Spring is the season of abundant flowers, but it is also the season that gives Xiao Nanhui the most headaches.
The sound of the girls' playful laughter mixed with a strong smell of pollen came towards her. She sneezed loudly and looked around.
This place is said to be a side courtyard, but in fact it is the back garden of Prince Xuanyuan's Palace.
The entire back garden was almost half the size of the Xiao Mansion. It was spring, and the precious flowers that had obviously cost a lot of money were in full bloom. Small winding bridges dotted the rockery, and even the stepping stones beside the path seemed to have been carefully crafted.
After all, it is a royal palace, so it still has the necessary grandeur.
For some reason, she recalled the Mei Mansion she had visited. There, the courtyard was tended by a single servant named Ah Chu, and while it wasn't nearly as meticulously tended as this one, the plum trees in that garden exuded a vibrant energy amidst their tranquil beauty, making one feel the care and love the owner had poured into them.
The beautiful scenery before my eyes is beautiful, but because everything is good, it seems vague.
"I usually have people take care of this garden. It was abandoned for a long time, and I spent a lot of effort to make it look like it is today."
Mrs. Bo looked at the clusters of flowers and felt a genuine sense of pride in her heart.
Xiao Nanhui calmly glanced at the other woman's plump, white hands, which were completely free of any dirt, and reluctantly agreed, "Madam, you've really taken a lot of trouble."
Mrs. Bo obviously didn't care about her reaction. She continued walking forward, and when she passed a bunch of hydrangeas, she saw a dozen young women dressed in pink and green.
Most of those women were no more than 10 years old, a beautiful age. They were standing or leaning on a flower stand set in a pool of clear water. The silks and satins used for the game of cloak-covering were entangled among the young and plump bodies. The toes of those wearing fine gold-threaded shoes jumped lightly, and accidentally knocked over the shiny silver plates and porcelain bottles. The bright and juicy fruits rolled out, and the flower wine mixed with honeydew spilled all over the ground, emitting a slightly intoxicating aroma in the spring sunshine.
Amidst this vibrant spring scene, one figure stood out. Her gold and red gauze gown, her snow-white satin bodice dripping with beads, was incredibly tight around her waist and accentuated her bust. Her intricate bun, adorned with hair ornaments, resembled a mountain of treasures. Among them, a phoenix-shaped hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers stood out, like a monument rising from the ground.
I wonder if this head weighs twenty or thirty kilograms?
Xiao Nanhui was a little distracted. When she came to her senses, she found that the beauties on the flower beds had stopped and were looking at her curiously.
She quickly averted her gaze and tried to curl herself up in the corner.
The woman in the golden and red gauze dress turned around slowly, and when she saw Madam Bo, she walked quickly towards her from the flower bed.
"Aunt, you've arrived just in time. Shooting the cover is really boring. I was discussing with them about switching to hiding the hook. Aunt, join me in the group. Come on, come on..."
The woman in red called Madam Bo "Auntie," suggesting they were relatives. However, their personalities were quite different.
Mrs. Bo did not move at all, still smiling.
"Wanwan, please don't be disrespectful in front of outsiders."
"Yes, ma'am."
The woman named Wanwan put on a sullen expression, and when she turned around she noticed the person following Mrs. Bo.
It's no wonder she didn't notice it before. Xiao Nanhui left in a hurry today and chose a plain casual suit. When he got there, he realized that the color was exactly the same as the clothes worn by the servants in the palace.
"she is......?"
Mrs. Bo smiled without showing her teeth, but her voice was brighter than any I had heard before.
"This is the adopted daughter of Qinghuai Hou, Miss Xiao Nanhui."
The garden, which was still filled with laughter just a second ago, suddenly became quiet for a moment.
Countless curious eyes were fixed on the same spot. These officials' wives had all heard about what happened at the Jiaosong Festival. Their curiosity wasn't about whether this woman was truly involved in the previous dynasty's scandals, but rather the rumors surrounding her love-hate relationship with Qing Huaihou.
Xiao Nanhui stood where he was, neither able to advance nor retreat.
She prayed that someone would suddenly appear and save her from this torment, but this person did not show up in the end.
It is better to rely on yourself than on others.
He couldn't leave the scene right now. Xiao Nanhui took a deep breath and took a step forward.
"I'm new here and have never played these before. I'd appreciate your guidance, ladies."
Mrs. Bo glanced at her, seemed a little surprised that she adjusted herself so quickly, but then she returned to normal.
"Guests are welcome, Wanwan. How about letting Miss Xiao join your group?"
Not good.
Xiao Nanhui shook her head frantically in her heart, and the woman named Wanwan obviously didn't like her either.
"Madam, we are a group of seven, which is just the right number. We can't add anyone else."
Xiao Nanhui was filled with joy, and was about to say something to get out of the situation, but Mrs. Bo spoke again.
"Can't you still make a flying bird?"
The game of guessing objects by covering a cover is divided into two groups. In addition, when there are an odd number of people, the remaining person can swim between the two groups and is called a "flying bird".
Of course, Xiao Nanhui, who had never played the game of shooting covered hooks, didn't know these details.
As soon as the drums sounded, she was like a sparrow that had strayed into a cage, being pushed around by these noble and noisy canaries.
Two maids were beating hand drums on the side. When the drums started beating, everyone began to link their sleeves and laugh and play, in order to cover up the action of passing the hook. When the drums stopped beating, the upper Cao could not move anymore, and the lower Cao had to reveal who had the hidden object.
The rules may seem simple, but in the eyes of women who have lived in high-class families for a long time, it is a rare pastime where they can relax a little.
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