It was not until the lychee banquet that Yao Niang saw Shi Yu. She seemed to be much more distant from her. Yao Niang knew in her heart that even people with the same father and mother would become estranged from each other, let alone half-sisters.
Qin Yi Niang was a person who refused to be inferior to others. She had been a child bride for many years, but was abandoned by her husband after he became successful. She could not bear the humiliation of being reduced from a wife of a Jinshi to a concubine. Therefore, she wanted her sons and daughters to surpass others. Although Shi Yu had a good relationship with her, she was more influenced by her biological mother.
Yao Niang also became closer to her mother and younger brother, so it was normal for them to gradually drift apart.
A very realistic problem is that unless Yu is childless, it is difficult for her to treat other people's children as her own. She definitely prefers her own children.
It was a rare moment for Yu to be in high spirits. She raised her cup and toasted Old Madam Dou, Jiang and Ren. Old Madam Dou drank with a smile, and Yao Niang smiled and helped her mother to sit down on her left.
The long table was full of dishes made with lychees, including lychee shrimp stew, sweet and sour lychee pork, lychee ice cream, lychee-flavored fried fish balls, lychee beef, etc. Yao Niang also ate very restrainedly because lychees can easily cause internal heat.
Old Madam Yu didn't argue that much. Yao Niang took one look at her grandmother and was also amazed.
This old lady must have saved a lot of money over the years, but she didn't pay a penny for cousin Yu Yan's dowry. She looks smiling and acts humble everywhere, but in fact, this kind of person is more terrifying than Ren. Ren's desires are written on her face, but old lady Yu hides them all.
"Cousin, I really envy you. You were chosen as a study companion and were appointed as a female official. I'm sure you will be very successful in the future." Yu Yan said it directly.
The other sisters in the family were more reserved in their congratulations. Even if they knew it was the case, they would not say it out loud. Yu Yan was a very simple person. She was actually not satisfied with the family that Yu family had found for her.
What she wanted to find was naturally a talented man from a noble and scholarly family, preferably an official family, with a harmonious family and some extra money. She didn't want someone who was really rich, but unfortunately her aunt refused and even sacrificed her own marriage for her cousin. She had heard these things not only from the third lady, but also from Aunt Qin and even the Manchus.
If she hadn't married into the Lin family, I wonder if this cousin would have been selected today?
Yao Niang smiled and said, "It's just luck that I was chosen. You're overthinking about it."
"Aunt always thinks of you first, and always thinks of you when it comes to the best things." Yu Yan drank another glass of plum wine, her face flushed.
What does it mean? Truth comes out when drunk.
Yao Niang is not the kind of person who likes to bully others. If you are polite to some people, she will think you are easy to bully.
"Of course. If my mother doesn't think about me, who else can she think about? Cousin Yu really likes to joke." Yao Niang retorted.
Yu Yan didn't dare to say anything immediately.
Yu also heard it vaguely. She sighed in her heart that her daughter's face was as gentle and beautiful as her own, very amiable and lovely, but her temperament was vaguely more like her husband's. She was just as unruly, fearless, daring to fight, and would never tolerate anything.
In fact, Yu felt somewhat happy. She had no way to resist and could only endure it. It would get better after enduring it for a while. But her daughter's direct attack made her feel for the first time that this was her achievement.
If we were always cautious at home, we wouldn't be able to raise a daughter with such a personality.
Little Jiang had been serving nearby, so of course she heard what Yao Niang and Yu Yan said. Although she pretended not to hear, she was a little afraid of such people in her heart.
Anyone who is selected as a companion to the palace at the age of eight, who is clear-headed, eloquent, and fearless, must not be ignored. But according to Xiao Jiang's original intention, this girl must be a pair with a man who is gentle and can coax people, otherwise, there are only a few princes and sons in the palace who can coax people, let alone their eldest daughter Luo Shilan, who cries every time she returns to her parents' home.
After the lychee banquet, Yao Niang went to Mr. Dong to ask about learning needlework.
"Now that I'm entering the palace, I can't go back home to learn. Can you teach me a new needlework technique so I can practice it myself in the palace?" Yao Niang had thought about it herself. There would be festival gifts to give when entering the palace, and most girls like them would be doing needlework.
Mr. Dong is good at double-sided embroidery, so Yao Niang wanted to learn it and see if there were any tricks.
"It's not that difficult. Even if you didn't tell me, I would have given you a picture album. When you become successful in the future, don't forget us."
"What are you talking about, sir?"
Before entering the palace, Yao Niang had been looking for Mr. Dong to learn needlework, and she practiced with picture books by herself, which amazed everyone who heard it.
The day before she entered the palace, Luo Jingxi went to receive the palace badge and two sets of female official uniforms. This was a specially made fire-sealed waist badge, which strictly restricted entry and exit to the palace. The official name was written in ancient script on it.
One letter was written by a female historian from the Shanggong Bureau, and the other one said that the Imperial City Bureau allowed the release but not to leave the capital.
Yao Niang put it close to her body and changed into the attire of a female official. Yu thought her daughter's rosy little face was particularly cute. She kissed her daughter again while she was wearing such attire of a female official.
No matter how I look at my daughter, I think she is good.
Although she had already made plans to enter the palace, she still couldn't bear to leave her father, mother and Hao Ge'er. Fortunately, the three of them sent Yao Niang to the palace gate together. The eldest prince's mansion had already sent eunuchs to meet people at the palace gate.
Yao Niang had never ridden in the same carriage with her parents and brother. Jinghao had no idea what it meant to study together and thought that Yao Niang was studying in the same academy as her second brother Jingyuan. The child even said, "Sister, bring the clay figurines for me next time you come back."
"knew."
In front of the Linqing Gate, the eunuch had not come out yet. Luo Zhi was listening to Yu's earnest instructions, and it was rare that he didn't look impatient.
Soon, several more carriages arrived. Yu looked over and saw a sign with the word "Xu" on it. She asked Yao Niang, "Is this the daughter of Xu, the right secretary of Henan Provincial Government?"
Yao Niang nodded: "Yes, I heard that her brother is the head of the Ministry of Revenue, there are seven Jinshi in the family, and her grandfather was even granted a title."
The Xu family was different from the Luo family. The next generation of the Xu family had already entered officialdom. Of Luo Zhizheng's three sons, the eldest son was not in a position to take office, and the other two were still young. Xu Qingrong's eldest brother was ranked third in the second class and was assigned to the Ministry of Revenue to observe government affairs. He had already been promoted to the head of the Ministry of Revenue, and his father was also a provincial governor.
At present, there is no difference between the Luo and Xu families. In fact, the Luo family is even better. This is a very important official with real power. But in the long run, the Xu family has already taken a step ahead.
"She is not suitable to enter the palace with her status." Yu sighed.
Yao Niang knew what Yu Shi meant. Last time, the granddaughter of the Tongzhengshi said that Xu Qingrong was good, but there was one bad thing about her. At that time, she did not investigate further. In fact, she knew very well that most women in the Xu family were jealous.
Even though the Xu family was of high status, their daughters almost always married down and never married up.
The rumor is that when Xu Qingrong's great-aunt married the Minister of War Wang Chonggu as his second wife, she required that men must be over 40 years old and women over 60 years old to serve them. If they were not satisfied, they would be punished to kneel, regardless of whether it was hot or cold. Later, this great-aunt of the Xu family let her son marry her niece, Xu Qingrong's aunt, Xu.
This Xu was even better than her father. Her cousin and husband was not very smart, so she usually just disliked him. Once, when her husband was drinking, he shouted that he wanted to take a concubine. Xu was furious and killed her husband.
Because of this, the Xu family's daughters have a bad reputation. If Xu Qingrong had the same personality as her great-aunt and aunt, she would suffer if she entered the palace. All the princes and sons of the royal family in the palace have bad tempers, and having three wives and four concubines is common. It would be better for her not to enter the palace.
At this time, Xu Qingrong was getting off the carriage. She was sent by her brother. Master Xu quickly saluted Luo Zhizheng and said, "Your humble servant is here to see the Ministry of Personnel."
"This is not a public place, no need to be so polite." Luo Zhizheng said.
Xu Qingrong hurriedly bowed to Yu. Yao Niang smiled and called her "Sister Xu". She was a little surprised for a moment. Xu Qingrong was Princess Xing'an's companion, so how could she marry Prince Zhou, the son of Concubine Hong?
After this question was answered, another woman, Wei Feng, came over. Wei Feng was the granddaughter of the Minister of Personnel, and was considered the granddaughter of Luo Zhizheng's superior. However, Yao Niang found that her father was indeed very arrogant, and she was just indifferent to the granddaughter of her superior.
Wei Feng had an ordinary face, not even as pretty as Xu Qingrong, but she had a rare mild temper and was quite magnanimous.
Xu and Wei also saw that Yao Niang was still young, so they did not ignore her. At this time, the eunuchs from the eldest prince's mansion came over. Yao Niang did not see Tang Huijun, but she did not ask too much, so she said goodbye to her parents and followed the eunuchs to the head of the prince's residence.
They were not allowed to bring servants with them when they entered the palace and had to carry their own luggage. Yao Niang was not very familiar with Xu and Wei, so she just followed them.
Luo Zhizheng, who was outside the palace gate, took Yu back with him. Yu didn't feel anything just now, but now her eyes were red. Luo Zhizheng said, "Don't worry, I have already said hello to the palace eunuch at Yao Niang's place."
Yu was relieved, but couldn't help saying, "My master must have kept this a secret from me." In fact, she guessed in her heart that Luo Zhizheng was quite capable in his early years, but he was a man who would not be easily persuaded. Yu didn't dare to ask for too much, otherwise Luo Zhizheng would rebel.
"Don't worry, I will definitely protect my daughter." Luo Zhizheng looked into the distance, as if thinking about something.
There was rarely any noise in the palace, and even when the maids and eunuchs walked, they had their own tasks and kept their eyes straight ahead. They were not allowed to visit other people in the palace at will, and their badges only allowed them to move around in a certain place, not to go anywhere else at will. This was different from their own homes, where they could go to the gardens whenever they wanted and do whatever they wanted.
After walking for about two minutes, Yao Niang was still holding on, but Wei Feng's face turned red and he was sweating profusely. Although Xu Qingrong was a little better, he was not much better.
But this is how it is in the palace. Only people of status can sit on the sedan chair, such as the emperor's concubines. These people dare not even think about it.
The majestic Jinyiwei guarded the important roads everywhere. The red walls and green tiles made the palace walls seem very deep.
When everyone was exhausted, they finally arrived at the Prince's Residence, also known as the Wude Palace.
I happened to meet Tang Huijun at the door. She smiled and said, "I'm waiting for you two to come in together."
Compared to them who were sweating profusely and had messy hair, Tang Huijun's hair was not at all neat and tidy. She herself felt a little embarrassed because she lived in the palace, accompanying the Empress and her aunt, and she did not dare to go in alone.
Yao Niang didn't know what to say at this moment. If she said it was nothing, it would seem that she was speaking for the Empress' niece and was too eager to curry favor with her. If she ridiculed Tang Huijun's privileges, she would definitely offend the Empress.
Therefore, she only said: "Miss Tang, I didn't expect to meet you here. We met outside the palace just now, but I didn't see you. I was a little worried."
"It's my fault. When the Queen asked me to come to the palace yesterday, I had originally planned to come with you." Tang Huijun apologized.
Yao Niang said sincerely: "So that's how it is. Come on, let's go in together."
Xu Qingrong and Wei Feng both thought that Luo Wuniang was truly an innocent person. It was obvious that Tang Huijun knew that the weather was going to be hot, so she had gone to the palace early to hide away and simply didn't bother to be with them.
No matter what the four girls thought, they were all a little nervous about the Crown Prince's wife and Concubine Hong. They were even worried that Princess Xing'an and Princess Zhenyang would not get along well. These concerns were the same.
Entering the inner room, I felt cool and pleasant, without any sense of heat.
A woman in a dark gauze dress came over and said, "Girls, take a rest first, tidy up a bit, and then go to meet the Crown Prince's wife and the princesses."
Yao Niang took out a target mirror from her purse, wiped the sweat off her face in front of it, combed her messy hair neatly again, and even wiped the sweat off her neck again and again.
There was also a special palace maid who brought water, helped her wash her face again and apply perfumed powder on her body. The same was done by the rest of the people.
So, Fang went into the main hall to meet the Crown Prince's Consort Lin.
Yao Niang was led in by the court lady, and she knelt down with the other three attendants to pay her respects, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince's Consort, Your Highness the Second Consort, Princess Xing'an, and Princess Zhenyang pay their respects to you."
Lin was about thirty years old, wearing a Yanju crown with pearls on her head and a long gown, which made her look dignified and imposing. She said gently to the woman who lived one year ago on the lower left, "Sister Hong, why don't you let them come forward and have a look?"
This sister Hong should be Concubine Hong. Yao Niang looked to the left and saw that Concubine Hong was very well maintained and seemed to be a dozen years younger than Lin. She wore a flower crown on her head and had beautiful hair and a pretty face. She was indeed the most outstanding beauty of that year.
Concubine Hong smiled and said, "You are right."
Yao Niang and the others walked forward in an orderly manner. Concubine Lin asked, "Who are Xu Qingrong and Wei Feng?"
Seeing Xu Qingrong and Wei Feng come out, Concubine Lin couldn't help but look at them carefully: "Well, they are indeed different, dignified and serious, as expected of ladies from famous families."
It is a good thing not to make mistakes in the royal family. After hearing Concubine Lin ask Xu Qingrong in a gentle voice, she also mentioned the names of Yao Niang and Tang Huijun.
At this time, Tang Huijun's status as the niece of the Queen was revealed. Concubine Lin valued her very much and even said, "You have always been weak in nature. You are most likely to have a cough in summer and autumn. You must take care of yourself."
Tang Huijun said softly, "Thank you, Princess Crown Prince, for your reminder."
When it was Yao Niang's turn, she obviously noticed the look from Concubine Hong. She was the last one to be asked. Concubine Lin smiled and said, "I heard that you were found home when you were six years old. Now you are lucky and have entered the palace. You should study well with Princess Zhenyang in the future."
Yao Niang quickly said, "Yes."
Since going to the capital, Yu never mentioned the matter of the real daughter to anyone else. Firstly, because the two children were still young after being exchanged, others could not tell the difference; secondly, she did not want others to look at her daughter differently.
It seems that Concubine Lin said this, as if she came from a shady background, and the other study companions were also very surprised.
Yao Niang responded calmly, without any resentment or dissatisfaction on her face.
Concubine Hong suddenly laughed: "Sister, why are you so serious? They are just little girls. Let the eldest and second princesses get to know them, and show them the rooms of the other girls. It would be terrible if they get scared."
Interesting, if Concubine Hong was trying to rescue herself, then she is truly a person who protects her own son.
Sure enough, Concubine Lin Zheng also tried hard to maintain a smile.
Instead, the eldest princess, Princess Xing'an, had an ugly look on her face. Normally, Concubine Hong had actually been interrupting the main concubine, but Main concubine Lin was helpless.
It can be seen without a doubt that although Concubine Lin is the principal wife and looks respectable, in fact, Concubine Hong's power should not be underestimated.
Then, she and Tang Huijun paid their respects to Princess Zhenyang, who was over seven years old and not yet eight.
…
The room in the palace was not big. Yao Niang and Tang Huijun lived in the same room. Concubine Hong assigned two palace maids from her own maidservants to serve them each.
At this time, the palace maids were packing the beds and luggage, while Yao Niang and Tang Huijun were packing the boxes. Tang Huijun said to Yao Niang, "Sister Luo, I am a mean person first and a gentleman later. I like cleanliness and I don't like things to be placed in a mess. You must not take the wrong thing."
"Okay, no problem." Yao Niang felt that Tang Huijun was a straightforward person.
People who speak their mind are always better than those who wear masks, like Xu Qingrong and Wei Feng, who show no emotion at all.
Seeing Yao Niang agree so readily, Tang Huijun felt embarrassed.
Yao Niang didn't mind. This Miss Tang was a well-connected client with a background. Their relationship was no longer a competitive one but a cooperative one.
After the bed was made, Tang Huijun began to cough slightly. Yao Niang asked with concern, "Sister Tang, are you okay?"
"It's nothing. It's just an old problem of mine." Tang Huijun smiled.
Perhaps because of the cough, her pale face had a hint of redness.
Seeing that she was drowsy, Yao Niang did not want to disturb her. She asked the names of the two palace maids who served her. The tall and thin palace maid said her name was Xiulin, and the other one with freckles on her face was called Xiujuan.
"Meeting is destiny. I'm new here and I don't know anything. I'm sorry to bother you two."
The two maidens said they dared not, and Yao Niang gave each of them a purse. The exquisite purse contained twenty taels of silver, which was a small silver ingot.
You can save on anything, but not on the bonus money.
As expected, the two were extremely happy after receiving the reward. Then Yao Niang whispered to them about Princess Zhenyang, and the two told them everything they knew.
Xiujuan watched, while Xiulin slept with Yao Niang, and whispered, "Our princess is the second in the family. Everyone calls her the second princess. She is the apple of the concubine's eye and is very innocent."
"It can be seen that the eldest princess has..."
"The eldest princess and the second princess are of different ages, and they don't usually get along well. The second princess is usually very good to Miss Hong, and often says that it would be great if Miss Hong was her real sister."
"Ms. Hong? From the name, it seems that she is related to the concubine."
"Miss Luo is right. This Miss Hong is the cousin of our Concubine. Her great-grandfather was once a thousand households in Shunning Prefecture. Her grandfather's generation started doing business. Seven or eight out of ten timber ships on the river belong to the Hong family. Her father was also a smart man. After inheriting the business, he made it bigger and bigger. However, he died early. She was an orphan and a widow, so she went to the Hong family in Daxing Prefecture. This Miss Hong was originally selected as a companion this time, and the Concubine wanted to take her into the palace, but she was eliminated in the preliminary selection."
For an orphan and a widow with such great wealth, it is like a maid holding a gold ingot.
Yao Niang immediately asked, "Does she live in the palace now?"
Xiulin nodded: "Yes, she is here as a maidservant to the concubine. She is a very considerate person. She served tea to everyone yesterday, even to little maids like us."
The so-called Hui Shi refers to the female historian beside the concubine or the side concubine. It is understandable that Side Concubine Hong used her own niece.
"So that's how it is. Why does she choose to be a lady from a wealthy family and become a female official in the palace?" This is different from Yao Niang and the others. Their identities are companions, they can be gilded, and even receive instruction from the best teachers in the country.
There were generally two ways for the Daqi Dynasty to select female officials: one was to select unmarried women with good looks, good character, good education, and rich talents from the public; the other was to select smart and capable women from the palace ladies.
For example, the reason why Lin Zhengfei's sister was able to enter the palace as a female official was because she was determined to remain chaste.
Although Miss Hong was young and young, she was willing to be a lady-in-waiting in the palace.
At this time, Xiulin smiled ambiguously: "Then I don't know."
Yao Niang heard about the four sons of the eldest prince. The eldest son was Princess Xing'an's younger brother Gao Xuanzhan, who was twelve years old this year. The second son was Concubine Hong's eldest son Gao Xuanmu, who was also twelve years old this year. There was another third son, also born to Concubine Hong, named Gao Xuance, and the third son, Gao Xuandu, was just six years old.
This Miss Hong Shuyi is thirteen years old this year, which is exactly the same age as Concubine Hong’s eldest son Gao Xuanmu. But in his previous life, Gao Xuanmu married Xu Qingrong?
Hong Shuyi is not even a concubine. In any case, Yao Niang has never seen a concubine named Hong since she followed King Zhou to his fiefdom.
Of course, we cannot judge everything in this life from the perspective of past lives, as times have changed.
She planned to first build a reputation for herself as a "reader". Her purpose of entering the palace was to be a study companion. The essence of a study companion was academics, and she would accompany Princess Zhenyang in her studies.
Once this title takes effect and she has established her footing, she can plan other things.
Tang Huijun, who was half lying on the bed and pretending to be asleep, saw Yao Niang asking questions so inquiringly and thought that this person must be a reckless person. She was just waiting to see her make a fool of herself. She had originally wanted to be a quiet companion, but how could she meet such a troublesome person on the first day?
Princess Zhenyang obviously likes her cousin Hong more. It looks like this Miss Luo is going to take action. I might as well sit back and watch the fight tomorrow.
As expected, the next day, when Yao Niang heard Princess Zhenyang mention her cousin's profound knowledge, she immediately said, "Princess, I am not very knowledgeable and I just want to learn more. I wonder if I can ask Lady Hong for advice?"
Princess Zhenyang was very happy to see that Yao Niang did not hold a prejudice against her cousin. She was also a naive person and said, "Okay, okay, I will introduce her to you today."
"That's great. It's all thanks to the princess that I can listen to the teachings of the tutors and have a talent like Miss Hong." Yao Niang smiled and actually flipped through the book she was going to read today on the way.
Princess Zhenyang joked, "You are such a nerd."
Yao Niang smiled innocently and followed Princess Zhenyang forward, while Tang Huijun seemed to be wandering in the wind.
How come today, everything has changed?
She thought she was sitting on the mountain and watching tigers fight, but it turned out that others were the winners with their eloquence and flattery, and she, the queen's niece, was not as favored as she was by Princess Zhenyang.
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