Ruiniang tried on the clothes sent by Princess Yongning. Her upper body was a bright red coat with ten kinds of brocade sleeves with five-color makeup and flowers, and underneath she wore an eight-piece Hunan skirt with pine and flower colors and hundreds of butterflies. Butterflies pierced through the flowers and golden crocodiles were everywhere, and the whole body was red.
"Isn't it too gorgeous to wear this way?" Ruiniang tugged at her clothes.
Among the many colors, she likes to wear purple, such as light purple and roland. Such colors also suit her very well. As for the red color, I always feel that it doesn't match her body and doesn't match her temperament.
Grandma Yuan smiled and said: "How can you? On such a festive day, it is not a bad thing to dress up festively. There are so many dignitaries, sister, you are from a good background and you are beautiful, I am afraid you can't stop the red luan star from moving. .”
Since she no longer paid attention to Han Xian, Grandma Yuan also looked away. Taking advantage of Mrs. Han's birthday, it would be a good idea to have a good marriage.
Ruiniang thought so too.
Soon, she thought of Han Yan again: "When I came back from Longquan Temple a few days ago, my cousin looked miserable. I asked her but she didn't say anything."
Aunt Yuan said: "Don't worry about her. Her future has been decided, and she will definitely be high or not low in the future. If you decide, Princess Yongning will not treat you like a prisoner."
"Everything will be settled soon." Ruiniang thought thoughtfully.
It must be said that Princess Yongning is indeed a good hand in taking care of the family business. The entire birthday banquet was not messy, and the garden was specially decorated with various flowers to create the word "longevity". Along the way, the servants all bowed to say hello, not daring to disturb the dignity.
At the door of Mrs. Han, she happened to meet Princess Yongning. She knelt down and saluted: "Auntie."
Princess Yongning saw that it was her, her smile did not reach her eyes, and she just said lightly: "You are here. Here, old lady, we can rest assured that you are with us on weekdays. But today is the old lady's birthday, so we must not lose our etiquette. "
"Thank you, auntie, for the tip." Ruiniang smiled without any strange expression.
Princess Yongning knew that Ruiniang had the temperament of an orchid in an empty valley, so obviously wearing goose yellow, light green or light purple would better bring out her beauty. No matter how beautiful a woman is, she would be no match for an unworldly beauty. Therefore, she was given a coat and skirt like this, all in red, and its temperament was a bit vulgar.
I just didn't expect that she was so original in her jewelry. Instead of wearing a heavy crown, she painted a plum blossom on her forehead. Her hair was often decorated with white jade, tourmaline, etc., which looked both noble and charming. A few points.
When Mrs. Han saw Ruiniang walking in, she said in a flattering manner: "Look, I'm wearing the forehead wiping you gave me today. You and your cousin will help me out later."
"Yes." Ruiniang breathed a sigh of relief.
Mrs. Han wants to build up her granddaughter's reputation, so it's best for the Guo family to retreat. Now Han Xian and Ruiniang are getting along very well with each other. Brother Xian is reckless, a little weak, and sometimes dull. What he needs is a girl like Ruiniang who is gentle, sincere, and can tolerate her.
When Ruiniang took out the painting of "Shou Deer" she painted and presented it to her, Mrs. Han said meaningfully: "This painting needs to be reviewed by experts."
Whether a person is good to you or not does not depend on whether she gives you those small favors on weekdays, because she gives it to you without touching her interests. People who are truly good to you will support you and introduce their core interests to you.
During this period, it was obvious that she had passed the test of Mrs. Han. Even if she had no hope of becoming the crown prince's wife in Tai'an Palace, as long as there was someone to support her, Ruiniang would definitely make a name for herself in the circle of ladies in the capital. After all, her father's official position was not low. She was the only daughter in the Meng family, and the dowry was generous. She herself was of decent appearance. It didn't matter what wealthy family she married into, but choosing a family with an upright family was not a problem.
"Yes, Ruiniang, thank you grandma." Ruiniang immediately blessed herself.
Mrs. Han smiled and patted her hand, feeling very pleased. What she wanted was a wise Crown Prince's wife who could share her heart.
Princess Yongning, who returned from Mrs. Han, went to her daughter Han Yan again.
Han Yan saw herself in the bronze mirror, carved with pink and jade, radiant. But she doesn't like this at all. She prefers to have shallow mountain eyebrows, but she doesn't like the curved eyebrows with willow leaves, and she doesn't like all kinds of jewelry, which makes her neck feel painful.
It can be seen that Princess Yongning was very happy to see her daughter like this. She dismissed her servants and revealed in person: "The second prince is coming today. You also know the current situation. We have inquired about the eldest prince and his adoptive mother. Queen Xiao Pang had a falling out, which indirectly angered the Queen Mother. Although the Emperor and the Queen Mother have not dealt with each other in recent years, the Queen Mother's power in the court cannot be underestimated. You happen to be the chosen one, and your grandfather was a hero during the late emperor's time. You She is also the direct granddaughter of the Pang family. The Pang family will not object to choosing you as the second prince's concubine. Even if she objects, your grandmother will speak up. As for the emperor, for the sake of our family, he will not object. Furthermore, there are Guo family, in the palace, Concubine Guo is the adoptive mother of the second prince. I have asked your aunt, Princess Jiarou, to come to the palace to say that you are not only the concubine of the second prince, but you are also very likely to become the future crown princess or even the queen. .”
Princess Yongning became more and more excited as she talked, but she didn't expect Han Yan to catch the key point: "Is it because of this that you must marry cousin Guo if you want your brother to marry her?"
"That's not entirely the reason, but marrying her is the best choice." Princess Yongning said.
Han Yan sighed slightly: "The second prince may not necessarily sit in that position now, so why do you need to make such arrangements."
Princess Yongning was also frustrated by her daughter: "If you ask me, your temperament is very similar to that of your aunt. When she was drafted, she was favored by the emperor and the king of Jin at the same time. The princess is still the emperor's concubine, and she is extremely wealthy. You said that she was out of her mind and fell in love with Meng Jue. Yes, the Meng family was also considered a very popular minister at that time. Is it possible to compare with the royal family? If she hadn't been fooling around, we Why is the family so hard? You can't be like her."
This is the first time Han Yan has heard about her aunt. She has had a lot of contact with Ruiniang. She often hears her talking about her father and mother. They only have one person with each other. Her father is unruly and only listens to her mother's lectures and chats. The story in the book is even more exciting.
Seeing her daughter in a daze, Princess Yongning pushed her: "Remember?"
Han Yan nodded: "I understand, don't worry."
Princess Yongning thought to herself that she had been capable and smart in every way since she was a child, but the sons and daughters she gave birth to were far from the best. They were both mediocre and lifeless.
But no matter what, as an adult, everything she did today was for their own good.
**
In the flower hall, Mrs. Han asked Han Yan and Ruiniang to sit beside her. The house was already crowded with guests, including people from Wei Guogong's Mansion and Zhou Prince's Mansion. There were also orders from Jian'an Marquis' Mansion and Cao Guogong's Mansion outside. arrive.
Mrs. Han stood up to greet her in person, and Ruiniang followed her. She saw that Mrs. Cao Guogong was in her fifties, but Mrs. Jian'an Hou looked very young.
Ruiniang stood quietly beside her, not stealing Han Yan's limelight, and Mrs. Han did not hesitate to support her.
"This is my granddaughter. She always likes to practice painting. She happened to meet you, an expert. By chance, you can give me some advice." Mrs. Han obviously knew Mrs. Cao Guogong very well.
Ruiniang stepped forward and said humbly: "I would like to ask Mrs. Cao Guogong for advice."
Duke Cao Guo was born fair and fat, with a round face that looked very happy and wealthy. Seeing Ruiniang greeting her, she looked up and down and couldn't help but admire: "This girl is really good-looking, she is a big girl." What a beauty.”
Mrs. Jian'an Hou was very young, and she quickly praised her: "This whole-body style is extraordinary."
Today's birthday is Mrs. Han. Her temperament is not as strong as that of her sister, Queen Mother Pang, but has a gentle temperament. Therefore, she has a warm relationship with everyone, whether they are elders, peers or juniors.
The servant unfolded Ruiniang's painting. At first, Mrs. Cao Guogong thought it was just a lady's idle painting, just to praise Mrs. Han for her face. Who knew she was very surprised when she really saw this painting: " You are only thirteen years old, and you can draw with a steady and precise brush. You can draw the fur of Shoulu deer meticulously. Nowadays, people use line drawing to draw, but you dye it purely with boneless dyeing, which makes it look light and natural. Little Girl, you are not old, but you are quite accomplished in painting."
Ruiniang continued: "It's just a small skill that can catch the attention of Mrs. Cao Guogong."
Mrs. Han could hear that Mrs. Cao Guogong sincerely praised Ruiniang, and felt that she was very decent. She was not complacent when she received praise from others. Everyone had never seen Ruiniang before, and they also tried to figure out Mrs. Han's thoughts.
At this time, Princess Yongning came in with two people. Ruiniang looked over instantly and saw that the middle-aged woman was somewhat similar to Princess Yongning. Ruiniang guessed that she should be Princess Yongning's biological sister Roujia. The princess, and a young girl of fourteen or fifteen years old.
Sure enough, Han Yan introduced to Ruiniang: "This is my aunt Princess Roujia and cousin Guo Miaoyi."
This Miss Guo was wearing a luxurious crown, as beautiful as a brilliant rose. Ruiniang was looking at her slightly, but she didn't expect that she was also looking at herself, with disdain in her eyes. Ruiniang was not impressed by her at all. The disdain he was concealing was startled, and he thought to himself that he didn't seem to have offended this Miss Guo in any way.
But she calmed down in the blink of an eye. It wasn't that she had any grudge against Guo Miaoyi. As long as she was here, Guo Miaoyi would regard her as her opponent.
Just like the politicians in the court, it doesn't necessarily mean who has a personal grudge against anyone. As long as you are there, threaten her or block her way, you will be moved away or kicked away as a stepping stone.
But Ruiniang also wanted to express to Miss Guo that she didn't have that intention at the moment, but now in public, it was difficult to say anything.
Princess Yongning smiled and cheered up the atmosphere: "What were everyone talking about just now? I saw that you, old lady, were talking very lively." Today she had to flatter the old lady even more, because the Pang family in the palace needed the help of the old lady.
Mrs. Marquis of Jian'an was quick to say: "It's the "Shou Deer" painted by Miss Meng Biao of your mansion. Mrs. Cao Guogong just praised it greatly and said that she has great attainments at a young age."
"Oh, really?" Princess Yongning didn't expect that her mother-in-law, who had been holding back before, now had this idea to build momentum for her granddaughter. She really shouldn't have said this.
Mrs. Han spoke at this time: "What the little girl does occasionally, I only care about her intentions."
Princess Yongning smiled and said: "Old lady, it is said outside that Princess Qingyi and Madam Jinxiang are coming. My daughter-in-law will help you out to greet them."
Ruiniang knew that the birthday guests were arranged on different days. Today she would specially invite the emperor's relatives, honours, princesses, princesses, concubines and consorts, and so on. Tomorrow she would invite governors and governors from all over the country for a banquet, and the day after that she would invite relatives and friends. Therefore, all distinguished guests who come to your door today must be treated with dignity.
Suddenly, Princess Qingyi came in and mentioned the girls at home, so she invited Ruiniang and Han Yan to come out.
Princess Qingyi is the emperor's sister. She is extremely noble and has lived in the south of the Yangtze River for a long time. In theory, Mrs. Han is her aunt. Therefore, when she saw Ruiniang, she couldn't help but said: "This child is exactly the same as his mother. He is full of talents. The children in the old lady's family are just like water onions."
"The eldest princess is joking." Mrs. Han glanced at Ruiniang and nodded with a smile.
Princess Qingyi pulled Han Yan to praise her again, and gave them both a few gifts. She also said, "Don't laugh at me, just keep it for others."
Ruiniang and Han Yan both said they didn't dare.
Guo Miaoyi was usually the top performer at banquets, but today she had to sit here and listen to people praising either Han Yan or Ruiniang. She felt a little unhappy, so she had to excuse herself to change clothes and go out.
Unfortunately, she met Pang Yun when she went out. Pang Yun is the nephew of the Queen Mother. He has a very good appearance, but he is also a lustful ghost. It is said that when the emperor was still the prince, he originally chose the Yang family's daughter as the crown princess. It is said that this Yang family not only came from a famous family, but was also talented and beautiful. Double absolute. He was so audacious that he tarnished the Yang family.
But this man was favored because he was the nephew of the Queen Mother, and even though he made such a big mistake, he was not punished.
Suddenly, she had a great idea that killed two birds with one stone.
Pang Yun is now Duke Cheng'en who has inherited his father. He is a father-in-law at a young age, and he is Mrs. Han's nephew. He walks into a familiar family.
I just heard a young girl not far away boasting: "Now I know what the most beautiful woman in the world is. Miss Meng Yaorui, her skin is like warm fat white jade, and her appearance, it looks like she is the most beautiful woman in the world." She is pure and charming, and her literary talent is also first-class. It's a pity that my brother has made an appointment to get married early. Otherwise, it would be great for such a beautiful woman to be my sister-in-law."
When Pang Yun heard this, he couldn't help but hesitate in his steps and his heart moved.
