Minglan is reborn, this time with no regrets!

The front hall of Sheng Mansion.

Princess Pingning finished the meal with a gloomy face and never gave Wang Ruofu a good look the whole time.

Wang Ruofu felt bitter, wondering why the princess was so difficult to serve. Today was clearly the Sheng family's wedding banquet, but it was made to feel like a funeral banquet at the Duke of Qi's mansion?

When the last sweet soup was served, Princess Pingning stood up to leave, and Wang Ruofu stood up to see her off. When they reached a less crowded place outside the hall, a maid from the Sheng family appeared and said, "Madam, the old lady wants you to walk around in the backyard to help digest your food."

Princess Pingning glanced at her and said, "Didn't I just meet your old lady when I came here?"

Wang Ruofu immediately smiled and said, "The old lady is old, it's normal for her to be confused and forgetful, Princess, don't take it to heart." She scolded Xiao Tao, "Your Highness has a lot of things to do, how can you disturb her for no reason? Go back and serve Minglan quickly, don't make trouble here."

When Princess Pingning heard the name "Minglan", she asked, "Is this your Sixth Miss's maid?"

Wang Ruofu nodded quickly: "Yes, yes, that's right, the sixth girl is young, and the maids around her are not sensible, I'm sorry to make you laugh, Madam Princess."

Princess Pingning waved her hand and said, "No problem. Since the old lady invited me so kindly, how can I spoil her mood? Anyway, I have nothing to do at home, I will go and talk to her."

There were many guests in the hall at this time. In addition to Princess Pingning, there was also the wife of the Duke of England. As the mistress of the Sheng family, Wang Ruofu should have been accompanying them. When she heard what Princess Pingning said, she felt overwhelmed and stood there with her mouth half open, not knowing what to do.

Princess Pingning saw that she was in a dilemma and said with a smile, "Madam, don't worry about me. I've been here before and I know the way. Just go by yourself. With the old lady with me, I won't get lost."

Wang Ruofu thanked him repeatedly.

Xiaotao led Princess Pingning all the way to Shou'an Hall.

The old lady has prepared tea and is waiting.

Princess Pingning asked indifferently, "Why is there only the old lady?"

She thought that since the old lady asked Minglan's maid to invite her, she should meet the two of them together.

The old lady didn't respond to her words, but just smiled and said, "My pond is too small, and I only planted two weeping willows. I didn't expect that a roc would come here, and it's too loud, disturbing the princess's peace."

Princess Pingning heard that the old lady knew that she was lying against the wall. She took a sip of tea and said, "This is all because of the old lady's kindness. If it were my temper, I would just cut down those willow trees, and the Peng bird would have nowhere to live, right?"

The old lady understood that the princess wanted to get rid of Minglan, so she was not in a hurry to defend Minglan: "Why go to so much trouble? As the saying goes, 'When the great roc takes off with the wind, it soars up to 90,000 miles.' How could such a spirit creature always live on the weeping willows in the small pond? It is just that it is still young and has lost its way for a while. When it grows up and sees the wider world, it will naturally fly to a higher branch."

What she meant was that she knew that Young Master Qi should marry someone from a higher social class, and that his current obsession with Minglan was nothing but youthful impulse.

Princess Pingning felt much better after hearing these words. She thought that Old Lady Sheng was reasonable. She lowered her head to drink tea and didn't say anything.

The old lady continued, "Though those two weeping willows are not rare species, they were raised with great effort. Others may not appreciate them, but an old woman like me treats them as treasures. I don't expect them to be carved into treasures and put into my house, but I just want them to live peacefully by the small pond."

The meaning is very clear: Although Minglan is not of high birth, she is the treasure in my palm. I only wish her safety, not wealth, and I don't want her to marry into a wealthy family and be tortured.

Princess Pingning completely understood Madam Sheng's plan regarding Minglan's marriage, and finally spoke up: "I love chatting with you. We are on the same page."

The old lady smiled and said, "I also find it pleasant to chat with the princess. If I hadn't been taking Ming girl back to my hometown in Youyang in a while, I would really like to invite you to come over more often."

Princess Pingning was puzzled: "Oh? Why did you bring Minglan back to Youyang?"

The old lady said: "My eldest nephew is getting married soon, and my eldest sister-in-law wrote to me and asked me to attend the ceremony."

Princess Pingning: "Why don't you let Lord Sheng or Changbai accompany you back? It's a long journey, and it would be safer with a man?"

The old lady shook her head: "In this peaceful and prosperous age, there is no need to bring any men. Besides, sons and grandsons are not as caring as granddaughters. Minglan has been raised by me for many years. She is sensible, well-behaved and can endure hardships. It is more useful to bring her with me than those two!"

Princess Pingning nodded slightly, knowing that the old lady was endorsing Minglan's character, indicating that Minglan was not a child that should cause worry.

The old lady said, "What's more, this trip back home will probably take a year or so, and Changbai and I have just separated after getting married. When we get back, I'm afraid we won't recognize each other anymore."

She was talking about Changbai, but Princess Pingning understood that the old lady wanted to take Minglan away and let Qi Heng slowly forget about her.

The princess finally smiled and nodded, "Old lady, you are so thoughtful. The Sheng family is lucky to have you!"

The old lady smiled and nodded, and started another topic: "By the way, I heard from Changbai that the young master has started to work hard again recently. It's still early for the next spring exam, but the young master has started to work hard now. The princess and the duke really teach their children well!"

Princess Pingning smiled and shook her head: "My son only studies hard-core theories and his efforts are all stupid. He is far inferior to your brother Bai."

The old lady took a thick booklet from Fang Mama, rubbed it in her hands, and said, "When my late husband was alive, he made a notebook in which he collected all the questions from the imperial examinations and the essays of the top three candidates. He studied them one by one and took notes. He also added his own insights and summarized some routines. Although they are all old articles, 'there are many ways to the same destination'."

Princess Pingning stared with wide eyes. She knew that Old Master Sheng was the top scholar that year, and the notes he wrote on his way to the imperial examination were a treasure that no amount of money could buy! It is said that family learning comes from a long lineage, and this kind of successful experience from ancestors is top secret for all aristocratic families. Normally, let alone bringing it out, it would never be mentioned in front of outsiders.

Princess Pingning suppressed her pounding heart and asked, "How did you take out such a precious thing?"

The old lady said: "This is a copy. The original has been torn apart by my son and three grandsons. After so many years, only Changbai has understood the true meaning. It can be seen that the key to reading is understanding."

Princess Pingning: "Dripping water wears away a stone. It takes time for success. I heard from Heng'er that Brother Bo has been studying in the classroom since he was six years old. Not everyone can be so diligent." She said this to the old lady, but her eyes never left the notebook.

The old lady said: "In this respect, I think Bai'er and the young master are very similar. They are both people who can put down their hearts and work hard. If the young master can get this item, it will surely help him improve."

Princess Pingning's eyes lit up: "Really? Are you really willing to give it up?"

The old lady said: "Why would I be reluctant to part with him? To be frank, I look at the young master like my own grandson. I only hope that he can pass the imperial examination as soon as possible, marry a royal lady, and live a happy life!"

Princess Pingning stood up and said, "If the old lady is really willing to give up this notebook, I would like Heng'er to worship the old lady as my grandmother and follow the etiquette of a grandchild. I will respect you as much as Bo'er did in the future!"

The old lady laughed, "I've only heard of worshipping godfathers, but how can I worship worshipping godgrandmothers? Haha, but I dare not ask him to worship my son. How can he compare with the princess or the duke? If I tell others, people will laugh at him. Instead of worshipping godfathers, it's better to worship godbrothers or sisters. In this way, it can be said that it is the young master who takes care of our family, and we don't look shameless, haha."

Princess Pingning covered her mouth and laughed, "Oh, look at my brain, I have some stupid ideas, it's the old lady who has the wisdom! Why don't I take Minglan as my goddaughter! She is so well-behaved and sensible, and she is the old lady's favorite. I will take her as my goddaughter, and I will love her together with the old lady in the future!"

The old lady also stood up, took the princess's hand and pressed it against the notebook, and asked with sparkling eyes, "Are you really willing?"

The princess held the hand of the old lady together and said, "I have always wanted a daughter!"

The old lady smiled and pushed the whole note into the princess's arms: "Then I will thank the princess on behalf of my useless granddaughter! I am an old woman and I don't have anything worthy of the princess's favor. If the princess and the duke don't mind, this note will be my thank you gift to thank the princess and the duke for taking care of our child."

The princess stuffed the booklet into Yang Ma's arms, and held the old lady's hands with her free hands, saying, "What's the point of taking care of her? The old lady loves Heng'er and gave her such a treasure. I also got a well-behaved and sensible goddaughter. It's my family that took advantage of the Sheng family. I'm so ashamed! I was in a hurry today and didn't prepare anything. The day after tomorrow, the master and I will set up a few tables of banquets and hold a grand wedding ceremony for Minglan!"

"Well, she's just a little girl. She can't stand too much of a ceremony. In my opinion, we two families should just sit together and have a good time. And don't tell anyone about the origin of this notebook. It's fine if we just keep it between the two of us. As long as we explain the identities of the children, and everyone takes their place and performs their duties, then things will be clear and straightforward in the future, and the children's future will not be affected. Your family will be happy, and mine will be happy too."