Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 101: My Love for Honglang is Deep and I Can't Restrain Myself

After the crown prince was enthroned, Zhao Han began to familiarize himself with the affairs of the six ministries and the cabinet.

He got up at the hour of Yin every day and listened to lectures by cabinet ministers in the Wenhua Hall. In the afternoon he helped Zhao Zhen review memorials.

Seeing how diligent he was, Zhao Zhen felt both relieved and a little distressed.

After today's regular court session ended, Zhao Han specifically called Sheng Hong.

On the bluestone road leading to the palace gate, he was seen wearing a scarlet court robe, with a gold, jade and leather belt around his waist, and his fluttering sleeves showed the majesty of the crown prince.

"Your Highness." Sheng Hong called softly and bowed respectfully.

At this moment, officials from the Censorate were also nearby, so he didn't dare to overstep the line in any way.

Zhao Han raised his hand to support him and said softly, "Master Sheng, there is no need to be so polite. I have something that I need to ask for your opinion."

"Oh?" Sheng Hong raised his eyebrows, a hint of doubt flashing across his eyes.

He said more respectfully, "Your Highness, please feel free to speak. I will do my best."

Zhao Han smiled slightly, "It's not a big deal, Master Sheng, there's no need to be so nervous."

"Lord Sheng probably knows that Erlang of the Ningyuan Marquisate has always been good friends with me. He was also on the list of the Autumn Examination this year and plans to stay in the capital to prepare for next year's Spring Examination."

"I wonder if Master Sheng would allow him to attend your private school?"

"Gu Erlang can also pass the imperial examination?!" Sheng Hong exclaimed. Before he finished speaking, he saw an imperial censor not far away looking at him with a frown.

This look made his heart skip a beat and he quickly covered his mouth with his sleeve.

In the past few years, although Gu Tingye was studying hard in Bailu Cave, Xiao Qinshi was not idle either.

Every few days he would send his servants outside to spread his reputation, saying that he slept with prostitutes, rode horses in the imperial palace, and was a dissolute man. His reputation spread all over the city like seeds.

Even though Gu Tingye passed the imperial examination this time, he was unable to restore his reputation much.

"Yes, Gu Erlang has given up his playful nature now, and his ranking in the Autumn Examination is even higher than that of the young master of the Qi family."

Hearing this, Sheng Hong was even more surprised. After all, Qi Heng was studying in his house, and he knew very well how well he was doing.

It was indeed unexpected that Gu Tingye scored better than him.

He pondered for a moment, then bowed and said, "As the saying goes, a prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold. I am honored that he is willing to come to my home to study."

"However, Your Highness has probably heard of Master Zhuang's temperament. Why not pick an auspicious day and have Gu Erlang come to your home to meet the Master first? With Your Highness's favor, I think the Master will most likely not refuse."

"Okay, I hope Lord Sheng can say a few good words for me in front of the scholar." Zhao Han nodded slightly.

Sheng Hong immediately said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. This is what I should do."

After Sheng Hong returned home, without even having a chance to rest, Lin Qinshuang sent someone to invite him over.

In Linqi Pavilion, Lin Qinshuang had been standing in the corridor waiting for a long time.

She was wearing a peach pink brocade dress, and her eyes were slightly red, as if she had just cried.

After seeing Sheng Hong's figure, she threw herself into his arms, "Hong Lang——"

This call was so convoluted that Sheng Hong's heart trembled.

Looking at Lin Qinshuang's pretty face with tears in her eyes.

Sheng Hong softened his voice and said, "Shuang'er, what's wrong? Did someone bully you?"

Lin Qinshuang took her arm and walked into the inner room while crying.

"Mo'er's coming-of-age ceremony, the lady actually said she wanted to rush it."

In Wang Ruofu's opinion, Minglan was just fine.

Molan is a concubine's daughter raised by her mother, so her coming-of-age ceremony is not worth making a big fuss about.

Invite a few ladies from official families who are on good terms with you, set up two or three simple banquet tables at home, have new clothes made for you, and make a pair of gilded hairpins for you. At any rate, it will be fine.

When Lin Qinshuang found out, she felt dissatisfied.

After all, Hualan's coming-of-age ceremony was grand and dignified.

All the prominent officials and their wives in Yangzhou City were present, filling up the three courtyards in front and back, and the coming-of-age gifts they received piled up like a small mountain.

"Honglang, I sacrificed my dignity and gave up my wife to be your concubine, but you can't let the mistress treat Mo'er so harshly."

"Our eldest sister is so respectable now. Although Mo'er is a concubine's daughter, she is still a daughter of the Sheng family."

"If the coming-of-age ceremony is shabby, outsiders will think that Mo'er..."

Having said this, Lin Qinshuang choked up and buried her face in Sheng Hong's chest.

Looking at the beautiful woman in his arms who was crying and almost fainting.

Sheng Hong frowned, took a deep breath and said, "It was the Madam who did the wrong thing."

"Don't worry, Shuang'er. I'll take charge. Mo'er's coming-of-age ceremony will definitely not be unfair to her."

As he spoke, he reached out to wipe away the tears from Lin Qinshuang's cheek. When his fingertips touched her delicate skin, his heart softened again.

"I'll go talk to the Madam right now and ask her to invite at least ten tables and give Mo'er a decent headdress."

Hearing this, Lin Qinshuang still felt somewhat wronged by Mo Lan, but she didn't show it. She stopped sobbing and said softly, "Mo'er is truly blessed to have a father like Hong Lang."

"It's no wonder that I can't restrain my deep love for Hong Lang~"

"I originally thought that since Hong Lang has been running around to Sister Wei's place lately, he had forgotten about me."

Sheng Hong's heart softened again, and he sighed softly, "Oh, I just went to see Brother Liu, why did you come so far?"

"How about this, I'll have Dongrong send you three hundred taels of silver tomorrow, and you can buy Mo'er a few more decent pieces of jewelry in private."

Lin Qinshuang nodded with tears in her eyes, "Honglang~ you are so kind~"

Three days later, Molan came of age. At Sheng Hong's strong request, the entire Sheng family decorated their house with lanterns and colorful decorations.

Just after the hour of noon, guests' carriages were already parked outside the mansion gate in an endless stream, and the maids and servants were busy working.

Inside Weiruixuan, Wang Ruofu's face was so gloomy that water could drip out. She slammed her palm on the table.

"Which concubine's daughter's coming-of-age ceremony would be as grand as hers?"

"This bitch mother and daughter only know how to use these seductive tricks to seduce the official!"

"Hua'er is also confused. Molan is just coming of age, why would you give her such a valuable gift?"

"Are you trying to piss me off to death as a mother?"

As the eldest sister, Hualan should have been present today, but she was still in confinement and the imperial physician had advised her not to overwork or catch a cold.

He sent someone to deliver a set of gilded and kingfisher-inlaid headwear as a coming-of-age gift for Molan.

Mother Liu sighed softly and said soothingly, "Madam, please calm down. My sister's status is different now, so she should behave more decently.

"If you had followed my instructions and handled the matter for the Fourth Young Lady in a proper and impartial manner, then Miss Lin wouldn't have taken advantage of the situation and come directly to the Master for help."

"Besides, you are well aware of the master's temperament. If Lin sheds a tear or says a few words, she will obey you without hesitation."

Wang Ruofu's heart was heaving with anger. "Bitch! I'll take care of her sooner or later!"

Madam Liu glanced outside and reminded, "Madam, listen, the guests are here."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu straightened her clothes, suppressed her anger and walked towards the main hall.

In the main hall, an incense table had been set up early, and the rosewood chairs on both sides were filled with the families of the city's prominent officials.

Among these people, there was not only the eldest lady who was on good terms with Wang Ruofu, but also the families of Sheng Hong's colleagues. Even Princess Pingning sent someone to deliver a coming-of-age gift.

After all, the Sheng family is no longer the same as it used to be, and Sheng Hong’s future identity as the emperor’s father-in-law is a foregone conclusion.

Although she is a concubine's daughter who has reached the age of marriage, it is still worth it for them to go there in person with gifts.

When the auspicious time arrived, Lin Qinshuang gave him many instructions.

Molan, dressed in plain colorful clothes, came slowly, bowed respectfully to the officials' wives, and then knelt on the cushion.

Minglan acted as the assistant, picking up the comb and gently and solemnly combing Molan's hair, and then tied her hair into a bun.

It would actually be more appropriate for Rulan to be the sponsor.

But the two of them had never gotten along, and asking Rulan to comb Molan's hair was even more painful than killing her.

The main guest put on the hairpin three times, read the blessing speech, and went to the ancestral hall to worship the ancestors. Then Molan's hairpin ceremony was considered complete.

The guests took their seats one after another, and from time to time they came to Wang Ruofu with their wine glasses and said some flattering words.

Wang Ruofu forced a smile, but kept thinking in her mind what method she could use to completely prevent Lin Qinshuang from causing trouble again.

Inside the Linqi Pavilion, I could hear the laughter and chatter coming from outside from time to time.
Lin Qinshuang frowned and paced back and forth in the room anxiously.

When Zhou Xueniang entered the room, she couldn't wait to ask, "How did it go? Was the ceremony completed? Did the eldest lady look at you with disdain?"

"Don't worry, young lady. In front of all the guests, the lady wouldn't dare to show any displeasure to you."

"That's good. As a mother, I must fight for Mo'er." After saying that, Lin Qinshuang narrowed her eyes and chuckled.

The coming-of-age ceremony is not only related to marriage arrangements, but also makes the girl more respectable in her husband's family after marriage.

Zhou Xueniang stepped forward, smiling broadly, and said, "Just now, Princess Pingning sent someone to give our young lady a pair of shrimp-whisker bracelets. From afar, I saw they were truly beautiful."

Lin Qinshuang raised her pretty face and raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair on her forehead behind her ear.

It was as if he had already seen Molan marrying into the Duke of Qi's mansion with great fanfare in the future.

After a moment, she asked, "Is the lady still lending money out there?"

Zhou Xueniang nodded and replied in a low voice, "That day, the eldest sister came back and scolded the eldest lady for this matter. A few days later, she went to the Kang Mansion."

"I think if we don't use this handle, it will be ineffective."

A cold light flashed in Lin Qinshuang's eyes, and her fingertips gently stroked the edge of the teacup.

In Weiruixuan, several female servants had been secretly won over by her, and whenever they got the chance, they would report all of Wang Ruofu's actions.

"Xue Niang, find an opportunity to tell Dong Rong about this."

(End of this chapter)