Li Yuan suppressed the fire in his heart and looked at Madame Cui with a low voice: "You really are muddled, from today on, you don't have to go out or manage external affairs. Just taking care of the household is already a great help to me." After finishing speaking, he didn't look at Madame Cui's expression and called Li Yi and Li Man Niang out to discuss how to handle this matter.

  Li Man Niang said bluntly, "I thought this matter was not a big deal before. What time is it? Whether Meng Ruren really got Ning Wang's intention or not, Dan Niang wouldn't agree, and Ning Wang wouldn't force her either. It's just that Meng Ruren was pretending to be mighty, and coincidentally, her siblings had private motives, made mistakes, and went too far. Otherwise, why would it cause such a big commotion? In my opinion, Meng Ruren is indeed overbearing, daring to make Huang Jia's Xue Niang kneel down and apologize for not being satisfied with just one thing, and thinking that she can manipulate Dan Niang with just a string of pearls. She deserves to be taught a lesson. I wonder how she usually behaves in the palace?"

  "She is the cousin of the former queen and also comes from a prestigious family. Except for the former queen, she has the highest status, and King Ning also shows her favor due to his respect for the former queen. She is a very proud person, but not particularly liked by King Ning."

  Such a person, who knows if she still has ambitions, thinking of becoming the second Ning Wangfei, no wonder she's been trying to find opportunities to please Ning Wang everywhere. Li Maniang furrowed her brow and said: "Since her family background is like that, even if Ning Wang finds out about this matter, he probably can't do anything to her fundamentally, it's just a scolding and some punishment. The Huang family isn't afraid of offending her, but I'm worried she'll take it out on Dan Niang. Therefore, you should personally go refuse her, make it sound reasonable, for example, say that Dan Niang is ill or something, as for Ning Wang, think of a more suitable way to slowly test the waters."

  Li Yuan sighed, "I think so too. We'll have to trouble Sister He to go to the He's place early tomorrow morning to apologize and make amends on our behalf. After this matter is completely settled, I will personally visit their home to apologize. This family relationship, we can salvage as much as possible."

  Li Man Niang sighed and said: "If I don't go up, who will?"

  Li Yuan glanced at Li Wei and said, "This matter was indeed mishandled by your mother, she went too far. But no matter how wrong she was, it's a fact that she did it all for you. If only you had listened to me earlier, none of these things would have happened. Never mind, I won't say anything more about it, just take care of yourself."

  Li Wei faintly responded with a "yes", got up and said: "I'm tired, I'll go sleep first."

  Li Maniang saw him walk far, turned her head to Li Yuan and said: "You'd better be careful, Meng Ruren is not a good thing, this kind of thing has one then there will be two. His mother does things without considering the consequences, if she did it once, can she still shirk next time? Moreover, even his own niece is willing to come forward and help, then other people's families are even more insignificant. Sending women to Ning Wang, currying favor with the back house woman, spreading out will ruin your reputation, and even affect the child, I think in a short time don't let her have contact with those people again."

  Li Yuan sighed and said, "Sister, you didn't say it, but I was also planning to do so. I didn't mention her earlier because the child was present. Don't worry, I'll make sure she stays home and rests properly."

  On the second day, early in the morning, Li Maniang rushed to the He family before the men went out. The gatekeeper was surprised to see her and hesitated as to whether he should let her in as usual or go and report first. As he hesitated, Li Maniang pretended to whip him with a horse whip and said: "Hurry up and get out of my way, if I'm late for my business, I won't forgive you."

  The gatekeeper saw her smiling and being very friendly, so he also smiled along with her: "Mrs. Li, please wait a moment, I'll go inform them right away."

  Li Maniang also noticed the difference, and couldn't help but laugh to herself. She thought that since her own sister-in-law had made a scene just yesterday, it was normal for others to be angry too. So she sat down in the gatehouse to wait. She didn't have to wait for long, as Mrs. Cen came out personally to greet her, with a smile that wasn't very natural, but still polite in her words and actions.

  Li Man'niang let out a sigh of relief, warmly grasped Mrs. Cen's hand and walked inside, smiling: "Earlier you wouldn't let me enter the door, I thought it was because you were also angry with me."

  Madam Cen's smile faded, and she said with slight annoyance: "I'm not that muddled. But you're not allowed to plead for her, this matter between us is far from over. Her child is a treasure, while mine is just weeds?"

  "It's all treasures." Li Maniang smiled and said, "I'm not here to plead for her." As they spoke, they entered the house. The He family had just finished breakfast and were still chatting about some business news and strange stories from the streets, without any signs of deep hatred or resentment.

  Li Maniang immediately spotted Peony. Peony was wearing a rose-red dress with an embroidered hem, paired with a dark green eight-piece long skirt, and had a gold-threaded cloud-patterned sash tied around her waist. Her hair was neatly combed and she sat beside He Zhizhong, placing her hand on his knee, slightly tilting her head to the side, listening intently to everyone's conversation with a clever expression. Except for her pale complexion, her overall demeanor looked fine.

  Everyone saw Li Maniang come in, they all stood up and politely greeted her, offered her a seat, and served tea. However, Li Maniang knew the temperament of this family, although it looked good at the moment, if she were to side with Mrs. Cui, they would definitely turn against her immediately. She didn't waste any words, directly and straightforwardly conveyed Li Yuan's apology, letting everyone not worry, and promised that things would be resolved properly.

  He Zhizhong smiled faintly, neither affirming nor denying: "I met an imperial censor surnamed He a few days ago, who had just arrived in the capital. He liked my straightforwardness and capacity for wine, and didn't mind that I was a merchant. He invited me to his home several times, and I mentioned to Dan Niang last night that we should go ask him how to handle this pearl properly. Since Yuan Chu has already figured out a way to deal with it, I won't have to embarrass myself by asking for help."

  He has been in business for so many years, and it's not just Li Yuan he knows, nor does he rely solely on him. His money isn't all invested in jewelry and spices either. When it comes down to it, who fears whom? The Imperial Censorate is full of people who aren't afraid to die; he doesn't believe Ning Wang will sacrifice his own good reputation.

  Li Maniang sighed silently, the He family really hated Mrs. Cui to death, this relationship was irreparable. It's no wonder that the He family is on high alert, ordinary people who get involved with the royal family are doomed, even their own relatives come to kick them while they're down, it's only natural to feel sad, angry and shocked. After a moment of thought, she didn't mention this matter again, but instead expressed her interest in seeing the peony brand with great enthusiasm.

  Peony thought that she was Li Yuan's own sister and Li Wei's own aunt, seeing the sign would make her uncomfortable, so she awkwardly pushed it away: "I don't know where it went."

  Li Man Niang looked at her with a smile: "Don't you know? Such an important thing, if it were me, I would have to make some extra preparations, something bigger, the words must be written in cinnabar to be eye-catching." Seeing Peony's strange expression, she didn't ask further, pinched Peony's arm and praised: "Not bad, you've gained a lot of weight during this time. It seems that after Mid-Autumn Festival, you can go hunting with us."

  The peony hung its head and did not speak.

  Li Man Niang looked at her and said: "Hey, you're even mad at me now, aren't you going to have anything to do with me anymore?"

  "No," Peony hastened to say. "I just don't know if I'll have time."

  Li Maniang glared: "You don't have time, but you make time to hold a sign and parade through the streets, you're not even afraid of death. What's wrong with going out of town with me for a trip? Will knowing more people harm you?"

  He Zhizhong said, "If Dan Niang wants to go, then let her go." He also said with a different meaning, "Follow your aunt more and learn some skills." Business people, the wider the social circle, the easier it is to do things. The more people Peony gets along with, the more ways she will have when encountering things in the future, and the better she can protect herself. This is necessary.

  Just then a servant woman came in and reported: "A lady with the surname of Bai has arrived outside, saying she is a good friend of Dan Niang's and has come especially to pay her respects."

  Mrs. Bai, among the people who can be called friends, besides Mrs. Bai, who else can have the surname Bai? Peony stood up excitedly and apologized to Li Man Niang, then hastily went out to welcome Mrs. Bai.

  Madam Bai held a cup of tea, admiring the incense burner in the main hall of the He family home. When Peony came out, she turned her head and smiled at Peony, then carefully examined her from head to toe. Seeing that Peony's face was smiling and her clothes were suitable, she secretly let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "Today's dress is very good, if you add some of the purple lip balm I gave you, it will be even more radiant, and your complexion will be even more delicate."

  "Today you're also dressed up so beautifully, is there something good happening?" The white lady was dressed differently than usual, extremely luxurious. The eight long skirts of pomegranate red treasure flowers, the pure lotus-colored silk wide-sleeved jacket, and the golden mud red silk cloak were all impressive, but the golden silk flower crown on her head was even more dazzling, inlaid with several kinds of precious stones. Her two carefully painted distant mountain eyebrows, and the pomegranate red lip gloss on her lips made her look a bit more plump than before. Adding to that, the faint scent of sandalwood on her body had also toned down her usual cold and elegant demeanor.

  Madam Bai heard Peony's praise and turned around gently in front of her: "Do you think this is good?"

  "Great. Especially this flower crown, it's exquisite, elegant and luxurious, yet not tacky at all. By the way, how did you have time to come over today?"

  Madam Bai said with a hint of a smile: "You don't often come to my house, so I had to come find you. Actually, one of my cousins is getting married and wants to host a flower appreciation banquet for some familiar elder friends and sisters. I was thinking of inviting you to accompany me. Do you have time?"

  At this time to attend the banquet? But Mrs. Bai came enthusiastically to invite herself... Peony was very embarrassed, thinking that it was not suitable to go out at this time, so she apologized with a smile: "I'm afraid I will disappoint your kindness."

  Mrs. Bai stretched out her hand to help Mudan adjust her belt, and smiled: "I'm being polite to you, but you're really being polite too? No way, today you have to go with me." She paused for a moment, then said: "Actually, I didn't want to go either, it's almost all because of you that I decided to go."

  "Didn't she already know? Peony looked at Mrs. Bai with suspicion, and Mrs. Bai smiled: "You're not being considerate enough, such a big thing, you didn't tell me, but I had to learn about it from someone else's mouth, it's really uninteresting. Today Meng Ruren will also go, after the banquet is over, you'll thank me."

  Her words couldn't be clearer, but Peony's emotions were still churning. He grasped her hand and smiled: "I didn't tell you because I thought it could still be handled, it's just a matter of time." It was strange to say, but from seeing He Zhizhong's calm expression, she also calmed down and felt that this matter would definitely be resolved well. Where did the confidence come from? It came from the unity and care of the whole family.

  "Are you afraid that if you ask for my help, I'll misunderstand and think that our relationship is just about asking for favors? Don't worry, when people interact with each other, it's only natural to support each other after hitting it off. If you always put social status on your mind, then I think there's no point."

  "Who told you? How did you arrange it so quickly? Isn't organizing a banquet supposed to take several days?" Peony smiled slightly, not refuting her words. Madame Bai said this because she liked herself and was willing to socialize with her, thinking that helping each other out among friends was only natural. But if she had initially approached befriending the influential with ulterior motives, would Madame Bai still think this way? No.

  Madam Bai smiled and said, "Of course someone will tell you, it's not like they want you to thank them. The host isn't me, the one worrying about it isn't me either, I'll just take you there and naturally someone will be waiting to help you solve your problem."

  The peony became more and more suspicious, smiled and said: "What kind of noble person is it? It turns out that I'm really lucky, there's always a noble person helping me in my fate. You still call yourself my friend, but you don't tell me clearly, so I can't go thank them, isn't that making me lose manners?"

  Madam Bai smiled but didn't answer, only saying: "Don't change your clothes, this set is very good. Hurry up and tidy your hair and face, put on some pretty accessories, apply some makeup, and lip balm. Remember to use the purple one I gave you, don't use perfume." She instructed Jade to hand over a small ivory box with carved flowers, opened it herself for Peony to see, inside were two wooden balls the size of pigeon eggs, tied together with five-colored silk thread, fresh and lovely.

  Madam Bai pulled her sleeves back to her wrists, revealing the two flower balls she was wearing: "This morning when it was barely light, they went to pick jasmine flowers and made them. Wearing them on your wrist is just right, the fragrance is just right. Even I, who have never liked this scent, fell in love with it. You young and fresh one should try it too. Remember to wear that string of pearls Meng Ruo sent you together with these, we'll return them to her later."

  Peony let He Xier take the flower ball, and asked Kuan'er to invite Xue Shi to accompany Madame Bai. She herself went inside to report to Madam Cen, and also told Li Man Niang about her mistake, then went to clean up without mentioning it again.

  Before long, Peony came out properly dressed. Madame Wang's eyes lit up and she smiled: "I feel as if I've gone back to the first time I saw you - so fresh and bright. I think that person will surely like you."

  "Who is it after all? Madam, don't be mysterious anymore."

  "Call me Ah Xian then. Let's go."

  Peony followed Madame Bai out of Xuanping Lane, turned a corner and walked straight along the main street to Chongye Lane, then went directly to Fuyun Temple. Peony didn't expect that they were going to a Taoist temple, so she laughed and said: "I heard that there is a princess nun living inside, even when buying peonies, I couldn't get in. Could it be that we are going to her place as guests today?"

  Madam Bai smiled and said, "It's just going to her place, but this matter doesn't have much to do with her either. It's just someone borrowing her place for a use. These days, the osmanthus in her garden is blooming extremely well, it's exactly a good place to entertain guests."

  As they entered the Fuyun Pavilion, a young and beautiful female Taoist immediately came forward to greet them and led everyone into the back of the pavilion. Before they even reached the end of the path, the sweet fragrance unique to the osmanthus tree wafted up to their noses on the gentle breeze. Mudan took a deep breath and smiled, saying, "It really is fragrant."

  The Taoist nun who led the way smiled and said, "It's even more comfortable inside."

  As they spoke, a winding path paved with cobblestones and lined with osmanthus trees appeared. Halfway down the road, the sound of women's cheerful laughter could be heard faintly in front of them, seeming to be very lively. A few more steps forward, two women, one wearing red and the other blue, were seen chasing each other while laughing loudly not far away.

  "Madam, isn't that the young lady Man Niang from the Qiu family? She's the hostess, but instead of sitting inside entertaining guests, she's running around and chasing people with her usual temperament."

  Madam Bai smiled and looked at Peony, saying: "Look, they are all a group of wild girls. Their age is not much younger than yours, it's the age when they should be free and innocent, and have fun."

  Although Mrs. Bai was smiling, Peony detected a hint of melancholy in her tone. Thinking back to the strange way she and Mr. Pan interacted with each other, Peony thought that Mrs. Bai was probably not very happy.

  Those two women had already discovered them, and they ran over with joy, Qi Man Niang curiously sized up Peony while greeting Bai Fu Ren: "Xiang sister-in-law, I thought you weren't coming."

  Madam Bai helped her pin back the loose hair behind her ear and smiled: "I'm coming, of course. Has Princess Min arrived?"

  "Not yet, there are just a few sisters from the same family here." Qiu Manniang pointed at Peony and said: "Who is this sister? She looks really beautiful, and her dress is also very pretty."

  Madam Bai apparently didn't mean to formally introduce Peony, and merely said lightly: "My good friend, surname He, nickname Peony, everyone calls her Dan Niang."

  Qiu Manniang furrowed her brow, lightly biting her bright red lips, apparently thinking about what family in the capital had this surname. Peony had already instructed He'er to hand over the tin box, smiling and saying: "I'm really sorry for not being invited but still attending the banquet, it's a bit embarrassing. This is a Qinan Xiangshan pendant, it's quite exquisite, the meaning is good too, please don't disdain it."

  Qiu Manniang saw the peony and said politely, then saw the tin box was exquisite, so she smiled slightly and personally took it over, without any hesitation, opened it in front of everyone. The tin box had two layers, the first layer inside had a small amount of honey to nourish the fragrant wood, the second layer, a full box of Qinan Xiang powder with a carved bat-shaped lingzhi-style fan pendant inside, indeed very exquisite and suitable for her who was about to get married.

  Qiu Manniang immediately called the maid beside her to take it out and change into it, happily saying: "I love it so much!" At this moment, she also had a good impression of Peony, and didn't bother to ask about Peony's background. Instead, she enthusiastically pointed at the woman in blue clothes beside her and introduced her to Mrs. Bai and Peony: "This is Aluan from the Qin family, we just met not long ago, but we both like each other very much."

  Qin Aluan stepped forward with a dignified and elegant demeanor to greet Madame Bai, who was as beautiful as a peony. Her skin was as smooth as jade, her eyebrows were long and her eyes were large, with a slightly square chin, and her figure was slender and delicate. She was only just coming of age, but she was already a beautiful woman, with a calm and composed demeanor. Although her appearance was simpler compared to Qiu Manniang's, she had an unmistakable air of wealth and nobility about her.

  Madam Bai looked Qin Aluan up and down, smiling: "You're from the Qin family of Taiyuan, aren't you?"

  Qin Aluan smiled, and a shallow dimple appeared on the left side of her face: "That's right, I'm twenty-sixth in line in my clan. The former Ning Wangfei is my older sister."

  Peony heard this and couldn't help but take a few more glances at Qin Aluan, and indeed found some shadows of Ning Wangfei on her. However, Ning Wangfei's overall impression was more gentle and warm, while Qin Aluan had a slightly stronger jawline that made her look more resolute.

  Madam Bai nodded and said slowly: "You are the younger sister of Princess Xinning? Your elder sister is a good person."

  Qin Alan's eyes reddened and he lowered his head in silence.

  Qiu Manniang shouted: "Xin sister, you're bringing up sad things again! Today I'm in charge, no one is allowed to mention sad things, only laughter is allowed!" As she spoke, she put her arm around Qin Alan's shoulder and pushed him forward a few steps. Then she turned back to look at Peony and said: "He sister, don't be so restrained, play however you want."

  "Go ahead, don't worry about us," said Mrs. Bai, raising her chin slightly.

  Qiu Manniang couldn't help but laugh at her words, and she whispered a few sentences to Qin Alang, the two of them bursting into a low, muffled laughter as they quickly ran off hand in hand.

  "Ah, at this time, I have a chance to ask Madam Bai: 'A Xian, the noble person you mentioned, is she Princess Min? Is Prince Min that imperial uncle?"

  Madam Bai smiled and said: "You also know King Min? That's good, no wonder."

  Peony Zhang Er and the monk were baffled, "I saw King Min only once when I was watching a horse polo game at Ning Wang Zhuangzi's place, all I knew was that he was the emperor's uncle, everything else is unknown."

  "Ah, I see," said Madame Bai, drawing out her voice. "I understand now."

  Peony saw her mischievous face and pinched her arm lightly: "What's wrong with you, smiling so badly."

  Madam Bai smiled and said, "I'll tell you the truth. Someone has asked Princess Min to help you out. Princess Min is not a woman from a noble family, but she loves to help women who have been wronged seek justice and vent their grievances. Later on, if she says something strange or does something that surprises you, don't be surprised at all, just agree with her."

  The peony was teased by her and felt itchy and unbearable. She grasped her sleeve and refused to let go: "Who is it, you won't say, I won't let you go."

  ——————

  These past few days have been quite busy with work, and I've had to rush around to finish the 6,000-word quota every day. Thank you everyone for your encouragement and support.