Minglan remembered that she had also complained about this. However, Changbai only said with a light smile, “This is all about humbling the Empress"s family. His Majesty is able to solve the problem right away.” Later, Minglan finally understood that the new Consort kin would always be threatened by the civil officials, let alone that Little Shen shi"s brother-in-law (the emperor) had been dedicating on building a "upright and filial" image.

As Changbai had expected, the imperial adviser acted fast, so was the emperor. After he had exhorted or scolded the empress, the latter called the women of the Zheng family into the Palace right away. Before Empress Dowager De censured the Shen family, Empress Shen reproached her sister fiercely and sent two Momo to discipline Little Shen shi. At last, she coaxed Old Madam Zheng and First Madam Zheng and awarded them a lot of things. Then this thing had come to an end.

Little Shen shi was the most miserable person in this. She had simply made a complainant (which she always did since her childhood). As a result, she was scolded by her sister, her brother and two Empress Dowagers. After she had gone back to her family, not only did her father-in-law and mother-in-law give her the long face, even her husband got angry with her because he had to apologize to his eldest brother. After this, Little Shen shi totally surrendered.

“As a matter of fact…” Little Shen shi rested her head on the cushion like Minglan and sighed, “Though my eldest sister-in-law doesn"t like to chat, she really is a good person.” Little Shen shi was not a fool and could tell whether a person was with a good and genuine heart.

First Madam Zheng had never treated Little Shen shi harshly. Never did First Madam Zheng ask Little Shen shi to stand in the mansion to recite the family rules, nor did she sneer at the latter. For all this time, Little Shen shi was only forbidden to appear in the public too often and urge General Zheng to take her to the outside.

Other than that, First Madam Zheng also reminded Little Shen shi of the etiquettes in the social condition in case the latter would be laughed at by the outsiders. Actually, First Madam Sheng was so much better than the women in the normal n.o.ble families who would either be friends with their sisters-in-law on the surface or plot against each other or look on coldly of their sisters-in-law"s jokes.

“Of course. Everyone can see that. You should learn to appreciate the happy life you have now. What an honest and sincere person your sister-in-law is!” Minglan chuckled

“Alas, now even empress always instructs me to treasure my happiness. She said that I was lucky enough to marry into such a dignified family in which the men are all decent. She also told me to listen to all my sister-in-law"s words and that I shouldn"t act randomly anymore” Little Shen shi sounded quite resigned.

This also showed how wise First Madam Zheng was. No matter what happened in the Zheng family, she always protected Little Shen shi at the outside, claiming that "I"ll discipline my own sister-in-law, but no one could criticize her." Once there was someone sneering at Little Shen shi for her lacking politeness like a country woman. At that time, First Madam Zheng put on a long face and left right away. As time went by, even Empress Shen grew respect on First Madam Zheng and always invited the latter to the palace to chat. This was also the reason why Minglan had decided to recover her reputation by a.s.sociating with First Madam Zheng in the first place.

First Madam Zheng truly was smart. The n.o.ble madams were full of capable women. However…

“Tell me, do you think…” Minglan weighed her tone and asked gingerly, “Your sister-in-law would really leave your family?” She really shouldn"t ask that, but her curiosity was about to kill her.

Little Shen shi rolled her eyes to Minglan at first. After she pondered for a while, she nodded slowly with a stern look, “I didn"t believe she would before, but after I have married into this family for two years, I found that…” She let out a deep breath, “My sister-in-law"s family regards law and discipline rite more important than life. She truly follows that principle. I won"t even be surprised if she risks her life for the etiquette.”

Minglan leaned back while patting on her chest in fear, thinking, "I can never afford to offend someone like that."

Someone had already reported their arrival in the side yard of Marquis Zhongjing"s mansion. After they arrived at the gate, the girls and their maids were already waiting there.

The little girl from the Zheng family was graceful and cute. She seemed to like Little Shen shi a lot. Once the aunt and the niece saw each other, they got on their own coach with holding hands happily. Little Shen shi said that she would buy the new roasted pigeon from the Saliva Pavilion and then check the new jade slips in the Purple Cloud House in order to reward the little girl who had been studying hard. Seeing the cheerful look on Little Shen shi"s face, Minglan a.s.sumed that she must have felt so bored in the Zheng"s mansion.

In the meantime, Minglan truly disdained Little Shen shi"s behavior of using the child as an excuse.

The two girls sat in the same coach with Minglan. On the way back home, the girls kept babbling about the interesting things happening in the cla.s.s. Xian always loved to study, and now even Rong got very interested in going to school. Great Master Xue didn"t only teach them to read the literatures. Although Rong was not good at reading, she was excellent in arithmetic. While others had to do the math with the help of abacus, she was already able to tell the result.

“Since Fifth sister"s mansion in the on the way, I should visit her then.” Seeing the two girls talking with each other happily, Minglan suddenly had that idea. Today"s weather was pleasant. Also, it was rare for a lazy person like her to leave her mansion. Since she had already gone out, she decided not to waste this chance.

The coach stopped in front of a black gate with two flowers carvings. The Wen family was in a large mansion which had three entrees, situated in the middle of the Sweet Water Hutong.

“You just came here empty-handed?” Rulan put one of her hand on her waist and said that. Today she wore a red squirrel fur jacket with the pattern of b.u.t.terflies flying through the flowers, with her hair worn in a round bun while pinned by a gold hairpin inlaid with a huge pearl.

Hearing the first thing this pregnant woman said, Minglan got angry right away, feeling that this sister of her truly good at irritating her, “I wanted to visit you all of a sudden, how can I bring anything to you! If you are not happy with this, I"ll only ask someone to send you gifts from now on and never come here.”

“What are you talking about?” Rulan always talked without considering too much. Actually she never really wanted Minglan to give her any presents. After she asked Minglan to sit down with a smile, she said, “You are a lucky girl. Those two annoying women in this family have just left. Something happened in my husband"s aunt"s family.”

Right at this moment, Xique who dressed like a married woman walked into the room with a tea tray. Hearing Rulan"s words, she couldn"t help saying, “My madam, why did you…” She turned around, finding n.o.body around, and then said, “What if you get used to say that and let those words slip out of your tongue next time?”

Rulan didn"t know how to retort and only pouted, “All right, this girl is the most annoying one.”

Minglan looked at Xique smilingly, saying in a gentle voice, “How"s you condition lately? If you don"t feel well, don"t hide it from your madam. She has begged to ask you and your husband to come.”

Xique put down the tea tray and covered her mouth to chuckle, “Don"t flatter me, I am the one who hated to part with my lady and begged to come here to serve her. Sixth Lady, you still like to joke about us, like always. Today, Old Madam and Second Madam both went out, why don"t you stay here longer to chat with my Madam…” As saying this, she ordered the maids who had entered into the room in succession to place the snacks and fruits.

After the two sisters sat still, Rulan started to observe Minglan. Minglan was wearing a squirrel fur jacket embroidered with emerald silk thread which was clearly rewarded by the imperial family and couldn"t be bought in the shops. She didn"t wear any jewelries today except for the gold hairpin inlaid with green jade with a pearl pendant. The pearl which was as big as one"s thumb swayed gently by Minglan"s temple, looking quite dazzling.