Caught a cold, fever, rhinitis, headache, had to go to the hospital for an IV drip, and was late again. Seeking pink tickets, thank you everyone. The previous two chapters should have been Fen Wangfei, but I wrote them as Min Wangfei due to my muddled head, luckily I remembered to change it last night, sorry about that. (Originally posted at the end of the text, but found that several little friends didn't see it and asked again, so intentionally posting it here instead.)

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  The King of Fen's consort saw Meng Yueren's expression and smiled slightly: "What, you're not convinced? You think I'm wrong, that I was wrong to scold you?"

  Most of the people present knew about the temperament of Queen Fen. Queen Fen was a person with great controversy. She came from a humble background, just as she herself said, she was a peasant girl, but she not only made King Fen infatuated, trying every means to make her the queen, and after she had made a big fuss several times, in the palace of the king, according to the rules, there should be two first-class ladies-in-waiting of the fifth rank and ten ladies-in-waiting of the sixth rank, but not one was left.

  In her early years, Queen Fen was not in a position of power, but she did not keep a low profile. She was known for being hot-tempered, showing no quarter, loving to interfere in others' affairs and taking charge on behalf of others, often offending people and causing trouble for King Fen. However, disaster and fortune are unpredictable, and as a result, the couple managed to avoid getting entangled in the struggle for succession. Now, King Fen has become the only imperial uncle of the current emperor and is highly respected. Given her seniority and her temperament, which does not forgive easily, even the emperor would give her some face. So, it was nothing out of the ordinary for her to seize on a pretext and scold a young concubine of an imperial grandson. Moreover, she had justice on her side.

  The situation was stronger than the person, and Meng Ruo's expression changed several times in an instant. She took a deep breath, put away all her anger and resentment, and humbly said: "The princess is right to teach me, it's my good fortune to receive your guidance, which I couldn't have asked for even if I wanted to. I was indeed confused at the time and there were misunderstandings, so I did something foolish. Fortunately, no big mistake was made. Please, Princess, give me a chance to apologize to Sister He." After speaking, she bowed deeply to Princess Fenwang.

  The Queen of Fen had anticipated Meng Ruren's reaction and wasn't surprised in the least. She let out a long sigh, slowly composed her angry expression, and said calmly: "Forget it, I didn't want to interfere with your affairs anyway. But this little friend, I really can't bear to see her suffer any injustice. Since it was a misunderstanding, you should apologize to make amends. From now on, don't ever make the same mistake again, or I won't forgive you."

  These words fell into Meng Ruo's ears, and it was a warning from the Queen of Fen not to have any ideas about Peony again. People are just so strange, if the Queen of Fen had taken care of her face and spoken well with her before, she might still think that it was just a matter of courtesy, and a few words would be enough to placate her. But if the Queen of Fen suddenly became furious and publicly scolded her, she would instead think that Peony was indeed different in the Queen's eyes, and whatever she wanted to do next, she had to think thrice before acting.

  Meng Ru's thoughts turned a few times, and he smiled: "From now on, I won't dare to do it again. He Mei is just like my own sister, whoever dares to treat her badly, I won't forgive them either." After speaking, he stepped forward and held Mudan's hand, warmly saying: "He Mei, please forgive me for my mistakes, don't be on the same level as me."

  Peony thought to herself, at this point, they had already become sworn enemies. Looking at Meng Ruo's expression, she was probably filled with hatred towards her. However, if she wanted to avoid being wronged by Meng Ruo, she would have to submit to her manipulation, otherwise it would only be a matter of time. Since that was the case, what did it matter whether it happened sooner or later? So they exchanged pleasantries on the surface, and the matter seemed to be settled for now.

  Qiu Manniang and others watched the play for half a day, only to know that Meng Ruren was bullied by Peony, but they didn't understand what happened afterwards. Now seeing the two making up, they all came over to ask what had happened.

  Meng Ruo didn't dare to say it out loud, only smiling and not speaking. Peony naturally wouldn't foolishly speak out either, saying Meng Ruo wanted to send her to be a concubine for Ning Wang to curry favor with him, so she also just pushed it off: "It was just a small misunderstanding, let's not mention it."

  Madam Bai smiled slightly: "What's the point of mentioning those things? Just do what you should do." Suddenly, the sound of the pipa rose, and a beautiful young girl came out to dance. The princess also led several talented female poets to join in the fun. In an instant, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, music, and poetry, as if the unpleasantness from before had never existed.

  The Meng people's endurance was excellent, and they endured until the end of the meeting before getting up to bid farewell to everyone with reluctance. Because Princess Fenwang had not shown any intention of leaving from start to finish, Madame Bai led Mudan to stay behind until almost everyone had left, and only then did Mudan go forward to pay her respects and thank Princess Fenwang.

  The King of Fen stroked the fine callus on Peony's palm and said, "I heard that your mother's family is also wealthy with many servants, not worrying about food or clothing. Does your family allow you to suffer like this? If you don't want to be a concubine, why not find someone to marry well?"

  "Peony smiled and said: 'I don't want to give it up. But I don't want to be idle, so they also let me go. That person is not easy to find.'"

  The King of Fen did not respond, loosened her grip and said seriously: "I heard that you originally wanted to parade through the streets shouting grievances, and even wanted to die in front of the Ning Wang Fu? Don't you know that for the Ning Wang Fu, this might just be a small matter, and they would say you're making a big deal out of nothing? Do you know how many people and things like this are in this world?"

  The peony fell silent for a moment, then said, "I know." She knew that in the eyes of some people, she was just a small figure, insignificant and worthless, but even small figures should have their own dignity, and maintaining one's dignity shouldn't be questioned.

  The King of Fen raised an eyebrow: "Do you know? Knowing that you might die in vain, are you still going to do it?"

  Peony didn't think it was necessary to say anything about dignity to Queen Fen, so she just said lightly: "Unless absolutely necessary, I naturally won't take that step. But if it really comes to that... there are always people who know the truth."

  The Princess of Fen smiled slightly: "You don't have to die, you're very lucky. Meng Ruren won't dare to come and bother you again in the future, I think after this time, such things shouldn't happen again." What was said earlier in public was just to save face for the Ning Wangfu, but this matter must be made known to the Ning Wang.

  "It's all thanks to the princess." Madam Bai stepped forward and gave a courtesy to Princess Quan, smiling: "Princess, in the future when you hold banquets at your place, can I bring her along?"

  The King of Fen glanced at Peony and said, "Of course. Even if we don't have a banquet, you can still bring her over to play."

  Madam Bai couldn't help but feel delighted, and seeing Peony still standing quietly by her side, not showing any special joy, she hastily pulled her over. Peony had no idea what she had just obtained. Being able to come and go freely in the Fen King's palace meant that she would be a honored guest of the Fen King's consort, and this brought her benefits that were not ordinary. Not only would people like Meng Ruren no longer dare to bully her at will, but also the peony flower business that she had been wholeheartedly wanting to do would gain great convenience.

  At this time, Peony did not show the cleverness of a businessperson, but instead stood there stupidly thinking. When would she see Jiang Changyang again? What should she say to him then? It wasn't until Madam Bai pulled her that she came back to herself and curtsied to Princess Fen: "Thank you, Your Highness."

  The King of Fen saw her slightly dazed look and smiled instead: "Forget it, I'm also doing someone a favor. Go."

  After leaving the Fuyun Temple, Peony told Xi'er to go back and report: "You go back first and let them know at home not to worry. See if Mrs. Li is still there and tell her about it; if she has already returned home, then send someone to say a word. I'll come back later."

  Madam Bai smiled and said: "I see you like this, it seems that you don't plan to accompany me anywhere either. Or else, are you asking me to accompany you to Qujiangchi Furong Garden?"

  "Provided you have nothing better to do."

  Madam Bai sighed and said: "I'll see you off to the West, I'll go with you."

  Peony and she exchanged a smile, walking together to Qujiang Pool. Along the way, Madame Bai told Peony about the story of Princess Fen in detail. In the end, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh: "There are those who can't stand her, always mocking her behind her back, saying that everything she has is thanks to Prince Fen. But I don't think so. Being able to gain Prince Fen's trust like this isn't enough? Who else could she rely on? Isn't it still herself? Moreover, among so many people, only the couple of them managed to leave unscathed, what does that say? The two people I admire and envy the most in my life are her and Madame Wang, Jiang Dalang's mother."

  The peony couldn't help but glance at Madame Bai. These two people, one who had received her husband's complete love and trust, the other who had abandoned her high-ranking husband with a resolute attitude, were both carefree and contented individuals.

  Madam Bai stroked her face and smiled lightly: "Only those who cannot be carefree will envy those who are carefree." She looked at the peony with a bright smile: "I hope you can also be carefree."

  "I will."

  When they arrived at Jiang Changyang's house, Ni Yu went forward and knocked on the door. After stating their intention, Wu San hastily came out with a joyful expression, not knowing what to be happy about: "Rare guest, rare guest, please come in quickly. The young master will arrive immediately."

  Madam Bai saw Peony's serious expression, gently tugged at her sleeve and smiled softly: "Don't be afraid. I'm not even afraid of leaking secrets, what do you have to fear?"

  Peony also smiled and looked at Wu San beside her, who was stealing glances at her from time to time: "Wu Guan Shi, thank you. Everything has been resolved."

  Wu San laughed with narrowed eyes: "You're welcome, you're welcome, it's what I should do." He suddenly felt he had misspoken, closed his mouth tightly and just smiled.

  Peony used to think he was just being quirky and found him interesting, but now seeing him like this, a strange feeling arose, and she pulled the corner of her mouth down, lowering her head in silence.

  Wu San led the two into the hall, ordered someone to serve tea, and just as they picked up their teacups, Jiang Changyang came in. He calmly greeted Mrs. Bai and Mudan, and then directly asked: "You've just come from Fuyun Temple? How did it go?"

  Madam Bai smiled first and said, "The King of Fen's consort is as majestic as she was in her youth. Meng Ruren returned the pearl and apologized with humility. I suppose it won't happen again in the future. This is my fault for coming to apologize, but she insisted on coming to thank those who helped us. My heart softened, so I couldn't help but speak."

  Jiang Changyang lowered his eyes and smiled: "This is good." It's not clear whether he meant that the problem was solved well by the Queen of Fen, or that Bai Furen had told Peony about helping him with the matter.

  Madam Bai sat for a while longer, then quietly asked a maid to lead the way, saying she needed to use the restroom, leaving Peony and Jiang Changyang to talk.

  Peony got up and bowed to Jiang Changyang: "I have been helped by you many times, I don't know how to repay you, my heart is very anxious."

  Jiang Changyang fell silent for a moment before saying, "Actually, you don't need to put it in your heart and don't think there's any burden. I just did what I thought I should do. Don't repay me."

  Seeing Peony's hesitant expression, he smiled: "My mother was very unfortunate in her early years. When my mother and I were in trouble, we received help from many people. My mother often told me that if you owe someone a favor, you should return it, even if you can't return it to the same person, you can return it to others. If you encounter it, do it. For example, you, for example, Yuan Shi Jiu, are friends, and I think they are worth helping."

  She was mentioned in the same breath as Yuan Shi Jiu, that is to say they were both considered his friends. Peony couldn't think of anything to say for a moment and suddenly felt that her previous thoughts had been somewhat petty-minded and presumptuous. After a long silence, she smiled and said: "I heard a little bit about your mother, I heard she's amazing."

  When she mentioned this, Jiang Changyang secretly let out a sigh of relief, and the smile on his face became slightly more natural. He smiled proudly: "That's for sure! My mother is indeed extraordinary. She dared to take me through mountains and rivers alone, watching the sea and treading on sand. When we had money, she would spend it lavishly on delicious food; when we didn't have money, she could still make wild vegetables taste delicious..."

  Jiang Changyang's expression was exceptionally gentle, as if he had fallen into a wonderful memory, his tongue couldn't help but lightly lick his lips, as if the delicious taste still lingered in his mouth.

  Peony saw his infatuated look and curiously asked, "Is it really that delicious? Did he make money from it? Could it be that Lady Wang had also done business before?"

  Jiang Changyang rubbed his forehead and smiled lightly: "It's fake. I exaggerated a bit, maybe others won't think it tastes that good, maybe they'll even find it too fishy, but in my memory, when I was extremely hungry, the small wild fish caught from the mountain stream and wild vegetables stewed together with a little salt were indeed an extremely rare delicacy."

  "Sounds good, but I'm sure the hardships involved are beyond what ordinary people can imagine."

  Jiang Changyang said, "Yes, when I was a kid, I also cried and complained. But after growing up and thinking back, it's actually very good. At least for this lifetime, even if I'm penniless or no one gives me anything to eat, and they abandon me in the mountains, I won't starve to death."

  His expression was very good, both gentle and full of strong confidence. Peony felt that she was infected by his emotions, and she tentatively said in a low voice: "Why do you want to leave? Well, of course, if you don't want to say it's okay not to say it, I'm just...I'm just a little curious. Mrs. Bai said that one of the people she admires most in her life is your mother."

  Jiang Changyang looked at Peony calmly and said, "If you're interested, there's nothing that can't be said. I suppose you also know that my mother was once the wife of Zhu Guogong. Later, the emperor gave Zhu Guogong another wife, both were Guofu, but my mother did not accept it and asked for a divorce. Zhu Guogong did not allow it, the emperor did not allow it, even my uncle's family did not allow it, everyone opposed it, but she finally succeeded." He paused, looking at Peony with a very gentle gaze, "This situation is a bit like your past."

  The peony smiled slightly: "It's a bit like that. But she is much stronger than me and not easily won over." The other party used to be a couple with deep feelings, but suddenly a strong third party intervened, and when Wang's wife left, it was as if her heart had died; whereas she, on the other hand, left with only joy and encouragement, which are two completely different feelings. However, Wang's wife left with elegance and lived with elegance, and even raised her son to be a talented person, who turned out not to be an avenger but a normal person, which is quite good.

  Jiang Changyang smiled and said, "Indeed it's not easy. My mother...". As he spoke, Wu San came in and whispered a few words in his ear, followed by Mrs. Bai who also walked in and asked, "Chengfeng, do you have something on your mind?"

  Jiang Changyang said with difficulty: "There are some things that need to be dealt with immediately."

  Peony quickly got up: "It's okay, you're busy, you're busy."

  Jiang Changyang smiled and said, "I'll send you out." But then he looked at Peony and said, "If it's convenient for you, I'd like to ask if you could help me get a certain kind of orchid. Next year is my mother's birthday, and we can discuss the price. Is that okay with you?"

  Peony paused for a moment, nodded like a chicken pecking at rice: "Convenient. As for the price, there's no need to mention it."

  Jiang Changyang didn't say anything more about the price, only saying: "I don't know whether to receive it from you or have you take these peonies from me? That would be most appropriate."

  "Any flowers and trees to be transplanted should be pre-treated in advance, and carefully managed afterwards. What you have here is not suitable. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I'll invite you to my villa first, and you can choose a few varieties for me to transplant."

  Jiang Changyang smiled slightly and saw Peony and Madame Bai out the door. He turned around to instruct Wu San, but found Wu San staring at him with a sly expression, which made Jiang feel slightly annoyed: "What are you looking at me for?"

  Wu San said with a flattering tone: "I'm happy for you, young master. Congratulations, you can now offer a living brocade to your wife and fulfill your filial duties. It's not easy to get this opportunity. Actually, He family's young daughter is the kind of person that after you help her, she should be asked for some gifts in return from time to time, otherwise next time she won't ask for your help again. When you choose flowers later, you must pick more good ones, let her put more thought and effort into it, or else it's not worth it."

  "I'd rather hope that in the future, there won't be such things that need my help. What's worth it or not, what nonsense is this?" Jiang Changyang glared at Wu San with a fierce gaze, but then couldn't help but laugh and turned to enter the house to see another group of guests. Today, his mood was very good.

  Peony parted with Madame Bai and returned to Xuanping Lane. Before she reached her home, she saw Zhang Wulang sauntering towards her. She hastily dismounted her horse and exchanged greetings with Zhang Wulang, who returned the courtesy and said, "I went to your residence early this morning to gather news and heard that Sister Dan had gone out with friends to settle some matters. I wonder if everything has been taken care of?"

  "Thanks, Fifth Brother Zhang, for your concern," Peony smiled. "It went very smoothly, so it should be fine."

  Zhang Wulang's childlike smile appeared, his leopard-like eyes narrowing into a slit: "Great, congratulations to Dan Niang sister."

  "Since Zhang Wuji has arrived, please come in and sit down. My father is probably at home and can keep you company for a drink."

  Zhang Wulang simply waved his hand: "No need to bother, I just came to ask, knowing is good enough. I still have a few fighting cocks to take care of, everyone is waiting." He said and walked away without looking back.

  Peony returned home and reported the incident to He Zhizhong, Cen's wife and others in detail. When she mentioned that it was Jiang Changyang who helped again, He Zhizhong and Cen's wife exchanged a glance, both seeing doubt and unease in each other's eyes.

  He Zhizhong thought deeply for a whole night and decided to go personally to thank Jiang Changyang. After all, such a big thing, he as the head of the household did not go to visit and thank him, it was really unreasonable. Moreover, after the festival, he would take Dalang out to sea, some things had to be done with a clear conscience. However, he went twice in a row but missed him both times, the doorman said Jiang Changyang went out on business and might not return until after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

  He Zhizhong suspected that Jiang Changyang was deliberately avoiding him, so he went to find Peony and asked her indirectly. Peony was planning to transplant the purple-petaled peony to Fangyuan after Mid-Autumn Festival, and when she heard He Zhizhong's words, she replied casually: "After Mid-Autumn Festival, I'll go to Zhuangzi's place to stay for a while, first to take care of those flowers, and secondly to help him receive the flower pots. At that time, I'll invite him over to select varieties. If Father wants to thank him, he can follow me together. You haven't been to Fangyuan for a long time, and now it's already taking shape. When you and your brothers return from the sea, you won't be able to see this scene again."

  He Zhizhong smiled and said, "Are you sure he will go at that time?"

  "His words still count, this flower was promised to him for his birthday, it's a matter of great importance, he will naturally go."

  He Zhizhong said: "Dan Niang, how do you see this matter?"

  The peony was silent for a long time before saying, "He said he regarded me as the same as Yuan Shi Jiu, that we were both his friends. He also said that what happened to me was somewhat similar to him."

  He Zhizhong frowned and said, "You also think so?"

  "Otherwise, what should I think? Now he hasn't done anything rude, has already acknowledged his feelings, and can't back down. In short, I'll be careful. The timing that day wasn't right either, some things aren't good to say too directly, anyway, I said I had nothing to repay with."

  He Zhizhong couldn't help but laugh: "You silly girl."

  Peony opened her big eyes and stared at He Zhizhong: "I'm not stupid. I just can't find a better way." Jiang Changyang now seems very normal, if she is always entangled, it would be more abnormal for her to pretend to be stupid.

  He Zhizhong sighed: "If... what are you thinking?"

  The peony lowered its head and said seriously, "There is no if for the time being. Father, you can rest assured that your daughter knows her place." Jiang Changyang was not bad, but with such a carefree mother, he couldn't shake off his identity as the eldest son of Zhu Guogong. The gap between them was still quite large. If he wasn't what she needed or couldn't do what she wanted, then he was just a fleeting cloud. Before making it certain, she was very clear about what she should do.

  In the blink of an eye, Mid-Autumn Festival arrived. In people's eyes, Mid-Autumn Festival has a very significant meaning, but this year's Mid-Autumn is cloudy, no moon to appreciate, and no moon to worship. The He family could only sit in the hall and share a meal of yuanxiao made from carefully prepared longan, lotus seeds, and taro powder. Then they sat in the hall and chatted for a while before dispersing.

  On the second day early in the morning, He Zhizhong was about to go out when he heard that a young man with the surname Jiang had come to visit.