Xu Miaoyun has a close friend, but because of the friend's special status, the two keep their interactions very low-key.
She was about to meet a promising young man arranged by her family, but yesterday she tried to sneak out of the house but ran into one of them, which prevented her from doing so.
The thought of being engaged after their meeting filled her with turmoil. So she sent her trusted maid with a flower-adorned invitation to her friend's house, insisting that they accompany her on a trip the next day…
The Xu family's status is beyond question. Although the Shangguan family is a newly powerful family, it is still far inferior to the Xu family.
Therefore, the Shangguan family couldn't refuse Miss Xu's invitation, so Madam Cao had no choice but to send the invitation to her illegitimate daughter, Shangguan Xian'er...
"Hmph~"
"Mother, look at this! We didn't even know when Sixth Sister had gotten involved with Miss Xu! Does she even respect you anymore?"
Shangguan Feng'er was very displeased to see this. She was the legitimate daughter of the Shangguan family, so why did the legitimate daughter of the Xu family, who was so noble, not befriend her, but instead become familiar with Shangguan Xian'er, who was born out of wedlock?
"Shut up! You are a lady of high birth; you must always be mindful of your demeanor and behavior!"
Madam Cao scolded him, then softened her voice and coaxed him:
"The Crown Prince is about to choose a consort. You'd better control your temper. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. Listen to your mother, dress up, and I've arranged a 'hero saves the beauty' scene for you..."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Feng'er's anger subsided considerably. After hearing her mother's words, she immediately exclaimed with delight:
"Mother, could it be my cousin?"
"Of course, your aunt has sent word that as long as you are obedient and well-behaved, the position of concubine is yours for the taking."
Madam Cao nodded. Although it was a concubine, it was still a very good choice for a daughter of the Shangguan family to become a concubine.
"A concubine? Why not the Crown Princess?"
Shangguan Feng'er frowned; she wanted to be the Crown Princess!
No matter how nicely you call her a concubine, she's still just a mistress!
She wants to be her cousin's crown princess, not a concubine!
"What child? Even if you become a concubine, if the Crown Prince favors you and your aunt takes care of you, the Empress's throne might very well be yours when he ascends the throne..."
Madam Cao lowered her voice and patiently explained to her daughter.
His Majesty is selecting a consort for the Crown Prince. Not just anyone has the ability to hold the position of Crown Princess!
As a second choice, I can become a concubine, protect myself, and then find another way to ascend to the position of empress in the future!
"Mother, it's me~"
Shangguan Feng'er was moved, but she still felt uneasy.
Making her a concubine is really putting her in a difficult position!
Besides the Crown Prince choosing a consort, other princes also choose consorts, so why not—
“Mother, since other princes are also choosing consorts, even if Sixth Sister doesn’t become the principal wife, becoming a concubine or secondary wife wouldn’t be a disgrace to the Shangguan family, would it?”
Even if she is a concubine, she is still the future emperor's concubine!
Shangguan Xian'er is only fit to be a prince's concubine. Even if she were a secondary consort, her status would not be higher than hers!
At that time, wouldn't we have to grovel on the ground and pay our respects to her?
"My son has grown up and knows how to share his mother's burdens now."
Madam Cao smiled upon hearing this, gazing lovingly at her daughter.
As expected of her daughter, she knows how to share her burdens!
Sixth Sister, you've reached the age where you should be looking for a husband!
As a concubine's daughter, one should act like one!
Don't presume to be superior and compete with the legitimate daughter!
"Mother~"
Shangguan Feng'er acted coquettishly, enjoying the family bliss with her mother.
Outside, a pink figure quietly left and quickly disappeared without a trace...
Begonia Garden —
Shangguan Xian'er has already received the invitation.
Miaoyun invited her to watch the lanterns together?
After the visitor left, she instructed Shan'er to prepare the clothes and jewelry for tomorrow.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Shan'er had no suspicions and quickly went to the side room to help her mistress choose clothes and jewelry.
Caixia returned and whispered something to the young lady, reporting what she had discovered.
Shangguan Xian'er sneered. Her stepmother was nothing special.
He sniffed the scent of the blank space on the invitation and gave a casual instruction:
"Caixia, light a candle."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Caixia bowed, then found candles in the cabinet in the room, lit them, and placed them on the table for the young lady to use.
"Miaoyun must have something important to discuss, otherwise she wouldn't have taken the risk of sending someone to deliver the invitation."
Shangguan Xian'er gestured to Caixia to close the doors and windows, then carefully placed the large blank areas of the invitation card above the flame to heat it...
Sure enough, familiar handwriting appeared in the blank space, and Miaoyun succinctly explained the difficulties she had encountered.
They would choose a promising young man, arrange a marriage, and avoid the selection of brides by the Crown Prince and other princes...
"Miss~"
Caixia spoke up to remind her, fearing that the young lady might burn herself.
"It's alright."
Shangguan Xian'er burned the invitation; only by burning the information inside to ashes could she protect her friend.
"Come out with me tomorrow night."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The Lantern Festival only happens once a year.
Caixia, of course, wouldn't refuse the wonderful opportunity to go out and see the lanterns.
Shangguan Xian'er blew out the candles, got up, opened the window, and looked at the wild geese flying freely in the sky, revealing an envious smile.
"If I'm not mistaken, Madam Cao is probably going to make a move against me. She will stop at nothing to pave the way for her daughter."
Caixia frowned and whispered a reminder:
"Miss, the plan needs to be moved up."
Shangguan Xian'er withdrew her gaze, her eyes shining with trust, and nodded emphatically:
"Yes, tomorrow night will be an excellent opportunity. You must be on high alert and make the arrangements. Tomorrow night is crucial."
"This servant would gladly die ten thousand times over."
"I don't need you to die. I hope that the three of us, master and servant, can all live well!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
......
Shan'er, who was in the side room, was completely unaware of this. She was racking her brains, wondering whether to choose the purple brocade dress with cloud patterns for her mistress for tomorrow's Lantern Festival, or a gauze skirt made of cloud-like brocade that was as bright as the sunset.
Everyone says that you'll meet your true love during the Lantern Festival. She wants to choose a stunning outfit that will amaze everyone, making her mistress look like a celestial being descended to earth, so that she can meet her true love and escape the Shangguan family mansion, freeing her from the oppression of the madam and the eldest daughter...
As evening approached—
At the Xu residence, Madam Xu, also known as Liu, was selecting beautiful clothes and hairpins for her daughter while glancing outside the door from time to time.
The Lantern Festival is the most lively day after the autumn imperial examinations in Nanjing.
She and her husband have already made arrangements. After meeting today, they will choose a fiancé for their daughter. After the Lantern Festival tomorrow night, they will formally arrange the marriage on the grounds that their beloved daughter has found a good husband!
This would satisfy the royal family, the crown prince, and the Xu family!
"Reporting to Madam, the distinguished guests from the Wu family have arrived for the banquet."
"Alright, pass the order: make sure our distinguished guests are well received; there can be no mistakes."
"This old servant obeys!"
......
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