"Silently I ascend the western tower alone, the moon like a hook."
A lonely paulownia tree stands deep in the courtyard, locking in the chill of autumn.
—Li Yu, "Meeting Joy: Silently I Ascend the West Tower Alone"
The ancients had a deep-seated melancholy about autumn, and the phoenix tree is a typical deciduous tree.
The wind blows through the paulownia leaves, the rain drips onto the sycamore trees; everything is tinged with desolation and bleakness.
The poet, moved by the scene, was overcome with sorrow, and thus the paulownia tree became an image for ancient literati to express their melancholy in autumn.
But Wang Xiuxiu didn't understand why her gentle and beautiful princess would plant a sycamore tree in the courtyard.
Later, I heard from Xiaoying that the tree was transplanted from the princess's family home.
At that time in the capital, everyone admired the Princess Consort's good fortune in marrying such a wonderful husband, and was even willing to travel thousands of miles to transplant a phoenix tree to comfort her longing for her family.
Hearing them say that, Wang Xiuxiu could understand.
August 15th is a day for family reunion.
In the past, family banquets at Prince Jing's residence were always held in the main hall.
However, at Wang Xiuxiu's suggestion, Su Yingxue decided to hold the banquet in her own courtyard this year.
Right under that huge sycamore tree.
Wang Xiuxiu hadn't planned to join in the festivities during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Firstly, his own status was inappropriate, and secondly, since it was a family banquet, Lu Jingze would have to attend, and the atmosphere would definitely not be so carefree if he were there.
It would be better for me to live in the yard by myself.
Unexpectedly, Su Yingxue discovered Wang Xiuxiu's desire to avoid work early on.
As the matriarch of the Marquis's mansion, Su Yingxue was extremely busy.
During the festival, she not only had to handle the preparations for the festival in the mansion, but also had to deal with the distribution of rewards to the many stewards and servants inside and outside the mansion.
Distributing rewards may seem simple, but it is related to the image and reputation of the Marquis's mansion, so Su Yingxue had to do it personally.
In the past, she was the only female member of the Jingwang Mansion, so naturally she had to handle everything, big or small.
With Wang Xiuxiu joining the household this year, Su Yingxue wanted to hand over the festival preparations to her.
But considering her lazy nature, I knew that this matter wouldn't be so easy to succeed.
Then we'll have to find someone she can't easily refuse to bring it up...
"Auntie, could you make me some custard-filled mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival?" Lu Yunian asked, his big, grape-like eyes full of anticipation.
These days, Wang Xiuxiu has gotten to know him better. Seeing him like this, she couldn't help but reach out and rub his cute little head. "Of course you can! Auntie can not only make mooncakes with custard filling, but also fruit filling and lotus seed paste filling! As long as you like them, Auntie can even make snow skin mooncakes and ham mooncakes!"
Hearing Wang Xiuxiu say that, Lu Yunian was so excited that he danced around, "Wow! Auntie is so amazing!"
Wang Xiuxiu was overjoyed by the praise and became elated, gradually immersing herself in the innocent praise from little Lu Yunian.
Just then, Princess Su Yingxue's voice drifted over, carrying a hint of cunning: "In that case, I'll leave all the preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the manor to you."
Wang Xiuxiu was stunned. She realized something was wrong and hurriedly tried to ask the princess to retract her order, but before she could speak, Lu Yunian cheered impatiently.
"Great! Auntie will definitely prepare lots and lots of delicious food for Nian-ge, right, Auntie?"
At this moment, the mother and son looked at him at the same time, with the same big, watery eyes, and when they asked for help, they were exactly the same!
Unable to refuse, Wang Xiuxiu reluctantly agreed.
In a corner she wasn't looking at, a hint of smugness even flashed in Princess Su Yingxue's eyes.
Wang Xiuxiu couldn't guarantee anything else, but when it came to food, she was quite capable.
The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet at Prince Jing's residence was not very complicated.
That evening, Lu Jingze was taking Su Yingxue and Xiao Nian to a banquet at the palace.
So the only meal I eat at home is lunchtime.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the entire Prince Jing's Mansion was filled with a festive atmosphere, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, creating a lively and bustling scene.
The banquet venue, arranged by Wang Xiuxiu, was filled with sumptuous dishes and fine wines.
Lu Jingze drank the imperial wine bestowed by the palace, while Wang Xiuxiu and Su Yingxue prepared a soft, sweet glutinous rice wine with osmanthus flowers.
Apart from a few essential banquet dishes, Wang Xiuxiu replaced the rest of the banquet dishes with novel and delicious ones.
There were even a few dishes that the kitchen staff didn't know how to make, and in the end, Wang Xiuxiu had to cook them herself.
As she had promised Nian Ge'er, she made five or six different flavors of mooncakes.
The dishes served at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet are pretty much the same every year, but this is the first time I've ever seen so many different kinds of dishes!
Eight-treasure duck stuffed with glutinous rice and green beans, tender and chewy crystal pork jelly, glossy and crispy squirrel-shaped mandarin fish...
In the end, the little guy ate until his belly was round and full. By evening, he didn't even want to go to the palace banquet anymore and insisted on eating the leftovers at home with Wang Xiuxiu.
Wang Xiuxiu: ……
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Autumn of the eighth year of the reign of Emperor Qianlong
The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze was blowing.
A month later, Wang Xiuxiu saw Lu Jingze for the second time in her courtyard.
She had intended to say "Oh ho" sarcastically, but she quickly came to her senses and wisely put on a fawning smile, asking him if he wanted to stay for lunch.
Lu Jingze readily agreed.
Wang Xiuxiu was unhappy.
She's going to Qixia Courtyard for lunch.
Now that he's here, the quality of the food is definitely going to be affected!
Seeing her listless and dejected appearance, Lu Jingze gave her a flick on the forehead.
"Could you show even more disappointment?"
Wang Xiuxiu quickly shook her head and explained, "No, no, it's just that the food here is indeed not as good as what the Princess has..."
She secretly wondered whether she should bring Lu Jingze along to Qixia Courtyard for a free meal.
When Wang Xiuxiu looked up, she met Lu Jingze's slightly disdainful gaze.
Wang Xiuxiu suddenly realized.
When this bastard comes along, my meal rules will have to be upgraded too!
Because of Lu Jingze, Wang Xiuxiu's lunch today included two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, a soup, and a dessert.
Well, consider it some consolation!
Wang Xiuxiu didn't go to visit the princess at noon; she took a nap and went in the afternoon.
When evening came, I thought I would go back after dinner.
As a result, a maid came to urge him, saying that the prince had been waiting at Lanyue Pavilion for a long time.
Wang Xiuxiu looked to the princess for help.
"Quick, pack all her favorite foods back."
"That's not what I meant!" Wang Xiuxiu cried out silently.
Ultimately, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't fight city hall, so she took the packed food back to Lanyuexuan.
Wang Xiuxiu is not one to follow the rules.
Especially at the dinner table, she particularly enjoys chatting and laughing while eating.
So even though she knew she would most likely be scolded by Lu Jingze for not speaking while eating or sleeping, Wang Xiuxiu still started talking.
"Your Highness, what have you been busy with lately?"
"Regarding the Liangzhou matter, the subsequent trial of the case will require me to work with the relevant officials."
Lu Jingze was involved in the Liangzhou affair from beginning to end, so it is perfectly appropriate for him to preside over the trial.
Wang Xiuxiu nodded, stopping the conversation, and then continued to bombard everyone with a bunch of random questions.
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