Ties of Love, Ruan Wan

Ruan Wan didn't want things to turn out this way either. "We sent him back to the estate so he could reflect on his actions, but instead, he came back and immediately started giving us attitude and trying to intimidate us."

"After all, he's an elder in the household, used to worrying about everything, and ultimately he's thinking of us."

Mentioning this made Ruan Wan somewhat angry. "Sun Shishi is still unmarried at this age, whose fault is it? And who instilled in her from a young age that she's so determined to marry into the Lou family?"

Lou Qianyuan frowned and sighed. He knew that Uncle Li wanted Sun Shishi to marry into the Lou family. He had taught her a lot since she was a child and spoiled her so much that she became unruly.

"He just can't let go of power. There are no elders in his family, and he's been managing the Lou family's household as a steward for over ten years. Once Sun Shishi marries in, he can continue to be the steward for decades to come. With such power in his hands, which steward in the capital can rival his prestige?"

Even when Uncle Li was not in the capital, officials and merchants in the city who wanted to curry favor with him still eagerly sent him New Year's gifts.

After Ruan Wan married into the family, he still managed all the affairs of the household, but that was not enough; he still had enough control over Lou Qianyuan and Sun Shishi.

He also hoped that Ruan Wan would be as accommodating to him as Lou Qianyuan was.

Ruan Wan looked at Lou Qianyuan and said earnestly and solemnly, "We cannot forget the kindness of Uncle Li in raising you all, but he cannot use that to bully the master. Uncle Li is getting old, and the Lou family ultimately needs a new steward to take over."

Lou Qianyuan was somewhat troubled, "There's no one in this mansion who can compare to Uncle Li."

Ruan Wan sneered, "If he truly cared about the Lou family, he should have groomed an heir long ago. What he fears most is losing power to someone else."

Lou Qianyuan was still somewhat hesitant, which Ruan Wan could understand. Lou Qianyuan had grown up without his parents, and he regarded Uncle Li as family.

Ruan Wan continued, "A few days ago at the Seventh Prince's New Year's banquet, the women present, in front of Miss Biao, mocked her as an old maid, saying that if she didn't make a decision soon, there would be endless trouble."

In two months, Sun Shishi will turn twenty, making her a veritable old maid in the capital.

Lou Qianyuan wasn't just drinking at the parties these past few days; he was also looking for suitable young men.

However, everyone looked uncomfortable when Sun Shishi's name was mentioned.

Seeing that Lou Qianyuan seemed somewhat hesitant, Ruan Wan pressed her advantage, saying, "I think Ah Jin, who's by your side, is quite good. He's grown up with you since he was little, so let him gradually learn to manage household affairs."

After much deliberation, Lou Qianyuan finally made up his mind: "Then I'll have Ah Jin learn from Uncle Li first, and Uncle Li will manage him for the time being."

In fact, nothing went wrong at the Lou family's residence during the two weeks that Uncle Li was away. Uncle Li was indeed a good manager.

The people below are all very experienced; if Ah Jin wants to learn, he'll pick it up very quickly.

The next morning, Ruan Wan went to the front yard herself, knowing that Lou Qianyuan would not be able to bring it up.

Ruan Wan had received a favor from Lou Qianyuan, so she was naturally willing to stand up for him.

Moreover, Ruan Wan also had her own selfish motives. If she lived in the Lou residence for a long time, she would inevitably be subject to the control of this Steward Li every day.

Ruan Wan summoned a group of servants to her, and Uncle Li was also present. Ruan Wan smiled at A Jin and said, "Tomorrow, Uncle Liang's nephew, Liang Kun, will come to our residence. You will personally escort him to the Jishetang in the north of the city."

"Yes, madam."

After Ah Jin left, all the servants looked at Uncle Li, who was standing to the side. This kind of thing could be done by instructing the servants of the outer sect through Cui Mo and the others.

There's no need to make a big fuss by personally going to the outer gate and giving instructions in front of Uncle Li.

Ruan Wan also looked at Uncle Li and said with a smile, "In the two weeks since Steward Li left, my husband and I have realized something: this household is short of a second-in-command. Once Steward Li is gone, no one is capable of taking on this important role."

Ruan Wan suddenly raised her voice, saying angrily, "The manor can't be in chaos just because Steward Li is absent. Ah Jin, from now on you will follow Steward Li and learn how to manage household affairs."

Ah Jin glanced at Uncle Li's expression, and Ruan Wan's response was equally firm: "Thank you for your promotion, Madam."

Ruan Wan smiled and looked at Butler Li, asking, "Butler Li, is my arrangement alright?"

Uncle Li bowed humbly to Ruan Wan, saying, "Madam's arrangement is naturally the most appropriate. This old servant is now old and useless; it's time for the younger generation to take over."

Ruan Wan smiled and nodded. "Uncle Li, it's best that you're so understanding."

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, during the Lantern Festival, Lou Qianyuan was finally able to spend some quality time alone with Ruan Wan.

The most bustling event in the capital was naturally the lantern festival on South Street, where the emperor would scatter money on the South City Tower to worship the moon and pray for blessings.

At that time, almost the entire population of the city will go there.

Lou Qianyuan had booked a private room at Jingfu Restaurant well in advance, and arrived at the room before it got dark and before the crowds became too dense.

Ruan Wan could see the scene outside through the window. It was not dark yet, and the colorful lanterns on the street had not been lit, but a lot of people had already gathered.

This private room has an excellent location. Looking down, you can see the main venue of the lantern festival, and looking south, you can see the South City Tower. It will be an excellent viewpoint when the emperor prays for blessings.

And you don't have to squeeze with the crowd. This private room is always in high demand every year, but luckily Lou Qianyuan booked it well in advance.

Lou Qianyuan smiled and said, "This shop's osmanthus and sesame glutinous rice balls are a well-established brand in the capital. Even the glutinous rice balls in the imperial palace are specially supplied from here. Wan'er, you must try them."

Ruan Wan and her wives also prepared for the Lantern Festival, and prepared all sorts of different flavors.

Lou Qianyuan insisted on dragging her out to celebrate the Lantern Festival. Traditional sesame-filled glutinous rice balls, no matter how delicious they are, can't be that good.

Ruan Wan looked at the sea of ​​lights outside, which stretched from the shops along the street and illuminated the vendors on both sides. The bustling crowd moved slowly under the lights.

This feeling is incomparable to that of city streetlights; the rich aroma of fireworks enhances the festive atmosphere.

If there weren't so many people below, Ruan Wan really wanted to go down and take a walk.

As Ruan Wan and Lou Qianyuan were admiring the beautiful view downstairs, a quarrel suddenly broke out at the door.

"Who's inside? Call him out, and I'll pay him ten times the price to switch rooms."

"Consort Rong, this room was booked by a guest before the New Year. The guests who come here are all wealthy, so I'm afraid they might not want to change rooms."

What a small world! Ruan Wan asked in a low voice, "Didn't you say that Xia Changfeng and the others went to the palace to celebrate the Lantern Festival with His Majesty?"

Lou Qianyuan also lowered his voice, "The concubine doesn't need to go. His Majesty will lead the Empress, princes, and princesses up to the city wall. The concubine doesn't have that privilege."

Ruan Wan rolled her eyes. She should have just stayed in the mansion and not come out. He was like a leech, impossible to shake off.

Originally, Ruan Wan and the others did not want to make a sound and waited for the shopkeeper to handle the matter. However, Rong Yufen kept making a fuss and shouted loudly at the door.

It was really affecting her mood, and Ruan Wan's complexion was getting worse and worse.

Lou Qianyuan stood up. "I'll handle it."

The door opened, and the arguing outside stopped. The innkeeper looked at Lou Qianyuan apologetically, "Your Highness, I'm truly sorry, but Consort Rong insisted on changing rooms with you."

"Cousin, cousin's wife"

Upon hearing the voice, Ruan Wan stood up. How come Sun Shishi was here too?

Lou Qianyuan was also in a dilemma. If it were just Consort Rong, he could easily get rid of her, but he didn't expect Sun Shishi to be there as well.

Lou Qianyuan turned to look at Ruan Wan with an apologetic expression. Ruan Wan smiled and stood up, saying, "Consort Rong and Miss, if you don't mind, please celebrate the Lantern Festival with us."

As soon as Sun Shishi arrived in front of Lou Qianyuan, she pretended to be pitiful. Rong Yufen, on the other hand, was not polite at all and pulled Sun Shishi to sit down.

The room is actually quite large. In the middle is a round table, on the left is a five-panel screen, and behind it is a bed for resting.

However, there is only a small square table in front of the window. It is spacious enough for two people to sit facing each other, but it is a bit crowded for four people.

Rong Yufen, however, didn't seem to mind the crowd at all. Holding Sun Shishi's hand, she smiled and looked at Lou Qianyuan, saying, "Thank you, cousin."

He completely ignored Ruan Wan.

Lou Qianyuan became somewhat reserved. To make it easier for him to sit down, the original armchair was replaced with a long bench.

The space was too cramped, so Lou Qianyuan inevitably bumped into Ruan Wan's shoulder.

Although they were already sleeping in the same bed, they hadn't had such intimate physical contact in a long time.

Even though there were thick winter clothes in between.

Lou Qianyuan still felt a stirring in his heart.

Sun Shishi, standing to the side, was gritting her teeth, but she couldn't show it. Although she really wanted to see her cousin, she didn't want to see them being all lovey-dovey.

It's all Rong Yufen's fault. Not only did she make a scene in public, but she also dragged her in.

Rong Yufen was completely oblivious to Sun Shishi's dissatisfaction, and watched Ruan Wan and Lou Qianyuan with great interest.

"My cousin and his wife don't look like a newlywed couple at all."

Ruan Wan looked at Rong Yufen, wondering if she had seen something. Did she and Lou Qianyuan seem so distant?

Lou Qianyuan smiled awkwardly and asked, "We're not like husband and wife, what are we like then?"

"They seem like a couple who haven't gotten married yet; my cousin blushes just sitting next to his wife."

Ruan Wan looked at Lou Qianyuan's face and saw that there were indeed two blushes. Lou Qianyuan immediately covered his cheeks with his hands and became shy.

Seeing this scene, Rong Yufen was actually jealous. She wished that Xia Changfeng could treat her like that. She would die happy if Xia Changfeng could just look at her like that.

"Look! The Imperial Guards have already climbed the city walls!"

Sun Shishi really didn't want to see the two of them being affectionate, so she kept looking outside, which finally changed the subject.

Rong Yufen also went over and stared at the city gate tower.

Once the Imperial Guards are on standby, it means the Moon Worship Ceremony is about to begin.

It was the first time Ruan Wan had seen it, so she also stuck her head out to look.

Crowds surged toward the south gate tower, and guards lined both sides of the road to maintain order and prevent riots.

On the city tower, an altar has been set up, with fresh flowers, fruits, wine, and incense burners all in place.

Rong Yufen grabbed Sun Shishi's arm, smiling infatuatedly. Sun Shishi's slender body seemed about to fall apart from her grasp. "Look, the Seventh Prince is out!"

Ruan Wan also looked at the city tower. Several princes went up the city tower one after another and lined up in a row. Xia Changfeng was among them and was indeed very conspicuous.

Everyone was wearing bright yellow court robes, with unicorns embroidered on their chests, but Xia Changfeng looked exceptionally tall and straight.

Xia Yunqian, as expected of the second oldest, looked much more mature, with a beard on his face, a slightly round belly, and an endearing appearance.

Although Xia Ziru was also handsome and tall, he looked like a scoundrel.

The names of Xia Mosang and Xia Wuxiu are the complete opposite of who they are.

Xia Mosang was very large, with the physique of a military general, while Xia Wuxiu looked frail and beautiful.

As soon as Xia Changfeng appeared behind him, the people below began to cheer. He had long been famous in the capital and had also made contributions to flood control last year.

The whole country is praising the seventh prince for his virtue and benevolence.

Rong Yufen was completely absorbed in her own world, staring at Xia Changfeng with a lovestruck expression, and occasionally sharing it with Sun Shishi.

Sun Shishi looked at Lou Qianyuan across from her with a resentful expression.

Lou Qianyuan's expression was also not good at this moment. He looked at Ruan Wan, who was staring blankly at the city gate.