The Wei family hasn't had so many people gathered together for a long time. The fifth lady has just come home, and Wei Yuyou will live in her natal family after she returns. Even if they just set up a few tables for the banquet, it will be very lively.
Since they were all family, there was no need to observe any unnecessary formalities. Even screens were not used. Five tables were set up for men and women.
Mrs. Wei originally thought that Shen Chen was also at the table, and was very unhappy about the lack of a screen. However, when she heard that Shen Chen was not coming, she became a little confused. After everyone finished eating, she asked Wei An, "Shen Chen came so eagerly, and waited for so long to talk to you, why didn't he even stay for dinner before leaving?"
There isn't much time in total, what can be wasted
What could be so urgent
Wei An himself was not very clear, so he told Mrs. Wei the truth: "He didn't say anything, just gossiped to me, and told me not to worry, that the prince would not be angry with me and make things difficult for me. Even if the prince did not agree with something he had decided on at first, he would not ignore his wishes in the end."
This is also true, otherwise the officials from the Ministry of Rites would not have delivered the message immediately.
Prince Linjiang was always worried about Shen Chen. When Mrs. Wei thought of this, her doubts were slightly relieved. Seeing Ming Jing following Prince Zhennan and asking questions for some reason, she couldn't help but laugh again and called him, "Ah Jing, why are you always pestering the prince?"
Ming Jing ran over and served beside Old Madam Wei, looking very excited: "The prince is talking about this year's military examination. I heard that a son of a noble family is very capable. He actually won the military examination in one fell swoop, and his essays are very good. The prince knows that person, and I also want to go with the prince to take a look."
Old Madam Wei never stopped her children from going out to broaden their horizons. She nodded and said, "It's a good thing to associate with people who have ambitions and abilities, but you have to know your limits. Besides, the prince is very busy, so you must not cling to him. Wait until the prince is free and agrees."
The Prince of Zhennan happened to come over and smiled when he heard this: "Why not? That person has just been transferred to me. He is a talented person in the Beijing Camp. I like him very much. Do you know who he is?"
Old Madam Wei shook her head. Seeing the Prince of Zhennan asking this, she asked with some confusion: "You ask this, do I know this person?"
"There really is some connection." Prince Zhennan laughed and whispered, "He's from the Lin family."
Someone from the Lin family? Wei Yumin married into the Lin family in Fujian. Old Madam Wei immediately raised her eyebrows and asked, "Are you from the Lin family?"
"A side branch." Prince Zhennan quickly replied, "But after all, he is not out of the fifth generation. I think he is really not an ordinary person, so I tell you that no matter what, he will be a help in the future."
No wonder the Prince of Zhennan said he wanted to take Mingjing to meet him. Old Madam Wei nodded and said seriously, "Since they are legitimate relatives, then when Jing goes to make friends with them, he should put himself in a proper position and invite them to his home. We are all relatives, there is no need to be distant with them."
"This young man is a bit eccentric. If I hadn't asked him about his hometown and found out that he was a member of the Lin family, he would not have said anything." The Prince of Zhennan stroked his beard. "Although he is a bit eccentric, he is a really good person and a man of real talent and learning. It's worth it for Ajing to make friends with him."
After talking for a while, they decided to take Ming Jing to the military camp when they were free. The Prince of Zhennan then told Old Lady Wei the purpose of his visit: "I heard about An An's situation. I was worried before, but now that it's settled, I feel relieved."
He paused, then said, "As her uncle, I haven't found her a new aunt yet, so many things are inconvenient... So please don't think I'm being reckless, old lady. Today I will show you my little gift as an uncle."
As he spoke, he took out an envelope and handed it to Old Lady Wei, saying softly, "Here is the deed to the land in Baoding Prefecture. I bought 200 acres of good farmland there."
Old Madam Wei's eyelids twitched, and she couldn't help but said sternly: "The old princess gave her enough things, and that's also because of your generosity. Now you give her so many things again, you are spoiling her too much!"
This was the old lady's true words. The Prince of Zhennan was an adopted son. To be honest, all the things in the Prince of Zhennan's mansion should belong to him. The old princess also left some of the things to Wei Jie and Wei An, which was not in accordance with the rules. If it were to be told to others, others would say that she was unkind and did not treat the adopted son as her own son.
The Prince of Zhennan had no complaints at all before.
It would be fine if he had no complaints, but now he is giving Wei An so much extra makeup.
In front of Wei An, who was coming over, Mrs. Wei insisted, "Please take it back. Even if an uncle loves his niece, there should be a limit... This is really too much."
Wei An didn't know why the old lady said that, so Ming Jing whispered it in her ear. She couldn't help but frowned and said sincerely: "Uncle, you don't have to be like this..."
She really couldn't bear it.
The Prince of Zhennan had given her a lot of things in the past, and he also gave her everything the old princess had given her intact. Now she had to give her so many more dowry, and she felt a little uneasy.
The Prince of Zhennan touched her hair with emotion and said, "I can still afford this little bit of stuff. It's not that much. Just accept it. If you don't accept it, it means you look down on me, and I will be angry."
Wei An pursed his lips, and when he saw Mrs. Wei nod slightly, he reached out to take it and thanked her with a choked voice.
Prince Zhennan was silent for a moment. Seeing her crying, he felt a little uncomfortable. He paused and whispered, "An'an, your aunt was confused in the past and let you down. Your uncle didn't discipline her strictly and didn't teach Feng'er well, which made him lose his morals... But that's all in the past. Your uncle always treats you as his niece."
He had said these words before when the old princess passed away. He mentioned them again at this time because Wei An refused the good farmland he gave him. Wei An's tears fell on his sleeves and he nodded quickly: "I know."
She had never blamed Prince Zhennan. She had always known that Prince Zhennan was filial to the old princess and loved her like his niece.
The Prince of Zhennan laughed again: "Well, look, your father is here. I'm afraid he thinks I bullied you. We are all family. You just need to remember that no matter when, if you need your uncle for anything, tell him to come."
Old Madam Wei sighed in her heart. The old prince had a good eye. The adopted son he chose was really an excellent one. If he hadn't married Yang, that inferior daughter-in-law... then the old princess could really be said to be able to die in glory. (To be continued)