freenovelworld Chapter 309 Do You Know? Lin Yitang 23
Chapter 309 Do You Know? Lin Yitang 23
"Madam, please take care of yourself," Zhao Mama comforted Bai Ruonan.
Bai Ruonan was unable to accept this situation, which led to premature birth and the birth of a sickly daughter.
"Granny Zhao, I know, I won't let those people succeed." Bai Ruonan's naivety faded, and her eyes revealed determination.
"Madam, it's good that you understand." Granny Zhao had seen too much intrigue and backstabbing in the palace, which is why she chose to leave the palace to retire.
Granny Gui put down what she was holding and suggested, "Madam, right now we should focus on our relationship with Consort Lin. As long as Consort Lin is around, those people are nothing to fear."
Bai Ruonan knew, of course, that she often wrote letters to her father, mother, and sworn brother in Yangzhou in order to maintain their relationship.
"Granny Zhao, I heard that my sworn brother is going to take the imperial examination soon. Please take the Duan inkstone that I put in the storeroom and send it to him to wish him success in the examination."
"Yes, Madam, this old servant will take care of it right away," said Granny Gui.
……
In Yangzhou, Lin Jingya has been staying at home preparing for the imperial examinations. The teacher at the state school has told him that he is ready to take the exams, and he plans to travel to Bianjing next month to participate.
Master Bai discussed with Madam Bai with melancholy: "Jingya, we are going to Bianjing next month. If he passes the exam, he will probably become an official in Bianjing."
“Master, why be so sad? Ruonan is in Bianjing, the Empress is in Bianjing, and now Jingya is also going to Bianjing. Why don’t we move to Bianjing so we can take care of each other?”
Madam Bai's suggestion was based on her understanding of Master Bai's intentions, but she estimated that the other branches of the Bai family would not agree.
“Madam, that makes perfect sense, but I doubt the clansmen will agree.” Ever since Master Bai’s business prospered, his clansmen have benefited from his success and have been asking him for financial assistance from time to time.
"Master, let's not even talk about the Empress. Our Ruonan is also the Lady of the Ning Marquis's Mansion," Madam Bai hinted to Master Bai.
Old Master Bai slammed down what he was holding, got up and slowly paced around the room, finally stopping with a determined look in his eyes.
……
In Yangzhou, Sheng Hong, the head of the Sheng family, had only recently been promoted to the position of Assistant Magistrate of the sixth rank, which was not considered a high-ranking official. However, he had worked his way up from the ninth rank of Magistrate and had to endure a long and arduous process before he was finally given the opportunity for promotion.
Sheng Hong was leisurely playing chess. He now had both a son and a daughter, as Lin Qinshuang had just given birth to Mo Lan.
Dong Rong strode into the study. Sheng Hong put down the chess pieces and gestured for Dong Rong to speak.
"Master, the Bai family has sent an invitation."
Then, Dong Rong handed Sheng Hong the invitation.
Sheng Hong frowned. He had been transferred to Yangzhou for almost half a year and knew about the Bai family, but he didn't have much of a relationship with them. He wondered why the Bai family would send an invitation.
The invitation was opened and read that it was a farewell banquet. The main branch of the Bai family was moving to Bianjing and invited the gentry of Yangzhou to gather together to thank everyone for their care and support of the Bai family over the years.
The Bai family were merchants, and scholars and their children usually looked down on merchants. However, the Bai family was somewhat special. The eldest daughter of the Bai family became the wife of the Marquis of Ningyuan, and the second daughter became a concubine in the palace. She is now a Consort, a second-rank official, and she also has Princess Fushou under her tutelage.
He hadn't been in Yangzhou long and was a little troubled because he didn't know how other officials viewed the Bai family. He couldn't very well ask the other officials directly, as that would make him seem impolite and might invite ridicule.
"Come on, go to Wei Rui Xuan to find Madam Sheng, and we'll go to Shou An Tang together later." Unable to make up his mind, Sheng Hong thought of Old Madam Sheng, who was very knowledgeable.
When Wang Ruofu saw Dong Rong coming to find her, she looked puzzled. A few days ago, she helped Sheng Hong marry Wei Xiaoniang in order to suppress Lin Qinshuang.
Lin Qinshuang was originally named Lin Qingshuang. After she entered the family, a master from Qingxin Temple calculated that she was incompatible with Lin Xiaoniang, so Old Madam Sheng decided to change her name. (Original setting)
"Master, he wants you to come with him to Shou'an Hall." Dong Rong was just a messenger and had no idea why.
"Alright, I'll go right now."
When Wang Ruofu arrived at Shou'an Hall, Sheng Hong was already inside. After exchanging greetings with Old Madam Sheng, Sheng Hong said he would wait for Wang Ruofu to speak together.
After entering, Wang Ruofu bowed and sat down.
"Why did you call me here, sir?" Wang Ruofu was impatient.
Sheng Hong rolled his eyes at Wang Ruofu and said to Old Madam Sheng, "The Bai family has sent an invitation. I can't make up my mind, so I ask Mother to make the decision."
He handed the invitation to Old Madam Sheng. When she was young, Old Madam Sheng was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi's family and knew a lot about things.
Although she is now quite old, Madam Sheng still maintains the demeanor of a well-bred lady and is very elegant. Madam Sheng picked up the invitation, glanced at it, and handed it to Wang Ruofu.
Wang Ruofu's eyes widened. She knew the Bai family; they only had one biological daughter and adopted a son and daughter. But the adopted son and daughter were very successful; the adopted son had become a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), and the adopted daughter was a concubine of the current emperor.
If there's anything wrong with the Bai family, it's that they are merchants, and many scholarly families disdain associating with them.
Wang Ruofu was at a loss and could only look at Old Madam Sheng.
Grandma Sheng glanced at the two of them and said, "The Bai family might rise up soon. Although the Bai family are merchants, those officials won't slap them in the face. The Bai family has produced an empress and has a princess. As long as they stay stable, their good fortune is yet to come."
"Then what does Mother mean?" After listening to Old Madam Sheng's analysis, Sheng Hong had already made up his mind to attend the banquet.
"You and Madam received a generous gift. If you have a good relationship with the Bai family, it might lead to a future together."
Old Mrs. Sheng was somewhat disappointed in Sheng Hong. Just like her deceased father, he favored his concubine over his wife. Lin Qinshuang had come from her side, so she didn't treat the two of them well. But that was all she could do in her life; she would still need Sheng Hong to support her for the rest of her days.
"Yes, son understands, but what if some officials don't go..." Sheng Hong came from a scholarly family and they all liked to "band together." If they didn't "band together," they might be ostracized.
"How about this, Madam, you've recently invited the wives of those officials to the Sheng residence. Ask them about it; that would be safer." Although Old Madam Sheng knew that having connections with the Bai family was entirely beneficial, Sheng Hong had just arrived in Yangzhou and still needed to "join forces."
"Yes, daughter-in-law understands. I will send out the invitations tomorrow," Wang Ruofu said cheerfully.
Wang Ruofu couldn't be happier than to do something that showcased her status as a lady of high birth.