Seeing Shi Qingxue's indifferent expression, Shi Baojin obviously knew that he didn't have such a big face in front of the other party.
He had no choice but to look at Shi Baoning for help: Sister, if I lose my character in front of the Queen Mother, do you think you can be fine
"Qingxue, wait." Shi Baoning called out to Shi Qingxue.
He frowned and whispered, "It's a palace banquet now, and all the nobles are here, so let's not get into trouble."
Shi Qingxue: "..."
She was going crazy. Who was causing trouble
They weren't the ones who stole the paintings, and they weren't the ones who turned on the taunting mode first. Why did they become the troublemakers instead
Shi Baoning's calming attitude made Shi Qingxue angry and speechless. She simply didn't bother to care about the matter anymore and walked to the side with Mo Yuzhen to talk and laugh, just out of sight.
"Auntie, Liu Niang has been helping you just now, how can you say these words to make her feel chilled?" The maid Jingzhuang who was following Shi Baoning was also a little overwhelmed and couldn't help but remind her in a low voice.
Shi Baoning sighed helplessly, "Then what can I do? Right now, the Queen Mother is happily chatting and laughing with all the ladies. She obviously wants to let go of the matter of me throwing the painting. If I bring it up again, I won't be disgraced. Interested
Besides, Baojin is also my sister. Even if she does something inappropriate, she should be taught privately. Never bring it to the table for outsiders to laugh at. "
Jingzhuang disagreed, "Why didn't Sanniang think about you when she did those things? You are still her biological sister?"
Since you dare to do such a shameless thing, you must be mentally prepared to be caught.
"In the final analysis, the thing about losing the painting was that I was too careless. Besides, the painting that was handed in was not my fault. I really deserved it. How could I blame others?" Shi Baoning said on the contrary. Blame yourself.
Jingzhuang: “…”
At this time, she finally understood Qingxue's speechless and choked mood just now, but she couldn't leave like Qingxue if they couldn't reach an agreement!
She had to patiently comfort her: "Auntie, you should be more careful in the future. After all, not everyone is like Liu Niang, who sincerely cares for you. Just like this time, she would rather have less opportunities to show off in front of the Queen Mother than make a fool of you. .
I have paved the way for you several times before and after this, which is really well-intentioned. If you still put her in the same position as other sisters, I am afraid it will chill her heart! "
To be honest, when Jingyi discovered that the painting was missing, Jingzhuang thought that her master would suffer a big loss this time, but she did not expect that Shi Qingxue could actually use just two quarters of an hour to find the original painting without being able to find it. Time painted a new picture for her master to deliver.
What's even more rare is that that painting won the first prize in one fell swoop, making Shi Baoning the most popular figure at the entire Qiqiao Palace banquet.
Shi Baoning remembered that he had actually found a 'ghostwriter' in the end, his face turned red again, and he murmured sheepishly: "I, I know. I know it well!"
Jingzhuang turned her head considerately, pretending not to notice Shi Baoning's embarrassment, and talked about other things with a smile, "Liu Niang is really good. Not only does the Queen Mother dote on her, but also Princess Yuzhen, who is the most difficult to please. Love her."
"Well, Qingxue has always been smart and sweet-tongued. It's hard for anyone not to like her!" That's why Shi Baoning asked Shi Qingxue for advice before coming to the banquet.
It's just that she never expected that Shi Qingxue would do this for her: first, he would help her in front of the Queen Mother, and then he would give up the competition in order to allow her to compete with peace of mind when she was capable of winning the championship.
How could Shi Baoning not know this kind of friendship
Thinking of Qingxue's disappointed look on her when she deliberately let Shi Baojin off just now, she felt a little uneasy and wished she could run to Shi Qingxue right away and apologize.
But before Shi Baoning could put his idea into practice, the palace banquet was already at its end, and Mo Yuzhen could not wait to drag Shi Qingxue back to Yuzhen Palace.
Shi Baoning's wish failed again, and he could only return home angrily with his two maids and his family.
After the palace banquet, Ling Ruiyin returned to Ci'an Palace tiredly. As soon as he took off his palace clothes, Aunt Chang sent news that the eldest princess was asking for an audience.
Ling Ruiyin thought about it doubtfully, and secretly wondered: Although Mo Shujun is her sister-in-law, the two of them do not have close contact with each other on weekdays. Even Mo Shujun did not attend today's palace banquet. Instead, it is possible that he came to see her at this time. Did she admire some young master and want to find a match for her precious granddaughter
"By the way, Xiaoxue'er is also in her late teens this year, so it's time to consider her husband's family!" Ling Ruiyin couldn't help but smile.
While asking Mo Shujun to come in, he also teased Aunt Chang: "Xiao Xue'er is so smart and smart, the Ai family must be very fond of her. I don't know which young man in Kyoto can be worthy of her. I'm so sorry." You can't rely on your family.
Several of the Ai family's grandchildren have reached old age, and the Ai family wants to choose a good match for Xiaoxue'er from among them! "
Aunt Chang smiled lightly as she listened to Ling Ruiyin's chat, but her heart was already in turmoil.
She had known that Ling Ruiyin liked Shi Qingxue, but she didn't expect him to think so highly of Shi Liu Niang
To the point where all the adult princes have their choice
Ling Ruiyin had already begun to make plans, but Mo Shujun didn't mention Shi Qingxue's marriage when she arrived, and instead started chatting casually, "I haven't seen you for a few days. My sister-in-law looks much better, but something exciting just happened? "
"This year's palace banquet is indeed smoother than in previous years. Looking at the laughter among the little girls, the Ai family seems to be a few years younger. But Shujun, you have become more and more idle in recent years. You don't even like to come to the palace for the palace banquet. Moving around.”
Mo Shujun sighed softly, with a hint of helplessness: "As I get older these years, my body and bones are not as strong as in previous years. I feel tired after walking a few steps. Therefore, I rarely go out. I hope my sister-in-law won't take offense."
After all, she was the late emperor's only sister. Ling Ruiyin could not help but say a few words of concern when she heard this: "Why didn't you tell me earlier that you were feeling unwell? Is it possible that all the doctors in the palace are just pretending to look good? Although you married into the Shi family, there are always people in this palace. This is your home, don’t let it go outside. If you feel uncomfortable somewhere, just hand me a sign, but don’t let yourself be wronged."
Mo Shujun couldn't even speak.
"It seems that the Ai family is worrying too much. This time, Xiaoxue'er invited a miraculous doctor to stay at Shi's house. There is no need for the Ai family to worry about your health. Maybe one day the Ai family will have to wait for that miraculous doctor to heal you. I'm sick!" Ling Ruiyin deliberately said a few jokes to relax the atmosphere.
Unexpectedly, Mo Shujun turned into a sullen face after hearing this, showing no joy at all.
Ling Ruiyin stopped talking and laughing, and asked seriously: "Shujun comes to the Ai family at this time, but what is the important matter?"
Mo Shujun nodded and responded: "Exactly, my little sister came today to ask for a favor from my sister-in-law."
"Oh? What kind of grace?" Ling Ruiyin thought that Mo Shujun was finally going to talk about Shi Qingxue's marriage, and there was a smile on her face.
But what she didn't expect was that Mo Shujun was not talking about Shi Qingxue's marriage. Instead, she said: "As a rule, as the eldest princess, if the younger sister gives birth to a daughter, she can be given the title of princess. It's just that. The younger sister's fate was bad, and she only had three sons, so her position as princess was never determined.
My sister's eldest granddaughter, Shi Baoning, whom my sister-in-law also met today, is an excellent child. She just turned eighteen this year. Her health has improved a lot recently, and she deserves to be the princess. I wonder what your sister-in-law thinks? "
After Mo Shujun said this, she raised her head and looked at Ling Ruiyin, her eyes showing inquiry.
Ling Ruiyin fell silent and looked at Mo Shujun quietly for a long time before saying quietly: "The Ai family thought you would give the title of princess to Xiao Xue'er."
Mo Shujun paused, the smile on her face faded slightly, and she lowered her eyes and replied: "Qingxue is naturally very good, but she is not in the eldest position after all. There is an order of growth and development. If she is appointed as the princess, , I’m afraid it will be difficult to convince the public.”
"That's what I said, but..." Ling Ruiyin sighed heavily, secretly sighing that her sister-in-law was good at everything, but sometimes she was more concerned about elders and inferiors than she was, which made her less fun.
But she didn't say anything. She only responded: "The position of princess is a gift given to you by the late emperor. You can give it to whomever you want. The Ai family has no objections."
"In this case, my sister-in-law should take the trouble to issue an edict to inform the world."
Ling Ruiyin waved her hands, indicating that this was not a difficult matter, and mentioned another matter: "It turns out that the queen and Concubine Liu have mentioned it in front of the Ai family, and they intend for the third and fourth princes to marry Xiao Xue'er as their principal concubine. As for the younger sister, Any ideas?"
Mo Shujun raised her eyebrows in surprise and subconsciously said, "But Qingxue has just turned fifteen!"
Ling Ruiyin thought that the other party was just too reluctant to let go of Shi Qingxue, so she smiled: "You're not young, there are many noble girls who got married at the age of fifteen."
"This..." Mo Shujun looked troubled, as if she wanted to refuse but couldn't find a reason, so she finally said: "But Qingxue has five sisters above her, and none of them are married. It's hard to get ahead of them and let her get married first. . Although there is no rule in our country that the eldest daughter is unmarried and the second daughter is not allowed to get married, it does not sound good after all.
She can't be married off by herself, and her other sisters' marriages won't be settled, right? "
The royal family didn't care about these vulgar customs, so Ling Ruiyin didn't think of it for a moment.
After pausing for a moment, she had no choice but to choose a compromise, "Then we can make a small decision first, and then we can get married after Xiaoxue'er turns eighteen and her other sisters are married."
Speaking of this, Ling Ruiyin couldn't help but tease: "Otherwise, if a treasure as popular as Xiaoxue'er is not settled early, the Ai family will die of worry!"
The Queen Mother said this, and Mo Shujun couldn't refute, so she could only ask: "I wonder which prince my sister-in-law wants to betroth Qingxue to?"
"Ouch, this is really difficult for the Ai family!" Ling Ruiyin was also a little embarrassed and counted silently: "The third prince and the fourth prince's mother have already said hello to the Ai family. They are all excellent, and the fifth prince is also good. The Sixth Prince is a bit young but okay, and the Ninth Prince..."
Mo Shujun immediately couldn't laugh or cry, "Sister-in-law, if I remember correctly, the Ninth Prince just turned seven this year, right?!"
Ling Ruiyin sneered, "But Xiao Jiu'er has settled with the Ai family a long time ago. He likes Xiao Xue'er very much and wants to marry her when he grows up. The Ai family should not betroth her to anyone else."
Naturally, the words of the little child were not taken seriously. Ling Ruiyin stopped mentioning them and said seriously: "If the little sister doesn't like them, then the prince is twenty and two years old, not yet married, and he is the crown prince of a country. , She is mature and steady, and she will definitely not wrong Xiao Xueer."