Although the two ladies were eager to make a good impression, they dared not be presumptuous in front of the Empress and Lady Fucha, so they spoke and laughed very politely and respectfully.
Changning's gaze lingered on the two little girls, and she simply smiled and asked, "Your daughters are very well-educated. I wonder what they do in their spare time at home?"
Madam Li quickly gave her daughter a look, and Miss Li stepped forward first: "Your Majesty, I have been taught by my father since childhood and have been studying history books in the mansion."
"Oh?" Changning was genuinely surprised. Nowadays, very few people educate their daughters by having them read history books.
Generally speaking, the girls were either taught music, chess, calligraphy, painting, or needlework, or they were taught horseback riding and archery to maintain the demeanor of Manchu girls.
But those who read history books... are truly extraordinary.
Changning felt that this Lord Li Fu might have quite a lot to ask for.
The standards for raising this daughter are quite high. To put it bluntly, if they didn't want their daughter to become a lady-in-waiting, then all this emphasis on cultivating her sharp eyes and bright mind must be aimed at making her the matriarch of the household or a model of virtue for the nation.
"Which sentence in the *Strategies of the Warring States* do you like the most?"
Faced with the Empress's sudden question, Miss Li remained calm and nodded in reply: "Your Majesty, I admire most those who are virtuous yet humble in their responsibilities, and those who are wise yet accommodating in their words."
What a great vision...
Changning knew what was going on and asked with a smile, "Miss Li's given name?"
"Your Majesty, my name is Sui Tan."
"Sui Tan? Is there a source for that?"
Li Suitan was poised and graceful, with a gentle smile that made people feel close without being offended.
"Your Majesty, the meaning is to bring peace of mind and tranquility, and for the years to be as beautiful as sandalwood."
Changning nodded, thinking to herself that this girl was quite good. Although she had only said a few words, they were clear and logical, neither humble nor arrogant, and she had a remarkable demeanor. She wasn't nervous at all when she first met the Empress; on the contrary, she was poised and generous, which easily won people's favor.
After finishing speaking about one thing, Changning turned to look at the other.
but……
Why did this girl from the Ayan Gioro clan look at Li Suitan with such shining eyes, as if she genuinely admired her and was surprised and respectful that Li Suitan had read so many history books?
It wasn't that Changning could read minds, but rather that her expressions were so obvious, like a blank sheet of paper, that anyone could tell what she was thinking at a glance.
She's a girl with a pure heart.
"May I have your name?"
Upon hearing Changning's voice, the girl seemed to turn around only then, looking bewildered, and mumbled, "Your Majesty, I can play chess, play the flute, do needlework, ride horses, and cook, but I'm not proficient in any of them..."
She perfectly embodies the phrase "the mouth flies in front, while the brain chases behind."
"Huh?" Changning was taken aback.
What did she just ask?
They're asking "What's your name?", right?
She didn't ask the wrong question, did she?
Or is my memory playing tricks on me?
Not only was Changning bewildered, but everyone present was bewildered.
Lady Tulichen nearly fainted again when she saw her daughter act foolishly once more, but thankfully she remembered that this was in Chengqian Palace, in front of the Empress. She desperately suppressed the urge to faint, tugged at her daughter's sleeve, and whispered, "The Empress asked you what your name is? What's wrong with you?"
The girl then realized her mistake, her face turning red. She hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, my name is Yu Yi... I misspoke just now, and I know I was wrong."
Changning thought to herself that this girl only had a beautiful exterior, and was a bit of a silly beauty, but she was still quite cute. Not wanting to scare her, she said softly, "It's alright, it's alright. You just said your name is Yuyi? Does that name have any meaning?"
When Yu Yi heard the Empress say that she was not blamed, she was relieved and smiled shyly. Her smile was truly radiant, making people sigh once again at her beautiful appearance.
Who knew that her next sentence would be...
“My father said that I am beautiful, so he named me Yuyi.”
Ah, this...
That makes perfect sense.
This name is both hasty and profound!
Changning suppressed a laugh and asked her again, "You know quite a lot. You can play chess and cook. What kind of dishes can you make?"
"Your Majesty, I can make pastries and noodles, especially three-delicacy noodles. Do you like noodles? Shall I make you a bowl now?"
Seeing that she was about to roll up her sleeves, Changning quickly waved her hand to stop her: "No need, no need."
This girl is so honest...
Changning and Suochuoluo exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness and amusement in each other's eyes.
Then, before Changning could say anything more, a voice came from outside, it was Hutuli's happy voice: "Come on, let's take a look at Mother!"
Zhuiyu stood outside, looking troubled: "Third Prince, Second Princess, Her Majesty is receiving guests."
"Huh? Okay." Hutuli pouted, looking a little disappointed.
Changning heard everything clearly from inside, so he gave Chuixue a wink. Chuixue understood and quickly went out to welcome Hutuli and Hongyan in.
As soon as Hutuli and Hongyan entered, the four people present quickly stood up and bowed, presumably because they were the main characters of today's birthday banquet.
Hutuli also maintained a princess-like demeanor in front of outsiders. She did not act coquettishly or infatuated with Changning as usual. Instead, she nodded slightly and said in a friendly tone, "Ladies, please rise. There is no need for such formalities."
Hongyan was wearing a white crane-patterned cotton robe, with two lines of poetry embroidered by Changning beside him. Yuyi could catch a glimpse of it out of the corner of her eye with just a slight lift of her head.
"Let us nurture our wings to soar to the clouds, and play clear melodies as we bow and rise."
Yu Yi's heart stirred slightly; it seemed that this Third Prince was also well-read!
Yu Yi herself was not good at poetry and books, and she felt that her mind was different from others.
An article or poem that someone else can understand after reading it once or twice may require you to read it twenty times and still not be able to understand it.
Therefore, she particularly admires those who are knowledgeable, eloquent, and erudite.
She had just been attracted to Li Suitan.
In fact, she never thought about marrying Dorsey, because she knew her own limitations; the only thing she could be proud of was her homemade three-delicacy noodles...
As for the rest... she was no match for Miss Li, and she didn't have the confidence to be the head mistress of such a large family.
She was quite content with her lot. Since God had given her such a beautiful appearance, it was understandable that she lacked some knowledge in poetry and literature.
If someone were both beautiful and intelligent, wouldn't that be amazing?
“Mother, Hongyan and I just got this, and we were thinking of giving it to you.”
Hutu took out the newly acquired butterfly-shaped jade hairpin vase.
Hongyan's clear voice rang out: "It is my and my sister's birthday, and it is also the day that Mother suffered. So I also have something I want to give to Mother."
Wow!
How filial!
Yu Yi felt that if she had a son like that, she would be so moved that she would die!
The Empress is amazing; she managed to raise the Third Prince so well.
She secretly raised her head again and glanced quickly. She saw a young man as graceful as a pine tree and as tall as a bamboo, dressed in a white crane robe, as if he had already ascended to heaven, making him seem unworthy of desecration.
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