Chapter 112: Chang Family Red Plum Banquet
Accompanied by Chang Mingyuan, Zhao Zhuoxi walked through the main gate and came to a very exquisite small courtyard. The snow that had fallen a few days ago had not melted yet. Red plum blossoms were blooming all around the courtyard, and the air was filled with fragrance.
This courtyard is really beautifully built. Jiang Jiu followed closely behind Zhao Zhuoxi, standing straight and looking down at everyone.
She discovered that those following Zhao Zhuoxi were all court officials, while the female relatives were hiding in the corridors, rooms, behind windows, and behind rockery, watching quietly.
Suddenly, I understood the meaning of why Zhao Zhuoxi wore this outfit today.
On weekdays in Suzhou, Zhao Zhuoxi's clothes are mainly red, purple, maroon, dark purple and light purple.
In this dynasty, only officials above the third rank could wear red, the royal family wore yellow, and princes wore purple.
Jiang Jiu thought that Zhao Zhuoxi had fair skin and could carry off purple and red, but when he arrived in the capital, he realized that the color of clothes he wore actually had different levels.
But Zhao Zhuoxi did look good in this outfit, which made his face as white as jade, and his gentleness and elegance even more dignified. With his unpainted red lips, he looked more handsome than a woman.
He is not as weak as the legend says, nor is he very old, and of noble status. But I wonder how many concubines he has in his house?
However, even if they have many concubines, these noble ladies are not afraid. Once they become the Princess of Qi, they will be the principal wife, and they have plenty of ways to deal with one or two concubines.
So, inexplicably, as soon as Jiang Jiu came out of the warm pavilion, he became the target of everyone's inquiries.
"The young lady is the prince's personal maid?"
Jiang Jiu just wanted to go to the kitchen to get some snacks for Zhao Zhuoxi, but he was stopped as he stepped out of the door.
"yes."
"Girl, what are you going to do? Let me do it. Girl, let me talk to you."
A maid came over and attracted a group of maids.
Jiang Jiu smiled slightly: "Our prince likes to eat sweets, and the cakes in Lord Chang's house are not sweet. I want to go to the kitchen to get some sweet food for the prince."
Two of the maids went to the kitchen, and the one who stayed behind kept asking Jiang Jiu questions.
"The prince's fiefdom is in Suzhou. Is that a good place?"
"Suzhou is definitely better. There are green mountains and clear water everywhere. The scenery is beautiful, and the water is good. The local environment nurtures the local people. The girls there all have very delicate skin, white and fine. They are very nutritious."
"Are there many concubines in the prince's house?"
"There are a few of them, all of them are as pretty as flowers and speak softly, but they are still a little inferior to our prince."
The King of Qi was so handsome that even these girls felt inferior to him.
"I heard that when the prince comes to the capital this time, His Majesty will personally arrange a marriage for him."
Jiang Jiu: "It's a bit difficult. Princess Qi Yang fell in love with our prince at first sight, and our prince also has some feelings for her. It's a bit difficult to be emotional after being hurt by her like this."
Princess Qiyang’s death was somewhat unbearable, but we now know everything we need to know.
Some people were extremely curious: "I heard that Master Yiyun from Suzhou is more beautiful?"
Jiang Jiu glanced at her, wondering whose maid was so outspoken, and then, seeing that it was the clothes of a maid from the Chang family, he guessed that it was the young lady of the Chang family who asked him to ask.
"Master Yiyun was as handsome as Pan An. I only met him once and he died. But I think he is still a little bit inferior to Master Wang."
"Could it be that the young lady has met Master Yiyun?"
The maid raised her eyebrows, her eyes shining: "Our girl's cousin is in Yangcheng. She mentioned Master Yiyun in the letter, saying that he is very handsome, and even sent a portrait. Compared with the prince now, he is indeed three points inferior."
"Since the prince is more handsome than Master Yiyun, why does Princess Qiyang want to stay with Master Yiyun instead of the prince..."
There are questions raised by that blind girl again.
Jiang Jiu pursed his lips and avoided answering.
"That's different. No matter how beautiful the prince is, he is still a prince, noble and unattainable. Master Yiyun is different. He is like a girl in a brothel. If she is pretty and has money, you can play with her. Alas, it's a pity that she is dead."
Are these maids so fierce in private?
Next they began to inquire about the prince's preferences.
Jiang Jiu then told them one by one.
According to what they had agreed in advance, marriage is always a chain of interests. Whoever extends an olive branch to the prince first will know who else in the capital can be used.
Jiang Jiu is good at business and knows nothing about the court, but she is smart and does whatever Zhao Zhuoxi tells her to do.
When Zhao Zhuoxi came to attend the Chang family's banquet this time, he had already challenged the emperor.
According to Zhao Zhuoxi's instructions, he told these noble ladies everything about him, and those who were interested would naturally come to him.
What does it mean to be thoughtful?
Jiang Jiu thought that it must be a courtier that the current emperor was dissatisfied with.
Jiang Jiu took the snack, pinched one and tasted it, frowning.
"It's not sweet. I'll make another sweet dish. Let's share this one."
The maid in Chang's house didn't dare to say anything and could only go to the kitchen again.
Next it was Jiang Jiu's turn to inquire.
"Why hasn't the Sixth Prince married yet?"
"Miss, you don't know that Prince Ling had a favorite woman earlier. I heard from our wife that about ten years ago, Prince Ling followed the former crown prince to the south on a secret visit and fell in love with a woman. They were going to get married, but later, for some reason, nothing happened..."
Prince Ling actually followed the third prince on a secret visit?
Jiang Jiu: "Who was there when the Crown Prince went south? I remember there was only Lord Chang, how come there was also Prince Ling?"
A maid said, "There are quite a few people here, including the former crown prince, Lord Chang, Prince Ling, the Duke of Zhenguo's son, and the Marquis of Yongding's son."
There are so many people involved. How could the affair between the Third Prince and Jiang Yao be kept secret?
As everyone was talking, they suddenly heard someone coughing heavily.
When the maids heard the noise, they all ran away.
Jiang Jiuyou stood there, and from a distance, he saw Nanny Qian, Jiang Mingyue, and several daughters of the Chang family walking towards them.
The one who was coughing was the nanny who was out for the ventilation.
According to the rules, servants are not allowed to talk about their masters at will.
But the maids' masters loved to listen to gossip.
Jiang Jiu saw them walking towards this direction and turned into the yard. Although she didn't know why Madam Chang let the daughter of the Chang family meet the two princes, she didn't want to have a conflict with Madam Chang at this time.
Just because she doesn't want to doesn't mean Mrs. Chang doesn't want to.
"Girl, please stay."
From a distance, the maid beside Mrs. Chang called Jiang Jiu.
Jiang Jiu had to stand: "What's the matter?"
Mrs. Chang also quickened her pace and came in front of Jiang Jiu. Looking at Jiang Jiu's arrogant look, she did not dare to argue with him.
Xiao Xin asked with a smile: "Are the two princes still here?"
Jiang Jiu: "Prince Ling and Prince Qi are here, and Lord Chang is accompanying them..."
As she said this, she glanced coldly at the two daughters of the Chang family behind her. They looked ordinary, and even Jiang Mingyue was much prettier among them.
Madam Chang stuffed some change into Jiang Jiu's pocket and said, "Please go and tell them that the First-Rank Emperor has ordered Madam Chang to bring her daughter to see him."
Jiang Jiu weighed the change in his hand and found that he was not as generous as Prefect Xing of Sucheng. Prefect Xing gave him a twenty-liang silver note at a time.
This small amount of change was only one or two taels, not even enough to send away a beggar, not to mention that she was the personal maid of the Prince of Qi.
"Our prince said that Princess Qiyang had just left and no female relatives would be seen."
Mrs. Chang was furious when she saw her contemptuous look.
But she still endured it and pulled out a gold pin from her head.
"Thank you, young lady."