The old lady is reborn

Old Madam Rong of the Marquis' Mansion is in high spirits today, as today is her sixtieth birthday. She and the old Marquis Rong Ruzhi have been married for forty-four years, and now have many children and grandchildren.

The eldest son Rong Huaishan had inherited the title long ago, although the old marquis had some hesitations about the younger son Rong Huaiyuan's succession to the title because of his talent and the emperor's appreciation of him.

But Madam Rong thought that her younger son was talented and could make a name for himself, and although her elder son was a little mediocre, he could still guard the Marquis' Mansion steadily.

Moreover, the title has always been passed down from generation to generation. If it is passed on to the younger son instead of the eldest son, the eldest son's character and talent will inevitably be criticized, and it will be more difficult for the eldest son to make a name for himself.

Although His Majesty's preference was very obvious, Rong Ruozhi still reported his eldest son because of her insistence.

She also publicly built up momentum for her eldest son. Even His Majesty did not want to bear the reputation of deposing the eldest son and enthroning the youngest son without reason. After a while of delay, he finally approved it.

But from then on, the emperor who had personally conferred the imperial edict on her no longer looked at her with the same appreciation as before. She knew that she had lost his favor, but as a mother, she always hoped that every child could live a good life.

The youngest son Huaiyuan was indeed promising. Knowing that his existence made the emperor, his father, his mother, and his elder brother somewhat uncomfortable, he requested an imperial decree to transfer him from the Ministry of Revenue to another place to serve as a county magistrate.

Because of his outstanding political achievements over the years, he was promoted from county magistrate to prefect, governor, and then to governor of three prefectures and governor-general of grain transport. Now he has been transferred back to the court by the emperor to serve as the right prime minister.

Because it was her birthday, the youngest son hurried over, traveling day and night. The news had already been received and he would arrive in about an hour.

Her eldest son Huaishan and eldest daughter-in-law Wu Siyu came to pay her respects early in the morning and also brought the menu for the birthday banquet for her to review.

Old Madam Rong trusted them, so the birthday banquet was organized by her eldest son and his wife, and she had no say in it.

This menu is to be placed on each table for the guests to see, and it is beautifully engraved and printed.

So she just glanced at it as a formality, and seeing that most of the dishes were her favorites, she said to her eldest daughter-in-law, "Thank you for your hard work and your thoughtfulness."

The maids brought today's gorgeous clothes for her to try on. The moment she turned around, she caught a glimpse of the mockery in her eldest daughter-in-law's eyes, which made her feel quite puzzled.

He became even more suspicious when she put on gorgeous clothes, put on an exquisite ruby ​​headdress, walked through the pavilions in the backyard and came to the front hall.

At this hour, no guests have arrived? The lobby is too quiet.

The entire mansion was decorated with lights and flowers, and it was newly decorated. It took more than a day or two to be busy.

The eldest daughter-in-law, Wu Siyu, once showed her a long guest list.

The guests invited were very comprehensive and thoughtful. Those who were friends with the emperor or were invited out of courtesy were almost all family friends or prominent families.

There were friends she had known since childhood, as well as several old ladies who were now famous in the capital, and the children's in-laws were also included. Although this guest list was a bit grand, it was reasonable.

Old Madam Rong thought, she had been in charge of the family all her life, but encountered various problems every year on her birthday and had never celebrated it properly. Since it was the children's intention, she might as well make it grand.

But now there is only one main table for twenty people in the entire flower hall. Could it be that there are only twenty people attending her sixtieth birthday party today?

What was even more bizarre was that just as she sat down with the help of the maids, the eldest daughter-in-law said "serve the food", and the maids came in one after another, and in a short while brought all the cold dishes, fried dishes, and steaming soups to the table.

She sat alone in front of the main table for twenty people, facing a table full of steaming dishes, looking at her eldest daughter-in-law suspiciously. What was she doing?

The eldest daughter-in-law Wu Siyu seemed extremely satisfied with her expression and said with a smile: "Mother, because father said that there are distinguished guests coming today, he has changed the menu. He crossed out many dishes and added many different dishes. Do you think you are satisfied?"

Since it has been changed, then showing me the previous menu just now was intentional...

The old lady looked at the dishes on the table, but was surprised to find that almost none of her favorite dishes were left. These dishes were...

It seemed somewhat familiar, but there were always some things in the long river of memory over forty years that could not be salvaged immediately. Old Madam Rong could not remember it for a moment, and she became even more confused.

Wu Siyu laughed unscrupulously. Such laughter was obviously rude in front of her mother-in-law, but the eldest daughter-in-law seemed to have no scruples.

At this time, the eldest son Rong Huaishan came and scolded his eldest daughter-in-law: "How shameless!"

She then said, "Father is here!" But she ignored her mother.

Wu Siyu really restrained herself a lot and sat upright. Then Madam Rong saw her husband, Lord Rong Ruzhi, and an old woman slowly walking in together.

Rong Ruozhi said to the woman very considerately: "You have an old leg injury, walk slowly."

He supported her, his eyes and eyebrows were rarely gentle and considerate, and his words were even more rare and gentle.

Old Mrs. Rong looked at the old lady, who was probably in her sixties. Although she was thin, her back was straight, showing a graceful posture after years of training.

The woman was wearing a moon-white (i.e. light blue) dress, and although she was over sixty years old, her hair was neatly combed.

Unlike her gorgeous dress and ruby ​​headpiece, this old lady only wore a jade hairpin inserted diagonally, and the same jade earrings and bracelet.

As she got closer, Madam Rong recognized this set of jewelry. She had seen it in her husband's study before. It was a new model from Yu Man Lou.

The rare good water head and emerald green color, as well as the exquisite craftsmanship, made her think that this was a birthday gift prepared by her husband for her.

The woman had been half-lowering her head with a faint smile on her face, but now she suddenly raised her head and looked directly at Old Madam Rong.

The old lady looked at her and felt that her features were very familiar, but she still couldn't remember where she was for a while.

But she was already feeling uneasy and angry in her heart. After all, since she and Rong Ruzhi got married, he had not taken a concubine, and she was his only wife in this life. But now he was clearly crossing the line in front of this old woman.

Old lady Rong looked at the two of them in front of her, still seeming to be supporting each other's hands.

The eldest son Rong Huaishan and his eldest daughter-in-law seemed to have known something for a long time. They were extremely affectionate and respectful to this strange old woman. They personally pulled out a chair for her and helped her sit down.

Her husband, son, and daughter-in-law all revolved around a strange woman.

And the birthday boy himself was sitting alone.

Her husband Rong Ruozhi finally sat down, but he was sitting right next to the woman, almost opposite her.

Then she heard Rong Ruozhi say to the woman, "An Ran, I've walked you around for a while. Do you like this house? The children have spent a lot of time decorating it to welcome you."

These arrangements are not for his birthday, but to welcome the woman in front of him?