"Has the lights been turned off in Xiangxueyuan?"
Princess Yongning put down the gift list from the Meng family and asked calmly.
Cai Yin and Cai Huan, standing behind them, are both children of Prince Zhou's family. Although they are only sixteen or seventeen years old, they have been with the princess for almost ten years before they were promoted to the first level. Now they are seeking to be reused. At this time, naturally I have to share my master's worries.
Caiyin said: "Yes, Miss Meng rested after washing up. Of the four girls who followed her, two were keeping watch and two rested in the side room. They didn't send anyone to inquire about anything, so we sent them The two little maids also received reward money, and they also said that the maids from the Meng family are easy to get along with."
"As soon as her appearance and figure are revealed, without saying anything, the man has already taken the bait." This is what makes Princess Yongning angry. Meng Yaorui is not like the disobedient servants in the mansion. If she seduces the male master, she will be beaten. Either die or sell out.
Caihuan hurriedly stepped forward to express her gratitude to Princess Yongning: "In any case, the prince is a sensible person, so he can't tell who is the most suitable person for him. Miss Guo Biao has a high family, a wealthy background, beautiful appearance, and intelligence. Extraordinary, Miss Guo and our prince are a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
Princess Yongning sneered coldly: "I just hope he really understands." After saying that, she was glad that she had blocked her husband for once. After all, Ruiniang's appearance and temperament were very similar to her mother's. If her husband saw it, he would definitely Heartfelt love.
Han Xian did understand very well. When he saw Ruiniang at the first sight, he felt happy. He also saw that she was well-mannered, had a pleasant voice, and spoke elegantly. Meeting this cousin in his heart made him even more happy.
So the next day, he went to see Mrs. Han very early to say hello. Ruiniang was a little surprised when she saw him standing outside and said hello quickly.
"Cousin, did you come over so early to say hello?" Han Xian was at a loss for words.
Ruiniang smiled and said: "Yes, I went to bed early yesterday, and I would like to thank my aunt for the arrangement. I will say hello to the old lady later, and then go to my aunt to say hello."
The two of them walked in while talking. It happened that Zhao's mother was setting up the meal. When she saw the two of them coming in, she looked happy and said, "The prince and his cousin happened to be here. I just mentioned that my eldest daughter-in-law liked chicken porridge when she was at her parents' house. The kitchen cook It just happened to be made, you have to try it."
"That's great." Ruiniang had long heard her mother say that the chicken porridge in the uncle's house was delicious, and she was very interested.
Han Xian was sitting opposite her, and was thinking of something to talk about when he saw Mrs. Han coming out, and Ruiniang quickly got up. Mrs. Han pressed her hands down and motioned for them to sit down, but she was very happy from the bottom of her heart. Han Xian just met Ruiniang yesterday, and today she rushed over to say hello. Who doesn't know about Xiao Jiujiu?
Yesterday's meeting was like going to a party, and there were many people. Mrs. Han held Ruiniang's hand today and asked her what she likes to do on weekdays. Ruiniang was still very cautious: "It's just sewing."
"Has my cousin ever read a book?" Han Xian asked.
Ruiniang smiled and said: "I can't compare to my cousin. I have been taught by a teacher at home for a few years, so I can only recognize a few words."
He also hired a teacher, so he didn't just recognize a few words. Han Xian was now the second prince's companion, and he accompanied the princes to study on weekdays. In fact, his literary talent and martial arts were average, and they were not as good as the other prince's. He is the son of Marquis Jian'an. But even so, he was not an ordinary person, and he soon knew that Ruiniang was probably very knowledgeable.
So he asked with a smile: "What are you reading now?"
Ruiniang was not modest at all, she just said: "I just finished reading "Hundred Classical Writings", and now I am reading "Selected Works of Zhaoming"." She reads all kinds of books, but she doesn't like to read "Women's Training" and "Women's Rules" , In fact, she was saying this to see Han Xian's reaction. If he was the kind of person who was very opposed to women studying and just liked her skin, Ruiniang would not be the first to like such a person.
This is what her mother told her. It is said that she had a handkerchief friend who married her because he thought she was pretty. However, after discovering that she loved reading and writing, he often spoke harshly and even threw ink and paintings, and was not allowed to come in front of her. Write.
Therefore, Ruiniang also wanted to test it out.
Unexpectedly, Han Xian exclaimed: "So, Sister Meng, you are still a talented woman."
Ruiniang waved her hands quickly: "It's just a few words that I picked up randomly. To say that I'm proficient, I'm far from my cousin."
Han Xian actually had limited knowledge. When he wanted to show off, he had to say: "If the family has enough food to feed the chickens and dogs, and the household has many books, the descendants will be wise. That's the truth. Reading more will always be beneficial."
Although what he said was right, Ruiniang thought to herself, wasn't this from "Water Margin"? She secretly guessed the character of her cousin.
Mrs. Han couldn't let the two of them talk anymore, so she pulled Han Xian and asked about something else. Han Xian's servant happened to come over and said that the people from the second prince's side invited him to come over. Han Xian didn't dare to delay, so he went out.
Ruiniang was left to eat with Mrs. Han. After the meal, she went to Princess Yongning to say hello before returning to her room.
Just a few days passed like this. When Ruiniang was practicing calligraphy in Xiangxueyuan, she was still very calm and never asked around. But Han Yan came over. Han Yan has been under the supervision of the nuns all year round, and it is difficult for ordinary people to see her. Therefore, when she saw her coming, Ruiniang was busy asking people to serve tea.
"Sister Meng, are you writing? That's just right." Han Yan breathed a sigh of relief.
Ruiniang was puzzled: "Sister, is there something wrong?"
Han Yan sent the servants away, looked around, and whispered: "You know, Brother Xian is the second prince's reading companion. The second prince's handwriting is not very good. Our brother Xian's handwriting is He also wrote carelessly. No, he was punished for copying a hundred times. He didn't dare to tell his mother for fear that she would scold him. But he stayed up late to write. If his mother knew that he stayed up late, she would definitely send someone to ask, so we might as well help him. Share the burden. I think you just want to have an attitude and don't really check each one."
Anyway, it was a long night and there was nothing to do. Ruiniang remembered that when she was a child, she could write well. Her brother just wanted to go out and play. He was punished by copying, so she also helped copy. Her mother brought a midnight snack, and the brother and sister ate while writing. , the days when we were still laughing together.
"Okay." She agreed quickly.
Han Yan went back after giving her the booklet "Report to Ren An". Even she couldn't come out for a long time, otherwise Princess Yongning would scold her.
After Ruiniang asked someone to sharpen the ink, she began to write with her wrist. She thought quickly in her mind, wondering if the children in charge of Yongning County were too strict. Both Han Xian and Han Yan have weaker temperaments. Ruiniang doesn't like others to control her too much. Although she is a daughter at home, she is actually raised like her brother.
Shaking her head, she continued writing.
Princess Yongning just thought her son was working hard today, and couldn't help but said to Caiyin: "It's better for him to study like this, so as not to be seduced by others." Hearing that Han Xian went to Mrs. Han's house a few days ago, she was stuck in the morning The son made his son swear not to delay his studies and ask An Yunyun again.
Now it seems to be quite effective. Her husband has been busy away from home, and her son has to go to the palace to study. In this way, Meng Ruiniang is really the mysterious goddess of the Nine Heavens who has descended to earth. Unfortunately, she is also ogling a blind man.
"Go and give him a bowl of the prince's favorite beef marrow soup so that he can write well." Princess Yongning ordered.
One day later, Han Xian went to see Han Yan. Although Princess Yongning strictly guarded against Han Xian's interactions with other women, she was very relaxed about the siblings.
It was dark under this lamp, and she asked Han Yan to take out what she and Ruiniang had copied and handed it to him: "Brother, I didn't write much. There were several maids around me, but Ruiniang, I heard that she wrote day and night. The handwriting is also very good, here I give it to you."
Han Xian was even more happy when he heard his sister's comment: "Do you also think Cousin Meng is very good?"
Han Yan nodded: "Her temperament is indifferent to fame and wealth, she is sincere and reliable, and she never asks for credit. You see, she has written so much, and she is not afraid that I will be greedy and say that I wrote it myself. She is also afraid of being discovered, so she secretly brings it to me. .”
Han Xian looked at the words written by Ruiniang in his hand. He didn't know how to describe it. He just felt that it was light and elegant, much better than what he had written.
Then, I heard Han Yan say: "But my mother is more interested in cousin Guo, you——"
"I don't like women who are too competitive, nor do I like aggressive women. I prefer women who are elegant, gentle, and unpretentious." Han Xian expressed his thoughts clearly.
Although, in Han Yan's opinion, this brother is actually not very good at words, she feels the same way about what he said.
But she knew that it would be difficult to succeed. Her mother's excessive and narrow love had made her brother unable to do what she wanted. What she wanted was a good son, a good chess piece, who would win glory and strength for her. Therefore, she has already planned every step of her brother's actions and will never allow others to have the slightest surprise.
But she didn't want to break her brother's dream now, so she just wanted to let him be happy for a while, which was fine.
The next day, Han Xian entered the palace and saw two people walking towards him. He immediately knelt on the ground and saluted: "Greetings to the second and fourth princes."
The second prince smiled gently and said, "Get up." Seeing Han Xian holding a stack of paper in his hand, he was surprised and said, "I didn't expect you to finish it so quickly."
Han Xian nodded in answer, and followed the two princes into the study. As soon as he sat down to talk to the second prince, the second prince picked up a piece of paper written by Han Xian and was very surprised.
Soon I saw a young man coming in at the door. The young man's eyes were very clear, and he came over to the second prince.
"The font is exquisite, the brush strokes are steady, and the strokes are used both in the middle and the side. It looks ethereal and simple, with an air of immortality and no sense of tackiness." The second emperor praised the paper as he flicked it.
You must know that the second prince's handwriting is not very good, so he put great effort into his calligraphy and his comments are clear and logical.
After saying that, the second prince saw the young man coming in and called out: "Sixth brother."
The sixth prince looked forward and saw the words on the paper. He couldn't help but said: "Second brother, this is also Zhao Mengfu's calligraphy. You also imitated Zhao Mengfu's calligraphy. No wonder you like this word."
Listening to the compliments of the two princes, Han Xian felt dizzy and felt honored. His love for Ruiniang grew even more. However, when they asked who wrote it, Han Xian was vague at the right time. After all, a woman's reputation is hard to reveal.
So, Ruiniang received a gift, which was sent by someone from Han Xian. The maid who came to deliver it was also a human spirit, and she said loudly: "I just went to the eldest lady to deliver it to you. The prince told me some new things." , give it to the sisters in the house to play with."
Ruiniang took it with a smile and asked others to look at it.
Grandma Yuan was very happy: "Girl, it seems that the prince still cares about you. This kite is so beautiful. The soft-winged kite is light and bright in color. I will hang it up for you."
"But mama, I always feel that I don't like this." Ruiniang also has a sense of arrogance in her heart. Now that Princess Yongning is so dissatisfied with her, Han Xian has to cover up and be secretive in normal interactions with her. In the future, it will really Now that she's married, will she stay like this for the rest of her life?
Aunt Yuan smiled and said: "Sister, don't be too harsh. When my wife married the second master, even the old man of the Meng family was dissatisfied at first. But later, my wife really came in, and she had been flirting with our second master all these years." Where’s the oil?”
Ruiniang thought of her parents, who had spent their whole lives guarding one person until they grew old, and she couldn't help but feel envious again.
