One of the four greatest joys in life is the wedding night with candles and flowers. Moreover, Fang Weijun was named the crown prince, and it was no different from when he was named on the imperial examination. He had always been in high spirits when happy events happened. When he lifted the veil, he saw that although Chang Yuzhu was not as beautiful as Jian Ningchu, she was also young and had the boldness of a military general and the beauty and intelligence of a lady from a noble family.
However, he looked down at Chang Yuzhu's feet and found that they were not bound. This was a little unsightly, but it was not a big deal because his own sister-in-law also did not have bound feet.
After the couple met, they paid their respects to the elders. Chang Yuzhu also took the opportunity to look around their bedroom. The furniture was all top-quality, some even home-made. The house was exquisite, the furnishings were gorgeous, and it gave off a very wealthy vibe.
She couldn't help but nod. When she saw the elders coming back, she heard Fang Weijun say to the servants, "My brother will attend the imperial lecture for the first time tomorrow. I'm sorry that my marriage has bothered him. Please send some Da Hong Pao to him. He always likes to drink Da Hong Pao. Tell him that I wish him all the best."
"Yes, I understand."
Chang Yuzhu thought to herself that Fang Weijun and Fang Weiyan did have a very good relationship.
On her wedding night, she could still remember what her brother was going to do and sent someone to do it specially, but now she was newly married and it was not appropriate to ask so many questions.
On the wedding night, the phoenixes were in harmony. Fang Weijun had enjoyed two beautiful concubines before, so he was more calm and composed in this matter. He did not act rashly and was considerate to Chang.
The dragon and phoenix candles were burning with a crackling sound, which was very bright.
But Mi Niang saw Fang Wei Yan reading a book. Although he was a tutor now, he could not become a daily lecturer because of his low qualifications. However, he could participate in the imperial lectures, which was a great achievement for him at this age.
But what made Mi Niang even more excited was attending the imperial lecture. She could bring her family and servants with her, and she could also take home the bowls, chopsticks, and cakes from the banquet that the emperor rewarded.
"Tomorrow we will go with Brother Yan to have some delicious food."
Fang Weiyan had experienced this before, but he went with servants. He was alone at that time. His parents were nobles and respected their status, so he didn't think it was a big deal. But seeing his wife and children so excited and eager to try, Fang Weiyan couldn't help but say, "It's going to be cold tomorrow, you should wear more clothes."
Mi Niang nodded heavily: "I know, I know."
Today is Fang Weijun's wedding. Mi Niang has been busy with his wedding for a month. Tomorrow she also has to take care of her husband and son and not put the cart before the horse.
She didn't really care about any rights. In her opinion, Fang Weiyan was a treasure, much more important than those so-called housekeeper rights.
She first told the nurse to take Xian'er to bed early, and then said to Chuntao, "Prepare a few more food boxes. We can pack them and distribute them to each room to share in the good fortune."
Being able to be an emperor's teacher at such a young age is an honor that not many young people can get.
Chun Tao smiled and said, "It is a great blessing for me to be able to accompany you to the imperial banquet. It is a pity that Xia Lian is pregnant and cannot go with you. So I am lucky."
"In the future, we won't just eat this once. If you girls come with me, I'll take them all with me. Tomorrow, I'll bring back an extra set of bowls and chopsticks. You can take them to Xia Lian for me and tell her that it's a reward for her."
The bowls and chopsticks used in the palace banquet may not be as exquisite as those used in the marquis's mansion, but this honor is not available to everyone.
The Hanlin Academy is worthy of being the emperor's close ministers.
As soon as Mi Niang said this, all the maids present were happy.
That night, Mi Niang chattered to Fang Weiyan: "I will dress up nicely tomorrow and I won't embarrass you. But,——"
Mi Niang groaned and said, "With the bride here, I can't steal her limelight."
This also depends on Fang Weiyan's attitude. If he is in a difficult situation and wants to keep a low profile, Mi Niang cannot be too high-profile.
Fang Weiyan said, "I made so many beautiful clothes this time, how can I not wear them out to show them off? You are too cautious. I have worked so hard, do I think I should let you be inferior to others in every way?"
The people in the mansion are behaving like this now. Although Fang Weiyan is not at home every day, he also knows the secret. In the past, the position of the crown prince was not decided. Although he abdicated and made way for the wise, he was indeed the most promising one among them. But now the crown prince has been decided. The crown prince is the future marquis and the future head of the marquisate.
Who wouldn't want to cater to this hot pot? Just like when Fang Weichang was still the prince, he was able to compete with Xu. Even though Xu didn't like Shen, she still had to let Shen help with the housework.
Shen was also able to take the opportunity to win over some people, and after Shen was no longer the crown prince, his ability to control the mansion was not as good as before. It was not because the money was not given in place, but because his power was not as great as before. What everyone feared was still power.
As the daughter-in-law of the Xu family, Mi Niang was considered a favorite here before, but Fang Weijun's daughter-in-law became the Crown Prince's wife as soon as she entered the family. Although the difference is not very obvious, people who are involved can feel it very well.
This subtle change is just like when he first resigned from the position of Prime Minister. Although the people below are still respectful to him, you will find that your words may not be heard. This is true in the court, and naturally it is the same in a family.
But Fang Weiyan is no lower than anyone else, so Mi Niang doesn't have to consider other people's opinions. His status was not given by the Marquis' Mansion, but was obtained through his own efforts.
With his current status, he is highly regarded by several officials in the government. When he was in the Imperial Edict Drafting Office, many people had to look at his face. How could he allow others to look down on him at home?
He gave up the title because he had a brighter future to pursue, not because he died that he would give it to his brother.
Just like he is low-key, it doesn't mean he is really willing to be stepped on everywhere.
After hearing this, Mi Niang thought to herself that this is indeed my good Wei Yan.
She smiled and said, "I know."
But Mi Niang was not targeting Chang Yuzhu. If it was Jian Ningchu who came in today, she would not even ask this question. She could wear whatever she wanted because Jian Ningchu was a very easy-going person and not a petty person.
Of course, it’s nothing for Jian Ningchu to be narrow-minded. She is a so-called “perfect” girl and will not show it on her face.
But she was not so stupid as to really compete with the bride for beauty. She was just accompanying her husband to the imperial banquet, so she had to reflect her status as Fang Weiyan's wife and could not embarrass Fang Weiyan.
The next morning, Fang Weiyan got up. He had to give a lecture today, so he had to get up early. Mi Niang woke up as well. Just as she was about to get up, Fang Weiyan said, "You should get some more sleep. You've been so tired lately. You can meet the bride later and send our gifts out."
"You don't need to tell me that. But I have to get up too. Drawing eyebrows and dressing up take time. After I greet the bride, I have to take my brother over. I don't have that much time."
Fang Weiyan nodded.
His official robe had been ironed and scented long ago. It was obvious that Mi Niang had made preparations long ago. It was different to have a wife in the end. She would think of things that you hadn't thought of one step ahead of time.
After Fang Weiyan left, Mi Niang rolled her eyes with boiled eggs. She went to bed late last night and got up early today, so she was afraid that her eyes would be swollen and have dark circles, so she rolled her eyes with eggs.
Because there are children in Fengwuyuan, although there is no small kitchen, the tea room has been expanded. Eggs are always available in the tea room to make egg custard for Xian Ge'er. Mi Niang can be said to have used public resources for personal purposes.
"How is it? My eyes are not swollen anymore, right?" Mi Niang said to Bai Zhi.
Bai Zhi nodded: "It's not swollen anymore. Your idea is still good. But there are some red bloodshot in your eyes."
"It's okay, just make me some chrysanthemum and wolfberry tea to warm my eyes. Today is a rare opportunity for me to be in front of the Fourth Master's peers, I can't be sloppy and look like a dirty woman."
Soon, the maids came in one after another. Mi Niang washed and dressed herself up. After that, she put on a silver-white satin undershirt, then a jade-colored, red, green, and velvet three-color satin blouse with a pattern of paddy fields, a silk skirt with gold peony and colorful disc flowers, and a stone-blue dolo gray squirrel cloak on the outside.
From the outside, she was not dressed in a flashy and flamboyant manner. Instead, she looked dignified and elegant, which was exactly what Mi Niang needed.
But this color looks indescribably noble and elegant on Mi Niang, without being flashy or nouveau riche.
She has her hair combed into a bun with a half-moon shaped comb inlaid with coral, tortoise shell and honey wax in the front. Only a butterfly-shaped gold-inlaid jade swing is inserted in the bun. This poem emphasizes refinement rather than quantity, otherwise it would be just a pile of things and would not look good.
No matter how much rouge and powder you use, the redder your lips are, the better you will look. The rouge must suit your skin tone, and the powder cannot be too white. In order to visit these rouge shops for fear of finding the wrong one, Mi Niang would buy each one to try whenever she went out. After all, who is the best at putting on makeup? It all comes down to money.
Wherever your heart is, there your achievement will be.
When Xian Ge'er got up, Mi Niang had just finished dressing up. Xian Ge'er was also dressed in new clothes today, and Mi Niang also gave him a tiger-head hat that she made herself.
It is definitely not the same tiger-head hat as everyone else's. Instead, Mi Niang drew a little tiger and cut it herself. This bright work of craftsmanship is now worn on Xian Ge'er's head, and everyone praises Xian Ge'er for how handsome he is.
When the mother and son came over, Xiangjun was the first to arrive. When she saw Xian'er's hat, she couldn't help but say, "Wow, this hat is really nice. Which embroiderer in the needlework shop did you ask to make it?"
In the Marquis's Mansion, Mi Niang seldom did needlework, and so did Xiangjun. Probably only she and Mi Niang spent more time in the needlework room. For example, Yu was very good at needlework and was very hardworking. The women who came as dowries around her were all very good at needlework, so they did it themselves. They felt that the needlework room worked too slowly, so they had to give rewards, and some of the skills were not even as good as their own.
Therefore, the township lady asked this question.
But then Zi Su laughed and said, "Third Grandma, this was made by our grandma herself."
Mi Niang also laughed: "I am a lazy person, I only make this kind of thing occasionally, and you said it was made by someone in the sewing room."
After that, she stuffed another noodle fruit into Ming Ge'er's mouth and said, "Just now, Yan Ge'er kept saying that the noodle fruit was delicious, so he asked me to bring it to Ming Ge'er to eat."
The local lord sighed, "I want him to eat, too, but he has a weak spleen and stomach, so I'm sorry you guys are worried about him."
She was the one who hoped her son would become a successful person, so she whispered, "Why are you going to the imperial banquet today? Fourth uncle is really amazing, he is now the emperor's teacher."
Mi Niang said a few humble words, and then said, "I have prepared the food boxes. If Third Sister-in-law doesn't mind, I will give you some when the time comes. It will be a happy gift after all."
Xiangjun was overjoyed when she heard this. She naturally wanted to let Min'er go to the imperial banquet with her, but Min'er was younger than Envy'er, and it was also the coldest time of the year. If he caught a cold, it would be a big trouble.
Therefore, when she heard that Mi Niang was going to send it to him, she was very happy: "I hope he can benefit from his fourth uncle's help and study well in the future."
While the two were talking, Yu came over after a while and asked them what they were talking about. She was also very happy to hear Mi Niang mentioned that each room should send some.
No one would mind if it was brought back from the banquet, because not just anyone can eat at the imperial banquet.
Seeing that they were talking excitedly, Xu asked about Fang Weiyan. Mi Niang smiled and said, "He left a long time ago. Don't worry, Madam. Fourth Master has a solid knowledge. But I have to take Xian'er with me today, so I may have to leave halfway. Please tell my sister-in-law not to blame me."
Xu waved her hands and said, "I don't blame you for anything. I'm just jealous. You should take good care of my brother and don't let him get scared."
"Look at this hat I made for him. In addition, there is the Laughing Cape you gave me last time. I just put the hood on him too. It's for safekeeping."
"Well, that's good, that's good."
From Xu's point of view, the eldest son's matter was too important. As a minister close to the emperor, any casual words or comments would be unwelcome. The eldest son had been preparing for this matter for a long time, and she knew that he had found many connections and even made friends with other children of the Lu family. It can be said that he had good intentions.
Others only see his glamour but don't know his hard work. If being an official was so easy, his son-in-law would be the top scholar in the imperial examination and now he would just be editing books in the History Bureau.
It is said that Xu had two sons. Although the title was given to the younger son, she still loved Fang Weiyan very much in her heart.
After a while, the newlyweds arrived. Fang Weijun, who was walking in front, looked like a young man from a wealthy family. He had a smile on his face, and it was obvious that he was very satisfied with the Chang family.
Chang had lost her former timidity, with a smile on her face, looking like a mistress.
Everyone had their own opinions, Chang had a plan in mind. The eldest grandmother, Yu, was kind-hearted. The third grandmother, Xiangjun, was talkative, but she seemed to talk about children all the time. The fourth grandmother, Ruan, didn't say much, but was quite enthusiastic.
That's good. That's good.
Xu also wanted to support her new daughter-in-law's position as the Crown Prince's wife. Besides, she was also old and needed help, so she said, "You are young. I heard that you often manage the family at home. I was the only one in charge of the family before. I asked them, and your sisters-in-law are all busy. If you have time, how about letting you manage it?"
Yu smiled slightly when she heard this. She had seen Ruan avoid suspicion before, so she also avoided suspicion. Now it seems that this is a good thing, so that the lady will not be annoyed by them for not knowing the current situation.
It would be bad if you had to refuse it at that time.
Xiangjun knew that she was not capable of being a housekeeper, so she usually did not participate much. Although she had this intention, she could not compete with Yu and Mi Niang. Now that they have retired, she has nothing to resent. Instead, she said, "Madam often says she is tired, and she is old. It is a good thing that the fifth brother and his wife are here."
Mi Niang also nodded: "That's right."
Chang Yuzhu couldn't help feeling proud. Fortunately, she didn't listen to her second sister and enter the palace. Otherwise, she would have to start as a low-ranking concubine. She also didn't agree to a marriage with other families. No other family could compare to the Dong'an Marquis's Mansion, where she would become the Crown Prince's wife as soon as she entered the palace.
In fact, when they came to Beijing, the youngest son of the Xinling Marquis asked to marry her. Unfortunately, the wife of the Xinling Marquis was a difficult person, and her youngest son was also very mediocre. The Chang family did not agree, and she even said that who would dare to marry her?
Such a statement would not actually hurt the Chang family, but the wife of Marquis Xinling had been in the capital for many years, and others would not want to go against the Xinling Marquis Mansion even if they wanted to marry a girl from the Chang family. You know, Gu Wangshu of the Xinling Marquis Mansion was a popular figure around the emperor. Fortunately, the Dong'an Marquis Mansion was not afraid of the rumors about the Xinling Marquis Mansion, and it was the prince who asked for marriage, so the Chang family was interested and quickly agreed.
Now it seems that her choice was indeed right. As soon as she entered the house, her mother-in-law asked her to manage the household herself.
She tried to refuse a few times, but seeing that Xu was determined, she smiled and said, "Since Madam has said so, I will not be disrespectful. I just want to share your worries."
Mrs. Xu was not harsh on her daughters-in-law. She was very tolerant towards Mi Niang and naturally the same towards Chang Yuzhu.
At this time, Mi Niang wanted to leave first. Chang Yuzhu felt uncomfortable. Then she heard Xu said, "Go quickly. You have to take good care of Xian'er."
Mi Niang smiled apologetically at Chang Yuzhu.
But after Mi Niang took Xian Ge'er out, Xu was reluctant to leave her grandson: "Xian Ge'er yawned just now, I don't know what happened."
Everyone knew that the Marquis of Dong'an was very fond of Xian Ge'er, not to mention Mrs. Xu. Although she often talked about Fang Yaqing's birth, she would always give her grandson the first thing she would do if she had any delicious or fun things.
Not to mention that the boy is witty in speech and has an especially cute appearance.
Yu said, "Don't worry. My fourth sister-in-law just said that she had a banquet and brought us cakes to share in the good fortune. We are all waiting at home. My jealous brother usually gets angry when my fourth sister-in-law doesn't take him out. How can we leave him out for such a big event?"
"Yes, yes, after the imperial banquet, maybe Envy's daughter will be like her father and pass the imperial examination tomorrow. Then, you, madam, will be a well-off old nobleman." Xiangjun also agreed.
Xu was smiling and very happy.
Chang Yuzhu felt a little uncomfortable. Today was clearly her happy event and she was the protagonist, but it seemed that no one paid much attention to her and instead praised the fourth room.
Little do they know that everyone has their own considerations. In the eyes of Yu and Xiangjun, you are about to get the real power of the housekeeper. We are not fighting with you, which has given you the greatest face. As for the housekeeper power in your hands, it does not mean that they have to listen to her. They are sisters-in-law. If they try to curry favor with them now, won’t it make people laugh?
Even though Fang Weiyan had the highest official position in the past, Mi Niang was very respectful to Lady Yu and never overstepped the boundaries. Whenever she went out to meet guests, she always put Lady Yu first, which made both Lady Yu and Lady Yu very satisfied.
Therefore, the two of them treated Chang Yuzhu as their younger sister first.
There's no need to be so anxious.
Chang Yuzhu suppressed her unhappiness, took note of a few people, and thought that she would definitely establish her own prestige in the future.
She couldn't show it yet, so she praised Yu's needlework skills and said modestly, "My little bit of wild fox Zen is not good enough in front of my sister-in-law."
She even deliberately took out the purse she made to show off her ugliness. Yu thought that she was an honest girl.
Suddenly, she praised Min Ge'er's good looks and asked the county lord how he gave birth to such a good-looking child. She also said self-deprecatingly, "My third brother's son is the same age as Min Ge'er, but he is dark and not as good as Min Ge'er."
Mrs. Xu couldn't help laughing: "You are just a kid, you don't know how to control your words, how could you say that about your nephew."
Suddenly, everyone felt that she was straightforward and open-minded, and not a man of many thoughts. Yu and Xiangjun were also much warmer to her. They thought that Ruan, the fourth brother's wife, would only say a few words when she came to pay her respects, and it was rare. Besides, she read books and painted every day, and basically stayed in her own yard after paying her respects. At most, she would take the children for a stroll in the garden. She seldom exposed her shortcomings like this. Chang was much easier to get along with. She was like a silly girl and didn't have any thoughts.
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