Wang finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the two nurses and the female historian returned home very satisfied with their work. Because the Chinese New Year was approaching, Meng Qi's teaching didn't last a full month.
Nanny Sang praised Meng Qi profusely, saying she was worthy of being the daughter of a marquisate, her every move and every word being perfectly honed. She also said Meng Qi was open-minded and respectful of her. She promised to tell the truth when she returned, so the Empress could rest assured.
When it was Aunt Guan's turn, she still had no expression on her face and only said two words: "It's okay."
Ms. Zhang and Ms. Li didn't say much, just some extra suggestions, hoping that Meng Qi could learn to eat the snacks that the prince usually likes to eat before getting married.
Meng Qi thought about the recipes of the snacks that Prince Rui liked to eat, and shook her head secretly. In her previous life, she had been married to Song Chengze for five years, but she never knew what he liked to eat.
The first two years were filled with disdain, and the last three years were when she wanted to do it but couldn't.
Thinking about the plan that was taking shape in her mind, she decided to practice making those snacks starting today.
The New Year at the Huainan Marquis' Mansion was very lively. Four young ladies got married in one year, which was unheard of not only in the capital but also in the Great Xia Dynasty.
Regardless of whether they were frustrated or surprised, everyone was giving a thumbs-up. The eldest daughter was marrying into the Viscount's family, the in-laws of Prince Jing, the emperor's favorite. The second daughter was marrying the legitimate son of the Duke of a County. The fourth daughter was marrying the emperor's own son. The third daughter, though less accomplished, was also a young general with a promising future.
Meng Changfeng forced himself to think positively. Looking at Meng Hai, who said he was coming back to attend Meng Qi's wedding, and who half-requested and half-threatened him to get those things done as soon as possible yesterday, he felt a headache.
Looking at the two legitimate sons, the eldest one's face was red from drinking. He just pulled Meng Hai and asked him to bring back ten more jars of wine so that he could share them with his friends.
The second son took a sip of wine from the maid's hand, walked to Song's side, and said something, which made Song touch his forehead with her hand. After a while, she gave a few instructions to the maid beside her. The second son nodded happily.
Meng Changfeng sighed again. If there was someone who was more capable, he would not have placed his bet on this bastard. Now he was being led by the nose by him.
Meng Qi looked at Meng Hai, who was drunk with Meng Shao and his second wife, Meng Ji, and sneered inwardly. He came back just for her wedding? Oh, you must be kidding. Who knows why he came back?
Thinking of Meng Hai's fate in her previous life, Meng Qi sneered. Although she didn't know whether Meng Hai was a follower of King Jing or King Cheng, both men ultimately fell victim to the Crown Prince. Naturally, Meng Hai, as a follower, met a fate no less tragic, dragging Liu and Meng Juan down with him.
Therefore, Meng Qi didn't want to use her brain to deal with the third house at all. Although the third house was the one who was behind several of her plans, just as Meng Wan said, she still gave them the opportunity. No fly will bite an egg without a crack.
Of course, not wanting to use your brain is one thing, but it is okay to occasionally cause them trouble and make them uncomfortable.
In another month, she will marry into the Rui Palace, which is her main battlefield. She needs to get more information that is beneficial to her, although it is a bit difficult to collect. After all, in her previous life, she had no interest in anything in the Rui Palace.
Every year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, all marquises and officials of the third rank and above must enter the palace to admire the moon with the royal family. This has been a tradition of the Great Xia Dynasty for many years.
This whole day was unbearable. I had to leave in the afternoon, but the queue at the palace gate alone took ages. Once inside, I had to stand in the drafty hall for ages, feeling the cold wind, forcing a smile as I faced everyone's greetings. Not to mention the banquet food, which had been brought from the imperial kitchen to Kunning Palace, and had been stained white by the greasy residue.
Especially the older ones could not stand the hardship, and some of them fell ill early just to avoid the fifteenth night banquet in the palace.
As the daughter of the Huainan Marquisate, Meng Qi naturally made her annual visit. The Huainan Marquisate was already declining, with few families remaining on good terms, and those in-laws who did were not well-qualified, making Meng Qi's visits unpleasant.
She was naturally strong-willed and sharp-tongued, but once she entered the palace, everyone was a noble lady, a noblewoman from a wealthy family. Even the prestige of the Huainan Marquisate wasn't enough. Therefore, Wang Shi always warned Meng Qi about this, fearing she might lose control of her temper. Fortunately, there were always some minor incidents, but they were harmless. To be frank, it wasn't enough.
But this year was different. Meng Qi received the Queen's decree early on, asking her to enter the palace on the tenth day of the first lunar month and wait to come back with the family of Marquis Huainan after the palace banquet on the fifteenth day.
Wang heaved a sigh of relief, yet also felt a bit nervous. Fortunately, it was only five days. Meng Qi had been learning the rules very well recently, and had become quite sensible. There shouldn't be any major problems.
But she was also worried that the palace would target her. After all, the rumors about Meng Qi and Hong Zhe were known to everyone. Although Hong Zhe was Princess Jing's brother and Princess Jing was the daughter-in-law of Concubine Xian, Concubine Xian would never let anyone mention this in the palace just for the sake of her own face. But there are exceptions to everything.
Meng Qi watched Mother Liu packing her luggage and smiled, "It's only five days, why bring so much? Just change into one for each day. And prepare the dress for the fifteenth, and there's no need for anything else."
Seeing Mama Liu putting three more boxes of head ornaments in, she burst out laughing, "Alright, alright, no need to take them. I'm not going to participate in a beauty pageant. If the Empress makes me stand for too long with all these jingling noises on my head, my neck will bend."
Madam Liu paused, weighing the heavy headgear in her hand, and nodded, "This old servant thinks that there are concubines and princesses in the palace, and occasionally the princes' wives will come to pay their respects. We can't let them outshine you."
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