She has always known that her mistress is different from other girls from aristocratic families, but Fangyu never expected that she would be so bold. If she were to be discovered, the consequences would be disastrous.
But since it was the master's intention, she did not say much, but lowered her head and said in a serious tone: "I understand, but I need some time to prepare."
"Just give it to me before the beginning of next month, but don't let any news of this leak out." Xia Tong couldn't help but warned.
Fang Yu nodded solemnly, "Master, don't worry, no third person will know about this."
At this point, Qing'er's voice suddenly came from outside the house, "Master, the master is here."
After saying that, Fang Yu immediately bowed and retreated. As the door was opened, Xia Zhian strode in. His square face was serious and his brows were furrowed, as if he was worried about something.
"Dad." Xia Tong wanted to say something but didn't know where to start.
Sitting down on the couch, Qing'er brought a cup of hot tea. Xia Zhian frowned and took a sip of the tea. He glanced at his daughter and said, "Dad already knows about the betrothal gift. Dad also knows that you must feel aggrieved. No one expected this to happen."
The atmosphere in the house suddenly became solemn. The weather had been cooler in the past few days, and an autumn wind was blowing outside. The servants were sweeping up the fallen leaves, and a sense of depression arose.
Xia Tong sat on the couch with her head down, her fair face full of complicated expressions. Her hands were tightly clasped together, and she was pulling her handkerchief with mixed feelings.
"Even if this incident had not happened, we were the ones who were sorry to the prince. There is nothing wrong with your marriage. However, Dad knows that the prince has a bad impression among the people, so it is understandable that you are worried. But the prince is willing to spend so much time on you, which shows that he still has you in his heart. Even if you marry him, the prince will definitely treat you well." Xia Zhian comforted him in a gentle voice.
Xia Tong pursed her lips and looked unhappy. She didn't expect her father was brainwashing her? !
That pervert must have his own purpose for giving such a huge dowry. He married me just to torture her every day. Who knows, one day I might become a human skin lantern. Her father is too naive!
"The situation in the court is complicated now. Even though the prince has a bad reputation among the people, he has never done anything to let down the court. On the contrary, some people, no matter how good their reputations are, do things that let down the people behind the scenes. Now that the emperor's health is getting worse day by day, the princes have begun to form cliques. If it weren't for the prince, who knows what would happen. In fact, you don't have to feel wronged. Maybe the Crown Princess is not as good as the Regent Princess."
Xia Zhian stroked the lid of the teapot gently, his voice was hard to understand, and when he said this, he suddenly looked at her and said, "I'm afraid you won't understand what I'm saying to you. You just need to understand that marrying her is not necessarily a bad thing."
Xia Tong paused and looked at her father with a strange look. She felt that her father was not as naive as he seemed. How could he become a second-rank official in the court without ambition and scheming? Perhaps her father could see further than anyone else. However, how could a villain possibly defeat the hero?
"The betrothal gift..."
"We in the Xiahou Mansion are not the kind of people who are greedy for petty gains. You should take all these things with you when the time comes, so that people won't look down on our Xiahou Mansion." Xia Zhian waved his hand and said in a serious voice.
Xia Tong remained noncommittal. After comparing the two, she would rather return the things to the villain than let the old vampire lady get away with it!
After talking for a few more words, her father left. Xia Tong had already let it go. She decided to get married. If the other party really wanted to attack her, the worst that could happen was that they would die together.
——
Night is approaching, the weather has been getting cooler these days, the autumn wind is blowing, and the entire palace is shrouded in darkness, like a giant beast lying dormant, and the atmosphere is extremely depressing.
The atmosphere in Changle Palace was even more solemn at this time. All the palace servants who were serving were very careful and light-footed, not even daring to breathe heavily, for fear of angering the Queen and having her head taken away.
A dignified and beautiful middle-aged woman was half-leaning on the narrow and long rosewood couch. There was a stack of portraits on the table. The woman threw the things away while looking at them, frowned and rubbed her forehead unhappily, as if she was tired.
"It's getting late, Your Majesty, why don't you wait until tomorrow to see her?" The palace maid beside her bowed and handed her a cup of hot tea.
The queen raised her hand to take the teacup and stroked the lid. She didn't know what she was thinking about, but she suddenly put the teacup on the table, her eyes showing impatience, "What kind of girls from noble families are these? Some are stupid, and few of them are presentable. But that traitor is so bold that he even dared to touch the person I like. This is really outrageous!"
It was rare to see Her Majesty so angry, and the palace maid knew that Her Majesty must be unhappy at this moment. After all, she had finally found a suitable candidate for the Crown Princess, but her innocence was tarnished by the Regent. How could she not be angry?
"As long as Your Highness ascends the throne, these evil villains will not be allowed to continue to be disrespectful to the law. There is no need for Your Majesty to ruin your health because of such a person's anger." The palace maid consoled her respectfully.
Hearing this, the queen seemed to calm down a little, but she still frowned and took a sip of hot tea. After a while, she picked up a portrait on the table and sighed, "The daughter of Minister Dong is not bad, but her family background is not good enough. She can be a concubine. It seems that the main wife can only be the girl from the Duke's Mansion."
Originally, the Queen was planning to issue an imperial decree to confer the title of Consort upon her in a few days, but who would have thought that such a thing would happen. Not only did she lose her life, but the royal family also lost face. Moreover, the Emperor had no intention of punishing that evil villain. Fortunately, the Emperor's health was getting worse day by day, so he just had to wait for Jing'er to sit in that position and see how arrogant that traitor would be!
——
The betrothal gift was like a piece of fat meat, and no one would not covet it. The next day, her eldest aunt came again. She apparently wanted to persuade her to put the things back to the warehouse in the mansion, but in fact, it was the old lady who asked her to come and grab the things. If she really gave them over, she might not even see their shadows in the future.
So Xia Tong kept trying to smooth things over and fight back, and the other party couldn't rob her money by force. However, the villain was really rich. When she looked at the treasures that filled three whole rooms, she had to sigh once again that being a villain was different, and there was no pressure to make money.
"This... this... and this, you have to pawn them all."
All the boxes in the room were open, and the room was filled with countless treasures. Xia Tong's eyes were red with tears. She picked and chose many of them and handed them to Qing'er. Even if the money was taken away by the pervert, so what? She would still get some benefits from him. Anyway, with so many things, no one would care if a few were missing.
Qing'er's arms were almost full, and when she saw that her master was still holding them, she asked with some concern, "Won't someone find out if you do this?"
Xia Tong saw a very beautiful red hairpin and immediately took it for herself and stuffed it into her sleeve. She took a jade bracelet and handed it to Qing'er, saying nonchalantly, "Even if he finds out, what does it matter? Do you think the prince will care about a few small items?"
Hearing this, Qing'er felt the same way, but her arms were almost full of treasures. Fortunately, Xia Tong stopped at that point. She squatted down and felt reluctant to leave the room full of treasures. She didn't expect that she would have to send them back in the end. It was such a waste of resources.
"My cousin is getting married in a few days. What do you think of giving this to her?"
Xia Tong suddenly took out a gilded pine flower and pearl hairpin from the box. The golden light was particularly dazzling, but she thought the style was ugly and it was most suitable to give it to others as a gift.
Seeing her holding such an expensive hairpin, Qing'er looked a little dissatisfied for a moment, "This second young lady treated you so well before, and you still gave her such an expensive thing. According to me, just a bracelet would be enough to repay her."
In Qing'er's eyes, Xia Ning from the Guanglu Temple was obviously plotting against her last time, but Xia Tong didn't take it to heart. She didn't want to marry that prince anyway.
Raising his hand and tapping her forehead, Xia Tong said lightly, "No matter what, we will meet again in the future. It's better to have less trouble than more. Why make it so unpleasant?"
Hearing this, Qing'er lowered her head but said nothing more. She just felt unfair for her master in her heart. If it weren't for the second girl's scheming, how could the position of the Crown Prince's Consort fall on her? She was actually using their master's hand to pave the way for her. It was really too much.
"master."
At this moment, Fang Yu suddenly hurried in and bowed, saying, "Someone from the Prince Regent's Palace is here to buy you wedding clothes."
Xia Tong's expression froze. She didn't expect the other party to come so quickly. Looking at the box full of treasures in front of her, she casually stuffed another one into her arms and then followed him out.
There were several unfamiliar embroiderers standing in the small hall, led by a shrewd-looking maid. When she saw her come in, she immediately knelt down with her people to greet her, "This old servant greets the fourth young lady."
Waving her hand, Xia Tong came to the seat of honor and sat down, glancing at a few people calmly, "How long will it take to make this wedding dress?"
It's only half a month away from the beginning of next month. Their embroidered clothes don't look like those from the palace, and I don't know which embroidery workshop they are from.
"To answer the young lady's question, the wedding dress is made of brocade, with double-sided Suzhou embroidery and lining, and there are a total of 108 processes. However, I will definitely have them completed within half a month, so you can rest assured." The nanny said respectfully.
After he finished speaking, Qing'er on the side looked at her master with surprise. You know, only five pieces of brocade were produced in a hundred years. She didn't expect that the Regent would care so much about his master. You know, their second lady's favorite dress was just silk.
Xia Tong naturally knew what brocade was, but she was not moved by the words. She was not a girl in love, so she would not be so naive as to think that the other party was really good to her. There must be some conspiracy!
"Then measure it."
She said no more, but stood up and opened her hands. Immediately, two embroiderers came forward with measuring tapes and compared them with her.
The woman was wearing a moon-blue eight-panel skirt that showed off her graceful figure. One inch more would have been too much, and one inch less would have been too little. As the embroiderers measured her, they couldn't help but sigh that it was no wonder that the Regent was so concerned about it that he was willing to offend His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. However, this Fourth Miss Xia was indeed a wonderful person.
After measuring for a long time, when the other embroiderers had finished, the maid suddenly stepped forward with a smile, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "The prince has something else for me to pass on to the young lady."
After saying that, he handed over two familiar books. Xia Tong took them suspiciously and took a look at them. Her expression changed immediately and her five fingers gradually grasped the books tightly. She saw the words "Female Rules and Female Precepts" written on the books.
After taking several deep breaths, Xia Tong smiled calmly, her expression gentle, "I will definitely study it carefully, please rest assured, Your Majesty."
"I will report truthfully. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave first." The nanny still looked respectful. Seeing that Xia Tong had no other instructions, she took her people away.
As soon as the people left, Xia Tong threw the book on the table viciously and wanted to step on it a few more times. She wanted her to learn how to be a good wife? She must be dreaming!
Seeing her master's indignant look, Qing'er stepped forward with an expression as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, "Master, in fact, the prince is really very good to you. I heard that the brocade can only be used for the queen's phoenix robe. Are you... too prejudiced against the prince?"
Qing'er felt that even if her master married His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, she might not receive such treatment. Moreover, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had many concubines in his backyard, and he was destined not to favor her alone. Unlike the Regent, he did not have many concubines in his mansion. In the future, the master would be the only one in power in the mansion.
"You don't understand." Xia Tong sighed and returned to her room with mixed feelings, leaving Qing'er alone muttering to herself as she took her things out to pawn them.
As the weather turned cooler, the capital gradually became lively. Because the Crown Prince was to be transferred to Shanxi, the wedding was rather hasty. The marriage between the Xiahou Mansion and the Duke's Mansion was enough to make a sensation in the entire capital, and today the entire capital became lively. Some beggars received alms from the Duke's Mansion, and the people were all talking about it with relish.
Even though she was not getting married, Xia Tong still got up early in the morning because she had to see her bride off. However, it was still dawn outside at the hour of Mao, and the Xiahou Mansion was bustling with lights and decorations everywhere.
Holding a jewelry box, Xia Tong walked all the way to Xia Ning's room. She saw people coming and going in a hurry in the room, and they would stop and greet her when they saw her.
The room was filled with wedding characters. Her second mother was there anxiously instructing them, her eyes red, and she seemed very reluctant to leave. Xia Ning was sitting in front of a bronze mirror in a bright red wedding dress, and the mother and son were saying goodbye in tears.
"People from the Duke's Mansion are coming!"
At this time, Aunt Liu beside the old lady suddenly rushed in. Upon hearing what happened, the people in the room became flustered again. Wang immediately wiped the tears from her face and wanted to go out, but when she reached the door, she saw Xia Tong again. She stopped and looked at her a few more times unconsciously, but she didn't pay any more attention to her and left in a hurry.
However, Xia Min inside saw her coming and snorted coldly, "What are you doing here? It's really unlucky!"
"Min'er!" Zhang glared at her, then looked at Xia Tong and said with a smile, "This girl always likes to joke around, don't take it seriously."
After saying that, he immediately pulled the reluctant Xia Min away. Everyone else in the room lowered their heads and dared not speak.
Seeing this, Xia Ning, who was wearing delicate makeup, glanced at the others and said, "All of you go down. I have something personal to say to Tong'er."
Everything was ready, except for the veil. No one dared to say anything and immediately and obediently left. In an instant, there were only two people left in the joyous room.
Looking at the woman with a rosy face, Xia Tong smiled and walked over with the jewelry box in her hand, "This is for my cousin. I hope you can be together with the prince forever."
Putting the jewelry box on the table, the woman in the mirror was wearing a phoenix crown, a red bridal robe, willow eyebrows and red lips. She looked at the jewelry box on the table. Suddenly, she glanced at it out of the corner of her eyes and said hesitantly, "You don't hate me?"
When the lively wedding room became quiet, the outside was still filled with other people's shouting. Xia Tong knew what she was referring to, and just smiled at the woman in the glasses, and said slowly: "We are all family, as long as cousin is happy, after all, we are all from Xiahou Mansion, and we are all for Xiahou Mansion."
Well, she gave me goosebumps just by saying it herself.
Even though the woman behind her was not wearing any makeup, she was still very delicate. God was often partial to her in this way. Xia Ning's eyes flashed, and she suddenly smiled and took her hand, saying sincerely, "I'm relieved if you think this way. No matter what happens in the future, I will definitely help you."
Seeing that the other party was being hypocritical again, Xia Tong was naturally very touched and nodded, "Thank you, cousin."
"Here it comes! Cover your head quickly!"
A loud voice of the matchmaker was heard outside the house, and then a group of people rushed in. Wang covered her with a veil, and then the matchmaker carried her out. Xia Tong also followed her out to watch the excitement.
It was already bright in the sky, and everyone in the mansion had a happy face. After all, the Second Lady had given rewards to everyone today, so how could they not be happy?
Outside the palace, there was a loud sound of gongs and drums. A long dragon-like wedding procession was lined up outside. Many people gathered there to watch the fun, and the noise was noisy and harsh.
In front of the wedding procession, there was a man in a bright red wedding gown riding on a horse. He had a handsome and extraordinary figure, but on such a happy day, there was no joy on his face. Instead, he looked calm. Until the bride was carried out, his eyes fell on the woman in blue beside her.
She seemed very happy, with a bright smile on her face and curved eyebrows. Even though she was wearing plain clothes, she was hard to ignore.
Lin Yi felt a little bitter in his heart for a moment. Seeing him marry another woman, she was so happy. Did she really have no feelings for him?
He didn't know his mother's plan that day. If he had known, he would definitely not agree to do so. This way, he might not have ended up making things worse. The person he was going to marry today might be the woman he had been thinking about all along.
"Prince!"
"Prince!"
When he came to his senses, he saw someone from the Duke's Mansion whispering to him, "It's time to set off!"
Taking a last look at the woman with picturesque eyebrows and eyes, Lin Yi pursed his lips, his eyes dimmed, and suddenly he squeezed his legs against the horse's belly. The horse immediately walked in front, and the wedding procession immediately followed with gongs and drums.
Until the team completely disappeared at the end of the street, Wang was still there wiping her eyes with a sad look on her face, while her uncles all had to go to the Duke's Mansion to attend the wedding banquet, and women like them were not allowed to go.
There was nothing exciting to watch, so Xia Tong prepared to go back. She had gotten up so early today, so she had to go back and catch up on some sleep.
After having breakfast with her mother, Xia Tong returned to her room. At this time, Fang Yu suddenly rushed in quietly, closed the door, and looked extremely serious.
"What? Is there something wrong?" She leaned lazily on the couch, rubbing her forehead as sleepiness swept over her.
Fang Yu took out a sachet embroidered with lotus flowers from her bosom, glanced back, and then lowered her voice and said, "This is what you wanted."
After saying this, Xia Tong was suddenly alert and immediately took the things over. Xia Ning was getting married, and it was less than seven days away from her wedding. If she didn't prepare the things, how would she spend her wedding night?
"Master, rest assured, this sachet will not harm you. You only need to hang it on the bedside that day, and then wait for the prince to drink the wedding wine, and the drug will take effect."
After that, Fang Yu said solemnly: "But if you look at this alone, it's just some spices that calm the mind and spirit. Even if the imperial physician comes to see it, he will definitely not find any clues. You can rest assured."
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