Traveling through ancient times, I led my family to prosperity

"Child, why are you being so polite? As the saying goes, a sword mates a hero, and rouge mates a beauty. This bracelet is nice and just suits you." Old Madam Shen said as she forcefully put the bracelet on Xiao Lan's wrist. "I dare not refuse a gift from an elder. If you don't accept it, you're not acknowledging me as your elder." Old Madam Shen said with a smile.

After Mrs. Shen said so, it would seem rude for Xiao Lan to refuse again, so she stopped refusing and knelt down to bow and thank Mrs. Shen.

When Old Lady Shen saw Xiao Lan accept the jade bracelet, she smiled even more. "I told you not to be so polite. There are only a few of us here. There is no need to be so polite..."

"......I heard that you also studied with your brother. You have read a lot of books in the past few years, and the articles you write are better than your brother..." Old Lady Shen asked Xiao Lan with a smile.

"......I just learned some characters from Mr. Huang and read a few books, just to make myself more alert...As for the article, it is just for the purpose of attracting attention..." Xiao Lan said.

She had indeed read a lot of books. Anyone in the Shen family would know this if they were interested, not to mention Old Madam Shen. Besides, Xiao Lan didn't think that reading was bad, so she didn't hide it.

"We study not for the purpose of passing the imperial examinations, but to broaden our horizons and sharpen our eyes and ears! You have already understood these principles at such a young age, which is really rare..."

At this time, the third grandmother came over to invite people, "Grandma, the guests are almost here..." The third grandmother came in and first saluted to Old Madam Shen, then exchanged greetings with Zhang, and then spoke to Old Madam Shen.

Only then did Xiao Lan realize that it was time for the feast to begin. Third Grandma came to invite the old lady to the table.

"We were talking so much that we forgot the time." Old Lady Shen turned to Zhang and Xiao Lan and said, "The third daughter-in-law is here to urge us. I guess it's very lively over there now. Let's go over there and join in the fun..."

Zhang and Xiao Lan hurriedly stood up and followed Old Lady Shen, Third Grandma, and a group of maids and servants to the warm room. It was completely dark outside, and lanterns were lit everywhere in the garden, and the warm room was even brighter.

Xiao Lan and her group arrived at the warm room, which was already full of people. As soon as Madam Shen entered the room, everyone stood up and saluted to the old lady.

Old Madam Shen smiled and asked everyone to sit down, then walked to the table and greeted several elders. Old Madam Shen naturally sat at the head seat, then she pulled Xiao Lan to sit on the chair next to her. Zhang was invited by the Third Madam to sit at the seat next to her.

Xiao Lan wanted to refuse, but she couldn't, so she had to sit down. As soon as she sat down, she felt that many eyes were on her. Xiao Lan was not a country girl who knew nothing, so she naturally knew why, but she still pretended to be unaware and smiled and responded. But she smiled bitterly in her heart, because she was really not worthy of this attention. But at this moment, she had no choice.

After everyone chatted and laughed for a while, the third grandmother took out the opera script and asked the old lady to choose a play. The old lady chose a play, and then asked the two ladies of high status and older age at the table to choose a play, and then asked Xiao Lan to choose.

Xiao Lan declined to order, saying that what they ordered were all what she liked to hear. The old lady then smiled and didn't force her.

After the opera, Third Madam came over to ask if we could start the feast now that the food was ready. Old Madam Shen nodded, and then Third Madam told the housekeeper to start the feast.

During the meal, Xiao Lan secretly paid attention and found that the malicious eyes that fell on her at the beginning had disappeared. Most of the people at her table were elderly and of high status, and everyone was having a good time. Zhang's table next to her attracted a lot of attention. Many ladies even came across the table to talk to her, and some had already made an appointment at the table, saying that they were invited to their homes for a drink and a play.

After the banquet lasted for more than half an hour, a servant came to report to Old Madam Shen that the lanterns on the Phoenix Terrace were ready and asked her if she wanted to go and see the lanterns now.

Phoenix Terrace is actually a building. Other families may not be able to keep this name, but the Shen family has a real phoenix, so it is extraordinary.

After Madam Shen nodded, everyone put on their cloaks and headed for the Phoenix Terrace.

There were all sorts of colorful lights hanging on the Phoenix Terrace, and if you looked outside the corridor you could see lanterns of all shapes and sizes in the mansion.

As Xiao Lan started to walk upstairs, she heard voices coming from inside. It turned out that the male guests had left the banquet early and were agile, so they had already come to the building to watch the lanterns.

Everyone gathered around Old Madam Shen and went up to the third floor of Phoenix Terrace. Today, everyone was here to enjoy the lanterns. The wealthy families were particular about not having male and female guests enjoy the lanterns together. The male guests were on the east side, and the female guests were on the west side, separated by several screens.

Xiao Lan subconsciously glanced towards the screen, because Sheng Xuan and Xiao Wen must be on that side at this moment. Before Xiao Lan could be distracted, Madam Shen pulled Xiao Lan to the railing to look at the lights.

This was Xiao Lan's first time to see the lanterns in the city, so she was naturally very excited. Even the ladies who lived in the city all year round were very excited, and they talked about how prosperous the lantern festival was.

The temperature in Liaodong Prefecture is low in winter. Although Madam Shen has taken good care of herself, she is old after all. After a while, she was helped into the house by maids and old women. Some female relatives also followed her in, but some who were greedy for the bustling lantern festival were still outside admiring the lanterns.

Xiao Lan was dressed warmly. She was no more delicate than other ladies. She was a girl from a farmer's family. She had been through many hardships since she was a child, so she was naturally strong. She was not afraid of the cold at all, and even loved the feeling of breathing the cold air.

However, when Old Madam Shen asked her a question before leaving, she was still very polite and followed the old lady into the house.

The room was cozy and warm, a far cry from the outside. The women gathered together chatting and laughing. After a while, a little girl came and took Xiaolan to enjoy the lanterns.

Xiao Lan did not refuse. After saying something to Old Madam Shen, she came out again.

Girls of their age are at the age of playing, so they are not so restrained when they go out of the house. Some of these people have some dealings with their family and Xiao Lan has met them before.