The second day of August arrived quickly, and the residence of Qi King Xiao Yuanmu was bustling with activity.
Almost all the royal nobles, aristocratic families, officials and relatives in the capital arrived. Cars and horses were bustling outside Prince Qi's Mansion, blocking several nearby streets.
The invitation nominated Marquis Wen and his wife, the young prince, and three young ladies. Except for Zi Yuan who was "severely ill" and was unable to attend the banquet, the entire Wen family came to the house to pay their respects.
Because there were so many guests at the grand banquet, Marquis Wen specially sent the powerful captain of the imperial army to personally lead the imperial army to protect the palace, for fear that some troublemakers would fish in troubled waters and offend the nobles.
Coming to the Prince Qi's Mansion for the banquet was a person whom he had rarely met, the eldest princess of Hua Ze, Xiao Yuanzhen.
Xiao Yuanzhen was the youngest daughter of the late emperor. Her biological mother was of low status and died shortly after giving birth to her. As an infant, she was raised by Xiao Yuanmu's mother, Concubine Shen Shu, so she was closer to Xiao Yuanmu than her other brothers.
Her Royal Highness the Princess came in person, and all the ladies and ladies who were celebrating her birthday came to say hello to her. But Xiao Yuanzhen was very cold and cold. He only nodded to people and didn't use many pretentious words.
Wen Hongyao was stunned for a moment when he saw the princess's honor guard, and his face became uncertain. After entering the door, he had to stand with everyone at the door of the hall and salute inside.
She was usually very demanding, and she had been in and out of the palace. As the future princess, she should have approached her in person.
Lutang slapped his forehead and remembered the whole story. This little princess is the fiancée of Wen Hongyao's cousin Yan Shuqin and Wen Hongyao's love rival!
"Second Miss, Her Royal Highness the Princess's clothes are so simple, not luxurious at all."
Su Su always loved the excitement, and she had already followed other maids to crowd to the back window to take a peek, then ran back and whispered to Lu Tang.
Xiao Yuanzhen was wearing a Taoist robe with green gauze, with green silk tied high on his head, a jasper Taoist crown, and a white jade hairpin on the top of his head. With no makeup on her clear face, she looked extremely cold and indifferent.
There were many young ladies from aristocratic families in the back hall, all of whom were very exquisitely dressed with pink makeup and jade. They looked even brighter and flawless amidst the red flowers, willows and green warblers.
"Your Highness has such a noble temperament, you are truly worthy of being the eldest princess!" Su Su exclaimed excitedly.
Her voice was a little loud, and just as Lutang was about to signal for silence, she heard Wen Hongyao sneer: "What is noble? The late emperor had four eldest princesses, and her biological mother had the lowest status. She was just a mere talent. The late emperor's capital I don’t remember having such a daughter. If the current Holy One hadn’t cherished her flesh and blood, who would have praised her!”
Susu also knew about Wen Hongyao's affair with Yan Shuqin. Although she stopped talking, she looked at Lutang and pursed her lips inadvertently.
In Lutang's past life memories, she heard about the reason why this little princess was not favored.
On the day Xiao Yuanzhen was born, lightning struck the roof of the palace city, causing the Wenhua Palace to be burned down by sky fire. The princess's mother was frightened and died after giving birth.
At that time, the northern territory was uneasy and the war was not going well. Suddenly, the palace was burned down by fire from the sky, which was considered unlucky by the court. The emperor blamed his youngest daughter for her bad fate and became even more disgusted with her.
Xiao Yuanzhen was helpless, and was soon told by Taoist Supervisor Qin Tian that he was destined to be evil, so he had to change his Taoist attire and become a female Taoist priest, with a low Taoist order.
Everyone in the palace looked at the emperor's behavior. Seeing that the emperor didn't like it, they became even less interested in the motherless little princess. Fortunately, Xiao Yuanhui's mother Shen Shufei was kind-hearted and adopted her by her side.
Later, her adoptive mother, Concubine Shen Shu, died of illness, and her imperial brother Xiao Yuanmu was sent to Beiyan as a hostage. Her life in the palace became even more difficult.
It was not until recent years that the emperor gradually relied on King Qi Xiao Yuanmu, and Aiwu Jiwu began to pay attention to this little sister. Only at the age of twenty did he appoint Yan Shuqin as his consort.
"Being a female Taoist priest doesn't mean to cultivate immortality, but she also has to show her face. Now she recruits a consort to get married. It's really funny!"
Wen Hongyao gritted his teeth and cursed softly.
There are many ladies from aristocratic families like her who look down on the princess who has fallen out of favor. There are quite a few noble princes and ladies present who are extremely reserved towards the "Taoist Princess". They only salute at the door and don't even bother to enter the inner hall.
"Who is Miss Wen? Her Royal Highness the Princess has invited you!" Lutang was thinking wildly when she heard Shang Gong bowing to ask questions in the inner hall.
Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess summoned her, so naturally she had to go. Wen Hongyao suppressed her discomfort and followed Shang Gong into the inner hall.
"My daughter, Wen Hongyao, the eldest daughter of Marquis Wenjing of Beining, pays homage to Her Royal Highness the eldest princess."
"No need to be formal. Give Miss Wen a seat. Miss Wen is my future sister-in-law, so there is no need to be formal."
Unlike her cold appearance, the eldest princess Xiao Yuanzhen speaks very softly and warmly.
If according to the usual practice, Her Royal Highness the Princess said "there is no need to salute", it would at most mean that she was exempted from bowing. To show respect, you must kneel down to say hello. Ke Wen Hongyao was blinded by jealousy and sat beside him without kneeling.
People inside and outside the hall were unable to speak in front of the eldest princess, and they all looked at each other with doubts in their hearts.
Wen Hongyao's arrogant expression made the palace maid Shang Gong extremely dissatisfied, but because the eldest princess was in front of her, she bowed and did not dare to speak.
"Why didn't the eldest lady's two younger sisters follow?" Xiao Yuanzhen asked with a smile.
"Reporting to Your Highness, third sister Zijian is seriously ill and cannot go out."
Others are not yet fully aware of Zijian's scandal, but the people in the palace have long understood it.
Before Xiao Yuanzhen opened his mouth, Shang Gong beside him smiled and said: "Miss Wen San's serious illness happened to be contracted outside the palace gate. The slaves and the others were afraid of alarming the eldest princess, so they did not report it."
Xiao Yuanzhen smiled calmly and said: "I heard that Miss Wen San might have married Brother Jin as his concubine. Why didn't you mention it later? I plan to ask you today?"
When Wen Hongyao heard that she deliberately asked about Zi Dao, she was even more angry. She said coldly: "The third sister is an unlucky person, so I am worried about the eldest princess. I don't know about this matter. Please ask the eldest princess to ask His Highness the King of Jin." That’s good.”
She held her neck while talking to the eldest princess, and everyone was surprised. There have been many disagreements between sister-in-law and sister-in-law since ancient times, but the world has never seen a princess who had a strange relationship with the princess's sister-in-law before they were married.
"I don't know why, Miss Wen, she seems to be talking in an angry tone? It's Brother Jin's family affairs, and my sister-in-law is too talkative."
Xiao Yuanzhen actually had a very good temper, and he still spoke to Shang Gong beside him with a smile.
Although the eldest princess is polite, how can the minister in the palace be so easy to mess with? He bowed and said with a smile: "Your Highness is telling a joke. I have heard a long time ago that Wenhou Mansion is particularly doting on his daughter, and the eldest lady has a very flamboyant temperament. Today, when I saw her, she really lived up to her reputation. In the palace on weekdays, she often plays with His Highness. The young ladies from the aristocratic families who are causing trouble are really weak compared to Miss Wen."
Her words were both praise and criticism, and she had clearly stated that Wen Hongyao was arrogant and rude.
Xiao Yuanzhen didn't say anything, and asked with a smile: "Is Miss Wen Er here? Why don't you come in to say hello?"
Wen Hongyao was perfunctory with her here, and felt extremely annoyed. She was ridiculed by Shang Gong, but she dared not say anything. When she asked about Lutang, she had no choice but to say: "Second sister is an unlucky person, and I dare not trespass. "
She usually scolded Lutang as an "unlucky person", but she actually forgot that she needed to avoid taboos in front of the eldest princess.
As soon as the words came out, without waiting for Shang Gong's instructions, the little palace maid stepped forward and slapped Wen Hongyao, knocking Wen Hongyao off the chair and kneeling on the ground.
The little palace maid raised her hand to hit someone, her round face showed no trace of anger, she still smiled slightly, lowered her head and whispered in Wen Hongyao's ear: "Miss, be careful what you say. Some words are taboo in front of Her Royal Highness, the eldest princess."
"Miss Wen, please take a seat." Xiao Yuanzhen's expression remained unchanged, he even raised his hand towards her, turned around and ordered: "Invite Miss Wen over as well."
After this loud slap, the laughter and joy in the hall did not stop at all. Everyone pretended that nothing happened.
"My daughter, Wen Lutang, pays homage to Her Royal Highness, the eldest princess."
Lutang knelt on the ground and couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
In her previous life, few people called her Princess Hua Ze, and everyone called her "Princess Lingwei". The word "Lingwei" is her Taoist name. The royal princess became a female Taoist priest, but it was just because of the words of the Taoist priest: "My destiny is to have an evil star"!
When he was born, a fire from heaven burned down the Wenhua Palace. The imperial government did not think about putting out the fire and set the fire to its disadvantage. They only blamed it on the unloved newborn baby. This sentence brought evil, and the little princess of Tianhuang noble family became a female Taoist priest for twenty years.
"Are you the daughter of the unknown lone star that Chongxian Temple said?" Xiao Yuanzhen paid great attention to her and specifically ordered her to look up.
"That's it, my lord." Lutang and Xiao Yuanzhen looked at each other, looking a little dazed when they saw the eldest princess dressed in green clothes and looking so handsome.
In her previous life, Princess Lingwei returned to secular life and married Yan Shuqin when she was twenty years old. She died of a serious illness within a few years.
"You child, you are looking up at the eldest princess, how rude!"
It was also a criticism, but Shang Gong's words were quite kind and gentle, without the yin and yang of scolding Wen Hongyao just now.
"Yes. Your Highness, Princess Guanzhang, looks as graceful as a banished immortal, so she suddenly flew away. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Lutang bowed again.
"Pingshen. Miss Lutang is very close to me, so I will give her a handle of Ruyi."
When Xiao Yuanzhen was talking, a palace maid had already brought a gold-inlaid jade begonia to Ruyi, and she handed it to Lutang with her own hands.
One was an evil spirit, and the other was an ominous lone star. Xiao Yuanzhen handed over Ruyi with a half-smile, and Lutang accepted it with a smile.
"My lord, thank you for your generous reward."
The two young ladies of Marquis Wen were received by the eldest princess. Wen Hongyao, who was usually brilliant, was given a slap in the face, while Lutang, an ominous star, received a golden jade.
The news spread like wildfire, and the female family members who came to Prince Qi's residence to celebrate his birthday were all talking about it.
After a while, the news spread to the front yard. Xiao Yuanmu was greeting his brother Xiao Yuanhui in the auditorium, and Yan Shuqin and other young masters from aristocratic families were also here to accompany him.
"This girl Yuan Zhen is not young anymore. She has practiced Kun Dao for twenty years. Why are she still so reckless?" Xiao Yuanhui shook his head and sighed, and complained to his younger brother Xiao Yuanmu: "She has been raised by your mother and concubine since she was a child. Yes, I want to be more affectionate with you, and you should also take care of her."
Xiao Yuanmu grinned widely and said: "A bunch of little girls are happy and angry at one moment. What does Brother Wang take seriously? Or do you think your sister bullied your fiancée and want to stand up for Miss Wen?"
Xiao Yuanhui was about to get angry when he saw that he was avoiding the important and taking the easy. Xiao Yuanmu smiled again and said: "Your fiancée, Miss Wen, has nothing to say, but you want to say 'the ominous person' and 'the fate of the lonely star'. She is in the Hou Mansion." I’m used to beating and scolding my sisters, but I’m going to slap you and my sister in the face before we get married. Isn’t this a step on the iron plate? Brother Wang asked me to take care of it, but I can’t take care of it. If you want, you can take care of it.”
"Hongyao is a lady, how could she be that kind of woman!" Xiao Yuanhui knew that he was right, so he could only smile in front of everyone.
At the embarrassing moment, Yan Shuqin quickly stood up and clasped his fists, bowed and said: "His Royal Highness King Qi said that my cousin should be more strict with my younger siblings at home and speak too bluntly. I will go home and report to my uncle and aunt, and give my cousin strict discipline." .”
When Xiao Yuanmu saw him coming forward, he suddenly laughed loudly, pointed at Yan Shuqin and Prince Jin and said with a smile: "Master Yan prefers Yuan Zhen, and Prince Jin prefers Miss Wen. You two, each want your fiancée!"
When everyone present heard that it was true, they all laughed together, and those who were playing the gong said it was a "good story". Everyone laughed and dismissed the matter.
At this time, Chief Historian Yu Chifeng came in to report that the singing, dancing and banquet were ready, and the guests were invited to the garden to have a banquet and watch the singing and dancing.
Everyone stopped laughing and filed out to the garden.
Behind the singing and dancing stage is a three-story cloister high-rise building with glazed tiles shining brightly in the early autumn sunshine. There were people coming and going in the building, including troupe actors and singing and dancing troupe musicians, making it very noisy.
Just under the dazzling high eaves, a dark shadow was covered.
