Leng Ruo Li selectively recounted some of her experiences, then told several humorous stories to her maternal grandparents.
Everyone in the room burst into laughter.
An hour passed unnoticed. The outer reception hall was already crowded with guests. Leng Ruo Li’s eldest aunt, Madam An, and second aunt, Madam Jiang, were overwhelmed. They searched everywhere for the brothers Xia Shan Yi and Xia Ling Xuan, but couldn’t find them anywhere, inside or out.
Later, they heard from a servant that the two brothers had gone to see the young miss with the Grand Tutor and the Old Madam.
The two aunts were stunned for a moment before realizing who this “young miss” was.
Afterward, they also hurried to the inner hall of the Grand Tutor and the Old Madam. As soon as they reached the doorway, they heard laughter coming from inside the room.
They felt very curious. What were they talking about that made everyone laugh so heartily?
As they stepped through the doorway and saw everyone’s smiling faces, they asked curiously, "Father, Mother, what are you talking about that’s making everyone so happy?"
Grand Tutor Xia and the Old Madam, seeing Madam An and Madam Jiang enter, smiled and beckoned them over.
"It’s good that you two are here. I want to introduce you to someone," the Old Madam said with a beaming smile. "Ruo Li, stand up. Grandmother will introduce you to your aunts."
Leng Ruo Li obediently stood up from beside the Old Madam.
The Old Madam pointed at Madam An and said, "This is your eldest aunt, Madam An. This is your second aunt, Madam Xia Jiang. Ruo Li, quickly pay your respects to them."
Leng Ruo Li nodded and politely said, "Eldest aunt, second aunt, greetings!"
"Good, good, good! Ruo Li, you are so well-behaved! Eldest aunt even held you when you were little. I can’t believe how much you’ve grown in the blink of an eye."
As she spoke, she took a jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it on Leng Ruo Li’s hand.
"Eldest aunt didn't know you were coming today, so I didn’t prepare a gift for you in advance. This jade bracelet will be a meeting gift from your eldest aunt."
Madam An’s smile widened, her gaze fixed on Leng Ruo Li. She found her more and more pleasing to the eye.
Madam An had no daughters. She had a sickly son, and her body was injured thereafter, making her unable to bear more children. Seeing how well-behaved and obedient Leng Ruo Li was, she adored her. Moreover, Leng Ruo Li was the daughter of her husband’s younger sister. She felt she should dote on Leng Ruo Li even more, as she had been very close to Xia Wan Er in the past, and it was thanks to her husband’s younger sister that she and Xia Shan Yi were married.
Leng Ruo Li looked at the jade bracelet Madam An had placed on her. It was crystal clear and of excellent quality, clearly a superior piece of jade. She felt a bit overwhelmed.
"Eldest aunt, this is too precious. Ruo Li cannot accept it," Leng Ruo Li said, trying to decline.
"Ruo Li, you must accept it. If you don’t, your aunt will be angry," Madam An said, feigning anger.
"Ruo Li, accept it, since your eldest aunt is giving it to you," the Old Madam chimed in with a smile.
"Alright, then Ruo Li thanks Eldest aunt for giving Ruo Li such a precious gift." Leng Ruo Li gave Madam An a well-behaved smile and tucked the jade bracelet into her sleeve.
Just then, Madam Jiang squeezed in. She also liked Leng Ruo Li a lot and immediately pushed Madam An aside.
"Eldest sister-in-law, it’s my turn. Go to the side first."
Madam An: "..."
She secretly thought, *You didn’t want to give us a little girl to play with and instead gave birth to two irritating sons. Now you’re rushing to snatch the daughter of your sister-in-law.*
"Ruo Li, you came so suddenly today that your second aunt didn’t have time to prepare a gift for you. I’ll give you this jade hairpin with a golden crabapple and pearls, a family heirloom passed down for four generations."
Saying this, Madam Jiang reached up and plucked the hairpin from her own hair, inserting it into Leng Ruo Li’s hair.
"Second aunt, this is not appropriate, it's really not!" Leng Ruo Li strongly refused.
"Ruo Li, you must accept what your second aunt gives you. If you don’t accept it, your second aunt will never speak to you again," Madam Jiang said forcefully.
Leng Ruo Li: "..."
"Fine, then."
"That’s the spirit!" Madam Jiang said with a smile.
"Ruo Li, we all have gifts for you later. You must accept them," the Old Madam said with a smile.
Leng Ruo Li felt deeply touched. This was the family she had longed for, unlike her own General Leng’s mansion, which was filled with chaos caused by Madam Liu and her daughter.
Just then, Xia An Nan, the eldest grandson of Grand Tutor Xia, who had been entertaining guests in the outer hall, rushed in and announced to everyone, "Grandfather, His Highness Prince Leng, His Highness Prince Ning, His Highness Prince Qing, and His Highness Prince Xian have all personally come to the manor to celebrate your birthday."
"What? Where are they all?" Grand Tutor Xia asked in surprise.
"The four Highnesses are all outside the main gate," Xia An Nan replied truthfully.
"Let's go, everyone, follow me to the main gate to welcome the four Highnesses."
As he spoke, Grand Tutor Xia frowned. This was the first time four princes had come to celebrate his birthday, and it was not a good sign.
He had taught for decades, his students spread across all strata of the Tianwu Kingdom, and even the current Emperor had been his student for a few years.
He had witnessed all sorts of schemes and tricks and had grown indifferent to fame and fortune. Naturally, he did not wish to be involved in the struggle for succession among the princes. He had always remained neutral in court, not aligning himself with any prince.
The arrival of the four princes to celebrate his birthday today was truly not a good omen.
Grand Tutor Xia, along with his entire family and distinguished guests, majestically proceeded to the main gate of the Xia manor. They saw that four princes were indeed standing outside the gate. However, what surprised everyone the most was that Prince Qing, who had been under house arrest for three months, had also come, and he had brought his concubine, Leng Ruo Shuang.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, everyone quickly bowed to the four princes.
"Your subject (subject’s wife) (subject’s daughter) respectfully welcomes the four Highnesses!"
After performing their salutations, Prince Leng, Prince Ning, Prince Qing, and Prince Xian quickly walked over and helped Grand Tutor Xia and the Old Madam to their feet.
Prince Leng then said to those kneeling on the ground, "Everyone, please rise. My three imperial brothers and I are here today by order of His Majesty to celebrate Grand Tutor Xia’s sixtieth birthday."
"This subject thanks His Majesty for his great kindness!"
Grand Tutor Xia then bowed in the direction of the imperial palace.
This made Leng Ruo Li behind him feel speechless. Ancient times were truly filled with too many rules. Bowing and saluting all day long was so tiring.
After Grand Tutor Xia finished thanking the Emperor and stood up, everyone else also rose.
"Your Highnesses, please enter the manor and rest for a moment before taking your seats."
Grand Tutor Xia gestured for them to enter, and everyone immediately cleared a path for the four princes to enter the manor first.
As the four princes passed by Leng Ruo Li, they all paused and glanced at her, which left her bewildered.
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