Wenqizhai was very busy today, especially at noon. After everyone had lunch together, Princess Xing'an said, "In a few days, several ladies will go to Ci'en Temple to burn incense. We can also go with them."

Princess Zhenyang is no longer the same as she used to be. She smiled and said to Yao Niang, "We can go together then."

The little girl who couldn't bring a study companion during the winter solstice before can now bring someone with her and can even talk to Yao Niang directly. This is the difference that one's status brings.

Princess Xing'an remained expressionless after hearing this. Although she and Princess Zhenyang were sisters, there was a big age gap between them and their mothers were vying for the position of Empress. Now in the outer court, there were nobles such as the Duke of Xian, the Marquis of Zhongjing and the Marquis of Xuanping supporting them, and the chief ministers also supported the orthodoxy.

Thinking of this, Princess Xing'an smiled and went on talking to others.

Yao Niang and Cheng Shaojian were as nice as ever, but today, seeing her in a daze, he couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "What's wrong with you, Sister Cheng?"

Cheng Shaojin is eighteen years old this year. Everyone has been waiting for this year. After the mourning period is over, the emperor will grant her marriage. If he does not grant her marriage, the family can arrange the marriage on their own.

Eighteen-year-old Cheng Shaojian has a light makeup on her face, and is fresh and beautiful, like a noble and pure white lily. It is the best time for a woman.

"Nothing." Cheng Shaozhen shook his head.

Seeing that she didn't say anything, Yao Niang stopped asking. In recent years, Cheng Shaojin's father was promoted to the position of Dali Temple Minister. Although that was the third rank and ranked among the nine ministers, it was nothing in the palace.

Li Tianjiao is the granddaughter of the Prime Minister, Wang Yuanshuang is the daughter of a noble family, and even her father Luo Zhizheng was promoted to the position of Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel this year. In addition, Xu Qingrong's brother is the Minister of War, and her father was promoted to the position of Director of the Marine Department, not to mention Zhuang Lingyi and others.

At the imperial edict meeting, the Grand Justice didn't even have a say.

But it is obvious that Cheng Shaojian is better than Xu Qingrong, Zhuang Lingyi and even Li Tianjiao as a person. Although he is smart and talented but has some edges and corners, he can get along very well with superiors and subordinates.

However, let's not mention Cheng Shaojin, she still doesn't know where her own path is! Now in the palace, the Ninth Prince and the Fourth Prince have been ruled out, and there are only three princes left among the unmarried candidates.

well!

On July 13, Yao Niang followed Princess Zhenyang and Concubine Hong to Ci'en Temple to worship Buddha. Although she did not believe in ghosts and gods, she could not say that death was like the extinguishing of a light when she was reborn.

Among the three princes in the palace, according to her previous life, if she chose King Zhou, as long as she could save his life, she would most likely become the empress, just like she saved the lives of her brother and sister-in-law.

But she had met King Zhou, and she didn't like him at all, not even a little bit of feeling towards him.

Especially compared with the Third Prince, who was born of the same mother and was extremely noble, even handsome, elegant, and had a distinguished temperament, King Zhou's protruding ears stood out particularly compared to him.

Yao Niang couldn't help but cover her face again, and she couldn't help feeling that she was a person who only cared about appearance.

Even if the third prince could survive, he could not inherit the throne. Even if Concubine Hong became the empress, the eldest son would be the second prince. Not to mention if Concubine Lin became the empress, the eldest son would be Gao Xuanzhan. No matter what, the third prince would be the prince.

"Yao Niang, what are you thinking about?" asked Princess Zhenyang.

Yao Niang was afraid that her thoughts would be discovered, so she quickly said, "Nothing, I just haven't been out for a long time, and I don't know what Ci'en Temple is like."

"Let's not talk about it for now. I heard that many people are praying for marriage in Ci'en Temple. Let's go secretly and draw lots together, okay?" Princess Zhenyang whispered.

But Yao Niang glanced at Zhuang Lingyi who was pretending to sleep with embarrassment, and Princess Zhenyang smiled and said, "I'll send her away later."

The concubines were traveling for the first time as their mourning period was over, and the procession was huge. The princes were inside the procession, and Gao Xuanmu was talking with Gao Xuance.

Gao Xuance knew very well that his brother was not as refined and polite as the outside world thought. On the contrary, he was very mean. When he liked you, he would flatter you, but if things didn't go his way, he would want to kill you. In short, he would use people to his advantage and not use them to his advantage.

Just like at this moment, Gao Xuanmu had already lost two chess games, and Gao Xuance subtly gave him a chess game, and the two ended up in a tie.

Seeing Gao Xuanmu's face slightly relaxed, Gao Xuance smiled and said, "Playing chess with brother is the most tiring. Brother is now very good at chess!"

"That's because you, my third brother, are willing to admit it." Gao Xuanmu said calmly.

Gao Xuance waved his folding fan lightly: "Brother, you are joking."

The servants brought over some honey water, and the two brothers drank it together and smiled at each other.

Just like in the past, when getting off the sedan chair, Consort Lin walked in front. Although she often behaved in a very humble manner in front of the emperor, she was always dignified and elegant in public. She even wore mainly dark blue and crimson purple clothes at an older age. Consort Hong was a different person. Today, because she was in the temple, she had to wear lighter clothes. However, the buttons on her body were made of coral beads, which immediately highlighted her more charming and charming figure, with a rosy face and full of nobility.

Because several imperial concubines were coming, many onlookers had been cleared out, but there were always some who slipped through the net and stood on the slope to block the royal style. From time to time, people would discuss: "Is the first one to come out the queen mother? The one after that is the queen?"

"What? Don't talk nonsense. The one in front is the first wife, and the one following behind is the second wife."

"Is that so? No way..."

…

Of course, the people in front didn't know what the common people were talking about. Yao Niang followed Princess Zhenyang and others to worship Buddha. The host here personally talked with the concubines.

I don't know why, but this elderly woman believes in these gods and Buddhas very much. It seems that after killing someone, she feels like a good person if she worships ghosts and gods.

However, Yao Niang and the others had to listen along and pretend to listen very seriously.

After listening to a while, Princess Zhenyang said to Concubine Hong: "Mother, I feel a little uncomfortable and want to go downstairs to rest first."

Concubine Hong knew that her daughter could not sit still any longer, so she just told her, "Okay, go out and rest, but you must bring enough maids with you, and you cannot walk around freely."

"Got it. Don't worry. I'll let Yao Niang go with me. She's also a little carsick and has a stuffy head."

"Well, you two can go together."

So, Yao Niang followed Princess Zhenyang out.

The two of them thought they were doing it secretly, but they were seen by Princess Xing'an. Princess Xing'an was now followed by Xu Qingrong and Cheng Shaojin. Although Xu Qingrong had followed her the longest, Princess Xing'an took one look at her and actually did not like her.

It's not anything else, it's because her family tradition is not good. How can such a girl from the Xu family enter the imperial palace and rule the country in the future?

Cheng Shaojin's family background was a little lower, and she looked at Li Tianjiao and nodded secretly in her heart. But Li Tianjiao's grandfather had been in the inner cabinet for ten years, and maybe he would be useless in two years. The only stable one was Wang Yuanshuang.

She thought so, and so did Lin Zhengfei, but her status was not yet determined, and everything would have to wait until she was in power. She didn't even have to do anything, and everyone in the world would agree to the so-called eldest son succession system. She was the Zhengfei when the previous emperor was alive, and now she should be the empress.

After she became the empress, she wanted to find a good marriage for her son, and Wang Yuanshuang was actually the most suitable person.

Her natal family, the Marquis Zhongjing Mansion, was also noble and had military power. With the help of the Wang family, they had control of the military power. Even the emperor would not dare to ignore it easily. Those civil officials respected the patriarchal system the most. She looked at Concubine Hong who was talking with the host, and felt that she should not take it lightly.

At the same time, Concubine Lin Zheng thought of her deceased sister and admired her foresight.

At that time, all she wanted in her heart was to marry a nobleman like her sisters in the future. She was the second daughter in the family, and her elder brother was younger. Although he had a title, it was almost taken away by her uncle.

My elder sister was a lady-in-waiting in the palace. One year, she wrote to me and asked me not to get married first and to do more good deeds.

Although she didn't know why, she always listened to her elder sister when she was at home, so she distributed porridge everywhere, helped the poor, and even took in refugees when the people of Datong were bullied by the enemy. Sure enough, in the year of her marriage, she received a great gift that she had never expected: she was chosen as the eldest prince's consort.

Although the eldest prince was not named the crown prince, since the queen had no children, she was the most precious.

In fact, when she first saw Concubine Hong, she heard about her story. At first, she felt very guilty.

Because she took Hong Yunxiu's position, which originally belonged to Hong Xiu.

But what can we do?

But afterwards, she no longer felt guilty because the eldest prince was with Hong Yunxiu every day while she was alone in the empty room.

Concubine Hong found it strange to see Concubine Lin distracted. This person always acted like she was the concubine or even the empress, and always wanted to compare herself with her in everything.

It's really rare that I'm distracted now.

Yao Niang and the others were unaware of the contest among the concubines. When they came out, Princess Zhenyang had already asked someone to take them to the back of the Great Hall.

Yao Niang was a little hesitant: "Princess, let's forget it. There is no one here today, the interpreter is not here, and even the monks have left. Even if we draw the lot, who can interpret it for us?"

Princess Zhenyang smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. I know what to do."

The two of them entered the place together and kowtowed in front of the Buddha first. Yao Niang kowtowed devoutly. She was already thirteen years old this year. Shi Yu, who was the same age as her, was said to have been engaged. Her sister had always been a girl who knew what she wanted.

What about herself? At first, she just wanted to enter the palace, marry a better wife, and support her mother and brother.

She also thought about choosing the more ordinary Ninth Prince and Fourth Prince, but one only loved beautiful women and was greedy for money, and the other was lame, so neither was a good match.

Therefore, she was also a little confused.

Just as she was thinking about it, Princess Zhenyang stood up, and Yao Niang followed suit and went in. There were a few chairs placed here, and a fortune stick was placed in front of the table. There was no marriage or anything written on the fortune stick, and it was even a little shabby.

But Princess Zhenyang did not give up at all. She knelt on the ground very piously, muttering something. This was the first time that Yao Niang saw such a quiet Princess Zhenyang.

Even a girl as noble as Princess Zhenyang would worry about her marriage.

After shaking the stick tube, a stick came out. Princess Zhenyang quickly put it away and urged Yao Niang to shake the stick.

Seeing Yao Niang was hesitant, she smiled and said, "You, look at me, even a princess is worried about her marriage. Nowadays, many noble sons and even well-educated scholars are unwilling to marry a princess, because although marrying a princess will make you extremely rich, it will prevent you from realizing your ambitions."

"Princess, you don't have to worry. You are a royal family. The Emperor and Concubine Hong love you so much that they will definitely find a good prince consort for you. It is not convenient for us girls to talk about these lifelong events, but you and I have been together for a long time and I know that you have an open-minded personality. You will definitely have a good marriage in the future, so don't worry." Yao Niang comforted her.

It is rare to find such a wealthy family who is not arrogant. Instead, they are open-minded and generous, and do not care about big or small things.

As Princess Zhenyang's study partner for more than five years, Yao Niang had never suffered from any temper from her. On the contrary, when she and Zhuang Lingyi occasionally disagreed, it was Princess Zhenyang who comforted her.

Princess Zhenyang was very moved and urged her, "Hurry up, I have to tell you, I am a very powerful fortune teller, but I don't have time to spare, so you have to hurry."

"Okay, okay."

Kneeling on the cushion, Yao Niang silently recited her birth date, address and other requests in her mind before she drew a fortune stick. She didn't even dare to see whether the stick she drew was a good one or a bad one.

Princess Zhenyang pulled her aside and said, "Let's go, hurry up. If we're late, the person who interpreted the fortune for us will have left."

Yao Niang was still curious about who would interpret the fortune, but she was dragged away by Princess Zhenyang.

She went to a small temple. The eunuchs at the door did not dare to stop her. Yao Niang was even more curious about her identity. As soon as she entered, she saw a man sitting in the hall. He was wearing prince's clothes, with a golden crown in his hair, and his figure was very tall.

It turned out that the person who interpreted the fortune for them was the third prince Gao Xuance.

No matter how arrogant Gao Xuance was, he acted like a good brother in front of Princess Zhenyang. He pointed at Princess Zhenyang in the air with his folding fan and asked, "How did you find me?"

"Third brother, I know you have always liked practicing Taoism, and these are not easy for you. Can you help us?" Princess Zhenyang begged.

Hearing the word "we", Gao Xuance glanced at Yao Niang and thought, she also wants to sign, so he said: "In this case, I will give it a try."

Seeing that Gao Xuance was going to interpret the fortune for Princess Zhenyang, Yao Niang quickly moved to the side room. After all, it was not convenient for her to stay here. After all, it was Princess Zhenyang's private matter.

After about a cup of tea, Princess Zhenyang went out and Yao Niang walked in.

Yao Niang greeted Gao Xuance first, but he said, "No need to be polite, just give me the lottery."

Yao Niang nervously handed him the lot. Gao Xuance was always very smart. As soon as he saw her expression, he knew what she was asking for. He couldn't help but laugh: "This is the 82nd lot, an excellent lot. It says that you will have a good luck in this year."

"Really?" Yao Niang raised her eyes and looked at the Third Prince. She saw his red lips moving, and he looked dignified and handsome. She really felt that he was a handsome man with a good heart.

The third prince smiled and nodded: "Well, so what do you want to ask?"

Yao Niang was too embarrassed to talk about marriage, she lowered her head and blushed slightly, "Please...Please for marriage."

The last two words were spoken so quietly that Gao Xuance could not hear them clearly, but he said calmly, "I see from this fortune that your husband is not only tall and handsome, but also of noble status."

Yao Niang bit her lower lip. The more she listened, the happier she felt. She even felt that the Third Prince's voice was like the sound of heaven.

Just as Gao Xuance was about to say something, he heard someone knocking on the door, the sound was long and short. He knew it was something important, so he immediately stood up and returned the stick to Yao Niang: "Miss Luo, I have something else urgent to do, so I'll give this stick back to you first."

Seeing that he was so polite even in such a hurry, Yao Niang secretly admired him, but also felt a little embarrassed for some reason.