Everything goes well

  Yang Lan had just gotten off the car when she saw Yu Lan, the big maid beside Princess Ping'an, walking over with a gentle and elegant gait. She gave Yang Lan a bow that was neither too hasty nor too slow, her voice carrying a hint of joy and crispness. "Your servant Yu Lan greets you, Young Mistress! Our old madam has been waiting for you! She's been saying how she hasn't seen you in ages!"

  Yang Lan also smiled and asked carefully: "The warm hat and fruit that I had someone send in the other day, have you used them, Grandma? Are they to your liking?"

  Jade Orchid took a step forward, held Yang Lan's hand and smiled crisply, "Great job! The old lady put on the hat as soon as she got it, saying it was comfortable, and said you have a good eye for this! Just one glance and you can make something so good, saying that Master Su's teacher didn't invite you in vain!" After finishing, she winked and covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.

  Yang Lan raised an eyebrow, not getting angry, but instead proudly shook her head, "That's right! Who cares who learned it? Our school's language and literature department can't be ranked first, but at least we can rank second!" After finishing speaking, she couldn't help but laugh herself.

  Jade Orchid didn't dare to tease Yang Lan, but instead brought up another matter, "Speaking of which, our mansion was also distributing porridge at the gate a few days ago. But looking around, there are more and more people coming, and our old lady has been worried about it these past few days!"

  Yang Lan heard this, her brow relaxed, and she asked with a smile: "I also came for this matter, I want to ask Auntie to make a decision! Our family's porridge is almost out of food, now seeing more and more people coming, my heart is uneasy. My parents are not here, I was thinking of asking Auntie to give me a good idea!"

  Yu Lan's smile at the corner of her mouth grew even brighter, "Exactly! Our old lady said we should go to the palace and ask about it! And here comes the county master! How timely!"

  Yang Lan heard the sound of the zither and understood the elegant meaning, smiled and glanced at Yulan, seeing that they were approaching her aunt's main courtyard, laughed and said: "I came in a hurry and didn't bring any gifts for my sisters, so let sister take this shrimp whisk bangle to play with!"

  He took off the shrimp-shaped bracelet with a red gemstone and green tourmaline inlaid on his wrist and handed it to her.

  Jade Orchid was extremely anxious, not thinking that she just happened to sell a good one, this is also the usual thing that the little girl does, no one dares to offend her careful thoughts, did not think that this person's generosity is very big, and already delighted in her heart.

  "How dare you? I didn't do anything!" Yulan lowered her head and didn't dare look straight at Yanglan.

  Biyun stood beside Yang Lan's right hand, smiling and advising: "Look at sister being scared, where did the usual straightforwardness go? Our mistress has always been a person who says what she means, if she says it's a reward for you, then it's sincere. You can't refuse, that would be slapping our master's face! Sister, put it away quickly! We're all family, we come and go often, in the future we won't even dare to ask you for anything!"

  Biqiun spoke quickly and said a lot of words in one breath, afraid that someone would snatch the opportunity from her.

  Jade Orchid raised her head and gave Yang Lan a sideways glance, seeing that she also seemed to be in agreement. Only then did she relax and take over with a smile, giving her a displeased look, "You dare to fabricate things about Master? You're so used to being arrogant! From now on, you come to my tea house and I won't even serve you, let's see how you'll handle it!"

  She said and rushed to Yang Lan to pay her respects, respectfully thanked "The slave thanks the master for the reward!"

  Yang Lan nodded and gestured to Bi Yun, "Go play with your sister Yulan for a while, I have something to talk about with Auntie!"

  "Yes."

  Jade Orchid arrived first at the corridor and lifted the embroidered curtain with magpies perched on branches for Yang Lan, shouting loudly: "Old lady, Princess Jing'an has arrived!"

  Yang Lan rushed into the house and shouted: "Auntie, Jing'an has something to ask of you! You have to help me!"

  "Jing'an greets his grandmother!" Yang Lan hastily made a standard courtesy.

  Princess Ping'an sat on the imperial couch, waiting for Yang Lan. Seeing her arrive, she was very happy and hurriedly beckoned to her to come closer, affectionately stroking her hand and anxiously looking at her face which still looked well. Only then did she ask: "What's wrong? You're in such a hurry, has something happened?"

  The well-maintained round face exuded the kindness of an elderly person, with bright eyes that occasionally flashed a hint of sharpness, and gazed at Yang Lan with a faintly discerning and inquiring look.

  Yang Lan's face turned red as she spoke in a nasal tone, "Auntie, I've come to ask for your help. You probably know that the other day, I got excited and found a few girls to start a porridge shed together!"

  Princess Ping'an smiled and raised her head, the expression between her eyebrows relaxed a bit, and her eyes became even more loving. She stroked her soft little face and asked with a knowing look: "Can't get away now, can you?" Her words were full of certainty.

  Yang Lan's face grew even redder with shame, her small hands rubbing the hem of her clothes as she looked down, embarrassed. "I... I was momentarily confused, thinking it was just a ordinary shed for alms, and a good deed to accumulate blessings for my father and brother. This is something our family has done before, so I thought following the usual procedure wouldn't be a problem. Who knew there would be refugees entering the capital?! Now food is almost running out, but we can't give up halfway, and I've been thinking, with so many refugees entering the capital, not to mention the possibility of disease, someone might take advantage of the situation to do some nefarious things! I couldn't sit still, that's why I came to ask for your help, Auntie. Auntie, I was wrong, I shouldn't have sought fame, please pity me and give me some advice!" She pulled on Princess Ping'an's sleeve, shaking it back and forth with a pleading expression.

  These words are spoken with sincerity and honesty, without any hidden meaning. The attitude is sincere and the language is true, not treating oneself as an outsider, but rather treating Ping'an Princess as a respected elder, showing respect and seeking guidance from her.

  Princess Ping'an liked straightforward and capable children, and she was also kind-hearted with a good reputation and face in the imperial family. As a result, many younger generations who got into trouble came to her for help. Firstly, she was older and of higher rank, so she could say things that others couldn't; secondly, she had helped the emperor ascend to the throne, which made her someone with great merit, and her own rank was even higher than the emperor's, so the emperor treated her with great respect.

  So when juniors have something they can't solve, the first thing that comes to mind is to come to Princess Ping'an's mansion to beg for mercy.

  Princess Ping'an sat cross-legged on the couch, thought for a moment, and asked: "What were you thinking before?"

  Yang Lan knew that Princess Ping'an was honored all her life, she was a person with real skills, and it's better not to play tricks in front of such people, so the bamboo tube poured out beans cleanly.

  "I didn't think much of it at first, but then I saw Sixth Brother at the banquet hosted by the gentle county mistress. He told me a couple of sentences about the disaster in Dingzhou, and I thought it was just a trivial matter. Seeing that Sixth Brother had some kind intentions, I agreed to help out, thinking that if we could get several girls together, we could also gain some face back home. Who knew that within just a few days, these refugees would multiply, and things wouldn't look good? That's why I hurriedly came to ask Grandmother for advice!" After finishing speaking, she hung her head low, looking sheepish and guilty.

  Ping An's eyes sparkled as she smiled and asked, "When did you get in touch with Chu Yu again? Just don't cause trouble for your mother!"

  Yang Lan looked around and saw no one in front of her, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh: "No one saw it, besides I didn't promise him anything! I was just praying for my father and brother's blessings, what does that have to do with him? Who saw it? Bring out the evidence! In the past, we could still meet in the palace and exchange a few words. Who can say otherwise now?! Moreover, even if I said something, it wouldn't count!" Shui Xing's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a sly and adorable smile.

  Ping'an gently scratched Yang Lan's nose, her eyebrows slightly relaxed, and she smiled scoldingly: "You little monkey!"

  Yang Lan hugged Ping'an Princess's arm, looked up with a small face and begged: "Auntie, please help me get some credit in the palace! Those girls have been following me for days, no merit but hard work, right? Not even a little bit of good has come out of it, in the future when I go out, where can I put my face?! Nobody will play with me anymore! Please help me ask for some reward for them, maybe seeing that there are other girls willing to follow us and give alms together! How about letting me round up this game and get some credit back? Otherwise, all the food in my house will be given away and it won't be enough!"

  "Haha! You little monkey, you're finally getting anxious, why didn't you come and discuss it with me earlier?! Never mind! Your mother isn't around, but you still have to think about your father and brothers, it's not easy for you either. I'll go into the palace right away, I was planning to do so in the next two days anyway. I've been feeling that something is off, let's prepare early!" Princess Ping'an smiled and took over the situation.

  Yang Lan was overjoyed and the flattering servant boy fawned on her, offering tea and fans, making Princess Ping'an laugh heartily.

  With Princess Ping'an taking the lead in doing good deeds, this matter will surely not be small, and the Yang family's merits will not be few. It won't let the Yang family lose face either, and it can end perfectly well.

  A plan that had been brewing in her mind finally came to fruition, and she was overjoyed, like a child. "Grandma, you're the best! I'll definitely take good care of you! When I have some free time, I'll bring you some delicious food. The other day, we received a shipment of purple rice and glutinous rice from the countryside, and it should arrive in Beijing by the end of the month. I'll bring some over for you to try!"

  "Little monkey, this little mouth is sweet! Then I'll wait!" Peaceful and happy laughter.

  Yang Lan sat for half a day, chatted and laughed with Princess Ping'an for a while, had lunch before leaving, and felt much more relaxed on the way back.

  On the second day, it was heard that Princess Ping'an had entered the palace with a tablet, and the imperial decree also arrived in the afternoon.

  The emperor personally rewarded several families who were among the first to do good deeds and offer congee, and especially mentioned a few young ladies, praising their good character, and bestowed upon them cloth, spices, jade utensils, and southern pearls, although not many precious items, but this kind of honor is hard to come by.

  The most important thing is that the girls who followed Shu Zhuo got a good reputation, and also rewarded the women of each family, and greatly praised them for teaching their daughters in a proper way, feeling very proud for a while.

  Yang Lan also had a reward, but this time it was for the old lady. The emperor issued an edict to commend her, and Yang Lan didn't want any of the rewards, giving them all to the old lady and Third Madam. If she hadn't taken charge and worked hard, there wouldn't have been even a slight mistake, it was what she deserved.

  The old lady received the imperial decree and looked very happy, and the third wife was absent-minded for a long time. In the end, it was the third sister who quickly rewarded the eunuch who came to announce the decree.

  The three madams supported the old lady back to Songhe Hall, and after everyone sat down, Mrs. Xu hurriedly poured tea, her face also full of joy.

  The old lady had a happy expression on her face, "Old Sanjia's family, from now on you will have to work harder and do this thing well, can't let people gossip!"

  With the reward, Yang Lan let out a sigh of relief. With this move, I believe that soon all the ladies will take action, and with Princess Ping'an's operation, I don't think there will be any major problems anymore, and the Yang family won't seem too special either.

  The three madams sat there with a pleased expression, smiling happily: "I never thought that doing a good deed would also get the emperor's reward. In this life, I am still being praised by others for the first time, and it is the emperor! Suddenly felt her face glowing, she didn't lose face in front of her children, and going out wouldn't be embarrassing either.

  Yang Lan happily pulled and hugged San Furen's arm, sincerely praising: "This time thanks to San Auntie's efforts and money, it only took a few days, I see that you've lost weight, go back and let the kitchen cook some soup for you to nourish yourself, just wait and see! There's more to come!" As she spoke, she lowered her voice and revealed a sentence, with an uncontrollable joy in her tone.

  The three madams suddenly lit up their eyes, "What do you mean? Is there something behind this? This... won't it be too much? I think we didn't do anything wrong either. In previous years, we also gave out porridge like this, just that this time the grain was used a bit more, but for people like us, we don't care about such trivial things." She had been overjoyed for a moment, but now her heart felt a little uneasy.