Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Jiang Zhao accepted the brocade box with pleasure.

"Let's go for a walk in the garden."

The group walked around for nearly half an hour.

As an imperial residence, and with a garden spanning hundreds of acres, it has everything one could possibly need.

Flying brackets and intricate arches, winding corridors encircling the courtyard.

Carved window lattices and stone screen walls.

The lotus pond is serene and tranquil, with lotus pods peeking out from behind the water, and a faint fragrance of lotus blossoms filling the air.

Whether it's lotus flowers reflecting the sun or withered lotus leaves listening to the rain, both evoke a first-rate artistic conception.

The rockery garden is lush with beautiful trees, vines entwined, crabapple branches drooping, and plum blossoms casting slanting shadows.

Ginkgo, pine, tallow tree, red maple, willow, osmanthus, all are present.

There is also a stream about ten feet long that runs through the area, with clear water and occasional small fish swimming around.

Main hall.

Su Shi couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "This house is really big!"

Who would have thought that a cursory stroll would take half an hour?

exaggerate!

Jiang Zhao smiled faintly.

"No matter how big the house is, you'll only sleep in one bed."

"At first, I was overjoyed to receive the Emperor's gift. However, I gradually got used to it. In the end, whether the house is big or small, it's all for sleeping and resting."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

No matter how big the house is, you'll only sleep in one bed.

There is indeed a reason why it's best not to say what needs to be said.

"I have learned a lot," Su Shi said, bowing with his hands clasped.

Jiying Lane, Sheng Mansion.

Linqi Pavilion.

"Mo'er, why don't you try on a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress)?"

Lin Qinshuang held a round fan and waved her hand. A maidservant then pulled open a pale pink peony-patterned ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), embroidered with gold petals and adorned with a few peony flowers, over which was a rose-red gauze dress. (Illustration)

Because it's a light pink color and a girl's outfit, if it's paired with a pendant, it won't look glamorous at all; instead, it will look more refreshing.

Sheng Molan shook her head.

This set is usually fine, but this time it's my brother-in-law's housewarming party.

At that time, there will surely be many noble ladies and powerful gentlemen.

With just this one outfit, she might outshine everyone else.

She occasionally wore a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), but she knew that light pink was not a good color to highlight the temperament of a lady from a respectable family.

Can't get on the table.

"What about this one?"

Lin Qinshuang waved her fan, and her maid pulled open a moon-white silk jacket, revealing a lotus-root-colored gauze dress underneath. Only a few sparse plum blossoms were embroidered with silver thread at the collar and cuffs, paired with a light blue pearl pendant, making the dress relatively simple and understated.

In the past, whether Lin Qinshuang was busy fighting for favor at home or Sheng Molan was busy outshining Sheng Rulan, they almost never chose simple and plain clothes.

"This one."

Sheng Molan hesitated slightly, then slowly nodded.

"Just this one!"

Wealthy families tend to prefer dignified and reserved women.

Lin Qinshuang waved her fan, and the maidservant hurriedly went up to help her change her clothes.

"Mo'er."

Lin Qinshuang advised, "Once you enter the Jiang family, remember to be observant. If you have the chance to get to know one or two powerful young masters, that would truly be a blessing from heaven."

"I've got it." Sheng Molan nodded repeatedly.

Wei Ruixuan.

"Is Mo Lan going too?"

Sheng Rulan patted the ruqun she had specially chosen, her face full of surprise.

“That’s for sure,” Wang Ruofu muttered. “At these kinds of gatherings, the women either don’t go or they all go. Otherwise, wouldn’t it make you, the eldest sister, seem petty and treat your younger sister differently?”

She also didn't want Mo Lan to attend the housewarming party.

Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it.

If we're going, we definitely have to go to all of them.

Shou'an Hall.

Sheng Minglan, dressed in a light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), calmly held a cup of tea.

"Your brother-in-law's housewarming party will be full of top-tier socialites. Aren't you going to change your clothes?"

Grandma Sheng took a sip of tea and, seeing her granddaughter dressed in ordinary clothes, couldn't help but ask.

"If my granddaughter changes her clothes, even noble ladies from prestigious families would probably look down on me," Sheng Minglan said with a good sense of self-awareness.

Being born out of wedlock presented too many limitations in that era.

Grandma Sheng shook her head and sighed, saying nothing more.

……

Chapter 102 After the banquet, the Tibetan king died!

The morning light shines brightly.

Jiang Mansion.

Colorful flags fluttered in the breeze, and lanterns hung high in the sky.

The sound of gongs and drums filled the air, and the opera sang its long melody.

Guests arrived, creating a bustling atmosphere.

One by one, noble ladies from prominent families came to visit, many of whom were women with imperial titles.

For this housewarming banquet, Jiang Zhao did not hold a grand event. He only sent invitations to Han's officials of the fifth rank and above, some former subordinates, and friends.

Even so, it is still a considerable amount.

There are nearly a hundred officials of the fifth rank and above from the Korean faction alone.

His wife and children came to visit, and the total number of guests was nearly four hundred.

Since the officials were still dealing with government affairs, the guests were all female relatives for the time being, and Sheng Hualan was in charge of welcoming and entertaining them.

Opera, acrobatics, pitch-pot, ball games, drinking games—whether performances or small games—were all being carried out.

The back garden, with its artificial hill.

The winding stream flows like a jade ring holding a pearl. It flows down from the rugged peaks, with brocade carpets spread out on both banks and sandalwood tables arranged in a staggered pattern.

Sheng Hualan, dressed in a magnificent gown, sat regally in the main seat. The gold peony embellishment subtly complemented her silk robes, and her hair was adorned with jewels and jade ornaments. She smiled gently as she exchanged pleasantries with several noblewomen, her demeanor gentle and amiable, which won people's favor.

The music began, and the sound of the konghou (a type of harp) continued.

A maidservant presented a gilded wine cup with delicate hands. The cup was lotus-shaped and held clear wine that looked like amber.

From top to bottom, the wine cups drifted along the waves, sometimes circling the orchids, sometimes skimming the crabapple blossoms, shattering the reflections of flowers in the pond.

The guests sat around the water, their eyes following the flow of the wine cups.

Whoever the cup stops in front of has to follow the rules: either compose a poem on the spot or drink three cups of wine.

This is the story of the winding stream party.

In terms of elegance, it is definitely in the top tier.

Without exception, scholars and officials' wives all showed favoritism.

……

Main hall.

"clatter!"

Jiang Zhao held the arrow and tossed it gently, and it landed perfectly in the pot.

"Good aim," Gu Tingye praised.

"please."

Just then, a servant led several people inside.

Jiang Zhao glanced sideways.

Wang Ruofu, Sheng Molan, Sheng Rulan, Sheng Minglan.

The three women, Sheng Molan, Sheng Rulan, and Sheng Minglan, were somewhat surprised. They exchanged glances, then quickly bowed and respectfully said, "Brother-in-law, Second Uncle Gu."

After bowing to the people the two women knew, the three women then bowed in unison to the remaining people.

Jiang Zhao waved his hand to indicate that the others did not need to be so polite, and then solemnly bowed to Wang Ruofu: "Mother-in-law."

Upon hearing this, the others became serious and bowed respectfully.

"Oh dear!" Wang Ruofu quickly returned the greeting, glanced at the camera, and asked cautiously, "Am I...am I late?"

Looking around, however, there were no women in sight.

Jiang Zhao smiled casually: "Right now, the women should all be in the back garden."

The group nodded in unison and walked towards the back garden.

"Speaking of which, Zhong Huai actually knows his wife's younger sister?" Jiang Zhao asked with a look of surprise.

If I remember correctly, Gu Tingye did not attend the Sheng family's private school.

Holding an arrow, Gu Tingye explained, "A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. By the time your letter reached me, I had already been studying at the Sheng family's private school for a few days."

Jiang Zhao understood.

Two years ago, Gu Tingye sent a letter saying that he had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar.

At that time, he happened to intend to submit a memorial entitled "Strategy for Pacifying the Barbarians," and in order to have someone to help him, he sent a letter to Gu Tingye.

The time difference in the delivery of the letter is probably the time when Gu Tingye entered the Sheng family's private school.

“Reading is definitely a good thing,” Su Shi praised. “Among military generals and nobles, there are few like Zhonghuai who are proficient in both literature and martial arts.”

"Haha." Gu Tingye laughed, standing with his hands behind his back: "If I have the chance, I'll have to try to pass the imperial examination and get the title of Juren."

The worst thing is comparison.

Compared to other military nobles, he was a relatively special case.

Because of his acquaintance with Jiang Zhao and his familiarity with the Seven Sons of Jiayou, and because he had the scholar's tattoo on his body, many civil officials had already classified him as a "scholar-general".

I approve of him more.

Even the bestowal of rewards was not hindered in any way.

In any case, he had already quite clearly perceived the difference between a "scholar-general" and a "meritorious nobleman".

Now that we've recognized the difference, we have to strive to climb higher.

At the very least, he has been definitively labeled as a "scholar-general".

“Okay!” Jiang Zhao nodded: “At that time, I will have the officials of Huaizuo vouch for you.”

Scholars have to take exams, but they can't just take them whenever they want.