The group of people continued to walk forward. The grandma who was leading the way saw Tian's face getting angry, and also knew that the person behind was the only daughter of the champion Hou who had just returned to Beijing. It was her first time here, so she introduced the surrounding scenery from time to time.
Although the Yue family is not prosperous now, the heritage accumulated over generations is still there. The Fuzhong covers a large area, with pavilions, rockeries and streams, and typical Jiangnan garden architecture.
The nun who led the way smiled and said to Luo Ran: "The eldest lady has lived in the south of the Yangtze River for a long time, so she must be familiar with these scenery."
Luo Ran nodded lightly and replied with a smile: "At first glance, they seem to be similar, but upon closer inspection, they are different. The layout of Jiangnan gardens is free, small and exquisite. And the Hou Mansion, on the basis of elegance, also shows grandeur everywhere, such as this The overall layout is symmetrical, showing that the owner is broad-minded. However, the details are elegant and simple. The combination of the two not only does not appear abrupt, but also blends together better."
The little girl spoke neither hastily nor slowly, and her voice was neither high nor low, which was very pleasant to the ears.
Mammy nodded appreciatively: "The eldest lady is indeed well-informed. It is indeed the case. Our old lady's ancestors are from Jiangnan. The Marquis sympathized with the old lady and specially ordered people to build it according to the Jiangnan style without changing the overall layout. It is also considered a good example. To relieve the old lady’s homesickness.”
Luo Ran was blessed: "The Marquis and the old lady have a deep love, which is admirable."
Seeing that the little girl in front of her was advancing and retreating in a measured and generous manner, grandma nodded with satisfaction and stopped talking.
The old lady and Mr. Tian looked at each other and continued walking.
Li from behind glared at Luo Ran, as if she had stolen Luo Ruxue's limelight. Mrs. Liu on the side pursed her lips and was in a happy mood. She knew how much her daughter weighed, and she was already burning a candle if she didn't speak, so she was happy to see Ms. Li unhappy.
After walking for a while, we finally arrived at the main courtyard of Yongdinghou and his wife, where many people were already arriving one after another.
After everyone met and greeted each other, Luo Ran and his sisters came forward to pay their birthday to Mrs. Zhuang, the Marquis of Yongding.
Mr. Zhuang shouted with a smile, then waved to Luo Ran and said to Mrs. Shen beside him: "Is this the child Qingyin left behind?"
Shen Qingyin, Luo Ran's biological mother, was also a famous talented woman in the capital at that time. Mr. Zhuang once wanted to tell her to his youngest son, but Mr. Luo interfered.
Speaking of her little daughter who died young, Mrs. Shen's eyes turned red again.
Mr. Zhuang took her hand and comforted her: "Don't be sad. It's been so long. Think about it. Look at me. I can't live without it."
Mrs. Shen quickly held her hand, blaming herself: "Sister, don't say that. Fortunately, the children have grown up, and we have managed to survive."
Mr. Zhuang nodded: "That's the truth."
Then he took Luo Ran's hand, his eyes full of love: "Oh, look at this little appearance, she is even prettier than Qingyin when she was a child. I heard from Boyao, was it you who came up with the idea of Ci'an Hall first? You are such a big-minded person. Du’s child has the demeanor of your grandfather!”
In just two sentences, Luo Ran regained his reputation that had been somewhat damaged due to the breakup of the engagement.
Although it was the Luo family who proposed the divorce, due to the feelings between the two families, the specific reason for the divorce was not stated. So some people speculated that the Fu family was dissatisfied with Luo Ran. After all, a child who has no mother's upbringing and grows up by his father's rules and etiquette must be far worse than ordinary people.
Coupled with the vague attitude of the Duke of Jingguo, everyone is more certain that the reason for the withdrawal of the engagement was because of Luo Ran's bad moral character.
But now everyone understood what Zhuang said in a few words.
What is Ci'an Hall? There are all the descendants of the soldiers who died for the Jin Dynasty, and they are all homeless children. How could a woman with such a broad mind and kind heart have such bad moral character?
Moreover, looking back now, the little girl is like the most beautiful flower on the branch in spring. Not only is she good-looking, but her manners and etiquette are as good as anyone else in Beijing. Everyone's eyes changed when they looked at Fang and her daughter.
"Ran'er just raised an idea about Ci'antang. The details were drawn up by dad and the court ministers. The implementation was inseparable from Brother Yue's sleepless nights and food, which led to the current results."
Luo Ran was neither arrogant nor impetuous, and his voice had the unique softness of Jiangnan. He did not feel complacent because of Mrs. Yue's praise, but felt more like an intimate conversation with his elders.
"Okay, okay!" Mr. Zhuang said three times in a row, showing his affection.
She looked at the kind-faced Mrs. Yue and knew that she was doing this for her own good. Suddenly she regretted how she could hide in the yard and not care about the world for so many years in her previous life, and how many people she had missed who treated her sincerely.
Just as I was secretly regretting it, the maid suddenly came from the door and announced: "Old madam, the eldest young master, the commander and the young prince Qing are here to wish you a birthday!"
"Good morning, junior"
"Junior Hisaomi"
"Congratulations to the old lady for her birthday, and wish her happiness like the East Sea, and may the pines and cranes remain evergreen."
Mr. Zhuang said with a smile on his face: "You are all good children, please get up quickly."
"Old madam, this junior has spent a lot of effort to find such a Guanyin statue. Come and see if you like it?"
Lu Jiuchen ordered someone to bring a Guanyin carved from white marble, which was more than a foot tall. Guanyin had kind eyes and a gentle smile.
Mr. Zhuang nodded repeatedly: "I like it, how could I not like it? It cost the young prince a lot of money."
Lu Jiuchen waved his hand nonchalantly: "Old Madam, you're welcome. As long as you like it, this junior's kindness will be considered in vain."
It was Fu Jinan's turn. He was originally a cold-tempered man, but since he became the commander of the Imperial Guard, he has become even more moody. Others can't tell his inner thoughts at all.
But today, the commander who was feared by everyone actually had a kind-looking smile on his face. Although it was very light, it was still impossible to ignore.
Chang Ying came forward holding a plain dark red sandalwood box: "Old Madam, this is the gift our Lord has prepared for you."
Mr. Zhuang didn't care about gifts or not, but seeing that these children had grown up now, he was relieved and a little distressed at the same time, especially for Fu Jinan.
From time to time, she always thought of the five or six-year-old child more than ten years ago, in ragged clothes, with bare feet and blood all over his body, kneeling in front of the gate of the Hou Mansion, begging for help.
"Okay, okay, okay."
Apart from being happy, Mrs. Zhuang didn't know what to say for a moment.
Lu Jiuchen glanced at Luo Ran, who kept his head lowered and tried his best to hide behind the ladies and ladies. He suddenly didn't want to leave so soon, and smiled: "Old madam, aren't you curious about what Yan Hui sent? He didn't even want to leave so soon. Neither Boyao nor I told him."
Yan Hui is Fu Jin'an's nickname, but the number of people in this world who can call him this nickname can be counted on one hand.
I hope you will be clear again in spring. The river is clear and the sea is clear, spring will come back again.
Luo Ran didn't expect this person to have such warm words. He raised his head unconsciously and glanced up. Unexpectedly, he bumped into that person, and he lowered his head again in panic.
Fu Jinan unconsciously twirled his fingers, and then continued what Lu Jiuchen said just now: "It's nothing, just some ordinary things to relieve the boredom of the old lady in her free time."
Originally, Lu Jiuchen's words were just casual remarks, but after hearing what Fu Jinan said, he became more curious and encouraged Mrs. Yue to take it apart and take a look.
Several old ladies of similar age and status nearby also laughed. Mr. Zhuang shook his head helplessly: "Okay, since you are all curious, let me take a look."
While speaking, he glanced at Fu Jinan.
Fu Jinan lowered his head, not knowing what he was thinking.
