nycdaug Chapter 130 Visit
Chapter 130 Visit
Zisu returned from Wuliping and was busy training the new employees and taking care of household chores. For a while, she didn't have time to invite Fang Qiong to her home.
Upon hearing the news that Fang Heng was to be assigned to an outside post, she quickly sent an invitation to Fang Qiong, inviting her to visit the General's Mansion the next day.
The General's Mansion, formerly the Changning Marquis's Mansion, was renovated by Zisu, who removed its opulent elements and transformed it into a refined and pleasant place. The garden is filled with either highly ornamental flowers, plants, and trees, or those that purify the air. Entering the General's Mansion immediately gives one a sense of tranquility and peace.
The general's mansion was enormous, with more than twenty courtyards of varying sizes.
At Zisu's suggestion, ten courtyards were demolished, saving on maintenance and cleaning, and conserving a significant amount of manpower and resources. The demolished courtyards were transformed into peach groves, plum groves, bayberry groves, crabapple groves, cherry groves, lotus ponds, and more. In addition, a large indoor gym, a large indoor martial arts training ground, and two reception rooms, one large and one small, were built specifically for entertaining guests.
In any case, one can enjoy the pleasures of picnicking and spring outings without leaving home. Every morning and evening, Zisu would take her younger brother and run around the woods for half an hour. Xiangli and Luo Jianming would also each lead the young men and women from the mansion, following behind Zisu and Shangguan Yi, jogging slowly for half an hour.
Four-and-a-half-year-old Shangguan Yi is very sturdy, taller than his peers, strong, fair-skinned, and very lovable. Zisu dotes on this younger brother and is very strict with him. Even in wind and rain, he must do indoor exercises, and he is not allowed to miss a single day except when he is sick.
In short: the entire General's Mansion is vibrant and full of life, with less infighting and more positive energy. It's much cleaner and warmer than the former Marquis of Changning's Mansion.
Shangguan Mufeng and Madam Yu trusted and loved their daughter very much, letting her do whatever she wanted without interfering. Zisu couldn't help but feel very gratified; having such enlightened parents was truly her blessing.
On this day, Shangguan Mufeng happened to be on leave.
Zisu then said to Shangguan Mufeng, "Father, Fang Heng might be coming today. Please entertain him."
Shangguan Mufeng asked in surprise, "What's he doing here?"
Zisu said, "I had Shen Laihui save his life, and that's how I became friends with his sister. Yesterday I sent an invitation to his sister to come to the General's Mansion today. He'll bring her over, and he'll also ask Shen Laihui to give him some pointers on martial arts! Of course, if Father doesn't agree, I'll send someone to tell him not to come!"
Shangguan Mufeng: "There's no need for that. Let him come. He's a very good young man."
The heir of the Marquis of Zhongxin, and also a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations, is said to be of excellent character. Hmm, he's certainly a suitable candidate for a son-in-law. Although he has two children, he's only twenty-five, has no concubines or maids, and his mother is a very kind person, which is quite good. Compared to Jiang Chun and Prince Duan, each has their own advantages and disadvantages; it all depends on what kind of life the daughter wants to live.
Sigh, as long as my daughter is happy, I'll let her do what she wants.
Fang Heng led his younger sister into the Protector General's Mansion. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by a faint, pleasant fragrance.
Fang Qiong: "Big brother, the air in the General's Mansion is so fresh! It feels like being in the countryside, in the woods of the mountains, giving me a sense of peace and tranquility."
Fang Heng: "Yes, that's true."
"Welcome, welcome! I'm sorry I'm late!" Zisu quickly came out with pears and cherries, and took over the conversation: "This mansion has a lot of flowers, trees and shrubs that can purify the air. There are few houses and few people, so the space is large, which is why it gives people this feeling. My family only has a dozen or so servants, unlike other families that have hundreds of servants."
Fang Qiong: "That's right. There are more than three hundred servants in my family. Just the stale air they exhale is enough to pollute the air. My father has many concubines and a lot of children who are always crying and making a fuss. There is never a quiet moment. Just hearing the crying gives me a headache and makes it impossible for me to calm down."
Unlike here, there is no noise. Walking around the General's Mansion, you are surrounded by lush trees, birdsong, and fragrant flowers. A gentle breeze carries the delicate scent of flowers, grass, and trees.
Zisu: "You can tell your father that those married sons born out of wedlock can move out and live separately."
Fang Qiong: "I dare not say it, I'm afraid of my father!"
Zisu looked at Fang Heng.
Fang Heng said helplessly, "I just returned from the border not long ago, so it's not appropriate to talk to my father about these things. However, I will find an opportunity to have a good talk with him."
Fang Qiong: "That's right. My father is very domineering. If my older brother brings up the matter of dividing the family property with him now, he'll probably get beaten up!"
Zisu couldn't help but sigh: "Sigh, can't you think of a way to force those illegitimate sons to ask to move out on their own initiative?"
Fang Heng remained silent.
Fang Qiong: "It's easier said than done. Those people are all shameless, and they have my father protecting them. My mother is also a gentle person. It's a miracle that the three of us, mother and sons, weren't kicked out of the Marquis's mansion!"
Zisu glanced at Fang Heng and couldn't help but joke, "Brother Fang, in my opinion, you must marry a very capable wife!"
Fang Heng's face flushed red, and then he said very sincerely, "That's right. Yun Duo's mother was killed because she was too weak!"
Zisu: "People can change. Take my mother, for example. She used to be so weak. As soon as the news of my father's martyrdom spread, the Marquis's mansion was firmly controlled by my uncle's family, and my mother was powerless to resist. If I hadn't been forced to walk through the gates of hell by my uncle's family and suddenly realized my mistakes, my mother and brother would probably be dead by now!"
Fang Heng and Fang Qiong looked at her in surprise, somewhat not understanding the meaning behind her words.
Zisu smiled shyly and explained frankly, "Before, I was actually quite weak, not only that, but also arrogant and ignorant. Later, I had a brush with death, which transformed me. Otherwise, given my previous personality, I probably would have thought Xiao Fan was a good man I could entrust my life to! You may have all heard that I made a deal with Xiao Fan back then, asking him to help me abolish the title of Marquis of Changning in exchange for breaking off my engagement with him?"
"Yes, I've heard about it." Fang Heng nodded.
Fang Qiong's eyes widened: "Sister Zisu, you are amazing! If it were me, I definitely wouldn't have the guts!" She can do something like this, it's really remarkable.
Zisu: "At that time, I had no choice. If I didn't take drastic measures, my mother and her unborn brother would have no chance of survival! The greed and ruthlessness of my uncle's family are outrageous! In particular, Shangguan Zhihua has her eye on Xiao Fan and wants to get rid of me and take his place at all times."
Therefore, reaching a deal with Xiao Fan was a win-win situation! At that time, when I proactively approached Xiao Fan, I was actually quite afraid. Because this man was a smiling tiger, a hypocrite with a sweet exterior but a bitter heart. Fortunately, he had a childhood sweetheart cousin, and when I proposed the terms, he was overjoyed and immediately agreed without hesitation or making things difficult for me!
Furthermore, after this incident, my mother changed somewhat; she was no longer so weak and frustrating. During the years in Wuliping, I took her to exercise every day, which also changed her. After our exile, my mother has become very strong; she is no longer completely helpless against shrewish and vicious women!
Fang Qiong: "Sister Zisu, I've heard that you deserve a lot of credit for your mother's success today! It's a pity that I don't have the ability to change my mother. If my mother were a little more assertive, those concubines and their children wouldn't dare to be so arrogant! Fortunately, my eldest brother came back, and those people have toned it down a bit."
Fang Heng said to his sister, "Don't worry so much. Everything will be alright once your older brother comes back!" For his mother, sister, and two children, he was willing to do anything. If those people dared to go too far, he wouldn't be polite to them.
As they spoke, the three arrived at the Emerald Bamboo Hall, the newly built reception room. Shangguan Mufeng was already waiting there, playing chess with Shen Laihui.
"Uncle, greetings! Fang Heng greets you!" Fang Heng bowed and greeted Shangguan Mufeng with great politeness, his movements fluid and elegant.
Shangguan Mufeng stood up and greeted him with a smile: "The third-ranked scholar has arrived! Welcome, welcome!"
Fang Qiong quickly bowed respectfully, saying, "This humble girl, Fang Qiong, greets Uncle!"
Shangguan Mufeng nodded with a smile: "Yes, she's a good girl. Go and play with Zisu!"
"Yes, thank you, Uncle!" Fang Qiong smiled happily, took Zisu's hand, and turned to leave the reception room.
Fang Heng felt a little awkward facing his sweetheart's father alone, and he almost didn't know what to do with his hands and feet.
Shangguan Mufeng nodded with a smile, secretly thinking to himself: "Hmm, not bad. Judging from his expression, he must really like Zisu. Otherwise, why would a prince who has trained in the Northeast military camp for five years be so reserved in front of him?"
"Do you know how to play chess?" Shangguan Mufeng asked abruptly.
Fang Heng: "Yes, Uncle."
"How is the quality?" Shangguan Mufeng asked again.
Fang Heng: "It's alright."
Shangguan Mufeng: "In that case, how about we play a game of chess?"
Playing chess is the best way to see a person's character, and he wanted to take this opportunity to carefully examine this young third-place scholar.
Fang Heng was a little nervous, but he had no choice but to respectfully agree: "Alright, then please give me some pointers, Uncle."
There will be one more update today.