The Luo family's wedding tent had already been set up. Except for Luo Jingyuan and his wife who could not return home temporarily due to their post but also sent generous gifts, the rest of the Luo family members and even the relatives in their hometown of Gaoping came to Beijing specially. Yu cleaned up the garden for them to live in. Now the Luo family has already moved up to a higher level.
Not only did Luo Zhizheng enter the inner cabinet, the Luo family also had a princess. And not just an ordinary princess, but the emperor's most beloved Princess Chen.
It is said that this time, Prince Chen will accompany the Princess and even bring the Crown Prince back to the Luo family to attend the wedding.
Mrs. Fan also got up early in the morning and was busy all the time. Fortunately, Mrs. Jiang and Mrs. Zhou were there to help, which helped a little.
Compared with the rich and colorful appearance of Little Jiang in the past, although she is still gorgeous now, she is no longer as good as before. Luo Jingfa is a playboy and falls in love with every woman he sees. Yu Yan is the legitimate second wife and has a son. She is also Yu's niece. Even if Little Jiang wants to make a move on her, she can't do anything.
But in such a grand occasion, it was still Jiang's family who walked around outside. Yu Yan only relied on her relationship with the family to come to Yu's place, grit her teeth and get the most valuable gift she thought, and personally gave it to Jinghao as a gift.
Mrs. Yu looked at these gifts. Of course, she knew that it was not easy for Yu Yan to give them as a present, because she had been out of favor in recent years. She thought that it was somewhat respectable to rely on her son for support, but in fact, it was just like that.
"Why did you send me such an expensive gift? You don't have anything good to offer, so there's no need to worry so much."
"What are you talking about, aunt? My cousin Jinghao is getting married, which is a big event for the whole family. Even though I am not in a very decent position now, I can't just make a small contribution. But I heard that Princess Chen is also coming back, and my cousin and I haven't seen each other for several years. I don't know how she is doing." Yu Yan mentioned Yao Niang casually.
Erzhen was listening at the side and couldn't help but sneer in her heart. How dare Yu Yan, a concubine, meet Princess Chen.
As expected, Yu also declined: "The Prince of Chen and the Princess of Chen will come that day, but the meeting will be arranged by the palace ladies, and they will not sit with everyone."
Yu Yan was not willing to accept this, but Yu had been in charge of the Luo family for so many years. Her daughter had a promising future, a reliable husband, and her son was going to get married. She would not be unable to get rid of her nephew's concubine. If she had not pitied her brother's bloodline, she would not have met Yu Yan today.
"That's true. Princess Chen is a noble now. How can she still be the same as before?" Yu Yan always envied those who were in high positions. She had never thought that her cousin would become a princess. Even if Prince Chen ascended the throne, she would most likely become the woman with the highest status in the world.
She actually understood that Yao Niang would never see her, and even thought it was natural. She even mentioned to Yu: "In fact, if I were to say that my aunt treated Yao Niang so badly in the past, her daughter was able to marry into the royal family thanks to Yao Niang. It's really not worth it for Yao Niang."
Seeing that Yu Yan was really concerned about Yao Niang, Yu was also surprised, but still said, "Forget it. Shi Fang is still the daughter of the Luo family after all. Besides, life is like this. There are many things that cannot be helped."
In fact, Yu thought Yao Niang might have forgotten Shi Fang. Although Shi Fang also married into the royal family, there is a gap between royal family members. When she was getting better and better, how could she remember the past?
Yu Yan was very dissatisfied. She didn't like Ren's sarcasm towards her, nor did she like Xiao Jiang. But she could do nothing about these people. Due to the rules and etiquette, she was inferior to them.
Unfortunately, Yu's family was busy, so Yu Yan had to leave in disappointment.
Originally, Yu Shi was not the type to gossip about others, so when she saw her leaving, she couldn't help but ask Er Zhen, "How is Second Master Fa doing now? Is she not doing well?"
Erzhen said, "Master Fa, you also know that the family still feels that it is not enough and is looking for more. His superiors sent a pair of girls with bound feet from somewhere, and Master Fa loves them like crazy. He is not afraid of Madam Fa anymore."
"The Jiang family has been in decline in recent years. On the contrary, our Luo family has become more powerful with the old man's entry into the palace. Jingfa is probably not as good to little Jiang as before. She seemed to have figured it out for a while and gave two people to Jingfa, but somehow, she disliked their favor and found fault with them and drove them out." Yu felt that little Jiang was really stupid. It would be fine if a man loved you, but if a man is so fickle, it would be better for her to consolidate her position.
Erzhen smiled and said, "Not everyone is like our Prince Chen. Even a prince is devoted to our girl."
In her heart, Yu still felt that her daughter was too infatuated, but her daughter was different from Jiang after all. Jiang knew that the man had problems and was unfaithful, but she always used fatal force against the woman. However, her daughter just wanted to capture the man's heart and prevent him from taking the initiative to have someone else.
However, it is strange that, with such status as the Prince of Chen, he doesn't even have a concubine. Could it be that his daughter is really too charming?
Yao Niang had never thought about this problem, because in recent days, Gao Xuance was not as obsessed with work as before. Instead, he would come back to have dinner with her every day.
Today too, he looked a little tired, but still smiled and asked, "What's delicious today?"
In fact, Yao Niang knew that Gao Xuance was not a greedy person, and he even often went on a fast. She said this now only because of herself, because she loved food.
"Today, the kitchen has dried scallops. They are cooked thoroughly, and then ham slices, bamboo shoots, and shrimps are placed underneath. The best Shaoxing wine is poured into the scallops and steamed for an hour. They are delicious."
"Then we can have a feast."
Yao Niang smiled and said, "Why aren't you busy? Why do you come back every day to have dinner with me? Actually, you don't have to do this. If you have something to do, just go and do it yourself."
She doesn't like people deliberately going against their own good intentions.
Therefore, things that are not done sincerely may be pretended for a while, but not forever.
Gao Xuance didn't expect Yao Niang to be so sharp. He was originally very intelligent and always felt that he could analyze other people very thoroughly, but Yao Niang was an exception. She actually wanted him to accompany him, but she knew that he had his own things to do.
"But I still want to accompany you!"
Yao Niang smiled and said, "I also want you to accompany me. I wish we could stay together every day without going out. But this is different. You have things you want to do, and I have things I want to do. We are both getting better. I am already very happy to be able to chat in our spare time."
Seeing that Yao Niang was so reasonable, Gao Xuance scratched her nose and said, "No, I just want to accompany you."
Seeing that he was sincere, Yao Niang nodded heavily and was very happy: "Then I also want you to accompany me."
After the couple finished dinner, Gao Xuance checked Cheng Yun's homework. He hadn't officially started studying in the study room yet, but he had already started teaching himself, so that he wouldn't be so ignorant that he didn't know anything and be looked down upon by others.
Gao Xuance was amazed that his son could memorize so many words and recognize so many characters at the age of four. He could also recite idioms at any time and even mastered pot throwing and archery without hiring any teacher.
When he asked, Cheng Yun thought he was surprised and said, "My mother teaches me every day. Before she finished teaching me, she even took me to Yu Garden and Kunning Palace to play."
It turns out that all these were taught by Yao Niang. No wonder he was not around in the previous life, and Yao Niang taught the child so well by herself.
The most important thing is not these superficial things, but Cheng Yun's persistence. This child never complains or fears hardship no matter what he does. This is rare. He is indeed a very good seedling.
After the homework check, after Yao Niang gave birth to Chengze, most of her attention was on Chengze. She was afraid that Chengyun would feel unbalanced, so when Chengze was a little older, she was also very concerned about Chengyun.
"Next month your uncle will be getting married. I have discussed with your father and I will take you there. Your mother will also take you to the garden where she played when she was a child. Okay?"
Cheng Yun jumped up with joy: "Great, I can leave the palace now, mother, please bring my brother over as well. I want him to go too."
"Okay, since it's our request, mother will listen to you in everything." Yao Niang stroked her son's head.
The relationship between mother and son is so good that Gao Xuance finally sensed a sense of crisis. During the years when he was not in the palace, on the surface there was only one new child, Chengze, in the family, but more importantly, he spent less time with them, and their relationship became more harmonious.
After the family finished dinner, Gao Xuance took Yao Niang and two sons to play in the garden. They were laughing and talking all the way, and Xu Qingrong and Hong Shuyi could hear them through the wall.
Ever since Concubine Gan became pregnant, Xu Qingrong became irritable, because Concubine Gan's identity was different from that of ordinary people. If Prince Zhou ascended the throne and she gave birth to a son, it was feared that Gan would become the empress.
Even if Gan's son became emperor in the future, Gan would be the empress dowager and she would be nothing.
Originally, she wanted to deal with Prince Chen so that Prince Zhou could become emperor smoothly. Now Xu Qingrong realized that the enemy was inside. If Prince Zhou did not become emperor, perhaps, she would still be the princess forever, and Gan would be nothing more than a second concubine, always a second concubine, which was a world of difference from her.
Therefore, Hong Shuyi is redundant here.
She glanced at Hong Shuyi and said to her, "Cousin Hong, I have something to tell you."
Although Hong Shuyi knew that Xu Qingrong was a ruthless person, she didn't expect that she would kill him so quickly. She even said something nice: "I think you are a great writer. If you stay with me, I'm afraid you will be buried. Therefore, I plan to recommend you to Li Shanggong. What do you think?"
But Hong Shuyi certainly didn't want to leave Xu Qingrong. If King Zhou was really the future emperor, wouldn't she be able to be a court lady? Why was she so anxious?
"Princess, you were the one who called me into the palace. Thank you for not giving up on me and giving me a place in the palace. Now that you don't need me anymore, I will go and tell the Royal Consort myself." Hong Shuyi is no pushover either. After all, she is a member of the Hong family.
Although Xu Qingrong is the principal wife now, her position has become delicate since Gan became pregnant. She is the one who knows best which way the wind blows in the backyard. In front of Concubine Hong, Xu Qingrong is not as favored as Princess Chen. Prince Zhou hardly steps into her courtyard now. He is just waiting for Concubine Gan to give birth to the child, otherwise her position will be really lost.
Being a princess in name only might be tolerable to some women, but it is absolutely intolerable to Xu Qingrong.
If Hong Shuyi turns against you, you, Xu Qingrong, will not be in any good situation either.
Xu Qingrong didn't expect Hong Shuyi to threaten her with the Imperial Concubine, but now was not the time for them to quarrel. "I'm just afraid of delaying you, but since you want to stay here, we will continue as before."
Seeing Xu Qingrong like this, Hong Shuyi pretended to be back to normal.
It is said that the friendship between gentlemen is as pure as water, while the friendship between villains is as sweet as honey.
Yao Niang would have anticipated this, but she didn't expect it to happen so soon. Of course, their current alliance could not be broken for the time being.
Gao Xuance took the children to play somewhere. They walked to Wenqizhai, where the peach trees had already begun to bear fruit. At this time, Gao Xuance's height became an absolute weapon. He could easily pick peaches by simply pressing down the branches. Yao Niang applauded: "Wow, so amazing."
"Father, I want to pick one too."
Cheng Yun actually wanted to climb the tree, but his mother would definitely not allow it, so he wanted to play, and Gao Xuance had to obey him in order to make up for his son.
Children with fathers seem to be really different and more confident. Otherwise, Cheng Yun Yao Niang, who was over four years old, couldn't be picked up and played with so easily. And when Cheng Ze saw his brother being held, he also hurried over to ask Gao Xuance to hold him.
The husband walked leisurely in front, holding one child in each arms, while Yao Niang followed them quickly, feeling indescribably happy.
Soon it was Jinghao's wedding day. Gao Xuance and Yao Niang went there together. Chengyun was dressed in the clothes of a prince, and Chengze was still young. The child had a smiling face like a Buddha, which melted people's hearts.
"Everyone says that our Chengze looks like my father, but this child likes to laugh, while my father rarely laughs." Yao Niang said to Gao Xuance.
"Although my father-in-law rarely smiles, he is still a very nice person."
When Luo Zhizheng was madly targeting him in his previous life, Gao Xuance hated him to death and secretly cursed him as an old villain. But in this life, as his father-in-law, when he was lingering in Huancheng, sometimes he asked the court for military pay or did things in Huancheng, and it was almost always Luo Zhizheng who helped him. It can be said that he was a great help.
When others really help him, Gao Xuance feels that his father-in-law is so kind.
The road was cleared. It was Chengze's first time to go out, but he started crying for some reason. The wet nurse couldn't comfort him. Yao Niang held him for a long time, but her hands felt sore. She searched for a long time before she found that it was a thread on his clothes that had pierced him. She bit it off with her teeth, and Chengze stopped crying.
"I don't know what's wrong with the people in the Needlework Bureau. There is actually a thread end as big as a finger. Forget it. I have to make his underwear myself in the future." Yao Niang complained, but she didn't want to blame the Needlework Bureau, otherwise she would have the reputation of being picky by Princess Chen, which was not good.
Gao Xuance frowned: "Wait for me to go talk to them. They are so careless in their work, and the same goes for the group of wet nurses."
"Forget it, forget it. You don't know that just because our Chengyun was conferred the title of the Crown Prince and the Emperor gave him a lot of rewards, there are still people talking behind our backs. And when I was thinking about Chengze, I incurred resentment. It's not that I'm afraid of things, but there are so many evil spirits and monsters, and you are also in the limelight now." Yao Niang looked at him seriously.
Since ancient times, those who have achieved great success have frightened their rulers. This is also true even though Prince Chen is the emperor's biological son.
Yao Niang had read history books and knew that all the great generals who had been able to survive throughout history had done so by defaming themselves to reduce their own achievements, which would also reassure the emperor.
Gao Xuance didn't expect Yao Niang to be able to think of this, and he also admired her complete insight into human nature.
He escaped early in his previous life, and in his memory he and Emperor Jianzhang had always been a loving father and filial son. But in this life, Emperor Jianzhang's poison was cured, and he is alive and well. Probably he will not be able to stand out like this in the future.
If you don't stand out, how can you compete with the King of Zhou?
The reason he was able to appear indifferent to fame and fortune was simply because he was now the eldest son in name only.
His mother's words also hinted that he should quickly plan to ask for her to be crowned as the empress, but only Yao Niang would rather suffer the injustice than not protect herself.
He suddenly grabbed Yao Niang's hand unexpectedly, moved closer and kissed her.
Yao Niang was originally coaxing the child, but he kissed her so suddenly that she was a little surprised, then smiled and shook her head. This man was always like this, sunny at one moment and rainy at another. She didn't know when he would be able to calm down.
Now it was as if she were taking care of three children.
They soon arrived at the Luo family. The Luo family was extremely happy to have Prince Chen in person, but what was more important was seeing Cheng Yun and Cheng Ze, especially Crown Prince Cheng Yun. All the men and women were looking at him.
"Ji'er, this is your grandfather, this is your eldest uncle, and your third uncle..." Yao Niang hurriedly introduced them.
Chengze, who is younger than her, has already been taken away by Yu, and she is holding him up to Luo Zhizheng. Luo Zhizheng has generously prepared meeting gifts for his two grandsons.
Seeing that the Prince of Chen was only four years old, yet he was already well versed in etiquette, eloquent, intelligent and noble, everyone loved him very much.
However, it is said that when Luo Zhizheng saw Chengze, he could not help but take the child from Yu's hands and hold him in his arms. It was because this child looked very much like him, even more like him than his own son.
Chengze is a smiling Buddha who is not afraid of strangers. When he saw Luo Zhizheng holding him, he not only did not feel shy but also laughed continuously, which made people's hearts melt.
Yao Niang also talked to Jing Hao immediately. Seeing that he was dressed in red today, she was quite emotional: "Well, now you are also a groom, and you will become an adult in the future. You must study hard and take care of your health."
"Yes, sister." Jinghao's eyes sparkled.
His wedding, his dearest sister came, why shouldn't he be happy? He didn't have much money, but he prepared gifts for Cheng Yun and Cheng Ze, and the two children surrounded him and called him uncle.
Young people still know what children like most. It is said that these are the most fashionable gadgets on the market. Luo Zhizheng wanted to communicate more with his grandchildren, but he had to entertain Prince Chen here, so he happily brought Cheng Yun in.
Now, only the close relatives of the Luo family can enter Wenhua Hall. Yao Niang does not seem to be arrogant at all and just asks about the family members' recent situation.
Of course everyone spoke and looked at her, and seeing that her figure was still as slim and her appearance seemed even more beautiful than before, they understood why Prince Chen doted on her so much that she was not even given a maidservant as his concubine.
It's not just because of her looks, but also because she is really attractive, very unique and different.
"Mother, you said you would take me to the garden where you grew up. Isn't it time to take me there now?" Cheng Yun asked.
If it were any other adult, they would definitely let the eunuch take them there, but Yao Niang smiled and said, "Okay, mother will take you there now, but your grandmother is busy at home today, so let's take fewer people out, okay?"
Yu said quickly, "Let Shi Yu accompany the princess."
Yao Niang waved her hands: "This is my home, how could I get lost? Don't worry."
She insisted on doing so and only brought a few servants out. Unexpectedly, a young eunuch immediately went to tell Gao Xuance, and everyone saw that not long after Yao Niang came out, Prince Chen actually rushed over.
Everyone then realized that the family of four was preparing to visit the garden.
Yao Niang felt very happy to share happiness with her husband and sons in the place where she grew up. Gao Xuance was also very relaxed, and Yao Niang asked him some easy topics without him having to think hard, not to mention the two children.
And Jinghao is now married safely. After the bride came into the family, the Luo family specially allowed the bride to meet her.
The father of the bride, Ms. Wang, was the Minister of Works. She was the youngest daughter at home and married into a family that also had the youngest son. She was not a very dignified person, but when she heard that she was going to meet her husband's elder sister, she became a little nervous.
This is not just any sister-in-law, this is the Princess of Chen.
Wang had met Madam Jiang before. Madam Jiang was the sixth child in the Luo family. She was a talented woman famous in the capital. Her temperament was like an orchid in a valley. She was a great beauty. But when she really met the Princess Chen, she realized what a beauty who could conquer a country and a city was. She just sat there, radiant with brilliance, like a phoenix on the Zhanghua Terrace.
Yao Niang just said a few words of blessing and rewarded her with a pair of extremely valuable jade ruyi. Wang was also very happy.
This return trip to her parents' home was not only to give face to her younger brother Jinghao, but also to reassure the Luo family how good the Prince of Chen was to the Princess of Chen. Although the Crown Prince Gao Ji born to her was young, he was definitely an extraordinary person in terms of intelligence and nobility.
Luo Zhizheng said to Yu: "None of my children and grandchildren are useful. Although Jingyuan is talented, he will ruin my family in the future. Only Yao Niang is here. Maybe, with her help, our family can keep its wealth in the future."
This made Yu tremble with fear: "Why do you say that? Jingyuan is a smart man, and he passed the imperial examination at a young age."
"He has his own ambitions. In his eyes, ordinary people are like ants. He is arrogant and conceited. Such a person acts in an extreme way and does not care about anyone. I am afraid that he will bring harm to the family in the future, but I don't care. But Yao Niang is different. Although she and Prince Chen are at the center of the storm, they take every step steadily." Luo Zhizheng said.
Yu smiled and said, "I think it's because you are partial to Yao Niang. In the past, people said that you are partial to her. Last time, you were very heartless. Now it seems that you are partial to Yao Niang. You don't even think about helping Yao Niang in any matter."
Since Yu mentioned this, Luo Zhizheng did not deny it: "I would only favor someone I respect. To be honest, seeing how smart the Prince of Chen is, and how much the Prince of Chen's son looks like me, I really want to bring him home."
"Grandpa, you--" Yu felt that her grandfather was already over fifty years old, how could he still be so naive.
The same thing happened to Gao Xuance. He changed into a Taoist robe and went to pay respects with Yao Niang. He said directly to Hong Guifei: "Mother, what do you think about letting Sister Yao accompany me to Zhongnan Mountain to practice Taoism? She is unwilling. Please help me persuade her."
Concubine Hong knew that her son had been proficient in the Book of Changes since he was a child, and was especially obsessed with fortune-telling. He even made elixirs by himself. Later, when she saw that he was obsessed with power, Concubine Hong breathed a sigh of relief, not knowing that he would return to his old ways.
Of course she refused to agree: "What nonsense are you talking about? If you all go to Zhongnan Mountain, what will happen to Chengyun and Chengze? What will happen to your father and me? Silly child, you should listen to your mother. You can ask for anything, but you are not allowed to talk about cultivating immortals. Your wife is right, just listen to her."
"Mother, didn't you tell me not to get married and listen to my wife?" Gao Xuance said innocently.
Yao Niang immediately looked at Concubine Hong, who quickly clarified: "I never said that. He was the one who instigated discord."
"Your Highness, if I die in the future, I will not be able to take care of you, Prince. If you say this again, your parents are not far away, and we still have two sons. You have not yet completed your worldly affairs, how can you be included in the immortal class? Besides, the Queen still needs your filial piety!" Yao Niang advised softly.
Gao Xuance still refused to listen. Yao Niang persuaded him very patiently, just like she usually coaxed Chengyun to eat.
She felt that it was nothing, because Gao Xuance was very power-hungry and he was just acting cute with her. Yesterday, ahem, maybe it was because of her brother's marriage, they were too intense.
Yao Niang also felt that she was quite talented in sex, and might have tired him out. He was feeling awkward, so of course she had to coax him a little.
Who made her husband such a pretentious and temperamental person?
"Okay, okay, when we get back later, I'll make you a bowl of eight-treasure rice pudding, how about that? And doesn't the prince like the agarwood I make?"
Concubine Hong had never known that her son could be so hypocritical. He even had to coax the little girl for half an hour. Was he still a man? He even tried to sow discord between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law.
real……
If he wasn't my son, I would really want to scold him.
Gao Xuance was so arrogant just now, but when he saw Yao Niang coaxing him, he nodded arrogantly: "Then I will stay here reluctantly."
Yao Niang was very happy at once, and planned to go back and make some abalone, shiitake mushroom, and polygonatum soup, or some ox-tail, kudzu root, and wild yam soup, as the latter seemed to be better for nourishing the kidneys.
"Okay, okay, then why don't we go back first. Mother also has to go to lunch class, and we won't disturb her anymore." Yao Niang tilted her head and looked at him.
Gao Xuance stretched out his little finger and said, "Just hold my little finger."
Knowing that he had been coaxed by her, Yao Niang didn't mind. Concubine Hong quickly waved her hand to let Gao Xuance leave, thinking in her heart that her son was a weirdo.
After returning to Prince Chen's mansion and entering the room, Gao Xuance grabbed Yao Niang and said, "In the future, she won't dare to send any more women here, because only you can control me, otherwise I would run away. Now she wants to be the empress, and I have to run around for her. Those people from the Hong family are useless."
Yao Niang didn't expect Gao Xuance to be so "self-defiled" because of herself. He was obviously a man who wanted to compete for the throne. He should have behaved more shrewdly and capable, or at least behaved more normally, but he did this on purpose for her.
How could she have such merit?
"You are so good to me." Yao Niang twisted the handkerchief, not knowing how to express her gratitude. She always felt a warm wave rising in her heart.
Gao Xuance shook his head: "Anyway, I can't let you act like a tigress and pretend that you are Rouge Tiger. This will be bad for your reputation. But I don't care about my reputation, really!"
"Then I..." She bit her lip, thinking about how to express her feelings.
But Gao Xuance hugged her in his arms and said, "You don't have to say anything, just accept it. Didn't I tell you long ago that I am yours? So I have to protect you!"
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