Hearing that his father was coming back from the next morning, Ruan Yueli quickly walked out of his small courtyard and walked to his father's study.
Her beautiful face looked more indifferent and gloomy than before. Ruan Yuelou, who was following her, wanted to say something, but in the end he couldn't say anything. He just followed her and walked out with her.
Ruan Yuelou felt guilty about his sister. Although this was not his subjective wish, no one could deny that he was the one who benefited from his sister's unwilling marriage.
When the two of them were walking through the garden, they saw a person sitting by the pond not far ahead.
The servants of the Prime Minister's Mansion were very diligent, and the dead lotuses in the pond had already been cleaned up. Although it lacked the desolation of the dead leaves and lotuses, the empty water surface was inevitably less interesting.
The man sitting by the pond is a sight to behold. His clothes are as white as snow, and his long hair is spread behind him. He looks a bit like an outsider, free and uninhibited.
The two of them paused.
That is Young Master Xueya, or should I say, that is Ruan Shuo.
On the second day of the birthday banquet, the Ruan family announced the news of finding the eldest son of the Ruan family to all Shangyong dignitaries. Although Ruan Ting did not go to Mingyin Pavilion in person, he also sent the manager of the mansion and the uncle of the second room of the Ruan family to pick him up.
.Master Xueya didn’t say anything more and just followed him back.
From then on, the Ruan family gained an eldest son, and Ruan Yuelou became the second son.
Because of this incident, Mrs. Ruan fell ill and is still lying in bed.
This is indeed an aggrieved thing for Mrs. Ruan but she cannot talk about it.
Although she knew that she was a step-mother before marrying Ruan Ting, Ruan Ting’s wife and children were gone. Now more than twenty years later, an eldest son suddenly appeared. How could Mrs. Ruan be happy? However,
, if she is not happy, she cannot show it outside. If she shows it at all, others will think that she cannot tolerate the legitimate son of her first wife.
Besides being ill, what else could Mrs. Ruan do? Even so, the rumors outside have not stopped.
Although Young Master Xue Ya has been back in the mansion for several days, neither Ruan Yuelou nor Ruan Yueli has spoken to him at all. They are not yet ready to deal with this sudden appearance of their brother.
On the other hand, Ruan Fu went to Mr. Xueya to trouble him several times, but Ruan Fu's brain was naturally unable to take advantage of him. Instead, he was scolded by his father.
As if aware of the two people's appraising gazes, Master Xueya turned back to look at the two of them, with a faint smile on his handsome face, seemingly without the slightest malice.
Ruan Yueli quickly averted his eyes and continued walking forward.
Mr. Xueya didn't care, and watched the two of them leave, then turned around and continued to stare at the pond in front of him, wondering what he was thinking.
In the study, Ruan Ting was sitting behind the desk writing something. There was a noise outside. Ruan Ting frowned and raised his head and said, "What's the matter?"
Someone outside the door replied: "Please tell me, sir, the eldest lady said she wants to see me."
Ruan Ting frowned even more tightly. He was very disappointed and dissatisfied with this eldest daughter.
Ruan Yueli is both talented and beautiful, and she should be the daughter he loves and is most satisfied with. However, this daughter gave Ruan Ting a headache. She looked down on the husband she chose for her, and focused on Xie Yan. Now Zhu
The goal was all in vain, but he wasted his time reaching this age.
That's all. It would have been nice if Ruan Yueli had known her mistake and followed his arrangements. But unfortunately, she was still unruly.
Ruan Ting may not be unaware of what Ruan Yueli is thinking. He just thinks she is naive and ridiculous. Do you really think everyone in this world can be Bai Jingrong?
Not to mention that Bai Jingrong's appearance was due to the right time, place and right people. Even if she was really Bai Jingrong's second, the Ruan family did not need an ambitious and notorious daughter.
Since she was unwilling to obey her parents' arrangements, Ruan Ting didn't want to worry any more. Marrying the ninth prince of the Qi tribe would be her repayment of the Ruan family's nurturing grace, and it would not disgrace her status as the eldest daughter of the prime minister.
"Let her in."
It became quiet outside. After a while, Ruan Yueli opened the door and came in. Following her was Ruan Yuelou.
"What's the matter?" Ruan Ting stood up, put down his rolled-up sleeves, walked to the side and sat down.
Ruan Yueli looked at his father, gritted his teeth and said, "Father, I don't want to marry the ninth prince of the Qi tribe!"
Ruan Ting looked at her steadily, "Who do you want to marry?"
Ruan Yueli remained silent, and she didn't know who else she could marry.
She couldn't help but feel a trace of resentment in her heart. Why did she have to marry someone? She considered herself to be as talented and academically capable as her brothers at home, so why was there only one way to marry before her?
Ruan Ting said lightly: "Your mother and I chose several marriages for you, but you were not satisfied. You were young at that time, so it was okay. I told you earlier that you wanted to keep an eye on Xie Yan, the eldest son of the Luo family.
.Now that Xie Yan has married the second girl of the Luo family, do you think the Luo family will not know your plans? Can the Luo family still like you?"
Ruan Yueli clenched her slender fingers tightly at the bottom of her sleeves, lowered her eyes and said, "I don't want to be on top of Mr. Luo."
Ruan Ting said: "Then you do the math, how many families are suitable for you in Shangyong now? Don't even think about it from Prince Ancheng's Mansion and Dingyang Marquis Mansion. Their families will not marry girls from the Prime Minister's Mansion. Lingchuan Marquis Mansion
…Wei Changting can be considered a talent, but he is Xie Yan’s man, do you think he will be willing to marry you?”
Ruan Yueli, Yurong Feixia, a girl in a boudoir, was faced with the task of being counted down by her father, one by one, about the men who despised her. This kind of shame was enough to make most women burst into tears of shame on the spot.
Although Ruan Yueli didn't cry, she was speechless.
Ruan Ting said: "I just went to court this morning. The Qi people have already proposed to Da Sheng in court, and the regent has already agreed. It's too late for you to say anything now. Go back and stay well, and prepare with peace of mind. Bai Jingrong is in a hurry to return to the Qi people. I'm afraid he won't be able to marry him.
How much time does it take to prepare for the wedding?”
After saying that, Ruan Ting looked at Ruan Yuelou and said, "Don't run around these days. Your mother is not in good health. You should keep an eye on the marriage."
Ruan Yuelou looked at Ruan Yueli who was standing silently aside, nodded and said, "Yes, father."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Ruan Yueli looked at his father and brother, turned around and walked out without saying a word.
"Father, Yue Li..." After all, they were biological sisters who grew up together, Ruan Yuelou couldn't help but say.
Ruan Ting raised her hand to stop what he wanted to say, and said in a deep voice: "With her temperament, it may not be a good thing to marry into a powerful family in Shangyong."
Ruan Yuelou also knows that his sister's character is not good among the ladies of Shangyong Dynasty. If she were not the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion, she would probably be even more unpopular.
but……
"Marriage with the Qi people does not necessarily require Yue Li, right?" Ruan Yuelou said. Ji Rong is not an ordinary prince of the Qi people, she is a hostage. Even if there is a marriage, there is no need to sacrifice the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's Palace.
Ruan Ting snorted, "Do you think Bai Jingrong is so easy to fool? How can an ordinary noblewoman be willing to spend a city?"
Ruan Yuelou couldn't help but frown. Although he had not yet entered the court as an official, he was the Prime Minister's legitimate son after all, so what he saw and heard was naturally different from ordinary people.
"From the perspective of her son, Bai Jingrong wants something from Dasheng. This gravel city...even if there is no marriage, she may not give it. If she is just to marry Dasheng to find a backer for her son, she would rather give more
I'm afraid a city can't be justified." Is Bai Jingrong the kind of person with a motherly heart? I'm afraid that Gravel City itself is her bottom line. As long as she is willing to grind slowly, Bai Jingrong will relent sooner or later.
If that were the case, Dasheng would have lost an extra daughter to the prime minister.
Ruan Ting remained silent.
"Father?" Ruan Yuelou looked at Ruan Ting doubtfully.
Ruan Ting raised his head, looked at his son and said: "It's good that you can think of this. As for why Bai Jingrong is like this... maybe no matter how cold-blooded a woman is, she is still a mother after all. Since Gravel City will be taken out sooner or later, what's the point?
Why wouldn't she want to find a support for her son in Shangyong?"
Ruan Yuelou was silent.
Since my father also thought of this, why did he agree to the Qi people’s marriage?
Soon he thought about the benefits the Ruan family had gained from this marriage.
If you keep delaying the negotiation, even if the negotiation is successful, there will be no benefit to the Ruan family. But now... not only has it saved time, the Ruan family has also received a lot of compensation from the court. For example, the title of the princess, such as...
For the imperial court, it was just a title for a princess, a small annual salary and an official position that was neither high nor low. There was no loss, and it was even possible to plant another nail next to the prince of the Qi tribe.
Ruan Ting knew that he had figured it out, so he waved his hand and said: "Now that you understand, let's go out. Watch out for Yue Li and don't let her do whatever she wants. And..."
Ruan Ting frowned, as if he remembered something that made him extremely unhappy. After a while, he said: "That Xue Ya, stay away from him and don't provoke him."
"Yes, father." Ruan Yuelou noticed that his father still called his newly returned eldest brother Xueya, instead of his real name - Ruan Shuo.
The legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion was given a marriage to Ji Rong, the ninth prince of the Qi tribe. As soon as the news came out, the entire imperial city started talking about it.
The dignified daughter of the prime minister was actually accused of being married to a proton?!
If Ruan Ting was not still at the top of the civil service, if Ruan Yueli hadn't been named princess, and if the Qi tribe hadn't given out the jade and gravel city as betrothal gifts, it would almost make people think that the Ruan family was about to decline.
.
Therefore, after discussion, people have always concluded that the only person sympathetic to this matter is Ruan Yueli.
So what if he was canonized as a princess? From the moment he married a Qi proton, Ruan Yueli was destined to have a lonely life in the future.
The noble ladies of Shangyong would not treat her as one of their own, and no one would want to deal with the wife of a Qi tribe. And no one would think that there is any need to make friends with the wife of a prostitute of the Qi tribe, even if she is the prime minister's daughter.
Even the Ruan family themselves would reduce their contact with their daughter if they did not want others to think that they were closely related to the Qi people.
Even if Ji Rong is returned to the Qi tribe in the future, Ruan Yueli can become the true ninth prince and concubine of the Qi tribe.
But for the noble daughter of Shangyong, who is willing to leave home thousands of miles away from her relatives and friends to become a princess in a wild land like the Qi people?
Ruan Yueli was generally popular among noble ladies. As soon as the news came out, no one came to visit and comfort her. Naturally, no one came to laugh at her.
Luo Junyao didn't go to Ruan's house either. She and Ruan Yueli had no friendship at all. And no matter what she said when she came to the house at this time, it was actually like adding salt to other people's wounds.
Luo Junyao was sitting in a daze on the swing in the garden, with a thick booklet beside him. The booklet was opened upward, and it was filled with various neat and messy handwritings.
"Princess, there is a lady named Luo who wants to see you." The two girls hurried over and bowed to report.
"Luo?" Luo Junyao reacted quickly, stood up and said, "Invite her to Hefeng Yuan."
"Yes, Princess."
Luo Junyao quickly put away the book, held it in his hands, and strolled out. After walking a few steps, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, is General Yu in the mansion today?"
Fengjian smiled and said: "I heard that General Yu went out with Mr. Song early in the morning and was not in the mansion."
Luo Jun shook his head and frowned slightly, "What is Yu Mingqiu doing? Ayan said that his princes have already been selected, and soon the news of Xiaoyuanhou's return will spread throughout Shangyong." Yu Mingqiu's title is
He was granted the title by the late emperor after his disappearance. And because of his status as the commander of the secret guards, he was not announced to the world at first. Only officials in the court who were qualified to go to court knew about it.
But now that the government is about to be opened, and Yu Mingqiu may also serve as General Weiwu, it is naturally impossible to do it quietly.
Feng Jian smiled and said: "Perhaps General Yu is planning to tidy up the Hou Mansion and then return home in fine clothes to pick up his wife?"
Luo Jun shook his head and said, "I think he is going to die."
Perhaps some women would be inexplicably happy because of this sudden scene of returning home in fine clothes, but she felt that Mrs. Luo would rather see her husband return home as soon as possible than seeing Yu Mingqiu take her to be his wife.
.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Fengjian obviously has different views from hers, "Mrs. Yu has been waiting for General Yu for so many years, she should only be happy, right?"
Luo Jun shook his head and said, "You will be happy, but what happens after you are happy?"
Sighing softly, Luo Junyao said: "Find someone to watch at the door and give him a warning if Yu Mingqiu comes back." I was really worried.
"Yes, Princess." Fengjian said with a smile. Although the Princess always whispered in private that General Yu was not a good person, she was still worried about his relationship with Mrs. Yu.
Madam Luo was sitting in the Hefeng Courtyard, drinking tea. She sat upright, but she felt a little uneasy in her heart.
Thinking of the girl who looked very young but was most likely the current regent, Madam Luo couldn't help but wonder whether it was right for her to come here.
She used to live in her own small shop, and there was nothing wrong with her ordinary life these years. But after all, she was running a shop by herself. Madam Luo was no longer the woman who relied on her father and brother at home and her husband when she got married.
After the Princess Regent left, she held the sign and thought about it for a long time.
Does she really want to guard a small shop her whole life, waiting for someone who will never come back?
She doesn't mind waiting for him forever, and it's okay to live alone for the rest of her life. She doesn't think that she will be better off if she gets married again, but... besides this, can she do something else?
There had been no opportunities before, so she naturally didn't think much about it.
But it was undeniable that the princess' words really moved her. It was not interesting to guard a small shop day after day and do the same thing.
Maybe she could do more?
Late at night, she was lying on the bed still holding the wooden sign and tossing and turning. During the day, she was too lost in thought while sitting in the shop embroidering, and even accidentally pricked her fingertips.
In the end, she decided to take a trip. The Regent's Palace wouldn't plot against her small embroidery workshop, right?
"Sister Luo." Luo Junyao walked in from outside and saw Madam Luo sitting in the flower hall in a daze.
Madam Luo was startled when she heard this, but she quickly came to her senses and stood up quickly: "A commoner's wife pays homage to the princess."
Luo Junyao quickly supported her and said with a smile: "Sister Luo, there's no need to be polite. Let's sit down and talk."
Madam Luo thanked her and walked to the table with Luo Junyao and sat down.
"Since Sister Luo is here, she is obviously interested in my proposal?" Luo Jun asked with a smile.
Madam Luo was quietly sizing up Luo Junyao. Naturally, she knew the big news that the regent had married the second girl of the Luo family. However, it was only at this time that she dared to really take a closer look at the princess.
She is petite and slender, but her appearance is extremely delicate and beautiful. Her eyebrows are smiling, and her eyes are looking forward to the sky, which makes her whole person full of vitality and agility.
Such a girl looks like she has been pampered by thousands of people. Who wouldn't like her?
"Sister Luo?"
Madam Luo quickly came to her senses and said: "The princess doesn't mind that I only have a worthless little shop, and I am willing to work for the princess."
Luo Junyao smiled and said: "I have never run anything myself. Sister Luo manages the embroidery workshop so well by herself. She is already much better than me. Sister Luo is willing to help, and I can't thank you enough."
Madam Luo smiled and did not take her words seriously.
It is true that the Princess Regent has not run anything herself, but as long as she wants more people are willing to work for her.
After thinking about it, she couldn't help but ask: "The Regent's Palace is full of talented people. If the princess needs it, the Luo family will surely provide help. A commoner woman is just an ordinary person with no ability. How can she be loved by the princess for some reason?"
Luo Junyao looked at Madam Luo, pondered for a moment and said: "First of all, it's naturally because of Sister Luo's ability to run an embroidery workshop. In addition...since Sister Luo recognizes the brand of Prince Regent, she should understand that no matter what I do, I still hope to find some people."
Someone who can be trusted with every detail."
Madam Luo was not surprised. She had some guesses when she saw the sign of the Prince Regent's Palace.
After all, the Regent's Palace has been sending pensions to her over the years. Although she has never met the Regent, she is a weak woman who can run a shop safely without encountering any major problems. Naturally, there are people watching over her secretly.
Thinking of her deceased husband, Mrs. Luo felt a little sad.
"Thank you, Princess, I have no problem anymore. If the Princess thinks highly of me, I will do my best," Madam Luo said with a smile.
Luo Junyao couldn't directly expose the fact that Yu Mingqiu had returned, so he could only scold Yu Mingqiu again in his heart, reached out and held Madam Luo's hand and said: "I don't want Sister Luo to do things for me, we can be regarded as cooperation. Luo Junyao
Don’t worry, sister, everything will be fine.”
Madam Luo thought she was talking about the embroidery workshop, and she put aside the sadness in her heart and nodded: "The princess is right, everything will be fine."
