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.
可這宮裏就是如此，能坐肩輿的都是有身份的人，如皇帝的妃嫔這些人，她們這些人是想也不敢想。
威風赫赫的錦衣衛把守各處要道，紅牆綠瓦，只覺得宮牆深深。
在大家都走的撐不住的時候，終于到了皇子所頭所，也稱為武德宮的地方。
正好門口偶遇湯慧君，她笑道：“我正等着你們一處進去呢。”
比起她們大汗淋漓，鬓發松亂，這湯慧君卻是頭發一絲不茍，她自己也有些不好意思，因為她住在宮中，陪伴皇後姨母，自己一個人不敢進門去。
瑤娘此時卻不好說什麽，若是說沒什麽，顯得自己為皇後侄女說話，巴結之心太重，若是譏諷湯慧君特權，那是活脫脫得罪皇後。
因此，她只道：“湯姑娘，不料此處遇見你，方才我們幾人在宮外碰面，正好沒見着你，還有些擔心呢。”
“是我的不是了，昨兒娘娘接我進宮來，原本我是打算和你結伴過來的。”湯慧君致歉。
瑤娘真切道：“原來如此呀，走，我們一道進去吧。”
徐青容和魏鳳都心道，這羅五娘真乃純真之人，湯慧君分明是知道天氣暑熱，早就提前進宮躲懶，根本不屑于和她們一處。
不管四個姑娘怎樣的心思，她們對于大皇子妃和洪側妃都是有些忐忑的，甚至也擔心興安郡主和真陽郡主不好相處，這些擔心都是一致的。
進了內室，只覺得涼爽宜人，再也沒有燥熱之色。
只見一位穿深色紗裙的婦人走過來道：“姑娘們先歇歇，整理一二，再去拜見大皇子妃和郡主們。”
瑤娘則拿出荷包裏的靶鏡，對着靶鏡把汗擦幹淨，又重新把零亂的鬓發梳理的整整齊齊的，甚至脖頸上的汗滴都擦了又擦。
也有專門的宮女端了水來，重新洗臉在身上撲香粉，其餘幾人也是如此。
如此，方進去正殿見皇長子妃林氏。
瑤娘由彩女女官引進，同另外三位伴讀一同跪下行禮，口呼：“臣女給皇子妃殿下，次妃殿下，興安郡主、真陽郡主請安。”
林氏約莫三十來許人，頭戴皆垂珠滴的燕居冠，霞帔深衣，顯得寶相莊嚴，氣勢不減。她溫和的和左下首的一年前婦人道：“洪妹妹，不如讓她們上前來看。”
這洪妹妹應該就是洪側妃，瑤娘往左邊看去，這洪側妃卻保養的十分好，看起來仿佛比林氏小十幾歲的樣子，她頭戴花樹冠，雲鬓花顏，不愧為當年最出挑的秀女。
洪側妃笑道：“您說的是。”
瑤娘等人又規行矩步的走向前去，林正妃問：“誰是徐青容、魏鳳？”
只見徐青容和魏鳳出列，林正妃不禁認真端詳她們：“嗯，不愧為名門淑女，果真不同，端莊持重。”
在皇家不出錯就是好事兒，聽林正妃和煦的問徐青容之後，又點了瑤娘和湯慧君的名字。
這個時候就顯出湯慧君皇後姨侄女的身份了，林正妃十分看重，甚至還特地道：“你素來秉性弱弱，夏秋之季最容易犯咳疾，可一定要留心身子。”
湯慧君柔聲道：“多謝大皇子妃提醒。”
輪到瑤娘時，瑤娘明顯就察覺到洪側妃的眼神看了過來，她是最後一個被問的，林正妃笑道：“我聽說你是六歲時才被找回家的，如今也是否極泰來，如今還進宮了，日後要好生伴着真陽郡主讀書。”
瑤娘趕緊道：“是。”
真假千金的事情，自從上京後，郁氏從未和別人提起，一來因為本來兩個孩子換回來年紀就還小，別人也根本看不出來，二來則是她不想別人用異樣的眼光看自己的女兒。
不妨這位林正妃說出來了，仿佛自己來路不正一樣，其她幾位伴讀也很是訝異。
瑤娘則淡然以對，并無半分怨怼不滿之色。
洪側妃卻突然笑了：“姐姐何必這般嚴肅，還都是小姑娘呢。讓大郡主和二郡主都和她們認識一下，再有幾位姑娘的房間也要帶她們去看看，吓壞她們可怎生是好。”
有意思，這個洪側妃如果是替自己解圍的話，那還真是個護犢子的人。
果然，林正妃也勉強維持住笑意。
反而是大郡主，也就是興安郡主臉色很難看，正常而言，洪側妃其實已經在打斷正妃說話了，可林正妃卻束手無策。
無疑可以看出，林正妃固然是正妃，看起來也體面，實際上洪側妃的勢力的确不容小觑。
接着，她和湯慧君又給真陽郡主請安，真陽郡主七歲多，還未滿八歲。
……
宮裏的屋子并不大，瑤娘和湯慧君同住一間房，洪側妃從自己身邊的丫鬟給她們各自撥了兩個宮女過來服侍。
此時，宮女們正在收拾床鋪行李，瑤娘則和湯慧君正在收拾箱籠，湯慧君對瑤娘道：“羅妹妹，我是先小人後君子，我本人愛潔，東西擺放都不喜錯亂，你可千萬別拿錯了。”
“好，沒問題。”瑤娘反而覺得湯慧君是個直爽人。
有什麽說什麽的人，總比那種蒙着面紗的人好，似徐青容和魏鳳就看不出任何情緒來。
見瑤娘這般爽快的答應，湯慧君倒是不好意思了。
瑤娘倒是不介意，這個湯姑娘是個有背景的關系戶，她們現在不是競争關系，反而是合作關系。
床鋪規整好後，湯慧君開始淺淺的咳嗽幾聲，瑤娘關心道：“湯姐姐你無事吧？”
“無事，我這是老毛病了。”湯慧君笑。
也許因為咳嗽，她蒼白的臉色倒是多了一絲紅暈。
瑤娘見她昏昏欲睡，也不欲打攪，她問極服侍自己的兩位宮女的名號，高瘦的宮女說自己叫秀林，另一個臉上微微有些雀斑的叫秀娟。
“相逢即是緣份，我初來乍到，什麽都不懂，還要勞煩二位。”
兩宮女連忙說不敢，瑤娘則一人給了一個荷包，一個精致的荷包裏裝的是二十兩銀子，也就是一個小銀錠。
什麽都能省，這賞錢可不能省。
果然這二人得了賞錢都歡欣異常，接着瑤娘小聲和她們打聽起真陽郡主的事情，這兩人是知無不言言無不盡了。
秀娟望風，秀林則陪瑤娘一起睡，又小聲道：“咱們這位郡主在府中排行第二，大家都喊她二郡主，是側妃的掌上明珠，為人天真爛漫。”
“看的出來，那大郡主那裏——”
“大郡主和二郡主年紀相差，平日也不怎麽在一處。二郡主素日和洪姑娘很好，常常說，洪姑娘若是她親姐姐就好了。”
“洪姑娘？聽這個名字似乎和側妃有親。”
“羅姑娘說的沒錯，這位洪姑娘是我們側妃的堂侄女，她曾祖曾經任過順寧府的千戶，到她祖父這一代就開始經商，這河運上的木材，有十船就有七八船是洪家的。她父親也是個精明人，繼承了生意後越做越大，只不過天不假年，早早的就去了。她家孤兒寡母的，就投奔了大興府的洪家，這位洪姑娘原本也是這次選伴讀的，側妃還接她進宮，只是她初選就被刷了下來了。”
孤兒寡母，偌大家財，簡直就是丫頭抱着金元寶了。
瑤娘旋即問道：“那她現在住在宮裏嗎？”
秀林點頭：“是啊，她現下是以側妃身邊的惠侍的身份留下的，是個極其周到的人，昨兒給大家送茶葉，就是我們這樣的小宮女也得了呢。”
這所謂的惠侍就是指庶妃或者側妃身邊的女史，洪側妃用自己的侄女也無可厚非。
“原來如此啊，她好好的大家小姐不做，怎地進宮做起女官來？”這和瑤娘她們不同，她們的身份是伴讀，可以鍍金的，甚至也可以接受全國最好的先生教導學問。
大齊選女官一般有兩種途經：一種是是從民間選取貌端品正、知書達理、富有才情的無夫女子充任；二是從宮女中選取精明強幹者充任。
像林正妃的姐姐當年能夠入宮做女官，原因就是她本人立志守節。
而這位洪姑娘年紀不大，又青春年少，卻甘願做宮中女官。
這個時候秀林就暧昧一笑：“那奴婢就不知道了。”
瑤娘聽說了皇長子的四個兒子，長子是興安公主的弟弟高玄湛，今年十二歲，次子為洪側妃的長子高玄穆，今年也是十二歲，另有三子亦是洪側妃所出，名叫高玄策，再有一個高玄度堪堪六歲。
這位洪淑怡姑娘，今年十三歲，正好和洪側妃的長子高玄穆年齡相仿，可前世高玄穆娶的是徐青容啊？
洪淑怡連側妃都不是，反正瑤娘跟着周王就藩都沒見過姓洪的側妃。
當然，今生不能事事以前世論之，時移世易。
她打算先給自己打造一個“愛讀書”的名頭，她進宮的目的是做伴讀，伴讀的根本在于學業，陪伴真陽郡主讀書。
等這個名頭生效了，站穩腳跟的她再圖謀其她的事情。
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.