Xiao Yuan's arrival made the days in Prince Jing's Mansion more lively. Coupled with Kong Xuzhe who reported on time every day, Yin Qianhua felt that the peaceful days were gone forever.
Xiao Yao didn't know whether others welcomed Kong Xuzhe, but she treated Kong Xuzhe as a thief.
He was not allowed to be alone with Xiao Yuan, nor was he allowed to get close to Xiao Yuan. Kong Xuzhe's fear and complaints about Xiao Yao had reached an unprecedented level. He had complained to Yun Yi once, but was dismissed lightly: "Since you have so many complaints, don't come tomorrow."
How could that be possible? Kong Xuzhe knew that ten or even a hundred of himself could not compare to Xiao Yao's position in Yun Yichen's heart, so he had to shut up.
"You're much better off than I was. I can count on one hand the number of times I spoke to Yaoyao alone before I got married. Did the old man get someone to beat you up? Did Mr. Xiao's family ever treat you with hostility? Did the brothers of the Xiao family ever exclude you? What else are you not satisfied with?"
To be honest, he was the one who had a lot of grievances to vent. So far, Yun Yichen had never seen anyone around him who had more trouble finding a wife than him.
"So you regret it now?" Otherwise why would you still be complaining.
Yun Yichen shook his head firmly. He was only grateful, without a trace of regret. Even if it happened again, ten times, or a hundred times, he would persist. When he thought of his wife, all of Yun Yichen's grievances instantly disappeared. She was worth everything he had to give her. A little setback and hardship was nothing.
Seeing Yun Yichen's face become more gentle, Kong Xuzhe knew that he was thinking about his wife again. He punched him and said sourly: "You are hopeless. You are really embarrassing for men."
Yun Yichen really wanted to say to him, if you have a promising future, then why are you still chasing after my cousin?
Xiao Yao was not only on guard against Kong Xuzhe, but she would also remind Xiao Yuan whenever she had the chance that if he dared to meet Kong Xuzhe in private, she would go home and complain to her grandfather.
Xiao Yuan never mind her sister nagging in her ear. She hugged Xiao Yao and said with a smile: "If you are still worried, I can move to Duiyue Pavilion."
"As long as your cousin agrees, I have no objection." It's not that Xiao Yao looks down on her sister. She has been fighting with Yun Yichen for almost two months, and she still lost miserably.
In the palace, Xiao Yuan was most afraid of his cousin. Before he and his sister got married, he was just a little cold to others, but now he was both cold and disgusted with himself, and he thought he couldn't see it!
Even if he is disliked, he will not leave. If he does not let his sister accompany him at night, he will not be able to see anyone during the day. Who is afraid of who? Yin Qianhua watched her son and niece fighting openly and secretly without stopping them. She could understand her son's obsession with his wife during his wedding, but she felt more distressed and pitied Xiao Yao.
Let them fight! I'll just stand aside with my daughter and daughter-in-law and watch the fun.
At ten o'clock in the evening, King Jing announced that Queen Mother Han's seventieth birthday was approaching, and that everyone in the family except his wife would have to enter the palace.
This news was bad news for Xiao Yao, but she couldn't refuse to go. It would be unacceptable for her, the granddaughter-in-law, not to show up for her husband's grandmother's birthday.
Yun Yichen squeezed Xiao Yao's hand under the table. He had known this news for a long time. He had wanted to wait until the day before Queen Mother Han's birthday to tell Xiao Yao this "unfortunate" news, but he didn't expect his father to speak first. Now his little wife was going to be depressed again.
Xiao Yao silently muttered, "It's no big deal," and continued eating. Empress Dowager Han's methods were just like that. Either she would be more tolerant, or she would force Yun Yichen to have a woman. This matter depended on Yun Yichen's attitude. She would never humble herself to please her husband or allow another woman into the house. The worst-case scenario was separation.
Even if I leave the palace, I must walk out with my head held high and my chest held high, and never let anyone look down on me.
Empress Dowager Han's birthday was on May 18th. Fengxiang Palace was decorated with new clothes, and she was wearing a dark red brocade palace dress embroidered with flowing clouds and a hundred blessings patterns, which looked luxurious and festive.
Xiao Yao and Yun Ruonan, as the granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law, had left home early. When they arrived, the Han family and some concubines of the emperor had already taken their seats in Fengxiang Palace. To them, Xiao Yao and Yun Ruonan were not welcome people.
"Your granddaughter pays homage to the Imperial Grandmother, wishing you a long life, wealth, and good health."
"My granddaughter-in-law pays homage to the Imperial Grandmother. May you be blessed with blessings as vast as the flowing waters of the East Sea, and live as long as the evergreen pines of the Southern Mountains."
Xiao Yao didn't bother thinking of new ways to please Queen Mother Han! She knew she was in the right place. Even if she gave everything, the Queen Mother still wouldn't like her, a grandson's wife who had taken the Han girl's position as Crown Prince Consort. Anyway, Yun Yichen had said that he had his people in Fengxiang Palace, and if anything happened, he would definitely arrive in time.
Queen Mother Han glanced coldly at the two people kneeling below. One was the child born by the woman she hated the most, and the other was a vixen who had occupied the position of the Crown Prince's Consort. If possible, she really wanted to kick them out.
I also prepared a gift for my grandson and granddaughter-in-law. On this day and in this occasion, I believe they don't have the courage to disobey me. The good show is about to begin.
After ordering the palace maids to help the two people up, Queen Mother Han said, "Everyone says Ping'an is very clever and skillful. Didn't you bring any new and unique gifts for the Empress Dowager?"
If she dared to say yes, I would be able to find fault with her. If she said no, it would mean that she did not care about her as the Imperial Grandmother and did not truly regard herself as an elder.
Xiao Yao smiled and covered her lips, then replied, "My granddaughter-in-law's thoughts were just some petty thoughts that can't be shown on the stage. How dare I show them off on an occasion like today? My prince has told me not to embarrass myself on a day like today. He will personally present the gift to her later."
If you want a gift, go ask your grandson. I'm only in charge of birthday celebrations. The rest has nothing to do with me. Xiao Yao thought so in her heart, and the meaning behind her words was quite clear.
"I heard you're a good embroiderer."
"My granddaughter-in-law has learned from a double-sided embroidery master for a few days. If you don't mind my clumsiness, I am willing to embroider handkerchiefs, make underwear, and embroider headbands for you..." Xiao Yao counted them carefully one by one. The things she mentioned were all personal items. How could a cautious person like Queen Mother Han accept them casually!
Queen Mother Han thought Xiao Yao would refuse, and she could take the opportunity to make a fuss, or ask her to embroider a large piece, so that she would not have to bother her grandson every day, and her plan would be easier to implement.
I didn't expect her to agree so readily, and it was hard to say what I wanted to say next. At this time, a palace maid whispered something in Queen Mother Han's ear, and she smiled and nodded, her eyes scanning around, finally landing on Xiao Yao.
Not knowing what she was planning, Xiao Yao pretended not to feel Empress Dowager Han's gaze and spoke to Yun Ruonan in a low voice.
"Everyone here is closest to me. Although there will be singing and dancing in the main hall later, it's a pity that their performances are unoriginal and just so-so. A few days ago, someone sent a few dancers to Fengxiang Palace. They came from beyond the Great Wall, and I guarantee you've never seen the singing and dancing they performed."
Someone immediately flattered him: "It must be worth seeing if even the Queen Mother can praise it. Please, Queen Mother, let us feast our eyes."
Four women, scantily clad with their arms and calves exposed and bells tied around their waists, were barefoot, surrounding a person wearing a veil. Although she was also barefoot, her arms and calves were tightly covered.
Could this woman be a simple dancer? How could someone who made Queen Mother Han go to such great lengths and present her so grandly be so simple? Just watch quietly.
The dance these people performed was very exotic. Xiao Yao felt that it was a bit like Xinjiang dance. While she was still silently appreciating it in her heart, the music ended and several dancers stepped aside.
"What do you think? I was stunned when I first saw her. Her figure was graceful and her gait was light. She was no less beautiful than the women in the Central Plains."
A series of echoes came from below. Xiao Yao and Yun Ruonan lowered their heads and listened competently.
"Achen's wife, do you think they dance well?"
Here it comes, Queen Mother Han did all this just to attract her attention! And then she gave one of the dancers, probably the one wearing a veil, to Yun Yichen as his concubine. It's old-fashioned and nothing new. Xiao Yao stared at her with a pair of innocent, clear eyes and said sincerely, "It looks good."
It seems that this girl is just pretty. If she can bring the person back to Prince Jing's Mansion today, the plan will be halfway successful. As long as Li Ji can capture the heart of her grandson, there will be no place for this girl from the Xiao family in the future.
Queen Mother Han smiled lovingly at Xiao Yao, beckoned the veiled woman over, and introduced her to everyone, "This is Li Ji, the granddaughter of a clan leader. This girl admires the culture of the Central Plains and insisted on coming to our capital to find a husband. She said that as long as the man is outstanding, it doesn't matter if he has a wife or concubines. Li Ji is the most easygoing and generous person. I believe that no matter who she becomes a sister to, she will get along well."
Xiao Yao sneered in her heart, with a confused look on her face, like a spectator watching a show, ready to play dumb to the end.
Everyone else is willing to cooperate, but this granddaughter-in-law, who doesn't know whether she's really stupid or pretending to be stupid, actually looks ignorant. Does she think that if she doesn't speak up, it will be fine? If you don't speak up, don't I know how to ask?
"Liji, take off your veil and let everyone see it."
The girl raised her delicate hands and gently took off her veil.
Everyone looked over as she moved and couldn't help but gasp. Another stunning beauty, with phoenix eyes, peach cheeks, a delicate nose, and diamond lips. At first glance, she looked 50% similar to Xiao Yao.
A closer look reveals Xiao Yao's advantage lies in her fair skin and eyes like a clear spring. Li Ji's complexion is slightly darker, but her eyes are as charming as silk. One of them is like a fairy who has strayed into the mortal world, while the other is a natural beauty who can make men have a strong desire to possess her.
Yun Yichen was really lucky. Xiao Yao felt a pang of pain in her heart, but then she regained her composure. Even if Yun Yichen wanted this woman, she would never show any sadness, as this would make people look down on her.
"Granddaughter-in-law, what do you think of Li Ji?"
"nice."
The Crown Princess must be stupid! Who can't see what the Queen Mother means by this? She even praised her rival's beauty. A girl who was raised in pampering is indeed not suitable to be a royal daughter-in-law.
The ladies below sat upright, waiting to see Xiao Yao and the Xiao family make a fool of themselves.
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