The day of the flower viewing feast is coming in a blink of an eye.
The peony garden was a riot of purple and red, but the flowers were not as beautiful as the people. The ladies from every family followed their mothers or grandmothers into the garden early, and then, under the guidance of the inmates, they came to this place where peonies were in full bloom.
Before the middle palace arrived, Concubine Xin, who was presiding over the scene. As a veteran in managing palace affairs, Xin Ruozhi was now quite majestic. "Everyone has been selected from thousands of places to enter the garden to enjoy the flowers. Please also ask the wives of each family to take care of their own homes."
Young lady, today we will enjoy flower viewing in the peony garden. No one is allowed to run around without the permission of the palace. If you break the rules of the garden, the queen will be angry."
There were many top aristocratic families present, but they were all well-behaved and accepted their promises, and no one was disobedient.
Nowadays, the crown prince has to be selected. Who doesn’t want their daughter to be chosen? This is a moment that concerns the fate of the family, and no one dares to stab her head.
Xin Ruozhi nodded with satisfaction, and then said kindly: "The Queen will be here later. I have prepared tea and snacks. You can enjoy them as you like."
Who wants to enjoy tea and snacks? But the lady who lives in the palace hurriedly bows her hands and expresses her gratitude.
At this moment, a bright yellow Luan Feng canopy appeared in the peony garden, followed closely by the Queen's phoenix chariot. The one wearing a bright yellow round collar phoenix robe on the phoenix chariot was the Queen's little Wen!
Everyone quickly gathered their clothes and paid homage, "See you, the Queen!"
When Feng Yu landed, she was newly crowned Princess Wen Yu by imperial edict a few days ago. Her adopted daughter Wen Xian, Princess Wen Ruoyu, supported Wen Xiaotu from the left and the right. This aura was simply charming.
full!
In fact, Wen Xiaotu didn't wear the queen's dress, she just picked some noble clothes. But with such a group of people visiting the temple, the queen's strong character was instantly apparent.
Wen Xiaotu slowly walked into the Peony Pavilion, took a seat, and then said warmly: "Everyone, please get back on your feet!"
"Thank you, Queen!" After everyone thanked them, they all stood up.
Wen Xiaotu took a rough look and found that the number of people... was at least over a hundred. He thought to himself that it seemed that only about forty wives were invited to the family, but then he thought about it, some families with a prosperous family may have more than one.
A girl of the right age.
She murmured in a low voice: "A lot more than I imagined..."
Jin Shu covered her face with a round fan and said with a smile: "Du Xuanyan is also in there..."
Wen Xiaotu was stunned, that's right, Du Canchen is the minister of the second rank, and her wife is the imperial minister of the second rank, so naturally she is also invited. It just so happened that she gave Churro and Ruoyu a day off today, so she called them
A child accompanied her to enjoy the flowers. Therefore, Du Xuanyan, who was studying with her, also had some free time, so she just came to the garden to find Mrs. Du.
Jin Shu whispered: "Mrs. Du also has a daughter. When she was choosing a reading partner for me, the daughter who was a direct descendant was not chosen. However, Du Xuanyan was outstanding in her studies and screened through layers of layers and kept her until the end." - In fact, at the end,
There were four candidates. Among them, cousin Ruoyu was chosen by default, that is, she chose one of the four. She chose the most beautiful Du Xuanyan.
The girl who was a direct relative was being compared to a concubine, so I knew that Mrs. Du would not be in a good mood.
At this time, Du Xuanyan searched for a long time among the many beauties, and finally found her stepmother, Mrs. Du. She quickly stepped forward, bent her knees, and called out "Mother" in a low voice.
Mrs. Du's demeanor was graceful, and her face was originally happy, but the moment she saw Du Xuanyan, her face became a little unhappy, "Why are you here?"
Du Xuanyan quietly raised her head: "It was what father meant. Didn't father...didn't he tell you?"
Mrs. Du's face was stiff, but in this situation, no matter how unhappy Mrs. Du was, she had no choice but to endure it.
In the Peony Pavilion, Wen Xiaotu didn't want to waste time, so he ordered Xiao Yinzi to call the wives and ladies of each family into the pavilion according to the list. With so many people, I was afraid that there would be no time to read carefully, so I had to go through it first.
Already.
Unexpectedly, at this time, a eunuch's shrill voice came from outside: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived——"
Wen Xiaotu's eyes are about to bulge out, why are you here! I didn't ask you to come!
For a moment, all the ladies in the peony garden couldn't help but feel a little happy. Some of them even took out makeup powder and mirrors and quickly touched up their makeup, while others hurriedly tidied up their appearance, just like young girls enjoying spring.
When the prince's chariot came into view, there was inevitably another sound of worship.
Prince Jingjun first said "Excuse me", then quickly walked into the pavilion, cupped his hands and said: "My son, I am late, please forgive me, Queen Mother!"
Damn it, sister! You shouldn’t have come at all!
Wen Xiaotu gritted his teeth, but in front of so many people, he couldn't help but give face to the dignified prince, so he smiled and said, "The prince is here."
Jingjun raised his head with a bright smile: "Yes, my son is here."
As he spoke, he saluted the two sisters beside Wen Xiaotu, "Second sister, sister Wen Xian."
Jin Shu curled his lips and nodded reluctantly, while Wen Xian returned the courtesy with her crotch folded generously, and said in a warm voice, "I thought the prince wasn't coming."
Jing Jun said with a smile: "Sister is joking. Mother and Queen have worked so hard to organize the flower viewing banquet. How can I not come?"
Wen Xiaotu said solemnly: "It's not decided just this time. The prince is impatient."
Wen Xiaotu sighed secretly. Even though it had come, she couldn't blow it away with a broom, so she had to say to Xiao Yinzi: "Pass it on!" - hurry up and finish it once.
Jingjun suddenly became energetic.
There is no doubt that the order of each family's meeting is based on their status. First, the princes. There is no suitable girl in the Changguo Duke's mansion - even if there is, Wen Xiaotu will directly deny it. Then, although the other noble families have
There are girls of similar age, but unfortunately, they are either concubines, or their looks are not outstanding enough.
Wen Xiaotu secretly thought, although this little brat is a playboy, he is also a picky playboy!
"My wife, Madam Ma of the Marquis of Yongding, is here to see the Queen!" An old lady with gray hair on her temples led the pretty young lady into the pavilion, gathered her skirts and saluted.
Prince Jingjun glanced at her and couldn't move his eyes away. This little lady was so pretty. He smiled and said, "Is she the niece of Concubine Shu?"
Concubine Xin Ruozhi, who was sitting on a rosewood armchair nearby, shook her fan and smiled brightly: "Exactly."
The young lady seemed a little embarrassed, but she still stepped forward and curtsied: "My maid...Xin Yanrong is here to see His Highness the Crown Prince."
Wen Xiaotu: Yes, I have taken a fancy to it.
This child is slender and has no visible ups and downs at all. He looks about fourteen or fifteen years old. His face is only as big as a palm and his eyes are like those of a deer. He is extremely cute and his nervous look is very pitiful.
Wen Xiaotu was about to ask her how old she was when Gufanfan started talking again: "How old are you?"
Xin Yanrong whispered: "Go back to Your Highness, my daughter is fourteen years old."