Chapter 15 I still have to go celebrate his birthday...
Yang Qing was suddenly pulled to look at her mother, and she was surprised by her mother's change, but she was also very happy, as this was exactly what she wanted.
Chu Ying, on the other hand, was unwilling. She
She's always excited to go out with her close friends, but the moment she goes out to meet a man, she immediately looks sullen and listless.
Rongyue finally found a good opportunity to get to know Si Jiamu. The Madam Mu she had met before at the Grand Princess Zhaohua's residence was from the Cheng'an Marquis's mansion.
Marquis Cheng'an has guarded the border for decades. He injured his leg some time ago. Besides the Emperor's birthday celebration, he also wants to retire and enjoy his retirement in the capital.
The emperor cherished and cared for his meritorious officials, and these days, imperial rewards were being sent to the Marquis of Cheng'an's residence in a continuous stream, making the Mu family the most prominent.
Yang Qing later inquired and learned that there were two eligible young men in the Mu family who were not yet married. One was Mu Xinghuai, the biological son of Madam Mu, and the other was Mu Xiangwen, the nephew of Madam Mu. Both were eighteen or nineteen years old. Although they had only recently arrived in the capital, they were already listed in Rong Yue's handbook.
Mu Xinghuai
Appearance: B
Talent and Learning: Unknown
Character: Unknown
Family background: A
Age: A
Mu Xiangwen
Appearance: A
Talent and Learning: Unknown
Character: Unknown
Family background: B
Age: B
This family background is understandable; the title of Marquis of Cheng'an is definitely inherited by the son, not the nephew. But Yang Qing is puzzled by their ages and can't help but ask Rong Yue, "Didn't everyone say that these two are both eighteen or nineteen years old? Why is one A and the other B?"
Rongyue took the papers and glanced at them. After thinking about who the two men were, she explained, "Oh, one is nineteen and the other is eighteen. I don't like men younger than me."
That's what she thought: although men travel around and see more of the world, they're not necessarily smarter.
The ideal age for her to choose a husband was one or two years older than her. Coincidentally, Mu Xinghuai was the same age as her, while Mu Xingwen was a few months younger than her, so Mu Xingwen could only be considered a second-tier candidate.
The banquet to be attended was hosted by Madam Mu, but the location was not the Marquis of Cheng'an's residence, but the Xu River that flows through the capital.
Cargo ships and pedestrians often travel along the river. The banks of the Xu River are bustling and a great place for sightseeing. This time, Marquis Cheng'an rented several large boats and linked them together with iron chains. It is said that those who boarded the boats felt as if they were walking on flat ground.
This was Yang Qing's first time attending such a banquet, and she found it quite novel.
Once everyone had arrived, the boat began to move at a leisurely pace, offering a panoramic view of the bustling scenery along the way, a scene of grandeur and elegance.
The spring breeze, gentle and unhurried, accompanied by the sound of string and bamboo instruments, caresses the face, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.
If only that arrogant girl hadn't shown up.
The person in front of her was dressed in finery and adorned with jewels. If one ignored the hostility on her face, she could be considered a beauty. However, because the person's malice was so blatantly directed at her, Yang Qing could not ignore it.
"So you're Chi Yangqing?" She looked everyone up and down with disdain. Although her voice was lower than before, it was still clear to everyone present. "You're nothing special. Remember this: when you marry into our Ning Prince's Mansion, don't even think about putting me in a superior position."
Prince Ning's Mansion?
Yang Qing immediately sensed something was wrong. When she looked at the person in front of her again, she felt that her appearance had changed. At one moment, she looked somewhat like Li Hebi with her fat head and big ears, and at the other moment, she looked like Li Heyun with her shifty eyes.
Xu Pianran immediately glared back and said, "Who are you? How can you be so rude?"
The young woman was even more aggressive than Xu Pianran: "I am the Princess of Yunan County. I only came to offer a few words of advice to this Miss Chi, but you are really something else, shouting and yelling here, and then accusing me of being impolite!"
Yang Qing and Pian Ran had both heard of Princess Yunan of the Ning Prince's Mansion; she was said to be the Ning Prince's most favored daughter. This time, the Ning Prince's Mansion came to the capital, bringing with them three children: Li Hebi, Li Heyun, and Princess Yunan.
Yang Qing knew she was a princess, and instead of being afraid, she became even angrier. She couldn't help but say, "Then we really were blind to her greatness."
Seeing the smug look on Princess Yunan's face, he slowly added, "After all, the princess and that prince are practically identical."
The smugness of the County Princess of Yunan came to an abrupt halt, and she immediately flew into a rage, demanding, "Chi Yangqing, what do you mean by this?"
Everyone has seen what Li Hebi looks like. This ungrateful Chi Yangqing actually dares to say that she and Li Hebi are cut from the same mold!
Princess Yunan gritted her teeth. If this were Yunzhou, she would have whipped her. "You really don't know what's good for you! My second brother is both scholarly and martial. You're lucky to marry him. So many women would fight over him!"
Yang Qing simply said, "I don't want this blessing. Since so many people are vying for it, then let it be given to whoever they want. Also, marriage is a major event, and it is a matter of parental consent and matchmaker's words. It is not something that you or I can decide at will. Yunzhou is remote, and since the princess has come to the capital, she should learn more about the etiquette."
The argument between the young girls wasn't a big deal, but it quickly attracted the attention of the ladies, who skillfully smoothed things over, turning a major issue into a minor one, and the matter was over.
Yang Qing couldn't do anything to Princess Yunan, so she could only sulk. When the boat stopped at the shore, she asked Xu Pianran to tell the Second Madam that she and the two young ladies who were still a little seasick went ashore.
Even after returning home, I couldn't help but get angrier and angrier. How could this whole family be so annoying?
Princess Ning, Li Hebi, Li Heyun, and now Princess Yunan has arrived. Even if she cuts her hair and becomes a nun, she would rather not marry into the Ning Prince's mansion.
By the time the second madam returned, it was already dusk.
She naturally already knew what had happened on the ship, but could only smile and pretend not to know, and even covered for Yangqing, saying, "She's weak and can't stand any wind, it's good for her to go back first."
If it were just a few girls arguing, it could be said that they were just young girls being immature and getting into a fight over a disagreement. But if the Second Madam intervenes, then it will truly become a done deal.
Seeing that Yang Qing's eyes were red and she had obviously been crying, the Second Madam felt sorry for her. She was cold and hard and couldn't say anything comforting. She just said with a straight face, "You little girl, you cry when someone says a few words? You've been like this since you were a child. You haven't grown up at all."
Yang Qing's voice was slightly hoarse: "I couldn't help it. Mother, tell me the truth, did that Li Heyun really come to propose marriage?"
The second wife said, "No."
Since ancient times, marriages have always been arranged by parents. But the Prince Ning's Mansion went directly to ask the emperor for a marriage decree. What does this mean? Is it a deliberate slap in the face to the Chi family?
He snorted coldly and said angrily, "But I heard that he bypassed us and went directly to the emperor to ask for a decree to grant the marriage."
Yang Qing panicked, and her tears, which hadn't yet dried, were about to fall again. "Mother, I don't want to marry her!"
The second wife said, "I know, I know. Even if you were willing, I wouldn't let you marry into that family. With your brains, if you went into the Prince Ning's mansion, wouldn't you be eaten alive?"
Seeing Yang Qing's face immediately fall, the Second Madam seemed to realize that now was not the time to scold her, so she could only keep a blank face and comfort her in a stiff voice, "You don't need to worry about these things. Just in time, the kitchen said they just made some walnut shortbread. Would you like a few?"
Yang Qing looked mournful: "Mother, you've forgotten again, I never eat walnut shortbread. That's what Third Sister likes to eat."
The second wife was taken aback. "Nonsense, doesn't Third Girl dislike sweets?"
Yang Qing: "...It's my fifth sister, Rong Yue, who doesn't like sweets."
The second wife was a little embarrassed: "Alright, you sisters are all picky eaters, how could I remember so clearly? If you don't want walnut pastries, then don't. There are also peanut pastries, I'll have Qingzhu bring them over for you in a bit."
Yang Qing: "...I don't eat peanut brittle either!"
The second wife said, "If you won't eat this and you won't eat that, then what will you eat?"
Yang Qing said, "I eat all kinds of pastries except peanut brittle and walnut brittle."
Isn't this deliberately going against her? The second wife was furious and embarrassed. "That brat is so picky about food. Take it or leave it."
After the second madam left, Yangqing began to complain to Liu Ye'er, "Look at my mother, what kind of mother is she? I'm so old, and she doesn't even know what I like to eat or what I don't like to eat?"
It wasn't just her likes and dislikes; the Second Madam couldn't remember the likes and dislikes of her several older sisters, or even her father, Master Chi.
Before Liantang was born, the Second Madam still had some affection for Second Master Chi, but after Liantang was born, she felt that Second Master Chi was a useless person who could not produce a son, and the couple grew cold towards each other.
Liu Ye'er smiled and advised, "Madam is busy, so it's understandable that she might not remember Miss's things for a moment."
Yang Qing snorted, "What's she busy with? All she does is take care of her few flowers and plants all day, as if they're her real daughter."
Liu Ye'er just smiled and didn't say anything.
In a few days it will be Li Shangxuan's birthday. The Second Madam is a very temperamental person. Because the Crown Prince has been cold to Yang Qing recently, she no longer bothers to flatter him.
So, although the tailor shop had already finished making the clothes and delivered them, she did not mention the Crown Prince's birthday banquet again. On the other hand, Yang Qing was in a great mood because she had gotten a new set of clothes with top-notch material and craftsmanship. She couldn't wait to try them on as soon as she received them.
The deep green is just between somber and frivolous. There are not many patterns on it. The style is the latest trend in the capital. Unlike the previous fitted and narrow waist, it is much looser, making it graceful and charming with every step.
Yang Qing liked it very much, and deliberately circled around Liu Ye'er several times, making her praise her many times before letting her go.
Normally, there shouldn't be any female relatives at the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, but this year, because it's the Emperor's fiftieth birthday, all the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital are present. Moreover, the Empress has suggested that the Second Prince and Li Shangxuan are both of marriageable age and should be looking for suitable partners. As Li Shangxuan's teacher, it's impossible for Second Master Chi not to attend such an occasion with his wife and daughter.
So, after all that, Yang Qing still had to go and congratulate him on his birthday.
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