"My daughter Sheng Minglan, I have met the Queen. May the Queen be blessed and safe."
"Get flat."
Empress Cao raised her hand with a smile, signaling Minglan in front of her to stand up, and then looked Minglan up and down carefully.
But I saw that this sixth girl from the Sheng family was in her prime, with jade-white cheeks, almond-shaped eyes and a beautiful nose, and her beautiful eyes were full of beauty when she looked around.
Especially when she smiles, two small dimples appear looming, and her lips open and close as she speaks, giving off an indescribable taste.
Even though Empress Cao was in a deep palace and was used to seeing beauties in the world, she couldn't help but secretly admire her when she saw her: The sixth girl from the Sheng family is really pretty, and she is no worse than the fifth girl!
After Minglan saw the ceremony, Empress Cao called her forward and asked her to stand with her sister Rulan.
The two sisters are both rare beauties. They have some similarities in appearance, but they still have their own characteristics. One is cute and cute, and the other is beautiful and charming.
Standing there, this pair of sisters looked like fairies frozen in a painting. They were beautiful and natural, without the slightest pretense. It was truly a natural beauty.
No wonder, no wonder...
Empress Cao was still a little confused before, but when she saw the moving beauty in front of her, she suddenly realized it, couldn't help but chuckle, and shook her head helplessly.
Empress Cao looked at Minglan and asked with a smile: "I heard from your fifth sister that you are the cousin of the number one scholar?"
There was some hesitation on Minglan's face, but when she saw Ru Lan's encouraging eyes on the side, she still answered: "My daughter's mother is the aunt in the mansion, and she is from the same clan as the Number One Scholar. The Number One Scholar's parents have both been lost since he was young, so my daughter's aunt is After adopting him into his own home, Zhuangyuan Lang remembered this kindness of raising him and always treated his aunt as his aunt. Because of this relationship, my daughter also called Zhuangyuan Lang her cousin."
Queen Cao then asked: "So, you and the Number One Scholar are not related by blood?"
Minglan lowered her head and replied: "Maybe they came from the same origin more than a hundred years ago, but now, they are no longer among the five servers."
Empress Cao nodded and praised: "Your aunt and uncle's family have good intentions, and the number one scholar is also affectionate and righteous, and he repays his kindness. It's a rare story!"
Minglan bowed and said respectfully: "As long as a benevolent and filial king exists, there will be benevolent and filial people. This is all due to your majesty's ability to govern the country with benevolence and filial piety and to maintain peace and harmony with the people."
After hearing Minglan's words, Empress Cao felt very happy. The more she looked at Minglan, the more she liked her. She said with a smile: "I and your grandmother have known each other for a long time. I heard that you grew up with your grandmother. Those who were raised in the room have guessed that your child is not simple, and I had the chance to meet him today, and he is indeed well-spoken and knowledgeable!"
After saying that, Queen Cao waved her hand gently: "As a reward, I will give you a Hanyu exquisite bracelet!"
The chamberlain immediately followed the order and fetched a brilliant bracelet. Empress Cao took it and put it on Minglan's right hand. Then she took out an identical bracelet from the tray that Ru Lan had been holding on her chest and put it on. On Rulan's left hand.
Empress Cao looked at her two beautiful wrists that were getting whiter and more transparent against the background of the jade bracelet, and said with great satisfaction: "This exquisite bracelet was made by the palace craftsmen in ninety-nine and eighty-one days. It has been made since the day it was made." A pair, just perfect for you two sisters!"
Sisters Rulan and Minglan had never experienced such courtesy before. They thanked her with sincerity and said, "Thank you, Queen, for your grace."
"Good boy, get up quickly."
Empress Cao helped the two of them up from the ground, holding one with each hand, with a kind smile in her eyes. Then she looked at Wang Ruofu not far away and praised: "These two girls in your family are very well-educated. According to my wishes.
Wang Ruofu hurriedly bowed his head and humbled himself, but he was already overjoyed. He never expected that his daughter would be so close to the Queen.
At this time, all the imperial ladies around were a little confused. The mother and daughter of the Sheng family were just the daughters of a small fifth-rank official family. How could He De be treated with such courtesy by the Queen?
Is it too hasty to please the Queen just because she said a few flattering words?
However, no one would have thought that what would shock them even more was what was to come.
I saw Empress Cao holding Ru Lan and Ming Lan's slender hands, lightly opening her red lips, and saying with a smile: "You two sisters are outstanding in talent, beauty, gentleness and virtuousness. It is really rare. Of course, what is even more rare is you. The fate with the new top scholar. I have been my childhood sweetheart since I was a child. It is a perfect match made in heaven."
Having said this, Empress Cao turned to look at Wang Ruofu again: "Ms. Sheng Wang, how about I shamelessly ask Da Da to protect a great matchmaker for you Sheng and Wei families?"
Wang Ruofu was thinking about the marriage between Ru Lan and Wei Chen. Hearing what Empress Cao said, he was immediately surprised.
But seeing the strange expressions on the faces of his two daughters, Wang Ruofu realized what was wrong. He swallowed and asked with difficulty: "May I ask the queen, which girl of my family has you chosen? Is it Rulan?" , or Minglan?"
"Of course two together."
Empress Cao said matter-of-factly: "You two girls, one direct wife and one concubine, can just imitate the old story of Empress E and Nvying. The elder sister is the wife and the younger sister is the concubine. It will create a good story."
"Emperor Nvying, one wife and one concubine?"
Wang Ruofu was completely dumbfounded after hearing Queen Cao's explanation. This was far from what she expected!
After being stunned for a long time, Wang Ruofu hurriedly said: "The Queen is so kind to me, I understand it. It seems that it is not etiquette for sisters to serve the same husband together, right?"
Empress Cao smiled slightly: "Marrying concubines along with concubines has been a practice since ancient times. How can it be inconsistent with etiquette and law? The Xingtong of the Great Zhou Dynasty also said that all court officials above the fifth rank can have concubines. Now Wei Chen has been granted the title of imperial concubine. A fifth-grade court official should apply this method."
"But this..., this..."
Empress Cao's words discussed ancient and modern times, and also brought out the laws of the Zhou Dynasty. Wang Ruofu was immediately refuted and was speechless, and could only open his mouth and worry.
After all, Empress Cao is the empress of the world. She lowered her profile and talked to Wang Ruofu for a long time, which was a huge honor. Seeing that Wang Ruofu still didn't agree, Empress Cao gradually lost her patience and immediately frowned. With a look of displeasure on his face, he said, "Do you think that the Liu Yuan Lang appointed by His Majesty is not worthy of your Sheng family?"
Empress Cao was a fierce general and had been in charge of the harem for a long time. She had accumulated a lot of power. When she got angry, the power of the sky would fall on Wang Ruofu, making Wang Ruofu almost breathless.
Wang Ruofu had never seen this battle before, and he was immediately frightened to the point of confusion. He quickly fell on the ground and apologized: "Queen, please calm down, I don't dare!"
"Get up."
The expression on Queen Cao's face softened a little, she waved her hand and said: "I really like these two girls in your family. On a whim, I came up with the idea of keeping a matchmaker. If you really don't want to, that's okay. I Gong just needs to find another good match for Liu Yuanlang."
Wang Ruofu couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief when he heard that Queen Cao did not force the marriage and that there was still room for change.
But Wang Ruofu also knew in his heart that Empress Cao was the empress after all, and once she opened her mouth, there was no reason to change her words easily. If she really rejected the other party, the consequences would be unpredictable.
Moreover, according to Empress Cao, she had made up her mind to bundle the two sisters of the Sheng family to Wei Chen. If she didn't agree, she would have no choice but to break up. Even if Empress Cao didn't blame the Sheng family in the end, she could think of it. It is bound to become impossible for Ru Lan to marry Wei Chen.
"What should I do? Should I accept it with courage, or reject it with courage?"
In an instant, Wang Ruofu racked his little brain and had a headache.
