What Mrs. Cao brought was a multicolored phoenix hairpin with a drop-shaped luminous pearl in the middle. After the dressing box was opened, everyone in the room was stunned by the multicolored phoenix hairpin.
Even though Old Lady Dou was knowledgeable, she had never seen such a valuable five-colored phoenix hairpin.
"Fifth Lady, this gift is for you."
Hearing the hint in Mrs. Cao's words, everyone looked at Yao Niang again and saw that the girl was wearing a half-sleeved skirt with a jewel-blue weave and silver-thread peony pattern. She was only about ten years old, but she already had the feeling of "her eyebrows can surpass the color of daylilies, and her red skirt can kill pomegranate flowers". She was not inferior to the beauties Biyu and Lihua.
The Cao family has an old aunt who is the mother of Lu Tongpan, who was born in the same year as Luo Zhizheng. The Lu family and the Luo family also have occasional contacts. Today, the Lu family also came here with several girls.
Miss Lu San was a legitimate daughter, and she had always done what she wanted at home. Today, she wanted to show off in front of her concubine sister, so she smiled and said, "Sister, do you know who this girl is?"
The fourth daughter of the Lu family looked at this and was secretly shocked. Although she was a concubine's daughter, she always knew that she was very beautiful. Although she usually played quail with her biological mother, she also knew her own advantages. But after leaving the Lu family, she saw the fifth daughter of the Luo family and suddenly felt ashamed of herself.
She couldn't help shaking her head: "I don't know about that."
Miss Lu San smiled and said, "You only follow your aunt, so naturally you don't know. This is the legitimate daughter of the current Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Her family has a long history of fame. A few years ago, the late emperor selected daughters of officials as study companions for the princesses and county ladies. She is now the study companion of the current emperor's second daughter, Princess Zhenyang. Oh, she also has an older sister who married into the Fenyang Palace."
"It turned out to be her." The fourth daughter of the Lu family knew that her two elder sisters had both gone to choose a study partner, but unfortunately both of them failed. It is said that the competition is very fierce, and not only family background but also talent is considered.
Now taking a look at this Miss Luo Wu, I find that she is indeed young, with a stunning appearance and a very good demeanor.
But I don't know why she stood up.
When Yao Niang saw the colorful phoenix hairpin, she just smiled and said, "Mrs. Cao, thank you for thinking highly of me. But I think this colorful phoenix hairpin is more suitable for my fourth sister. My fourth sister once saved your son. As the saying goes, a life-saving favor should be repaid with a spring of water."
After she finished speaking, she turned to Ren and said, "Aunt, do you think I am right?"
Mrs. Cao's eyelids jumped. This girl said this, isn't it letting people know that her son has had dealings with Luo Si Niang? Although she promised the Wang family to help them, she didn't want to offend the Luo family? Luo Zhizheng was a well-known person who always stirred up trouble.
And there is this girl from the Luo family who has been in the imperial court for a long time. If she says something bad and is heard by Concubine Hong, then their family will suffer an unprovoked disaster.
At this time, Ren was overjoyed, because Yao Niang had clearly mentioned in front of everyone that her daughter had saved Cao Wanxuan, and that the Luo family was not of low status, but Shi Fang's father was just a convict.
Madam Cao and the Luo family were old relatives, so she certainly knew what kind of person Xiao Ren was. She would never marry Luo Shifang.
Seeing that Ren was about to speak, Madam Cao said, "Our two families are close friends. You all grew up together when you were little. Looking at you reminds me how old we are."
Seeing that Madam Cao had revealed the matter, did not mention the five-phoenix hairpin, and said that everyone could go to the opera, Yao Niang finally breathed a sigh of relief. When she looked at Shi Fang again, she saw that she had colored tears in her eyes and felt very wronged.
Yao Niang glanced at Ren and snorted coldly.
While listening to the opera, she also met many acquaintances, including the Lu sisters. "Isn't this the third sister of the Lu family? Come, let me introduce you to her. This is my fourth sister Shi Fang and my sixth sister Shi Yu."
Miss Lu San was flattered and hurriedly greeted them. Shi Yu was okay, because she saw that her fifth sister had just refused even such an expensive phoenix hairpin, which was enough to show that she was not greedy for wealth, and she admired her very much.
And no matter where she goes, even if Shi Yu recognizes the Lu family, she will introduce them.
When Yao Niang saw Miss Lu's younger sister, Miss Lu's Fourth Lady, she actually discovered an acquaintance. Although she now looked like a concubine's daughter of the head of the Ministry of Households, she would be the mistress of the Xuanping Marquis Mansion, Princess Xing'an's in-laws' family, in the future.
Of course, she also married in as a second wife. When she married into the Mansion of Marquis Zhongjing, she heard Princess Xing'an mention that she was very powerful in the Mansion of Marquis Xuanping because of her husband's status.
These had nothing to do with Yao Niang, but once, she heard that the couple had pulled out the tongues of disobedient servants and killed many people. In addition, Marquis Xuanping was doing a big business secretly and was also selling smuggled salt. Her husband Lu Xiao fell off a cliff because he encountered people from Marquis Xuanping's mansion selling smuggled salt in Anzhou.
This past event was discovered by her son who later became the commander of the Jinyi Guards. It is true that she and Lu Xiao had no feelings for each other before, but she also had no good feelings towards the Xuanping Marquis Mansion.
Therefore, his son Lu Chengyun not only dealt with Lin Chaoyan, but also wanted to raid the Xuanping Marquis Mansion.
The Lu family is not very well-known now. If the old lady of the previous generation of the Lu family had not been a cousin of the Dongyang Marquis' Mansion, they probably wouldn't even be able to come here.
The fourth daughter of the Lu family found that Yao Niang was different from her own elder sister. Her elder sister treated her like a worthless person, but Yao Niang was very good to her concubine sisters. After talking to them, she immediately took Shi Yu to meet other people.
"Shi Yu, this is the old lady Hong that I mentioned to you." Yao Niang introduced her sister to Concubine Hong's mother.
When this old lady Hong entered the palace, she had also met Yao Niang and they had a very familiar relationship.
Madam Hong said, "This is your sister. You two are really a pair of beauties."
"Of course not. My sister is much prettier than me. She and I are always inseparable. It's just that I spend most of my time in the palace, and the little girl is sad about it." Yao Niang pinched Shi Yu's face affectionately.
Shi Yu's relationship with Yao Niang has been good since it was restored last year. Moreover, when Yao Niang was not at home, she took care of Jing Hao for her and was filial to Yu Shi. Yao Niang also treated her well in return.
Old Madam Hong understood what Yao Niang meant. As the new nobles, many people in this circle were willing to make friends with her family. Yao Niang introduced her sister to the Hong family in order to get the Hong family to take care of her.
Mrs. Hong was also a smart person and agreed immediately.
After returning from Cao's house, Yu was very angry. She even said to Luo Zhizheng, "One or two of them, they really have a good plan. They want to clear away the obstacles. What do they think of our Yao Niang? She is only ten years old. Why are you so disgusted with her?"
Seeing Yu's face flushed with anger, Luo Zhizheng smiled happily for a rare moment: "If you are not envied by others, you are a mediocre person."
"Master, you are still laughing. We should think of a way." Yu said anxiously.
Luo Zhizheng waved his hand: "That won't work. The people in the palace are all human sperm. Our Yao Niang has always been smart, so you don't have to worry."
"Oh, by the way, you have to look for Jingyuan's marriage first. It will take several years from the date of engagement."
When Yu heard about her second son's marriage, she couldn't help but nod. She had been planning this for a long time. Now that Luo Zhizheng asked about it, she mentioned two families: "I do have two families here. One is the youngest daughter of the Minister of Rites, and the other is a girl from the Marquis of Yanping's mansion. The Wang family is also interested in marrying us."
"Okay, I'll send someone to investigate." Luo Zhizheng still trusted Yu's judgment. This was a person without bad intentions. She was stupid and honest, a little stupid, and too honest.
She actually believed that her daughter would be happy if she married into an ordinary family. What a joke. Ordinary families still have a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. The daughter-in-law has to serve the parents-in-law, give birth to children, and take concubines for the husband. Those of low status have to kneel before everyone they see.
It would be better to be like Yao Niang. If she really becomes a princess, not only will she have a high status, but at least there will be many royal rules, which can be very torturous sometimes. However, people are less emotional, so it is a good thing that she does not need to interact with everyone.
As long as you can master this rule, it will be a powerful tool for you.
After returning to the room, Yao Niang rested. She was already tired after watching the opera all day. However, Ren Shi was making a scene. She blamed Shi Fang and said, "Look at you. You saved someone but didn't even say a word of thanks. You gave us such a shabby thing. You really think we are beggars."
Shi Fang noticed that her mother seemed to be getting more and more impatient with her. She really hated herself. Sometimes she didn't eat all day and just drank rice soup. She just lost a little weight, but as long as she returned to this way, she would be fatter than last time.
She was not a very perseverant person, and even secretly ate croton seeds, but she just had severe diarrhea and still wanted to eat.
Today I saw that my two younger sisters were both radiant, especially the fifth younger sister Yao Niang. She was the focus of everyone's discussion wherever she went. She was simply a darling of heaven.
The next day, the family invited guests to a banquet. Yao Niang and Shi Yu entertained the girls who came to play, including the eldest sister Luo Shilan. After Luo Shilan got married, she had a son and had a good relationship with Duke Cheng. The Prince of Fenyang was the emperor's uncle and had a high status. Luo Shilan's arrival brought honor to the Luo family.
Luo Jingrou sat with him. She looked at Luo Shilan's glorious appearance and felt very regretful. Although the couple loved each other very much, they could not compare to the status of her elder sister, who was like the moon surrounded by stars.
"Fifth sister, come and sit here with me." Luo Shilan called Yao Niang.
"Big sister."
Luo Shilan asked about Yao Niang's study in the palace, and then asked: "So you are in Wenqizhai, we used to study in Gonglinzhai. They used to say that Wenqizhai has a beautiful scenery, how is it now?"
"Now there is a crape myrtle tree planted next to it. In midsummer, the tree is full of flowers, and the flowers are gorgeous when they bloom." Yao Niang often reads under the crape myrtle tree, which is a beautiful thing to say.
Luo Shilan also missed it very much. Yao Niang chatted with her for a while and then took the other girls out to play. This time she took everyone to the garden.
Shi Yu suggested: "Sister, why don't we all play pot tossing together?"
"You can throw the pot. I have asked people to prepare yogurt. Why don't we throw the pot and write a poem on the Lantern Festival during the New Year?" Yao Niang asked everyone.
Someone waved his hands and said, "Oh, Miss Luo, I can't write poetry?"
"Oh, it's just for fun. If you don't have any ideas at the moment, you can just write poems from the past. My mother said today that she has prepared a prize, and my eldest sister also specially sent a prize over just now." While Yao Niang was speaking, she uncovered the cloth of the tray held by the maids beside her.
It was a cinnabar hairpin with kingfisher feathers and a rosy glow and beads. This hairpin was extremely exquisite and was also known as extremely valuable.
The Lu sisters were astonished that the Luo family was so generous.
This time, Yao Niang firmly took first place in the pot-tossing game. She did not seek to win, but just played with everyone. After one round, everyone became familiar with each other. In the past, she had lived in the palace for a long time, and it was rare for her to organize a banquet with everyone, so she was naturally in high spirits.
The Luo sisters were almost the center of attention. Some liked them, and of course, some disliked them. Yao Niang heard two girls from military families say that their family was showing off their talents, and compared to the eldest daughter of the Duke of Xian's mansion, she was a real rich lady. This kind of sourness was nothing.
Shigure was also very enthusiastic about this kind of occasion, but in the end both sisters were exhausted, and they lay on the couch together and talked.
"Actually, what I like most is dancing the Hundred Rope with my sister. My sister even said she would teach me how to ride a horse..." Shi Yu said coquettishly.
Yao Niang smiled and said, "This is not a difficult thing. I will come out of the palace sooner or later."
Shi Yu nodded obediently. She was getting older now and no longer lived with Aunt Qin. She could distinguish right from wrong. Aunt Qin was right when she said that if a person does not work for himself, heaven and earth will punish him. But she could not do it alone. Besides, her sister had been very good to her since she was a child. As for her failure in choosing a study partner, it was also because of herself.
She even heard that someone in the palace wanted to pour hot water on her sister's face to harm her, which made her feel even more horrified. Fortunately, her sister was lucky enough to sleep on the side of the bed instead of in the middle, otherwise she would have been sent out with a disfigured face.
Therefore, Yao Niang asked again: "Do you know this eldest daughter of the Duke of Xian's Mansion? I heard someone mention her today, but I forgot."
Shi Yu thought for a moment and said, "I heard that she came back from Daming Prefecture. She has lived with her mother in Jinan for three years. No wonder you don't know her. It's not that she is so powerful, but she has status. The Duke of Xian is deeply trusted by the emperor, and because of this, her status is extremely high."
"I see."
I wonder who this beloved daughter of the Duke of Constitutionalism is?
Soon, Yao Niang met the daughter of the Duke of Xian, because she was directly summoned into the palace to accompany Princess Zhenyang. The girl was only fourteen years old, with a very regular square face, a plump figure, broad shoulders and a slim waist.
"Niang Yao, this is the new companion who comes to study with Duke Xian's daughter, Miss Zhuang Lingyi. How is it? You said last time that there would be another sister coming, and now she is here, isn't she?" Princess Zhenyang was very happy.
She was active, and it just so happened that this young lady was also said to be very good at riding and polo, so that was a piece of cake for her.
Yao Niang stepped forward and said with a smile: "Miss Zhuang, nice to meet you."
Zhuang Lingyi quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Miss Luo, nice to meet you."
The two of them sat down in their respective seats. Yao Niang smiled at Zhuang Lingyi and took a sip of tea. She thought to herself, Wang Yuanshuang and Li Tianjiao had tried every possible means to plot against me, but she had no idea that a dark horse would suddenly appear. It seems that man proposes, God disposes.
Princess Zhenyang was more familiar with Yao Niang, so Yao Niang told her about how she and her sisters wrote poems after returning home this time. Princess Zhenyang also loved writing poems. She had an open-minded nature, so the poems she wrote were grand and majestic.
But Yao Niang is different. Her poems are very spiritual, graceful and sentimental. Although there is no sorrow in them, they are fresh and natural.
Princess Zhenyang listened to a few poems and couldn't help but say, "I didn't even attend such a wonderful poetry banquet."
"Wouldn't it be nice if we could write poems in the palace in the future? Oh, by the way, this time I got a famous painting from my father. If the princess doesn't mind, we can go and admire it together later. It's "Lady Guo's Spring Outing". What do you think, princess?"
"That's great."
Zhuang Lingyi frowned secretly. She had read Biographies of Women and Nüji since she was a child, so of course she knew who this Lady of Guo was. Even though it was a famous painting, she felt it was not appropriate.
As a companion, Luo Yaoniang should have set rules for the princess's behavior. Even when appreciating paintings, she should have read paintings like "Biography of Female Historians" that set rules for women's behavior and morality. However, she chose to look at paintings of women like Lady Guoguo, who were very lecherous.
Furthermore, if it is possible to lead the princess in the direction of a heroic woman, she should look at paintings such as "Mulan Joins the Army for Her Father", "Mu Guiying Takes Charge", and "Fan Lihua Goes West".
But Princess Zhenyang was a princess, so she had to advise him secretly.
Yao Niang certainly noticed that Zhuang Lingyi's expression was not right, as if she blamed her a little, but Yao Niang thought it was very strange. They were study companions, and Princess Zhenyang usually got along with her like this, and there was nothing wrong with it.
It is true that you are the daughter of the Duke of Xian, but I am not inferior to you. No matter what, we are all companions of Princess Zhenyang.
This time when she came back from home, Yao Niang also gave Princess Zhenyang a special gift, which was a Mohelo, which was a doll. Yao Niang played with it herself, but she knew that Princess Zhenyang was very childlike and liked it, so she bought it specially and made a lot of small clothes for Mohelo at home with Shi Yu.
This Mohelo is a doll. Although it is available in the palace, the ones sold outside are also interesting.
Princess Zhenyang was very happy to see this, and whispered to Yao Niang: "This year, my father gave my third brother a golden melon seed as a reward. My third brother gave me one, so why not give it to you?"
These golden melon seeds are gifts from the emperor to reward distinguished ministers, and he would not give them to others easily.
Yao Niang shook her head: "That thing is so expensive, I don't need it."
"Then I'll give you a lantern, which I specially reserved for you." Seeing that she didn't want it, Princess Zhenyang wanted to give the lantern to Yao Niang.
It turned out to be a rabbit lamp, lifelike and beautiful.
…
Wen Qizhai
Princess Zhaoping finally had her ears pierced and wore new earrings. Li Tianjiao and Wang Yuanshuang both praised the earrings. Yao Niang did not point out the two men's attempt to bring her down, as this kind of thing can only be understood and not expressed in words.
"Sister Li, hello Sister Wang."
"It turned out to be Sister Luo."
The newcomer Zhuang Lingyi was also introduced by Yao Niang, "This is the daughter of the Duke of Xian, Miss Zhuang Lingyi."
Sure enough, Li Tianjiao and Wang Yuanshuang, who had previously focused their attention on her, immediately shifted their attention to Zhuang Lingyi. Li Tianjiao was fine, but Wang Yuanshuang was well aware that Zhuang Lingyi's appearance was not simple.
If you are short of reading companions, you should add them from the previously selected reading companions instead of just getting one from outside.
Looking at their ages, it is obvious that Zhuang Lingyi and King Zhou are more suitable. If we look at Yao Niang again, she is obviously younger.
After knowing this, Yao Niang stopped showing off as she did before and started praising Zhuang Lingyi everywhere. This made Li Tianjiao, Wang Yuanshuang, and even Hong Shuyi feel that it was not simple.
Wang Yuanshuang and Li Tianjiao have always had a good relationship. They are both rivals and have the same goal.
The two returned to their room and said, "I saw that Yao Niang always won first place in the past, and she was very happy every time she won first place. Now she is just normal. Now it seems that Zhuang Lingyi has a noble family background, and I am afraid he is the biggest rival of you and me."
Li Tianjiao said, "Yes, Yao Niang is still young. Although her family is interested in her, don't forget that her age is not suitable for either the eldest prince or the second prince. All the royal family members, unless they are in mourning or physically weak, usually get married and granted a title at the age of fifteen."
"Yes, it seems that we thought too much." Wang Yuanshuang was of course coming for the eldest prince's wife.
Even though Concubine Hong is the one in charge of the palace now and the Emperor has held back on making Concubine Lin the Empress, it will be difficult not to make Concubine Lin the Empress once the three-year mourning period is over.
As long as the title and position were determined, even Sima Zhong could become emperor.
The system of primogeniture is something that even the emperor has to abide by and is bound by, not to mention that the current emperor is a slightly weak emperor.
When the late emperor passed away, the current emperor observed mourning for twenty-seven months, and the mourning period was over, so he immediately stopped mourning.
Yao Niang will be thirteen in two months. She is now more outstanding than she was three years ago. Her girlish curves are already exposed. She looks very much like Yu Shi, with very long and thin legs like onions. Her breasts have inevitably grown a lot, revealing her stunning beauty.
In the past few years, she and Zhuang Lingyi have not gotten along very well. Of course, it cannot be said that Zhuang Lingyi is a bad person, but the two of them are not the same kind of people.
Zhuang Lingyi has her own pride, and she is definitely the kind of person who supports orthodoxy the most. For example, she is particularly respectful to the people on Concubine Lin's side. Although she also respects Concubine Hong, there are more differences.
What's more, she seemed to be looking at Concubine Hong with the eyes of a concubine.
For such a person, Yao Niang would of course——
Keep your distance.
It's not because of what happened in your past life, but because Concubine Hong is the actual manager of the palace. She is the one who sees through things best. If you give her face now, she may get rid of you without saying a word in the future.
No matter whether they are the empress or the concubines, they are different from the concubines outside the palace. They all have ranks and are the masters of a palace.
Do you think that if you hate Concubine Hong, you will be favored by Concubine Lin? Humph, even Concubine Lin has to listen to the emperor, and the emperor's favorite is Concubine Hong.
Thinking of this, Yao Niang smiled and said to Zhuang Lingyi: "Sister Zhuang, in today's horse riding and archery class, we will show you your graceful demeanor again."
Zhuang Lingyi smiled proudly: "Of course, my Xian Guogong Mansion was founded on military power." After that, she glanced at Yao Niang again and said with a hint of displeasure: "You should also persuade the princess to pay her respects to the queen. After all, the queen is her biological mother?"
Now that she hasn't been crowned as the empress yet, Zhuang Lingyi has already started calling her the empress. Yao Niang smiled slightly and said, "Sister Zhuang, how can we outsiders know about the royal family's affairs? We just accompany Princess Zhenyang to study, and I don't know anything else."
He looked at Yao Niang and walked out after saying this.
Zhuang Lingyi heaved a sigh of relief and said to the people around him, "I just don't want to enter the palace, but entering the palace also means that our family supports the orthodoxy and the queen, so I came anyway. I know that women like Luo Yaoniang are born to compete for favors, but I don't want to. This palace is a place where people are eaten, and there are countless princes and sons of the royal family with three wives and four concubines. Dozens of women are competing for one man. I disdain to do this. My family background and my pride do not allow me to do this. I just want to find someone with a clean family background and talent, even if I have to eat coarse food, I am willing."
She said these words in the corridor, thinking that no one was around, but she didn't know that Gao Xuance happened to pass by here. When he heard these words, he remained expressionless, but sneered in his heart, "Who do you think you are to dare to compare yourself with Yao Niang?"
It is said that after her "death", Luo Yaoniang was able to ask the emperor to confer upon her the title of fourth-rank commander. What else do you think you are, except for a better reincarnation?
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