On the day of the banquet, Qingyan got up early. Sulan specially took out the pink twin lotus headdress that Yin had sent the day before. Pink coral beads were gathered into the shape of twin lotus flowers with gold wire, and the stamens were made of golden tourmaline.
When Qingyan opened the rosewood box, she was completely stunned. The craftsmanship of the headdress was exquisite, and the small jade hairpin was carved into the shape of a lotus leaf, which was in harmony with the current climate.
Today, she plans to wear a light blue cheongsam, along with this headdress and a pink jade bracelet on each wrist.
"Princess, you can't complain about being tired. You have to keep those socialites in check today. They're all here to laugh at you," Su Lan whispered as she tied Qing Yan's hair into a single bun.
No socialite in the capital was not envious of Qingyan. Yin designed a set of headdress and jewelry for her, a privilege that no one except Consort Tong could enjoy.
Qingyan couldn't help but be slightly lost in thought. In history, would Yin have designed such a headdress for Ulanara?
No!
They say that the historical Emperor Guangwu favored the Nian clan.
She looked at herself and realized she wasn't like those delicate young ladies from Jiangnan.
"Princess, do you think this is alright?" Su Lan interrupted Qing Yan's thoughts.
Only then did she notice that Yin had designed a pair of small twin lotus earrings for this headdress, the pale pink crystals sparkling and translucent in the sunlight.
“Excellent!” Qingyan nodded.
This is the first time Qingyan has faced these socialites. Some of them will become her sisters-in-law, but most will look up to her.
From this day forward, she has officially entered the royal family.
"Sulan, is everything ready?" Qingyan asked again and again, still unsure of herself.
These past few days, Qingyan has been nagged by Si Si quite a bit, as he wants to boost his confidence.
“Princess, yesterday, the Fourth Prince personally came to check twice, just so you wouldn’t worry too much.” Su Lan shook her head helplessly.
Qingyan pouted. "These maids here have clearly been corrupted by Yin."
She helped Su Lan walk outside. Fei Yanggu and his two sons were on holiday, so the ladies and socialites came with their husbands and fathers.
"Little darling, treat those people well and show them your spirit!" After having breakfast, Yin paid his respects to Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong, and then rushed over.
Qingyan felt a warmth in her heart as she looked at his sweat-drenched face. It was her first time visiting Yanqing, and all the people around her had made considerable preparations.
"Yes, Fourth Brother, go and change your clothes first. Your sister-in-law said she'll be coming over!" Qingyan said to Yin. "And you'll have breakfast with me today!"
Yin nodded as he looked at Qingyan, who was dressed in his finest attire.
Qingyan was so captivated by his passionate gaze that she couldn't lift her head.
"Look up straight ahead, my little darling. When you step out, you will be my primary consort. You must have the air of a royal wife." Qingyan didn't like those heavy headdresses and jewelry, so Yin personally designed several headdresses for her.
Qingyan raised her head, inwardly complaining. It wasn't that she didn't want to look up; it was the heavy headdress on her head that was making it impossible for her to lift her head.
"This is still considered mild. I'll design something special for you after we get married!" Given Qingyan's current status, there are many things she can't use.
Qingyan hooked her large hand around his, her small face displaying only a fawning smile.
He poked her forehead with his finger, his eyes filled with doting affection. This little one!
"Fourth Sister, hurry up, I'll go to the front to prepare your meal." Qingyan walked quickly, her little face full of smiles.
She had just stepped out of the courtyard when Eshuo stood at the entrance, quietly observing the situation inside. She sighed; her father and the others were worried about Sisi.
"Little darling, your two future sisters-in-law will be visiting today!" Jue Luo Shi and Fei Yang Gu Shi had specially arranged the engagement of E Shuo and Sai Tuo, and their future wives were coming to visit their sister-in-law today.
Qingyan looked at Eshuo with surprise.
"Ah Hun, you're lying to me again. When did you two get engaged? You didn't even tell me!" Qingyan pouted. These two were clearly excluding her.
Brilliant!
Qingyan snorted, her face full of reluctance.
“Come on, go and tell your father. We only found out about our engagement this morning. How did you know about it beforehand?” Eshuo said, pouting her firm little nose.
Qingyan relaxed. In the Qing Dynasty, marriages were still arranged by parents and matchmakers. Moreover, the marriage between Eshuo and Saito might even have been arranged by Emperor Kangxi himself.
"Ah Hun, was it someone assigned by higher-ups?" Qingyan leaned closer to E Shuo and whispered to him.
E Shuo looked at his sister in astonishment. Perhaps girls' intuition is much sharper than boys'. Their marriage was clearly an attempt to give Qing Yan more leverage.
From a young age, the two brothers understood that the position of the principal wife should be personally appointed by the Emperor. No matter who it was, no one could marry the one they loved. Eshuo and Saituo did not ask much of their principal wife, as long as she could get along peacefully with her sister and not be like their mother.
"Little darling, you mustn't say that again. As subjects, we must obey orders from above," E'shuo said, holding her hand as they walked.
Qingyan felt an overwhelming bitterness in her heart. If she hadn't married Sisi, would Ahhun and the others have been able to choose their own marriage partners?
She lowered her head, watching the figure under the sunrise, her little face tensing up.
“It’s none of your business. Even without you, my marriage to Saito would still be arranged by His Majesty. The positions we hold are too sensitive.” Eshuo didn’t want her to feel burdened; he had long since come to terms with these things. “Father is the Commander of the Nine Gates. This position can only be filled by marriage arranged by His Majesty.”
Qingyan was relieved; it turned out she hadn't messed up Ah Hun's marriage.
"These two are quite good. Father personally investigated them, and their temperaments and character are excellent," E'shuo muttered.
Qingyan was led to the front yard by Eshuo. She saw that Feiyanggu and Saito had changed into their own handmade clothes. The three of them were wearing the same clothes, which looked quite interesting from a distance.
"Father, have you arranged a marriage for Ah Hun and his wife? Should I give them something as a gift?" After bowing, Qingyan sat down next to Fei Yanggu. Since she was little, she had always liked to snuggle up to Fei Yanggu.
Fei Yanggu was very satisfied with Qingyan's little gesture. Even if Yin was dissatisfied, he could only keep it to himself and could not say it out loud.
"You decide what to do. It's best to send something not too precious. Besides being the Fourth Prince's wife, you're also their sister-in-law, so they should thank you," Fei Yanggu said to Qingyan.
She had no biological mother to teach her; Fei Yanggu had taught her all of this slowly. Seeing that her two Ah Hun no longer belonged solely to her, she still felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
From now on, someone else will be vying for Ah Hun's attention. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
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