Tao Fangfei straightened her back as she spoke. Although it is a merchant, the status of a merchant is low, but an imperial merchant who is blessed by the royal family is another matter.
In particular, there was a second-rank Marquis Zhao among the merchants, and he was promoted all the way by the right minister. Tao Fangfei had long thought of making Tao Zihao an official and let the Tao family get rid of the merchant status as soon as possible.
Tao Fangfei looked at Xiao Concubine's gorgeous face, and the more she looked at it, the more she liked it. Now that Master Zhao is dead, Xiao Concubine has retired one after another. Her reputation is not very good, but her background is strong enough. If Tao Zihao marries Xiao Concubine, the two families will If they are in-laws, the right minister will naturally promote the Tao family a lot.
Thinking of this, Tao Shi looked at Xiao Concubine's eyes more and more enthusiastically, and held Xiao Concubine's hand tightly, "Xiao Jiu, it's all in the past, people have to look forward, you are the aunt who knows everything about the elder sister The big one, outsiders don't understand, but my aunt can understand, you are a good child, alas, it's a pity, marriage can't be forced, and you are also a poor child."
Tao Fangfei said, wiped the corners of her eyes, and looked at Xiao Concubine very distressed.
Mrs. Xiao's expression darkened. The outside world only knew about Zhao Zun's heroic sacrifice, but not the truth behind it. Xiao Concubine had just returned, and Zhao Zun's affairs had not been announced yet, so Tao Fangfei and others did not know that Zhao Zun was still alive.
Mrs. Tao knew Mrs. Xiao as her elder sister. Seeing that her expression was not right, she immediately cleared her throat, "Fang Fei, let's talk about what to do. Xiao Jiu is a lucky person, and happy days are not a joke. Mother knows that you are worried about Xiaojiu, so she doesn't look at the situation."
Saying that, Mrs. Tao glanced at Rong Yue, "Nephew and daughter-in-law, please don't mind, Fang Fei is just feeling emotional for a while."
The smile on Rong Yue's face faded by three points, she narrowed her eyebrows and glanced at Tao Fangfei, and after listening to Xiao Concubine's words just now, she probably understood Tao Fangfei's wishful thinking.
So she smiled, "What my aunt said is that Xiao Jiu is attractive, and Cousin Fang Fei is also worried about Xiao Jiu. How can I care about it?"
Concubine Xiao smiled, "Grandmother and Aunt are probably worrying too much. Xiaojiu is doing well, so you don't need to worry about it. The most important thing right now is my mother's marriage."
Mrs. Tao smiled, and kept giving Tao Fangfei winks. Tao Fangfei was too hasty, and brought up this matter just after she came back, which made Concubine Xiao dissatisfied.
Concubine Xiao is different from noble daughters from other families, Mrs. Xiao holds her in her palm and pampers her, and the Prime Minister is also obedient. If Concubine Xiao doesn't nod, even the prince's proposal to marry her is useless.
Wasn't the First Prince just an example
Tao Fangfei smiled sheepishly, "It's my aunt who lost her composure, and my aunt is also worried about you. Okay, okay, let's not mention these things on the big day, let's go and see if there is anything else we haven't prepared, and get ready while we still have time."
Mrs. Xiao nodded, she didn't think much about it, but she kept an eye on Tao Fangfei's vigilance.
Concubine Xiao pulled Rong Yue into the door, whispered a few words in Rong Yue's ear, Rong Yue's eyes widened in disbelief, and then she nodded.
"Cousin-in-law, look at this wedding gown. Fifteen embroiderers spent ten days embroidering this wedding gown. It was made of the finest cloud brocade, with three layers."
Tao Fangfei couldn't put it down when she touched that wedding dress, and even imagined how charming it would be if she wore it on herself.
Tao Fangfei was pretty, with a charming face and charming charm, and she carried a coquettish attitude in every gesture.
When Rong Yue saw that she reached out and touched the wedding dress, she felt an indescribable awkwardness. Although the bright red wedding dress was beautiful, she always felt that something was wrong. When she got closer, she realized that the embroidery on it was not Luan Feng and Ming, but It is a picture of a hundred flowers blooming.
"Your aunt specially invited a famous Hangzhou embroiderer to make this wedding dress overnight. I just saw it today. The embroidery is really good."
Mrs. Xiao is getting old, so she can't see it very clearly, she just thinks it's a bright red color, which is very festive.
Seeing this, Rong Yue also smiled, and quickly brushed away the doubts in her heart, "Thank you for your trouble, Auntie, this wedding dress is indeed beautiful, Rong Yue likes it very much."
Xiao Concubine pursed her lips. The pattern embroidered on the wedding dress made people look like they were filling in the house, and the color was not a pure bright red. Xiao Concubine believed that the right minister had absolutely no such meaning, and it must be Tao Fangfei's own decision. fixed one.
But mentioning it at this time, I'm afraid it will offend people and make people think too much.
Miss Xiao's eyes rolled slightly, and she stepped forward pretending to be delighted, and couldn't help but exclaim, "This embroiderer from Hangzhou really lives up to her reputation, and this double-sided embroidery is even more lifelike. It must be beautiful to wear on my mother... ah!"
"Puchi!" There was a tearing sound, and Miss Xiao flung her foot onto the hanger, holding a corner of the wedding dress with both hands.
"Ouch!" Miss Xiao exclaimed.
"Xiao Jiu, are you okay?" Rong Yue was taken aback, and hurried to help Concubine Xiao.
Concubine Xiao just stood up and rubbed her arms, only to hear that Tao Fangfei's face changed, "This... how good this is, this wedding dress is damaged, how can such a big hole be repaired."
Concubine Xiao looked at Rong Yue apologetically, "Rong Yue, I didn't do it on purpose, maybe I was on the road for too long, and I didn't notice that my feet were soft, so I just..."
Rong Yue waved his hands, looked Xiao Concubine up and down, saw that she was fine, and said, "It's okay, as long as you're okay, you can find a way if the clothes are broken, and there's no rush."
Tao Fangfei saw that Rong Yue spoke lightly, and the smile on her face almost couldn't hold back, but Mrs. Xiao said, "Xiao Jiu, let grandma see if there is any injury. Nanny Ruan, send someone to invite the imperial physician. .”
Concubine Xiao hurriedly stopped Nanny Ruan, "No need, Mammy, Xiao Jiu is fine, just go back and have a rest, there is really no need to mobilize people to invite the imperial physician."
Mrs. Xiao glanced at Rong Yue and Xiao Concubine after hearing the words, "You two just came back, the bumpy journey was really hard, go and rest first, leave the rest to me, this old lady."
Xiao Concubine didn't refuse, she nodded and pulled Rong Yue to go out.
Tao Fangfei's face turned green when she saw that all her hard work was ruined. Mrs. Tao even glanced at Tao Fangfei several times, making her grit her teeth to restrain her anger, and forced a smile.
Mrs. Xiao glanced at Tao Fangfei, "Fangfei, thank you for your hard work, Xiao Jiu didn't do it on purpose, I'll let Xiu Niang think about it later."
Those who get married are not in a hurry, so why should others worry about it.
Mrs. Xiao had already spoken, and Tao Fangfei had no reason to refute, so she could only say, "I was too anxious just now. I only thought that I would wear it the day after tomorrow. There is still a day's work. There is still time. Auntie, don't worry too much." Go, as long as Xiao Jiu doesn't get hurt."
Tao Fangfei saw that she couldn't take out her wedding dress when she saw it, so how could Rong Yue get into the sedan chair!
After Xiao Concubine took Rong Yue out, she said, "I'll go back to Linglong Pavilion to rest first, and mother should also rest earlier."
Rong Yue didn't know why, seeing her yawning continuously and looking sleepy, she nodded, "Go now."
Xiao Concubine disappeared after turning a corner, and immediately whispered something to Qing Yu, "Tell father about this, and let father make plans early."
"Yes, don't worry, miss."
Concubine Xiao heaved a sigh of relief, and handed it over to Prime Minister Right, so she didn't have to worry.
After hearing the words, the right minister only hummed lightly, and then waved Qing Yu back.
Mrs. Xiao and Mrs. Tao were discussing the details of the wedding, and Mrs. Tao suddenly said, "I heard that the second child has also returned to the capital today, and even the princess came back with the whole family. Ready to leave."
The second child is Xiao Erye, the right minister's concubine brother, Xiao Tan.
Xiao Tan's appearance and talent are no less than that of the Right Prime Minister, and he was very popular with Mr. Xiao back then. He once wanted to support Aunt Du as an equal wife, and wanted to compete with the Right Prime Minister.
Back then, if Mrs. Xiao hadn't tried her best to protect her and insisted on separating the family, she would have given up her husband to protect the position of the eldest son of the right minister. In a rage, Mrs. Xiao took Aunt Du to open the house and live with Mrs. Xiao ever since. Like a stranger.
Fortunately, Prime Minister Right was a man of integrity, and he resolutely joined the army. From an unknown soldier to the commander of the three armies, he became life-and-death friends with the late Emperor. The other half was handed over to Emperor Dongming.
Only then did the three-legged confrontation later come about, the right minister became the head of all officials, everyone feared, and called the wind and rain in the capital, the old man Xiao wanted to recognize the right minister later, the right minister was not afraid of the threat of the old man at all.
And none of the Xiao family members dared to speak up for Mr. Xiao, they either remained silent or supported the right minister.
At the time, Prime Minister Right was ruthless, decisive, and resorted to tricks, causing people to suffer unspeakably. Even Emperor Dong Ming and the Queen Mother kept their eyes open and closed. At that time, Dong Ming seemed to be Prime Minister Right world.
With the pressure on the right, Mr. Xiao and Xiao Qin had no future at all, so Mr. Xiao, Xiao Tan and Aunt Du left the capital and were dispatched to the post city.
Until Mr. Xiao passed away, Prime Minister You didn't see him, and turned Mr. Xiao into a side branch of the Xiao family.
Because Xiao Qin was appreciated by King An of Yicheng, he married his daughter-in-law to Xiao Tan, a concubine son. Over the years, King An has not been disappointed. Xiao Qin has repeatedly helped King An with advice, and King An appreciates this son-in-law more and more. and take seriously.
King An is the younger brother of Emperor Dongming and the sixth son of the late Emperor. Because of his honesty and duty, he gave the post city to King An as a fief.
When Xiao Tan was mentioned, Mrs. Xiao's face changed slightly, as if remembering something bad, a meaningful smile overflowed from the corner of her mouth.
"Xiao Tan can achieve today's achievements, the ancestors of the Xiao family must feel very honored."
Mrs. Xiao has no interest in Xiao Tan at all, and she is far behind her son.
Mrs. Tao immediately nodded, "Eldest sister, why should you underestimate yourself? When has the Xiao family held such a pivotal position in the past hundred years? The prime minister has a deep foundation in the court, which is dreadful. How can a bastard compare with it? With this jewel in front of you, Xiao Tan doesn't look down upon it at all."
Mrs. Xiao smiled when she heard the words, "It's been so many years, and my children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and I don't bother to compare them."
Even though Mrs. Xiao said so, she was still proud in her heart. She had the honor of today, and it was all due to the right minister who worked hard with her life. In the place where Mrs. Xiao appeared in the capital, which one would not flatter her
Mrs. Tao nodded, "The Prime Minister's Mansion has been prosperous for more than ten years, and now he is married to a princess as his wife. In my opinion, the elder sister is a good fortune."
Why doesn't Mrs. Tao envy Mrs. Xiao, she has raised such a son, one person is under ten thousand people, even the emperor is in awe of him, and he has been honored by leading the Tao family for so many years.
Mrs. Tao sighed more than once, if she also had a son, the Tao family would have prospered long ago.
"You, just be content. I think Brother Hao and Sister Xin are both good. If you take good care of them, you may not have great prospects in the future. Don't be in a hurry."
Mrs. Xiao couldn't see what her sister was thinking, so she said a few words of relief.
Unknowingly, the sky was getting dark, and after a day of tossing around, Mrs. Tao took Tao Fangfei and left the prime minister's mansion.
After getting into the carriage, the Prime Minister happened to be returning home. That tall and slender figure, and the elegance and dignity in his gestures, could not be cultivated overnight.
"Mother, it's my cousin." Tao Fangfei couldn't help but blush slightly as she looked at it. She would be satisfied if her husband was half as masculine as the right-hand man.
Mrs. Tao followed her gaze and couldn't help sighing, "Eldest sister has a lot of bad luck. Although the relationship between the husband and wife is not harmonious, she can't support a good son. What's the use of a husband? Only the sons and grandchildren are proud of themselves. They have been dying for so many years. Overwhelmed by the second wife, and now married a princess daughter-in-law..."
"That's not necessarily the case. The second cousin is not a fuel-efficient lamp, so I don't know whether the east wind overwhelms the west wind or the west wind overwhelms the east wind."
Mrs. Tao looked at Tao Fangfei strangely, "Isn't this obvious? How can Xiangye and Xiao Tan be compared together? Tao's family is Xiangye's cousin, not Xiao Tan's cousin. What does Xiao Tan do to us by overpowering Xiangye?" benefit?"
Tao Fangfei nodded when she heard the words, and smiled mischievously, "Mother, I just mentioned it casually. I naturally hope that my cousin will keep pressing on my second cousin."