Chapter 535: Comparison of Two Women
Princess Qingkang's eyes were filled with interest. "It seems that my sister is determined to snatch the marriage from Princess Huai'an's family. What are you going to do?"
Princess Qingfeng smiled and said thoughtfully, "Thirty years ago, there was a war between Langya and Longxia. Langya was defeated and sent a princess to seek peace. This princess is the daughter of the Duke of Ji's Mansion. In order to appease the Duke of Ji's Mansion, the late emperor gave the Duke of Ji a golden phoenix. The Duke of Ji can use the golden phoenix to find a marriage for the girls in the clan, even if they want the position of queen.
It's a pity that the legitimate daughter of Duke Ji is still young, the illegitimate daughter is dying, and the biological mother of one is a prostitute. She is just average in appearance and not worthy of Murong Jue's attention.
So Duke Ji adopted Ruan Haizhu as his adopted daughter, and told the outside world that she was the orphan of the old duke's subordinates, and had been raised in Duke Ji's mansion. Tomorrow we will go to the palace with the wife of Duke Ji, and we should go there early to get this done before Miss Shen enters the palace.
With that golden phoenix, I don’t believe this won’t work!”
Princess Qingkang's heart skipped a beat, thinking Princess Qingfeng was crazy. "Although the marriage with the Princess's Mansion is good, it's not worth sacrificing a golden phoenix. What on earth are you planning?"
Even the dumbest person would have noticed something was wrong by now.
Princess Qingfeng cursed Qingkang in her heart, but said sincerely: "What else can I plan? Of course I hope your good son-in-law can come back. If the second prince comes back, Wanyi will still be the noble second prince's consort. Isn't everything I do a good thing for you, sister?"
Originally, the Jiguo Mansion kept the Golden Phoenix in the hope that when the family declined, a queen would emerge from the family to ensure the prosperity and wealth of the Jiguo Mansion. However, the current Jiguo Mansion is a lustful man who has done many immoral things outside. He recently raped the daughter of a minor official and killed her.
If the emperor knew about these things, he would have to die even if he used the Golden Phoenix to send a girl into the palace. Princess Qingfeng used this handle to threaten Duke Ji to cooperate.
Of course, Duke Ji also wanted to take a gamble. If the second prince really returned to the palace in the future and became the crown prince, everything he had done could be written off, and Duke Ji's mansion could be guaranteed to prosper for a hundred years.
Qingkang smiled with his face but not his heart.
When Princess Qingfeng took Ruan Haizhu away, she suddenly became nervous and said to the nanny beside her: "Are we really going to enter the palace together tomorrow?"
The nanny nodded and said, "Princess, you will just go to the theater tomorrow to stir up trouble. Anyway, this matter has nothing to do with you, and it cannot be blamed on you no matter what."
Princess Qingkang thought about it and realized that it was true. She laughed and said, "You are right. I will see what the princess will do tomorrow after I was slapped in the face by her today!"
At daybreak the next day, several luxurious carriages had already stopped at the palace gate; it was the time for the morning court session.
Many court officials saw the carriage and recognized whose family it belonged to.
Many people secretly looked at Master Zhao and came forward to ask, "Master Master, why did the two princesses and the wife of Duke Ji come to the palace so early? What happened?"
Imperial Tutor Zhao lowered his eyelids, glanced back at everyone, and sneered, "How would I know about women's affairs? Wait! Maybe some good news will come out later!"
Good thing?
The ministers looked at each other in confusion, each of them doubting the other.
The empress dowager woke up after half past the hour of Mao. She was still a little puzzled when she learned that Princess Qingkang, Princess Qingfeng, and the wife of Duke Ji had come to pay their respects.
"Didn't Qingkang just bring a niece here yesterday, and was ridiculed like that by Huai'an? Why don't you give up today?" The Queen Mother got angry when she talked about what happened yesterday.
Nanny Gui said hurriedly, "Princess Qingkang didn't bring anyone with her today, but the wife of Duke Ji brought a girl with her."
The Queen Mother was startled, her eyes suddenly widened, "I remember that there seemed to be a golden phoenix in the Duke Ji's Mansion, could it be..."
The Queen Mother's face looked very bad, and Aunt Gui also reacted and became anxious, "Oh, Queen Mother, if this is the case, you can't see them today!"
The Queen Mother was furious, but she didn't nod on the spot. "If you don't see them, you can't see Miss Shen. People who don't know would think that I oppose this marriage! I didn't expect Qingkang to go to such lengths to deal with the Shen family! Go! Call them in, I want to see what tricks they play!"
When Princess Qingkang brought Zhao Moli here yesterday, the Queen Mother knew Princess Qingkang's plan. She could understand Princess Qingkang's anger and unwillingness, so she didn't bother with Qingkang. Unexpectedly, she encouraged Qingkang's arrogance. Today he brought so many people here. It seems that she can no longer be merciful.
Soon Princess Qingkang and her entourage were brought before the Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother immediately focused her attention on Ruan Haizhu and was somewhat amazed by her.
"This is?"
Ruan Haizhu stepped forward and respectfully greeted the Queen Mother, her voice soft and bright, "I, the commoner Ruan Haizhu, greet the Queen Mother."
The wife of Duke Ji bowed and explained, "Queen Mother, Haizhu is the orphan of my father-in-law's subordinates. The Duke took pity on her and adopted her as his daughter. She has been raised in the Duke's Mansion all these years. Although she is not his biological daughter, she is better than his. Now that the child has reached the age of marriage, I am incompetent and cannot find a suitable husband for her. It is really sad.
Haizhu is a child of humble origins, but she is outstanding in every other way. She should be married to a prince of noble descent. I would like to use the golden phoenix bestowed by the late emperor to find a marriage for Haizhu. I would like to ask the Queen Mother to grant a marriage between Haizhu and Murong Jue."
Princess Qingfeng and Princess Qingkang looked at each other, with smiles in their eyes.
Princess Qingfeng followed suit and said, "Queen Mother, I was also very shocked when I first saw Miss Haizhu these two days. She is one of the best looking ladies in the imperial capital. Moreover, Duke Ji's mansion has put a lot of effort into teaching Miss Haizhu. She can even ride a horse and strictly abides by the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. She is indeed a wonderful person!"
Princess Qingkang was ridiculed yesterday for bringing Zhao Moli into the palace, so she was not in a position to praise Ruan Haizhu at this moment, but she kept an approving smile on her face.
Seeing that the Queen Mother did not say anything, Duke Ji continued, "The reason why I came to the palace to ask for this marriage for Haizhu is because Master Jue is so outstanding. That day when he returned to the imperial capital, he rode his horse through the streets. He was a young man in his prime, with an outstanding temperament.
Haizhu fell in love with him when she saw him, and she even told me about Master Jue after she returned home. I couldn't bear to see her sad, so I shamelessly brought the Golden Phoenix to see the Queen Mother."
The queen mother had a blank expression on her face, secretly thinking about how to resolve the matter.
At this time, Princess Huai'an came over with Murong Jue and Shen Yuezhang.
Everyone looked towards the door, their eyes falling on the girl in the goose yellow brocade skirt standing beside Princess Huai'an.
The girl's skin is as white as cream, her eyebrows and eyes are as gentle as water, but there is a bit of determination, and her eyes are clean and clear.
It was only after seeing Shen Yuezhang that the Empress Dowager discovered that there was something wrong with Ruan Haizhu. Although Ruan Haizhu was well behaved and had outstanding looks, her skin was not as good as Shen Yuezhang's, and her eyes were not as clear and clean as Shen Yuezhang's. It seemed that there were many things hidden in her eyes.
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