Today, Princess Beiyang did not bring her eldest son's family, but brought her second son's family, including Wang Jin. Princess Nanyang was a little more careful, fearing that they would have that idea again.
As expected, the moment Xu Lanyin appeared, all three generations of Princess Beiyang's family revealed expressions of immense satisfaction. Wang Jin, in particular, couldn't hide his astonishment. Even Wang Yi was taken aback, causing Princess Nanyang to snort in anger.
Wang Jin, Wang Yi's only son, was doted on by Princess Beiyang. His father was a scoundrel, and he lacked the guidance of his mother. From a young age, he developed a character characterized by his lack of learning, a love of fighting, and a penchant for prostitution. As he grew up, he developed a promiscuous lifestyle, and no woman of good family would marry him. Like his father, Wang Jin fell into a difficult situation. Marrying a legitimate daughter of a high-ranking family was out of the question, and he wouldn't be interested in a daughter of a lower-class family or a concubine unless she was stunningly beautiful.
The granddaughter of Princess Nanyang was not a biological daughter, and although she had status, it wasn't particularly high. The young lady was so beautiful, it wouldn't be a loss of status for Wang Jin to marry her. Nanyang would definitely not refuse Beiyang's honor by having a foster granddaughter.
In the afternoon, Princess Beiyang quietly told Princess Nanyang about her desire to marry Xu Lanyin to her grandson. She added, "We sisters are not much different in age, and we always got along better than others in the palace. In the early years, the palace was in turmoil. Several of the older imperial brothers were troublesome and fought for the throne in all sorts of ways. In the end, it was the younger, more reserved brother who took the throne. Our two mothers initially complained about only bearing princesses and no princes, but later realized it was a blessing in disguise for them and us, avoiding all the turmoil... Since my youth, I've had a wish: a marriage between our two families. Alas, while Chai Qingyan isn't your biological daughter, she's your niece. I had high hopes for her, but she turned out to be such a fool. She jumped into the river after hearing some baseless rumor, further damaging Wang Yi's reputation..."
Talking about those early days, Princess Nanyang sighed deeply. She smiled and said, "I also like Jin'er. He is strong and has a manly spirit. It's a pity that Yin'er is already engaged."
Princess Beiyang was a little skeptical and asked, "That little girl doesn't look that young, but she's already engaged?"
Princess Nanyang smiled and said, "Yin'er may look young, but she's actually already seventeen years old. Of course she's engaged."
Princess Beiyang was still unwilling to give up and continued, "Everyone says that Xiaocong grew up in the countryside, so how could she possibly get a good marriage? If she marries Jin'er, she'll be in luck. How about, Imperial Sister, give her or Guard Xu a heads-up?"
This allowed Princess Nanyang to use her power to pressure others.
Princess Nanyang said sternly, "I've seen that young man before. He's the one who saved Xiao'er from the beggar. Not only that, he's also the one who brought the old demon back from Xixia. Yin'er and I have both been indebted to him, so how could we abandon him and try to find someone better? If we did, people would criticize us."
Princess Beiyang choked and had to give up reluctantly.
Nanyang saw Beiyang's embarrassed look and sighed inwardly. It was truly fate. My father had his eye on her mother, and now my son had his eye on her. Fortunately, the girl didn't have a father as immoral as Chai Zhengguan. This time, he couldn't let Beiyang's family get their way. Later, he would have to find an opportunity to make them give up Chai Qingyan.
When Xu Lanyin heard about this, she felt disgusted and knelt down to thank the princess for protecting her.
Xu Lanzhou said that Wang Jin invited him to have a drink at the restaurant tomorrow, but he declined on the grounds that he had to go to school.
Xu Lanyin said, "You did the right thing. Don't hang out with those playboys."
"I know." Xu Lanzhou said.
Xu Lanzhou was often warned by Xu Qingyan that, despite attending the Zhou family academy, he would never actively seek out the sons of the powerful, let alone hang out with playboys. The Zhou family's legitimate and influential sons also looked down on Xu Lanzhou and wouldn't bother to befriend him. Furthermore, hanging out with playboys would cost him a fortune, something he couldn't bear.
After dinner, Xu Lanzhou returned to the Xu family, while Xu Lanyin continued to stay in the Princess Nanyang's mansion.
After a few days, Princess Nanyang no longer needed Xu Lanyin's help with her insomnia. Nanny Ning had inherited Xu Lanyin's true skills, so she could handle it.
Chai Jingjing also gave the piece a new name, "Xishan Nongmei," which sounded elegant and suited the aesthetics of the era. She also found someone to accompany her: Chai Jun.
From clothing, hairstyle, makeup, to every move of playing the flute, Princess Nanyang, Madam Chai, Ma, and Xu Lanyin all tried their best to offer advice to Chai Jingjing, vowing to help her achieve good results in the talent show for the Wanshou Festival.
In a blink of an eye, it was October 18th, the Emperor's birthday, and the court was bustling with activity.
The Nanyang Princess's residence was a royal family, and Commander Chai was a high-ranking official and close minister. With the exception of the young Chai Zixiao and his adopted relative Xu Lanyin, all the masters had to go to the palace to pay their respects. The men went in the morning, and the women at noon.
They ate only a little at home and drank almost no water, fearing impropriety in the palace. After kowtowed to the emperor, they watched a performance by palace dancers and a display of talent by talented men and women. After the rankings were determined, they enjoyed the imperial banquet. It would have been early evening at the hour of Hai by the time they returned home.
Xu Lanyin assisted in applying Chai Jingjing's makeup, which combined modernity, this era, and Chai Jingjing's characteristics, retaining the opulent elements pursued by this era while avoiding the drawbacks of overly gaudy makeup. The makeup is three-dimensional, with a suitable shade, gorgeous yet natural, elegant yet bright.
After dressing up, Chai Jingjing was as beautiful as a fairy. The eldest princess and Madam Chai were very satisfied and couldn't stop looking at her.
The princess smiled and said, "I think Jingjing's makeup will be as famous as her 'Xishan Nongmei' and will spread throughout Daming."
Chai Jingjing couldn't help but feel happy when she heard this, and she gently squeezed Xu Lanyin's hand again.
Xu Lanyin had also speculated. To highlight the appropriateness of Chai Jingjing's makeup today, she had deliberately worn lighter makeup on the day of the family reunion banquet, which didn't quite fit the aesthetics of this era.
Several women understood Xu Lanyin's delicate thoughts and became more grateful to her.
Xu Lanyin also taught Chai Jingjing's personal maid how to touch up her makeup.
After they left, Xu Lanyin took Chai Zixiao back to the Xu family. This was something she had previously agreed to with the princess. Madam Chai and Ma also repeatedly told them not to get off the car or linger on the street today, as there were many people on the street.
The streets were decorated with red silk lanterns, and every corner was filled with opera singers and storytellers. The atmosphere was bustling with activity. The people were so crowded that the carriages moved very slowly.
Little Star was looking out of the car curtain with great interest. He saw a monkey show at a street corner and was so frightened that he quickly lowered the curtain. He said fearfully, "I'm afraid. I won't look at the monkeys."
This child has a psychological trauma.
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