53 Tree Stump-Naquele ano, não quis casar com o Vento do Leste(A lua brilhante inclina-se)

Wei Yushan took the peace talisman from Qinglan.

Yet he also asked that question.

The question he had wanted to ask since four years ago. In truth, after returning to the capital, he still wanted to ask it; only four years had passed, and he was no longer that Wei Yushan who could speak his heart freely to Qinglan. Filled with anger, impulsiveness, and resentment, he was no longer capable of holding a proper conversation with Ye Qinglan.

Now that his anger had gradually subsided, he was finally able to utter those words.

"Elder Sister Ye, why did you break off your engagement with Brother Cui?"

Qinglan remained completely calm; her hand did not even tremble slightly at the question.

"Did he ask you to come and ask me?"

"No." Wei Yushan felt that familiar, rebellious urge to be stubborn, but he restrained himself, considering that Ah Cuo was probably still hiding inside the room watching. "You forget, you said the Ye family and the Cui family broke off all relations. He would never come to ask you himself."

"Then there is nothing to be done." Qinglan still offered a slight smile. "I will only answer him."

On the first day of the lunar new year, the most prominent noble family in the capital was undoubtedly the Shen family.

Aside from the imperial clan, the highest-ranking residence was the Duke of Yingguo's estate, presided over by the Grand Princess, followed by the four Prince's mansions and the Duke of Yongguo's estate. Beyond the dukes and marquises, the highest in status was the household of Minister Shen.

Minister Shen served in the Ministry of Personnel, holding the most real power among the six ministries. His disciples and former subordinates were scattered across the land, and he himself was the leader of the civil officials in the court. Madam Shen was the only daughter of the Duke of Yongguo. Of their legitimate children, Shen Yunze was a prestigious top-three imperial scholar currently gaining experience in the Hanlin Academy. In a few years, he would be dispatched to Yangzhou to oversee the salt administration for the imperial court for a few terms, before being transferred back to the capital to seamlessly take over Minister Shen's network, thereby extending the Shen family's power and influence for another twenty years.

As for Shen Biwei's brilliance, it was witnessed by all. Furthermore, the Duke of Yongguo cherished this youngest maternal granddaughter above all else. People in the capital guessed in private that after the Duke passed away, a large portion of his estate would likely be given to Shen Biwei as part of her dowry. Although Shen Biwei had a somewhat peculiar temperament, her beauty and talent were beyond reproach. At this rate, even if she did not enter the palace, she would undoubtedly make a high and prestigious marriage.

Such a dazzling and powerful Shen family also took a high-born bride for their son. Lady Han Yueqi, the only legitimate daughter of Junior Minister Han of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, had been married amid great splendor. The Emperor himself had bestowed wedding gifts, and the inscribed plaque he gave still hung above the inner courtyard's entrance, utterly eclipsing the wedding of the Princess of Ping commandery from years before.

On the first day of the new year, the Shen family's gates were bustling with activity. An endless stream of disciples, family friends, and old acquaintances arrived in official sedan chairs and horse-drawn carriages, completely blocking the street outside the main entrance. While the male guests were lively, the female guests were by no means overshadowed. Because it coincided with the season of spring-welcoming banquets, the female guests were arguably even more important. Madam Shen threw open the main courtyard halls to host and retain her guests, and a continuous procession of noble ladies dressed in elaborate ceremonial attire arrived. Madam Shen, alongside Han Yueqi and Shen Biwei, received them without a moment to rest.

At a time like this, Han Yueqi did not neglect Ye Lingbo and Yanyan. Although she could not greet them personally, she still sent Shen Biwei to properly escort them to her Chenxiang Pavilion, where they sipped warm tea until Madam Shen had some leisure time. Only then were they summoned to offer New Year greetings. Madam Shen naturally rewarded them with red envelopes, and seeing how truly adorable Yanyan was, she additionally bestowed upon her a small golden Luohan figurine, saying it was to ensure peace and safety, and was best worn by young children.

By nearly noon, Han Yueqi finally found a moment to come and greet Ye Lingbo. Naturally, they exchanged formal bows upon meeting. Being younger, Ye Lingbo addressed her as Elder Sister Han and bowed low. Han Yueqi burst into laughter. "Since when has our Lingbo been so well-behaved? It is truly a miracle of the New Year."

Ye Lingbo naturally knew she was referring to her scheme against the Lu sisters. Truth be told, although Shen Biwei was close to Lingbo, their views often differed; rather, it was Han Yueqi who shared her kindred interests, both of them delighting in teaching harsh lessons to those who bullied their families.

Unfortunately, Han Yueqi was too busy today to talk at length. Lingbo only dropped a hint, saying, "I am afraid the Chen family will have a difficult time this year."

"They say there is a fire burning within the inner courtyard. Madam Chen dotes on her daughter and has given Lu Wenyin no end of grief," Han Yueqi warned her. "You should be on your guard lately. Lu Wenyin is manageable, but Lu Wanying has some means, after all being a learned scholar. There is no telling what unexpected tricks she might pull."

"Qinglan is also a scholar, yet why is she bound hand and foot all day long? I am not afraid of her." Lingbo merely smiled brightly. In truth, her head was buzzing from constant scheming every single day, but she cared too much about her pride, especially in front of Han Yueqi.

"By the way, Qinglan must have forgotten to tell you. Our family is hosting the Spring-Welcoming Banquet this year, and the date has already been set. The invitations will be delivered in a couple of days."

"The Spring-Welcoming Banquet? Isn't that around the fifth day of the new year?" Lingbo was startled. "Why so early?"

"Mother's health has been growing steadily worse this year; she fears she might not last until the later Begonia and Peach Blossom banquets, so she figured it would be better to hold it early to avoid further complications." Han Yueqi now managed the household affairs for two families simultaneously. "It doesn't matter; my maiden family is hosting a banquet too, and my sister-in-law is gentle and scholarly, so Mother will have me go back to take charge then. We can just pick either the peach blossom or paulownia banquet later; we won't lack for good shows to watch."

The moment she spoke in riddles, Lingbo instantly smiled, knowing she had already cleared the air with Shen Biwei anyway. "Then I must request the play *Continuing the Red Thread*."

"Very well, very well, you shall have it." Having entertained countless noble ladies that morning, Han Yueqi moved with effortless grace. After a busy morning, she felt somewhat triumphant, much like a general who had just won a fierce battle. "Once I finish with this round of business, we will dedicate ourselves to hosting a banquet. When that time comes, not to mention *Continuing the Red Thread*, even *The Red-Crested Marriage* can be performed."

The two exchanged a knowing smile, each understanding the other's intent. Nearby, Shen Biwei was reading a book. Watching the two of them like this, she couldn't help expressing her disgust. "Looking at the two of you right now, you might as well be performing a play about conspiring together in villainy."

"Listen to her," Lingbo immediately stoked the flames. "This is your sister-in-law, yet she speaks of her like this, and you aren't going to discipline her?"

"Nothing to be done. It's the first day of the new year; beating children is frowned upon," Han Yueqi said with a beaming smile. "Very well, I must go arrange the reception for the guests' meal. Will you two eat here or head over there?"

"With all that noise over there, who would want to go?" Shen Biwei sneered in disdain. "I am taking her to eat in my own courtyard."

"You have no ambition yourself, yet you drag me down with you," Lingbo teased her. Seeing that Shen Biwei looked ready to fly into a rage, she hurriedly placated her. "Alright, alright, I was just teasing you. Come, let's eat at the small kitchen and have someone prepare a golden pig's stomach for Elder Sister. The one at my house last time wasn't made right; it was far too greasy."

"Golden pig's stomach is supposed to be greasy," Shen Biwei retorted. "My family doesn't make it well either; only the ones at imperial banquets are slightly better, though still not particularly tasty. These dishes favored by the palace actually taste quite ordinary..."

"To think you are a young lady of a great household with such a palate," Lingbo teased her again.

"The greater the household, the more ordinary the palate," Han Yueqi added with a smile. "Biwei has a cat's tongue; she loves nothing, and at imperial banquets she only eats a little rice soaked in chicken broth. When Her Majesty the Empress saw this, she even said it was the bearing of nobility, remarking that children raised in the palace are all like this. Speaking of which, actually the Fifth Imperial Prince..."

Although she was Shen Biwei's sister-in-law, she was effectively half an elder sister as well. Seeing Biwei's expression turn instantly frosty at this point, she could only offer a soothing smile.

"Very well, very well, we won't speak of this. You two go eat. Later I will have someone send some items to you, which you can deliver directly to Qinglan."

"Treating me like an errand runner again. What good things could they be? You're acting all secretive the whole day. Oh right, I have another matter to tell you."

"Very well, I will come find you as soon as I finish seeing off the guests."

Aside from the Wei family, the Wutong Courtyard had no guests of note—merely old acquaintances from the days when Madam Ye was still alive. With Qinglan presiding over the household and Lingbo making rounds of New Year greetings, the visits were nearly concluded within three days. On the fourth day, they visited the Meng family. The Meng residence was now entirely under the sway of Concubine Su, and they received a somewhat cold reception. Lingbo said nothing of it, merely sitting for a brief while before leaving. Passing by the Glazed Pavilion—where Madam Meng had once lived and which was now occupied by Concubine Su—she saw that the begonia tree by the window had been chopped down. It was a pity for such a magnificent tree; during the years Madam Meng used to host her begonia banquets, the flower-viewing had taken place right beneath its branches.

Ah Cuo was fine, but Mistress Lin felt a pang of sorrow, her gaze lingering on the tree stump unable to move away. Seeing this, Lingbo comforted her, "Mistress Lin, do not be sad. The world turns and fortunes shift. If we save up our silver, there will sooner or later come a day when we can buy this place back."

Mistress Yang laughed aloud upon hearing this. "This is an official's residence, my lady. You speak of it as if it were a common shop."

"What of an official's residence? In the past, Vice Minister Huang's family even produced an imperial consort, yet wasn't his estate eventually sold to Cui Jingyu?" Lingbo said indifferently. "Failing to properly manage a household, resulting in wealth not lasting three generations—stories like that are dime a dozen in the capital. Let us simply wait and watch."

Little did she know that her words would prove prophetic, striking closest to the person she least wished to see it befall.