The peasant girl has a private space, and her husband is handsome.

Guided by a servant of the Murong family, Luo Mingfang arrived at Murong Yan's Yanran Garden.

The courtyard was incredibly beautiful; the stone table and benches were inlaid with colorful gemstones, and there was even a hot spring pool in the courtyard.

The spring is shaped like a lion's head, with steaming spring water flowing continuously from the lion's mouth, and a faint smell of sulfur can be detected.

This is too extravagant.

Hot springs are a rare find, usually only enjoyed by royalty and nobility.

Seeing that Luo Mingfang's eyes were drawn to the hot spring pool, Murong Yan explained proudly, "Our Murong family's residence was chosen in a prime location hundreds of years ago. There are only two springs in the entire Murong mansion, and the future head of the family and I each got one."

This is enough to show how high her status was in the Murong family.

Luo Mingfang was particularly envious, thinking that Murong Yan, being so wealthy, would certainly not be stingy.

She quickly rolled up her sleeves and showed Murong Yan the rope marks on her arms.

"Miss Murong, I was beaten by Miss Su's maid for instigating the destruction of a rare book at Gu's Tea House."

Luo Mingfang spoke while weeping bitterly.

"Miss Su also made my grandfather sign a compensation agreement for 10,000 taels of silver."

Murong Yan refused to mention money, instead instructing her maid to place snacks and tea on the stone table in the courtyard. She disliked Luo Mingfang's shabby clothes and didn't even intend to let Luo Mingfang into the house.

She didn't ask Luo Mingfang to take the blame for her; it was Luo Mingfang's own choice.

You did it voluntarily, so why should you ask me for money afterward?

After pouring the tea, Murong Yan's maid, Xiao Luo, politely said, "Miss Luo, please have some tea."

Xiao Luo looked down on Luo Mingfang, and the young lady specifically instructed her to take down the snacks and tea meant for others to serve to Miss Luo, which shows that this Miss Luo was a person of no status or position.

The Luo family is so poor that Miss Luo is lucky to be able to eat the snacks that the servants of the Murong family eat.

Look, Miss Luo is eating the snacks that the servants are eating with such relish, one piece after another, she just can't stop. It's really shameful.

Luo Mingfang sat at the stone table, drinking a lot of tea and eating a lot of snacks. She had been waiting for Murong Yan to take out 10,000 taels of silver, but she never did.

Could it be that Murong Yan doesn't have any silver notes on hand, so she has to wait until tomorrow?

As it was getting dark, Luo Mingfang had no choice but to take her leave.

"Miss Murong, I will come again tomorrow."

At this moment, Murong Yan took out a piece of gold jewelry and gave it to Luo Mingfang. The style was old-fashioned and the weight was very light.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Luo, I have to go out tomorrow, so I'm afraid you won't be able to see me if you come."

The Murong family was wealthy and powerful, and this gold hairpin was usually used to reward the servants.

Murong Yan didn't intend to personally escort Luo Mingfang out of the mansion, but casually arranged, "Xiao Luo, you see Miss Luo off."

Luo Mingfang thought the gold jewelry was only worth a few dozen taels of silver.

She emphasized again, "Miss Murong, because of that rare book, Miss Su is demanding 10,000 taels of silver from our Luo family."

Seeing that Murong Yan didn't respond, Luo Mingfang became especially angry.

She got involved with Murong Yan for personal gain, but she didn't expect Murong Yan to be so stingy. It seems that it will be difficult for her to get money from Murong Yan in the future.

In that case, there's no need to be polite.

"Miss Murong, it was you who ordered the burning of the rare book, and I took all the blame for you. That's why Miss Su beat me up and demanded money. You should return that ten thousand taels of silver to me."

Murong Yan's expression was very calm. "Oh, so you're taking the blame for me. But I didn't do anything. If Miss Su has the ability to find out that I did it, I will naturally take responsibility."

One of the reasons why the five great families have been able to prosper for so long is that they teach their young masters and ladies from a young age to be principled and not to spend a penny that is not their responsibility.

Therefore, many people in Beijing say that the richer a person is, the stingier they are.

Luo Mingfang was furious, but there was nothing she could do; she couldn't possibly defeat the Murong family in a fight.

This grievance can only be swallowed alone.

She returned to her residence and lay in her room crying for a long time.

\

The next day was a sunny and pleasant day.

The prominent families of the capital had long heard that Grand Secretary Liang was coming to the capital, and today he was finally going to arrive.

Many prominent families have sent people to keep an eye on Grand Secretary Liang's movements.

Although Vice Minister Luo was heartbroken, he was still concerned about Grand Secretary Liang's return to the capital and wanted his grandson to become Grand Secretary Liang's student.

Grand Secretary Liang had served as the Emperor's tutor for a short period, so if any member of the Luo family were to associate with him, they would undoubtedly become the center of attention and the envy of others.

The most important thing is to get Minggeng to become an apprentice. If Minggeng succeeds in becoming an apprentice, Mingfang, as Minggeng's younger sister, will rise in status and will definitely be able to find a good husband in the future.

Mingfang is so pitiful. If we can't find her a good husband, he will die with regrets.

Therefore, it is something that must be pursued to become an apprentice.

I remember when Grand Secretary Liang was in the capital, the two of them had a decent relationship, so there should be hope for the matter of him becoming my disciple.

Full of confidence, Vice Minister Luo took his grandson Luo Minggeng to the South Gate early in the morning to wait.

He met Lord Xue and several other officials who were also waiting at the south gate.

The group tacitly understood that the other party had come to snatch Lord Liang away, and they all envied the child who had already been accepted as Lord Liang's personal disciple.

Lord Xue sighed and said, "I heard that Grand Secretary Liang came to the capital with his personal disciple. I wonder whose child he is, so fortunate!"

Vice Minister Luo looked disdainful. "I heard that child was taken in by Grand Secretary Liang in Qinghe County. What kind of good family could there be in such a remote place!"

Lord Zhang, however, had a different opinion: "I don't think so. Miss Su is from Qinghe County, but she is truly capable! I heard that the Zhang family of Qinghe County has become more and more prosperous since following Miss Su. Last time His Majesty raised funds, the Zhang family donated 80,000 taels of silver."

He knew that Minister Luo was Miss Su's biological grandfather, so when he spoke of Miss Su, he gave Minister Luo a meaningful look.

Minister Luo gets angry whenever he mentions his disobedient and unfilial granddaughter. That girl gives all the benefits to outsiders and doesn't care about family at all.

Hmph! Even if that girl knelt before him for three days and three nights, he wouldn't soften his heart and bring her into the Luo residence.

The crowd waited until the sun was almost setting before Grand Secretary Liang's carriage finally arrived.

Everyone entering the south gate had to get out of their vehicle for inspection.

Vice Minister Luo and the others rushed over, all wanting to chat with Grand Secretary Liang.

But then they saw Grand Secretary Liang leading a young master off the carriage.

Lord Xue was quite surprised after seeing the young master's appearance clearly. "Minister Luo, that young master looks very much like you."

Minister Luo looked closely at the child and found that he really looked like a member of the Luo family.

A terrible thought suddenly came to his mind: Could that young master be Su Bing's youngest son?

Could it be that the disciple whom Grand Secretary Liang took in Qinghe County was actually his own grandson?

Lord Xue was the first to step forward and greet him: "Grand Secretary Liang, how have you been?"

"Lord Xue, how have you been?" Grand Secretary Liang looked at the old acquaintances before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

The last time he went to the capital, he had his wife by his side, but this time they are separated by death. It's just a cruel twist of fate.

If it weren't for the orchids that Xiao Bao and Miss Su gave him during this time, he felt he wouldn't be able to survive.

Xiao Bao is very filial. He treats Xiao Bao as both an apprentice and a son, so he doesn't plan to take on any other apprentices.

Lord Xue was quite adept at flattery. Seeing that Grand Secretary Liang was holding the young master's hand tightly, clearly favoring this disciple, he quickly praised, "This young master must be Lord Liang's personal disciple, right? Indeed, he is a handsome and talented man."

Lord Xue felt that the young master looked just like Miss Su; they were both equally outstanding, and could be easily distinguished from each other in a crowd.

I heard that Miss Su has a younger brother. Could it be that the young master in front of me is Miss Su's younger brother?

Su Xiaobao, dressed in fine clothes, acted with great maturity, like a little adult, and bowed to Lord Xue.

"You flatter me, sir. I am very ordinary. The reason I was able to become a student of Grand Secretary Liang is all because I have a good older sister. It is all thanks to my sister."

Everyone present was envious of the young master's sister. Grand Secretary Liang had once said that he would never accept a personal disciple again, but that girl had managed to get her brother to become Grand Secretary Liang's disciple. She was truly amazing!