The general kneels on the washboard again

In Lingzhou in September, the summer heat wave has not completely subsided.

Although it was still dark, the streets were already crowded with people.

It takes about half an hour to walk from Yuegui Lane to Yongqing Lane.

Yue Niang arrived early. When she entered through the main gate today, the stage outside the Jiang Mansion had just been set up.

Yue Niang had been here several times. The housekeeper of the Duke's Mansion was named Wu. He was a very versatile person and had already had an impression of Yue Niang.

"Miss Fu, you're here?"

Yue Niang handed the gift in her hand to Butler Wu, handed over the note in her hand, and circled the name on the roster.

Finally, he stuffed another ingot of silver into Butler Wu's hand and said, "Butler Wu, I heard that last month, several assassins pretending to be Qin Hou's host broke into the banquet and frightened Miss Qin. I'm sorry for your trouble today."

Butler Wu understood a bit after hearing this, and immediately patted his chest and assured, "Don't worry, young lady, I'm here to guard this place. None of those imposters will be able to get in."

Yue Niang nodded and smiled, then led Dong Zhu into the courtyard.

At this time, Cao Jin came out in a hurry: "Yue'er, why are you here so early?"

Yue Niang covered her mouth and smiled, "Aunt is fine. If you don't come earlier, I'm afraid someone else will take your place."

Cao Jin also understood her intention: "Okay, Lizhu, take the young lady to my courtyard to rest first."

Li Zhu was Cao Jin's personal maid, so she led Yue Niang to the backyard.

Lizhu walked in front without saying a word, and Yue Niang spoke to her for a few words.

"Sister Lizhu, why don't you see the young master today?"

Li Zhu Luo Luo laughed a few times: "Miss, if you call me sister, if the lady hears, I'm afraid she will scold you."

Yue Niang also reacted: "What's the big deal? Auntie doesn't care about these things."

Li Zhu then continued to answer Yue Niang's question: "The young master can't wake up yet. It's rare that Madam has been busy these past two days and has no time to take care of him. He sneaks out every night to play wildly."

The Duke's Mansion is so big that it can only be described like this: it took half an hour to walk from the main gate to Cao Jin's courtyard, and this is the first courtyard after passing the Chuihua Gate.

Yue Niang was so tired that she was out of breath. Fortunately, the Chrysanthemum Viewing Hall was not far from Cao Jin's yard, otherwise she would not have wanted to go there no matter what.

Cao Jin's courtyard is about the same size as the town of Qingshi, and the garden rockery inside is designed to be pleasing to the eye.

Yue Niang had only rested for half a minute when someone from the Chrysanthemum Viewing Hall came to call her.

The Chrysanthemum Viewing Hall is located on an artificial lake in the back garden. It is a newly built courtyard specifically for today's banquet.

There are several houses on the water scattered in an orderly manner, connected by a wooden bridge. In the middle is a large round platform, and around the shore are the protagonists of this banquet: various kinds of chrysanthemums.

Most of the people have already arrived.

Behind the hanging flower gate is the world of women. Generally, only women from the rear house are invited, while men have a separate table with the master in the front hall.

Looking at a group of noble ladies who acted with airs, Yue Niang felt a little nervous.

I thought I wouldn't see any acquaintances, but unexpectedly I still saw Fu Yuanniang and Fu Jinniang in the crowd.

The two of them were dressed up in seven or eight bright colors.

From the bright red hairpin to the emerald green embroidered shoes, each one is very eye-catching, but when put together, there is nothing memorable about it, and it makes people feel that the dress is too exaggerated.

This is a chrysanthemum viewing banquet. The nature of chrysanthemum is elegance. If they try too hard to stand out, it will be counterproductive.

Dong Zhu also noticed: "What are the Second Miss and Third Miss wearing? Why is Princess Wu still hanging out with them?"

This little Princess Wu's original name was Wu Yiling. Her father, Wu Yu, was a third-rank Hanlin academician and also the teacher of the current crown prince.

Hearing Dong Zhu's words, Yue Niang smiled slightly and looked at the others: "It seems that the Wu family has hooked up with the Third Prince."

To others, their plan might seem unremarkable, as it was just a merchant's daughter trying to curry favor with a daughter of an official.

Wu Yiling herself is also a hot topic in Lingzhou's recent gossip. Because of her father, she has been a "good friend" of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince since she was a child.

A few days ago, His Majesty and the Queen personally issued an edict, and a girl from the royal family was unprecedentedly granted the title of a county lady. This was the first time in the history of the State of Cheng. She was also granted marriage to Xue Teng, the grandson of Grand Tutor Xue. For a girl from a third-rank family, this was a great blessing.

Wu Yiling was not tall, half a head shorter than Fu Yuanniang.

Perhaps she felt Yue Niang's gaze, and Wu Yiling looked over in the direction Yue Niang was looking. Fu Jinniang whispered a few words in her ear, followed by a few glares.

She also walked towards this side slowly.

Seeing this, Fu Yuanniang and the other two hurriedly followed. Yue Niang whispered a few words to Dong Zhu, and Dong Zhu left in a hurry.

There were groups of people at the banquet, chatting animatedly, and no one paid attention to this corner.

Wu Yiling stood in front of Yue Niang, looking up, and spoke in a rather scoundrel-like tone, "You were the one who stole Yuan Niang and the others' invitation? How dare you bring something you stole to this banquet? You're truly a lowly, unruly fellow from a merchant family."

Yue Niang first leaned forward slightly and said, "Fu family Yue Niang greets Wu Xiangjun."

Wu Yiling pressed forward: "Stop being a good girl here and apologize to them."

Fu Yuanniang knew best who stole from whom, and kept pulling at Wu Yiling's clothes, while Fu Jinniang stood there arrogantly, waiting for Yue Niang to apologize.

Wu Yiling was also enraged by Fu Yuanniang's actions: "Why are you afraid of her? I'll support you."

Fu Yuanniang said softly with an unnatural expression: "No need, Xiangjun."

Wu Yiling continued to vent her righteous indignation, "Don't be afraid, I'm here. I'll make her apologize to both of you today."

Then he turned to look at Yue Niang: "Apologize quickly."

Yue Niang finally spoke slowly: "I didn't steal anything."

The voice was neither humble nor arrogant, and Yue Niang deliberately raised the volume, which attracted many people.

A group of people stood behind Wu Yiling and the other two.

When Wu Yiling heard Yue Niang's words, she clenched her fists. "What I hate most in my life is despicable people like you."

The group behind her also started to make a fuss: "These girls look unfamiliar. Wu Xiangjun, what's wrong with you?"

Wu Yiling exaggerated the story and told it again, showing that Yue Niang was a person who treated her stepmother and stepsister badly.

Someone in the crowd also recognized the Fu sisters: "Aren't these the daughters of Boss Fu from Yuegui Lane?"

Wu Yiling continued to attack, "You said you didn't steal, so how did you get in? And why did they lose the post and get stopped outside the mansion?"

Yue Niang was not at all nervous this time. "I came in with my own invitation. If you don't believe me, we can go to the doorkeeper Wu to verify it. As for how they were lost, I have no idea."

Cao Jin arrived late, followed by several people from the government office.

She said with a serious face, "I'm too embarrassed to tell anyone about this happening at my family's banquet. Since it involves theft, I've invited the government officials and also alerted the master of my family. I'll definitely investigate thoroughly."

Seeing this scene, Fu Yuanniang hid behind Wu Yiling.

Dongzhu also quietly returned to Yue Niang's side.

Cao Jin waved his hand behind him and said, "Butler Wu, go call the gentleman who is responsible for writing the invitations and the servant who is responsible for delivering them."

Butler Wu respectfully handed the list in his hand to Cao Jin and went outside again.

Coming ahead of Butler Wu were a young man in black clothes and Jiang Yunxiao and his son.

The young man in black was about the same age as Jiang Yunxiao, but he looked much more mature. His facial features were as sharp as if they were carved by a knife, and he looked intimidating without even being angry. His cuffs were embroidered with auspicious clouds in gold thread, and he wore a vermilion and white jade belt around his waist, with a delicate white jade waist pendant hanging from it. He had an imposing demeanor.

The young man ran over and people kept greeting him: "Greetings, Third Prince." Yue Niang already knew his identity.

The young man ran towards Fu Yuanniang anxiously, protected her tightly, and glanced at her with a sharp look.