Manbao, who was always led astray by external temptations and continuously compromised, felt a deep sense of realization. After so contemplation, she turned back to Princess Changyu and Mingda and said, "Next ti, I will definitely stick to my principles and not succumb to your temptations again."
Everyone: ...
Changyu and Mingda: ...
Bai Shan couldn’t help but bow his head and laugh out loud.
Only then did Changyu and Mingda co to their senses, and they both said, "Acting like that, you’re going to lose us."
With a serious face, Manbao said, "Those who truly understand are my confidants. Even if I try to please those who don’t, they can’t beco my confidants. I refuse to believe that Lord Wei has no close friends."
Changyu and Mingda: ...
In truth, Wei Zhi indeed didn’t have many confidants, so when Zhou Man and the others showed up at his door, even he was a bit surprised.
After regaining his composure and having the servants invite them in, upon seeing Princess Changyu and Princess Mingda among the crowd, Wei Zhi instinctively turned his head to glance at his youngest son.
Wei Yu was standing by and, catching his father’s gaze, self-righteously stepped forward to entertain the guests.
Wei Zhi: ...
Although he misunderstood, he didn’t do anything wrong.
It was the first ti Bai Shan and the others t Wei Yu. Even Zhao Liulang had only heard of each other but never t.
Because Zhao Liu stayed in Quyang to study, and although he occasionally ca to the capital, due to Wei Zhi’s position and personality, the children of the Wei Family rarely played with these noble families.
Manbao discreetly observed Wei Yu, noting his tall figure and decent face, but recalling the person Changyu once liked, she felt uneasy.
So she turned her head to look at Changyu.
As expected, Changyu’s eyes showed so disappointnt.
Wei Zhi had already hurried out following his son, first respectfully greeting Princess Changyu and Princess Mingda before saying hello to the others.
Wei Yu glanced up in surprise at Changyu and Mingda, not expecting the princesses to co to their ho.
However, he adhered to etiquette, only glancing briefly before bowing his head again.
Changyu was even more disappointed and whispered to Manbao and Mingda, "What should I do? I’m afraid of having to face another Lord Wei in the future."
Manbao and Mingda: ...
The two of them looked at the polite Wei Yu and then at the imposing Wei Zhi beside him. Whispering to her, they said, "Don’t be afraid. Lord Wei is a man to be respected."
Changyu glared at her, not comforted at all.
Manbao whispered, "Isn’t it better to be polite rather than impolite? Think deeply; polite people know sha and propriety. Or do you want to be with soone unruly?"
"He dares!" Changyu raised her eyebrows and then whispered, "If he dares to act shalessly, I’ll stab him."
Manbao whispered, "You weren’t this bold when you saw the Crown Prince yesterday. You’re tough on the soft but scared of the tough. I think polite families are more suitable for you. Otherwise, you’ll bully the soft and be bullied by the tough."
Mingda hadn’t paid much attention initially, but upon reflection, she thought there was truth to it.
Changyu looked at them with her mouth agape for a mont, then secretly glanced at Wei Yu.
Wei Yu was chatting with Bai Shan and the others, transacting happily about their studies, but in Changyu’s eyes, he seed even more old-fashioned.
Especially with Lord Wei as a comparison next to him.
If she couldn’t marry soone as talented and angelic as Yang Heshu, she’d rather find a brave and compatible partner.
The Wei Family seed to be a different path altogether.
Madam Wei, staying in the backyard, soon arrived with her daughters-in-law and granddaughters, having thought the guests were there for her husband, so she hadn’t appeared initially. She didn’t expect there to be so many female guests.
She ca to entertain Zhou Man and the two princesses.
But Wei Zhi already had a good idea why they were there and smiled at his wife, "They’re all of the sa age. Let them play in the garden, and we’ll prepare so food for them."
Saying this, he instructed Wei Yu, "Wulang, take the guests to the garden and entertain the two princesses well."
Wei Yu wondered if his father had secretly been drinking in the morning; otherwise, why would he be talking nonsense?
With his sisters-in-law and nieces at ho, why was there a need for him to entertain the female guests?
But Wei Zhi showed no sign of changing his mind, dismissively waving him off to lead them to the garden.
Madam Wei had already heard from Wei Zhi the previous night about the Emperor’s intention for a union with their family, so she couldn’t help but discreetly observe Princess Changyu, smiling as she watched them head to the garden. She finally let out a sigh, saying, "Though it’s been less than half a year, Princess Changyu seems to have matured a bit."
Wei Zhi nodded.
The Wei Family’s garden was small, as it was a property Wei Zhi had purchased himself. After being granted the title of State Duke Zheng, the Emperor also bestowed a residence upon him, which he lived in for a ti before many people began sending beauties and gifts his way.
Despite his refusals, things were thrown over his walls at night, containing either gold or silver, becoming a significant nuisance.
The main point was, besides his salary and the annual output from granted land, he had only the rewards from the palace and no other inco.
And the rewards from the palace, owing to his tendency to anger the Emperor, were not only ager compared to other officials, but also notably infrequent.
The State Duke Zheng’s residence was too large, his family couldn’t fill it, nor could they afford to keep so many servants, so Wei Zhi simply moved back into his property.
Though small, after his sons married one by one and took up official posts elsewhere, the few family mbers lived comfortably, just having enough servants to manage.
Thus, the Wei Family’s garden was small, with few servants, so Wei Yu personally handled many tasks.
He fetched the tea leaves, lifted boiling water from the stove, and, after waiting a mont, began preparing tea for everyone.
Having observed for a while, Manbao remarked to Changyu, "He has a very gentle personality."
Changyu replied, "I like soone with boldness."
Manbao: "... Senior Brother Yang is clearly very gentle."
Changyu said, "That’s different; he neither has Young Master Yang’s talent nor his handso looks."
Having brewed the tea, Wei Yu served it to them individually, prompting Mingda to quietly comnt, "He has thoughtful manners."
After hesitating for a mont, Changyu said, "But he doesn’t seem capable of riding a horse into battle, only able to hold a book and argue. I dread reading the most."
Recalling how her sister fell asleep in class, Mingda couldn’t help but smile, softly asking, "Is that your biggest worry, Sister?"
With a sigh, Changyu said, "Though I know I can’t choose who I marry, at least he should be soone I can converse with?"
She genuinely couldn’t get into reading.
She continued, "I wish to marry soone who loves playing polo as much as I do."
Manbao and Mingda: "... But you can’t play polo your whole life, can you?"
Changyu countered, "Why not? I can’t hold an official position, nor do I need to toil for a living. What else can I do besides play?"
Listening, Manbao felt a touch of envy, and looking at Changyu with admiration, she said, "You lead such a wonderful life."
However, Mingda turned to Manbao and said, "Do you envy us?"
Manbao nodded.
Mingda smiled, "But we envy you."
Having thought for a mont, Changyu nodded too, whispering, "I also envy you a little."
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