Chapter 3 Grandma, how come you are so smart!

Everyone in the room stared at Minglan with their mouths slightly agape.

Xiaodie was awakened by her words. All the memories came together like raindrops falling from an eaves, and the truth was revealed, leaving her speechless for a long time.

Wei Shuyi was surprised that Minglan had even seen the key point, and he felt as if he didn't even know his daughter.

Xiaotao was simply frightened by the authority of her daughter's words. Minglan remained calm, saying, "I sometimes listen to Brother Changbai recite outside the house. Hearing stories about sages, I gradually came to understand our situation. Surrounded by enemies on three sides, only the old lady is a trustworthy figure. That's why Mother repeatedly urged me to go to her room."

Wei Shuyi nodded with satisfaction, "That's right. It's not that Mother is cruel; Mother wants you to live well."

She secretly felt grateful to Changbai, believing that if he inherited the Sheng family, it would surely prosper. She said, "You must be good to your brother Changbai. You must respect and love him in every way, and never disobey him."

Minglan: "Yes, Mother. I have always respected and loved Brother Changbai, not only him, but also Sister Hualan and Grandmother. I will go kowtow to Sister Hualan and accompany her in her... "I'll go talk to you, then go visit Grandmother and serve her medicine."

Wei Shuyi's tears fell uncontrollably. He said yes repeatedly, helped Minglan dress, and instructed, "Today is your elder sister Hualan's wedding. After you kowtow, leave immediately. Don't delay their important business."

Minglan was stunned. "Today?"

Wei Shuyi said, "Yes, I told you yesterday. How could I have forgotten? Also, there are a lot of people in the front yard right now. After you visit your elder sister and grandmother, stay close to the eldest lady and don't run around. If the in-laws ask to see you sisters later, don't be impolite. Follow the eldest lady in everything."

Minglan bowed gracefully and said, "I understand."

Seeing her mother nod with satisfaction, Minglan left the room with Xiaotao.

She went straight to Hualan's room, but she wasn't there. She went to the old lady's room again and heard Hualan crying to her at the door. Her third concubine, Changfeng, had used the betrothal goose sent by the Earl of Zhongqin, Yuan's mansion, to bet against a young man in a game of pot-throwing, and was about to lose.

Hearing this, Minglan knew Gu Tingye had arrived!

She had watched Changfeng surrender so humiliated, and fearing that Hualan would lose the betrothal goose and face loss, she had stepped forward from the crowd to win the bet. However, her presence had frightened her mother for a long time.

This time, she would have a legitimate reason. Minglan sent word that she had come to kowtow to her elder sister and grandmother. Hualan, already annoyed, cursed, "Don't make things worse," and tried to have Minglan sent away. Grandmother said gravely, "Your sister means well. The more unfavorable the situation is, the more you must remain calm. Don't let others see you lose your composure."

Minglan entered the house, kowtowed, and then said, "Grandmother, I'll see."

The old lady nodded, and Minglan knelt and said, "Grandmother, elder sister, Minglan is good at pitching pots. I'd like to go to the front yard and win a betrothal goose for you. I hope you and Grandmother will approve."

Hualan's eyes lit up, and she asked anxiously, "You can pitch pots? You're so young, how can you?"

The old lady signaled to the housekeeper nearby, and she left the house.

Minglan nodded, "Minglan is naive. She can't help with housework. She just loves to play. She spends every day pitching pots in the yard, and she can throw all sorts of patterns. Xiaotao can testify to that."

Everyone looked eagerly at Xiaotao, but she was so frightened by the scene that she couldn't say a word. Minglan sighed, "Don't blame me, big sister. Xiaotao is timid."

Hualan ignored Xiaotao and asked, "Why haven't I heard you mention this before?"

Minglan: "These are just some fun tricks I played. How can I brag about them in front of big sister?"

Just then, the housekeeper brought in a three-mouthed copper pot and several arrows without arrowheads. She had a maid arrange the pots, then took the arrows and handed them to Minglan, saying, "Sixth Miss, try throwing one now?"

Minglan took them with both hands, bowed to the two seated people, then stood up and faced the copper pot, which was about ten feet away.

There was no wind in the room. She gripped the arrow, weighed it, and measured the distance before throwing it out.

With a thud, the arrow landed in the pot's mouth. She muttered, "Youchu, ten points."

The old lady nodded, "Yes, she understands the rules."

Hualan, who had been skeptical, breathed a sigh of relief. The servants and maids in the room were all close confidants of the old lady and Hualan. They had already been worried about Hualan, and seeing Minglan's successful strike instantly lifted their spirits.

Minglan took out her second arrow and again felt its weight and distance—it was the same as the first, indicating they were likely made by the same craftsman, with similar specifications and, therefore, the same force. Feeling even calmer, she raised her hand and threw.

With a dull thud, the arrow passed through the pot's rim and hit the ground. Minglan said, "Through the rim, three hits. Two consecutive hits, five hits. The second arrow hits a total of eight hits."

Hualan slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "Great!"

The old lady smiled.

The servants and maids in the room cheered, "Another hit!"

Minglan then threw another arrow. It passed through the pot's mouth, but there was no "thud" sound. The arrow lodged in the center of the pot, its tip pointed directly at Minglan. The old lady's eyes suddenly widened, and she said in a deep voice, "Dragon Head, Eighteen Steps!"

Hua Lan and the servants nearby were stunned by the "Eighteen Steps" and stared blankly at Minglan.

Minglan turned and bowed to the old lady, blinking and smiling, "Yes, Grandmother, how can you be so clever!" She gave the old lady a thumbs-up.

The old lady was surprised by her response. She paused for a moment, then burst out laughing, "You monkey!"

It's always the elders who praise the younger ones for their intelligence; who has ever seen the younger ones praise the elders for their intelligence?

Everyone was silently worried for Minglan, but seeing the old lady's reaction, they all burst into laughter.

The once gloomy room suddenly erupted in joy.

Seeing the old lady's joy, Fang Mama secretly praised the Sixth Young Lady as a savior sent by heaven. Ever since learning Hualan was to marry into the family of the Zhongqin Earl, the old lady had been plagued by melancholy. Everyone, fearing bad luck, treated her with extra care, and no one dared to joke with her. She hadn't felt this cheerful in ages.

Hualan was deeply moved. She knew her grandmother was reluctant to leave her, that she had fallen ill for her sake. She considered finding a few young maids to keep her company and chat with her, but she felt they were outsiders, not as close as family members. But the thought of Molan's pretentious demeanor and Rulan's heartless nature gave her a headache and annoyance. Now, seeing the bright and charming Minglan, who seemed to have caught her grandmother's eye, she had an idea. The old lady, having laughed her fill, had the copper pot and feather arrows removed. She then gave Minglan an order: "In ancient times, Mulan joined the army in her father's place. Today, Minglan is defending her brother Changfeng against Bai Jialang in a game of pot-throwing. This is also a noble and honorable story. Minglan is only seven years old, yet she knows how to defend her elder sister and the family's reputation. This is excellent! However, one thing is, you must never behave like this when you grow up. If you still venture into the spotlight like this when you're a grown woman, it won't be a good story, but will only lead to trouble."

Minglan respectfully took her luggage and replied, "Yes, Grandmother," then followed the housekeeper to the front hall.

No one saw her secretly wipe away tears several times after leaving the house.

"Grandmother, I'm finally seeing you again!"