Storm (II)
Recently, Shengjing has had few major events, but numerous minor ones. The most talked about issue is the case of the Princess of Zhen'an.
"Have I heard that the Princess of Zhen'an originally came back from the village? How could she take over the shop immediately?" In the teahouse, a man took a sip of wine and seemed a little drunk.
Suddenly, those who were just listening to the storyteller's gossip came over.
"Yes, when it comes to managing the account books, all these young ladies from aristocratic families have sought out someone to teach them. Even the wives of the masters need years of experience to fully manage the household. This Princess Zhen'an is probably shooting herself in the foot!"
A student who knew more about the situation said, "I heard there was a report in the imperial court saying this was against filial piety. After all, she is her mother. How could they cause such a fuss over a few pieces of silver?"
Once there's one, there's another. A student who understood the situation immediately countered, "So what if it is true? You know, His Majesty has ruled this a family matter, and they say it's hard for an honest official to judge family matters. You know, the Princess of Zhen'an grew up alone. If she hadn't married Prince Zhen'an, she'd probably still be in the village."
After a pause, the student, noticing that everyone was looking at him, became even calmer. "It's one thing for this stepmother to not take good care of the previous wife's children, but now she's even got her hands on the dowry shop. It's clear she's greedy for money."
After saying that, the student stood up and left the teahouse. The people who stayed behind immediately started to talk about it. After all, most of them were ordinary people who could hardly earn a few cents. They immediately understood Qin Yuyao, who had just been criticized by everyone.
Outside the teahouse, the student who had just been talking said respectfully at the entrance of an alley, "Young lady, I've already said this. However, this is indeed my sincere concern, and I hope that Princess Zhen'an can resolve this difficult matter as soon as possible."
After a moment, the man in gray shorts spoke, "Don't worry about other things. There are so many people who are fueling this situation. You don't need to care which side I'm on."
As he spoke, he handed a bag of small change to the student.
*
If there is anyone in Shengjing who loves to host banquets the most, apart from Miss Ye Jiajia of the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion, it would be Liu Qingqing, the wife of the Minister of War.
Madam Liu had always been a popular figure in Shengjing, socializing with many wives of officials. She had also handled many marriages between aristocratic families and young people.
Qin Yuyao was a little surprised when she received the banquet invitation from Madam Liu that day. After all, she heard that the guests were all young girls, and most of them were unmarried ladies.
Holding the invitation, Qin Yuyao was still a little hesitant about whether to go. Following Madam Liu's invitation came a letter from Ye Jiajia, saying that she could go and they could go together.
By then, the two of them could use the clothes made by her clothing store. Ye Jiajia carefully selected a pink and green dress, and she looked forward to Qin Yuyao wearing it to the banquet with her.
After receiving the clothes, Qin Yuyao put them on and rubbed them repeatedly. She felt that the clothes seemed to be deliberately shortened at the waist. From a distance, her waist looked slender, and when she walked, she was as graceful as a willow by the river.
When Luan Zhengya came in, he saw her admiring herself in front of the bronze mirror. Jin Yu, who was holding a shawl beside her, saw this and hurriedly stepped back.
"New clothes?" Luan Zhengya's voice was low, and her eyes fell on the waist without blinking, as if there was still some room for her hands to hold it.
Thinking of this, Luan Zhengya simply covered it with her hand.
Qin Yuyao froze as a scorching palm landed on her waist. Suddenly, she felt her whole body heating up. She quickly placed her hand on his chest and shook her head.
Seeing this, Luan Zhengya only smiled and lowered her head to kiss her cheek: "This dress is beautiful. If it was made by a new embroiderer, it would be a reward."
"You've miscalculated. This is not the embroiderer from our house. These are the clothes sent by Jia Jia. She and I are planning to open a clothing store together, and these clothes are sent by her." After explaining the matter in a few words, Qin Yuyao looked at her sleeves in the mirror and felt as if something was missing.
Before he could turn around to ask Jin Yu, he saw the person behind him had already handed the shawl to him. He carefully placed the shawl on his arm, perhaps to prevent it from slipping, and his fingers were very nimble, tying a knot at the bend of his arm.
"You are still wearing a shawl?" Qin Yuyao's eyes showed a hint of surprise, and she turned her head to look at Luan Zhengya.
Behind her, Luan Zhengya smoothed her hair at the temples and said with a smile, "Of course, many of your clothes were chosen by me, and I also learned a little from the embroiderers."
After a pause, Luan Zhengya moved closer to her face and touched the tip of her nose to hers: "My lady is so beautiful, you should change into new clothes every day."
Qin Yuyao's face turned red instantly. The summer was almost over, but now she felt extremely hot.
"You are really good at talking. I almost fainted with you." Qin Yuyao gave him an angry look, then turned around in front of the mirror, feeling very satisfied with the workmanship of the clothes.
Luan Zhengya looked at her quietly, and seeing her happy smile, he said, "But what about tomorrow's banquet? Remember to bring Jin Yu and Qing Yu with you. If there's anything, just ask them to do it."
"You know everything?" Qin Yuyao was stunned for a moment, then she thought that Madam Liu recalled sending her the invitation specially, maybe it was a hint from Luan Zhengya.
Not intending to hide it from her, Luan Zhengya nodded slightly: "I heard a little from the Minister of War, and I thought you might be bored at home. Now it seems that managing the shop, taking care of the palace, and partnering with the clothing store, I'm really worried that my wife will be too busy."
At the end, Luan Zhengya's tone suddenly became more aggrieved, and the emotion in her eyes also intensified: "My wife is really busy. I can't stay with her for a while longer."
Seeing this, Qin Yuyao crossed her arms and looked at Luan Zhengya with a slightly amused expression: "Then, I won't go?"
Knowing that he was teasing her on purpose, Qin Yuyao teased him back.
Looking at the cute expression on Qin Yuyao's face, Luan Zhengya stretched out her fingertips and tapped her nose: "My dear, please go. I will wait for you at home tomorrow."
*
The banquets hosted by the Minister of War, Madam Liu, were always packed with people. Everyone who attended was reluctant to leave.
On this day, the gate of the Minister of War's residence was filled with carriages of various colors, and the ladies who got off the carriages were almost all fragrant and dressed in luxurious clothes.
As the crowds of people entered one after another, the bright red and tender pink flowers looked even less beautiful than the ladies and nobles. They were truly more beautiful than flowers, and their voices were like the chirping of orioles.
Qin Yuyao arrived neither too early nor too late. After the carriage stopped, she followed Qingyu and Jinyu and slowly got off the carriage at the driver's call.
Waiting at the door to greet her was Madam Liu's eldest daughter, Yang Yuling. She was only fifteen years old and looked cute and playful.
At first glance, he could tell that Qin Yuyao's carriage belonged to the Prince of Zhen'an's mansion, which made him curious. Although the Prince of Zhen'an had had contact with his father in the past, it was always between men.
Now that she had seen it with her own eyes, she couldn't help but feel a little curious.
Soon, Qin Yuyao emerged from the carriage. She wore a pale green dress with a pale yellow shawl. Her hair was adorned with gold and jade hairpins.
After a few steps out of the carriage, I could still hear the jingling of the rings and bracelets around her waist. She was truly a beauty, as beautiful as a fairy, with graceful manners. I felt that the rumors about Prince Zhen'an being obsessed with beauty must be true.
"Princess of Zhen'an! I'm Yuling. My mother told me about you a long time ago." Yang Yuling stepped forward, looked at the other party with a happy smile, and bowed slightly.
Hearing this, Qin Yuyao smiled and nodded: "Hello, sister Yuling. I am seventeen years old, just two years older than you. If you like, you can call me sister Yuyao."
The voice was so pleasant and the attitude was so gentle that Yang Yuling's eyes lit up and she subconsciously reached out to hold Qin Yuyao.
Suddenly, I heard a chuckle from behind: "Huh, Sister Yuyao is really popular everywhere. It's only been a few days and she has gained another good sister!"
Qin Yuyao's expression was somewhat polite towards Yang Yuling. But when she saw the newcomer, she smiled sincerely, her lips curled up: "They are all good sisters, but no one as good as you, Jiajia, wins my heart."
Ye Jiajia stepped forward to greet Yang Yuling, then took Qin Yuyao's arm and said, "Come on, I just want to talk to you more today. Yuling still has to talk to guests."
As she spoke, Ye Jiajia smiled at Yang Yuling and led her into the mansion.
Following the two of them inside, Yang Yuling muttered, "Ye Jiajia got there first. It's rare to find such a talkative sister."
Ye Jiajia took Qin Yuyao to the banquet area as if they were familiar with the place. At this time, the semi-open-air coffee tables had already been prepared, and many maids and servants were carrying various fruits and meals and placing them on each table.
The two looked around and simply stopped under a tree of Albizia Julibrissin.
Qin Yuyao saw her looking around at herself several times and couldn't help but laugh: "Why, are you satisfied with your clothes?" Qin Yuyao smiled and pinched her face. She felt that Ye Jiajia was particularly cute when she stared at her with glowing eyes.
Shaking her head to avoid Qin Yuyao's 'claws', Ye Jiajia couldn't help but complain: "Sister Yuyao, why didn't you praise me first?"
Seeing her temper coming out, Qin Yuyao smiled and nodded: "Well, this dress is very beautiful. If other people see it, they will definitely be curious. Then, your clothing store will naturally open up the market."
Hearing her sincere praise, Ye Jiajia finally smiled with satisfaction: "Sister Yuyao is still good at talking. This dress I'm wearing was specially made to match you. It's not an exaggeration to say that you are my real sister."
Perhaps it was because Qin Wenxin and she had been at odds for a long time, and whenever Ye Jiajia mentioned their relationship, she would say that she wished Qin Yuyao was her real sister.
Hearing this, Qin Yuyao didn't say much, just smiled and touched her head.
"Sister Yuyao, Madam Liu usually interacts with many people. There will definitely be no shortage of guests for today's banquet. We don't have to take the initiative to introduce our clothes and lose face." As she said that, Ye Jiajia took Qin Yuyao's hand and walked towards Madam Liu who had just come out.
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