Do you know that my grandfather was entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple?

Chapter 63 Doubt

Wang You wanted his younger sister to exercise more so that her immune system would be weaker.

Unexpectedly, the little girl pulled Minglan to play together, and it seemed that Minglan was having a lot of fun.

Xiao Die deliberately created a flaw, allowing Minglan to capture Mu Jie'er.

The little girl wasn't angry when she was caught; instead, she laughed happily.

Laughter is contagious. Under the eaves, Wei Xiaoniang, her belly protruding, was sunbathing and making baby clothes. She heard the noise and looked over.

Seeing Minglan and Mu'er laughing so happily, he couldn't help but smile as well.

"Sister Minglan, it's my turn to catch her."

After playing around for a while, Sister Mu said.

"Rest for a bit and drink some water, you're all sweating."

Xiao Die took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Mu Jie'er's forehead.

She deliberately created an opening, because she'd been playing for too long and wanted them to take a break.

"Sister Xiaodie, let me do it."

Vanilla, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward and said.

Xiaodie didn't insist after hearing this. She handed Mu Jie'er over to Xiangcao and pulled Minglan over to wipe her down.

After wiping away their sweat, Xiaodie went inside to pour two cups of warm water, added honey, stirred it well, and brought it out.

The fact that Wei Xiaoniang's courtyard had honey was thanks to Mu Jie'er.

These past few days, Mu Jie'er has been coming to visit Minglan frequently, and when she drinks water, she says it doesn't taste good without honey.

Upon hearing this, Xiangcao went to fetch it, and when Madam Wang learned of this, she sent someone to deliver two jars to her.

After drinking a cup of honey water, Mu Jie'er belatedly realized that she was a little tired.

Remembering Wang You's suggestion that she take Minglan out to play, she said, "Sister Minglan, it's so lively outside now, let's go out and play."

Minglan was somewhat tempted by what she heard, but then looked at her mother.

Although Minglan was already seven years old at this time, because her mother, Wei, almost never let her leave the courtyard, she had very little contact with outsiders since she could remember.

He was only seven years old, unlike Wei Xiaoniang who was quiet and could stay still.

Today is Hualan's betrothal banquet, and she has heard that it is very lively outside. It would be a lie to say that she does not want to join in the fun.

"Mother, is it alright?" Minglan asked her mother expectantly.

"What did you call me?" Wei Xiaoniang asked sternly.

Minglan was startled and quickly said, "I know I was wrong, Mother."

Because of the way she was addressed, she was punished by Wei Xiaoniang countless times.

But she just can't change, or rather, she's unwilling to change.

Wei Xiaoniang told her that she could only call her stepmother "mother," but she didn't understand why Mo Lan could call her birth mother "mother."

She, however, wanted to call her birth mother "Little Mother".

It was because of this subconsciousness that, although she was afraid of being punished by her mother and changed her behavior every time she was punished, she would still call out to her mother afterwards.

Wei Xiaoniang initially wanted to refuse, but seeing the expectation in her daughter's eyes, she finally softened.

Minglan and Mu'er have had a great time these past few days, and their smiles are brighter than they have in recent years.

Wei Xiaoniang sighed and said, "You can go play, but remember not to cause trouble. You must be back before lunch, understand?"

Seeing that her mother hadn't agreed yet, Minglan's eyes slowly dimmed. Upon hearing this, she was first overjoyed, then exclaimed with delight, "I understand!"

"Go ahead," said Wei Xiaoniang.

"Sister Mu, let's go."

Minglan happily pulled Mu Jie'er along and said.

"Um."

Mu Jie'er nodded her little head and was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something. She pulled her hand away from Minglan's, bowed to Wei Xiaoniang, and then left with Minglan.

Watching Minglan and Mu'er leave with their maids, Wei Xiaoniang sighed, "Do you think I was too strict with her?"

"Your mother is not wrong, it's just that Ming'er is still young and cannot understand your good intentions," Xiaodie comforted her.

She had been by Wei Xiaoniang's side for many years and knew the reasons behind some of Wei Xiaoniang's actions.

Why do the personal maids of wealthy families rarely return their indentures? If they are maids of unmarried girls, they usually bring their dowry with them.

Once they arrived at their husband's home, these maids would either become his concubines, eventually being promoted to wives, or they would be given to the household steward.

Because personal maids almost always grew up with their masters from childhood, they know all of their masters' secrets over the years.

They even knew exactly where their master had any birthmarks.

If it gets out and starts spreading nonsense, that would be a real problem.

Wei Xiaoniang didn't speak, but only sighed softly.

…………

Minglan and Mu'er left the courtyard and went to the front yard.

Although she didn't know why her mother was always so cautious, she still remembered what her mother said.

The guests at the Intermediate People's Court are generally of high status, and it would be troublesome if you accidentally offended them.

The guests in the front yard are not of high status, so even if they accidentally offend someone, as long as they reveal their identity and are young, the guests will not pursue the matter.

Mu Jie'er didn't think too much about it and looked around, searching for Wang You's whereabouts.

Suddenly, Xiaotao stopped.

Minglan noticed that Xiaotao was staring in one direction and swallowing, so she looked in that direction.

"Xiao Tao".

Minglan scolded softly, "Can't you be a little more sensible?"

The Sheng family set up tables around the courtyard, laden with fruits and snacks for their guests.

Xiao Tao was sold into slavery because her family was poor. After only a few days in the hands of the slave trader, the Sheng family wanted to buy some untrained maids for their daughters, and she was lucky enough to be sold to the Sheng family.

When wealthy families choose attendants for their sons and personal maids for their daughters, they usually buy girls of similar age who have not been trained, around the age of six or seven.

Such individuals are easy to cultivate loyalty for; having grown up together since childhood, they are no different from assassins.

Like Buwei, who serves Qi Heng, and the maids of Sanlan, they are all very loyal.

Even though Yun Cai, who was by Mo Lan's side, was beaten to death, he did not betray his master.

The magpie beside Rulan was also nearly killed; if Rulan hadn't rushed forward to shield her, it would have died too.

Personal maids were actually treated very well. Generally, they ate whatever their masters ate, even if it was leftovers.

However, Xiao Tao had only been in the Sheng family for a short time, and Lin Xiao Niang had not yet started sending Wei Xiao Niang tonics. Wei Xiao Niang and her daughter's expenses were being cut, and they were already having a hard time.

Because her family was poor when she was young and she often went hungry, she couldn't move when she saw the snacks on the table.

…………

Gu Tingye was born into a noble family, and his every move and tone carried a hint of arrogance.

However, upon learning that Wang You had passed the prodigy examination and been appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, he immediately put away his arrogance.

After a brief chat, he was impressed by Sheng Changbai's eloquence and knowledge, and they had a very pleasant conversation.

"Big brother, cousin!"

Just as Gu Tingye suggested visiting Sheng Changbai's study, Sheng Changfeng greeted him with a smile.

"Young Master Gu!"

Sheng Changfeng bowed respectfully and said with a smile, "There's a game of pitch-pot over there, would Young Master Gu be interested in playing?"

Lin Xiaoniang suggested that he befriend Gu Tingye. After thinking it over, he figured that someone like Gu Tingye, a scion of a wealthy family, must love to play around.

Pitch-pot is a very common pastime.

Wang You looked at Sheng Changfeng, who was smiling, and a hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes.