As night falls, there is a bright light near Liushang Pavilion.
There are lamps hanging all along the bluestone path. As we walk all the way to Liushang Pavilion, we can see from a distance that although it is not as bright as day, it is more and more dazzling in the night.
Princess Taihua and others had already sat in the Liushang Pavilion. Someone had set up a stage on the lake outside the pavilion, and people were already dancing on it.
Some of the female relatives who came to attend the banquet were gathered around the lake, while others were leaning on the corridor outside the Liushang Pavilion and enjoying the singing and dancing. On the other side, there was a scene of winding water and a sip of water, and there were also a group of people playing there.
In the large garden surrounding Liushang Pavilion, there are lantern riddles, various gambling, pot throwing and other games, as well as various performances such as fire breathing and juggling.
There were even servants pretending to be hawkers and setting up stalls selling various small items, which really looked like the lively scene of Shangyuan Market.
Luo Junyao said goodbye to Song Huan and Chen Hongxiu first, and then took Qin Ning and Xu Xinyu to the Liushang Pavilion.
There were only three princesses sitting in the pavilion, as well as Mrs. Su and two old ladies who looked to be over seventy years old. Luo Junyao knew them. These two were the old lady from Chengguo Gongfu and the old lady from Dingyang Houfu.
Something like this happened to Dingyang Marquis Mansion earlier. The original prince of Dingyang Marquis, Shangyue, refused to inherit the title and gave it to his younger brother who was not very outstanding. He planned to leave Shangyong after the New Year. Dingyang Marquis Mansion It was visible to the naked eye that it was about to completely decline. The royal family had always been generous to Dingyanghou Mansion. Princess Taihua did not want others to underestimate the old lady of Dingyanghou Mansion, so she invited her to come in and sit down with her.
Princess An Cheng still did not attend tonight's lantern festival, and everyone had long been used to it and didn't care.
"I've met the princess, I've met the two princesses." Seeing Luo Junyao coming in with the two young princesses, the three noble ladies quickly stood up to greet them.
"You are all elders, so you don't need to be so polite." Luo Jun said with a smile. Qin Ning and Xu Xinyu stepped forward to support the two old ladies respectively.
Princess Taihua also smiled and said: "Everyone is happy to gather together today, so these are just false courtesy. Where are Jun Yao and the two little girls going? Why are you here now?"
Luo Junyao glanced at Qin Ning and said with a smile: "I went to the stone forest at the west corner of the yard to steal some time. I forgot the time for a while. Please forgive me."
Princess Taihua smiled and said: "This garden is too big. You little girls will inevitably want to play for a while. What's there? But it's dark and there are no people there. How can it be as fun as here?"
Luo Junyao smiled and said, "Auntie is right. Didn't we come over as soon as we heard the excitement here?"
Qin Ning and Xu Xinyu's souls had already drifted outside. Of course, this kind of lantern festival is interesting only if you go out and participate in it yourself. What's the use of just watching from a distance.
It was not convenient to file a complaint now anyway, so Qin Ning pulled Princess Changling's sleeve and said, "Mom, I'll take Xinyu out to play."
Princess Changling said angrily: "You just came in and you wanted to run away. Why can't you sit with the elders?"
Having said that, Princess Changling also knew what kind of temper her daughter was, so she laughed again and said: "Go, don't make a fuss, and take good care of your sister."
"Okay!" Qin Ning responded happily, pulled Xu Xinyu to say goodbye to the elders, and ran outside quickly.
Luo Junyao was left speechless: That's all, who made me the regent princess?
Su Shi smiled and pulled Luo Junyao to sit next to her, and said with a smile: "She is a regent princess after all. Don't act like a child who has not grown up. Just sit here peacefully tonight."
Luo Jun shook his head and asked in a low voice: "Dad, eldest brother and second brother are here?"
Su Shi said: "Your father is not here. He never likes to participate in such things. Your eldest and second brothers are here, and they are over there in Nanyuan. The prince just came here with his majesty. He didn't find you, so he followed your eldest and second brothers.
gone."
"Ah, Ah Cheng is here too? Then let's..." Luo Junyao looked around outside, and Su said: "Your Majesty means to keep it quiet. He is taking Your Majesty to the South Garden to join in the fun, and will leave soon.
"
Luo Junyao remembered that he had left A Cheng with the princess when he went out in the afternoon, and felt a little sorry for the child.
I was thinking in my mind: Why don't I go back and take Acheng out to play with Ayan?
The South Garden Su mentioned was the south side of Liushangting Garden, which was actually not far from their place. When Luo Jun turned around, he could see the same dazzling scenery over there.
But I still couldn't help but mutter, "What's the point of splitting up like this?"
Since we want to create opportunities for the noble ladies and gentlemen of Shangyong to meet and get acquainted with each other, how can we have any chance if they are so far apart and they all go their separate ways?
Su Shi glanced at her and said: "It's so late at night, it's better to stay apart to avoid anything happening. Isn't such a long time enough in the afternoon?"
Luo Junyao sighed, okay, whatever you think is good.
Luo Junyao greeted the two old ladies a few more times. The Dingyang Marquis Mansion had just experienced a great disaster, and even though these days had passed, Mrs. Shang's complexion still didn't look good.
Mrs. Cheng Guogong was obviously different from Mrs. Shang. She had a rosy complexion, full of vitality, and a peaceful look on her brows. It was obvious that her life was going very smoothly.
"Old madam, is Mr. Shang coming tonight?" Luo Junyao asked.
Mrs. Shang's eyes became brighter when she mentioned her grandson, but she was more reluctant to let go.
"Thank you, Princess, for asking me. Ah Yue is here tonight with my wife and his sisters."
Luo Junyao said: "The prince has always praised Mr. Shang a lot. If Mr. Shang can stay in Shangyong, it will be a blessing to Dasheng and the court."
Mrs. Shang sighed softly, shook her head and said: "When the children grow up, they have their own ideas. A Yue grew up outside, so he is not very familiar with Shangyong. If he wants to go out, it's not good for us.
No, I just hope... that he can come back more often to see me, an old woman, and his mother."
Luo Junyao said: "Master Shang is a filial man. He will definitely not forget his grandmother and mother."
Although Shang Yue did not grow up in the presence of the old lady, he was indeed the most outstanding descendant of the merchant. Naturally, the old lady Shang was happy when she heard Luo Junyao praise her grandson, and thanked the regent princess repeatedly.
The darker it gets, the more lively it becomes outside.
The silk and bamboo musical instruments and cheers outside almost suppressed the chatter of everyone in the pavilion. Everyone simply stopped chatting and focused on watching the praise outside.
The dancing girl on the lake here dances slowly, as graceful as a fairy, like the Luo Shen Lingbo.
On the other side, there is a meandering water drinking wine, poetry, laughter and literary grace.
A little further away, it is even more bustling and noisy, looking like a festive scene.
This kind of lantern festival is indeed more interesting than some palace banquets or flower festivals.
Luo Junyao watched with interest the beauties in rich attires and lanterns roaming the garden, and felt that there was nothing wrong with sitting here and watching.
"What happened when you were in the west just now?" When Luo Junyao was looking at her with interest, Princess Changling suddenly leaned into her ear and whispered.
Although it was noisy outside, Luo Jun could still hear clearly because of his excellent ear shaking.
She turned back to look at Princess Changling. Princess Changling said, "I saw A Ning's expression just now, as if she had something hard to say."
Luo Junyao whispered: "It's not a big deal, we'll talk about it later."
When Princess Changling heard what she said, she stopped asking any questions, sat back down and continued to look outside.
"Princess Qi, the lantern riddle you asked has been guessed." A maid from Princess Taihua's Mansion came in holding a box and reported respectfully.
Hearing this, Princess Taihua raised her eyebrows slightly, obviously showing some interest, and said with a smile: "Oh? Whose girl is so smart?"
Princess Changzhao smiled and said: "Not only is she smart, I'm afraid she also has some luck."
Princess Taihua created a lantern riddle, but it was not made public. Instead, it was mixed with all the riddle lanterns in the market.
Therefore, being able to guess it is not a skill, but being able to get this lantern riddle is really lucky.
This was originally an annual practice, and the person who guessed the lantern riddle would receive additional rewards from the organizer.
The maid said respectfully: "Princess, she is the eldest daughter of Liu Shangshu's family in the Ministry of Industry."
"Oh?" Princess Taihua said with a smile: "Please come in quickly and let us have a look."
Princess Taihua looked as usual, obviously she had not heard about the affairs of the Liu family, and the elders were probably not very interested in these things.
But Luo Junyao and the other two princesses had heard of it, especially Princess Changzhao, who raised her eyebrows slightly and gave Luo Junyao a meaningful look.
Luo Junyao blinked her eyes. She was busy with her eldest brother's marriage these days and had forgotten about these things about the Liu family.
But I haven't heard anyone around me mention it. Maybe the real daughter of the Liu family hasn't been brought back yet? Calculating the distance and time, this is a bit slow. Could it be that the girl plans to come back after the New Year?
Because of the usual practice, the maid had already invited Liu Ruxia to wait outside, so people came in soon.
There are no elders around Liu Ruxia to accompany her. It's not that Mrs. Liu is neglecting her because she is not her biological child, but that Mrs. Liu is sick and can't get out of bed yet. Naturally, she can't participate in the Shangyuan Lantern Festival.
Liu Ruxia followed the maid into the pavilion and bowed Yingying, "My maid has met the eldest princess, the regent princess, and all the ladies."
Princess Taihua looked at the girl and saw that she was beautiful, calm and well-behaved, and she was quite fond of her.
Princess Taihua nodded and smiled: "Good girl, are you a girl from Liu Yuanchang's family?"
Liu Ruxia lowered her eyes slightly and said softly: "Back to the eldest princess, it is my father."
Princess Taihua nodded and turned back to Princess Changzhao: "I remember that your family is related to the Liu family?"
Princess Changzhao smiled and said: "Back to my aunt, the consort's grandmother and Mr. Liu's grandfather are cousins. Counting that, the consort and Mr. Liu are also cousins."
"That's it." Hearing what Princess Changzhao said, a flash of understanding flashed in Princess Taihua's eyes. But her face was still full of a kind smile, and she waved to Liu Ruxia and said with a smile: "Girl, come here.
You guessed my lantern riddle, what do you want?"
Liu Ruxia said quickly: "My daughter is just lucky. How dare you ask the eldest princess what she hates?"
Princess Changling smiled and said: "This is just a practice in previous years. Good luck is also a kind of strength. Since Miss Liu got it and guessed it, this is what you deserve. What is there to be afraid of?"
Others also said with a smile that they had indeed done this all year round.
In fact, this is not a big deal, it can only be regarded as a good luck.
It's just that Liu Ruxia has recently encountered a major event that almost affects her life. Now that she is lucky, Liu Ruxia is in a very complicated mood.
For a moment, I didn't know whether I was really saying that I was lucky or whether I was mocking myself.
But looking at Princess Changling's expression, it was obvious that she did not mean to be sarcastic. She was indeed overthinking.
Liu Ruxia suppressed the emotions that surged in her heart and said softly: "Thank you princess for your teaching, my daughter... I have been studying for many years but my grades are poor. I heard that the eldest princess's calligraphy is Shangyong Yijue. I want to ask for your help."
She looks like a princess."
Hearing this, Princess Taihua was a little surprised. She looked at Liu Ruxia and said, "You only want one word?"
Liu Ruxia seemed a little shy, lowered her head and said: "The eldest princess's handwriting is precious, but my daughter... is greedy."
When she said this, even Princess Taihua couldn't help but laugh out loud. She shook her head and said: "You are a bit more honest girl. I can only read a few strokes of my handwriting, so I can give you a few compliments."
That’s all. How can it compare with real famous artists? Do you really want it? If you like calligraphy, I still have a few original paintings written by famous artists."
Liu Ruxia said: "I still want to ask for the eldest princess's handwriting."
Princess Taihua nodded, reached out and patted the back of her hand and said, "Well, since you insist, I will send someone to the Liu family later."
Liu Ruxia bowed happily, "Thank you so much, Princess."
"That's all." Princess Taihua said: "It's rare that it's so lively tonight. Let's go out and have fun with the little sisters."
Liu Ruxia's expression darkened a little when she heard this, but she still quickly responded: "Yes, thank you princess, I will take my leave."
"Go ahead."
The maid stepped forward and led Liu Ruxia out.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! When she was far away, Princess Taihua turned back and asked the others, "Is there something wrong with this girl...?"
"..." The Liushang Pavilion was quiet for a moment, and Princess Changling smiled and said, "Why would my aunt think so?"
Princess Taihua said: "I see that girl's brows are a bit gloomy. Besides...she wants to ask for my handwriting. I'm afraid she doesn't really like my handwriting, right?" Princess Taihua has seen countless people in her life, and at Liu Ruxia's age, she
No matter how smart the little girl is, there are very few people who can't see through her.
Princess Changzhao sighed softly and said: "There are indeed some things, but this girl is not to blame for these things. I can only say that... her audacious mother is responsible for this."
"Mother?" Princess Taihua was startled, but she soon understood, "This Madam Liu is not her biological mother? Could it be that she is Liu Yuanchang's concubine..." It's not like Princess Taihua has never seen her before.
In a decent family, it is ridiculous to pretend that a concubine is a legitimate daughter.
Princess Changzhao shook her head and explained the matter again.
Not only Princess Taihua, but also Mrs. Cheng Guogong and Mrs. Dingyanghou who heard about this for the first time also looked at each other and were speechless for a long time.
After a while, Princess Taihua sighed, shook her head and said, "What a sin, this, this..." Both girls seemed innocent, but the one who was really pitiful was the girl who was left to be raised in the countryside.
Such a wealthy young lady is back now. The lack of upbringing and getting along with relatives for more than ten years is not easy to make up for. I don’t know what it will be like in the future.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
Yesterday, the city started to calculate three inspections in three days. It was completed at 11 o'clock last night. I cried o(╥﹏╥)o
