"My mother received a Persian cat as tribute from a foreign land last time. It was incredibly beautiful and was pampered with the best food and care in the manor. My elder sister-in-law was so envious when she visited. I heard there will be more rare items sent this time. I don't care about the tribute items, but if the accompanying merchants bring any, I must pick a fine one for my elder sister-in-law."
Princess Wenyi said with deep emotion.
Her elder sister-in-law loved keeping cats the most. She already had three rare breeds in her courtyard, but they paled in comparison to that Persian cat, so she had been longing for one.
"Your two daughters-in-law care for each other so much. I'm envious just watching them. It's rare for sisters-in-law to be like this."
The Grand Madam, who had been silent for a while, suddenly said this, which amused Princess Wenyi.
"You flatter me again, Grand Madam. Who in the entire capital doesn't know that the three sisters-in-law in your household are the most virtuous and polite? Not only do they manage the household well, but they also raise their children exceptionally. Last time, I heard from my eldest brother that another martial arts scholar has emerged. I expect the top position in next year's martial arts examination will surely go to someone from your family."
The Grand Madam did not reply but her eyes crinkled with a smile.
The骠骑大将军 (Piaoji Great General) household had been a military family for three generations, and her grandsons were all outstanding. She felt very proud.
Suddenly, her gaze swept over Bai Siruo and Feng Jinyao, and her eyes showed a bit more warmth.
"Grandmother and mothers, please continue your conversation. I'll go find my eldest aunt and see if there's anything I can help with."
With that, she took Feng Jinyao's hand, bowed, and left.
After a few quick steps out of Shou Kang Yuan, she patted her chest with lingering fear.
"You scared me to death! You don't know how formidable the Grand Madam's three grandsons are. They're like black bears in the forest. Every time I see them, I'm afraid they'll knock me silly with one slap."
"Hahaha, are you exaggerating that much? I think the Grand Madam's grandsons are quite good, and their family background is a good match for the Bai family."
Bai Siruo glared at her with her phoenix-like eyes. "Keep laughing. Be careful your grandmother arranges a marriage for you, and then let's see if you can still laugh."
Feng Jinyao knew she was joking, but she played along.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Aren't we going to find our eldest aunt?"
"Yes, but I still have to remind you, try not to linger around the Grand Madam. Her three grandsons are truly... like stars of martial arts descended to earth. We with our small arms and legs should avoid provoking them."
For some reason, with this impression, Bai Siruo became very afraid of anyone who wanted to enter officialdom through martial arts examinations.
She always felt they were simple-minded, strong brutes.
On the other side, Wei Lanxuan and others were also admiring plum blossoms.
The red-hearted plum trees were planted in the garden by the waterside pavilion, looking most beautiful in winter.
Eldest Aunt Lin had people tidy up a pavilion, and it was filled with charcoal fire, so it wasn't too cold to admire the plum blossoms on such a cold day.
Picking up the teacup at hand, Liang Luo took a sip, but said with a hint of disdain.
"If you ask me, the tea in Noble Consort's palace is the best. I heard it's personally bestowed by His Majesty. The tea outside always lacks flavor."
Her words clearly aimed to flatter Wei Lanxuan. Her aunt was the most favored noble consort in the court, so she naturally had a high status.
Hearing her words, the slight annoyance she had just felt vanished.
"You're so sweet-tongued. Last time I saw you liked the Luo Xue cat from my aunt's palace. In a few more days, tribute will be sent again. This time, I'll ask my aunt to reserve one for you, so you don't have to be envious."
"Really?"
Liang Luo's eyes lit up. She truly loved cats, especially the Persian cats sent as tribute from foreign lands.
Their fur was smooth, and they had heterochromia, one blue and one yellow eye, incomparably beautiful.
"When have I ever lied?"
"Sister Wei is the best to me."
After saying this, she looked up at Bai Sihan beside her, her eyes openly showing provocation.
It was as if she was saying, "See? I'm her best sister, you're just a pawn."
Bai Sihan felt annoyed, but her face remained as if nothing had happened. She was under someone else's roof and had to bow her head.
No wonder her mother tried so hard to get into the capital, just to avoid being looked down upon. She would be the same in the future.
It's just a cat!
When she has a wealthy and noble husband, she will definitely get back at this wretched Liang Luo for today's humiliation!
In the Bai mansion, the birthday banquet was nearing its end.
Su Cheng, who was drunk in the front courtyard, was carried away. Feng Er was confined to Shou Kang Yuan, so the task of seeing off guests fell to Bai family's eldest son, Bai Chaoan, and Feng Jinxu.
After seeing off the guests, the uncle and nephew finally had some leisure time to chat.
"Your performance evaluation this time was graded as 'Excellent.' Do you want to be posted to a local prefecture for a few years of experience, or take a step up in the Dali Temple? Have you decided?"
Eldest Uncle Bai Chaoan was a Hanlin Scholar, and the Ministry of Personnel's evaluation this time was closely related to their Hanlin Academy, so his news was particularly timely.
Feng Jinxu shook his head. "This nephew will follow the arrangements. However, if it were up to me, I'd like to be posted outside to see the world. Staying in the capital all day, I'm unaware of the people's sentiments. It's quite meaningless to be an official like this."
Bai Chaoan looked at him with admiration.
If one were to compare, Feng Jinxu was the most like his father, not just in appearance, but also in his thoughts.
He was only in his early twenties, yet he had already reached the rank of Dali Temple Assistant Minister, a正六品 (Zheng Liu Pin, sixth-rank official). With an 'Excellent' evaluation this time, if he were posted outside, he might even become a fifth-rank official like himself. He was truly a formidable young man.
He had no children of his own, so he was most fond of this eldest nephew.
Feng Jinxu's future was naturally something Bai Chaoan cared about, so he said to him earnestly.
"The Bai family is not blessed with many descendants. In your generation, there are only two daughters, Siruo and Sihan, at home. Once they are married, this house will become even more desolate. Without the support of maternal uncles, once we elders are gone, their lives will depend on you, their elder cousin, to support them. Otherwise, if they are bullied by their in-laws, they won't know who to turn to for help!"
His words were filled with earnest advice.
Feng Jinxu's expression became even more serious. "Uncle, please rest assured. As long as I am here, I will never let my cousins be bullied."
"Good. It's good to have your word."
After saying that, he patted his shoulder, sighed deeply, and walked towards the inner courtyard with his hands behind his back.
In the study, Prime Minister Bai sat at the head of the table, while his third son, Bai Chaoke, stood below, looking respectful and listening to his father's teachings.
"Come and sit. Play a game of chess with me."
"Yes."
What Prime Minister Bai referred to as chess was not Go with black and white stones, but military chess.
Each side holding a territory, it was a game of life and death. Compared to Go, which involved slow encirclement and gradual consumption, he preferred the decisive, no-retreat military chess.
Among his three sons, Bai Sanlang's chess skills were the best, perhaps related to his meticulous mind. Unfortunately, he was no match for Prime Minister Bai.
"You can't blame me for ruining your promising future, can you?"