NABC Chapter 101: The Battle of the Three Orchids
Chapter 101: The Battle of the Three Orchids
Chapter 101 The Battle of the Three Orchids
"So urgent?"
Wang You asked in surprise, "Scholar Zhuang, you must be tired from your long journey. Don't you want to rest?"
"I don't know either, that's what the people from the Sheng family said," Wang Min said.
"Then I will go and make preparations," Wang You said.
"Okay, go ahead."
Wang Min nodded, gave him a few instructions, and then let him leave.
Since it was the first day of classes at the Sheng family's private school, all three of them had to attend classes there.
Early in the morning, Sheng Hong summoned his three daughters to the main hall and gave them his instructions again before letting them go to school.
Sanlan left the main hall and walked along the covered corridor to the left courtyard.
Today is the first day of class, and Sanlan has dressed up carefully.
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Even Minglan's attire today is no less impressive than her two older sisters'.
Although Wei Xiaoniang did not die and even gave birth to a daughter, Minglan was still chosen by Old Madam Sheng and moved to Shou'an Hall.
After Hualan got married, Old Madam Sheng fell seriously ill, whether because she missed Hualan or because she caught a cold.
This terrified Sheng Hong, who immediately took leave and spent day and night with Madam Wang serving her at her bedside.
Even the herbal medicine had to be tested for temperature by himself before he personally fed it to the old lady.
If something were to happen to Old Madam Sheng, he would not only be unable to get a promotion, but he would also have to observe three years of mourning.
For officials, especially in a dynasty like the Song Dynasty where there was no shortage of officials, the death of one's parents could be considered a calamity.
The Song Dynasty had no shortage of officials. It was hard to say whether he would be able to get a real position after returning from the three-year mourning period.
Even if you manage to get a real position, good positions won't be vacant, and ordinary positions have limited prospects.
High-ranking officials worry about these things, but Sheng Hong, whose rank is neither high nor low, has no choice but to worry.
Fortunately, Old Madam Sheng pulled through, and Sheng Hong lost a lot of weight because of his tireless care for her. Officials from Yangzhou who came to visit him all praised Sheng Hong for his filial piety.
In no time, Sheng Hong's reputation for filial piety spread throughout Yangzhou.
This made Sheng Hong very happy, and he even felt a little regretful.
If Old Madam Sheng had fallen ill in Bianjing, his actions might have reached the ears of the Emperor.
However, this thought only flashed through his mind. If Old Madam Sheng were to do it again, he might not be able to bear it.
It was precisely because of Old Madam Sheng's illness that Sheng Hong felt Shou'an Hall was too deserted and wanted to send Rulan to Shou'an Hall to recuperate.
Sheng Hong still highly approves of Old Madam Sheng's parenting skills. Rulan is spoiled and arrogant. Sending her to Shou'an Hall will not only allow her to keep Old Madam company, but also help her change her temperament.
But Madam Wang objected immediately, as she only had two daughters and one son.
Hua Lan was sent to live with the old lady when she was very young, and she never got to experience being a mother.
Sheng Changbai was mature beyond his years; he was sensible from a young age and didn't need her to worry about him at all.
That's why Madam Wang poured all her maternal love into Rulan.
Rulan's spoiled nature is undoubtedly related to the fact that Lord Wang doted on her since childhood.
Lord Wang was unwilling to let Rulan go to Shou'an Hall, not to mention that Old Madam Sheng lived a very frugal life, practicing vegetarianism and chanting Buddhist scriptures, so she was even more unwilling.
This led to a major argument with Sheng Hong.
Lord Wang was unwilling, but Lady Lin was.
Lin Xiaoniang had witnessed the grandeur and magnificence of Hualan's wedding.
Although most of Hualan's dowry was prepared by Lord Wang using his own dowry, Old Madam Sheng did not contribute much.
But Lin Xiaoniang didn't think so. In her opinion, Grand Tutor Wang was known for his integrity, so how much wealth could he possibly have?
On the contrary, those nobles not only received high salaries, but also considerable titles.
When Marquis Yongyi married off his daughter, he emptied the family coffers.
Why did the Xu family want to marry their daughter into the Sheng family after the death of the late Marquis Yongyi?
This is not just because Sheng Jin passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi.
They also hoped that Old Madam Sheng could give more betrothal gifts and return some of the dowry they brought from the Xu family.
That's why she angered the Xu family after being rejected, and they cut off all contact with her from then on.
In Lin Xiaoniang's opinion, the reason why Hualan had so much dowry was because Old Madam Sheng added it.
She knew very well that although she was favored and Sheng Hong had given her some estates and shops to rely on, even if she sold them all, it wouldn't be enough to prepare a large dowry for Mo Lan.
Moreover, she also needed to leave some for Sheng Changfeng.
Moreover, Mo Lan is only a concubine's daughter, and it wouldn't be easy for her to marry into a high-ranking family with the Sheng family's social standing. However, if she has the help of Old Madam Sheng, things will be different.
Therefore, she took the initiative to offer to send Mo Lan to Shou'an Hall, her words seemingly intended to share Sheng Hong's burdens.
Without comparison, there is no harm. Madam Wang was unwilling, but Madam Lin took the initiative to offer to send Mo Lan to Shou'an Hall.
This comparison made Sheng Hong even more fond of Lin Xiaoniang.
Ke Sheng approached Old Madam Sheng about the matter, but Old Madam Sheng refused.
She could understand why Lord Wang was unwilling, and she could guess Lin Xiaoniang's purpose in taking the initiative.
Unable to resist Sheng Yi's repeated persuasion, Old Madam Sheng suggested sending Minglan to live with her.
Sheng was naturally unwilling, feeling that Minglan was a bit clumsy and not as good at pleasing people as Molan.
Grandma Sheng said it was better to be a little simple-minded, because then you wouldn't have so many tricks up your sleeve.
Seeing that Sheng still refused, he said that since he was unwilling, then forget it.
Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong had no choice but to agree.
After all, his main goal was to make Old Madam Sheng happy and wish her a long and healthy life.
And so, just like in the original drama, Minglan went to Shou'an Hall.
Although Wei Xiaoniang repeatedly told her to hide her talents, what kind of person was Old Madam Sheng? Minglan's ability to conceal her talents was naturally impossible to hide from her.
Instead, he felt even more affection for Minglan because of this.
Mo Lan played with the gold necklace around her neck and said with a smile, "This gold necklace is quite beautiful. It must have cost Grandmother a lot of money."
When I go to pay my respects to my grandmother later, I must thank her properly.
This bracelet was delivered by Old Madam Sheng this morning. Because Sheng Hong wanted to remind them, Old Madam Sheng was worried that they would be late, so she skipped the morning greetings.
"I think it's nothing special. I have a necklace that weighs more than ten ounces." Rulan curled her lip, as if to say, "You've never seen anything like this before."
"A dozen or so taels?"
Mo Lan scoffed, "Wouldn't that make your neck droop? No wonder I never see you wearing it."
Rulan, however, didn't detect the sarcasm in Molan's words. Instead, she thought it was envy. Turning to Minglan, she smiled and said, "Sixth Sister, this jade lock is of superior quality and beautifully carved. Why haven't I seen you wear it before?"
"I find it too tiring to carry around."
Minglan didn't expect that when the two were bickering, Rulan would steer the conversation toward her.
Although she knew Rulan didn't have any bad intentions, this would still cause her a lot of trouble.
"I don't think it's because you're too tired, but rather that your grandmother gave it to you, right?"
A hint of jealousy flashed in Mo Lan's eyes. She had actually noticed it long ago, but she didn't dare to ask.
She didn't even own a jade lock of that quality.
If she were the one going to Shouan Hall, wouldn't all of these be hers too?
Thinking of this, Mo Lan not only hated Ming Lan, but also the old lady Sheng who rejected her.
Minglan sensed the jealousy in Molan's words and inwardly groaned. She could only say, "Hurry up, sisters. We'll be punished if we're late."
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