Chapter 1440: Chapter 1418: Love of Beauty (December Monthly Ticket Extra 13)
By lunchtime the next day, the imperial guards and carriages from the Eastern Palace appeared at Jishi Hall to bring Manbao into the palace to treat the Prince.
Afterwards, the guards escorted her back to Changqing Alley, ensuring her safety all the way.
As soon as Manbao returned home, the gatekeeper handed her an invitation and said, "Miss Man, this was delivered earlier today by an attendant."
Manbao opened it to take a look; it was an invitation from the Li Family. The Third Mrs.Li’s child is having a hundred-day celebration the day after tomorrow, and she is invited.
The child was delivered by her, so there’s a unique connection.
Seeing that she had read it, the gatekeeper added, "Today, word came from the Old Madam that Daji’s letter has arrived, and he will be here early tomorrow morning."
Manbao’s eyes lit up, "Coming home tomorrow?"
The gatekeeper nodded, "The Old Madam said Daji’s letter mentioned that his parents are reluctant to leave their hometown, so he is only bringing his wife and children. They asked if there’s adequate accommodation. If not, they could stay at Elms Alley."
"Arrangements are already in place," Manbao replied cheerfully, "We’ve been ready for this."
Bo’an and Shuping can stay in one of the legitimate wife’s rooms in the front courtyard. It’s spacious enough, and the beds can be placed together. If the brothers aren’t comfortable sleeping together, they can be separated with a screen, just like Bai Shan and Bai Erlang did before.
Shuping needs to study; there’s a spare desk available in the study room.
School has just started in various academies in the capital, so joining now is still feasible. Not sure how Bo’an will be arranged, but Daji surely has plans.
Manbao happily took the invitation and ran into the backyard to tell Mr. Zhuang and the Xiang brothers the good news, then pulled Xiang Chao along to help clean the rooms.
When Bai Shan and the others heard the news upon their return, they also joined in the excitement, bustling around, and early the next morning, everyone was waiting together for Daji’s return.
That’s right; today they were on leave!
Even Bai Shan couldn’t help but say, "Our timing is really lucky."
Everyone nodded in agreement, "Indeed."
In the morning, two mule carriages entered from the alley, and Manbao, with her sharp eyes, spotted Daji sitting in the carriage. Excitedly, she leaped up and waved alongside Bai Shan and the others, "Daji, Daji!"
The nearby cart driver looked rather melancholy, fearing he would lose his job.
Old Madam Liu had given Daji his deed of servitude, and upon returning to Qianyang County, he first performed funeral rites for Erji. After the burial, he took his release document and deed to the authorities to change his status to a commoner.
He wanted to bring his parents to the capital city, but they had been enslaved for generations, living on the Bai Family’s estate, and were reluctant to leave their hometown. Despite his persuasion, they were unwilling to go.
Only then did Daji gather his belongings and bring his wife and children along.
Moving an entire family involved many belongings, which slowed them down considerably.
Ms. Meng and Shuping met Bai Shan for the first time, feeling somewhat reserved.
But Bai Shan was friendly and didn’t treat them as servants; they indeed weren’t servants at this point.
After they settled in, Bai Shan asked Daji, "Have you found a school for Shuping? Do you want to try Songhe Academy?"
Daji trusted Bai Shan, nodding to indicate that trying it out was a good idea.
As for Bo’an, Daji already had plans, "He wants to practice martial arts. I made acquaintances earlier in life, and there’s a security bureau in the capital. I’ll take him there tomorrow for a look."
Then Daji asked the two, "Are the young master and Miss Man doing well recently?"
The two nodded together, indicating all was well.
However, Daji found out about Manbao’s carriage accident from a couple of days ago. Although they thought it was a secret and that family members were unaware, the news outside couldn’t be hidden from Mr. Zhuang and the Zhou Family, but it couldn’t escape the Old Madam either.
Since the children didn’t want to mention it, the Old Madam pretended not to know.
But once Daji returned, the Old Madam sent a messenger to inform him, reassuring him not to worry about Bo’an and Shuping. She would make all arrangements, and he should drive Bai Shan and the others the next day.
Because Manbao had already decided to attend the Li family’s hundred-day banquet the next day, she wanted to bring Bai Shan and Bai Erlang along.
Even Bai Dalang was going.
The hundred-day banquet is a formal event. Both the Li Family and Han Family are aristocrats, and attending such gatherings is a good way to build connections.
The Bai Family also belongs to the aristocracy, although they lack influence now, ranking lower. But they have memorized the Clan Chronicles and genealogy since childhood, so they aren’t timid when stepping out.
They only lack opportunities to attend such events.
But with Manbao’s invitation, she naturally wants to bring her fellow disciples along.
Thus, the next day, everyone dressed up and rode off on horseback, leaving Bai Dalang to travel by carriage behind.
Feeling somewhat indignant, he told Daji, "I will get a horse for myself soon."
Daji laughingly agreed, saying it was indeed necessary.
The carriage not only carried Bai Dalang but also three gifts they prepared.
One was from Manbao, one from Bai Shan, and one shared by Bai Dalang and Bai Erlang.
Arriving at the Li family’s gate, Manbao leapt off her horse, waiting alongside Bai Shan and Bai Erlang for Bai Dalang.
All three were dressed in bright spring attire, looking stunning. Standing by their horses and smiling brightly made those newly arriving gaze a few extra times.
And when Bai Dalang’s carriage arrived, Manbao waved, took the invitation, and approached the house, their steward had already noticed Manbao long before and specially arranged a servant to greet them. As she came up smiling to lead them inside, there was a small exclamation from ahead.
Looking in that direction, she saw Yang Heshu riding a horse, and was startled. Quickly running to help, they organized the blocked horses and carriages at the gate...
As expected after Yang Heshu’s arrival, some carriages on the roadside made way for him to pass first, resulting in minor collisions with other carriages. However, neither the collided nor the colliding parties had any complaints at this time.
The curtain lifted, revealing several young women leaning out of windows to look at Yang Heshu; some even got off to look directly.
Standing on the steps, Manbao and friends watched Yang Heshu on horseback, marveling, "He’s really handsome."
Even Bai Erlang said, "Back in Luojiang County, we didn’t notice as much, but here in the capital, comparing with so many people, we realize how good-looking Lord Yang is."
Bai Shan nodded.
In Qili Village, surrounded by fields, Yang Heshu was handsome, but the crops were more captivating. Mainly because they hadn’t seen much of the world back then, they felt adequate in their own looks and didn’t think much of Lord Yang.
Only enjoyed talking and playing with him.
But as they grew older, they realized he truly was handsome!
Especially after visiting Yizhou City and coming to the capital, meeting lots of people, they realized that outside people weren’t as good-looking as Yang Heshu.
This newfound appreciation made his looks seem even more precious.
Manbao and a few rustic folks were late to realize it, but once they recognized Yang Heshu’s handsomeness, they had already become friends, so his attractiveness was natural. Hence, they smiled at him from the steps, delighting in watching him ride over, feeling pleased and entertained.