Everyone found Lanqin to be easy to get along with, not the kind of person who was difficult to approach, so they became more relaxed.
The best opera troupe in the capital was invited, and Lanqin specially asked Cui Niang to bring the program list to the ladies so they could choose their favorite plays.
"Why don't we let the concubine choose the play? We are guests, how can we let her choose? We should follow the host's lead!" said Madam Fan, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Upon hearing this, the others who wanted to choose the play hesitated to reach out and look at the play list.
Lanqin looked at the group who wanted to choose a play and said, "It's alright, this troupe is the best in the capital. They can sing many plays. I've heard them perform a few before, like 'Mu Guiying Takes Command,' 'Du Shiniang,' and 'The Peach Blossom Fan,' and they sang them quite well. How about we just listen to 'Mu Guiying Takes Command'?"
Lanqin realized that it was impossible to please everyone, so she decided to take a one-size-fits-all approach. She had noticed earlier that the Han soldiers automatically sat on the left, while those on her right were almost all Manchu soldiers, clearly showing the clear distinction between Han and Manchu.
The crowd immediately began praising Lanqin's talent for choosing opera pieces, which made Lanqin feel both pleased and somewhat uncomfortable. She wasn't used to being fawned over by these wealthy women.
Just then, the play on stage began. Amidst the deafening sounds of gongs and drums, the noblewomen all turned their attention to the stage. Finally free from those polite formalities, Lanqin immediately focused her attention on the young ladies who had come with her. As the mistress of the house, the Second Princess was naturally responsible for entertaining the daughters of the stewards.
Lanqin looked around and saw that these girls were about the same age as the Second Princess. They were all girls who hadn't been married off yet, and once they had, they wouldn't show their faces in public anymore.
Is this a marriage proposal for the Third Prince? The Third Prince is only nine years old! Lanqin thought to herself.
Looking at the faces of these young ladies, the Han Banner ladies are definitely prettier; the Manchus look distinctly different from the Han. Among these girls, Miss Fan from the family of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and Miss Gao from the family of the Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices are both quite outstanding in appearance. On the Manchu side, Miss Qi from the family of Fucha, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, and Miss Xilinjueluo, the Deputy Commander of the Vanguard, are also quite beautiful.
Several little girls sat around the Second Princess, talking about something that made her laugh until her face turned as red as an apple, completely unlike how she was in front of Lanqin.
Sigh, I'm only eighteen myself, how come I seem like I'm from a completely different generation than these eleven or twelve-year-old girls?
Lanqin sat in her seat, lamenting that she had entered the life of a middle-aged woman, unaware that the Manchu noblewomen sitting to her right were whispering and talking about some secret.
Lanqin pricked up her ears, trying to hear what they were saying, but she couldn't make out anything, only vaguely hearing a few words about the Fujin (a title for a high-ranking official).
I bet they're talking about some prince's wife or something again. Sigh, the boring circle of noblewomen in the capital. They're always watching what happens to others, and then it becomes the fodder for all the noblewomen's gossip.
The actress playing Mu Guiying on stage was truly beautiful. As Lanqin watched, she suddenly realized that this woman was not actually a woman in disguise, but a man.
"Consort, is the satin you're wearing the Caiyun satin from Sichuan? I have a brother who's in the silk business, and he once said that Caiyun satin is the hardest to find among Sichuan satins," Wang said.
“Of course, the concubine is the most favored by the Fourth Prince, so her clothes and accessories are naturally incomparable to those of ordinary people.” Andara, who had been mostly silent, looked down on Wang for making such a fuss.
Wang felt a little embarrassed after being interrupted like that.
"How old is Miss Wang this year?" Lanqin asked, seeing her embarrassment, and quickly changed the subject. Now that they'd finished talking about clothes and jewelry, they should talk about their children!
“My daughter is twelve this year, and she will be of marriageable age next year. She is about the same age as the Second Princess of the household.” Seeing that Lanqin had saved her face, Madam Wang immediately smiled and said.
"What a beautiful age! No wonder they get along so well." Lanqin looked at the five or six girls sitting at the other end, each one dressed up and looking quite charming. The Second Princess, being of the highest status, exuded a royal aura as she sat among the crowd.
"I heard that your third prince is nine years old now. I wonder if he has taken a fancy to anyone?" Lady Andara asked when Lanqin brought up the topic of children.
Lanqin was quite embarrassed. She had never heard of the Fourth Prince arranging a marriage for the Third Prince. It was inappropriate for her to discuss the Third Prince's marriage with others, so she said, "The Third Prince is still young, and the Fourth Prince has no intention of choosing a match for him." Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions of disappointment were immediately evident.
“The Second Princess has reached marriageable age, and it’s time to arrange a marriage for her,” said Lady Zhaojia.
Upon hearing this topic, Lanqin inwardly admired the patience of these noblewomen in inquiring about other people's children's marriages, but on the surface she smiled and said, "This year, the Second Princess accompanied the Empress Dowager to the palace to pay New Year's respects. The old lady likes her very much, and I'm afraid the Empress Dowager will have a say in her marriage."
The meaning was clear: you shouldn't inquire further. The Second Princess's marriage isn't up to me; her grandmother is in charge. Sure enough, upon hearing this, the noblewomen all wilted like frost-bitten eggplants.
Lanqin saw it all, but every word she said was the truth, and she didn't try to act superior in the slightest.
“Look at Mu Guiying, she’s played by the head of the Lin family troupe, and her singing and acting skills are truly excellent.” Seeing that Lanqin had once saved her, Madam Wang quickly changed the subject for Lanqin.
Everyone's attention turned to the leader of the Lin family troupe. His exquisite appearance, handsome features, and expressive eyes captivated even the young ladies in the audience.
After the opera performance, Lanqin then hosted a meal for the imperial concubines and young ladies. A variety of delicacies were served to the two open tables, and maids moved among them, serving tea and water to the ladies.
Lanqin had no choice but to follow the crowd and couldn't do it herself, so she let the maids serve her the meal.
When seeing off the guests, Lanqin bid farewell to each of the noble ladies. Each of the young ladies they brought with them also received a New Year's gift as a greeting gift from Lanqin. These were all jade pendants of various kinds, all made by the Imperial Household Department, and all of them were of the highest quality.
When Lanqin returned to the South Courtyard, she immediately took off the golden headdress from her head.
"I'm exhausted. By the end of the day, I feel like my cervical spondylosis is about to flare up," Lanqin complained. She already had mild cervical spondylosis from years of studying and working at her desk.
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