... This year's New Year's Eve banquet ended hastily with Empress Dowager Jiang's body suddenly feeling unwell.
Although he returned home nearly two hours earlier than in previous years, almost no one could fall asleep that night.
"Since the third uncle bowed his head to the fourth aunt, there is not much sand in the Forbidden Army now." At the third watch, Jiang Yashuang and his wife tossed and turned in the heavy tent, discussing the turmoil in a low voice, "Especially since Yan Linxue was arranged to be The commander of the garrison at the New Year's Eve banquet shows that Fourth Aunt at least doesn't doubt him, but he doesn't want such a person to cause such a big incident... Regardless of whether he is from the big house or not, Fourth Aunt may not be able to sleep well! "
"The most pitiable thing is the queen! This time the matter has caused such a big fuss. Even if Fourth Aunt loves her, she can't let it go lightly!" Qiu Yilan sighed, "I just don't know how much benefit the noble concubine can get from it? "
"Fourth Aunt knew better and would not let the imperial concubine succeed." Jiang Yashuang said lightly, "Have you forgotten Miss Lin? In the past, when Fourth Aunt was a queen, she had no time to take care of the palace, so it was Miss Lin who was in charge of it. Even if she has to take care of it this time. Using the power of the Sixth Palace to punish the queen does not have to be handed over to the imperial concubine - especially since your majesty only has one queen and one concubine now, you don’t need to worry much about taking care of the palace! "
Qiu Yilan pondered for a while and said: "Before leaving the palace, the fourth sister-in-law said that although Huiyan and Huili made tonight's incident unintentionally, they were responsible for such a big incident, so they wanted to take them with them. Go back to Kui County and make atonement for your uncle’s mausoleum!”
"This matter hasn't been dealt with yet. If the fourth sister-in-law brings her two nieces back to Kui County like this, how long will it take to discuss it?" Jiang Yashuang rubbed her brows, "Tomorrow you can find a chance to persuade her. , At this juncture, not only will their departure from Beijing not help, but it will only add fuel to the fire! Furthermore, if they leave, who will take care of Fourth Brother and Jing Mu? "
Then he said, "The queen... please explain to them. If there is a chance, take them to plead guilty to the queen in person! The queen has always been sensible and should know that Huiyan and Huili were probably plotted this time. Otherwise, How could that civet cat happen to be passing by there, and it was the first time that two juniors from the palace bumped into it?"
"I will tell the queen next time I enter the palace."
"Well, let's settle it down... I have to be busy tomorrow."
The awkward New Year's Eve has passed, and it's the busy first day of the first lunar month.
After the first day of the Lunar New Year, it is the second day of the Lunar New Year when the married girl returns to her parents' home - because the eldest daughter of the Duke of Qin, the third aunt's wife Jiang Tianjuan, died young; the fourth aunt's wife is also the queen mother; the third eldest daughter Jiang Qisheng married far away from northern Xinjiang; the eighth aunt's daughter The children are still young; so the only room that needs to receive the daughter and son-in-law who are getting married on this day is the fourth room.
On this day, Chu Yitong also returned to the Huainan Palace to reunite with his father and brother, and Qiu Yilan became the main force in entertaining the sisters-in-law.
She called Jiang Huizhu to her early in the morning and warned: "When the old lady tells you to show your ninth aunt's sisters around the house, you will lead them to Meilin... But don't let them see you." I did this on purpose, just walking there casually, you know?”
Jiang Huizhu nodded meekly and said softly: "Aunt Nineteen, please don't worry! Aunt Gu has warned her niece."
"Be good!" Qiu Yilan touched her head and asked Mu Jin to bring up a pair of jade earrings. "It's Chinese New Year, and Auntie will give you some makeup."
After sending Jiang Huizhu away, there was still some time before Jiang Qilai and Jiang Qizheng arrived. Qiu Yilan spread the news that Lu He was coming. For today's blind date, before the Chinese New Year, Jiang Yashuang used the excuse that she was afraid that Lu He would be here during the first month of the year. I neglected my homework and called him to stay in the guest room in the front yard to avoid being too deliberate in calling him from outside the house today.
Now it is convenient to call people over.
"Who picked this outfit for you? It suits you well." Qiu Yilan looked at Lu He's outfit with satisfaction: the young man wore a dark coat with a pine-flower ground four-way Ruyi Rui cloud pattern, a Garcinia thunder pattern on the edge, and a black trousers. He wears a belt, a crane cloak with a pattern of music on the pine green ground, hanging beautiful jade from his waist, wearing soap boots on his feet, and binding his hair with a jade ring. The whole person looks elegant.
Lu He said respectfully, "My uncle chose me."
"This dress is very nice. What is the color and texture of the fur coat?" Qiu Yilan thought to herself that Mu Zixuan looked like a rich master, but she didn't expect it to be thick but also fine: the pine flower color is light yellow-green, extremely Delicate, but the pine green outside is almost dark green. This combination not only loses the vitality of Lu He at this age, but also adds a bit of solemn and calm demeanor. It really makes this nephew look like a talented person, "Bring it to me and see" look!"
A moment later, when Lu He came in, he took off his fur coat and brought it up. It was a red fox fur, and it was worth a lot. After all, Lu He's father died to save Jiang Tianchi. With Jiang Tianchi's character, he would not treat him badly. Not to mention that after he came to Beijing, he won the favor of Jiang Yashuang. Although he was dependent on his uncle, he still had plenty of money.
But Qiu Yilan took one look and shook her head: "Kapok, go and open the box by the west window in the inner room and get the nineteen-year-old white fox fur inside!"
"Although the red fox fur is eye-catching in the snow, your inner robe is made of pine flower and pine green, which is enough to attract attention in the plum forest. Wearing red fur again will be unnecessary!" Qiu Yilan saw that he did not dare to accept it. Jiang Yashuang's clothes said, "It's not as refined and elegant as the white fox fur... There are many white fox furs in the 19th century. This one is not often worn, so you don't have to worry!"
He also gave some pointers on Lu He's expression and behavior when painting. Finally, he saw that he seemed very nervous. He couldn't help but smile and comforted him, "Today I just want you to meet the girl over there. Don't worry too much." The voice said. He lowered his voice and said, "Besides, it's not just you who likes you, you also like her. If you don't like her, even if they like you, they won't agree to it even if they like you."
Lu He said sarcastically: "It's a blessing to be here today. I'm afraid my humble qualifications won't catch the eyes of Miss Yi family. How can I despise Miss Yi family?"
"Of course it would be best if there is fate." Qiu Yilan smiled. Lu He's attitude was very good, but according to Jiang Yashuang, he was not very enthusiastic about Jiang Qilai's daughter. The mentality of forgetting. So she thought it was best for Lu He to understand this, otherwise he wouldn't dare to be picky at all. As long as Miss Yi didn't have any objections, it would be a matter of course. In the end, the two of them had an awkward life, but Jiang Yashuang's hard work was let down - Jiang Qilai's Husband's surname is Yi.
"Nineteenth thinks you're just old enough to get married, so it's not too urgent. It's better to find someone who agrees with you." Qiu Yilan told him gently, "After all, couples have to live a lifetime, right?"
Lu He heard the meaning of the words, and he showed a relaxed expression as expected, and said respectfully: "Thank you, Madam, for your advice!"
At this time, Mulian came up to report: "Miss Jiu's family and Her Royal Highness Princess Chunfu's family are at the door!"
Because of Jiang Qilai's embarrassing life experience and the fact that she had not returned to her parents' home for many years, she was afraid that she would be embarrassed when she came back this year. Therefore, after Qiu Yilan asked Mrs. Tao for instructions, she sent someone to talk to Jiang Qizheng and asked Jiang Qizheng to invite her to return to Ning. , so that Jiang Qilai would not make much noise when she returned to her parents' home, and they would not be familiar with her here, causing the scene to be deserted.
Sure enough, when she arrived at the second door, although she greeted Jiang Qilai and her daughter warmly, the two daughters and one son that Jiang Qilai brought over today were acceptable, but she herself just smiled and basically didn't answer anything - if it weren't for Jiang Qizheng's presence. Trying to smooth things over on the side, it’s hard to make this scene lively.
After finally arriving in front of Mrs. Tao, Mrs. Tao spoke in person, and Jiang Qilai began to talk more: "Grandma Lao, I'm thinking about you, the Yi family has been involved in this and that in recent years, and I really can't get away from it! It's been going on for several years. I haven’t come back to see my grandma and the elders, so it’s really time to fight!”
"If you know it's time to beat me, you should come back more often to see my old bones!" Mrs. Tao said with a smile, "You don't have to make me look at you every year and not see you!"
Jiang Qizheng suggested: "At the luncheon later, Sister Ninth must drink three cups to apologize to my grandmother!"
"Don't listen to Zheng'er!" Before Jiang Qilai could answer, Mrs. Tao had already laughed and scolded, "Your ninth sister, like Nineteenth, is a person who cannot drink. If you ask her to drink three glasses, she will be drunk immediately. She’s settled, how can I talk to her?”
"In this way, Sister Ninth and Grandma can't talk to each other, and the granddaughter can have Grandma all to herself!" Jiang Qizheng said her wishful thinking with a smile.
"You're a little naughty!" the old lady pretended to hit her, "I'm just bullying your sister for her good nature!"
After laughing like this for a while, the old lady glanced at the great-grandchildren standing behind her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, nodded and said, "We are talking lively here, and the children may not be interested in hearing it. Why don't we let them go out and play!"
Qiu Yilan understood and said, "Grandma is talking about letting their cousins make love to each other!"
"Heng'er is not in good health and hasn't come out. Let Zhu'er take the lead and entertain your aunt's brothers and sisters!" Mrs. Tao glanced at Jiang Huizhu, who immediately knelt down and said, "Great-granddaughter, I obey!"
After the juniors sent out, everyone was distracted by the chat here, speculating about the course and outcome of today's blind date.
"I don't know which of the two girls is going to tell Lu He?" Qiu Yilan thought silently.
Because she was afraid that if things went wrong, she would hurt the woman's face, so she couldn't ask Jiang Qilai this question. She could only guess, "The girl wearing the pink jacket and tulip skirt should be the older sister. She looks more dignified and reserved; the blue jacket Yuehua The girl in the skirt is smaller, and her face is more lively... Both girls are quite pretty, and their behavior is not out of line with others, but I don't know if they are destined to be with Lu He? "
At this meeting, everyone from Mrs. Tao to Jiang Qilai had a tacit understanding and chatted at random, waiting for news from Meilin.
Finally, when it was time for the luncheon, the old lady sent people to retrieve all the great-grandchildren who had been released for the banquet. The granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law also naturally left before the luncheon to change clothes or something, and took this opportunity. , naturally inquired about the news one after another.
"The two cousins Yi both talked to Lu He after they met him in the plum forest." Jiang Huizhu reported in detail, "But they all talked about topics like painting. My niece is stupid and can't understand. . But looking at the appearance of the two cousins Yi, they admire Lu He's painting skills."
Qiu Yilan knew that Lu He was good at painting—otherwise she would not have arranged for Lu He to go to the Plum Grove to copy plum blossoms. After hearing this, he asked, "Do you know which of the two of them is more interested in Lu He?"
Jiang Huizhu hesitated and said: "My niece is stupid..."
"It's okay. I'll ask your Ninth Aunt later about the same thing." Qiu Yilan smiled upon seeing this, waved her hand to tell her not to worry, and encouraged her a few more words, giving her a bracelet as a reward, and then asked her to leave.
After the luncheon started, she observed Jiang Qilai and her daughter, but saw that they looked calm and could not tell how they felt about Lu He. Until she left that day, Qiu Yilan did not find a suitable opportunity to ask.
"Probably because they were afraid that they would express their position, Lu He refused later and could not step down. So we have to wait for Lu He to give us the confirmation before he is willing to reveal it!" Mrs. Tao said, "You are so busy. After half a day, let’s go back to the house and rest, and ask Lu He what he wants, so that we can know what to do next.”
Qiu Yilan thanked the old lady for her thoughtfulness, returned to the courtyard, and summoned Lu He. But before she could speak, Jiang Yashuang, who had gone to accompany Qin Guogong early in the morning, hurried back: "There is news in the palace about New Year's Eve!"