Chapter 035 What’s that look in He’an’s eyes?

"It's almost time, let's go take a look at the garden." The Crown Princess stood up and said, "The garden of the Crown Prince's Mansion is not as beautiful as the Peach Garden, but there are some pear trees and cherries planted there. It's the blooming season now, so it's beautiful."

Chu Li continued, "What's so good about Taoyuan? In autumn, my wife and I will come to the Prince's Mansion to eat cherries and drink pear soup."

The Crown Princess turned around and said, "Okay, okay, I hope you guys come more often to make our house more lively."

The prince and his companions were not seen in the garden, presumably they were in a meeting. When everyone saw the crown princess coming, they all stepped forward to greet her.

Ruan Qinghuan saw Ruan Xiaoyue in the crowd and wondered why she was here.

Ruan Xiaoyue and a girl were holding each other's arms, looking very close. Ruan Qinghuan asked Chu Li in a low voice: "Who is that girl over there?"

Chu Li followed her gaze and looked over: "That is the daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, her name is Qi Siwei. I heard that she is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and is very prestigious among the noble ladies in the capital."

Ministry of Revenue?

Since ancient times, the Ministry of Revenue has been a lucrative job, and the current head of the Ministry of Revenue is the Second Prince's man.

In the original book, he was the one who was abandoned in the disaster relief work in Lucheng.

But this time He'an is traveling with him, and I don't know if he can save his life. But even if he does, once the corruption of disaster relief funds is investigated, it will be a matter of dying in another place for him.

Seeing the closeness between the Crown Princess and Ruan Qinghuan, Ruan Xiaoyue felt jealous. She was clearly forced into the Prime Minister's Residence through an engagement. So what if she became the mistress of the Prime Minister's Residence? Wouldn't it be just a vain title?

Ever since Ruan Qinghuan married into the Prime Minister's Mansion, Ruan Xiaoyue has been looking forward to her returning to her parents' home. If that were the case, it would mean that she was not having a good time in the Prime Minister's Mansion, so she returned to her parents' home to seek comfort.

What made her angry was that He'an accompanied her both times she came back, and they seemed to be very affectionate. If she hadn't known how much the Prime Minister opposed this marriage, she might have actually believed it.

Who is He'an and why would he fall for a domineering woman like Ruan Qinghuan?

"Don't mention it, your sister is pretty, and now she's the prime minister's wife. As her younger sister, you must have benefited a lot from her."

"Sister Qi, please don't say that. My cousin is selfish and domineering. Everyone in the capital knows it. How could she care about Xiaorou and me?" Ruan Xiaoyue flattered, "Besides, she is not as pretty as Sister Qi. You are naturally beautiful, unlike her, who dresses strangely and attracts attention."

Qi Siwei was deeply moved by these words, but she remained calm on her face: "To put it bluntly, this is a mismatch. A family like the Xiangfu should at least marry a noblewoman from an official family."

"Yes, I think that the Prime Minister and Sister Qi are a perfect match."

"real?"

"Of course, you and the Prime Minister are not only a perfect match, but my sister is also very talented and knowledgeable. You and the Prime Minister complement each other very well. It's simply a match made in heaven." Ruan Xiaoyue sighed: "After all, it's really unfair for the Prime Minister to marry my sister."

Qi Siwei said nothing, but the corners of her lips slightly raised.

There are countless noble ladies in the capital who covet He An, and Qi Siwei is one of them. She has met He An several times before, but she has never found an opportunity to show her affection to him.

Recently, her father asked her if she was willing to marry into the prime minister's mansion. Qi Siwei was very excited. She knew that this was a way for her father to save her, but she really wanted to.

Even if she is only a concubine for the time being, with her family background and knowledge, it is only a matter of time before she drives away that idiot Ruan Qinghuan. As long as things can be accomplished, the position of the mistress of the prime minister's mansion will be hers sooner or later.

That's why she took the opportunity to get close to Ruan Xiaoyue. Knowing that they were cousins ​​and didn't get along well, it was just right that she could be her helper.

Ruan Xiaoyue had similar thoughts. She knew that Qi Siwei coveted He'an, and she didn't want Ruan Qinghuan to have an easy time. If there were more women in the Prime Minister's Mansion, given Ruan Qinghuan's personality, wouldn't there be chaos every day?

When it came to the poetry contest, the young men and women were eager to try, and Qi Siwei naturally followed suit.

The Crown Princess and a few others were sitting under the sun terrace. Chu Li's mind had already wandered away: "Cousin, is Ji Lingchuan coming today?"

The Crown Princess's face turned cold: "Can you be more promising?"

"Yes, but Ji Lingchuan got it."

Ruan Qinghuan suppressed his laughter and said, "Don't worry, he is indispensable for such occasions."

Soon, many poems were written, both by men and women, each with its own style. The poems of the gentlemen were full of vigor, while those of the ladies were full of affection.

The atmosphere was very lively as people were competing and appreciating each other's works.

The atmosphere of the banquet in the Prince's Mansion was much better than that in Taoyuan.

Qi Siwei was very famous among the noble ladies in Beijing. They all said that she was extremely talented. When the atmosphere gradually calmed down, she stepped forward and wrote the next poem: The river water is clear in spring, the phosphorescence reflects the bright moon, the flowers bloom and the willows sway in the wind, and it is time for the busy farming season again.

"Good, good, good...so poetic."

The crowd cheered and applauded continuously. It was obvious to everyone that there was some adulation and some flattery.

Ruan Qinghuan was not interested in these things. She just chatted with the Crown Princess and ate fruit. She was feeling quite relaxed when she heard someone calling her.

"Miss Ruan is favored by the Prime Minister, so she must be very talented. I wonder if Miss Ruan can also present a poem for the banquet at the Prince's Mansion today?"

The person who spoke was Qi Siwei.

Ruan Xiaoyue beside her had a smug look on her face. She knew better than anyone that Ruan Qinghuan had never liked studying since childhood. Although she had no problem with reading, she had no talent at all.

As soon as Qi Siwei said this, the garden suddenly became quiet.

Everyone knew that the Prime Minister was unwilling to marry her, and it took two years for him to decide. It was not until Ruan Qinghuan was eighteen years old that she was welcomed into the Prime Minister's residence.

But Miss Qi said that she was favored by the Prime Minister. Isn't this a slap in the face?

The Crown Princess was just about to speak for Ruan Qinghuan when she saw the Crown Prince and his entourage walk in from the Half Moon Gate, flanked by He An and Ji Lingchuan.

He'an didn't look very happy. Just when he was outside, he heard someone making provocative remarks.

Ji Lingchuan whispered: "You better take it easy, after all, I am still a girl."

The prince came to the side of the Crown Princess without saying a word. Ruan Qinghuan took the opportunity to come among the crowd and first looked at the poems written by everyone.

He An: "Today, I have a poem to give to my wife. Would you like me to write it for you?"

I know he is protecting me, but the more I try to avoid provocations like this, the more trouble I will get.

Just as He An was about to speak, he suddenly heard her say two words lightly: "No need."

He An: “…”

I have never heard that Ruan Qinghuan was good at poetry and singing. According to the information Jiang Ming had inquired, she was not good at studying when she was young, and her mother-in-law had changed many teachers because of this.

What's that look, Tsuruan?

After all, she had read 300 Tang poems in primary school. How could such a small thing possibly be difficult for her?

Qi Siwei looked very proud.

Ruan Xiaoyue whispered, "Don't worry, Sister Qi, the top prize today will definitely be yours."

Seeing that she was confident, He An came to the desk and took the pen from the teacher: "Young Madam's poem, I wrote it myself."

Everyone: “…”