The situation in the court changed suddenly, within a few days everyone in the capital had heard about Xiao Yi bringing back an oiran from the south of the Yangtze River and raising him as an outer room, even the Lin family who was deeply in the inner house heard about it.
When Lin first learned about this, she really panicked for a while, but after thinking about it, Xiao Yi's character should not be like this. Furthermore, even the uncle Nangong Qin also asked Nangong Mu to let her come over and give her daughter a message, telling her not to worry, there must be something hidden about this matter. So Lin hurried to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion, but after arriving, she found that Nangong Yue was in a very good mood, her brows and eyes were stretched, and there was a comfortable smile on her face, without any anxiety or anger.
Presumably, the young couple did not have a rift because of this groundless rumor.
Lin couldn't help but heaved a sigh of relief, so she changed the subject and talked about another matter, which was a happy event...
"Yue'er, I fixed the date of your brother's wedding with the Princess Mansion the day before yesterday, August 22nd is an auspicious day..."
When mentioning Nangong Xin's marriage, a smile appeared on Lin's face. After giving the Najib ceremony, she made an appointment with the Princess Mansion to wait for Fu Yunyan and Ji to discuss the wedding date. In March of this year, Fu Yunyan will be fifteen. A few days ago, Mrs. Lin went to the Princess Mansion in person to fix the wedding date with Mrs. Fu.
To be honest, she still feels that all this is a bit like a dream, too perfect to be true.
She used to think that her stupid son might not be able to start a family in this life, she used to think that she had to take care of him until the last moment of her life, but not only did her son get better gradually, he even got married!
In other words, maybe in a few years, she will be able to hold a grandson!
This happy event put Lin in a very good mood. If it wasn't for the rumor in the capital, she would have been so happy that she couldn't even fall asleep.
But now...
Nangong Yue noticed that there was a slight worry in Lin's eyebrows and eyes, and immediately understood why, she sat down in front of her with a smile, took her hand and said coquettishly: "Mother, brother's wedding date has been fixed, next Aren't you going to get busy? If there is anything my daughter can help with, don't be polite to me!"
Lin's attention was diverted, she patted Nangong Yue's hand, and said: "Don't worry, the yard where your brother lived after getting married has already been tidied up, and what needs to be refurbished, I'm almost ready for the dowry..." The second time her daughter's marriage was too urgent, so that the preparations were too hasty, which has always been a regret in Lin's heart. This time, for her son's wedding, Lin's can be said to be cautious and cautious, preferring to prepare as much as possible in advance to avoid any unexpected uncontrollable accidents. Therefore, since the two families made their marriage arrangements, Lin has actively started to prepare for related matters.
Now almost everything is ready, only the east wind is owed.
Finally, the east wind of "wedding date" is blowing!
Lin's face finally showed a smile again, and said: "Your sister-in-law will help me too, Yue'er, as long as you come to have a wedding with Ayi when the day comes!"
Speaking of which, Liu Niang is only three months older than her daughter, and her daughter is about to reach her age in June, and it's time for her and A Yi to consummate their marriage. Before, because her daughter was still young, Lin did not tell her about the bridal chamber before she got married, nor did she pass on the booklet that Yueer's grandmother gave her at the bottom of the box...
It seems that I still have to find some time to talk to my daughter about this in private, so that the two children will not be confused.
The more Lin thought about it, the more worried she became.
For a while, the rumors about the capital were forgotten.
Nangong Yue is in a great mood at the moment, but...
On August 22nd, at that time, she should have been in southern Xinjiang with Xiao Yiyuan, that is to say, she couldn't watch her brother get married with her own eyes...
Nangong Yue suppressed the reluctance in her heart, and looked at Lin with a smile, at least she left by herself, her brother and Liu Niang, maybe there will be a little nephew again soon, and her mother will definitely be happy.
Nangong Yue quickly adjusted her mentality, with a smile on her face again, she said: "Mother, it's rare for you to come, why don't you have lunch with me?"
Lin naturally agreed happily, hesitated for a while and asked, "Has Ayi gone out?"
"That's right." Nangong Yue said with a smile, "He went to Wucheng Bingmasi..."
Given Xiao Yi's nature of relying on Nangong Yue if he had nothing to do, he didn't return home after such a long time, so naturally he would not go to work honestly, but actually went to Guiyuan Pavilion at the appointment of the second prince.
It's the end of winter and the beginning of spring, and the weather is still a bit cold. Earth dragons were burned on the first floor of Guiyuan Pavilion. Once you enter the door, you will feel as warm as spring and very comfortable.
Xiao Er immediately greeted him courteously, and led Xiao Yi to the elegant seat on the third floor - in Guiyuan Pavilion, the higher the floor, the higher the status, and the ordinary children of officials and eunuchs on the third floor cannot book a seat. It seems that the second prince has put in a lot of thought.
The corner of Xiao Yi's mouth curled up slightly, and he casually followed Xiao Er up to the third floor.
Xiao Er knocked on the door of the private seat, and when he opened the door, he heard the sound of a pipa, accompanied by a melodious and clear singing, and the noise of several people talking and laughing.
After Xiao Yi entered the private seat, he walked around the screen and saw the second prince Han Lingguan sitting on the host seat, with several familiar faces sitting on both sides of the lower head. On the other side of the screen sat a woman in a pink skirt who was holding a pipa and half covered her face, her vermilion lips were slightly parted, and her bare hands were plucking, playing and singing a piece of "Pipa Xing".
"Brother!" Cheng Luo hurriedly stood up and greeted Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi nodded slightly, then stepped forward and bowed his hands to the Second Prince in salute: "I have seen His Highness the Second Prince."
Han Lingguan waved his hand casually, "Shizi Xiao doesn't need to be too polite. Today, we will meet friends with wine, no matter whether you are a king or a minister."
One sentence attracted compliments from several people present one after another, and the atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
Xiao Yi was greeted by Han Lingguan and sat down on his right side. From this seat, it was obvious that the Second Prince attached great importance to him.
After the maid at the side served Xiao Yiman the wine, Xiao Yi casually picked up the wine and said, "Your Highness, I am the latest to arrive today, and I will punish myself with three glasses!" As he spoke, he drank three glasses without waiting for Han Lingguan to agree. , praised, "Good wine!"
"Xiao Shizi is so refreshing!" A young gentleman sitting diagonally across from Cheng Luo praised, "I'm so drunk!" He also drank three glasses in a row.
Many people present here are not familiar, but after a few glasses of wine, their heads became hot and they talked more, which even made the atmosphere much warmer.
Mr. Li asked Xiao Yi what he likes to do on weekdays. Mr. Wang said that his nephew was also working in Wucheng Bingma Division, so he could get closer and closer in the future. Mr. Chen said that he went there just last year Once in the south of the Yangtze River, I said that the scenery in the south of the Yangtze River is indeed beautiful, especially the night view on the Qinhuai River, which is unforgettable...
What kind of night scene can there be on the Qinhuai River? It’s not just flower boats, lanterns, and flower prostitutes!
For a moment, all the people present exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.
Cheng Luo asked with a smile: "Master Chen, I haven't had the chance to go to the south of the Yangtze River yet. I don't know if the beauties on the Qinhuai River are both beautiful and talented. I don't know if I'm exaggerating?"
Mr. Chen smiled implicitly: "Actually, it's nothing more than that..." He seemed unwilling to talk more.
Mr. Wang said with a smile: "I think it's far worse than the Qinsheng girl in His Highness's mansion!"
At this time, the girl in pink skirt who played the pipa just finished playing "Pipa Xing". She hugged the pipa and said, "Thank you, Mr. Wang, for your praise." Her voice was as sweet as a clear spring, and her tenderness was like water. . Then, she continued to play a new piece, the sound of the pipa was crisp and soft, and it flew into everyone's hearts one by one...
"Brother Chen," a Lord Liu said with a sudden smile, "Do you dare to go to the Qinhuai River? Don't be afraid of Mrs. Zun..." He raised his eyebrows meaningfully. This Lord Chen is famous for his internal fears. that's it.
The others also smiled knowingly, and a gleam flashed in Han Lingguan's eyes, and he gestured to Mr. Wang.
Mr. Wang nodded slightly, and then said to Mr. Chen pretending to be teasing: "Mr. Chen, according to Mr. Wang, you are too used to respecting your wife. We men are usually busy with official duties, so we only want to return to the house every day. There are some nephrite jade and gentle flowers that relieve fatigue. In the final analysis, those beauties are just playthings. They are not spoiling concubines and destroying wives, and they will not affect the status of the respected wife. Hey, I don’t know why the respected wife can’t think about it! He makes unreasonable troubles at every turn, how can this house look like a home!"
While Mr. Wang was speaking, Xiao Yi drank several more glasses of wine, and after a while, his cheeks turned slightly blush, looking drunk.
Han Lingguan drank the wine as if nothing had happened, but he was secretly observing Xiao Yi's expression. A few days ago, the second concubine went to Zhennan Palace to find Nangongyue, of course he signaled it. If he guessed correctly, Nangongyue would definitely quarrel with Xiao Yi because of the rumors in the outer room, and Xiao Yi was impeached by the censor for no reason. , I was already in a bad mood, and if Nangong Yue made such a fuss, I would definitely get bored with her... Seeing Xiao Yi drinking heavily with his head covered, it was obvious that he was using alcohol to relieve his worries.
In order to win over nobles like the Zhennan Prince's Mansion, Xu Yi's power and wealth are not of much use. Marriage is the best guarantee. It's a pity that the emperor granted the marriage early. It is hopeless to marry with a regular wife, but as long as Xiao Yi separates from his first concubine, even a side concubine can still achieve his goal.
One quarrel may not affect Nangong Yue's status as the first wife, but it can be done slowly.
Seizing the heir is not a one-time affair, and he will not be as impatient as his stupid third brother.
Thinking about it, Han Lingguan raised his wine glass to cover the corners of his slightly curved mouth.
Mr. Chen showed embarrassment, picked up the wine glass and said: "Everyone, drink and drink, talk about my family affairs..."
"Master Chen, we have been friends for many years, I just told you," Mr. Wang said earnestly, "Actually, you should recruit a few more beauties to strengthen your husband! Think about it , even if you took a dozen beauties back today, what can the honored lady do to you? Is it possible that you dare to reconcile with me!" He said, looking at Xiao Yi, and asked intentionally, "Xiao Shizi, what do you think? no?"
Xiao Yi drank another glass of wine, and said with a frivolous smile: "My lord Wang said so lightly, why didn't I see you take some beauties back?" He casually said, "... This son sees that Mr. Wang is quite fond of this beauty. How about letting His Highness cut off his love and give this beauty to you?"
Lord Wang's face froze, this Qin Sheng is the concubine of the second prince, how could he...
Han Lingguan smiled slightly, and said indifferently: "The sword is given to the hero, and this beauty is also given to the person who cherishes flowers. I will give you the Qin and Sheng."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Lord Wang hurriedly got up and bowed to Han Lingguan to thank him. Seeing that he was not unhappy, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you so much Mr. Wang for getting a pretty lady in pink!" Mrs. Liu clapped his hands and praised, "I respect Mrs. Wang."
For a while, everyone at the banquet offered a toast to Mr. Wang. After drinking for three rounds, the atmosphere in the private room became more harmonious. Han Lingguan always had a faint smile on his lips.
On this day, everyone drank to their heart's content in the Guiyuan Pavilion, and they did not break up until the end of the day, and went back to their homes.
The second prince is in a very good mood. When we got together today, Xiao Yi's temperament is not difficult to get along with, and it seems that he does not object to giving beauties to each other. In this way, I can try it next time...
Thinking of this, the second prince planned to announce that the counselor would come over to discuss something, but he didn't want to receive the emperor's order to summon him to the palace.
Han Lingguan changed into a robe and hurried into the palace.
As soon as he entered the imperial study room, he keenly felt that there was something wrong with the atmosphere, and he felt uneasy. He only felt that the charcoal fire in the imperial study room seemed to be burned too much, making it extremely hot.
"See Father!" Han Ling looked at the robe, and respectfully knelt down to salute the emperor.
The emperor didn't let him get up, but just reprimanded him in a cold voice: "It's not proper to be drunk in broad daylight!"
Han Lingguan's heart sank. His father always said that he had a good drink, but today he directly condemned himself without asking himself a question. Could it be that there was something about him that made his father unhappy
But I have always been careful in my actions, so it shouldn't be possible, right
Han Ling regained his composure, and explained in a respectful voice, "Please forgive me, my father, I just had a few drinks."
"How many drinks?" The emperor snorted coldly, "In my opinion, it's to win over the courtiers, right? Second child, do you want to learn from your third brother?!" After speaking, the emperor's voice was almost cold To fall out of the ice slag.
Han Lingguan pressed his forehead to the ground respectfully, and said calmly, "Father! My son has no such intentions!"
Afterwards, there was a moment of silence in the imperial study room. Just as Han Lingguan was hesitating whether to secretly raise his eyes to look at the emperor, he saw a pair of bright yellow golden silk boots embroidered with dragons walking towards him...
Han Lingguan leaned even lower, his whole body tensed.
"Well, you never have such a heart?" The emperor sneered, pacing back and forth angrily, "Second brother, second child, you sent beauties to my courtiers, how dare you say that you have no selfishness? Lift your head up for me!" His son, the majestic prince, is not easy to learn, but he even imitated Gong Yuhai's shameless behavior and used beauties to bribe courtiers!
I used to think he was pretty well-behaved, but I didn't expect to have such unbearable thoughts, it's really annoying and hateful!
I just gave the Qinsheng to Master Wang and my father knew it? Could it be that my father has been sending people to watch me all this time
Thinking of this, Han Lingguan couldn't help feeling a little flustered, desperately thinking about whether he had done anything inappropriate in the past few days... No, now is not the time to think about these things, he must let his father clear his doubts!
Han Lingguan's thoughts raced, he raised his head, looked at the emperor pretending to be panicked, and hiccupped drunkenly.
Seeing this, the emperor frowned tightly, and the anger in his heart became even higher. This is not a prince, it is clearly those dandies who spend their days and drinks!
The emperor sat back on the throne again, and said in a cold voice: "The dignified prince is so drunk that he is so drunk during the day, and he doesn't think about making progress. Second, I will punish you for a month today. You have something to say!"
Being a dandy is always a lesser crime than attracting courtiers. This is the best result today. Han Lingguan quickly and respectfully accepted the punishment, and quietly exited the imperial study room under the impatient wave of the emperor.
The cold wind blew on Han Lingguan's face, Han Lingguan took a deep breath, his eyes were a little cold: father was suspicious, he had been dormant for many years, and only then pulled out the obstacle of the third brother, he did not expect that now because of a small mistake Let the emperor become suspicious of him, and he must be more cautious in the future...
Although Xiao Yi didn't see what happened in the imperial study room with his own eyes, he was able to guess eight or nine points.
As far as Xiao Yi knew, what Jin Yiwei was staring at was not the second prince, but the courtiers. It's a pity that this time, the emperor "saw" his son sending off courtiers and beauties. On weekdays, the emperor might have laughed it off as a romantic affair. Unfortunately, that side Gong Yuhai only sent his goddaughter around to win over the courtiers, which already made the emperor very unhappy, but his own son did the same thing, how could the emperor not think about it because of his suspicion.
Letting the second prince suffer a dark loss, Xiao Yi took revenge for the second prince's concubine's instigation in front of Nangong Yue, and returned to the mansion in a good mood.
Before reaching the second gate, Xiao Yi saw from a distance that Nangong Yue was talking with Mrs. Lin there, and there was a carriage parked beside it, apparently the mother-in-law was about to go back.
Xiao Yi hurriedly got off the horse, threw the rein and walked over quickly, and called out "Mother!" to Mrs. Lin enthusiastically, then habitually took Nangong Yue's hand, looked at her with a smile, The twinkling peach blossom eyes are full of envy, the tenderness that seems to be overflowing even Lin, a bystander, can clearly see it.
This time, Lin was completely relieved, and the smile on his face was much more relaxed, and he said: "Yue'er, that mother will leave first."
A blush rose on Nangong Yue's cheeks, she and Xiao Yi sent Mrs. Lin to the carriage, watched the carriage go away, and then walked to Fufengyuan together.
"Smelly girl, are you reluctant?"
Nangong Yue thought she was covering it up very well, but he still saw it, so she said without concealing it: "My mother just told me that my brother and Liu Niang's wedding date is set in August, I just feel a little regretful and can't help it I saw my brother getting married."
Xiao Yi held her hand tightly, his lips pursed into a line.
"But it doesn't matter." Nangong Yue said with a smile, "Nanjiang is not too far from the capital. In the future, I think my father, mother, brother and Liu Niang can come back to visit relatives at any time. When the time comes, you can accompany me return."
"Um… "
Xiao Yi nodded, he didn't want his stinky girl to be unhappy, but he also didn't want to be separated from her again and go back to southern Xinjiang alone...
He wants them to be together forever.
"Smelly girl... there will be a Lantern Festival the next night, let's watch the lantern together."
Nangong Yue's eyes lit up, and she responded with a smile: "Okay!... The lanterns in the north are quite different from those in the south. Sister Fei will be very happy."
Now it was Xiao Yi's turn to be dumbfounded. Could it be possible to take Xiao Fei with him? Isn't this... really raising a daughter
So, when it was dinner time, Nangong Yue and Xiao Fei talked about the Lantern Festival.
"Sister-in-law, you want to take me to see the lantern?" Xiao Fei looked at Nangong Yue in surprise, with a hint of expectation on her face.
Nangong Yue looked at Xiao Yi with a smile, and corrected, "It's your elder brother who wants to take us to the Lantern Festival!"
Xiao Yi could only nod helplessly from the side.
In fact, he didn't mind leaving Xiao Fei in the palace at all, he and the stinky girl went out alone, but the stinky girl refused.
Why--
Xiao Yi silently let out a long sigh in his heart, he has already regretted it for countless times, and blame him for being too indifferent to the fact that Xiao Fei came to the capital, otherwise why would he come to this point...
"Sister Fei," Nangong Yue said again with a smile, "It's rare for you to come to the capital, so you must see the Lantern Festival in the capital! Not only are there lanterns, guessing lantern riddles, but also dragon lanterns and lion dances What, it’s beautiful and fun. The Lantern Festival on South Street is the busiest, but there are more people. When the time comes, we will get off the carriage from the city, and then walk along South Street all the way to the South City Gate... "
Seeing that the two of them were planning the trip to the Lantern Festival as if no one was watching, Xiao Yi curled his lips and thought to himself: Doesn’t this Xiao Fei like to read books? Or find some lonely books for her so that she will not bother him and the stinky girl on weekdays
Xiao Yi silently thought about the feasibility of this plan...
Unfortunately, before he put it into practice, the Lantern Festival is here.
On this day, Nangong Yue, Xiao Yi and Xiao Fei had a full schedule. In the morning, the three of them made three simple red gauze lanterns; in the afternoon, Nangong Yue and Xiao Fei went to the kitchen to make Lantern Festival with various fillings , There are sesame lard fillings, bean paste fillings, jujube paste fillings, rose fillings, etc. Xiao Yi originally wanted to join, but unfortunately, after he crushed ten Lantern Festivals, he was driven away by the two of them in disgust...
That night, after the three of them ate the Lantern Festival, which symbolizes reunion, in the palace, they took Baihui, Lily and other maidservants to sit in a green-covered carriage and set off for South Street lightly.
Even sitting in the carriage, you can clearly hear the streets outside becoming more and more lively...
Xiao Fei couldn't help opening some of the curtains, looked out, and saw many young men and girls on the street wearing brightly colored costumes, holding a lantern in their hands, talking and laughing. Judging from the direction they were walking, it was obvious that they were also rushing to South Street to watch the Lantern Festival.
The closer you get to South Street, the more people there are on the street, and the slower the speed of the carriage, in the end, it is almost impossible to move an inch. Nangong Yue simply signaled the driver to stop the carriage, got out of the carriage with Xiao Fei, and then Xiao Yi also jumped off the horse, and walked together.
There are many people coming and going on the South Street. Countless lanterns on both sides of the street set off the surrounding area with joy and radiance. Countless girls were dazzled and amazed.
Although Xiao Fei tried her best to be reserved, her normally cold eyes were already shining brightly under the light of the lights, like stars shining in the night sky.
Nangong Yue took Xiao Fei's arm, pointed to a stall in front of her and said, "Sister Fei, let's go! Let's go guess the lantern riddles!"
Nangong Yue accidentally forgot Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi stared at the backs of Nangong Yue and Xiao Fei with resentful eyes, sighed, and hurriedly chased after them.
Lily on the side laughed unkindly, feeling like she was gloating a bit.
Although Baihe has been sent back by Nangong Yue to be married, but during the rare Lantern Festival, they also come out together to join in the fun.
With Nangong Yue and Xiao Fei's ability, they are not unparalleled in guessing lantern riddles, but they have solved all the lantern riddles in those stalls and won many prizes. Xiao Li, naturally ordered the maid to give all the money.
After guessing dozens of lantern riddles, I found it a bit boring. At this moment, a loud noise from the front right attracted Nangong Yue and Xiao Fei's attention. They saw a ring set up at the entrance of a restaurant, surrounded by The bystanders circled around and whispered to each other, but they couldn't see what was going on in the arena at all.
Lily immediately volunteered to go to check it out. She was nimble, pushed and twisted for some reason, and squeezed into the crowd...