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"Please don't move? Each of you..."
Yu Yuelan walked along the edge of the table toward the porch, complaining non-stop, "Is it the Queen Mother of the West? Or is it the Queen Mother of the Nine Heavens? I think you're just being lazy. Fu Qile, come on, follow me to the front yard and take a look."
The master and servant walked away in the gaze of everyone.
Cui Banqin looked up at the maids outside the door and asked, "Tell me quickly, who did you invite over there to make such a big scene?"
The maids hesitated, trying to avoid her questions. "Third Aunt, you should go and see for yourself. We still have work to do, still have work to do—"
"That's weird, what's going on?"
Cui Banqin's curiosity was instantly piqued. She stood up and nudged Chu Fanghua beside her, "Second sister-in-law, no. Let's go, I'm so curious. Let's go and see who the Taishi family has invited!"
Cui Banqin enjoyed watching the fun and didn't mind getting involved.
Chu Fanghua, for some reason, was in a bad mood today. Cui Banqin pulled her up, and before she left, she yelled to Zou Shuangtong, who wanted to accompany her, "Don't come any closer. Go to the kitchen and keep an eye on it. When the red date and pigeon soup is ready, send it to your sister-in-law."
It seems that she is still holding a grudge for what happened a month ago.
Zou Shuangtong's brisk steps immediately stopped at the door. Her face drooped and she replied sullenly, "Yes, mother-in-law, please walk slowly. Aunt, please walk slowly. Please be careful with your steps."
Send soup, send soup.
Drinking this kind of nourishing drink early in the morning? Aren't you afraid of vomiting blood?
Zou Shuangtong couldn't help but spit out the door.
Then she turned around and caught a glimpse of Cang Yi standing in front of the pillar. Her expression suddenly changed, and she inexplicably began to feel sorry for Cang Yi, saying, "Alas...cousin, sometimes I really do feel sorry for you. Although you come from a poor family, you are really capable. Ten maids in the mansion are not as good as you. But why do you always get blamed?"
"Everyone says my mother-in-law is hard to serve, and being a daughter-in-law in an earl's mansion is hard. But in fact, I think it's because no one helps us, and the burden falls entirely on us. Even if we work hard, it's thankless!"
"You know this even without mentioning our family. Let's talk about your eldest wife. Zhichou's wife is a bit out of tune. And I heard that Erlang's new wife was raised in the palace. She must be so precious. She's definitely harder to serve than the one in my family. Just tell me, how are you going to get through the rest of your life? How are we going to get through the rest of our lives—"
He pretends to be pitiful on the outside, but his words are actually cold and unkind.
Zou Shuangtong's hypocritical look was really funny. Although Cang Yi was honest, he couldn't stand her mean face.
Although Zhi Chou's wife was unruly, she never bullied her eldest sister-in-law. And what about Erlang's wife? How could we know if she was good or not before she even entered the house? Zou Shuangtong was already stirring up trouble. She had no good intentions and couldn't bear to see anyone do well.
"Cousin-in-law, I'll take this pigeon soup to the second room for you."
Cang Yi didn't respond. She knew why Zou Shuangtong spoke for her for no reason.
It would be better to just point it out directly.
Zou Shuangtong achieved his goal and walked out of the door happily. Then he said, "Then I'll have to trouble my cousin's wife. Remember to help my sister-in-law clean the red dates before she drinks the soup. Don't let her see it--" and disappeared.
Cang Yi looked at the empty front hall and sighed helplessly.
This job,
In the end it still fell on her.
-
forecourt.
Yu Yuelan sauntered over and was about to ask who was causing such a commotion, but when she looked up, she was surprised. She saw someone in robes sitting in the hall, and in the open space in front of the courtyard, dozens of people who looked like female officials stood in a neat row.
Yu Yuelan shook off Fu Qile and hurried forward. Cui Banqin, who had followed, saw this situation and pulled Chu Fanghua to a stop not far away, "What's going on? Why are there people coming from the palace..."
Chu Fanghua frowned and said nothing, and the two of them did not rush forward anymore.
At that moment, the lone person sitting in front of the table stood up. Before Yu Yuelan could open her mouth, she bowed respectfully, "Empress Yuan Cairui asks for Miss Yu Shu's well-being. I, under the orders of the virtuous Concubine Dowager, have come with the Imperial Bedroom Bureau to arrange the wedding for the daughter of the Grand Historian—"
"Palace Commander?" "Shangqin Bureau!"
These words startled the onlookers.
The Shangqin Bureau is here to prepare a room for Erlang’s wife!
What a grand gesture! What a grace! It's a far cry from the Second House's Prince's Mansion.
Cui Banqin, who was hiding aside, felt that what he had just said to the eldest wife had slapped him in the face.
"Little Lady?"
Yu Yuelan couldn't believe her ears.
As for Yuan Cairui, she had met him once at the Empress Dowager's birthday party.
However, at that time, Yuan Cairui was just a small official beside Empress Shunhe. After hearing that Empress Shunhe had passed away, she followed the Empress's adopted son, the current emperor Qi Liyuan, to serve in the palace of the virtuous concubine Yi. It was not until the current emperor ascended the throne that she took the position of palace attendant.
But when it comes to the virtuous concubine, Yu Yuelan has never seen her.
She was a low-key person, avoiding the spotlight and rarely appearing in public. Although she had taken over Empress Shunhe's care for the current emperor in his early years, the current emperor, like his mother before him, continued to be crowned as the successor. Consequently, upon the new emperor's accession to the throne, Empress Shunhe was not posthumously honored, nor was she made empress dowager. However, the current emperor, mindful of her upbringing, always treated her with courtesy, calling her "Little Empress," thus competing with Empress Dowager Chu, who had profited from the situation.
But...why would the young lady, a member of the Taishi family, order someone to set up a room? And Yuan Cairui is considered a close minister to the emperor, so how could he obey her orders?
Yu Yuelan found it difficult to figure out the origin of this.
Yuan Cairui, however, with the majesty of the royal family, reminded, "Mrs. Yu, the young lady has already made all the necessary arrangements. I would like to trouble you to lead the way. Please do not miss the time."
Yu Yuelan couldn't afford to be indecisive after hearing this, so she quickly raised her hand to invite him, "Look at my brain. I forgot everything when I saw you, the distinguished guest, arrive. Please, please, follow me to the Yinzhu Yatang."
Yuan Cairui nodded without saying anything.
The people from the Shangqin Bureau followed in an orderly manner, and walking in the Earl's Mansion became a beautiful scenery.
As they approached the bridal chamber, Cui Banqin couldn't help but catch up with Yu Yuelan and asked in a low voice, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law. Are the Taishi family so capable? Were they really sent by the young lady to make the bed for Zhijun's wife? Then they are considered her family!"
Cui Banqin's expression changed very quickly.
At this moment, she abandoned the Princess of Lingshan County and turned to the Taishi family, who were related to the young lady.
Yu Yuelan refused to indulge her bad habits. She simply waved Cui Banqin's hand away and said arrogantly, "What a joke! How could it be true? My daughter-in-law grew up in the palace, so it's only natural that she gets some care from the elders. Little aunt, please move aside. And those outsiders, please step aside and don't block the way of the noble lady."
Yu Yuelan said this on purpose for the second wife to hear.
She slightly leaned aside, pushing aside Cui Banqin to make way for Yuan Cairui. "Madam Yuan, this room is the wedding chamber for my son and his wife. I'll trouble you to prepare it. I'll ask the kitchen to prepare tea for you. Please—"
"Thank you, Yu Shuren." Yuan Cairui ignored their competitive spirit and just said what he should say and did what he should do.
But look at Yu Yuelan, she is smiling.
Yuan Cairui raised his head, stepped through the door, waved his hand, and gave a mighty order, "Wu Sishe, everyone in the Shangqin Bureau, listen up, hang up the tents——"
The people in the Shangqin Bureau received the order.
A crimson curtain was flung open before the eyes of the crowd, then gracefully dropped back down. Unlit candles and window decorations with wedding characters plastered everywhere loomed large in this moment.
The Shangqin Bureau was meticulously organized, even the folds of the curtains were perfectly even and precise. Once the curtains were hooked in, the Sishe and Dianshe staff took their three rulers and meticulously measured and compared the dimensions. Only after confirming they were correct did they dare report to Yuan Cairui.
Just this series of actions shocked everyone present and they applauded.
Cui Banqin even stepped forward to flatter him, "The nobles in the palace are always meticulous in their work. Sister-in-law, you can expect to enjoy happiness if you marry a daughter-in-law like her."
Yu Yuelan had the upper hand at this moment, and she couldn't stop smiling.
At that time, Zou Shuangtong, who had chased to the front yard but couldn't find anyone, finally caught up with this lively scene.
But just as she had found her feet next to Chu Fanghua and said, "Wow, what a grand ceremony—" she was scolded by her mother-in-law, "Look at it, what's so good about it. Little lady? My maiden name is Chu, did I ever say anything? Go, go, go quickly. If you don't leave now, you will live with the eldest wife from now on."
What's going on?
It's true that your maiden name is Chu, but you and the Empress Dowager are almost five generations apart...
Zou Shuangtong's face was filled with disdain, but she still had to follow her mother-in-law. She had been looking around before leaving, prompting Cui Banqin to look over and ask, "Mrs. Zhisong, why are you leaving? Where's your mother-in-law?"
Zou Shuangtong leaned over and replied, "Third Aunt, our second house has some things to attend to. I'll be leaving first. Please take your time."
"What's going on? Go ahead." Cui Banqin smiled and waved her hand, but turned around and whispered to Yu Yuelan, "What could possibly happen to the Second House? She's probably just getting angry. Sister-in-law, look how petty she is."
Upon hearing this, Yu Yuelan glanced at Cui Banqin and thought, isn't it time for her to help the second house to embarrass her just now?
That's so annoying.
Yu Yuelan was about to chase the person away if she spoke again, "Yes, she is narrow-minded, and I am broad-minded. I won't bother with you. If you have nothing to do, go see the old lady. This is none of your business, so don't stand here any longer."
What? Are you trying to kick me out?
No way.
Cui Banqin is not only quick-witted but also shameless.
Over there, she happened to see the people from the Shangqin Bureau making the bed, checking Tai Shizheng's dowry, and preparing to display it. She took advantage of the situation, avoiding Yu Yuelan's words, and leaned into the room, "Sister-in-law, are these all the dowry sent by Zhijun's wife? Why do I see so many treasures I haven't seen before?"
"These gold and silver jewelry, silks and satins, as well as the writing brushes, inkstones, paper, carvings and wood carvings, were all gifts from the government."
Si She replied, but the Palace Master coughed to stop him from talking any more. Cui Banqin exclaimed, "Your Majesty? A gift from the Emperor! Well, well, well, my wives are truly incredibly capable."
a shame.
Yu Yuelan immediately felt that only these four words could describe Cui Banqin's virtue.
She was afraid of offending the nobles and also afraid of being looked down upon by the Taishi family, so she stood up and interrupted, "Empress Dowager, everyone in the Shangqing Bureau has worked hard today. Since it's almost noon, you nobles should stay at the mansion for dinner. The Earl's Mansion will also treat you well as a token of gratitude."
Don't look at how impetuous Yu Yuelan is in her daily life, but she also knows the etiquette and rules.
But when she invited people, the Palace Secretary politely declined Yu Yuelan's offer, "Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Yu. We will not trouble you. We are only following orders, so please excuse us from lunch. After we finish making the room, we will return to the palace to report. It would be bad if we kept you waiting for too long."
"That's right, we must not let the nobleman blame us." Yuan Cairui brought up the young lady, and Yu Yuelan could only agree with her, "Since that's the case, if you don't eat the meal, then you must accept the tea, wine, and lucky money that should be given back to the bride's relatives. Share in the good fortune."
Yuan Cairui saw that it was not a good idea to refuse, so he could only respond, "Okay, then we will help you take the things back and present them to the young lady."
Yu Yuelan nodded and turned to signal Fu Qile to get ready.
During the conversation, the people from the Shangqing Bureau handed the checked list to Yuan Cairui for review. After she gave her approval, the group dared to leave the room in an orderly manner.
At that time, Yu Yuelan stood in the house and looked back at the prime minister. She couldn't help but exclaim several times, "My God, after such a tidy up, how can you tell that this is a elegant hall? It's simply a golden house! My family is blessed by my daughter-in-law's family. Thank you so much for your grace, young lady."
"As long as Lady Yu is satisfied," Yuan Cairui said, still looking serious. "It's done. We wish Mr. Cui and Miss Taishi a happy marriage. Goodbye."
Yuan Cairui said goodbye. The group came in with great vigor and left just as cleanly and neatly.
Yu Yuelan and Cui Banqin escorted the people to the front yard, and Yuan Cairui refused to allow them to go any further. She accepted the tea, wine, and lucky money that Fu Qile brought her and walked out the door without looking back.
Outside the door, Yuan Cairui hurried down the steps and came to a simple carriage.
The reason she was in such a hurry was because someone was waiting for her.
But the face behind the bamboo curtain changed color after she paused, "Is it done?"
"Yes." Yuan Cairui answered in a low voice.
She seemed to be waiting for instructions from the person inside the car, but the person inside glanced at the light shining through the window at noon and said, "Then let's go to Huaiqingfang. Aren't you going to attend her wedding tomorrow as an elder? You don't have to go back today."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Cairui frowned and replied, "You want to go too? But that person has instructed that you are not allowed to see Xiao Zheng before the wedding of the two families."
"Mammy, are you going to abandon me and side with them? Am I even deprived of the right to meet her?"
A melancholy sigh came from inside the curtain to outside.
Yuan Cairui finally raised her head and looked inside the car. She was somewhat moved, yet also somewhat hesitant. Ultimately, however, she waved her hand and chose to remain with the people in the car.
"Set off for Huaiqingfang—"
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