In front of the dressing table, Yao Niang looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Her cheeks were slightly rosy, her eyes were full of spring water, and the corners of her eyes were slightly raised. Although her appearance had not changed, she seemed more charming and more feminine.
Gao Xuance was already in the study. When he saw Yao Niang come out, the two of them had a casual breakfast and then went to pay their respects to Concubine Hong.
Concubine Hong only instructed Yao Niang: "Give my regards to your parents. You don't have to stay here with me. Just go early and come back early." Because Guining couldn't be back after noon. Now, if she left the palace, she had to come back in the time it took to talk. If she was later, she might just go back to greet her family and come back, which would be a waste of time.
Although she had only been married for a few days, Yao Niang missed her family very much. She also didn't know what had happened to Jing Hao. On the wedding day, Jing Hao wanted to send her off, but he was young and was depressed because he failed the county exam.
She is eager to go home, yet she is also a little homesick. This is what Yao Niang is talking about.
Gao Xuance had dealt with Luo Zhizheng and Luo Jingxi, father and son, before. To be honest, Luo Zhizheng was the most outstanding man in the Luo family, but he had an arrogant temperament and was not easy to get along with, which was completely different from Yao Niang.
Yao Niang was not only gentle and considerate, but also knowledgeable and interesting. He went to the Ministry of Revenue to report the day after his wedding and was away from home from morning to night. She did not complain at all, but took care of the housework very well.
He knew all this, but what he wanted to win was the support of his father-in-law. After all, the Ministry of Rites should submit a petition to appoint a crown prince, especially since the princes had already started their own families and careers.
There were infantrymen outside clearing the way and pulling up cloth barriers. The prince sat in an elephant carriage decorated with ivory, which was extremely luxurious. Yao Niang and Gao Xuance rode in the same carriage. Everything in the palace had rules, including that Yao Niang, as the consort of Prince Chen, would have phoenix sedan chairs, small sedan chairs, and walking and sitting barriers when she traveled in the future.
"My Lord, you have already met my father and my two elder brothers. I also have a younger brother who is thirteen years old and is studying in the academy. I raised him and we have a very good relationship. When I got married, my mother said that the child cried." Yao Niang was telling Gao Xuance which brother in the family was closer to her.
Gao Xuance could of course understand what Yao Niang meant. She was the daughter of a stepmother and loved her brothers more. In fact, after he and Yao Niang were caught in adultery in his previous life, only Yu Shi really cared about this daughter in the family, and everyone else avoided her as much as possible.
Therefore, Gao Xuance said: "He is your third brother, right? Since he is your brother, you should treat him as my brother."
Yao Niang didn't come here to ask for anything, she just wanted to make clear their close relationship.
Hearing Gao Xuance's words, he could not help but say, "My elder and second brothers have already started families, but my younger brother is younger. I always worry when I'm not around him. Now that the prince has said so, I feel relieved."
Gao Xuance nodded, and seeing Yao Niang sitting upright, an indescribable feeling surged in his heart.
In their previous life, they had hastily exchanged invitations and were immediately sent together. He was afraid of being discovered and was almost unwilling to show his hand in public. Moreover, this marriage was too forced and he was not planning to stay in Anzhou for a long time. Therefore, he had never experienced the shortcomings of his parents and would not consider it.
But only after this grand wedding did he understand how to marry a wife and what his wife thought.
Unlike in his previous life, he would not ask Yao Niang about anything, and Yao Niang would not talk to him. When the two of them went to Anzhou, they went separately for fear of being in the same room. If it weren't for her being a wet nurse, they would probably not speak to each other for the rest of their lives.
Little did they know that the Luo family was also preparing to welcome the return of Prince Chen and his wife. Since Yao Niang got married, everyone had only one word in mind on the first day: tired. But afterwards, both Yu and Luo Zhizheng felt a little lost.
Jinghao had already put on his clothes and followed his father and brother, wanting to see how his brother-in-law treated his sister.
Luo Zhizheng didn't care. He had heard from the Ministry of Rites that his son-in-law went to the Ministry of Revenue the day after his wedding and got along very well with everyone in the Ministry from the first day. This showed his ability.
As for the female family members, Yu was also waiting at the second gate with Old Lady Dou. Ren looked at Yu with great jealousy. She remembered how badly Luo Zhizheng treated her when Yu got married. She also had a pair of burdens and even giving birth to a son was difficult. How could Ren look down on Yu at that time?
Even when Yu's daughter was found, she still felt a little sympathy for Yu and felt that she had done something wrong.
But later, Yu's daughter who came back from the countryside gradually surpassed her daughter, and everything became different. Yu's son was successfully raised, and even her husband became a minister.
Even if her third uncle retires in the future, she will still have a daughter who is a princess, and no one will dare to look down on her.
This was what Ren had always dreamed of. Her son was of mediocre talent. Actually, he was not mediocre in talent, but he could not compare with his second and third uncles who were both Jinshi graduates. Therefore, she had already lost the game. Not to mention that Yu did not rely on her son, but on her own daughter, the biological mother of Princess Chen, who had a higher status in the mansion.
If you don't live to a certain age, you will never know what is likely to happen. For example, Luo Jingrou, who seemed to have a bright future, passed away, and Luo Yaoniang, who looked like a skinny monkey, suddenly became the Princess of Chen.
As they were thinking, a young eunuch came in to report: "Reporting to the old lady and the ladies, the prince has arrived at the main gate, and the princess's sedan chair is following closely behind."
Yu quickly cheered up.
Because men and women were separated, it was very difficult for Yao Niang to see her father and brothers, as her sedan chair went directly to the second gate. This was why she said those words to Gao Xuance.
As soon as the curtain opened, everyone around knelt on the ground. Yao Niang had been a first-rank lady in her previous life, but when she enjoyed the honor, her family had long been divided.
Now that she saw her family, she quickly asked the female official to help Old Lady Dou up, and then said to Yu, "Mother."
The female relatives escorted Yao Niang in. They saw that she was not dressed up like she was on her wedding day. She wore the seven-pearl crown that was a betrothal gift. Her expression was not as dignified as that of a clay Buddha. Instead, she looked normal. After entering the house, she was invited to sit in the seat of honor. She could not help but say, "I have only been away for three days, but it feels like three years."
What Yu was most worried about was how her daughter and son-in-law got along. The women of the Luo family were also concerned about this. After sending the servants away, Yu felt sad for no reason when she heard her daughter's words, but she still asked, "How do His Royal Highness the Prince get along with you?"
"Your Highness is a very considerate and caring person, and he treats me very well."
This is the truth, and Yu and others breathed a sigh of relief after hearing it.
At this time, the men also gathered together to talk. Since they were a family, they spoke more familiarly. Luo Zhizheng saw that Prince Chen was indeed handsome, dignified, and spoke very appropriately.
"I am currently working in the Ministry of Revenue. I have heard that my father-in-law also worked there before. I will definitely ask you for advice in the future."
Luo Zhizheng was also a straightforward person: "If Your Highness has any questions, I will definitely tell you everything I know. In fact, I think Your Highness doesn't need to be too anxious."
Of course he thinks his son-in-law is good, but for a young man, being too capable is not a good thing. If you were the crown prince, it would be fine, but you are only a prince now. If you are too capable, you will become a thorn in the crown prince's side in the future.
Luo Jingxi was smiling at first, but when he heard this, he felt it was inappropriate. Was it obvious that the emperor did not make Lin the empress just because of Concubine Hong?
Gao Xuance thought to himself, in my previous life, Luo Zhizheng had always supported the Lin family. Now, do I have to listen to my eldest brother? That won't do. Some things are destined to die if you don't gamble. If that's the case, why not gamble?
Unlike other nobles, he was no longer the kind of person who would get angry when others disagreed with him. Instead, he said with a cheerful face, "Father-in-law, you don't know that I have to accompany my father to Chengde next month. If I am late, it will be the last month when I return, and I will have to wait until next year to work at the Ministry of Revenue."
This made sense, and Luo Zhizheng's face softened after hearing it. Gao Xuance smiled again and said, "The princess told me that there is no book in this world that you are not proficient in. I have been reading recently..."
When it came to books, Luo Zhizheng had more to say, but Luo Zhizheng was, after all, an official appointed by the imperial court. He had served in the Ministry of Revenue, and had been sent out to the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites. It could be said that he had very wide connections. When the two of them walked into the inner room, Luo Jingxi, Luo Jingyuan and the Jinghao brothers tactfully withdrew.
When they reached the inner room, Luo Zhizheng glanced at Gao Xuance and said, "Although I have worked in the Ministry of Personnel for many years and have a wide network of contacts, Your Highness knows that all of my students want to make the eldest prince the crown prince. After all, this is the rule of our ancestors."
This is a very straightforward statement, telling Gao Xuance that even if Luo Zhizheng supports it, others will definitely not support it.
Gao Xuan Ce nodded: "If I were a minister, I would definitely do the same. Since ancient times, if there is a legitimate heir, the heir is appointed as the heir. If there is no legitimate heir, the eldest son is appointed as the heir."
Luo Zhizheng was a little surprised, because what Gao Xuance did was clearly an attempt to seize power.
But Gao Xuance said, "It's just that we, the children of the royal family, have no control over our status. I'm fine with it, but what if my mother is forced to be buried alive with me in the future? Besides, my title is 'Chen', and my father has cultivated me with great care. I just don't want to let him down."
Luo Zhizheng also thought so when he heard this. Whoever the emperor favored, who could he refuse? Just like he liked Yu, and now he no longer went to the concubines, many people talked about Yu, but it was clear that he liked Yu and didn't want to leave her.
For the sake of their daughter, their family has already boarded the boat of the King Chen. Can he gain others' forgiveness if he cuts off all ties?
"Your Highness, you are right. Since we have become a family, I will just ask you to do anything if there is anything." Luo Zhizheng said.
高玄策沒想到羅至正這麽果決，看來這是娶了瑤娘的意外所得了，如果岳父不寵愛這個女兒，恐怕也沒有今日。
官場上講感情的少，利益交換的人。
高玄策當即又和羅至正說了數句，二人出來時，羅敬熙等人從他們臉上也看不出什麽來，只是高玄策在看到羅敬皓時，更加和藹：“這就是三弟吧，真是龍章鳳姿，和王妃生的很是相似。”
羅敬皓常年被母親姐姐管着，雖然十三歲了，但還是被看成小孩子，現在見王爺姐夫誇自己，趕緊上前道：“姐夫謬贊了。”
若論相貌羅敬皓其實非常白皙英俊，但是羅敬淵看起來更有氣勢些，有一種帶着血腥味的感覺，這大概和人的境遇有關，羅敬熙是嫡長子，養尊處優，根本不擔心日後如何。羅敬皓是繼室嫡子，母親還挺受寵，從小是女人帶大的，性子很溫軟老實，唯獨羅敬淵是庶出，一切都要靠自己。
這樣的人很好用，因為他想往上爬，但是又容易出事。
另一邊，瑤娘正拉着時雨說話：“你看看你，怎麽又瘦了？我跟你說，成親要磕好多的頭，也好累的，你還是不要太瘦了。”
瑤娘這麽一說，時雨覺得姐姐還是沒變過，因為她以前就常常和自己這般說話。
“姐姐，不是我變瘦了，是這幾日家裏都是魚肉，我實在是吃不下去。平日有你在的時候，反而沒人盯着我，現下我姨娘天天盯着我。越盯着我，我就越吃不下去，這兩天我都是吃的茶泡飯，結果肚子不舒服。”提起來，時雨也是欲哭無淚。
平時和姐姐在一起，只要不吃冰的和寒涼之物，想吃什麽都成，而且和姐姐說什麽都可以接話，偏偏這幾日和姨娘一起，大人和她的想法完全不同。
瑤娘心疼道：“可不能如此了，我同娘說，你過來太太這裏用膳，還有啊，我下個月就跟你姐夫娶承德了。你素來畏冷，等你出嫁時，我讓宮裏做幾件毛皮衣裳送給你，好不好？”
“姐姐，不必想着我。”她很慶幸沒有聽姨娘的，同姐姐交惡，她不僅多了一個姐妹，也多了一個朋友。
“哪能不想着你啊，你是我的妹妹嘛！江家人若是欺負你，你要告訴我。”瑤娘摟着她的胳膊道。
時雨笑道：“我才不怕她們家呢，上次他們家人過來這邊，話裏話外就是說江宏裴二十好幾了，我今年才嫁過去，年紀又小，尋思着讓我們這邊送人過去服侍呢，仿佛一幅為了我好的樣子。”
時雨的未婚夫江宏裴今年二十六歲，進士及第，是翰林院庶吉士，比時雨年紀大了十一歲，但世族出身，才學頗高。
瑤娘冷哼一聲：“真是皇帝不急太監急，有本事讓江宏裴再娶啊，現下說這個，剛結親時就知曉你的年紀，今年就要成親，難不成給下馬威。”不過，瑤娘還是勸她：“你也不要和妹婿結怨，嫁過去之後先把妹婿攏在手裏，旁的不必管，也不用那麽賢惠，誰還能把你如何了？”
時雨暗自記下姐姐說的，那邊郁氏又過來，請瑤娘入席。
因為不能逾午回去，家中一早就備好酒菜，瑤娘借着換衣服的機會和郁氏說私房話。郁氏聽說宸王專門給她準備了貓兒解悶，也是悄悄道：“宸王疼你，你更要體貼他。”
哪裏知道瑤娘沒有露出半點嬌羞的表情，和外面表現的完全不同：“這些算不得什麽，我和殿下說了敬皓和我的關系，我想等再過幾年，若是敬皓讀書不成，就讓王爺到時候替他弄個武職，有個錦衣衛官職，日後傳襲給後人也是長久基業啊。”
當然，若是宸王哪一天真的坐上皇位，自己的弟弟就是國公爺了，這又不同了。
郁氏本來覺得女婿和女兒是鹣鲽情深，可見女兒一本正經的談論的是這些，她有些怔愣：“瑤娘，你會不會想的太遠？”
“這怎麽算是遠呢，娘，人無遠慮必有近憂。趁着我現下還新婚，雖然不至于那麽急色，但若是有機會，又何必欲拒還迎呢。”
她當然不會那麽傻乎乎的提出來，可是如果有機會，她肯定也要想着敬皓才是。
否則做一處王妃，真的就高風亮節嗎？
郁氏深覺女兒這個性格完全不會被感情驅使，她對宸王肯定有感情，但是并不會被男色所惑，這也難得了。
多少女人就因為男人偶爾做一些事情，就死心塌地的，是父母也忘記了，親人也忘記了，眼裏心裏只有那個男人了。
要知曉一個沒有背景的王妃，可是很難混下去的。
“瑤娘，你對你弟弟的感情我清楚，但是你要先保證你自己。”
“那是肯定的，您就放心吧。”
出嫁的時候，人心裏總是心酸，但出嫁之後，不知不覺，在家裏就是客人了，反而宮裏才像是她的家。
這次回娘家飯菜還未用幾口，就得回宮了，她是能夠很快就接受一個新地方和新環境的。
身邊的高玄策閉眼假寐，瑤娘小心問道：“殿下，您是不是累了？”昨兒他們太胡鬧了，要了三四次水，瑤娘倒是還好，因為她在房事上頗有些天賦異禀，但是就怕高玄策受不住。
高玄策今日得了羅至正的應承，已經是意外之喜了，正在假寐歇一會兒，卻聽到瑤娘在問他累，高玄策立馬睜開雙眼：“不累，我怎麽可能會累呢。”
“好吧。”瑤娘見他反應這麽大，反而不好再多說什麽。
男人們是不是都這麽愛面子呢。
也許是瑤娘語氣有些無奈，高玄策摟住她的肩膀：“今夜我早些回去。”
“咳咳，王爺，您說什麽呢。已經勞累半日了，且好生歇息才是。”瑤娘搖頭。
二人這天晚上倒是真的沒有親近成功，不是因為旁的，是這日皇帝寝宮失火，秋日之際，雷聲陣陣，雖然平日有所防範，但是不曾想福寧殿起了火。
此時二人已經都梳洗完了，高玄策心情不錯，拉過瑤娘的手放在唇邊親了一下，還特地和瑤娘聊道：“下個月我們一起去承德，姑母綏德長公主住在那邊，她老人家雖然不假辭色，你若是在她那裏受氣了，只管同我說。”
“綏德大長公主？”這應該是皇帝的姐姐吧。
這位在前世地位非同一般，聽聞是從宗室過繼而來，養在先帝膝下，因此也并未七公主她們一起排行，反而成為超然的存在。
高玄策解釋：“父皇當年受衡王叔欺負時，就是綏德姑母出面替父親周旋，現下她又對大哥如此，我反而成為和衡王叔一樣的人了，她對你當然也會不假辭色了。”
“我不怕，別人不理我，我就自得其樂好了，何必去大獻殷勤呢。”瑤娘倒也是很想的開。
高玄策扶着她的肩膀：“真是委屈你了。”
“不，不委屈。”瑤娘搖頭。
燭光下，瑤娘低垂臻首，高玄策則想一親芳澤，但聽外頭太監敲門：“三殿下，不好了，福寧殿起火了。”
這下高玄策什麽旖旎心思都沒了，瑤娘還未反應過來，就見高玄策似箭一般飛也似的跑了出去，連叮囑都沒對她叮囑半分。
高玄策迅速跑過去福寧殿，見建章帝無事，才放下心來：“父皇，您無事就好。”
建章帝為帝仁弱，因此尤其喜歡高玄策少年健氣，機敏有決斷，尤其是人來人往的時候，高玄策扶着建章帝道：“父皇先找一處歇息，讓兒臣伴您左右。”
他的确是最快跑過來的，因為當時，四皇子腿腳不便利，而且也怕出頭，想等大家去了，他再一起去。大皇子實際上是□□極重之人，但是為了博得賢明和将來綏德長公主的支持，只好清心寡欲，好在王元霜也體貼，她自己不方便，就讓貼身丫鬟服侍。
無論如何，現下大皇子的地位最要進，大皇子成了太子，她才是太子妃，成為皇帝，她才是皇後啊。
她進門幾年了，肚子都沒有動靜，若真的不能生，那還不如自己身邊的人生，好抱在身邊養着，這點她是想的很開。
偏王元霜身邊這個丫鬟本就是陪嫁用的，得主子之令，把大皇子伺候的服服帖帖，二人正水到渠成之時，誰都不敢打攪，只等雲雨初歇，他才趕過去。
周王又有不同，徐青容自從有了身孕之後，孕婦本就比常人敏感些，周王對這一胎也十分重視。但他也有更寵幸之人，比如侍妾王氏，生的乖順漂亮，任由他擺弄，做事也頗合他的心意，徐青容就下絆子。
正好二人為了一樁官司鬧起來，請周王斷案，周王是個規矩嚴苛之人，一向認為一屋不掃何以掃天下，因此決定以此事敲打徐青容，但又不能太下徐青容的面子，他肯定不會為了個妾和王妃鬧翻，那不和規矩。
Things were going on in full swing here. When King Zhou heard that the Funing Palace was on fire, he quickly summarized his speech, and therefore arrived a step late.
When the three princes arrived, Gao Xuance was already accompanying Emperor Jianzhang.