The He familys business was mainly located in the Western Market, where Hu merchants gathered, specializing in imported jewelry and spices, but they lived near the Eastern Market in Xuanpingfang, which was a gathering place for high-ranking officials.

  Here, although the house prices and land prices are much higher, and there are many luxurious mansions of high-ranking officials, which makes it inconvenient to expand houses, and you may encounter high-ranking officials on the road at any time, and have to avoid them and pay respects, which is very troublesome. However, many wealthy merchants still want to live here, especially since a few years ago when the rich families in Jinchengfang near Xishi were looted by the Hu people, many wealthy merchants have been buying land and houses here, just to seek stability. After all, who doesnt want to take risks with their hard-earned money? Money can be earned again if its lost, but frightening ones family is a big deal, every household has old and young members.

  As Peony and her entourage were about to arrive at the gate of Shengping Alley, a large group of people dressed in luxurious attire suddenly appeared before them. There were men and women, some riding horses and others on foot, surrounding an elegant white bamboo sedan chair with eight bearers, which was making its way towards them in a grand procession. Everyone in Peonys entourage dismounted their horses or got out of their carriages to make way for the procession.

  A woman who could ride an eight-person sedan chair was at least a second-class outer madam. Peony followed Mrs. Cen down from the sedan chair, stepped aside, and stole a glance, but saw that in the sedan chair, leaning against one side, was a young woman wearing a honey-colored embroidered silk long dress with a light green thin gauze cloak, painted moth eyebrows, yellow flower-shaped hairpins, high bun, with phoenix-shaped double gold hairpins, plump as jade, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a prominent belly, and a gentle expression. Obviously a young noblewoman who was about to give birth.

  "Besides the royal family, where else can you find such a young and high-ranking foreign madam?" After the group of people passed by, Xue Shi couldnt help but say: "This is Ning Wangfei. Compared to last month, she looks even more radiant, Im afraid shes pregnant. If she gives birth to an heir, her glory will be even greater." As she spoke, she glanced at Mudan with a hint of regret and let out a soft sigh.

  Peony understood the source of Xues envy and regret, as a merchant woman, she would always have to give way and pay respects to others, wanting to gain this respect, if relying on He Dala, it was likely that there would be no hope in this lifetime, unless her sons and grandsons had achieved success.

  As for herself, Hes family had gone to great lengths to give her this opportunity, but now it was all over. After the divorce, she was just an ordinary businesswoman. When she saw these people, no matter what the weather was like, she had to get off her horse and bow to show respect. Although it was a bit annoying, Peony soon got used to it. This was the rule of this era. Even someone as noble as Princess Ning had someone more noble than her above her head, and she also had to get off her horse and bow when she saw them. Whats so special about that?

  Peony smiled and supported Mrs. Cen back onto the sedan chair, saying carelessly to Xue Shi: "Elder sister, I think its going to rain today? Dont know if Father and elder brother will get rained on?"

  "This rain wont fall for a while, it seems like it wont come down." Xue Shi saw Peonys careless and heartless appearance, and let out a soft sigh. After all, she hadnt experienced wind and rain, and was a spoiled girl from a young age, who wouldnt accept apologies and compensation just because of one sentence, and would cut off all ties. How could she know what she had lost?! Even if she married into a wealthy family with exceptional talent, where else could she find a family like the Lius? A husband as handsome as Liu Chuan? And who knows if she will regret it so much that her intestines turn green in the future?!

  Xues idea was just an idea, and on the surface, she didnt dare to show even a hint of it. With many people in the household, her father-in-law was strict, her mother-in-law was powerful and clever, He Dalas temper was straightforward and violent, and all the younger sisters-in-law were not easy to deal with. Her nephews and nieces were all mischievous and troublesome, making her role as the eldest sister-in-law and aunt extremely difficult. Now that Mudan has returned home, if she doesnt arrange a good place for Mudan to live, she will inevitably offend her parents-in-law and He Dala. But if she does arrange a good place, she will offend her sisters-in-law and nieces instead. Its really putting her in a difficult position.

  Peony also knew that her sudden return home would bring a lot of inconvenience and trouble to everyone, so she pulled on Mrs. Cens sleeve and said softly: "Mother, I remember that there is an empty three-room corridor house behind your courtyard, if you dont mind me disturbing you, let me stay there to accompany you, how about it?"

  Madam Xun was also at Peonys residence, and according to custom, when Peony returned home, she was the elder of her granddaughters. Only if the granddaughters let their aunt have something would they get it, but not the other way around. However, peoples hearts are separated by skin, and in a household with many people, thoughts inevitably become complicated. Even just one sentence, after being passed through three people, might already have changed completely when it reaches the fourth persons ears.

  Like a peony, suddenly returning home and having to stay for a long time, the future is uncertain. In the short term, its okay, but as time goes on, its inevitable that people will be dissatisfied with her presence and suspect her intentions. At this point, how family members handle things becomes extremely important. They cant make their daughter feel wronged and heartbroken, feeling isolated and helpless, nor can they let the daughter-in-law feel jealous and think that she is being favored over her, which would lead to discord between sisters-in-law, brothers and sisters, and even the whole family.

  As soon as Peony said this, Mrs. Cen understood what she meant. What could be better than Peonys sensible and voluntary concession? Although Mrs. Cen was reluctant for her daughter to live in the three dark and narrow corridors of the backyard, she couldnt think of a better solution for the time being, so she held Peonys hand and said softly: "Im sorry, Ill discuss it with your father when he gets home, and well buy a bigger house. Its not good for all the children in the family to be crowded together, no one is comfortable. Weve been looking around these days, but there isnt a suitable one. Theres a medium-sized courtyard on Huai De Fang thats not bad, its next to Xi Shi, and its convenient to do business, but no one wants to move out."

  Hes family parents are not stingy and stubborn, if any of the six brothers in Hes family want to move out, they will not stop them. But why can dozens of people in a family live together without fear of crowding, and no one mentions moving out? Peony thinks that there must be a reason for this. She smiled and said: "This is a good thing, it means that the brothers and sisters are reluctant to leave their parents, the children grow up together, the feelings are good, and they have company."

  Madam Cen let out a soft sigh, stroking Peonys head, and said in a barely audible voice: "A child is not controlled by their mother. Our familys wealth can be spent for three lifetimes, your father and I only hope that everyone lives in harmony and peace, and we can die with our eyes closed."

  "Peony hastily covered her mouth and scolded, Shh, what nonsense are you talking about? You havent even enjoyed my good fortune yet, and in the past, Ive only brought trouble to all of you."

  Madam Cui saw that her daughter couldnt bear to say anything depressing, and was delighted in her heart. However, she smiled and said: "Im saying, Dan Niang, why are you being so polite with me now? Always talking about adding trouble and whatnot? Dont you think its a bit too formal?"

  "Look, Im being understanding," Peony said with a dry smile. Since she wasnt her biological mother, no matter how well she knew the He family doted on her, she also knew they actually doted on He Mudan. Naturally, she couldnt ask for things in a forthright manner and unknowingly became overly polite.

  "Ah, youve always been so sensible. When you were only two or three years old, you fell ill and lay in my arms, unable to eat anything. It was summer, but all you wanted was a pear. Your father had to go to great lengths to get one for you, and just as he was about to feed it to you, your sixth brother burst in, crying that he also wanted some. You were so small, yet you quietly handed over more than half of the pear to him and comforted him not to cry. From then on, no one dared say anything bad about you. Do you still remember?"

  "Such a long time ago, I dont remember it clearly," Peony smiled. "I only remember that Father and Mother, my brothers, they all treated me very well."

  Madam Cen smiled and said, "You only remember the good things about others." The He Liu Lang she mentioned was actually the youngest son of He Zhi Zhong, not her own child, but born to a concubine he had brought back from Yangzhou. At that time, both mother and son were in high spirits. The two siblings were two years apart in age, one was lively and energetic, while the other was often ill and frail, looking like they were not ordinary people. Fortunately, He Zhi Zhong loved his son dearly and also doted on his daughter, but she had a strong personality and couldnt bear to hear others say anything bad about her children. Seeing others sons being lively and energetic, while her own daughter was often ill and frail, made her feel especially uncomfortable in her heart.

  But Peony was quiet and well-behaved, not crying or making a fuss unless she was very seriously ill. During that incident, she was so young and sick, yet so sensible and willing to sacrifice herself, which made He Zhizhong feel even more fond of her amidst his worry, and he unwittingly favored her over his own son Liu Lang. There were many such instances, which is why Peonys favoritism from her parents and brother wasnt unearned.

  Peony quietly leaned against Mrs. Cen, listening to her talk about Peonys childhood, and felt especially sad for her and He Zhizhong. If they knew that their precious daughter was no longer there, being suffocated to death, how would they feel? Its probably heartbreaking. Peony tightly grasped Mrs. Cens hand, its okay, she will live well for Peony and take good care of them.

  Before they reached the He familys gate, several of Hes daughters-in-law and older children had already received news and came out to welcome them. A group of women and children surrounded Mrs. Cen, Xue Shi, and Peony, escorting them into the house, asking questions left and right, cursing and resentful, making suggestions, what a commotion! In no time, it attracted the attention of the surrounding neighbors.

  Peony was so flustered that she couldnt answer anyones questions properly, and could only lower her head and smile. Mrs. Cen spoke calmly and briefly, while Madame Xue said gently, "Lets go inside first and talk again."

  ——*——*——

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