In a blink of an eye, it was the day of the flower banquet. The banquet was held in the garden. The garden of the new house was very large, and many kinds of flowers were planted, including flower seeds brought back from abroad. The Zhou family's garden was designed, and each kind of flower had an exclusive position, which had a strong visual effect.
There were many carriages parked in front of the mansion gate. Some families had several young ladies coming, while others came alone.
Zhulan was listening to the maids' reports in the main courtyard. This time, it was Yushuang who hosted the flower banquet, and none of the elders showed up.
All the girls from the Zhou family went there, except Yuwen, who hid in the main courtyard.
Zhulan looked at Yuwen who was copying the big characters seriously and said, "You girl would rather come to write big characters than go to the garden."
Yu Wen didn't even raise her head and continued writing, "Your granddaughter doesn't want to go there because you have other intentions."
She had heard her mother talk about it a lot these days. Although she was young and didn't understand much, she could vaguely understand what her mother meant after hearing it so many times. It was just intrigue, and she didn't want to go there.
Zhulan touched Yuwen's soft hair. This child is very smart. She looks like her father but somewhat different. Although she is lazy, she understands everything in her heart.
In the garden, Yu Shuang saw the young lady of the Qiu family standing in the distance. Although Grandpa didn't say anything, she understood everything after Grandpa took the invitation. She whispered to Yu Yi, "The second young lady of the Qiu family is here. Can the fourth sister help the eldest sister entertain her?"
Yuyi nodded, "Okay, big sister, I'll go over there then."
Yu Shuang thought that her fourth sister was really reassuring. As for her own sister Yu Die, forget it. The little girl had already pulled Yu Jiao to the front. Only the second and fourth sisters followed her to help. As for Yu Wen, oh, she had never thought of Xiao Wu Yu Wen at the beginning.
Yuyi had never met Miss Qiu, but the girl knew. Yuyi came over and said, "Sister Qiu, I'm Yuyi. My sister can't leave over there, so I'm here to entertain her."
Qiu Shu was excited when she received the invitation. She had never been engaged and was worried about marriage. It was not easy to find a good marriage.
Her mother told her to make more friends this time. She was full of confidence when she came, but when she really entered the garden, she was a little panicked.
It was rare to see a few familiar people, who were already surrounding the famous noble ladies in the capital. She didn't want to go over there, as there were a lot of disputes in crowded places. For a moment, she stopped and didn't know where to go.
Until Qiu Shu met the fourth lady of the Earl's Mansion.
Qiu Shu breathed a sigh of relief and said gratefully, "Then I'll trouble Sister Yuyi."
The Zhou family is related to the royal family, so the young ladies of the Zhou family have many noble ladies as friends. Qiu Shu glanced at Zhou Yushuang again. Zhou Yushuang was surrounded by noble ladies.
Yuyi took Qiu Shu to sit down first. After Qiu Shu sat down, Yuyi also sat down. "Sister, please wait a moment. The banquet will start soon."
As soon as Qiu Shu sat down, she realized that the seating was particular. Her seat must have been specially arranged. The ladies around her were all rare gentle-tempered ladies. Also, because Yuyi came to sit with them, and Yuyi was also the host, Qiu Shu naturally became familiar with the ladies because Yuyi brought up the topic.
Only then did Yuyi get up and leave.
Yu Shuang, the host of the flower banquet, has to keep her eyes and ears open when entertaining guests. She pays attention to Yu Yi's every move and feels deeply moved. Fourth sister is really reassuring!
Ministry of Revenue, when the retired emperor came, Zhou Shuren was discussing the second step of reform with Qiu Yan and others. This time it was allowed by the emperor. After two years, all ministries have caught up with the pace of the Ministry of Revenue.
The arrival of the Emperor interrupted the discussion. After Zhou Shuren greeted him, the Emperor said, "Don't worry about me. You guys continue."
Zhou Shuren said, "It's almost arranged."
The retired emperor nodded. He had heard about the second step of the reform from the emperor.
After Zhou Shuren made the arrangements, Qiu Yan and others left.
Zhou Shuren looked at the retired emperor in confusion. The retired emperor seldom came to the Ministry of Revenue. The last time he came was when he returned to Beijing.
The Emperor, "I heard that the Earl's Mansion held a flower banquet?"
"Yes, my granddaughter has never done it before. As she is getting close to marriageable age, she wants to practice in advance."
The emperor laughed, and Zhou Shuren said it was just a practice. "You and I have been king and subject for many years, and we have been like friends over the years. I know what you think. You are not planning to marry into the royal family again."
Zhou Shuren was not surprised that the emperor knew his thoughts. "Yes, I know the truth that the moon is full and then it wanes."
A moment of prosperity is not as good as long-term inheritance. Fireworks are brilliant but too short-lived. He should plan for his descendants, not sacrifice them all.
The Emperor raised his lip corners, "So, when I saw a memorial suggesting that your granddaughter was suitable to be the Crown Princess, I came here."
Zhou Shuren sprayed the tea in his mouth, "Huh?"
Holy shit, which bastard would try to trick him like this? This is definitely a conspiracy, a conspiracy!
The retired emperor laughed, he knew Zhou Shuren would have this reaction, so he left the palace before the emperor called Zhou Shuren in. Now seeing Zhou Shuren's reaction, wow, it's really rare to see.
Zhou Shuren wiped the tea from the corner of his mouth, leaving strands of wet beard. Zhou Shuren felt that his beard had grown a little long.
The Emperor said quietly, "I also heard that you were in contact with the Crown Prince for the position of Crown Princess."
Zhou Shuren tore off his beard, "Why did this minister come into contact with the Crown Prince? Doesn't the Emperor know?"
The emperor felt guilty for a rare moment, "Don't you want to know which granddaughter of yours was mentioned in the memorial?"
Zhou Shuren rubbed his chin. It really hurt to tear off his beard. "Yuyi."
She is the most normal girl in the Zhou family and the eldest daughter of the third room. She is responsible and has a good character. Whoever marries his granddaughter will be blessed. She will be a good wife and mother!
The Emperor, "You know your granddaughter very well."
"My granddaughters naturally understand. I need to understand their personalities in order to choose suitable husbands for them. As a man, I know the difficulties women face. I hope they can be happy and comfortable before they get married, and live a good life after they get married."
The emperor was silent. Not all women are lucky. Even if they are born into a powerful family, birth means responsibility, and carrying a surname is like a shackle.
At Zhou's house, Yuyi felt like she was being targeted. It was fine at first, but later on, it was her turn several times in the flower chain. She didn't feel it the first time, but the next few times it was intentional.
Yuyi also felt the vague scrutiny, and she was a little nervous. Today was the flower banquet hosted by her elder sister, and if she made a fool of herself, it would not only bring shame to her elder sister, but also to the Zhou family.
Yuyi was a little confused as to why Miss Shen was targeting her. After she returned to Beijing, her grandmother seldom attended banquets, so she didn't take her out very often. Why was she paying attention to her
On the other side, Mingyun’s convoy returning to his hometown stopped because someone in front stopped the convoy.
Jiang Sheng and Ming Yun got off the carriage together. There was obviously someone waiting for them in front. Ming Yun and Jiang Sheng looked at each other, and Ming Yun whispered, "Uncle, I know the person in front."
Jiang Sheng looked at the convoy in front of him and asked, "Who is it?"