Do You Know?: Rule the World

After returning to the dormitory, Zhao Han picked up the jade pendant and looked at it carefully. Apart from the delicate carving and exquisite pattern, there was nothing special about it.

But after all, this is the relic of his original mother, so he naturally has to take good care of it.

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Chapter 11 Wei Xiaoniang prepares a thank you gift

The next day, the morning light was dim.

At the Sheng Mansion, several servants were breathing out white air and sweeping the road with brooms in their hands. The maids in each courtyard had already stood up and were hurriedly walking around carrying copper basins filled with hot water.

Old Madam Sheng sat upright on the Arhat couch, took a sip of hot tea, and looked at Sheng Hong indifferently.

"Have you dealt with yesterday's incident?"

Although Old Madam Sheng devoted herself to worshipping Buddha and never left the house, nothing in the backyard could escape her sharp eyes.

The servants around her, such as Fang Mama, Cui Mama, Cuiwei, etc., are even more sharp-eyed, careful, experienced and capable.

"It has been properly handled. It's my son's fault. I'm sorry to have caused my mother so much trouble."

Sheng Hong put down his bowl and chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and spoke respectfully.

Old Madam Sheng said, "I didn't worry about it at all. I just feel sorry for the mother and daughter of the Wei family. They were bullied to this extent by the cunning servant."

"Don't worry, mother. When I came to pay my respects, I heard from the servants that Lin had brought a lot of gifts with her."

When it comes to his stepmother, Sheng Hong has always been well-behaved.

Old Madam Sheng snorted softly and narrowed her eyes. Even if she didn't send anyone to inquire, she knew who was behind the scenes.

"Looking at them reminds me of you when you were little."

Sheng Hong's biological mother was the concubine Chun Xiaoniang. The old master of the Sheng family, Sheng Huaiyuan, favored another concubine, Hong Xiaoniang. He not only allowed her to kill his legitimate son, but also forced Chun Xiaoniang to death with a bowl of poison.

Sheng Hong, who lost the protection of his biological mother, had no healthy skin on his body before he was seven years old. It was not until Mrs. Sheng got over the pain of losing her son that she brought him to her side to raise him.

A lingering pain appeared in Sheng Hong's eyes.

He was silent for a moment, then said, "It's all my son's fault. I will take good care of Ming'er and Wei from now on."

"I hope you can remember what you said." Old Mrs. Sheng said indifferently.

He knew Sheng Hong's personality, but whenever it came to Lin Qinshuang, he would always hold her in high esteem and then speak down gently, trying his best to excuse her.

Seeing the tense atmosphere in the room, Sheng Hong changed the subject, "The doctor suggested a while ago that Mother choose a granddaughter to raise as her own. I wonder if Mother has any chosen one?"

Old Madam Sheng glanced at him without answering, but gently stirred the hot porridge in the bowl with a porcelain spoon.

Sheng Hong said, "I think Mo'er is the most intelligent and sweet-talking. Why not let her come to mother's side?"

When Mrs. Sheng heard this, her face suddenly darkened.

"You're quite picky. I won't hide it from you. The fourth girl is quite clever, but I think her personality is exactly like Lin's."

"I'm old and can't bear this anymore."

Lin Qinshuang was also raised by Old Lady Sheng for five or six years. She was originally the daughter of an official family. When she was young, her family was convicted and exiled, and she was secretly sent to the Sheng Mansion.

After she came of age, Old Lady Sheng found a husband for her from a scholarly family. Although the family was poor, she had no worries about food and clothing, and she had the title of a scholar.

Unfortunately, Lin Qinshuang despised the poor and loved the rich, and refused to marry him no matter what. She even secretly planned to climb into Sheng Hong's bed.

Afterwards, she used her pregnancy to threaten Old Lady Sheng and Wang Ruofu, threatening them that if they did not agree to let her marry into the family, she would make the matter known to everyone.

For the sake of Sheng Hong's official reputation and career, Old Lady Sheng had to persuade Wang Ruofu to agree to let her become a concubine.

After this incident, Old Lady Sheng completely saw through Lin Qinshuang's true face and made a rule that she would never be allowed to step into the courtyard again.

Sheng Hong knew what was bothering Old Lady Sheng. He said awkwardly, "Mo'er is only ten years old this year. He needs guidance. If only he could have his mother..."

Before she finished speaking, Mrs. Sheng put the bowl of porridge down heavily, and the porcelain spoon made a crisp sound when it hit the edge of the bowl.

Sheng Hong's heart skipped a beat and he quickly shut his mouth.

Old Madam Sheng picked up the hot water bottle placed beside her and said calmly, "I plan to go up the mountain to worship Buddha in a few days and come back after Laba Festival."

"My son knows, and he will tell the servants to prepare it."

Old Madam Sheng waved her hands in annoyance, "Now that you've finished eating, go back to your official duties."

Sheng Hong glanced at the porridge he had just taken two mouthfuls of, and had no choice but to stand up and take his leave.

After he left, Fang Mama stepped forward and said, "Don't be upset, old lady. The master was just confused for a moment."

"He's confused? I think he knows everything, but he's just pretending to be confused."

Old Mrs. Sheng picked up the hot tea and took a sip, looking a little tired.

"Forget it, let's not talk about him anymore. Out of sight, out of mind. Let's go out and hide away for some quiet time."

-

In the side courtyard, Wei Xiaoniang's room was piled with various supplements and daily necessities.

The dishes on the table were more abundant than ever before: milk candy rice porridge, pickled quail, Ruyi cake, rouge goose breast...

Minglan, with her hair in two buns and wearing a brand new cotton-padded jacket, was sitting at the table with Xiaotao, enjoying her breakfast.

"Little girl, why don't you eat?"

Minglan blinked her eyes, as bright as a deer in the forest, and looked at Wei Xiaoniang with curiosity.

Xiao Tao even stood up and took the initiative to pick up some food for Wei Xiao Niang, "Xiao Niang, this rouge goose breast is so delicious, try it now."

Wei Xiaoniang smiled gently, but there was a hint of uneasiness in her heart.

"You guys eat, I'm not hungry yet."

Not long after, Xiaodie pushed the door open and came in, whispering, "Miss, I've already made arrangements for the two people Miss Lin sent over. I'll just have them do some rough work outside."

"It seems to me that they were sent here to monitor us."

Wei Xiaoniang nodded slightly.

"Right now, I can't refuse the people Lin Xiaoniang sent me, so I can only ask you to keep a closer eye on them. We should also be more careful with our words from now on."

"Don't worry, little girl. I will be more careful after this incident."

As they were talking, Xiaodie noticed that Wei Xiaoniang was reluctant to pick up her chopsticks. She frowned and asked, "Is this food not to my taste?"

Wei Xiaoniang lowered her eyes, "It's not that I don't like it, it's just..."

She hesitated to speak, her eyes sweeping over the table full of delicacies.

"This sudden kindness makes me feel like I can't eat. Not to mention the eldest lady, I'm afraid the breakfast in the old lady's room is not as sumptuous as this."

Xiaodie looked a little solemn, but she couldn't figure out what Lin Qinshuang wanted to do.

"I think Miss Lin is probably doing this just to impress her master. Maybe she'll go back to her old ways in a few days."

Wei Xiaoniang sighed softly, picked up the bowl and chopsticks and reluctantly ate a few bites. Then she stood up, holding her pregnant belly, opened the wooden box sent by Sheng Hong, took out twenty taels of silver from it and handed it to Xiaodie.

"Go to the Zhao residence later and return the silver to Zhao's son." Then, he took out another package and said, "Give this to him as well, as a thank you gift."

After Xiaodie took it, she said, "Young Master Zhao is a good man. I heard the maids in the front yard say that in a while, Young Master Zhao will become our eldest brother-in-law."

"My elder sister is getting married?!" Minglan exclaimed, and Zhao Han's figure appeared in front of her.

Wei Xiaoniang reached out and tapped her head. "Why are you so startled? The eldest lady has been very sincere to us over the years. She and the young man from the Zhao family seem to be a perfect match."

As the eldest sister, Hualan has always been very considerate and caring towards her younger siblings, especially the youngest one, Minglan.

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Chapter 12 The Prefect Hosts a Banquet

After breakfast, Xiaodie deliberately avoided Zhulou and Luoluo, went out from the corner gate, and went straight to Zhao's house.

Xiaodie is only sixteen or seventeen years old this year, in the prime of her life. Although she wears a straw hairpin and a cloth skirt and has not put on any makeup, she has a natural charm.

"My young lady, remembering your kindness, has specially instructed me to return the silver to Mr. Zhao."

"This package contains a pair of knee pads. I heard that you will be going to Beijing to take the imperial examinations after the New Year, so I specially sewed them for you."

"The weather in Bianjing is not as good as that in Yangzhou. The spring examination period is a time of late spring cold, so it is very cold. I hope you will accept it."

Zhao Han took the knee pads from Xiaodie's hand. At first glance, he saw that the stitching was fine and even. The outer layer was indigo coarse cloth, and the inner layer was lined with soft cotton wool. The edges were also locked with dark cotton thread, which was enough to show that Wei Xiaoniang had put a lot of effort into it.

"Please ask Miss Xiaodie to tell Wei Xiaoniang that Zhao has taken note of this kind gesture."

Xiaodie's eyes were like stars and she smiled.

"If it weren't for you, I would have been expelled from the Sheng Mansion. I really don't know how to repay this kindness."

Zhao Han said softly, "It's just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning."

"Miss Xiaodie, you better be more vigilant in the future. It's easy to dodge an open attack, but it's hard to guard against an arrow from the dark."

He knew that Lin Qinshuang would not give up. In her eyes, Wei Xiaoniang was her biggest enemy.

If you want to get rid of Wei Xiaoniang, you must start with Xiaodie.

It can be said that its wings are plucked out, its escape route is cut off, its body is imprisoned, and then it is boiled in warm water!

Xiaodie nodded repeatedly, "I've made a note of this. Miss Lin has been sending gifts to our courtyard like water today, and she even specifically instructed the kitchen to take good care of Miss Lin's meals in the future. Now that the Master has spoken, I think she should be able to rest for a while."

Zhao Han frowned, and the words "big fetus and difficult birth" suddenly popped up in his mind.

"Has a doctor come to your house recently to check Miss Wei's pulse?"

Xiaodie noticed that Zhao Han looked a little strange, and immediately said, "The doctor came here three days ago. He just said that the baby seems to be in good condition and there is nothing wrong."

After thinking for a while.

Zhao Han said, "You might as well go to the doctor secretly to ask for clarification. If there is really nothing wrong, you can rest assured."

Xiaodie nodded rapidly. Since it concerned Wei Xiaoniang's safety, she dared not be vague at all.

It is almost the end of the year, and several important things have happened during this period.

First, Zhao Han and Hua Lan had already exchanged engagement letters, and the marriage was settled from then on.

Secondly, Sheng Hong was about to be promoted to the fifth rank Chengzhilang and had already received the imperial edict issued by the Ministry of Personnel. He only had to wait for the new Tongpan to come to Yangzhou and hand over the official duties at hand before he and his family could move to Bianliang.