"I'm going to check on the construction of the Martyr Temple, and I will be back to have lunch with you," Long Xuanmo stood up and walked to the door. Just as he was about to leave, he turned back with a meaningful look at Yang Mengchen, "Jiujiu, rest assured, I don't have a single maid by my side, and there are only cleaning women in the Prince Mansion." He then opened the door and left.

Yang Mengchen was slightly startled, and as she realized the implication behind Long Xuanmo's words, a faint rosy blush spread across her cheeks involuntarily. Ripples of emotion surged in her heart. Suddenly thinking of something, the rosiness on her face gradually faded, and a touch of bitterness crossed her lips.

She took several deep breaths to calm her troubled thoughts and began to draft a design on paper.

When Nangong Yelin and his wife and Nangong Lingfei left, they took Qiu Yue with them. After seeing off the three of them, Yang Mengchen arranged for Wu Tong and Mu Jin to take temporary care of Nangong Lingyan and Nangong Lingyao, and additionally ordered Qing Qing to keep a close watch on Nangong Lingyao in secret.

As for Ms. Bei, Long Xuanmo ordered her to be punished with twenty strikes, and her parents, Bei Mingchuan and his wife, took her home to recuperate and soon arranged a marriage for her.

The groom was the second eldest legitimate son of the main family from the Yao family from the literary family. Young Master Yao was gentle and elegant, well-educated, had already passed the imperial examination, and was preparing for the upcoming court exam next year, promising a bright future.

Most importantly, the Yao family had a family rule that the men could not divorce their wives and could only take a concubine if they were childless by thirty.

The Yao family valued Bei Mingchuan for his cautious and meticulous way of dealing with the world, unlikely to attract trouble easily, and Ms. Bei also had a good reputation. The two families soon exchanged betrothal gifts.

Ms. Bei had already reached the age of marriage, and her parents, Bei Mingchuan and his wife, eager to sever their daughter's hope, set the wedding for next March.

After hearing Hai Tang talk about this matter, Yang Mengchen slightly furrowed her brows.

From this, it was evident that Bei Mingchuan and his wife genuinely cared for their daughter, but it was a pity that Ms. Bei was so madly in love with Long Xuanmo that she probably wouldn't appreciate her parents' good intentions. She might even resent them or do something outrageous.

Seeing Yang Mengchen's furrowed brows, Hai Tang said coldly, "Miss, shall I go kill her? I'll make sure no traces are found."

"If sister hears you speak like this, she's sure to scold you," Yang Mengchen glanced sideways at Hai Tang, speechless and with a headache.

Grandpa Kong knew that when her third brother left, she would ask him to take the Youming Palace People with him. He didn't say much, only requesting that Hai Tang stay by her side. He would feel at ease that way, even suggesting Hai Tang could sign a life bond.

After these days spent together, although she and Hai Tang were technically mistress and servant, they were actually as close as sisters. She certainly wanted to keep Hai Tang by her side, believing that even without a life bond, Hai Tang would still protect her with all her heart.

However, Hai Tang was already sixteen, and she thought of finding a husband for Hai Tang in a couple of years. Considering Hai Tang's violent temper, what kind of man would be a suitable match?

Hai Tang declared resolutely, "Anyone who disrespects the miss, dies!"

That Ms. Bei clearly held ill intentions towards the miss, and it would be better to deal with her sooner rather than later to prevent any disaster. Sister Jin, upon knowing, would at most reprimand her a few times.

"There's no need to bother with Ms. Bei; rather, that Young Master Yao, you should arrange for someone to protect him in secret," Yang Mengchen instructed.

"What do you mean, Miss?"

"Ms. Bei is crazed with love for Prince Chen and will inevitably be unwilling to marry Young Master Yao. However, with the betrothal gifts already exchanged and her parents' commands, she cannot change it. If she wants to preserve her good reputation, her only option is to act against Young Master Yao. He is innocent and should not pay for Ms. Bei's selfishness."

"Rest assured, Miss; I will make arrangements as soon as possible."

Yang Mengchen could receive news, and Long Xuanmo was naturally no exception. According to his original intention, he wanted to kill Ms. Bei, but since Ah Jiu was kind-hearted, he naturally respected Ah Jiu's wishes.

A few days later, the customer base of several shops gradually stabilized. Yang Chenghong and others were adept at handling matters, and after Yang Mengchen had arranged the construction of the hospital, she bid farewell to Xiao Hongtao and Doctor Luo's family and returned home with her entourage in grand style.

"Ms. Yang is back!" Jiang Quan immediately went to happily inform the family, while Ma Liang stepped forward to take hold of the steed pulling Yang Mengchen's carriage.

Old Master Yang and his wife, Old Master Luo and his wife, Lady Xiao, and the servants quickly came out to welcome them. Seeing Yang Mengchen, each and every one of them was so moved to the point of tears.

After introducing Nangong Lingyan and Nangong Lingyao to everyone, she instructed Qiao Niangzi to arrange for the two sisters to stay in the west wing. Taking Old Lady Luo by one hand and Madam Yang Zhou by the other, beckoning to Lady Xiao and, of course, not forgetting Old Master Luo and Old Master Yang, she headed towards the inner courtyard.

And Long Xuanmo, Long Jingxi, and Min Luozhan returned to their separate residence.

In the garden, the crowd listened to Yang Mengchen talk about the grand opening (naturally omitting any discordant incidents), and everyone's face was filled with smiles.

After lunch, Yang Mengchen administered acupuncture to Nangong Lingyao and instructed the Youming Palace attendants, Bingyu and Bingying, to take over for Wutong and Mujin in looking after Nangong Lingyan and Nangong Lingyao.

Once Nangong Lingyao had taken her medication and fallen asleep, she reminded Nangong Lingyan to stay with Nangong Lingyao before taking Sister Jin and six others to inspect the factories.

This time, the opening was a great success, not only for the Yang family but also for the workers, who were very happy. Everyone worked even harder, which greatly pleased Yang Mengchen.

In the evening, the family gathered in the garden, and Long Xuanmo, Long Jingxi, and Min Luozhan made themselves present without being invited.

Yang Mengchen held a small porcelain jar, and two male servants each carried a medium-sized porcelain jar. She walked up to the table where the adult men were seated, "Tonight, I've got something special for you to taste," she said with a mysterious smile.

"What special thing?" Grandpa Kong asked eagerly.

Yang Mengchen smiled without saying a word. Instead, she slowly lifted the lid off the small porcelain jar in her hand. Instantly, a rich and mellow fragrance of wine diffused into the air with the evening breeze, making everyone involuntarily intoxicated by it.

"This smells amazing!" Grandpa Kong held up his empty cup, urging Yang Mengchen, "Jiujiu, quick, pour some for Grandpa!"

The others also watched Yang Mengchen with eager eyes.

Yang Mengchen smiled and filled everyone's cups.

Raising the cup and drinking it all in one go, Grandpa Kong was filled with astonishment and savoring pleasure, "I've never tasted such good wine! Jiujiu, another cup, please!"

"The color is clear and penetrating, the scent as pure as orchids, the taste sweet and mellow, lingering for a long time. Indeed, it is a fine wine!" Old Hai praised after taking a sip.

Everyone who had tasted it also spoke highly of it.

Song Botao asked Yang Mengchen, "Would Ms. Yang mind telling where this fine wine came from?" His only indulgence in life was wine, and even had some sent from the capital every month, but it paled in comparison to what he had just tasted.

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