Chapter 58

It snowed heavily during the last few days of the New Year. When the snow stopped, the vendors on the street were the happiest, and the business was even more prosperous than before the New Year.

But Jian Xinyi was now in a state of confusion and had no mood to wander around the streets.

"My father said that His Majesty, for some unknown reason, made His Royal Highness Prince Xing kneel in the snow all night, and only stood up after the snow stopped."

The words Miss Qi said to her kept lingering in her ears.

In fact, I shouldn't treat him like that.

Only then did she hate her own powerlessness and his concealment.

Even if speaking out can help him a little, it is better than scolding him in front of the door.

"What's wrong? Why do you look so distraught?"

"Aunt, it's okay."

Jian Xinyi laughed and went straight into the bedroom.

"You saw this kid too."

Old Lin walked out of the hall and said worriedly, "This is the only solution."

"That won't work either. I have to ask Zhuiyu what she thinks."

My cousin rejected his request with a determined look on her face.

"I know you don't want her to be sad, but if you really arrange it like this, she will only be more sad."

"Xiaoqin."

Old Lin watched his cousin walk to Zhuiyu's house, and he was so angry that he turned around and went back to the woodshed to cook.

In front of the bedroom, Jian Xinyi was staring at the bronze mirror in a daze. When she heard the door being pushed open, she didn't turn around.

"Zhuiyu, why do you look so unhappy?"

Her cousin sat down to comfort her and brought her some winter fruits.

Jian Xinyi quickly took it. Fruits are hard to come by in winter, so she must cherish them.

"Thank you, cousin. I just had some trouble with a friend. It's nothing serious."

"My friend, this is the one who came to see you today."

My cousin smiled and ignored Jian Xinyi's surprised look and continued speaking.

"I've heard it all from my cousin. He's a member of the Jinwu Guard, and his family background is much higher than ours. He didn't think this was a good match, so he came to me and asked me to act as a matchmaker between you and Douzi."

What Lao Lin said was half true and half false, but the general meaning was correct, and Jian Xinyi did not explain much.

"I didn't dare to agree, so I came to ask you. But seeing you like this, I know what you mean."

Jian Xinyi lowered her eyes. It seemed that what she had thought before was indeed true. Old Lin had been secretly planning something with his cousin that day, and it must be about her marriage to Brother Douzi.

Although this move is risky, the chances of success are high.

Logically speaking, if Jian Xinyi really wanted to get married, it would be most appropriate for her to marry her cousin, who was a relative and with whom she had close contact.

Old Lin was able to think of this because he was afraid of Qian Yuan's stubbornness and was also afraid that she would find it difficult to gain a foothold in a place like the deep palace, so he made other plans for her.

It just sacrificed her happiness.

"Did my father really say that?"

In fact, Jian Xinyi didn't disbelieve it, she just wanted to excuse Lao Lin.

It was almost a subconscious question.

But there was no doubt on my cousin's face, and she even showed a look of contempt.

"He's a fool in small matters and a fool in big ones. But he's definitely a good man. He has nothing to say about you."

Jian Xinyi sighed deeply.

"I know, and I don't blame him, but..."

This matter cannot be blamed on him, nor on Jian Xinyi, and certainly not on Qian Yuan.

There's no one to blame.

Seeing his frown, his aunt pulled him into her arms and comforted him, "Don't worry, I'm here. I'll take care of everything for you."

"Thank you, cousin."

Jian Xinyi held her cousin's hand tightly and thanked her solemnly.

Sure enough, Lao Lin didn't mention this matter in the next few days, and the family lived happily together.

On the seventh day of the New Year, when Jian Xinyi went out, Lao Lin no longer asked any questions, but just told her to be careful when going out to play.

She nodded and got into the carriage.

As soon as she entered, the smell of medicinal herbs hit her nose. Jian Xinyi frowned and sat down by the window.

Qian Yuan saw this and quietly moved the incense burner on the table further away.

Then he spoke.

"Go back to the mansion first, I'll help you change clothes."

Jian Xinyi nodded, but seeing that his face was still a little pale, she didn't say anything else.

When she arrived at the mansion, she took a few quick steps forward and asked, "Are you feeling better?"

Qian Yuan narrowed his eyes. He didn't expect her to ask this.

"Much better, nothing serious."

Jian Xinyi wanted to ask more questions, such as why he was kneeling outside the temple. Could it be because of her?

But before she could say anything, the maid pulled her over to change clothes.

The maid was much faster than she was, and in just a quarter of an hour she had put on the layers of dresses.

The lotus root powder skirt paired with the sky blue jacket is quite beautiful and charming. What is rare is that the dress does not look heavy for the cold winter season.

She didn't change her headdress, it was still the same one she brought when she came last time. But in order to enter the palace, she specially combed her hair up a little more and made two buns on both sides.

Just as Jian Xinyi took a look at it with joy, she heard Qian Yuan say something sinisterly.

"It's time to go."

She was obviously unhappy, but she had no choice but to follow Qian Yuan.

She couldn't help but walk forward quickly, and finally got the chance to ask him, "Why are you..."

"Ahem."

Qian Yuan started coughing again, and the servant beside her quickly handed her some water to block her view.

Now she is the one who feels guilty again.

The servant behind her stepped forward and blocked her way.

"Miss Lin, the carriage you want to ride is still behind. Please follow me."

She watched Qian Yuan walk out of the main gate and sighed deeply.

Riding separately was probably for her own good.

If the two of them had entered the palace in the same carriage before the Qionghua Banquet began, there would surely have been a lot of rumors in the palace.

You have done so much, why don’t you explain yourself?

The carriage was bumpy all the way, making Jian Xinyi feel a little uncomfortable. She was originally a little excited, but that was also destroyed by the shaking of the carriage.

There was no other way, she could only suppress her emotions and prepare to adjust her state and enter the mode of a lady from a noble family.

The carriage gradually stopped at the palace gate.

"Miss Qi."

"Embroidered jade."

As soon as Jian Xinyi got off the car, she started looking for someone and sure enough, she saw her.

Miss Qi pulled her and turned her around twice.

"You really put a lot of thought into this outfit."

The two chatted and laughed again, and while they were chatting, they saw another woman walking over.

"Lingwen, who is this?"

Hearing the sound, Jian Jingyi turned around and took a closer look.

The woman was wearing a rose-red brocade jacket, with a plum-colored satin skirt faintly visible underneath. Her temperament was already extraordinary. But when paired with her charming, upturned almond-shaped eyes and rosy cheeks, she was truly stunningly beautiful.

If Miss Qi is elegant and graceful, then this lady is stunningly beautiful.

"Zhuo Hua, this is my friend, Zhui Yu."

Miss Qi smiled gently and pushed Jian Xinyi forward.

The two of them nodded as a greeting.

The young eunuch in front was already stretching his neck and urging them on. The noble ladies outside the palace gate reluctantly ended their conversation and began to walk into the palace.

Miss Qi quietly approached Jian Xinyi and explained to her.

"Zhuo Hua is the only daughter of Wan Tianshan, the current Northwest General. She is also said to be a hot candidate for the Crown Princess."

Jian Xinyi nodded: "I understand."

"Once you enter the palace, you can no longer speak in secret like this."

She earnestly explained to Jian Xinyi, her eyes gradually softening, "Then see what they do, and do the same, and they won't be able to find any fault with you."

After saying that, the heavy palace gate slowly opened, and dust flew up.

The ladies lined up and entered slowly.

Jian Xinyi stood in the middle, quietly looking at the expressions of the people in front.

For her, it was the first time to enter this huge palace.

But I don’t know whether it is lucky or unfortunate.

Jian Xinyi didn't dare to look directly at the scenery along the way, and could only quickly glance at it.

There are towering walls and vermilion eaves everywhere. Only when you reach the harem does the view become wider.

The lake is wide and there is a breeze occasionally. It’s a pity that there is not much greenery, otherwise it would be a beautiful sight.

This time, the Qionghua Banquet was held in the corridor by the lake. As soon as you entered, the faint fragrance of the Qionghua flowers filled your nose.

Several noble ladies sat down in groups of three or four. Jian Xinyi almost instinctively wanted to sit next to Miss Qi, but after thinking about it, she decided that sitting in the corner was the safest.

The Queen Mother would definitely not like her, and sitting next to anyone else would probably bring trouble to them.

After the ladies were seated, palace maids holding trays came in one after another and placed a plate of jade flower yogurt in front of them.

Jian Xinyi glanced around casually, and seeing that no one took action, she calmed down and waited quietly.

But just now, she clearly saw a familiar figure among the noble ladies.

She stole another glance, but couldn't be sure.

But his facial features and figure are very similar to that person.

Jian Xinyi suppressed her inner restlessness, which was normal for her.

After all, she was a daughter of an official family before, and it was just a coincidence that they met again.

"The Queen has arrived."

The queen went against the crowd and passed through the other side of the corridor, followed by many palace maids and eunuchs.

"rise."

"Thank you, Queen."

The queen glanced at the noble ladies one by one, and finally saw Jian Xinyi sitting in the corner, and then she looked at Rong Gu.

Aunt Rong nodded slightly as a response.

At this moment, the sky was indeed getting gloomy, and the wind by the lake was gradually becoming biting.

"I was supposed to take you on a boat trip, but the weather is not good today and the lake is not very calm."

The Queen smiled softly, her eyes kind as she looked at the ladies, "This Qionghua Yogurt was specially prepared by the Imperial Kitchen for this banquet, so that you can taste the freshest Qionghua dessert."

Before she finished speaking, she heard a concubine flattering her, "The Queen is so thoughtful."

The queen still had that sweet smile on her face. She said nothing more and started to move the jade flower cheese in front of her.

When the noble ladies saw the Queen picking up her chopsticks, they naturally understood the signal and immediately began to taste the food in front of them.

Jian Xinyi was still on edge. She watched the people around her tasting it one by one before she dared to move.

The fragrance of the magnolia is already elegant, and when paired with the sticky milk pastry, it really helps to relieve the greasiness.

She followed what Miss Qi had taught her before, chewing slowly and swallowing slowly.

Finally escaped a disaster.

Once all the noble ladies have finished their meal, the Qionghua Banquet will truly begin.

Jian Xinyi raised her head slightly and happened to meet the eyes of the person above her.

"His Royal Highness Prince Xing has arrived."