Chapter 183 Ma'ertai Ruoxi
In the late spring of the capital, the warm breeze carried the rich fragrance of flowers. Ma'ertai Ruoxi stepped into the mansion where her sister Ruolan lived, her heart filled with novelty and trepidation.
This trip was for the talent show. The scenery and culture of Beijing and the Northwest are completely different, like being veiled in a thin gauze, mysterious and alluring.
After dinner, the two sisters sat in the flower hall, the candlelight flickering and reflecting Ruoxi's bright eyes.
Knowing that her brother-in-law Chang Qingshan was a general under the Crown Prince, she knew that much of the news coming and going in the mansion was related to the Eastern Palace.
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Ruoxi leaned closer to Ruolan and whispered, "Sister, when I was in the Northwest, I often heard about the Crown Prince. Everyone said he was extraordinary and incredibly powerful. Just how powerful is he?"
Ruolan was holding a teacup, taking a sip of hot tea. Hearing this, she looked up and smiled helplessly: "You shouldn't worry about these things all day. His Highness the Crown Prince has been intelligent since childhood, well-versed in the classics and history, and proficient in archery and horsemanship. He is highly valued by the Emperor, so naturally there are many praises for him."
She set down her teacup, took Ruoxi's hand, and gently patted it. "Besides, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are a loving and harmonious couple, a beautiful story in the capital. As the families of officials, we should just do our duty and not entertain any improper thoughts..."
A young girl's heart is full of poetry. Ruolan could understand her sister's curiosity, but she didn't want her to get caught up in it. She had also accompanied Qingshan to pay her respects to the Crown Prince. Even though she and Qingshan were childhood sweethearts and had a deep bond, she couldn't help but admire the handsome Crown Prince.
Ruoxi is still young and has just participated in the selection of imperial concubines. Ruolan is worried that if she reads too much, she might develop inappropriate thoughts about the Crown Prince. Putting aside the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess, the palace is a complicated place. She only hopes that Ruoxi will be safe and happy and not get involved.
Ruoxi nodded slightly, the candlelight flickering on her face, but the lingering curiosity in her eyes still flickered faintly: "Sister, I'm just a newcomer, asking a few questions is not a bad thing. It's just that I'm curious after hearing so much."
Although she said that, she couldn't help but imagine the appearance of that noble prince in her mind. Everyone said that the prince was as handsome as a god. She wondered what he looked like and whether he was good-looking.
Ruolan shook her head slightly. Judging from Ruoxi's expression, she knew that Ruoxi hadn't let go of her curiosity. Finding something to do would surely distract her, right?
"You haven't been in the capital for long, so why don't I take you out for a stroll tomorrow, and we can also make some nice clothes and jewelry."
"Okay, okay, sister is the best—" Ruoxi hugged Ruolan's arm, rested her head on her shoulder, and smiled sweetly.
The streets of Beijing are always bustling and lively. The sunlight is just right, shining on the rows of shop signs and creating a dazzling light.
Ruolan, holding Ruoxi's hand, walked gracefully into a silver shop. Inside, the silver ornaments were dazzling, radiating a cool yet alluring luster against the backdrop of brocade.
The two sisters were admiring a pair of butterfly-shaped silver hairpins, chatting softly, when suddenly a clear laugh rang out, accompanied by the tinkling of their jade pendants. Looking up, they saw the Eighth Prince's wife, Guo Luoluo Minghui, walking in with graceful bearing, accompanied by her younger sister, Guo Luoluo Mingyu, a bright and charming girl with lively eyes and a touch of coquettishness.
Mingyu, with her sharp eyes, immediately spotted the hairpin in Ruoxi's hand and exclaimed in a clear voice, "I've got my eye on this hairpin, how much is it?"
Upon hearing this, Ruoxi raised her eyebrows slightly and retorted, "This jewelry store isn't owned by your family. I saw it first, so it naturally belongs to me."
Ruolan quickly tugged at Ruoxi and gently scolded, "Don't be so rude."
Then, he led Ruoxi to greet the Eighth Prince's wife: "Greetings, Eighth Prince's wife."
“Madam Chang, there’s no need for such formalities,” Minghui smiled gently. As fellow members of the Crown Prince’s faction, she had met Ruolan at the banquet. She turned and gave Mingyu a reproachful look: “Mingyu, there’s an order to things, don’t try to compete.”
But Mingyu was not about to give up. She took a few steps forward, circled Ruoxi halfway, and raised her chin: "Look at you, you must have never seen anything good before, that's why you're holding onto this hairpin."
Ruoxi also got angry, putting her hands on her hips: "Haven't I ever seen anything good? How much knowledge do you have to be so arrogant!"
Though he spoke harshly, there was no malice in his eyes; on the contrary, they were bright and full of competitive spirit.
Seeing her like this, Mingyu burst out laughing: "You're quite interesting, unlike those timid and hesitant girls."
Ruoxi laughed too: "You're the same, always so loud and boisterous."
After a few exchanges, the two girls lost their earlier tense demeanor. Instead, they started chatting away, talking about everything from the styles of silver hairpins to the novelties of the capital, chattering away like old friends who had known each other for years. It could be said that they became friends after their initial conflict.
Ruolan and Minghui exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness and amusement in each other's eyes, and let the two little ones warm up to each other on their own.
Having found a new playmate, Ruoxi seemed to have let go of her curiosity about the Crown Prince. Ruolan also breathed a sigh of relief, unable to bear stopping her. The selection of concubines hadn't started yet, so she let her relax and went out to play with Mingyu.
The warm sunlight lazily spilled into the courtyard of the Eighth Prince's residence. Ruoxi, at Mingyu's invitation, stepped into this exquisite mansion with great joy. She had just finished greeting the Eighth Prince's wife when Mingyu eagerly grabbed her hand and ran out.
"Ruoxi, I'll take you to a nice place..."
"Slow down." Minghui shook her head helplessly as she sat in the chair, genuinely worried that Mingyu would lead other people's little girls astray.
"Where?"
"Just come with me."
The two jogged along, passing through winding corridors, and climbed the narrow wooden stairs to the attic.
"Standing here, you can see the entire Eighth Prince's residence. Isn't that great?"
Mingyu leaned against the railing, smiling brightly at Ruoxi. She looked like a child showing off her prized toy to a friend. However, she really wasn't that old.
Ruoxi stood beside her, looking down at the scenery of the Eighth Prince's residence from above, and couldn't help but nod in admiration: "Indeed, the Eighth Prince's residence is truly beautiful."
“Of course, this was designed by His Highness the Crown Prince himself! It’s only because my brother-in-law has a good relationship with the Crown Prince that it exists—” Mingyu said with great pride.
"Would His Highness the Crown Prince do such a thing?" Ruoxi asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"What can't His Highness the Crown Prince do?" Mingyu, a big fan of Yinreng, said with absolute certainty.
"I mean, why would he be willing to design a residence for the Eighth Prince? Isn't he the Crown Prince?"
"Of course it's because he has the best relationship with his brother-in-law!"
Although she got along well with the Tenth Prince, Mingyu still supported the Eighth Prince when it came to who was the Crown Prince's best brother. There was no way around it; after all, he was her brother-in-law, and she had to campaign for him!
Since her brother-in-law has the best relationship with the Crown Prince, doesn't that mean she also has the best relationship with the Crown Prince? Hehe—
Unaware of Mingyu's ulterior motives, Ruoxi, who had just arrived in the capital, suddenly realized what was going on and was completely fooled by her.
They leaned against each other, sharing jokes only they understood, chatting about the different customs of the Northwest and the capital. Their silvery laughter drifted from the pavilion into the distance, and even the maids standing behind them were infected by their joy and couldn't help but smile.
Before I knew it, the sun had quietly shifted its position, and it was time to go downstairs.
Ruoxi walked ahead, as if pushed by an invisible force, her body instantly leaning forward, "Ah—"
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