pray for blessings."

  She said with some regret, "Earlier, it was said that we should take advantage of the autumn crab feast to introduce Book Yu to some young masters from good families who are suitable in terms of family background and appearance. But then mother fell ill, and Book Yu had to stay in the house to care for her, so it wasn't convenient for me to come out either."

  There is no daughter in the world who would not take care of her sick mother, but instead follow her sister to attend a banquet. This is an unfilial behavior that will be criticized by others. A woman's reputation is important, and one mistake can make people lose interest in her.

  Ming Xuan thought that just now, when she came, she saw the third lady, Bian Shi, and her seventh sister, Shu Yi, following closely behind her. It was said that these days, Bian Shi often went in and out of the public and noble houses, presumably also for her daughter's future. The sixth sister, Shu Yun, was slightly older than Shu Yi. This autumn crab feast was indeed a good opportunity for these eligible young ladies from prestigious families to meet. If the second lady, Pang Shi, wasn't truly ill, then she must have had ulterior motives; otherwise, there was no reason to miss this banquet.

  Although she thought so, after all, they were separated by a room, and some things shouldn't be said by her, so she just lightly agreed with a few sentences and didn't say much.

  Fortunately, Yan was good at adjusting the atmosphere, and there had never been an awkward silence on this road. Along the way, they chatted and laughed, and soon the carriage stopped in front of a magnificent mansion with a crimson gate. Ming Xuan slightly lifted some curtains and saw that the streets were somewhat familiar, until she saw the three words "Zhu Que Lane", only then did she remember that her aunt Madame Luo's hometown, the Lu Guo Gong Mansion, was also located here.

  She glimpsed through the gap and saw that the carriages of various officials were already lined up like a dragon, thinking to herself that today's banquet would likely gather half of the nobles in Shengjing City. If the Emperor issued an edict now, ordering Han Xiu to leave the capital, by the time the dignitaries sobered up and attended court the next day, the edict would be irreversible even if sent by urgent horse relay.

  Yan's family glanced outside and thought Ming Xuan was worried about the crowd, so she took the opportunity to say, "Sister-in-law, I have another unreasonable request. In the past, when attending banquets or visiting relatives, as a younger daughter-in-law, I just need to follow my mother-in-law. But today, my mother didn't come, and I'm alone in the second house. For a moment, I don't know what to do..."

  She opened her big eyes with enthusiasm, and her pupils were filled with anxiety and expectation. "Can I follow my sister today?"

  Ming Xuan's expression was slightly stunned, and then she smiled, "I'm also a junior daughter-in-law. If nothing unexpected happens, I should be following the young master's wife today. Since Second Aunt isn't here, I'll just follow the young master's wife instead. Don't worry, we're all daughters-in-law of the Pei family, and we should all be together."

  Yan's behavior of trying to please everyone and following others around makes one feel somewhat puzzled about his intentions at times.

  Although Ming Xuan didn't know what the other person's purpose was, she could only be slightly vigilant. In her heart, it was one thing, but on the surface, it was another matter. She spoke warmly to welcome Yan Shi, but in reality, she didn't want to get involved at all.

  Yan smiled and reached out to grab her arm, "Then I'll follow Big Sister."

  Ming Xuan didn't dare to refuse, and carefully got off the horse carriage. Just as she was about to take a step forward, she suddenly heard a faintly resentful female voice behind her, "Seventh Sister, wait!"

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