Chapter 202: Banquet Start

When Jing Wan left the Grand Elder Princess’s courtyard, not at all surprisingly, took away a huge pile of good things again. And these things, there was just no possible way of refusing, because this wasn’t something where if she turned down, the Grand Elder Princess will just take back. Because every time during this time, she would always be ignored, getting ‘heartlessly’ driven out by the Grand Elder Princess. This time wasn’t an exception either.

However, just earlier, Jing Wan was pulling along Yu Yuao Wenzhu smilingly saying, “Yu Yao, with adoptive mother giving me all the good things, in the future, you won’t have a dowry anymore.” That’s why, little girl, quickly stop your mother.

Yu Yao Wenzhu instead smiled very innocently, “It’s fine, with the dowry gone, in the future, older sister, you, can just prepare the dowry for me. Sixth older cousin is very very rich, once older sister becomes sixth cousin-in-law, I will definitely earn it back in double.”

Never mind Jing Wan, even the Grand Elder Princess was all somewhat in disbelief. The Grand Elder Princess at first slightly furrowed her brows. If outsiders were to know, they would think that she was coveting Jin Qinwang’s things, that’s why she was good to Jing Wan right now. She was the Grand Elder Princess. Even if she can’t compare to that sixth nephew of hers, compare to other princes and noble descendants in the capital, she was certainly much much better off. Who let her have a good relationship with the Emperor, having farmland and stores that were abundant in profit, and also the large amounts of bestowments every year. Never mind just having Yu Yao, this youngest di daughter, left, even if she had ten or eight more daughters, they would definitely still be able to marry off grandly. “Yu Yao, these words, who all did you hear them from?”

“Daddy said it.” Yu Yao wasn’t the least bit hesitant in ‘selling out’ her father.

What kind of person was her own husband, the Grand Elder Princess naturally was clear about. He wouldn’t say these kinds of words to Yu Yao for no reason. The Grand Elder Princess looked towards Jing Wan, rather helpless, “Your adoptive father is just one that neglects his proper duties.”

Jing Wan chuckled. Even if he was her adoptive father, for her, he was still an outside male. That’s why, these words, it wasn’t easy for her to follow-up. However, although Jiang-fuma is the same as her father, disliking the matters of the imperial court, his character and conduct didn’t have anything to nitpick over either. For him to say this to Yu Yao, there should be a reason. If Yu Yao, because of the Grand Elder Princess being good to her(JW), just threw a tantrum, it would make things very awkward for everyone. If it was because someone had said something by Yu Yao’s ear, and he found out, using these words to console Yu Yao, then it was very possible. In the Grand Elder Princess, the main power was all grasped in the Grand Elder Princess’s hand, but from what Jing Wan has seen, the things her daughter-in-laws used, although were high-quality, it still can’t compare with those that were given to her. As such, for Jing Wan to be disliked by then, it was also something expected. Since it was useless to whine to their husbands, it was very possible for them to incite Yu Yao.

Jing Wan reached out and pinched Yu Yao’s cheek, “Really a mischievously clever one. Alright, in the future, older sister will prepare dowry for you. Although can’t compare with what your mother prepares, adding a few tenths for you is still doable, guaranteed to let our Yu Yao marry off grandly.”

“Don’t want older sister’s, want sixth older cousin’s.”

“Fine, fine…..” Jing Wan was amused.

“How big are you, already thinking about your dowry, really don’t know shame.” The Grand Elder Princess also felt it was laughable.

Yu Yao stuck her tongue out at the Grand Elder Princess in a very ‘un-wenzhu-like’ manner.

The things Jing Wan could think of, the Grand Elder Princess naturally was also able to think of. Once Jing Wan leaves, she will certainly go ask carefully. The Grand Elder Princess pursued a course of raising her daughters pampered, and her son roughly. The daughters that have married all made her dissatisfied, and now, the one she adored the most was precisely this youngest di daughter. To dare incite trouble by her ear, really is quite daring.

When Jing Wan saw those things, she was also very helpless. However, the Grand Elder Princess purely did it out of a sincere loving heart, so how could she really coldly refuse her. That’s why, for those that are unhappy, they can only continue to be unhappy.

The next day, Jing Wan received another invitation. For the most part, it was all sent over by those unmarried young ladies. Having arrived at the imperial summer residence for a few days already, they more or less all settled down, so naturally all kinds of banquets will just begin again too.

Speaking of which, in the summer, there should be very few banquets, but to no avail, the imperial summer residence was much more refreshing and cooler than the capital, and purely for the sake of avoiding the summer heat, so they were truly a bit bored, and naturally needed to look for a bit of something to do.

Jing Wan looked to the several invitations. Like as if having discussed in advance, none of the dates coincided. Jing Wan thought for a moment. This perhaps was the tacit understanding that has formed since years ago. After all, the time to leave the capital every year to escape the summer heat was more or less all around this time. At that time, they already had each families’ time decided on, and if there’s deletion or addition, probably will just make adjustments again.

Considering proper behavior is based on reciprocity, Jing Wan felt that she probably also need to hold a banquet once. Just this specific time perhaps needs to be reconsidered. Later, she should ask her elder sister-in-law before going out to participate in the banquets. For this kind of thing, it was still better to place importance on the order of arrival. Since other people have already set the time, there was no reason to forcibly let others change, no?

Thus, Jing Wan immediately went to go look for Sun Yi Jia.

Sun Yi Jia’s fetus has already stabilized. However, everyone was still rather worried, and she herself also planned on recuperating more.

Sun Yi Jia flipped through the invitations, “These invitations, in name, are handled by those unmarried young ladies, but in reality, this isn’t just the case. Sometimes, their mothers or grandmothers will also send out some invitations. In past years, the Head Minister of Appointments Manor have always set the date on the twentieth of the sixth month. Right now, grandfather is the Head Minister of Appointments, so just have the date set on that day. Based on your current status, no one will be so imperceptive as to go against you, and fight over that date.

However, this year, prior to that day, there will be three days emptied out. Since I’ve already married, and those remaining at the Ding Duke Manor are unable to manage, many people afraid won’t be giving face. And with the Ruan family’s current situation, they definitely won’t be holding a banquet. Additionally, in the earlier years, it was generally always two cabinet ministers accompanying along to the imperial summer palace. This year, with one less, another day was emptied out. If someone wants to steal, it’s probably just stealing one of those days. After all, although it’s not specified by rule that the times are arranged based on each families’ rank, but there just happened to be people that believe this. The further towards the front, the more one felt honored probably.” Towards the end, Sun Yi Jia carried a bit of nonchalant.

Jing Wan also roughly understood her thoughts. Based on her cold and indifferent personality towards the outside, she indeed didn’t care about these kinds of things all that much. “Elder sister-in-law also received invitations?”

“Naturally so. Although I don’t have the worth in benefits as before, the sentiments on the surface is still needed. Moreover, your third brother’s reputation now is increasingly resounding. Even if one wants to rest, it’s all impossible. As a matter of fact, he just went out earlier this morning. One has to know, this is all thanks to little sister Wan.” Sun Yi Jia said carrying a bit of sarcasm.

“Who let my third brother be a natural born genius.” Jing Wan boldly stated.

Those who didn’t know would just think Jing Wan was being proud of her own older brother. But Sun Yi Jia knew the inside information, reaching out to pinch her face, saying with a smile, “This face of yours is also getting increasingly thicker.” Praising oneself as a natural born genius, there was none other.

Jing Wan slapped aside her hand, “Just is to begin with.”

“Yes, yes, yes, a natural born genius.” In reality, little sister Wan was indeed worthy of these words.

Jing Wan wanted to play the qin again, giving prenatal education to the baby in Sun Yi Jia’s stomach. When she finished playing two pieces, Sun Yi Jia couldn’t take it anymore, and just had her kicked aside, taking to the qin herself. Jing Wan really didn’t feel all that embarrassed either. However, Sun Yi Jia also didn’t play for long.

When Jing Wan was preparing to leave, Sun Yi Jia had a small locked box handed to her, whispering, “This thing, little sister Wan can just look at alone when you return. Simply just accept it without worrying. This while, don’t think about refusing it. After you see it, don’t think about returning it either. What’s given to you is just given to you.”

Since she said it like this, Jing Wan naturally didn’t want to keep it. However, seeing Sun Yi Jia’s expression, it really was impossible for her to take it back. “Alright, I’ll accept it. Elder sister-in-law, no matter what, won’t harm me at least.”

“No matter who I harm in this lifetime, it’s still impossible for me to harm little sister Wan you. It can be said that you gave me a new life. If I harm you, then I ought to be struck by lightning.” Sun Yi Jia’s voice was rather soft, but was exceptionally solemn.

Jing Wan blanked, soon after smiling, “This serious? I will properly look after it.” As she said this, she shook the small box in hand. The inside emitted a light rattling sound. Looks like the thing inside was also quite solid.

Jing Wan returned to her own place. Since elder sister-in-law warned like that, she definitely must have her purpose. Jing Wan waved away the people serving her before finally taking the key and opening the small box, taking out the brocade pouch inside. Feeling the shape, it should be a plaque.

Jing Wan’s heart strangely sped up a little. Regardless whether it was her past life or this life, she has never encountered this kind of situation before, but she has seen similar cases on tv before. Normally, once involved, for the most part, it was all some death-causing matters.

Jing Wan opened the brocade pouch, having the thing taken out. Very good, it was impossible to even pretend to not know what this thing represented.

Then, recalling her elder sister-in-law’s words, ‘simply just accept it’, she could only just accept it. If she really were to send it back to avoid the responsibilities, then that will really attract others’ attention. After having the thing properly stored away, Jing Wan still decided to go look for her grandfather to ask exactly how much power did this thing hold.

Luo Pei Shan was sitting under the shade of a tree, his servant boy fanning him with a fan, exceptionally earnestly flipping through a book.

Jing Wan walked closer, “Grandfather really is neglecting one’s proper duties. Even if idle, should still read some proper books.”

Luo Pei Shan casted her a glance in annoyance, “This improper book was still made by you.”

Jing Wan ‘improperly’ performed her etiquette, smilingly taking the fan from the servant boy, sitting down next to Luo Pei Shan, “This granddaughter not engaging in honest work, making some improper things isn’t that serious, but for grandfather, you, it’s not the same.”

“One nose, two eyes, where’s the difference?”

Jing Wan chuckled. In the past, when they were at Qi’an Fu, why did she feel grandfather was solemn and not easy to get close to? Why did she just feel he was a modeled scholar official? People, as expected, cannot just rely on some ‘assumptions’ to judge others. “Grandfather, want to ask you something…………..”

Luo Pei Shan glanced at her and was just about to open his mouth, yet saw her casting a glance at his servant boy. Thus, he understandingly let the person withdraw. “So, what’s the matter?”

“How much does grandfather know about the death pardoning gold plaque?”

Luo Pei Shan blanked, his expression slightly turning stern, but in an instant, just restrained the expression on his face, his gaze landing on the book again, nonchalantly opening his mouth. It was clear, what Luo Pei Shan knew really wasn’t more than Sun Old Madam. At least, he didn’t know, of the death pardoning gold plaque that haven’t been taken back, there was just this one. He just said what he should say, nothing more.

Starting the next day, Jing Wan went out to participate in banquets, day after day………….

T/N: When people ask questions about something that has been mentioned and explained multiple times through multiple chapters, I just think, how many chapters did you black out on. I’m just saying, if you skipped chapters, and then become confused down the line, that’s on you. I don’t like spoon feeding people, so figure it out on your own. I’m quite understanding on certain small details and things that may have been subtly mentioned, but major concepts and plot points, idk what to say, other than, just reread from the beginning.

Honestly, do you really want me to waste time here explaining things to people who can’t bother to read, I’d rather spend my time translating more chapters.