A cloth shop in the capital.
Yan Mingli was cracking melon seeds and told the shopkeeper to take out the best clothes from the bottom of the box. They were not short of money.
The shopkeeper quickly explained, "Young Master Yan, how dare I doubt you? This shop was rented to me by you. All the clothes in the shop that fit this young lady's size are here. Even if I rummaged through the whole shop, I couldn't find any new ones."
"I heard that there's a new shop on the next street that also sells ready - made clothes. Why don't you go there and have a look, Young Master Yan?"
Qiuqiu was waiting for the lotus seeds from the Fourth Prince and replied by the way, "We just came from the next street. The boss there said that your clothes are nice and proper."
Xu Yutang's nominal foster mother, the daughter of Prime Minister Sima and the wife of the Xu family, was going to return to the capital with her son and would arrive tomorrow.
Due to the tight schedule, there was no time to make new clothes, so Shen Haiyan had to take Xu Yutang out to buy ready - made ones.
Seeing that they couldn't find any suitable clothes anywhere, Xu Yutang had the intention of giving up. "The old clothes I'm wearing are fine. Let's not buy any more."
She lived in the princess mansion and had already caused a lot of trouble to Shen Haiyan.
Qiuqiu was the first to object. "No way. We have to buy new clothes. When meeting new family members, it's inauspicious to wear old ones!"
"Xiaotao doesn't have new clothes either. Doesn't Sister Yutang want to buy new clothes for Xiaotao?"
Of course Xu Yutang did. When the Xu family was raided, she and Shen Haiyan had rushed to rescue Xiaotao and then returned to the capital. Now Xiaotao's body hadn't fully recovered. It was okay if she didn't go out, but in the future when she had to receive guests, she would definitely need new clothes.
Yan Mingli also saw that Xiaotao was Xu Yutang's weakness. He cleared his throat. "How about this? You come home with me. Maybe I have suitable clothes at home."
Long Wang: [Isn't the stupid father a minister of the Ministry of Revenue? Where would there be clothes at his home?]
Lin Yu: [Maybe there are sisters of similar age at home who can lend clothes?]
Shen Haiyan had the same thought as Lin Yu. He thought new clothes were better, but he couldn't stop Shen Baozhu and Qiuqiu from wanting to go to Yan Mingli's home to play. Xu Yutang would rather trouble Yan Mingli than accompany Shen Haiyan to pick clothes. The minority obeyed the majority, so Shen Haiyan had to go along.
The Yan family.
Mrs. Yan was telling her pregnant second daughter - in - law to eat well, drink well and stay in a good mood. Suddenly, the door of the room was pushed open and someone jumped in. "Mother! Your precious son is back. Do you miss me?"
Looking at Yan Mingli who was like a monkey in front of her, Mrs. Yan helplessly supported her forehead. Her surprise was gradually replaced by embarrassment. "Why are you back?"
Yan Mingli widened his eyes and questioned his mother. "What do you mean? Mother, I haven't been back for so long, and you don't even miss me. Are you still my mother?"
"By the way, mother, do you have any clothes that young girls can wear? Miaochun has a younger sister who needs clothes urgently tomorrow. I've searched most of the capital but couldn't find any suitable ones."
While talking, Yan Mingli rubbed his head against Mrs. Yan.
Mrs. Yan was worn out and had no choice but to agree. "Alright, alright. I'll find a way for you. You're such an adult but still so unsteady. You're just like a monkey."
"Well, I'm still the most handsome and the most pleasing monkey to you." Yan Mingli flattered his mother and reminded her by the way. "I've also brought friends home. Mother, remember to prepare more food. Don't worry, son has money. Son will pay!"
Yan Mingli took out two silver notes from his bosom, one for fifty taels and the other for a hundred taels. He gave the fifty - tael one to his mother for the meal money and waved the hundred - tael one in front of his second sister - in - law. "Second sister - in - law, I'm usually not at home. This money is for my nephews and nieces as pocket money. Please take it."
The Yan family all knew that Yan Mingli had recognized a grandfather who was in business, so he had a lot of money. Mrs. Yan's second daughter - in - law was an open - minded woman. She didn't decline but took the silver note and laughed. "I'll go to the eldest sister - in - law's yard later to remind Brother Hao and Sister Zhi that our rich uncle is back. I'll tell them to ask you for pocket money."
Yan Mingli patted his chest. "Don't worry. There'll be enough pocket money! Then I'll go and entertain my friends first. Mother, remember to pick out the clothes!"
Watching Yan Mingli's back as he left, Mrs. Yan felt a bit emotional. She said to her second daughter - in - law, "Thanks to the kindness of Princess Jingning who was willing to act as a matchmaker. Otherwise, I'd be so worried. Which girl would be willing to marry a monkey?"
Mrs. Yan looked at the silver note in her hand again and told the servants to prepare some good wine and delicious food for the guests. She also asked them to invite the master back from the Ministry of Revenue for dinner.
The maid gently reminded her, "Madam, I heard from the servant boy that among the third young master's friends, there are four children, two young ladies, a young master and a little master wearing a veil hat. Should we prepare wine?"
After learning that Yan Mingli's friends were all children, Mrs. Yan was surprised. Then she cancelled the wine and replaced it with lotus root sweet soup.
Soon it was lunchtime.
Mr. Yan rushed back from the Ministry of Revenue, followed by the deputy minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Mr. Li, who was on very good terms with him.
He explained to Mrs. Yan, "My colleague heard the servant's message and insisted on coming here for a meal. If it's inconvenient, you can just separate some dishes and send this guy away!"
Although Mr. Yan said so, he was smiling all over his face. Mr. Li was from a poor family. His parents had died early and there was no one to help him. He had even cut off relations with his clan because of family property in the early years, so his life had been tough.
At that time, they were both junior officials. The Yan family was in a slightly better condition, so Mr. Yan would occasionally invite Mr. Li to his home for dinner to help him out.
Over the years, they had both been promoted, but this habit had not changed.
Hearing that Mrs. Yan was hosting a family banquet at home, Mr. Yan casually invited Mr. Li.
The others had already taken their seats. Yan Mingli urged, "Alright, alright. I'm so hungry. Let's start eating."
Mr. Yan was about to scold Yan Mingli for being impolite when he saw Yan Mingli secretly put a piece of chicken and some tofu into the Fourth Prince's bowl. The scolding words were stuck in his throat. Mr. Yan suddenly realized that it wasn't Yan Mingli who was hungry, but the Fourth Prince who had a stomach problem.
Yan Mingli was completely unaware of his father's thoughts. He grabbed a drumstick for Qiuqiu and asked the maid to put the sweet dishes in front of Shen Baozhu.
The Fourth Prince ate very quickly. He took out the remaining melon seeds from Yan Mingli's pocket and started to shell them. Then he distributed the shelled melon seeds to Shen Baozhu and Qiuqiu.
Shen Haiyan was worried that the Fourth Prince would eat too much, so he looked at him a few extra times. Seeing that he was self - restrained, he felt relieved.
The meal was very good and everyone was happy. Only Mr. Yan was on tenterhooks, watching the Fourth Prince, afraid that the Fourth Prince would be unhappy.
After lunch, Xu Yutang and Shen Haiyan followed Mrs. Yan to pick out clothes, while Yan Mingli took the three children for a walk in front of the house. When they saw Mr. Yan and Mr. Li, he said, "Uncle Li, long time no see. You still look in good spirits!"
"Qiuqiu, this is my father's subordinate, Deputy Minister Li of the Ministry of Revenue. You can call him Uncle Li."
Qiuqiu was wearing a light blue dress today with a butterfly bead flower on her head, matching Shen Baozhu's lotus - pink one. Standing beside Yan Mingli, she looked lively and cute.
Mr. Li praised, "What a cute little girl. She looks a bit familiar. Whose child is she?"
Hearing Mr. Li praise Shen Baozhu, Yan Mingli straightened his back, looking like they were sharing honor and disgrace. He smiled and said, "This is my future younger sister, the younger sister of Marquis Yong'an, Chen Wanqiu."
Then he pushed Qiuqiu aside and pulled Shen Baozhu. "Baozhu, the granddaughter of General Mu and the daughter of Princess Jingning."
Mr. Li secretly thought that Yan Mingli had made progress. He had not only got in touch with the female marquis but also with General Mu.
As Yan Mingli expected, Mr. Li readily praised, "She clearly has the charm of General Mu. When she grows up, there might be a female general in Dayong!"
This was a nice compliment. If Shen Haiyan had been present, he would surely have echoed, "Deputy Minister Li has an eye for talent."
Yan Mingli also thought that Mr. Li's compliment was great. He then pulled the Fourth Prince in front of them, waiting for Mr. Li to praise.
Mr. Li looked at the somewhat familiar Fourth Prince and smiled. "I wonder which family this young master is from. He looks familiar. He even has a bit of a resemblance to His Highness the Fourth Prince. He will surely achieve something in the future!"
"Really? Then you're wrong, Uncle Li." Yan Mingli said happily. "It's not a bit of a resemblance. This is the Fourth Prince."