Don't disturb me, I won't be a concubine

The next day, the eldest lady's invitation was delivered to the Dong family.

After Xu Yiwan received it, she waited until everyone came back in the evening before showing it to them.

"Duke Dingguo's wife invited us to be her guest, saying that she was celebrating the old lady's recovery from her old illness."

Dong Jingtang didn't read the post. "Lord Cui told me about this today. Afu cured the old lady's illness. Since you are invited, just go. If you really don't want to go, you can just ask someone to reply."

Dong Jingtang never forced Xu Yiwan to do anything, but this also had a disadvantage, which was that asking him was the same as not asking at all, because the final decision was still made by Xu Yiwan herself.

"Afu, what do you think?" Xu Yiwan turned around and asked Dong Jiafu.

Before Dong Jiafu could answer, Dong Jialin said, "Duke Dingguo's mansion held this banquet and asked Afu to go. It should be to thank her. Would it be bad if we don't go?"

As he said this, he secretly winked at Dong Jiafu.

Dong Jiafu understood and followed his words and said, "Second brother is right, mother, why don't we go there."

Xu Yiwan nodded, "That's fine. Madam Dingguo has come to our house, so we should return the favor. And the two mothers who helped Afu back then, let's take this opportunity to give them some thank-you gifts as well."

"Just make the arrangements as you see fit." Dong Jingtang had no objection.

After dinner, Dong Jialin and Dong Jiafu left together.

"Second brother, you wanted us to go to Duke Dingguo's Mansion so much just now. Is there any news from Prince Cui?" Dong Jiafu asked.

Dong Jialin put his hands behind his back and smiled happily, "Afu really knows my intention. Lord Cui said that this time he will let the son of Jintian Hou bring Miss Jiang over and find a chance to arrange for us to meet."

"Second brother, you must seize this opportunity and try to explain everything to Miss Jiang. I am waiting for your good news."

"Yes, I will," Dong Jialin nodded heavily, "I also asked Master Cui to invite the Chunxi Troupe to perform our play."

"It seems that the second brother has already made preparations."

"It's better to be prepared." Dong Jialin said with a smile.

The next day, Xu Yiwan had someone pack up the prepared gifts and took Dong Jiafu and Dong Jialin to the Duke Dingguo's Mansion.

Cui Qiyan must have informed the eldest lady in advance, and Dong Jialin was also mentioned on the invitation, so it was natural for him to follow.

When they arrived at the Duke Dingguo's Mansion, Dong Jialin handed over the invitation, and the three of them followed the servants into the mansion.

A canopy was built under the pavilion in the mansion that was specially used for listening to operas, and the eldest lady also ordered people to prepare iced fruits, sweet soup, and snacks.

Many people had already arrived, and the first lady and the other three ladies were busy entertaining them.

When the servant led Xu Yiwan and the other two over, the eldest lady hurried forward and said, "Mrs. Dong, you are here."

"Princess..." Xu Yiwan bowed.

"Mrs. Dong, please stand up quickly," the eldest lady extended her hand to help him up, smiling, "It's good that you can come. There's no need for these empty formalities."

"It's a cause for celebration that the old lady in the mansion has recovered from her old illness. This is a little gift from us." Xu Yiwan turned her head and pointed at the thing in Dong Jialin's hand.

"Mrs. Dong, you are too polite. The old lady's recovery is all thanks to Miss Dong." The eldest lady said, motioning for Mother Wu to accept the things.

"You must have worked hard on this journey. Please take a seat." The eldest lady took them to the front seat and said, "Have some refreshments first. I will go and greet the other guests."

Xu Yiwan nodded, "Princess, don't worry about us, go and get busy."

Not long after the eldest lady left, Cui Yaying came over with Shen Zhiming, holding the child, followed by several other young ladies and gentlemen from the Duke Dingguo's Mansion.

Dong Jiafu stood up with her mother and second brother, and after introducing themselves to each other, they started chatting. Of course, the topic of conversation inevitably revolved around Cui Yaying's children.

Compared to the first time Dong Jiafu saw him, Quan Ge'er had grown a lot. He was fair and tender, with a pair of big, bright and round grape-like eyes that made people feel pity for him.

Xu Yiwan liked him very much, and looked at Quan Ge'er and said softly, "This child is so good."

"Why don't you hold him, Madam?" Cui Yaying handed the child to her.

Xu Yiwan took it carefully. Quan Ge'er didn't cry or make a fuss. He stared at her curiously with his big blinking eyes.

Cui Yaying smiled and said, "I came back to see my grandmother a few days ago, and she said she missed Quan Ge'er. I will bring Quan Ge'er to her today."

Dong Jiafu thought that they came together, so she asked, "Are you from the old lady?"

"Yes, 88 and I brought Quan Ge'er here early in the morning. Grandmother was very happy to see Quan Ge'er. Later, Fang Sui also came. I don't know what grandma wanted to say to her in secret, but she didn't let us hear it and drove us all out."

"That's right. Grandmother is so good to Miss Qin, even better than to us granddaughters." The fourth girl Cui Yalan said.

Cui Yaying joked, "Why, seeing how nice grandma is to Fang Sui, now you're jealous too?"

"That's right. Ever since Miss Qin returned to Beijing, Grandmother has been thinking of her for all the good things she has."

"Fangsui has a miserable life. It's only natural for grandma to take care of her more." Cui Yaying consoled.

Cui Yalan turned her gaze towards where Shen Zhiming was standing, "Since the third sister married the third brother-in-law, she has really become more reasonable."

"Okay, you're teasing me..."

There was laughter and joy here, but in Shou'an Courtyard, the old lady asked everyone to leave, leaving only Mother Qi.

The old lady took Qin Fangsui's hand and said, "Sui'er, I am well now. After today, I will carefully find a good family for you."

Qin Fangsui said gently, "You have just recovered from your illness, so don't work too hard. You don't have to worry about my affairs, your health is the most important."

"How can we not be anxious? Half of the year has passed in the blink of an eye. If we don't hurry, we will really delay you. We women are different from men. While we are still young, we should quickly find someone who makes us satisfied and marry him." The old lady said earnestly.

It is not easy to find someone who makes you satisfied. Even if you find such a person, he or she has to be happy.

Qin Fangsui remained calm, "The old lady is right, I will listen to you. But you must not tire yourself out because of my affairs. You have finally recovered, if anything goes wrong, I will be blamed."

"I know what's going on. Don't worry. Just go back and wait."

Qin Fangsui showed a grateful look, "Old Madam still thinks of me on a day like today, I am already very satisfied. When I think about it carefully, I have never done anything for you."

"Silly child," the old lady patted her hands lovingly, "Why didn't you do anything? Didn't you often come to accompany me and make cakes for me to eat? Don't think too much. You are such a good child. There will be more people who love and protect you in the future."

Qin Fangsui's nose felt sore when she heard that, and she nodded with moist eyes.