Do You Know?: Rule the World

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Chapter 18 What a good thing you did

In the west wing, after Sheng Hong entered the house, he just sat there without saying a word, and glanced at Lin Qinshuang from time to time.

"Honglang~~"

The call was very soft, with the ending tone trembling and rising, like a feather scratching the tip of a person's heart.

"The good things you've done are almost spreading throughout Yangzhou City!"

After Sheng Hong finished speaking, he looked up at her, only to see Lin Qinshuang with a porcelain-white face raised up, her eyes slightly red, and her whole body looking delicate and charming.

"If Mr. Hong were to come and accuse me of something because of Sister Wei, then that would be a real injustice to me."

"I have taken great care of Sister Wei. It is really those servants who are lazy and try to cheat when the mistress is not around." Lin Qinshuang drooped her eyelashes and her voice became softer.

"Really? You don't even have someone to call a doctor, and you want a child to run away tomorrow!" Sheng Hong's eyes were still cold.

Lin Qinshuang knelt at Sheng Hong's feet, wiped away her tears and said, "This is indeed my negligence. It took me three or four hours to give birth to Brother Feng. I thought Sister Wei would be born soon."

"Who would have thought that the Sixth Girl would run away without even saying goodbye? This servant really didn't mean to harass them. Hong Lang, don't you even trust this servant?"

After hearing this, Sheng Hong fell silent. Then he thought about how difficult it was for Lin Qinshuang to give birth to Sheng Changfeng. His cold expression couldn't help but relax a little.

Zhou Xuenniang seized the opportunity and chimed in, "My Lord, my lady is very considerate of Wei. She's always the first one to come to the kitchen when something delicious comes in. Everyone in the mansion has seen it."

"My own health isn't good either, but I keep saying that Wei Xiaoniang needs nourishment after giving birth. Yesterday, I bought two kilograms of the best blood swallows with my own money. I couldn't bear to use it myself, so I gave it all to Wei Xiaoniang."

"Not only that, I go to see Seventh Brother every day, afraid that there will be any more mistakes or omissions."

"Xue Niang, why are you saying these things to the master?" Lin Qinshuang scolded him and looked at Sheng Hong with tearful eyes.

"Honglang, I know you are angry, but I really...really..." Before she finished speaking, she choked with sobs, crying like a pear blossom in the rain, her body swaying, and she was about to faint.

When Sheng Hong saw this, he suddenly felt a little more pity in his heart.

He hurriedly helped Lin Qinshuang up from the ground, held her in his arms, and after silently weighing the pros and cons, he said, "Shuang'er, I was impulsive and wronged you."

"But this matter has been spread out, and the Sheng family has lost face. From now on, the key to the house should be handed over to the eldest lady."

Lin Qinshuang nodded, her voice choked with sobs and tenderness.

"As long as you trust me, I will obey you in everything."

It was not until late in the evening that Sheng Hong finally arrived at Wei Xiaoniang's courtyard.

Seeing that the seventh brother was well fed and waving his powerful little fists in his cradle, Sheng Hong was naturally very happy.

Minglan lay on the side and couldn't help but poke his chubby little face with her fingers.

"Daddy, my little brother hasn't been named yet." Minglan blinked her big watery eyes and looked up at Sheng Hong.

Sheng Hong stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes gentle. "Let's call him Sheng Changliu. The word 'Liu' implies both flexibility and endless life."

"Changliu, what a nice name! One should be like a willow, soft on the outside but strong on the inside, able to bend and stretch." Wei Xiaoniang's eyes shone with tenderness as she leaned over and called softly, "Brother Liu..."

Liu Ge'er called out "Ya Ya Yi Ya" a few times, as if responding to Wei Xiaoniang.

"This child is really smart. His eyes and eyebrows look very much like you." Sheng Hong's expression changed slightly, and he spoke from the bottom of his heart.

Wei Xiaoniang smiled and lowered her eyes and said, "My Lord, you are joking. The child is still young, how can he tell?"

Then, Wei Xiaoniang continued, "I was able to give birth to Brother Liu safely this time, thanks to my eldest brother-in-law who invited the doctor. I hope my master will thank my eldest brother-in-law on my behalf."

"I will prepare a generous gift to thank you, my son-in-law. Just rest assured and take good care of yourself."

Sheng Hong's tone was a little stiff; what he cared about most was his face.

But now, this is the second time he has lost face in front of Zhao Han, making him feel uncomfortable as his father-in-law.

-

A few days later, the sound of firecrackers from New Year's Eve was still ringing in my ears, and in a blink of an eye it was the first day of the first lunar month.

In the dim morning light, the thin snow on the bluestone road was trampled into messy footprints by people running back and forth to greet the new year.

Zhao Han, dressed in a brand new moon-white brocade robe, stood at the foot of the hanging flower gate and distributed the red envelopes that had been prepared long ago to the maids and servants waiting on the side.

"Thank you, brother! Happy New Year!" A little maid with twin buns took the red envelope and bowed with a smile, "Brother, you will definitely pass the imperial examination and get a top score!"

Upon hearing this, several elderly maids at the back quickly echoed, "That's right! With your character, appearance, and talent, it's only right that you're chosen as the top scholar by the emperor."

Zhao Han had a gentle smile on his face, and these auspicious words were indeed pleasant to hear.

After distributing the red envelopes, Chang Qing came trotting over and bowed, saying, "Brother, the gifts and carriage are ready. Mother Hu is urging us to set off."

"Let's go."

Zhao Han sat upright in the carriage and slowly headed towards the Sheng Mansion.

As the son-in-law of the Sheng family, his first task today was to pay New Year's greetings to the old lady and his future father-in-law and mother-in-law.

Soon, the carriage stopped outside Sheng Mansion.

Seeing that it was Zhao Han, the gatekeeper immediately came forward with a smile and said, "My dear son-in-law, hello. My master just told me that if you come, please go directly to the old lady's courtyard to talk."

As he spoke, he quickly placed the footstool in place and shouted towards the door, "Hurry up and tell them that the son-in-law has arrived!"

Chang Qing, who was following Zhao Han, was very sensible and took out a red envelope and put it into his hand.

The servant subconsciously glanced down and saw that the red envelope was heavy, at least one or two taels of silver. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Thank you for the reward, sir!"

When Zhao Han arrived at Old Lady Sheng's courtyard, Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu sat below the old lady, while Hua Lan, Chang Bai and others sat in order according to the rules.

He straightened his clothes and walked into the hall, bowing and saying, "Grandson-in-law wishes the old lady good health and a long life." Then he turned to Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu and said, "I wish my father-in-law good health and my mother-in-law good health."

When he glanced at the girls present, he saw Hualan in a light pink brocade dress. Her black jade-like hair was tied up high, with a few delicate and small hairpins inserted diagonally. Her figure was graceful, showing her elegance and beauty.

On her left was a little girl wearing a goose yellow short jacket, about ten years old, with willow eyebrows and almond eyes, pretty and beautiful. Zhao Han recognized her as Rulan, the fifth daughter of the Sheng family, at first sight.

Next came Molan and Minglan. One of them was dressed exquisitely, with a certain degree of deliberate reserve in her gestures, while the other wore only a plain mauve cotton skirt, her drooping eyelashes casting a light shadow on her small face.

Zhao Han bowed slightly and said, "Ladies, put on your makeup."

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Chapter 19 Hualan Gives Sachet

Several girls also stood up and saluted, "Brother Zhao, how are you?"

Sheng Changbai smiled and said, "Brother Zhao... No, it's time to call me brother-in-law now. Yesterday, my eldest sister quietly asked me what you have been doing recently."

"Changbai..." A blush suddenly appeared on Hua Lan's face. After glancing at Zhao Han, she quickly lowered her head.

Zhao Han turned his head and glanced at Hua Lan, then jokingly asked, "Did you say a few good words for me?"

"If not, I must get that Wujiang fishing painting back."

Sheng Changbai ignored Hua Lan's attempts to stop him, shaking his head and saying, "As for the so-called accepting money to do things for others, I only told my elder sister that you studied hard at home day and night, just to pass the imperial examination and come to our house to propose marriage!"

"Grandma, look at them..."

Hua Lan's eyebrows were slightly frowned, her face flushed, and her slender fingers kept twisting the handkerchief. She hurriedly looked at Old Lady Sheng for help.

Old Mrs. Sheng chuckled twice.

"Alright, alright. If you keep talking, I'm afraid our Hua'er will be so embarrassed that she'll hide back in the house."

Wang Ruofu and Sheng Hong both had smiles on their faces, but different expressions.

Seeing that his daughter and her future husband were so in love, he was naturally very happy.

"I heard that Erlang of the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion has been with you a lot recently?"

Sheng Hong asked softly, as long as the legitimate son of the marquisate did not leave Yangzhou safely, the officials in Yangzhou would feel uneasy.

"Yes, Gu Erlang is planning to go to Bian Jing with me." Zhao Han answered in a serious voice.

Gu Tingye was busy managing the Bai family's various shops. Even though Gu Yankai wrote to him several times urging him to go back, he refused.

"That's good too. You two will have someone to look after you along the way."

Sheng Hong stroked his beard and smiled, thinking secretly that since Zhao Han could make good friends with the eldest son of the Marquis' Mansion, he might get some help in his future official career.

After talking with everyone here, nearly an hour had passed.

Seeing that Old Lady Sheng looked tired, Zhao Han stood up and said goodbye to everyone.

Just as Sheng Hong was about to ask Changbai to see Zhao Han off, he heard Old Madam Sheng say, "Let Hua'er go. Isn't Changbai going to pay a visit to Master Zhuang?"

The old lady said, looking at Hua Lan meaningfully, "Hua'er is very polite, and he will definitely be able to send Zhao's son to the second gate."

Just as Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu were stunned, Hua Lan stood up and responded gracefully, "Don't worry, grandma, I understand."

She quietly straightened the non-existent wrinkles on her sleeves, nodded slightly to Zhao Han and said, "Brother Zhao, please."

Seeing the two figures disappear in the hall, Wang Ruofu frowned and looked at the old lady with puzzled eyes.

"Why did mother ask Hua'er to send her off? It would be against etiquette if this got out."

Old Madam Sheng took a sip of her hot tea slowly. "You two fools! Hua'er has been secretly embroidering a sachet from me for half a month, just waiting for the chance to give it to Zhao's son."

"It's a clear marriage anyway, so it wouldn't hurt to let the two kids have a few more words."

"Besides, as a mother, don't you know Hua'er's personality? He is very well-behaved and polite, and would never do anything out of line."

Sheng Hong leaned back in his chair and smiled. "What mother said is true. It's better to talk a few more times than to treat each other like guests after marriage."

As he spoke, Sheng Hong turned his gaze to the three girls again.

"Brother Zhao prepared several gifts when he came and has sent them to each courtyard. You should go back and take a look."

"Yes, daddy."

After the three of them responded together, Rulan lifted up her skirt and ran out impatiently.

Molan and Minglan bowed politely before turning around and leaving.

On the other side, the two of them walked slowly across the courtyard. Hua Lan deliberately lagged behind by half a step, always maintaining a proper distance.

"Miss, do you have anything to say?" Zhao Han slowed down when he saw that she seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Hua Lan pursed her lips and subconsciously stroked the sachet in her sleeve with her fingertips.