Knowing that it was a rare opportunity to attend the palace banquet, all the officials and their families dressed up the young women in their families. For a time, not only the sales of Yunzhuanglou's clothes, jewelry, and rouge and gouache surged, but also the ladies who got up early in the morning and queued up to put on makeup were all lined up on the street.
superior.
Mingruo sat in front of the dressing table, and Zi Su and Aunt Dong dressed up for her.
Until Ah Qiu took out the phoenix crown from the brocade box, Mingruo's neck was stiff. This was the psychological shadow left by the ceremony: "It's just a palace banquet, you don't need to wear this phoenix crown, right?"
"The Empress, before the palace banquet, the official family members will come to pay their respects. It would be better to wear phoenix robes and phoenix crowns to summon them." Aunt Dong thought, this is the first time the empress has summoned the official family members, so naturally she has to dress up more grandly, and also
It's good to shock those people who rely on their old age and neglect their good deeds.
"Okay." Mingruo nodded resignedly.
"This phoenix crown is really heavy." Ah Qiu put down the phoenix crown and brought over the ironed phoenix robe.
"This phoenix crown was made by the craftsmen of Yunzhuanglou. It is already quite light." Zi Su fixed her hair in place, took the phoenix crown and put it on the empress. "The crown worn by the princess before was heavier than this."
"Master, it's really hard work." Aqiu looked at the master's thin body. It was really distressing to have to carry such a heavy outfit.
"If you want to wear a crown, you must bear its weight..." Mingruo poured herself a bowl of chicken soup for the soul, stretched her arms, and asked Aunt Dong and Zisu to help her arrange the complicated phoenix robe.
"Empress, the royal family members have entered the palace one after another. It's time for us to move to Changle Palace." Zicao and Jiyue came forward to report.
"Let's go." Mingruo stood up and walked out. Aqiu quickly held up the hem of the outer garment to help his master lighten some of the weight.
Mingruo and Si Haochen lived in the emperor's palace and had never seen what the queen's palace looked like. Going all the way to Changle Palace, there were plum blossoms, winter jasmine and camellias in full bloom on both sides of the road, which was a feast for the eyes.
Mingruo held his head with one hand and was about to fall asleep: "Isn't it here yet?"
"Reply to the Queen, we are almost here." The little eunuch carrying the carriage quickly replied.
"Queen, that's right there." Aunt Dong pointed to the gorgeous palace hidden among the plum trees, the golden glazed tiles shining in the sun.
Mingruo raised his eyebrows slightly, the layout of Changle Palace is very unique. Walking into the Mingluan Palace in the middle, the decoration in the palace is solemn and luxurious.
In particular, the screen behind the phoenix chair is not only inlaid with gold and jade, but the colorful feathers on the phoenix are inlaid with various gemstones. There are two rows of seats under the phoenix chair, and there are already placed ones on the coffee table next to it.
Fruits and snacks were served on white agate plates.
Just as Ming Ruo was about to take a look at the attic in the back hall, a palace maid came to report that a lady from this mansion or that mansion had come to pay her respects.
When Mingruo heard that her grandmother and several aunts were among them, she quickly asked the palace servants to welcome them in. After everyone saluted, Mingruo only gave seats to a few elderly ladies and high-ranking wives.
Women can only stand behind their grandmother or mother.
The Zhao family is the largest aristocratic family in the Jiangnan area. It has many connections and is married to the Cao Gang. It can be said that it is rich and powerful. The eldest son of Zhao also relies on the family's power to seek the position of Minister of Household Affairs. At the beginning of the restoration of the Yunmeng Empire
, His Majesty Yunhuang had no other skills and needed to use the Zhao family to control water transportation, so he was given the position of Minister of Household Affairs.
The Zhao family was not satisfied with this result, so they racked their brains to send their daughter into the harem. These days, it was mostly suggested by the Zhao family that the emperor did not have an heir and that he should be drafted as soon as possible to recruit her into the harem.
Taking advantage of her age, the old lady of the Zhao family relied on her old age to act like an old woman. In front of so many people, she taught her daughter-in-law a lesson. Women should not be jealous. As a mistress, she should take care of the back house and recruit concubines for her husband.
Heirs are what matters...
Mrs. Zhao repeatedly said yes, playing the role of an obedient daughter-in-law who listens to her mother-in-law's teachings. These were arranged by Mrs. Zhao and Mrs. Zhao before they entered the palace. The purpose was probably to 'instruct' the queen not to be exclusively pampered and to quickly prepare for the draft to enrich the harem.
.
The acting skills of these two people were really not that good, but this was also the common sentiment of everyone present. Therefore, the more shrewd wife kept her mouth shut and added a few words of confidence.
From the very beginning, Mingruo knew that they were 'talking about chatting', so he didn't bother to pay attention to them, and only talked to his aunt about his cousin's wedding.
Mrs. Su's title of 'Iron Lady' is not for nothing. She doesn't do things like 'pointing out mulberry trees and scolding huaihuai': "We are both women, Mrs. Zhao, so don't embarrass Mrs. Zhao too much. You say this lightly, but you don't know how to serve Mrs. Zhao."
Are you all fine, my concubine?"
Mrs. Zhao, who was originally eloquent, suddenly got stuck. She naturally couldn't tolerate those seductive vixens: "Ahem, Mrs. Su doesn't know something. My old man went there a few years ago, and those concubines are still young.
, I couldn’t bear to delay their youth, so I let them leave on their own..."
"Oh~" Mrs. Su was well versed in the principle of hitting a snake within seven inches, and said in a deep voice, "Concubines are still young. Could it be that Mrs. Zhao only took concubines for your old man when he got older?
No wonder I don’t see any concubine children in the house!”
Mrs. Zhao was immediately speechless. She couldn't explain it clearly: the old concubines and the concubine children, all the smart and capable ones were destroyed by her. The more stupid ones were also sent far away to Zhuangzi...
Not to mention how much she would be slapped in the face if she revealed these dirty deeds of the Zhao family. Her reputation would be completely ruined, and she would not be able to go out to meet people in the future.
Mrs. Zhao's mind was spinning quite quickly and she said, "Those aunts, grandmothers and concubines all went to Zhuangzi because they thought the country was good."
"Haha." Old Man Su only smiled lightly.
Everyone also understands in their hearts that who doesn't love the prosperous life of fine clothing and fine food. They say they like the countryside, but either they can't stay in Yun'an City, or there are people who won't let them stay. In the twists and turns of the back house, no one can compete with these ladies.
It's clearer.
When Ming Ruo saw that her grandmother had silenced her, she spoke seriously: "Mrs. Zhao will discipline her daughter-in-law in the future, and she will teach her in private. No matter how bad Mrs. Zhao is, she will still serve you, mother-in-law, every day, and make a living for the Zhao family.
Nowadays, people who are dozens of years old are still scolded by you in front of outsiders. How can they hold their heads high in front of others in the future..."
The smart people present all took a breath. This Queen, she looked young, but she was very sophisticated in her words. These words seemed to be just admonitions, but they really hurt her heart.
Because they had already agreed with each other, Mrs. Zhao was not unhappy at all when her mother-in-law taught her such a lesson.
But after the Queen Mother said this, she finally understood - others didn't know they were just putting on a show, so she lost all face in front of others!
