The flower viewing banquet was scheduled for half a month later.
Xue Zhi had to go to court that day, and Zheng Xiu dragged her tired body to get up with him.
As for why she felt more tired the more she slept, it was naturally all thanks to Xue Zhi. In
addition, Zheng Xiu went to Changfeng Garden every day to report in for the past half month and learned to take care of chores, so she lost a lot of weight.
When Zheng Ren and Zheng Yu came to see her a few days ago, they saw that she was so thin that her chin was pointed, and they thought she was sick.
Zheng Xiu had to explain what she had been busy with recently.
It was a good thing to learn to be a housekeeper, and she heard that Princess Guihe wanted to bring her along on purpose. Although Zheng Ren felt sorry for his daughter, he didn't stop her. He just asked her to pay attention to rest and not to overwork herself.
Similarly, Zheng Xiu didn't like these things either, but because Princess Guihe was kind-hearted, she didn't want to disappoint her, so she forced herself to learn for half a month. But she had made up her mind, she didn't cling to power, and she had never thought about being the head of the family. This time, she must help Princess Guihe to make good counsel and choose a daughter-in-law who can take on the important task, so that the power of being the head of the Duke of Qing's Mansion can be handed over to the new bride.
Zheng Xiu had breakfast with Xue Zhi and Xue Shao. Xue Zhi hurried to the court, and Xue Shao practiced boxing in the yard.
Before Zheng Xiu went to Changfeng Garden, she reminded Xue Shao, "You and A Mian should behave well in front today, and don't come to the flower hall and garden in the back."
Xue Shao nodded and said, "Mother, I know that many guests will come to the mansion today. Don't worry, I know my limits."
Zheng Xiu knew that he knew his limits, and she was mainly worried about the naughty Xue Mian. She reminded Xue Shao several times just to let him keep an eye on Xue Mian. After
the two of them finished their conversation briefly, Zheng Xiu went to Changfeng Garden.
Princess Guihe had packed up, and now she could walk like an ordinary person, but she couldn't walk fast. If she walked fast, she would still be unsteady on her feet, so she didn't sit in a wheelchair, but let Qiu Rui support her.
Thinking that so many noble ladies would be coming soon, Zheng Xiu was also nervous. If he was just a guest, maybe he would not be so nervous, but because this was her first time to organize such a large-scale party, she was afraid that something would go wrong. Princess Guihe asked Chunzhi to show her the tea, and she drank it absent-mindedly.
Princess Guihe saw it and couldn't help laughing, "It's not a big event. Just treat it as a small banquet held by ordinary people and invite a few girls to be guests."
Zheng Xiu sighed and said, "I'm afraid that the arrangements are not appropriate, something goes wrong, and the hospitality is not good enough."
Perhaps because the candidate for Xue Mian's future wife was to be finalized on this day, Princess Guihe was in a better mood and smiled, "It doesn't matter if something goes wrong, I'll cover it for you."
With her words, Zheng Xiu felt much more at ease.
Qiu Rui also said, "Second Madam, don't be nervous. You have arranged everything properly. So many of us have helped to check it out. Nothing will go wrong."
After a few people talked for a while, the time was coming.
The maids sent out from Changfeng Garden were all guarding the gate, two in a group, one leading the guests inside, and the other returning to Changfeng Garden to pass the message.
In this way, more than 20 people were arranged in groups.
When the last maid came to announce that the eldest daughter of Master Xie had arrived, everyone in the flower hall was present.
Princess Guihe then let Qiu Rui tidy up her dress, and held her hand and walked slowly into the flower hall. Zheng Xiu followed behind.
There were more than a dozen noble ladies sitting in the flower hall, chatting and laughing in the seats arranged in advance.
When Princess Guihe arrived, the flower hall became quiet, and everyone greeted each other together.
Princess Guihe asked everyone to skip the formalities, sat at the top, and asked Zheng Xiu to sit next to her.
A group of women sat together, and although they were not very familiar with each other, they still had endless things to talk about. The topics naturally revolved around clothes, jewelry, spices, etc.
Several people who sat closer to Princess Guihe began to praise Princess Guihe's outfit today, saying how exquisite the silk-carved gold and silver Ruyi cloud pattern satin dress she wore today was, and how gorgeous the six-sided jade-inlaid seven-treasure bright gold shawl on her head was... They were not stingy with their praise.
Princess Guihe usually didn't like the palace, but today she was surprisingly patient and kind, talking to everyone with a smile on her face.
Zheng Xiu just listened quietly beside, without interrupting. She had never seen any of the noble ladies who came today. Maybe she had seen them at the birthday party of Princess Guihe before, but it was just a one-time encounter, so she didn't have much impression. In fact, she did know Xie Yi. However, Xie Yi was not the protagonist today, and her seat was arranged near the door and quite far away. She was also very considerate and did not make a noise to steal the show. Except for occasionally whispering a few words to the girl next to her, she mostly listened.
Zheng Xiu's mouth was idle, but her mind was not idle. From time to time, she would glance at the noble ladies in front of her with her peripheral vision to see their appearance, expressions and movements.
However, it must be mentioned that the most beautiful guest in this room is the charming Xie Yi. Although she wore a plain vertical water pattern eight-treasure vertical water skirt today and only slightly applied makeup on her face, it was difficult to hide her beauty. Of course, the other well-dressed noble ladies also have their own merits, but in comparison, they are not so eye-catching.
After talking for a while and having tea, the servants brought out several pots of peonies, including Zhaofen, Yaohuang, Weizi, Zierqiao, Zuiguifei, etc. They are all carefully cared for by the gardeners of the Duke of Qing’s mansion, and each pot is in great bloom.
This is the highlight of the flower viewing banquet.
The noble ladies are eager to try and start to compose poems. They were all young, so they didn't necessarily make up a lot of poems, but they just wanted to make them interesting, appropriate to the situation, and rhyme.
The girl from the Nanrong County Princess's family, Li Tong, who sat closest to Princess Guihe, read her own poem first, and then she read it, and everyone read their own poems in turn. If there was something they hadn't thought of, they would skip it and read it again after another round.
Zheng Xiu didn't know how to write poems, but she had learned a lot of masterpieces by famous masters when she was in school in her previous life. After listening carefully, she didn't think there was anything particularly outstanding.
It was Xie Yi's turn. She smiled calmly and said, "Please forgive me, Princess. I caught a cold a few days ago. My mind is in a mess now. There is nothing in my mind."
The highly respected talented woman actually said such words, which was obviously an excuse.
Princess Guihe was not angry. Instead, she smiled and nodded and said, "Miss Xie, since you are not feeling well, forget it." Although she didn't say anything, it was obvious that she liked her behavior of not showing off at this time.
After several rounds, only Wang Hanyu, the daughter of the Crown Prince's wife, was left. Wang
Hanyu was quite heroic. Zheng Xiu had also looked at her twice before. At this time, she and everyone else turned their eyes to her, waiting to listen to her little poem.
Wang Hanyu blushed slightly, but she did not shrink back. She said frankly, "I am not very knowledgeable. I am afraid that if I speak out, the princess and the sisters will laugh at me."
Princess Guihe thought she was being modest and said, "It's okay, just say it." Then she asked the maids to change the tea and gave her some time.
Zheng Xiu picked up the teacup and heard Wang Hanyu say, "Then I am embarrassed."
"The peony flowers are in full bloom and their beauty is outstanding. If you want to know where to find them, please go to the mansion of Duke Qing."
Zheng Xiu spit out a mouthful of hot tea and then coughed violently.
The flower hall suddenly became silent, and you could hear a pin drop.
Zheng Xiu coughed violently for a while before stopping, and her face turned red. Princess Guihe didn't say anything to her, but she picked up the teacup awkwardly, not knowing whether it was because of Wang Hanyu's poetry or because of Zheng Xiu's strength.
Zheng Xiu asked the maid to help clean up, apologized to everyone, and then said with a smile: "The lotus in our garden is about to bloom, and the house is a bit stuffy, why don't we go out for a walk?"
Princess Guihe also nodded and said: "Well, you can go for a walk, and it will be time to set up a banquet when you come back."
Everyone stood up, bowed, and walked out together.
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