After seeing Jiang Changning's beauty and elegant temperament, Chen Dingding felt ashamed of herself, but she was still a little unwilling in her heart. She was the daughter of an official, and Jiang Changning was just an orphan.
Why was Jiang Changning able to marry into the palace and become a princess without having stepchildren to bother her
However, she could only marry a minor official, and her original daughter was left there.
Chen Dingding deliberately asked, "Is there anyone else from the princess's family?"
Jiang Changning knew that the Chen family had wanted to send Chen Dingding to Prince Jin as a concubine. Although the plan did not succeed, given Prince Jin's ability to attract many women and what happened with the Qiao family, Jiang Changning had always been keeping an eye on Chen Dingding.
She easily caught the malicious smile that flashed across Chen Dingding's face, and said with a smile: "In Beijing, there is my great-aunt's family, and in Hangzhou, there are my uncles and cousins. The Jiang family is a noble family with many people. Does my cousin recognize the other members of my Jiang family?"
"I grew up in Beijing and have never been to Hangzhou." Chen Dingding said with a smile.
"Then my cousin should go to Hangzhou if she has the chance. The scenery in Hangzhou is extremely beautiful." Yan Yinyao heard the pride in Chen Dingding's words, "It's a good place with many talented people and beautiful scenery."
Jiang Changning smiled and said, "Jiangnan has been rich and prosperous since ancient times, with willow trees, painted bridges, green curtains, and hundreds of thousands of houses."
Yan Yinyao continued, "Clouds and trees surround the embankment, raging waves roll up frost and snow, the natural moat has no boundaries. The market is lined with pearls and jade, and every household is filled with silk and satin, competing in luxury."
Jiang Changning glanced at Chen Dingding, and seeing that she was at a loss, he deliberately continued to chant: "The mountains and hills are clear and beautiful. There are osmanthus in the third autumn and lotus flowers for ten miles. Qiang flutes play in the clear sky, lotus songs float in the night, and the fisherman and the lotus girl play happily."
Yan Yinyao also realized that Chen Dingding knew little about poetry and songs, so he cooperated tacitly and said: "Thousands of riders surrounded the high-ranking officials. When drunk, they listened to the flute and drums, chanted and admired the mist and clouds. One day, I will draw a picture of the beautiful scenery and boast about it when I return to Fengchi."
"My cousin is very talented." Jiang Changning praised with a smile.
"Not as good as my cousin's wife." Yan Yinyao said modestly.
The aunt and sister-in-law smiled at each other, and everything was said without words.
Chen Dingding once again realized the gap between her and Jiang Changning.
Jiang Changning comes from a noble family, is both talented and beautiful, better than her in every way. Now she is pregnant. If she really enters the palace, I am afraid she will never be able to make a name for herself.
That bit of resentment disappeared, and Chen Dingding never caused trouble again. She just flattered the Concubine Dowager and Jiang Changning.
This small banquet hosted by Prince Jin's Mansion was a great success for both the host and the guests.
After the banquet, Gu Zhongjiao and his wife left with the gifts that Jiang Changning had prepared.
Toffee said something polite, "Come over often when you have time."
"As long as my words don't mind being boring, I will visit you often in the future." Chen Dingding said with a smile.
After Gu Zhongjiao and Chen Dingding left, the concubine returned to the courtyard to take a nap. Yan Yinyao sent Jiang Changning back to Rujing Courtyard. On the way, she hesitated for a moment and asked, "Cousin, do you think that cousin Jiao is a little strange?"
"The Chen family originally wanted to give her to the prince as a concubine, but the prince did not agree." Jiang Changning said with a smile.
Yan Yinyao raised an eyebrow, "Cousin Jiao is really not particular."
Jiang Changning curled his lips and said, "Who made Chen beautiful? There are few people in the world who would not be tempted by her beauty."
"That's true. After all, good-looking people are pleasing to the eye and can make you eat an extra bowl of rice." Yan Yinyao said with a smile.
Jiang Changning nodded, "Yes."
Not only Gu Zhongjiao and Chen Dingding, but also Zhuang Jike and Wen Zisu got married in August.
Yes, the fight between Wen Zisu and Wen Zizhi ended with Wen Zisu's victory, and she got the handsome man she wished for.
After Xiulan accompanied the chief clerk to attend the wedding banquet at Zhuang's house, she came back and told Jiang Changning, "Mr. Zhuang had a gloomy face the whole time, and he did not try to hide the fact that he was unwilling to marry."
"He is just a coward who was spoiled by his elders at home." Jiang Changning sneered.
If you don't want to marry Wen Zisu, you should just reject her proposal in a firm manner. You don't dare to reject her proposal, but on the wedding day, you put on a bad face. You are such a coward.
Jiang Changning would not interfere in Zhuang Jike's affairs. Whether he and Wen Zisu lived a happy or miserable life after marriage was none of her business.
In a blink of an eye, it is August 15th, the Mid-Autumn Festival.
There was a banquet in the palace, and Jiang Changning couldn't refuse to attend on the grounds that she was pregnant, after all, she wasn't due yet.
When he arrived at the palace, he first went to Fushou Palace to meet the Queen Mother.
When the Queen Mother saw Jiang Changning moving a little clumsily, the murderous intent in her eyes disappeared in an instant.
She wanted to get rid of the chess piece that she had lost control of, but unfortunately she failed.
The beauties sent to Prince Jin's mansion were more useless than each other, and they were unable to snatch away any of Prince Jin's favor from Jiang Changning.
"Greetings to the Queen Mother. My respects to the Queen Mother." Jiang Changning followed the Concubine Dowager in paying respects to the Queen Mother.
"No need to be so polite." The Queen Mother held out her hand and said, "Princess Jin is pregnant and should not stand for long. Please take a seat."
"Thank you, Queen Mother." Jiang Changning and the Concubine Dowager sat down.
"How many months has Princess Jin been pregnant?" asked the Queen Mother.
"To answer the Queen Mother, I am almost eight months pregnant," Jiang Changning replied.
"That is to say, you are going to give birth in two months. I don't know if Prince Jin can come back before you give birth."
"Your Highness is going to Shandong to provide disaster relief on important business. It doesn't matter if he can't make it back in time. Everything will be safe with my mother taking care of him in the mansion." Jiang Changning said with a smile.
"You are so wise, very good." The Queen Mother praised with a smile.
"Thank you for the compliment, Her Majesty the Queen Mother."
After a few more general words, the empress dowager sent the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law out. She wanted to meet the women of Prince Qing's mansion.
The palace maid led the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law into a side hall, and Jiang Changning saw the Prince Consort of Prince De, who was also pregnant.
Jiang Changning walked over to talk to him, "Have you met the Queen Mother?"
"Have you met me? Take a break. We will go to the Moon-Viewing Hall for the banquet later." The Crown Princess of Prince De took out a handful of pine nuts from her purse and handed them to her.
Jiang Changning took it and sat beside her. "I heard that the prince has made military achievements. Congratulations."
"I just hope he returns safely. I don't care whether he has made any achievements or not." The princess of Dewang reached out and touched Jiang Changning's belly. "Let's get married."
Jiang Changning looked at her strangely, "Sui Yan, did you drink alcohol at noon?"
"No, I'm pregnant, how can I drink?"
Jiang Changning took a pine nut and threw it into her arms. "You haven't drunk any alcohol, so why are you talking nonsense?"
"Why don't you want to be my relative?"
"We are from the same royal family. Are you stupid for three years after pregnancy? You even forgot this?"
The princess of Prince De was stunned for a moment, "I" raised her hand and slapped her forehead, "My brain is useless."
"Have you rested enough? Let's go over there. The incense here is too strong and it's stuffy." Jiang Changning fanned the air with his hands.
"Let's go." The Crown Princess of Prince De stood up and said.
The group left the Fushou Palace and went to the Moon Viewing Hall where the banquet was held.
Not long after they walked, they met the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from the Duke of Xingzhou's mansion. The Duke's wife had a serious look on her face, and although Xie Baoyin had thick makeup on her face, it was still obvious that she was not in good spirits.
They greeted each other and passed each other.
After walking a few steps, Xie Baoyin looked back at Jiang Changning with a complicated look.
(End of this chapter)