Chapter 154: The Hongmen Banquet
Concubine Li disapproved, "What man doesn't cheat? As the legal wife, you should be more magnanimous."
Xiao Wanzhen's heart was filled with anger. "I've arranged so many concubines for him, and I'm not generous enough? I tolerated his infidelity, but he dared to get that little bitch pregnant and even tried to hide it from everyone. How can I tolerate this?"
Upon hearing this, Concubine Li showed some anger on her face.
"The legitimate son hasn't even been born yet, and already a bastard is born! How shameful!"
With her mother's approval, Xiao Wanzhen felt a little relieved.
"I had someone pour a bowl of abortion pills down their throats, except for that evil creature."
She thought she had done nothing wrong and no one could find fault with her, but this made her husband Lu Ziyang even more alienated from her.
Concubine Li looked at her belly and said hesitantly, "Zhen'er, how is your health?"
After so many years, Zhen'er only gave birth to a daughter. It is normal for the prince consort to be dissatisfied and want a son.
Xiao Wanzhen's face froze for a moment, and then a hint of sadness covered her face.
"I've been taking medicine, but there's no improvement. The palace physician said that I injured my foundation when I gave birth to Lan'er, and it would be difficult to get pregnant again."
Concubine Li felt a pain in her heart.
As a woman, if you can't even give birth to a son, how can you gain a foothold in your husband's family?
Even if you are a princess, it is still the same.
The Lu family can still tolerate it now, but as time goes on, they will definitely not let it go.
At that time, those concubines would not be able to be beaten or killed by her.
Concubine Li said, "Mrs. Zhao is quite skilled in medicine. Why not let her take a look at you? Mother's illness has been with her for over ten years, and none of the doctors at the Imperial Hospital could cure it, but she did. You should give it a try. Whether it works or not, you won't lose anything."
Xiao Wanzhen was a little hesitant at first, but Concubine Li strongly recommended it, so she reluctantly nodded.
In mid-March, the weather became warmer day by day, flowers began to bloom, and families began to hold flower-viewing banquets.
Lu Zhiran received an invitation from the Lu family.
Cabinet Grand Secretary Lu Wenyuan has three legitimate sons. The eldest son Lu Cheng'an and the second son Lu Mingde are both officials in the court. Only the youngest son Lu Ziyang married a princess. He has no official position and spends his days playing with cats and dogs and doing nothing.
Xiao Wanzhen was a princess and could live in the princess's mansion with her husband after marriage, but Concubine Li asked her to stay in the Lu family, serve her parents-in-law well, win over the Lu family, and provide better support for Xiao Yanqing, so she stayed there.
Although this invitation was sent in the name of the Lu family, the person who organized the flower viewing banquet was Xiao Wanzhen.
Just as Xiao Yanci took away Xiao Yanqing's credit for presenting potatoes, Xiao Wanzhen held this flower viewing banquet. Was it a coincidence, or did she have ulterior motives?
Lu Zhiran became a little alert and immediately sent someone to inquire about the situation of the Lu family.
In recent days, Zhao Shuning has been frequently going in and out of the Lu family. At first, it was only the doorman who saw him off, but later, the maidservant beside Xiao Wanzhen was the one who greeted and saw him off.
From this, it can be seen that it was Xiao Wanzhen who invited her to her house, and in just a few days, she gained Xiao Wanzhen's approval.
Lu Zhiran thought of what happened to Xiao Wanzhen in her previous life, and became even more wary of this flower viewing banquet.
This princess is no pushover.
This flower-viewing banquet was most likely a Hongmen Banquet.
What exactly do they want to do?
In a blink of an eye, it was March 15th, the day for the flower viewing banquet.
The vermilion lacquer gate of the Lu Mansion is inlaid with gilded animal heads, which sparkle in the sun.
In the courtyard in front of the main hall, crabapple blossoms were in full bloom. Each of these precious purple and yellow crabapple trees was worth a fortune.
The most eye-catching feature is the glazed greenhouse. The entire building is clad in glazed tiles, reflecting a rainbow of colors as sunlight filters through. Inside, exotic flowers and plants are planted, creating a rich fragrance that feels like being transported to a fairyland.
Such a scene would even make the jade buildings in the sky pale in comparison.
This flower viewing banquet is truly worthy of its name and is an eye-opener.
Xiao Wanzhen was flattered by a group of young ladies and noble ladies, while Mrs. Qian, the first wife of Lu, and Mrs. Lu, the second wife of Lu, were left out and looked a little embarrassed.
Xiao Wanzhen relied on her status and was always strong. Even the household expenses of the mansion were in her hands. She never took them seriously and naturally did not care about their situation.
Lu Zhiran also saw two old acquaintances, Zhao Shuning and Chu Yunqing.
Chu Yunqing dressed like a butterfly and socialized warmly with everyone.
Zhao Shuning was kept by Xiao Wanzhen's side, and she seemed to value him very much.
Lu Zhiran's eyes met hers from afar, and a faint light flashed quickly in Zhao Shuning's eyes.
Lu Zhiran had a subtle premonition in her heart that something would definitely happen today, and it would be closely related to Zhao Shuning.
Xiao Baozhu was a little bored. "What's so good about those flowers and plants? If I have this spare money to spend on these useless things, I might as well buy more delicious food."
Lu Zhiran couldn't help but laugh when she heard this. Only Xiao Baozhu could say such a thing.
People's hearts are complicated and material desires are rampant. How many people can be as simple and pure as her?
At this time, a voice came, "This humble servant greets the Ninth Princess and the Princess of Pingle County."
The two looked up and saw a familiar face.
"Are you Xing Chuying or Xing Chuxue?"
Lu Zhiran smiled and said, "This should be Miss Xing Er."
The girl nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, "Yes, I am Xing Chuxue."
"They look exactly the same, how did you recognize them?"
Xing Chuxue also looked at Lu Zhiran curiously, wanting to hear her answer.
"Ms. Xing is calm and steady, while Miss Xing is lively and lively. They smile before they speak, so they are easy to tell apart."
Xing Chuxue touched her face and said, "I'm not smiling."
Lu Zhiran pointed at her eyes and said, "There's a smile in your eyes."
Lu Zhiran could feel that she was close to and kind to her, which was one of the reasons why she was able to confirm her identity.
The smile in Xing Chuxue's eyes could no longer be hidden, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on her face.
She quickly became serious and said, "Princess, County Lady, I have something serious to discuss with you."
Lu Zhiran suddenly had an idea, "Is it about your cousin?"
Xing Chuxue was surprised at first, then nodded quickly.
"Do you remember this?"
"Of course I remember."
She was a woman who shared the same suffering as himself in his previous life.
Xiao Baozhu was a little confused at first, but she quickly remembered the conversation between the two that she had accidentally overheard at the Xing family.
When they reached a secluded spot, Xing Chuxue's eyes were filled with deep sadness. "My cousin really can't bear it anymore. That family is not human. The last time I saw her, there wasn't a single piece of good flesh on her body. Although I feel sorry for her, I can't be responsible for the rest of her life. But recently, the incident at Jinxiufang has deeply shocked me, and hope has been rekindled in my cousin's heart."
"After her divorce, she wants to work at Jinxiufang. Is that okay? My cousin is very capable. Her embroidery skills are excellent, just as good as those of the palace embroiderers. As long as you give her a chance, she will definitely do very well at Jinxiufang!"
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