In August, the weather is crisp and the vegetation is deep. In the early morning, Jingwang's mansion is lively.
Since that time, the side door of Prince Jing's mansion has not been quiet. The carriages drove into the second door one after another, and the ladies dressed up got out of the carriage. Seeing the familiar ladies, they all smiled and greeted each other with warm hands. The young and beautiful girls followed behind their mother, smiling without showing their teeth or showing their feet.
It is really colorful, and the flowers are like rain. Everyone present, whether it is a wife or a young lady, is well aware that today is unusual. The banquet held by King Jing is called a flower viewing banquet.
Being able to be in-law with King Jing, how many people could not ask for it, the entire Xiping Mansion was a sensation. The wives of each family are even more energetic, dressing their daughters to the point that her hair is exquisite, vowing to kill a bloody path among the girls.
There are already many ladies present, and the garden is very lively and beautiful. Tang Shishi and others, as the facade sent by the queen mother, must also attend this occasion.
Tang Shishi sat in the pavilion, watching the young ladies behind the bushes laughing coquettishly, took a fan and fluttered the butterflies. Feng Qian approached from outside, coughed, and sat down beside Tang Shishi: "Sister Tang, everyone else is outside enjoying flowers, why are you hiding here alone?"
Tang Shishi glanced at Feng Qian quietly and said, "I'm tired from walking, so I rest here. What about you, why don't you go and have fun with them?"
"My body is short of breath after walking two steps. How can I go and have fun with people? It's just a disappointment." Feng Qian covered her mouth with a veil, coughed softly, and slowly looked at Master Tang with her slender eyes. "Sister Tang, I heard that today, this flower viewing banquet is different?"
Tang Shishi knew that Feng Qian had a plan, she smiled and did not take Feng Qian's words: "King Jing is wise and martial, and the lord holds a banquet.
Feng Qian lowered her eyes, pressed the corners of her lips with a handkerchief, and said slowly: "I heard that the lord intends to choose a concubine for the prince, and this flower viewing banquet is for seeing the prince and the prince. Come on, wait for the banquet to end After that, we will have a few more masters."
There are so many visitors, but there is only one concubine, and there are many people who come to the side concubine. As long as he can have a relationship with King Jing, even the prince's side concubine is worth it.
Tang Shishi had long known that they could not be Zhao Zixun's wife because of their background. Even Zhou Shunhua first became an unnamed and undivided family, and then he defeated other women step by step, relying on Zhao Zixun's favor to gain a foothold, and finally boiled his wife to death and borrowed his son to ascend to the throne. Zhao Zixun doted on Zhou Shunhua so much, and after ascending the throne and proclaiming the emperor, he also made the former prince concubine the queen, and Zhou Shunhua only named the concubine Shu. Zhou Shunhua had been a concubine under other women for more than 20 years, and it was not until the queen died of illness that she finally waited for the opportunity to come forward.
Ironically, after Zhou Shunhua became the queen, he followed in the footsteps of his old rival. Zhou Shunhua also fell out of favor, and young and beautiful newcomers kept appearing in the harem. Zhou Shunhua could only see Zhao Zixun at the festive banquet. She used to be so favored, but later, she was just a boring and rigid symbol of Kunning Palace.
Tang Shishi thought that he could accept it, the winner was the king, and the process in between was not important at all. But when it came to this day, Tang Shishi found that she was still reluctant to respond.
Tang Shishi knew that it was very hypocritical to think like this. If she wanted to become the supreme empress dowager, she couldn't be attached to things like status and morality. But Tang Shishi couldn't help thinking, if she became a concubine and then used her beauty to win favor, wouldn't it be exactly the same as what Su Shi did to their mother and daughter
Tang Shishi will not adjust his mentality for a while, because of this reason, Tang Shishi is looking at Zhao Zixun's concubine selection banquet at this moment, and he is really not interested. She knew what King Jing meant, and King Jing didn't want Zhao Zixun to get mixed up with the beauties sent by Miyagi, whether she, Zhou Shunhua, or Ren Yujun would do. This banquet was a warning to several of them.
Tang Shishi sighed silently. She would not have been exposed when it rained. Although it was risky to pretend to be King Jing, as long as she said some high-sounding words such as encouragement and reminder, Zhao Zixun was moved, and she would only read more and more devotedly, and would not go to verify with King Jing at all. In this way, Tang Shishi disappeared without knowing it. She just didn't expect that King Jing would suddenly appear.
Although Tang Shishi immediately threw the pot out, it was impossible for King Jing to not see it, but for some reason, King Jing did not pursue it.
Tang Shishi didn't understand, but she managed to get her life back, so why should she ask the bottom line.
Tang Shishi and Feng Qian were sitting behind the bushes, and a few butterflies flew to them. A few girls ran into the bushes chasing butterflies and were stunned when they saw Tang Shishi and the two of them.
"You are… "
Tang Shishi got up and walked unhurriedly with a Wanfu ceremony: "I am Tang Shishi, from Miyagi."
Feng Qian stood behind Tang Shishi and followed Wanfu. Several ladies looked at each other in dismay, and hurriedly returned the salute: "It turned out to be someone from the palace, rude. We didn't know that the two aunts were sitting here and quarreled with aunt. Please forgive me."
When Tang Shishi heard this title, he knew that they had misunderstood. Tang Shishi smiled and said, "I don't discipline my aunt, I'm just a servant girl sent by the Queen Mother to serve King Jing. It's fine for a few girls to call me by my name."
Not an aunt? The girls were stunned for a moment, and suddenly remembered that two days ago, Miyagi sent a group of beauties to King Jing, and they were the ones who came.
Several people looked at each other carefully, and once again stepped forward and saluted: "It's my rudeness to disturb the two beauties. The little girl's name is Lu Yufei, her father is the inspector, and this is my sister Lu Yuji. The little girl is very sorry for disturbing the two. "
Tang Shishi knew it as soon as he heard it. According to the inspector general, he would lead a province's punishment name, and the young lady of the inspector's family was probably a strong competitor for this time.
Tang Shishi looked at Lu Yufei calmly. This Miss Lu was wearing a Bailuo flower-bird-horse-faced dress, a pale yellow tunic with a pair of fronts, and silver gilt butterfly on her hair, surrounded by hairpins of the same texture. It's a face that was specially prepared for today's occasion. Lu Yufei dared to chase butterflies everywhere in the palace, but it is conceivable that he was very favored at home. After meeting Tang Shishi and Feng Qian, he was surprised at first. After learning their identities, he immediately introduced himself. Neither humble nor arrogant, it can be seen that her mother's upbringing is also very good.
All in all, this is an official lady with both identity and brains. After Tang Shishi looked at Lu Yufei, he took a look at the younger sister beside her. At a glance, Tang Shishi knew that this girl was a concubine, her clothes and jewelry were all one grade lower than that of Lu Yufei, and her temperament was indescribably gloomy.
Her eyes are very smart, and her appearance is even better than that of Lu Yufei, but when she looks at people, she always lowers her head and does not dare to look at people. These details immediately reduce her image. As for the other girl who shrank to the back, most of them were the attendants of the sisters of the Lu family. Tang Shishi only glanced at it and stopped paying attention.
When Tang Shishi was looking at the Lu sisters, the person opposite was also looking at her. Lu Yufei was surprised. She had heard from her mother a long time ago that the capital had sent a group of beauties to King Jing, who were beautiful and beautiful from all countries. Lu Yufei didn't believe it at first, the lady of the official family around her was not bad looking, with makeup on, there was no ugly person at all. Everyone is a woman, with the same two eyes and one nose, no matter how good-looking, where can you see
It was not until Lu Yufei met Master Tang that he realized how naive he was. She sat in the well and looked at the sky, feeling that all the beauties in the world were the same, and it wouldn't make much difference if she saw them more. Who would have thought, it was just because she had not seen the top beauties.
A real beauty is enough to be remembered at a glance.
Lu Yufei was surprised, but not jealous. Because she came to run for the election of the prince's concubine. How amazing is the beauty of the palace, what has it to do with her
Instead, Lu Yufei wanted to have a good relationship with Tang Shishi. Although these people were not her serious mother-in-law, they were Wang Ye's women after all. Lu Yufei still had to be careful to flatter her. The first time we met today, Lu Yufei was very active and wanted to form a good relationship with Tang Shishi.
Tang Shishi noticed it and smiled sarcastically. Lu Yufei doesn't know the truth now, so he tries his best to show goodwill to them. If Lu Yufei really became the prince concubine, after passing the door, I wonder if Lu Yufei would still be able to laugh.
Lu Yufei said enthusiastically: "I have heard that Jinling water and soil support people for a long time, but unfortunately the little girl is in Xiping, and I have never seen it. I saw two beauties today, and I know that the rumors are true."
Tang Shishi smiled and said, "Ms. Lu is too famous, I am ashamed to wait for the appearance of Pu Liu."
"Tang Meiren's words are terrifying." Lu Yufei said immediately, "You have the appearance of a willow, how can other women live in the world?"
While Lu Yufei was talking, the trees behind him swayed, and a woman in a light blue smoked skirt came out from the wicker, but before anyone arrived, the voice came first: "Why can't other women in the world live, you are this Who are you praising?"
Lu Yufei turned back and was surprised and delighted to see the person who came: "Yun Chu, why are you here?"
"Why can't I come?" This woman has slender brows and eyes, a romantic figure, but her words are not weak at all, "Could it be that Prince Jing's mansion, only you, the eldest lady of the Lu family, is allowed to come, but not me, the shabby house? "
"Yunchu, stop joking." Lu Yufei grabbed Xi Yunchu's arm, dragged her to Tang Shishi, and introduced her like a treasure, "This is Xi Yunchu, a mouth is used to ridicule people. Yunchu, this is from the palace. The beauty, this is Tang Meiren, this is Feng Meiren."
Xi Yunchu originally smiled vaguely, but when he heard Tang Shishi came from the palace, his smile narrowed. She straightened up, looked at Master Tang carefully, and her expression suddenly deteriorated: "It turns out that it is the noble Jin from the palace, everyone has lost their lives and looks like Heng'e, why are you pulling me here to make a fool of yourself?"
Lu Yufei had good intentions, but Xi Yunchu suddenly turned his face. Lu Yufei became embarrassed, glanced at Tang Shishi quickly, and secretly pulled Xi Yunchu's hand: "Xi Yunchu, what are you doing, this is the one who serves His Royal Highness King Jing."
Tang Shishi raised his eyebrows lightly, probably because of a woman's talent. As soon as Xi Yunchu opened his mouth, Tang Shishi felt that Xi Yunchu was hostile to her.
why? Even if Xi Yunchu is favored again, she is only a lady of the official family. How dare you offend the female relatives of Prince Jing's mansion as soon as he opens his mouth? Wait, her surname is Xi...
Tang Shishi suddenly remembered that Feng Qian had told her that King Jing had appointed two fiancées, one was the eldest daughter of the Xi family, but unfortunately she died before the door, and the other was General Li's granddaughter, who also went out before marriage. Accident.
Tang Shishi looked at Xi Yunchu again. Xi Yunchu's brows and eyes were slender and charming. If he had sisters, he would not look bad if he wanted to come. Combined with Xi Yunchu's age, could it be that she is the younger sister of King Jing's first fiancee
The more Tang Shishi thought about it, the more likely it was. However, the death of Xi Yunwan's sister has nothing to do with Tang Shishi. What is Xi Yunwan's anger at Tang Shishi
Tang Shishi was simply inexplicable. She had a cold face and was about to say something when a familiar voice came from the other side of the garden: "Tang Shishi."
Tang Shishi turned back and saw Zhou Shunhua standing on the stone road, looking at them from a distance: "Why are you here, Aunt Tongxiu has been looking for you for a long time, come back soon."
It was Aunt Tongxiu. Both Tang Shishi and Feng Qian moved. Tang Shishi stopped what he was about to say, and nodded lightly to a few girls: "I have something else to do. I'm sorry."
Lu Yufei quickly stepped aside and waved his hand: "Don't dare, we wasted the beauty's time, I should say sorry."
Tang Shishi made a casual remark and left with Feng Qian. Zhou Shunhua stood on the stone road waiting for them, and he saw Lu Yufei as soon as his eyes swept away. After Tang Shishi approached, Zhou Shunhua turned and left without saying a word.
After the three people walked away, Lu Yufei lowered his voice and said to his friends: "So this is the beauty sent by the empress dowager. It is worthy of being cultivated by the palace. She is really beautiful, one in ten thousand. Especially that one. Tang Meiren, this is the first time I've seen such a beautiful person."
Lu Yuji felt the same way as another girl, Xi Yunchu listened and snorted softly.
On the stone road, Tang Shishi and the three were also talking. When Master Tang is in a bad mood, he must make other people feel even worse. Tang Shishi approached Zhou Shunhua and said deliberately, "Sister Zhou, have you seen the lady in the goose-yellow gown? It is said that this is the candidate for the imperial concubine."
Zhou Shunhua kept his face calm and ignored Tang Shishi. Tang Shishi was not annoyed by being left out, she sang self-compassion, and continued: "That young lady is the direct daughter of the clerk's family, she has talent and looks, and her family background is good. Listening to her conversation, her opinion is also different from that of ordinary women. Shizi. I like talented girls the most, if Shi Zizhen and Miss Lu get married, they will probably have a lot to talk about."
"Enough." Zhou Shunhua gave Tang Shishi a cold glance and said, "How important is the Women's Festival, Miss Lu is a guest, how can you arrange it behind your back?"
"That's not what I said." Tang Shishi smiled and looked at Zhou Shunhua and said slowly, "Everyone in the palace said this, obviously, this is what the prince meant. This girl Lu looks kind-hearted and wants to come to the future. I won't treat others harshly. This is a good thing, you are serving the prince, and you have a kind mistress, so you should be happy!"
Zhou Shunhua worked hard to control, in order to hold back and not lose his temper. She got along with Zhao Zixun day and night these days. If Zhao Zixun didn't take her as a person, Zhou Shunhua really felt that they were equal. It was not until this banquet that King Jing publicly selected Zhao Zixun the first concubine, and Zhou Shunhua was beaten in the head.
It turns out that they are not equal. She couldn't marry Zhao Zixun as his wife at all, she was just a servant girl.
Tang Shishi poked several knives at Zhou Shunhua's sore spot and saw Zhou Shunhua's face change greatly as he wished. Tang Shishi was satisfied, Zhou Shunhua said with a cold face, "What are you proud of, you are just a servant girl."
Tang Shishi nodded: "I know."
"Sooner or later, there will be a mistress in the palace. At that time, everything in the inner courtyard will be handed over to the mistress, including you."
"I know that too." Master Tang stroked his hair and said slowly, "I've understood it since I first entered the mansion. Don't you realize it now?"
Zhou Shunhua was so angry that he was speechless. Feng Qian looked at the two of them quietly, coughed lowly, and reminded: "Sister Tang, Sister Zhou, the flower hall is here."
Tong Xiu saw them and came out. Tang Shishi and Zhou Shunhua shut up together, and stepped forward to greet Tongxiu: "Hello, aunt."
"You are here." Tong Xiu glanced at Tang Shishi calmly, and said, "The prince and Mrs. Zheng are talking inside, you should be careful."
"Yes."
In the flower hall, seven other people are already there, and they are displayed on the side like a string of exhibits. Seeing them come in, everyone turned their attention, especially Tang Shishi, who was stared suspiciously by everyone.
Tang Shishi pretended not to know, and stood in the first place as a matter of course. After the Duobao Pavilion, Zhao Chengjun was talking to someone. Opposite him sat an old lady with gray temples. The old lady looked quite young, but she was energetic and full of energy. I thought this was Mrs. Zheng. There was a pear-flower wood chair next to the Arhat bed, on which sat a jeweled lady, looking at her eyebrows, very similar to Xi Yunchu.
Teacher Tang made a bold guess. Could it be that this is Xi Yunchu's mother and the former mother-in-law of King Jing