Chapter Thirty: Another Summons Arrives

  Xiao Chengxian had just agreed to send her down the mountain with Guo Shi the next day, when a maid from outside Guo Shi's side quickly came in and said with a smile: "The tenth young lady has arrived!" In the time it took to say this, Ling Yuanshan had already walked in hastily.

  It was unclear what Lu Weijie had said to her earlier, but Ling Yuanshuang's face was radiant and her bright eyes were even more sparkling than usual. The two of them understood each other at a glance, but their expressions remained unchanged.

  Guo saw Ling Yuexun arrive and couldn't help but mention again that he wanted to return to the manor tomorrow.

  Ling Yuexuan was taken aback, and couldn't help but glance at Yuan Daisi, who seemed to want to say something but stopped herself. After a while, she only managed to utter a dry sentence: "Sister, you really won't stay with us?"

  Guo shook her head, and didn't say much else. She simply pointed at Xiao Chengxian and the two of them, saying: "I just spoke with your sister from the Xiao family, she was initially unwilling, but seeing my determination, she has now agreed to it."

  Ling Yuexuan heard this and knew that it was useless to persuade her, so she just fell silent. Yuan Dai, who was standing beside her, couldn't help but interrupt the conversation. After everyone had chatted for a while, they noticed that the sky was getting dark, so Xiao Chengxin ordered someone to bring in dinner. The three of them ate on the side of the Guo family and only left after finishing their meal. After the three women left, Madame Guo instructed her servants to pack up their luggage and prepare to return to the mansion the next day.

  Xiao Chengyan then conveyed Guo's intention to Xiao Chengye and others. As Xiao Chengye was a man, he couldn't very well ask Guo about his coming or going again. After receiving the message, he simply relayed it inside, saying that someone would be sent back to Pingjing to inform the people of the Ling mansion to come and pick him up tomorrow.

  No words were exchanged that night, and the next morning, the three of them got up early and went to Guo's place. Although it was like this, when the three arrived, Guo had already packed her luggage and prepared breakfast for them. After they finished eating, they chatted for a while.

  Around three o'clock in the morning. Xiao Chengye's side had already sent someone to deliver a message, saying that the people from the Ling Mansion had arrived at the door of the other courtyard. In no time, Jin Chun, who was beside Guo Shi, came in with a smile. Behind her was Hu Mama, who followed Lady Lu.

  Madam Guo heard that it was Madam Hu, so she hurriedly got up. Just as she was about to go out, Madam Hu had already walked in with a smile. Madam Guo hastily asked someone to bring over a velvet stool and invited Madam Hu to sit down. She also smiled and said: "Nowadays the weather is cold. Why did you still trouble yourself to come personally?"

  After a moment's hesitation, Mrs. Hu finally sat down on the kang, and replied: "Milady, you're too kind! How can I be worthy of such words? Yesterday, when the news arrived at the mansion, even Old Lady and Milady were shocked. Last night, no one in the entire household got a wink of sleep. Milady originally wanted to come in person, but was persuaded otherwise by Old Lady. This morning at the fifth watch, Old Lady sent someone with an invitation card to ask Dr. Liu from the palace to come and give Seventh Master Rong another examination, saying that hopefully nothing unexpected will happen again!"

  Lu Weiyin is indeed the seventh in the Lu family genealogy.

  Xiao Chengxian heard this and became somewhat uneasy, couldn't help but glance at Yuan Dai. Seeing that Yuan Dai's expression was normal, sitting calmly without moving, she slightly put her mind at ease. It wasn't just her, even Ling Yuanshuang on the side also had a faintly revealed look of unease on her face.

  On the other side, Hu's mother's eyes moved slightly, but suddenly fell on Yu Dai's body, and smiled: "The feng shui of this Green Hill is indeed nourishing, Ninth Miss has only been here for a few days. Her face looks much better!" There was even a hint of flattery in her expression.

  Unexpectedly, she suddenly turned the topic to herself, glanced at her lightly and said calmly: "Thanks for your kind words, Mom!"

  Seemingly aware of Yuandai's coldness, Hu Mama chuckled twice before turning to Ling Yuexuan and saying: "Third Madame has also heard about this matter and is worried sick!"

  Ling Yuexuan shook her head and said, "We're all fine! Didn't I say so earlier? This was just a misunderstanding, not the plague!"

  Old Lady Hu smiled and was about to speak when someone outside came in and said, "Doctor Liu has already taken his pulse and says that this illness is definitely not smallpox. It's just that Seventh Master Lu had a hidden illness from the beginning, but relying on his young age and strong foundation, it never broke out. A few days ago, he suddenly developed a high fever, which caused both internal and external symptoms to erupt, resulting in the rash. Now Doctor Liu has prescribed medicine and says that with good care for a period of time, he will be fine!"

  As soon as this was said, Mrs. Hu let out a sigh of relief and first turned to Guo Shi, saying: "Madam's intention is that if the eldest lady wants to return, she can take her children back early! As for the two young ladies, whether they want to leave early or stay a few more days, it's up to them!"

  Ling Yu Xuan heard this and couldn't help but look at Yuan Dai with a hint of doubt, as if seeking confirmation.

  Yuan Dai saw her like this, and calmly said: "Since it's like this, we'll stay a few more days!" She said, then turned to Xiao Zhengyan again: "In any case, Sister Xiao will also return to the capital after some time, at that time we can travel together back to the capital, what do you think, sister?"

  Xiao Chengxian heard the sound and hurriedly smiled: "It's even better if it's like this!"

  The three of them said so, and Hu's mother could only nod in agreement.

  Xiao Chengyan opened her mouth again to invite Guo's family to have lunch together before leaving, but Guo just shook her head and politely declined. After Xiao Chengyan had tried to persuade her several times, she also stopped being polite and sent off Guo's family with their two children along with Yuan Dai and her sister.

  When everyone arrived at the second gate, Xiao Chengye and others had already arrived. Seeing Ling Yuqing, Guo's family couldn't help but instruct him a few words, and after Ling Yuqing responded one by one, Guo's family took their children and left in the carriage.

  After Guo left, there were only six men and women in the field, including Yuan Dai.

  After a moment, Xiao Chengye coughed lightly and said: "Wei Ying... his fever has receded, but the acne on his face seems to have worsened compared to a few days ago. Cough! I just hope that with Liu Taisheng's medicine, he can recover soon!" This remark seemed to carry some implicit meaning.

  Yan Dai nodded and said, "Liu's brother-in-law is blessed with good fortune, he should recover!" After saying this, she turned to Xiao Chengyan and asked in a low voice, "This Dr. Liu..." It was clear that she had never heard of Dr. Liu before.

  Xiao Chengyan suppressed a smile and said: "Liu Taishi is the current head of the Imperial Hospital, his medical skills are extremely high."

  Yan Dai nodded, and Ling Yu Xuan beside her also nodded. She had returned to the capital not long ago and it was actually her first time hearing about this Doctor Liu. Xiao Cheng Ye couldn't help but feel a wave of frustration upon seeing this.

  Lu Weiying's illness originated from the two pills given by Yuandai, so although Xiao Chengye trusted Liu Taisheng's medical skills very much, he still hoped that Yuandai could take out the antidote to relieve Lu Weiying's suffering. However, unexpectedly, Yuandai reacted like this.

  Xiao Chengyan naturally understood her elder brother's meaning and seeing Yuan Dai like this, she also thought that she was doing it on purpose, not realizing that it was also laughable.

  While everyone was chatting, a person suddenly walked in from outside and bowed to the crowd one by one. He then turned to Xiao Chengyan and said, "Master! The neighboring Pusu Shadow Mountain Villa has sent an invitation!" As he spoke, he handed over a golden invitation card.

  Xiao Chengye heard that it was a notice from Shu Ying Mountain Villa, and he couldn't help but smile slightly, his eyes flicking to Yu Ru's face for a moment.

  The Xiao family's separate courtyard was bought by the then head of the household, Xiao Feng, at the beginning of the country. The Shu Ying Mountain Villa, which now belongs to Rui Qin Wang, was bestowed upon Rui Qin Wang by the current emperor five years ago. As for past events, it is not necessary to mention them, but after Rui Qin Wang suffered from leg disease, he would almost every year come to live in Shu Ying Mountain Villa when winter arrived, which is a well-known fact among everyone in the capital.

  These years, every winter solstice, Xiao Chengye would also accompany his mother and sister to stay in the Bieyuan for a few days. The Xiao family's Bieyuan was extremely close to the Shuying Mountain Villa, almost within earshot of each other's chickens and dogs, but over the past few years, there had been no interaction between them. Even when Prince Anqin Wang Baili Yi came to Lvyeling, he would walk back and forth between the two places, but Baili Zhao still treated the Xiao family's Bieyuan as if it didn't exist.

  But all of this changed this year. Xiao Chengye thought silently, and for no reason felt a sourness in his heart. He furrowed his brow as he took the invitation card, and with just one glance, he couldn't help but wrinkle his brow further. Without saying a word, he handed the invitation card to Xiao Chengxian, then turned to Lu Weijie and Ling Yuqing: "The Prince of Rui invites us to his estate to admire the plum blossoms and drink wine!"

  Lu Weijie furrowed his brow: "Did you mention my name?" He came to Pingjing, originally to rush for the exam, and this time he came to Lüying Ridge was also unavoidable. In fact, he didn't want to go to Shuying Mountain Villa to socialize, so he asked this question. After all, he had only arrived at Xiao's villa yesterday afternoon, and Shuying Mountain Villa didn't know of his existence, which was normal.

  Xiao Chengye understood his intention, but had to pour a basin of cold water on him: "The invitation card is not only inviting you, but also invited Wei Ying who is lying in bed with a serious illness!" Lu Weijie was speechless and could only smile bitterly.

  She handed the invitation to Yuande sisters and smiled: "I didn't expect Mrs. Xiuning to come to Puying Mountain Villa! No wonder Puying Mountain Villa sent an invitation again!"

  Yan Dai raised an eyebrow and asked in a low voice: "Ning's wife? Who is that?"

  Xiao Chengxian was surprised by her question: "Sister doesn't know Madame Ning?"

  Yan Dai hadn't responded yet, when Ling Yuanxuan on the other side spoke up: "It's not just Ninth Sis, actually I don't know who she is either!"

  Xiao Chengxian sighed and said, "Ning Furen was a female official beside the late Empress Dowager Dong. After the empress dowager's death, Ning Furen served as an attendant to Rui Qinwang's daily life and had a very close relationship with him. When Rui Qinwang was still the crown prince, he personally requested an imperial decree from the emperor to confer upon her the title of First Rank Lady and granted her the title 'Ning'!"

  Yuanni sisters heard this and were secretly astonished in their hearts.

  The so-called edict is a document bestowed by the emperor on officials. The Great Zhou Code: From the first rank to the fifth rank, it is called an edict, and from the sixth rank to the ninth rank, it is called a decree. Generally, women follow their husbands' ranks, but there are also a few exceptions where the wife's rank is higher than her husband's.

  However, in general, the number of officials above the fifth rank is countless, and the number of imperial edict wives is naturally extremely high. Although this is the case, the number of imperial edict wives with titles can be counted on one hand. Not to mention others, but even the two women, Lu's wife from the An Suo Marquis Manor and Du's wife from the Xiao Manor, are only first-rank imperial edict wives without titles. This also shows the noble status of this Ning wife.