Chapter 622 Separated at the Banquet
Madam Qiao also felt that the betrothal gifts were mostly provided by Qiao Qinghe herself.
But she smiled and reassured her, "Grandma, why do you care who paid for the betrothal gifts? As long as the gifts are generous enough, our family has gained both face and substance, and that's enough."
Grandma Qiao nodded, "You're right. We'll give Qiao Ning all the betrothal gifts later, and prepare a decent dowry. We can't let that kid named Amo look down on our family."
Just as Qiao Wangshi was about to agree, Old Madam Qiao waved her hand and said, "Forget it, don't worry about it. Let your eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law prepare when they arrive."
"Speaking of which, it's been over a month, why haven't we heard anything from Jiangnan yet?"
"I'll write a letter later to ask what's going on."
"Yes," Qiao Wangshi nodded obediently. But her lowered eyes were full of resentment.
Because everything was done simply and quickly, Qiao Ning and Amo's marriage was settled very soon.
While the engagement process was being completed, the results of the imperial examination were also released.
The name at the top of the list was none other than Fu Wenqing.
Of course, none of this had anything to do with the Qiao family, and Qiao Qinghe hadn't deliberately asked anyone to inquire about it. It was just that the name had been appearing quite frequently lately, which is why Qiao Qinghe had overheard it.
Even A Shuang mentioned it twice. Once was when the results of the imperial examination were released, and Fu Wenqing topped the list, becoming the top scholar. A Shuang marveled at the Seventh Princess's excellent judgment.
The second time, Ah Shuang heard from somewhere that Fu Wenqing was favored by the Zhong family and they intended to take him as a son-in-law. She was amazed that even the Zhong family had taken a liking to Fu Wenqing, which showed that Fu Wenqing was indeed talented.
This Zhong family is none other than the maternal family of the deposed Crown Princess Zhong Liu Niang.
Although the Zhong family was not punished because of the Crown Princess, they were still affected and are now acting much more discreetly than before.
However, none of this has anything to do with Qiao Qinghe.
She is currently busy preparing for the flower banquet at the Yongchang Marquis's residence tomorrow.
Yes, the imperial examination is over, and the day has arrived for the flower banquet to be held at the Yongchang Marquis's residence.
Originally, it was thought that Qiao Ning wouldn't need to attend the flower banquet since she was engaged. However, news came from the Yongchang Marquis's residence that even the engaged young lady needed to be present.
After all, this is a flower banquet, not a matchmaking event. Both princesses are going, as are the future Princess Consort of Chu and the future Princess Consort of Qi. Do you think you're more important than them? Do you dare not go?
Therefore, Qiao Qinghe had no choice but to bring Qiao Ning and Qiao Yuanyao along to the banquet.
Yes, Qiao Yuanyao is also on the list of invitees.
However, Qiao Yuanyao was not invited because of Qiao Qinghe, but because of his elder brother Qiao Jingyao, who held the fifth rank.
Whether Emperor Xiaozhao forgot or did it on purpose, the imperial edict requesting that Qiao Jingyao confer the title of Fifth-Rank Yiren on his mother Zhou was never issued.
Therefore, Zhou Shi could not attend the flower banquet, and Qiao Yuanyao could only go with Qiao Qinghe.
Two days in advance, Qiao Qinghe personally wrote a letter to Madam Zheng of the Duke of Jin's Mansion, asking her to help protect her two young ladies on the day of the flower banquet.
Madam Zheng naturally agreed.
With Madam Zheng's promise, Qiao Qinghe personally helped Qiao Yuanyao and Qiao Ning choose the clothes and jewelry they would wear to the banquet, selecting the most understated, ordinary, and inconspicuous items possible without being impolite.
Of course, most importantly, she told Qiao Ning not to wander off at the flower banquet and to stay close to her and Madam Zheng.
At the same time, she instructed Qiao Yuanyao to take good care of Qiao Ning, and to have the servants inform her immediately if anything happened, and to be careful and cautious to avoid any accidents.
As for servants, Qiao Qinghe specifically assigned four attentive maids to accompany Qiao Ning, instructing them to protect Qiao Ning and Qiao Yuanyao.
Once everything was arranged, the flower banquet at the Yongchang Marquis's residence arrived.
Qiao Qinghe and Qiao Ning left early in the morning, first going to the second house in the east city to pick up Qiao Yuanyao, and then rushing to the Duke of Jin's mansion to meet with Madam Zheng.
When the Qiao family's carriage arrived at the Duke of Jin's residence, Madam Zheng was already waiting. Upon hearing of their arrival, Madam Zheng quickly came out with Madam Bai, the Duke of Jin's wife, and her eldest granddaughter, Wei Wanwan.
After exchanging greetings, Madam Zheng pulled Qiao Qinghe into her carriage.
Bai Shi and her daughter rode in their own carriage, while only Qiao Yuanyao and Qiao Ning remained in the Qiao family's carriage.
Inside the carriage, Qiao Qinghe asked curiously, "Isn't Wanwan only eight years old? Why did you bring her along?"
Madam Zheng explained with a smile, "Eight years old is not young anymore. She can be taken out to attend some banquets and show her face."
These days, it's not uncommon for girls to get engaged as young as seven or eight.
Qiao Qinghe nodded, "That's true. It's good to attend the banquet sooner and get used to this kind of occasion."
The two didn't say much about Wei Wanwan and quickly changed the subject to today's flower banquet.
"I never expected that this engaged young lady would still come to the banquet. I really don't know what the Yongchang Marquis's family is up to."
Madam Zheng was very puzzled and had a vague feeling that today's flower banquet would not go too smoothly.
Qiao Qinghe was also worried, "I'm afraid that Madam Wen is still up to no good and wants to do something to Qiao Ning at the flower banquet."
Madam Zheng smiled and comforted her, "Don't think too much about it. Haven't you already made the necessary preparations? Things have come to this point, so we can only take it one step at a time."
Qiao Qinghe nodded in agreement. At this point, all they could do was deal with it as it came.
Because they were both located in the eastern part of the city near the palace, the two barely exchanged a few words before their carriage arrived at the Yongchang Marquis's residence.
As soon as the group got out of the carriage, people from the Yongchang Marquis's residence came to greet them.
Today, the people greeting guests at the gate are the second wife of the Marquis of Yongchang and her daughter, Miss Wenliu.
Upon seeing Qiao Qinghe and her group arrive, the mother and daughter warmly greeted them.
After exchanging greetings and a few pleasantries, other guests arrived.
So, Madam Wen smiled and called for someone to lead them inside.
Without encountering any problems, the group entered smoothly.
Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, they reached the hanging flower gate, where the old woman leading the way stopped, smiled, and separated them, handing them over to two groups.
"Today's flower banquet is separate. Madam Zheng, Old Madam Qiao, Duchess, this way please. Our Madam is already waiting for you all at Tingzhu Pavilion."
Qiao Qinghe frowned almost imperceptibly, exchanged a glance with Madam Zheng, and had not yet spoken.
Then the old woman continued, "Ladies, please follow this maid to Hibiscus Pavilion. Princess Huaiyang and Princess Liyang have already arrived."
After hearing this, Qiao Qinghe and Madam Zheng had no reason to refute it.
This is clearly a deliberate attempt to separate unmarried girls from married women during reception.
Everyone does it this way, so they can't be different. They can only do as the host family says.
Before parting, Qiao Qinghe couldn't help but give a few more instructions, telling Qiao Ning not to wander off and to stay close to Qiao Yuanyao. She also told Qiao Yuanyao to keep an eye on Qiao Ning. Finally, looking at eight-year-old Wei Wanwan, Qiao Qinghe smiled and told Qiao Yuanyao and Qiao Ning to take care of themselves and also look after Wei Wanwan, the youngest.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Qiao Qinghe finished speaking, the little maid raised her face and said with a smile, "Madam, don't worry, I will take good care of Aunt Qiao and Sister Qiao for you. I will never let anyone bully them!"
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