Even if he had a great idea, he had to give it up and gain it. That was the way to go in the long run.

In this aspect, Steward Qin admired his master very much. If this idea came from his own hands, he probably wouldn't have the breadth of mind to give up 40% of the profits with just a few words.

Steward Qin noted down Chu Lian's request.

"Also, I'll go take a look on the day the market opens."

Steward Qin was naturally happy. This was also an important time to verify the results of his hard work. Receiving Chu Lian's approval made him feel more proud and satisfied than letting him take a cut.

Princess Wei's birthday was on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, which was the day before New Year's Eve.

Although Prince Wei's household had always been favored, both Prince Wei and Princess Wei kept a low profile. It was precisely because they were neither arrogant nor rash, neither extravagant nor extravagant that Emperor Chengping valued them so much.

In the past, Princess Wei's birthday had always been a small gathering. It was just a family banquet at the residence because they didn't want to disturb the aristocratic families in Shengjing. However, this year was different. It was Princess Wei's fortieth birthday.

It wasn't her birthday yet. Not only Prince Wei, but even the Empress Dowager in the palace urged Princess Wei to have a good time this year.

Princess Duanjia was in her mother's room, accompanying her to write an invitation.

"Lady Mother, Chu the sixth isn't in the residence. Why did you invite those people from Count Jing 'an's residence?"

Princess Duanjia pouted, her face full of displeasure. She didn't like anyone in that residence other than Chu the sixth and He Erlang.

Princess Wei touched her daughter's hair helplessly. "You're already fifteen. If it weren't for the fact that His Highness and I couldn't bear to part with you and wanted to keep you for a few more years, you would be getting married at this age. You still don't know your limits."

Princess Duanjia pouted. "Lady Mother, you're lecturing me again. It's not like I don't know what you mean, but I just don't like the wife of the heir of Count Jing 'an's residence. Have you forgotten what happened at the mid-autumn banquet in the palace?"

"Alright, you're being too talkative!

We're just inviting them over for a meal. No matter how much you dislike them, they're still Jinyi's in-laws. You like Jinyi so much. If you want to continue your relationship with her, how can you avoid Count Jing 'an's residence? "

Princess Duanjia rolled her eyes. "Forget it. I'll do as Lady Mother says!"

Thus, Count Jing 'an's estate received an invitation from the Prince of Wei's estate the next day.

Although Princess Wei's birthday was a big event, it was still very low-key compared to the other royal families. There were only about a dozen families in the capital that had been invited, so this invitation was very precious. It was also a symbol of good relations with the Prince of Wei's household.

Logically speaking, Duke Jing 'an's residence shouldn't have been able to receive this invitation. In the past, Duke Jing' an's residence and the Duke of Wei's residence didn't have much of a relationship. This time, it was only because of Chu Lian that Princess Wei sent an invitation to Duke Jing 'an's residence.

However, those who didn't know the inside story would only think that Duke Jing 'an's estate was very influential. That wasn't the case. He Ying was one of the people who thought this way.

Old Matriarch He attached great importance and was happy to receive the invitation from Prince of Wei's Mansion. She immediately ordered Liu Mama to prepare a congratulatory gift. He Ying followed her mother and begged for half a day before Old Matriarch agreed to bring them to Prince of Wei's Mansion.

If it wasn't for the fact that the womenfolk in the residence were all sick and grounded, Matriarch He wouldn't have agreed to bring He Ying and her daughter to the Wei Palace so easily.

On the morning of the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month, He Ying and her daughter got up to get dressed.

The mother and daughter were now staying in the wing of Qingwen Hall. The people who usually served them were the servant girls of Old Matriarch's Qingwen Hall. The young servant girls were all carefully trained, so it wasn't a problem for them to dress well.

Eldest Grandaunt He Ying and her daughter Pan Nianzhen each brought back a servant girl from Siyang. The former was called Qiu Yun and the latter was called Ping Lu.

Ping Lu was one year older than Qiu Yun. She was already sixteen this year and would be seventeen after the New Year. She was petite and weak. It was said that before she entered the residence, she had been taught as a Yangzhou thin horse for a period of time.

The mother and daughter dressed up and went to the main room of Qingwen Hall together. Old Matriarch He personally checked their clothes and jewelry. After confirming that they weren't impolite, she took the mother and daughter on a carriage to Prince of Wei's Mansion.

Prince of Wei's Mansion was filled with guests. Standing at the main door to welcome the guests were the young prince of Wei's Mansion and the princess consort's most respectable servant girls and female officials.

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It was Pan Nianzhen's first time attending a birthday banquet of this kind. She was timid after all. After she was helped down from the carriage by the servant girls, she lowered her head and followed behind her mother and maternal grandmother.

When Mama Lan, who was by Princess Wei's side, saw that the Matriarch of Duke Jing 'an's Mansion had arrived, she smiled and personally went up to welcome her.

"This old servant greets the Matriarch.

It's already the end of the year, yet we still have to trouble the Matriarch to come over. Princess Consort just told this old servant yesterday that she couldn't accept it! "

Senior Servant Lan was Princess Wei's most capable senior servant and held the rank of a female official in the palace. In reality, there was no need for her to bow to the noblewomen of the aristocratic families. She only treated the womenfolk of Duke Jing 'an's residence with such courtesy because Princess Wei liked Chu Lian.

Matriarch He had lived in the capital for so many years and knew the twists and turns. She had a kind face and although she was old, it was easy for people to feel close to her.

"There's no need for you to greet me. It's my honor to be able to attend Princess Consort's birthday banquet today. Please, Mama Lan, send my regards to Princess Consort."

He Ying, who was standing at the side, saw that her mother was being so courteous to a servant. Disdain appeared on her face.

The person in front of her wasn't even Princess Consort and was just a servant. Was there a need for her mother, a first-rank madam, to curry favor with her like this?

Could it be that she was getting older and had regressed?

Mama Lan was a very astute person. She saw all of He Ying's little movements.

"The Matriarch is too polite. This old servant will pass on the message when I see Princess Consort. It's New Year's Eve tomorrow. Has there been any news from Lord Jinyi in the north?"

Mama Lan was purposely mentioning Chu Lian in front of Matriarch He at this time. A smart person would naturally understand the meaning behind it.

Matriarch He had never been a slow matriarch.

At this time, Mama Lan didn't really want to ask about Chu Lian's situation. Princess Wei had sent two guards to Chu Lian's side. If there really was any news that reached the capital, the people of the Wei Palace would know before they did.

Mentioning Chu Lian at this time was just to remind her that it was all because of Chu Lian that they were able to receive an invitation and be on good terms with the Wei Palace.

Don't forget the person who dug the well when you drink water.

The Matriarch sighed, "This old one hasn't received any news. This old one has been thinking about that child, Lian 'er. I've made Princess Consort worry.

If there is any news, this old one will immediately send someone to report to Princess Consort. "

Mama Lan saw that Matriarch He understood and stopped there. She politely said, "Look at this old servant, I've completely forgotten the time. I've let the Matriarch stand at the door in the cold wind, this old servant really deserves to die. Matriarch, it's getting late, this old servant will bring you to the back courtyard."

He Ying who was waiting on the side was already impatient.

It wasn't until the three generations of the Wei Palace entered the palanquin arranged for them that the Matriarch finally found a chance to warn her daughter.

"Sister Ying, what was that look in your eyes just now?" The Matriarch coldly said.

He Ying was not willing to accept this, "Mother, why are you talking to an old servant of the Wei Palace like that? No matter how well dressed he is, he is still a servant. He has lost his status for no reason."

The Matriarch coldly snorted at her daughter's words, "What do you know!

She is a female official from the palace!

That is a rank, higher than your status! "

He Ying froze, "That old woman is a female official?"

The Matriarch suppressed her anger, not wanting to argue with her daughter at this time. However, her tone became even colder, "Put away that arrogance you shouldn't have. Today's birthday banquet is attended by the rich and noble. If you offend someone for me today, I will send you back to Siyang when I return."

He Ying's neck shrank. She finally knew fear after being scared by the Matriarch.

When she was a young lady in the Count Jing 'an Fu in Shengjing, the Count Jing' an Fu's status was not as prominent as it was now. They did not even have a title of nobility. The title of nobility was obtained by the Count after he fought on the battlefield.

Thus, she did not have many opportunities to interact with the nobles of Shengjing. She would never have thought that an inconspicuous mama in the Wei Palace was an official official from the palace.

The rank of female officials in the Great Wu Dynasty was equivalent to that of a noblewoman. In other words, Mama Lan was at least a seventh-rank noblewoman, which was higher than her status. Moreover, female officials were always looked up to.

After this, He Ying completely shrunk her neck in the Wei Palace today.

Pan Nianzhen, who was still a little timid behind her mother, was also shocked. Shengjing was truly a place with crouching tigers and hidden dragons. If a stone fell from the sky, it would probably kill someone with half the official's name on them.

Princess Wei was receiving guests in the main hall of the inner courtyard.

Many noble madams and young ladies had come today. Among them were a few madams from the Inner Cabinet, as well as high-ranking members of the royal family.

In front of these people, even Matriarch He did not have a place.

She hurriedly celebrated Princess Wei's birthday and tactfully retreated to the outer circle with He Ying and her daughter.

There sat Duke Zheng's Old Madam and the other elders of the aristocratic families, forming a circle of their own.

The moment Matriarch He sat down, Duke Zheng's Old Madam greeted her with a smile, "In this circle, there are only a few old fellows like us." With that, she looked at He Ying who was behind Matriarch.

Old Madam Zheng's Old Madam and Matriarch He were close friends, so she was very familiar with the things that had happened in the residence for decades. She frowned slightly and continued, "When did Sister Ying come back?"

Matriarch had let go of the grudge in her heart and replied with a smile, "She came back a few days ago. So many years have passed, and I was worried about her staying in Siyang with her child. Plus, the juniors in the residence are not around, and I am lonely in my old age, so I wanted to bring Sister Ying back."

Although Old Madam Zheng's Old Madam did not agree with Matriarch He's actions, she could not say anything in front of He Ying.

She nodded, "It's good to bring her back. We are old, and we want our children to be happy!"

Then, Old Madam Zheng's Old Madam looked at Pan Nianzhen, who had her head lowered. "This is …"

Duke Jing 'an's residence did not have a girl of this age. She had seen Chu Lian a few times, so she naturally would not mistake her for someone else.

Matriarch smiled. "My niece came back from Siyang with her mother."