This is the kind of reincarnation a time-traveling woman should have!

Minglan remained silent, pretending not to have heard, and continued to be demanding. Since Sheng Hong was not yet completely at ease with Wang Shi, he would occasionally check on Minglan. At these times, Minglan would straightforwardly say: "I am thirsty at night, but Mother won't give me any water;... Did you give me the begonia syrup last time? I haven't seen it at all... The snacks given by the lady? Mother said her little grandson likes to eat them, so she took them away... Mother said she would mend this tear in my clothes when she has time."

"Go and tell! I have long wanted to tell, what nonsense about being born of a concubine, Sixth Sister is our sister. Moreover, Father brought her to Mother, which makes her our biological sister! If you keep talking such nonsense about being born of a concubine, be careful that Father will hit you!" Hualan forcefully poked Rulan's forehead with her index finger.

"Since the master speaks so convincingly, why should we still seek to form a marriage alliance with his family?" Wang said, pouting.

At such times, Miss Hualan would descend from the heavens like the Great Sage Equal to Heaven to uphold justice. She may not particularly like Minglan, but she cannot tolerate the arrogant demeanor of Ruan. As the favored eldest daughter, her authority in the Sheng residence is second only to that of the three elders. She reprimands her younger sister and punishes the servants with ease, articulating her points with clarity and confidence.

Originally, Hua had just reached the age of marriage and was not in a hurry to choose a suitor. However, with Lord Qiu's proposal, we had no choice but to expedite the matter. We must either agree to this marriage with the Qiu family or provide a reasonable explanation for our refusal. Madam Wang sat beside a bat-shaped, flowing cloud blackwood table, with several large red invitation cards piled in front of her, and the tassels of the dragon and phoenix gold hairpin on her head swayed incessantly.

Wang was utterly astonished: "I wonder why a dignified duke's household would come to propose marriage at the home of a mere sixth-rank prefect. Surely, respectable families in the capital would not be willing to marry off their daughters to us?"

"Ru Lan, you have bullied Sixth Sister again! Come down here!" Miss Hua Lan stormed over and yanked Ru Lan down from the swing. "What did Father say the other day? Among the sisters, Sixth Sister is the youngest, and we, as older sisters, should be more considerate and take care of her. Yet you, on the contrary, bully her all day long! Be careful, or I will tell Father!"

In fact, making a living beside the Wang family is not that difficult. Sister Hualan and Brother Zhangbo already have their own courtyard, while little Brother Zhangdong is still in the drooling stage. The only person Minglan needs to deal with is the young girl Rulan. Rulan is not a bad person; she simply enjoys throwing tantrums and wants to be pampered every day. However, she cannot provoke her elder sister and brother, and she cannot reach the elder sister and brother from Aunt Lin's side either. Even the unsteady little Brother Zhangdong is too dull for her to bother with, leaving only the unfortunate Minglan to be at her beck and call.

It is hard to say, especially since their family has greedily taken the bride's dowry more than once or twice before.

"... This may not be the case." Sheng Hong leisurely opened his folding fan and began to wave it slowly. "In my youth, I lived in the capital with my grandfather and grandmother, and studied at the family school of the Duke of Ling with Brother Wei. I held that family in great disdain; while it appeared glamorous from the outside, it was filthy within. The family school was also quite dirty, and Brother Wei and I only studied there for half a year before leaving. This time, when I came to the capital on business, I heard that the Duke of Ling's household has become even more deplorable. With a large number of people in the household, both masters and servants, living in luxury and honor, there are several young masters, all about the same age as Zhang Bo, and within the house, there are more than twenty wives and maids attending to them. Such extravagant indulgence, both large and small, is wasteful beyond measure, with excessive spending and minimal income, leaving their coffers long emptied. I merely hinted to Uncle Geng that Hua is about to come of age, and they came to speak with me, revealing their intention of forming a marriage alliance in our conversation."

Minglan's mother is a lazy and careless woman, often giving directions that contradict each other. With just a few more commands, she pouts and shows her displeasure. The young girls imitate her, also being lazy and ineffective, and often whispering within earshot of Minglan, saying things like, "Going left once and right once, it never ends, really exhausting a person to death," and "What kind of mistress is she pretending to be? She really thinks she’s some wealthy young lady, but she’s just a concubine’s daughter," and "It would be better for her to quiet down; who has the patience to serve her?"

Wang's expression was somewhat awkward as he chuckled and said, "There is no need for the master to worry; there are other families available. I find the Duke Ling's residence quite good. Although they have been granted a lower rank, it has only been three generations since they were conferred by the founding emperor. The House of Zhongqin, on the other hand, has maintained its original rank, but their current situation is not favorable; they have long been disdained by the Emperor, so it is better not to consider them. The Duke Ling's residence is excellent, renowned and prosperous, with a distinguished lineage and thriving fortune."

Wang pondered for a moment, and could not help but be greatly alarmed: "My lord, this is indeed inappropriate. Regardless of whether His Majesty appoints the Third Prince, if the Third Prince is unable to produce a son, the throne will eventually be given to someone else! I have heard that the Fourth Prince is not someone to be trifled with."

"That is not the case." Sheng Hong finally became interested and said eagerly, "I specifically visited the residence of the Duke of Zhongqin this time and met several of the old duke's sons. The eldest son is already engaged to the daughter of Master Zhang, the Grand Scholar of the National Academy. The second son, in my opinion, is quite good; he is composed and courteous, exuding an impressive presence. At a young age, he has secured a position in the Military Command of the Five Cities. I even went out of my way to inquire about his character and abilities from Commander Dou. You know Dou, he is usually quite arrogant, yet he praised Yuan Wenshao wholeheartedly and sighed, saying that the young man, due to his family's circumstances, is generally avoided by other official families for marriage, while he looks down on families of lesser status. A fine young man is nearing twenty without a family of his own. Perhaps I showed some interest in front of Dou, for the next day, the Yuan family sent someone to make an inquiry."

"Madam specially ordered a set of head and facial jewelry from Cui Bao Zhai. Mother said it is the finest pearl and jade shop in the capital, and I wonder how much silver was spent. And the young lady's ru skirt, Mother mentioned that the embroidery on it is Liu Shang embroidery, which seems to move with every step she takes. It was sent by the elderly matriarch from Madam's family. The young lady is truly fortunate. Sister Xiao Mei, what do you think our girls will be like in the future..." said a round-faced girl about seven or eight years old.

"That cannot be the residence of the Duke of Loyalty and Diligence, as the Yuan family is currently in a state of great decline." Wang said angrily

Sheng Hongdao said, "It is not that there are none. When I was still in Quanzhou, I carefully considered my group of friends from the same year and discipline, and found them all unsuitable"

In fact, reporting grievances is a skillful endeavor. The modern workplace is no different from the ancient Sheng family; a well-executed complaint can improve one's circumstances, while a poorly handled one may have the opposite effect. There are certain techniques involved. First, the target of the complaint must be precise. Minglan initially recognized that the Wang family did not regard her with any importance; they only needed to keep her alive. On the other hand, Sheng Hong still remembered the benefits of Concubine Wei and felt guilty for her untimely demise, which is why Minglan chose to report to Sheng Hong. Secondly, the objective of the complaint must be clear. Minglan only reported the maidservants and the lower servants, never mentioning the Wang family, instead frequently stating how the Wang family provided this and that, attributing the laziness and cunning of the servants to them. As a result, Wang family members listened without much concern. Lastly, and most importantly, one must feign ignorance. From the moment Minglan regained consciousness, she maintained a dazed and foolish demeanor, speaking haltingly and reacting slowly, presenting herself as completely naive, which ultimately ensured her safety.

However... it is fine, Minglan turned her small body over on Rongtan.

"Madam is correct this time," Sheng Hong said, putting away his fan and shaking his head.

Minglan did not witness Sheng Hualan's coming-of-age ceremony, but she could imagine the scene. She did not feel particularly envious or jealous; rather, in her drowsy state, she would think that a background like Sheng Hualan's is precisely what a time-traveling woman should aspire to.

As summer gradually approaches, the sun becomes scorching, and the heat burns against the skin. On this day, Minglan is taking a nap in the inner room, while two young maids on duty in the outer hall are idly chatting with one another.

Every morning, Minglan is held by her mother and goes with Wang to pay respects to Old Lady Sheng. Prior to this, the concubines from each household have already paid their respects to Wang. Aunt Lin's visits are quite regular, approximately every three days she pays her respects and takes two days off, citing various reasons—most commonly, health issues. If Sheng Hong spent the night in her room the previous evening, she would lean on her waist and say she is tired; if he did not, she would lean on her chest and say she is emotionally exhausted. Each time Aunt Lin comes to pay her respects, Wang has to mentally prepare herself for a long time to avoid losing her temper and impulsively attacking Aunt Lin's delicate and charming face, which would severely challenge Wang's composure.

Ru Lan immediately became defiant, stepping forward to tug at her elder sister's sleeve, and shouted, "Elder sister, you must not bully my people. I will tell mother! You are making things difficult for your own sister for the sake of a foolish child born to a concubine!"

Upon hearing the difficulties faced by Hualan in marrying into a noble family, Wang nodded repeatedly. In the end, she even picked up the hand fan in her hand and gently fanned Sheng Hong. Sheng Hong paused for a moment, leaned closer, and whispered, "The current Empress has no sons, so in terms of legitimacy, it is not feasible. The next most prominent and valuable candidates are the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince, born of Concubine De and Concubine Shu respectively. The Emperor has yet to establish an heir, primarily because the Third Prince is frail and has not fathered any children despite being over forty, while the Fourth Prince, who does have offspring, was born a bit late. As long as the Emperor remains in good health, it is manageable, but should anything happen in the future, those close to the princes may find themselves in a precarious situation."

The young lady's coming-of-age ceremony was truly grand. It is said that the madam invited several prominent ladies from Dengzhou, and there were two rows of sedan chairs lined up at the entrance. To prevent the guests from overheating, the madam even bought dozens of carts of ice to keep things cool, sending in ice bowls at a flowing price. The master also specially returned to the residence to witness the ceremony.

Please provide the text you would like to have translated from Traditional Chinese to English.

Wang was twisting her handkerchief and said with indignation, "Sir, please do not speak to me in such a literary manner. I cannot even recognize a single character, how would I know the story of Emperor Yingzong of Song?"

After a period of discussion, the Sheng family was left with two final candidates: the fifth grandson of the Duke's residence and the second son of the Zhongqin Bo family. Before the couple could reach a decision, Lord Qiu Jing, the then Prefect of Kaifeng, came to propose marriage for his son

"Who bullied her? I merely asked her to peel an orange!" The young girl, Ru Lan, stood with her little belly protruding and her hands on her hips.

"Minglan, little girl, bring me an orange, and make sure it is peeled." The young girl, Rulan, sat on the swing

Ah, how can our girl compare? The young lady is of legitimate birth...

Like a fragrant orchid, she was full of spirit, yet unable to refute; Minglan lowered her head, feigning ignorance, and remained silent

"That may not necessarily be the case." Sheng Hong suddenly made a counterargument, "Brother Qiu and the various officials around the Third Prince are not entirely foolish; they understand that if it were not for the issue of heirs, the Third Prince would have established a successor long ago. Thus, they have come up with an idea."

"Are none of them suitable?" Wang inquired.

Wang smiled and clapped, saying, "This is indeed a good idea. Those few young princes come from humble maternal families, and the Emperor does not pay much attention to them; they are unlikely to inherit the throne. Adopting their sons would be the most appropriate solution. However... can this work? Will the Fourth Prince agree?"

"Who says otherwise? Those who are currently advocating for adoption have long become thorns in the side of the Fourth Prince. It is better to be cautious than to be reckless; if the Fourth Prince ascends to the throne in the future, then the Qiu family..." Sheng Hong did not continue, but Wang understood everything.

"Sir, we cannot agree to the marriage proposal from the Qiu family. They are willing to gamble, but we cannot stake Hua'er on such a bet. If things go awry, our entire family could be implicated as well." Mrs. Wang's thoughts suddenly became clear. She took out a crimson handkerchief embroidered with sunflowers from her waist and pressed it against her forehead. Then she raised her head and asked, "Sir, you have always been known for your integrity in the officialdom and have maintained good relations with others. Is there truly no one suitable for a marriage alliance?"

"How did you say you would choose a son-in-law that day?" Sheng Hong glanced at her and, imitating Wang's tone, replied leisurely: "He must come from a good family background, have substantial wealth, and a simple household. It is essential that the in-laws and sisters-in-law are easy to manage. Most importantly, the young man must possess abilities; he should either be well-educated with a degree or be capable in business with assets, or have military prowess and titles. Most of my friends are scholars, and among those who are of the same age and examination as I, few hold high positions. Those with good reputations and high ranks often come from families with limited resources, while those with substantial wealth have usually been predetermined by their elders. Brother Liu from the Dali Temple would be suitable, but his legitimate son is still young; perhaps in the future, he could be introduced to Rulan. Alas—"

What do you understand? Most of the offspring from noble families with titles are generally dull and incompetent, as they rely on their ancestors' favor and do not think of studying, do not wish to practice martial arts, and do not seek to make progress. After two or three generations, they become unremarkable. However, the Yuan family, having experienced hardships, has descendants who are more capable and sensible than the average. Those who have endured difficulties understand the challenges of establishing a career. I find Yuan Wenshao to be quite admirable

Every meal is served with dishes that Ru Lan likes, and Ming Lan has no choice but to eat what is provided; Ru Lan's clothes are all new, while Ming Lan wears the leftovers, which are still about ninety percent new; any fresh fruits or pastries are naturally given to Ru Lan first, with the remainder left for Ming Lan; as for jewelry such as gold and silver locks or chains, Ming Lan has never seen any, yet every time they go out, Wang Shi still adorns her neck and head with some items to maintain appearances.

After the coming-of-age ceremony, the Wang family immediately devoted themselves with boundless enthusiasm to the search for a suitable son-in-law. From time to time, they would exchange opinions with Sheng Hong and Old Madam Sheng. During these moments, Hua Lan would shyly cover her face and retreat to her room. Ming Lan couldn't help but sigh, noting that society had indeed progressed. In the past, when Yao Ma held up a photo to Yao Yi Yi as a potential match, Yao Yi Yi was fully involved in the process and held the final veto and decision-making power. Yet here, even someone as favored as Sheng Hua Lan had no say in her own marriage. For the first time, Ming Lan witnessed what it meant to be bound by parental arrangements and the matchmaking of others.

Sheng Hong sighed softly and explained helplessly, "That means if the Third Prince ascends to the throne but still has no son, he can adopt a son from his brothers. The Emperor has more than just these two princes; the younger princes below all have sons, after all, they are all the Emperor's grandsons."

Sheng Hong sneered, saying, "If it were merely a shortage of silver, I would not be so concerned. It is just that the descendants of that family are truly unworthy. In such a large household, there is not a single person skilled in literature, martial arts, or strategy. The old duke and his wife are fine themselves, but their several sons... hum! The eldest branch is proud and indulgent, and the father and son have long been the subject of ridicule for their debauchery. As for the second branch, oh, the suitor who came to propose is the second son of that branch. At his age, he still does not cease to take young concubines, and he has been known to indulge in the maids and wives of the household. While I was in the capital, I heard that he even took the personal maid of his daughter-in-law to bed, truly a disgrace to culture, a complete scoundrel!"

Wang recalled those difficult days, and her eyes turned red. Sheng Hong's voice also trembled slightly: "At that time, I thought, I cannot let anyone be wronged, especially not Hua. I do not wish to use Hua to climb the social ladder; I only hope she can marry a responsible man, live harmoniously as a couple, enjoy a life of mutual support, and in the future, bear children and lead a smooth life."

Minglan has set a career path for herself: to feign ignorance when necessary, and to report grievances when required. The experience of Miss Yingchun teaches us that merely enduring hardships does not guarantee peace. A concubine without any support, if she does not stand up for herself and strive for her own interests, who else will pay her any attention? As the saying goes, heaven helps those who help themselves.

Sheng Hong lowered his voice even further, saying, "This is not really a secret; they have incited several ministers to publicly advocate for emulating the story of Emperor Yingzong of Song."

Minglan felt immensely grateful to this beautiful and imposing older sister. She was truly a daughter of heaven, possessing beauty, a noble lineage, and charisma in abundance. Minglan sincerely hoped that this older sister would always remain as happy and proud in the future.

"Alright, alright, I will comply with my wife." Sheng Hong affectionately pulled her closer, "If that young man is a womanizer, I will be the first to object. We must carefully consider and find the best son-in-law for Hua'er."

Wang was still unwell, turning her head away and remaining silent. Sheng Hong walked over and gently placed his hand on Wang's shoulder, speaking softly: "Hua'er is our firstborn daughter; how could I possibly mistreat her? I remember back then when I was just a minor deputy official, assigned to that desolate place. When Hua'er was born, we couldn't even find a decent wet nurse. I was studying for exams while working, and you had to manage the household and take care of me and the old lady. Hua'er was so well-behaved at that time that it was heart-wrenching; she never cried or caused trouble. As she grew a little older, she could even help you manage affairs. To speak frankly, among all our children, the one I cherish the most is Hua'er."

"Brother Qiu and I are of the same age, and our families are well acquainted. There was originally no reason to oppose this marriage, but..." Sheng Hong walked back and forth in the room, holding a folding fan made of yellow wood.

Seeing that his wife finally understood, Sheng Hong nodded slightly and sighed, saying, "I often advise Brother Qiu to be cautious. While it is acceptable for us, as external officials, to secretly cultivate relationships with some court officials, we must absolutely avoid getting entangled in the significant matter of succession. There are so many noble houses in the capital, and among them, how many have successfully involved themselves? When the late emperor ascended the throne, it was relatively smooth, yet he still stripped several oblivious nobles of their titles and dismissed countless first and second rank officials, not to mention us. I have advised Brother Qiu several times, but he has not heeded my words; instead, he has grown even closer to his elder brother and the Third Prince. I know the Third Prince is a person of benevolence and virtue, but..."

Please provide the text you would like to have translated from Traditional Chinese to English.

"But he has no son!" Wang promptly added to Sheng Hong, "Without a son, no matter how virtuous the Third Prince is, it is of no use. Lord Qiu is too foolish; the struggle for the heir's position is not a game. I believe the Fourth Prince will surely ascend to the throne"

"All the servants are dead, and you ask the master to peel an orange?! Or is the maid beside you particularly precious, that she cannot be commanded?!" Hua Lan's beautiful big eyes glared over, and the three or four maids who had been standing by to watch the joke all lowered their heads, shrinking back in fear. "Seeing the Sixth Young Lady about to peel an orange, and none of you stopped her, are you all dead?! Such capable maids, and now you are just watching the master's joke, when I return to the master and madam tomorrow, I will let you all go home, spending your days watching jokes!" Miss Hua Lan began to scold sharply.

With heartfelt words and a tender paternal spirit, Wang could no longer hold back her tears and hurriedly lowered her head to wipe them away. Sheng Hong continued, "No matter how poor the Yuan family may be, they still have a title to protect them. If the path of officialdom does not go well, at least there is a marquisate to rely on. If Yuan Wenshao proves himself, there will still be wealth and honor awaiting Hua in the future"

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Wang had long been persuaded, wiping her tears with a handkerchief while scolding, "Pah, a down-and-out fellow is being praised as if he were a flower. The master understands things better than I do. Let me inquire further about Yuan Wenshao's character. He is already twenty years old, and I do not know how many people are in his household. If there are any unruly and overbearing ones, I will not agree. My Hua'er is not going to marry just to suffer."

Typically, it is the legitimate sons and daughters who hold the primary status, while the illegitimate sons are somewhat acceptable; however, the illegitimate daughters have no share in this regard

In contrast, Xiao Minglan, merely five or six years old, lacking the favor of her biological mother, is still very young and somewhat dull-witted. The Wang family has no need to bully her, nor would they go out of their way to care for her. After all, she shares meals and sleeps alongside Rulan. However, those with a keen eye can still discern the differences.

Wang was taken aback: "Are you saying that they have set their sights on the dowry of the eldest daughter?"

Hualan and Rulan, though they are biological sisters, differ greatly in appearance. Hualan resembles Sheng Hong, radiant and beautiful, with a spirited air between her brows. Rulan, on the other hand, resembles the Wang family, with a round face and well-defined features, her beauty somewhat ordinary. However, as she grows older, she may develop a more dignified presence. It is evident that the Creator has not treated this pair of sisters, born of the same parents, fairly; whether in looks, talents, or parental affection, the younger sister falls short in every aspect compared to the elder. Minglan only hopes that Rulan's feelings of imbalance do not worsen.

Sheng Hong's expression immediately softened, and Wang was also extremely embarrassed. She had been busy preparing for Hualan's coming-of-age ceremony recently and had no time to attend to Minglan. In her anger, she punished all the maids and servants who had embarrassed her. At first, the maids and servants were defiant and continued to make things difficult for Minglan, but she did not take it to heart and continued to report their misdeeds. However, after two instances, the servants became more compliant, and Minglan's life improved.

Sheng Hong sat opposite the Wang family, picked up the white porcelain tea cup on the table, took a shallow sip, and said: "I have met Young Master Qiu, and his appearance and character are indeed worthy of Hua'er. I have never liked the idea of Hua'er marrying into the Wang family; although they are wealthy, their doors are ultimately tightly shut. Hua'er is proud and ambitious, and if she truly marries into that place, it may not be to her liking. Our family is well-matched with the Qiu family, and we need not worry about Hua'er being wronged. However, this time when I went to the capital, it did not seem appropriate."

"But what is it? Please, my lord, do tell me quickly." Wang urged anxiously

"However, Qiu Jing's elder brother is actually the preaching master of the Third Prince!" Sheng Hong felt perplexed; he truly wished to be open-hearted with his wife, yet her thoughts were always out of sync with his. Aunt Lin, on the other hand, was very in tune with him, but she happened to be a concubine.

In ancient official families, marriage alliances were taken very seriously, often requiring a thorough investigation of three generations of the prospective family. Official families could be categorized into those with substantial family assets and those without, as well as those of a single generation and those with a long lineage. Good parents would often be very meticulous in selecting suitable matches for their daughters and sons.

Wang still maintained a stern expression: "As you mentioned, ordinary official families do not dare to form marital ties with them. They currently lack both power and wealth, so why should we rush to them?"

Wang was completely ignorant of the matters in the court and asked in confusion, "What does this have to do with the marriage of the eldest girl? Lord Qiu Jing is an official from outside the court"

In order to reorganize the inner residence of the Sheng family, Sheng Hong was eager to replace all the servants. Except for a few trusted confidants of the madams and Concubine Lin, almost all the second and third-tier cleaning maids were replaced. New ones were then selected from the family’s servant quarters to supplement the staff. Those with pleasing appearances were first assigned to the earlier young masters and young ladies, leaving only this silly little Tao for Minglan.

Minglan sat quietly on the stone stool, gazing at the sky without moving. Rulan called out to her a few more times, and seeing that Minglan still did not respond, she casually picked up a small stone and threw it over. Minglan felt a sharp pain in her shoulder and turned her head in discomfort, only to see Rulan grinning widely: "You little fool, why aren't you quickly peeling an orange for this young lady!"

Wang hesitated and said, "But that is ultimately the Duke's residence. A family of such grandeur and prestige, if they were not currently in difficulty, it would not be our Hua'er's turn to be considered."

"Nonsense! If it weren't for their current difficulties, it wouldn't be our turn to intervene," Sheng Hong retorted with Wang's words, "Their family has also faced misfortune. During the reign of the late emperor, they inadvertently got involved in the conspiracy against King Yi, and along with several other noble families, they lost their titles and fell into disgrace for several years. Later, when the current emperor ascended the throne, he granted a general amnesty and upon reviewing old cases, it was discovered that several noble families, including the Duke of Loyalty and Diligence, were indeed wronged and had been unjustly implicated. Consequently, four or five families were reinstated, and theirs was among them. However, they were still criticized for their improper conduct and lack of caution, resulting in a full ten years of deprivation of their silver and rice allowances, leading to their neglect."

Minglan gazed silently at the sky, slowly walking to the side table. Just as she was about to peel an orange she had picked up, a hand reached out from the side to block her. The hand was delicate and beautiful, with ten pointed nails stained with a light red juice from the balsam flower.

"This is a gamble; if won, the Qiu family will rise to great heights, but if lost, they will face utter ruin. So why take the risk? The Qiu family is already prosperous and esteemed." Sheng Hong sighed.

Wang said, "What idea?"

Minglan lay in the inner room, listening to the conversation of the maidservants. These two young maids assigned to her by Wang were named Qiu Yu and Xiao Tao, with the former being a third-rank maid from Wang's household and the latter recently promoted from the family nursery, said to be of a similar age to the sixth young lady and easy to get along with—upon thinking of this, Minglan could only helplessly puff up her cheeks.