Pei Xiachen knew that she couldn’t hide this thing from her mother, so she told her the truth: “Niang, when I bought gouache last month in Tianxiang Pavilion, I met someone on the road.” She lowered her head and said with a small voice and reddened face.

Concubine Xiang had never seen her daughter look like this, so she hurriedly asked: “Who did you meet? Whose son is so powerful that he made you fascinated like this.”

Pei Xiachen replied: “I didn’t know before, but after inquiring, I found out that he is the son of the Meng family.”

Concubine Xiang immediately frowned and asked: “The son of the Meng family? Which son of the Meng family?” In her impression, there was only one legitimate son of the Meng family, and the son of the other branch were all married.

Pei Xiachen said: “It’s their young son Meng Nan.”

Concubine Xiang immediately shook her head: “It’s not possible.”

Pei Xiachen was taken aback, and asked urgently: “Why? Why not? The Meng family is big. Although there is no title, I heard that the Meng family is very powerful in the court. Isn’t Virtuous Consort Shu from the Meng family?”

Concubine Xiang said earnestly: “Chen’er, I’m not saying that the Meng family’s background is not good, but you and Meng Nan are not suitable.”

“Why not?” she asked urgently.

Concubine Xiang said: “To tell you the truth, I have found someone for you. Although Meng Nan has a good family background and appearance are all good, have you ever thought how old he is this year? How old are you? If he chooses to marry you, he will have to wait for 3 years. He is the only legitimate son of the Meng Family. Would the Meng family be willing to wait another 3 years? It’s unrealistic. Wake up!”

Pei Xiachen shook her head: “Why not? Perhaps he will?”

Concubine Xiang said: “This is just one of the reasons I object. There is another reason.”

Pei Xiachen hurriedly asked: “What else?”

“I’ve heard long ago that the Meng family and the Zheng family intend their children to get married. Meng Nan and Zheng Ruxue have grown up together since childhood. Zheng Ruxue is already 17 years old this year. She’s only waiting for the Meng Family to nod their head and then get married. Do you think you can compete with Zheng Ruxue?”

Pei Xiachen immediately lost her temper. She had seen Zheng Ruxue twice. She was the legitimate daughter of the Zheng family. She was also very beautiful, smart, and reasonable. She heard that she was proficient in all kinds of instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Many men wanted to marry her.

Compared with Zheng Ruxue, not only she was a mere daughter of a concubine, but also a little girl who hasn’t reach marriageable age. So who is she to compete with Zheng Ruxue for a man?

“Niang, I don’t care. I like Meng Gongzi, you help me.”

*

In Pei Family Bieyuan

This house was the most inconspicuous part of Pei Qinghan’s property in the capital. It was not in the downtown, nor the luxurious area. It was simply a 2-entry yard, but for the Bai Dazhu’s family, this was already a luxury house.

It was many times better than the adobe house they used to live in.

Pei Qinghan didn’t give them money but arranged a place for them. He also provided them a lot of servants. They didn’t need to worry about anything every day. They can eat after opening their eyes, and sleep whenever they want. This was the life they have been dreaming of.

But after such a long time, they felt bored. They also want to go out and have a look at luxuries and customs of the capital.

But if they go out, they don’t want to just go out. They also want to have money with them. They want to go out to eat and drink. They want to watch opera or listen to music. Which of these activities, doesn’t need money? Who wants to just go out for a stroll and then come back? What’s the point of doing that?

 

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