By now, most of the good young men from various places have already gathered. If they haven't arrived by now, they probably won't get a good ranking.
Unless they have an exceptionally strong family background, but generally speaking, those with strong family backgrounds wouldn't have waited until now.
On the other hand, the respectable young men who were already in the capital were more at ease, as they didn't have to find a place to stay or rush to buy things.
The capital city is bustling with activity these days, as merchants from other places, such as those from the Central Plains, bring in fresh goods.
In any case, the purchases made by these respectable young men alone have made the clothing and jewelry businesses in the capital very profitable.
At this point, Ruyi Pavilion's business became even more dismal. After all, that matter could no longer be kept secret.
Even if people rationally know that Ruyi Pavilion may be innocent, there are so many good products out there, why should they necessarily buy from her?
Even if someone buys it without knowing the facts, someone will tell them not to buy it right away.
Therefore, the accounts were extremely poor, even though Ruyi Pavilion had originally planned to do quite a few new things to cope with the current situation...
But I digress. Let's just say that the capital is bustling these days, and A-Luo took her out for a stroll.
In this day and age, respectable women no longer need to cover themselves when they go out, just like in the Tang and Song dynasties, as long as their families allow it.
However, people who frequent brothels or are actors in geisha houses need to be concealed when they go out.
Therefore, it is very obvious that as long as you look at which one is covered, it is basically those women.
This is discrimination against them, but it is also stipulated by law.
A Luo, wearing a veil, led the little girl as they strolled down the street.
Although some people looked on with disapproval, this was, after all, on the main street.
People might look down on them because of their attire, but they wouldn't harass them in the street, since patrols in the capital were strict. A patrol of soldiers passed by every now and then.
Especially now, there are even more.
Aro entered a jewelry shop. It was a small jewelry shop, two stories high, but very narrow.
As soon as we entered, the innkeeper smiled and said, "Guests have arrived, please take a look around."
"I'm looking for Uncle Wu."
Uncle Wu is the owner of this jewelry shop.
"Oh, then please come to the backyard, young lady." There are people in the shop now, after all, not all young ladies can afford jewelry of the same caliber as Ruyi Pavilion.
In these ordinary shops, there are actually more customers.
Especially this Wu family shop, it's been around for a long time, and their craftsmanship is quite good.
In the backyard, Uncle Wu greeted her with a smile: "The young lady has arrived."
"Uncle Wu, has His Highness given any instructions?" A'Luo sat down.
She had sent the maid behind her upstairs to choose jewelry.
"You've come at the perfect time, young lady. I just got the news this morning." Uncle Wu smiled, sat down, and poured the freshly boiled water into the teapot.
"His Highness has changed his mind."
"How so?" Aro asked, clutching her sleeve, slightly nervous.
"His Highness intends to grant the Ning family's request," Uncle Wu said.
"What about me?" Aro asked. Her original plan was to stop the marriage... and then she could walk away unscathed.
"His Highness said it's up to you. If you're willing to stay, you'll naturally benefit in the future. But you need to be clear about what you're going to do. If you want to leave, take advantage of the Seventh Prince's wedding. His Highness will still give you a sum of money," Uncle Wu said.
"...I..." A'Luo bit her lip, "If I stay..."
“Young lady, don’t think about things you shouldn’t think about, and don’t mention things you shouldn’t mention. His Highness saved your life and has done you a favor. Now that you’re working for him, he’s grateful to you. He will definitely protect you. Don’t think about anything else. I’ve been watching you for years, don’t do anything foolish,” Uncle Wu suddenly said.
"Yes," A'luo replied bitterly.
She also knew that she had agreed to be with the Seventh Prince...
That would have ended her chance to serve His Highness.
“I… am willing to stay. I will serve Your Highness, and I only ask that Your Highness will grant me my freedom once you have accomplished your great task,” A’Luo said.
“Of course. Since you’re willing, you should put in the effort yourself. His Highness will also help you,” Uncle Wu said with a smile.
"Okay. Then I'll go back." A'Luo stood up, glanced at Uncle Wu again, but didn't say anything more.
There's nothing more to say.
After she left, Uncle Wu drank tea by himself. He sat in his rocking chair, swaying back and forth, thinking to himself, "She's such a silly girl."
Of all people to like, I like His Highness.
What kind of place doesn't Your Highness have in your backyard?
The Seventh Prince needs an opportunity to arrange this matter. He also needs a sum of money.
Shu Chengfeng gave him the opportunity at just the right time, and also allowed him to obtain a sum of money from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
So, a few days later, A'Luo from Fusheng Garden 'died of illness'. And in the good family, there was another one named Cheng Yuluo.
However, she came from an ordinary family; she was just the daughter of a minor official in the south.
The Crown Prince's residence was unusually quiet for such a long time.
The selection process begins in the palace on the first day of the lunar month; the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are not required to attend.
It was only the second day of the lunar month, and His Majesty had already sent two people. Not only from the Crown Prince's residence, but also from the residences of the Second Prince and the Third Prince.
There are also two seventh princes and two eighth princes.
Several members of the imperial clan also separated from the main branch.
Those who came to the Crown Prince's residence were Lady Xiang and Lady Li.
Li was the illegitimate daughter of the Assistant Magistrate of Chengzhou Prefecture in the north.
This family background is not good enough.
Xiang was a merchant's daughter with ethnic minority ancestry.
Nowadays, when choosing a partner, as long as you are talented and good-looking, even poor people and merchants can send their daughters, although it is a bit troublesome.
Both of them were extremely good-looking, especially Xiang.
This is not surprising, after all, the household already has Consort Su, a beauty with some exotic charm. Besides, His Highness himself is one.
But no matter what, it's undeniably beautiful.
Yan Nangui was delighted to see the two people paying their respects to the Crown Princess; she loved anything beautiful.
People, objects, or scenery.
"This humble servant greets Your Highness the Crown Princess. May Your Highness live a thousand years and enjoy peace."
The two performed a grand salute, and the Crown Princess smiled and told them to rise, then gave them a speech and bestowed gifts upon them.
The two women then paid their respects to the concubines, Li and Xiang, who were of very low rank.
Ye Liangdi didn't take it seriously either, after all, her background was truly insignificant. But not taking it seriously didn't mean she would tolerate it.
She sees everyone the same way and can't tolerate them.
Therefore, the words spoken to them were naturally unpleasant.
The newcomer knew her identity, so he didn't dare to say anything and could only listen with his head down.
Yan Nangui was having a bad day. She woke up with a stomachache early in the morning, a problem she had picked up at the Meng family home.
It started hurting a few days ago, and I'm taking medication and trying to recover, but it hasn't gotten much better.
After all, even the imperial physicians couldn't cure this ailment.
So I'm a bit lacking in energy.
This shortcoming has attracted attention.
Ding Zhaoxun, whether wanting to show off in front of the new concubine or not, smiled and said, "What's wrong with Consort Yan? You look tired. His Highness summoned Consort Xia to his bedchamber again yesterday, perhaps you didn't sleep well? And now there's a new concubine coming in... From now on, isn't that..."
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