Chapter 374: Visiting the Palace for New Year's Greetings
The queen's beauty is unparalleled.
Even her younger sister, Ah Han from the Jiang family, renowned in the capital for her beauty, could hardly compare to her elder sister. Despite her stunning beauty, she didn't seem the least bit delicate.
Compared to the Jiang family's second daughter, who was a beautiful and noble lady in the world, the Jiang family's eldest daughter was clearly more like a divine weapon standing in the world. When she raised her head and raised her eyebrows, she had the fearless spirit of breaking the sky with a sword!
With such a noble lord sitting in the imperial palace, no matter how pretty your own daughter is, she can never catch the emperor's eye!
Alas, being born at the wrong time is the most regrettable thing.
This was the common sigh in the hearts of almost all the ladies who had ideas about the imperial concubine.
It's a pity for the beautiful daughter that the family raised with luxury, because the queen was an obstacle in the way, she ruined her family's honor!
Especially the marriage law promulgated by the court some time ago, which made many ladies love and hate the queen.
From the perspective of the women, they were certainly grateful for the queen's kindness. However, from the perspective of the mother, many people felt uncomfortable when they thought that this woman not only blocked their daughter's bright future, but also delayed their son's chances of taking concubines and having children.
When most people can hold back, some conspicuous bags have to come out and declare their presence in a high-profile manner.
The old lady Hu from the Qinghe Mansion, who was helped into the palace by her granddaughter, was the first to speak up by relying on her status as the aunt of the late emperor Li Changhuai.
"My dear Fourth Brother's wife, I am old and my legs are not very flexible. When your parents-in-law were in charge, they didn't let me bow to them. Now you are putting on airs. Do you want me, an elder, to kneel down to you, a junior?"
Jiang Wan, who was sitting and chatting with his mother and a group of important officials and their wives, turned around when he heard the voice that was obviously trying to pick a fight, but the smile on his face did not change at all.
"So it's the old lady from the Qinghe Mansion who's here? You're really old and your legs are slow, so you came late and didn't catch up to hear what I just said.
I understand that it's not easy for you to come here, so I'll say it again. All ladies of the third rank and above, or those over fifty, do not need to perform any formalities before me. Young ladies below the third rank may simply squat and bow.
The queen smiled and pointed to the row of cushions.
"These are all prepared for the young girls. If anyone comes to kowtow to me, the Queen Mother, and wish me a happy new year, I will give them some lucky money. If you don't want lucky money, you don't have to come and kowtow. This will save me some money."
"No, sister, I want to earn this New Year's money!"
Jiang Han was the first one to rush out to support his sister. He moved forward very smoothly, grabbed a cushion, knelt down with a bang, and kowtowed to please her.
"Your humble servant pays homage to the Queen, and wishes Her Majesty Zhao Zhao a long and peaceful life!"
Seeing that Second Sister Jiang was so clever, Sun Qingqing thought that she, as her brother-in-law, must not fall to the ground either! She immediately rushed over, knelt down, and kowtowed loudly.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully wish you everlasting health!"
Princess Jianing secretly felt annoyed in her heart. When it comes to flattering her sister-in-law, she was really outdone by Jiang Er!
She quickly pulled her sisters over, and several princesses grabbed a seat each and kowtowed to the queen in unison to wish her a happy new year.
"Your Majesty, your sister and I respectfully wish you peace, happiness, and success in everything you wish for!"
"Be good, get up. Hongzhu Hongxiu, give each of these little girls a red envelope."
The queen smiled radiantly, and her eyes were filled with joy as she looked at these little girls.
"The New Year's money isn't much, it's just for good luck. I also wish you good health and all your wishes come true in the new year!"
"Thank you for the reward, Queen!"
The first group of smart guys who successfully flattered the boss happily returned to their seats with their New Year's money, and the rest of the girls rushed over one by one.
"Your humble servant greets the Queen!"
"Her Majesty, may you be blessed with good health and happiness!"
"Long live the Queen Mother, and may the country live forever!"
"Your Majesty's beauty will live forever, and tomorrow will be even better than today!"
"May the Queen be happy every day!"
Every little girl was spouting sweet words, as if they were wrapped in sugar and dipped in honey. And when each one looked at the Queen, their eyes sparkled with admiration.
Without having to think too much, you can tell that these girls really admire Queen Huanxi from the bottom of their hearts! After all, she is the queen mother who can support and make decisions for them. It makes no sense not to like her!
Of course, the Queen obviously liked them too.
"Be good, and be happy every day. Get up quickly and go to Hongzhu Hongxiu to receive your New Year's money. I also wish you all to be as beautiful as fairies and as bright as the moon in the future!"
Whether it is the one who kowtows or the one who is kowtowed to, the one who gives out New Year's money or the one who receives it, both groups of people are very happy.
However, the old lady Hu of the Qinghe Mansion, who was put on the fire by these bitchy girls, was obviously very unhappy.
"Humph, what kind of world is this these days? These unpresentable little girls dare to come out and say irresponsible things? That's only now. If it were in the past..."
"If it were before, I would have slapped you in the face!"
The old lady Wang from the Duke of Lingguo's mansion sat in a chair nearby and spoke with an eager look on her face.
Ever since the eldest girl became the queen, she has been taught over and over again by her cruel daughter-in-law at home. The old lady, knowing that her status is different now, began to learn to be kind and gentle like the old feudal lords in other families.
She was afraid that she would cause trouble for her eldest granddaughter, that troublesome girl, and thus bring trouble to her own son and grandson. To be honest, she hadn't encountered such an opportunity to show her skills in a long time!
Turning her head, she proudly raised her eyebrows at the eldest girl, feeling extremely proud.
See, I still have to rely on your milk at critical moments!
This family will be in trouble without me, tsk...
Jiang Wan looked at his grandmother with amusement as she was aroused to fight back, stiffening her neck and starting to argue on the spot.
"My dear sister, you are already an old woman, why don't you do something else during Chinese New Year? Why do you have to jump out and ask for a scolding?
You are a little girl who is not even presentable. Bah, but you, an old coffin-eater, are presentable. What’s the matter? Do you squat on the table to eat every day?
If you can speak human language, sit at the table with the people. If you can't, sit at the table with the dogs. What are you doing here barking? Aren't you a girl? The girl next to you, oh, is that your granddaughter? Little girl, do you know your grandma is scolding you?
Tsk tsk tsk, pitiful! You're so filial and help her, but she openly scolds you! In this respect, your grandma is obviously not as good as me. I, an old woman, never scold these two girls of mine.
Whether it's a boy or a girl, it's the biological child of my son. If I look down on my granddaughter, isn't that the same as looking down on my son? If I look down on my son, isn't that the same as looking down on myself?
Who are you, you old fool! "
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