When they arrived at the gate of the courtyard, everyone saw the prince Xiao Yan coming in from the outside. Xiao Yan was wearing a purple robe with gold threads embroidered with cloud patterns on the hem. He wore a jade crown on his head and a long body. He looked luxurious and majestic. .
Zhou took the lead and bowed: "My wife pays homage to His Highness the Crown Prince."
The ladies and girls from all the families who followed her also bowed down, and for a while, there were people kneeling on the ground in the courtyard.
Xie Miao also bowed down with everyone, and all she could see was the cloud pattern embroidered with gold thread on the hem of Xiao Yan's purple robe. The purple and gold thread complemented each other, which further showed the prince's nobility and majesty.
I don't know if it was an illusion, but Xie Yan felt Xiao Yan's eyes looking towards her, which reminded her of the day when she bumped into Xiao Yan at Fu'an Temple. At that time, Xiao Yan had a headache and was suspicious of her. The hand on her neck was long and strong, with clear joints. She seemed to still remember the suffocating feeling of being unable to breathe. She couldn't help but feel nervous, and she subconsciously clenched the handkerchief tightly.
Xiao Yan saw her subconscious actions in his eyes, raised his eyebrows slightly, then turned his eyes to Zhou, and said: "Everyone, get up, madam, there is no need to be polite. Today is my lady's birthday, so I came to the house alone. Madam, please don’t feel lonely and abrupt."
As he spoke, he glanced at Eunuch Cui who was following behind him. Eunuch Cui came forward with a red sandalwood box and said respectfully to Mrs. Zhou: "Your Highness knows that Madam loves peonies, and there happens to be a painting by Meng Songyuan hidden in the library. Because of Peony's reputation, I asked my servant to bring it to Madam as a birthday gift."
As soon as Eunuch Cui said these words, not only the Zhou family but also everyone in the courtyard were surprised. Although the Zhou family was also shocked, she could not tolerate her hesitation and thanked her again: "I thank you, Your Highness."
With that said, he took the red sandalwood box from Eunuch Cui with both hands, and said respectfully to Xiao Yan: "Your Highness, please take a seat inside."
Mrs. Zhou turned sideways and spoke respectfully. Xiao Yan nodded, raised his feet and walked inside.
With the prince Xiao Yan present, no one dared to sit down, so they all stood aside respectfully.
A maid came forward with a cup of tea. Eunuch Cui took it and handed it to Xiao Yan.
The atmosphere in the room became a little solemn. Xiao Yan was drinking tea by himself, as if he was not aware of the pressure caused by his arrival on everyone.
After taking a few sips, Xiao Yan finally said, "Madam is a little nervous being here alone." He put down the teacup in his hand and glanced at Fu Xuzhi who was standing there, "It's better that Xuzhi accompany Gu to sit in your study." Bar."
Xiao Yan said, then stood up and nodded to Mrs. Zhou: "Madam, you don't have to worry about Gu. Xuzhi has been Gu's companion since he was a child. Madam and Gu's mother are also old friends. Speaking of which, he can be regarded as half of Gu's elders." ”
Zhou quickly said she didn't dare, and saw Xiao Yan walking outside, with Fu Xuzhi and Eunuch Cui following behind him.
After Prince Xiao Yan left, the atmosphere in the room relaxed a bit.
Mrs. Tan, Rong Guogong's wife, was the first to say with a smile: "As for your dignity, you are my sister. Who would have thought that the prince would come to this trip in person, let alone give the famous peonies of Meng Songyuan as a gift. I have only heard of that painting, but I haven’t had the chance to take a look at it yet. When my sister is free someday, I will definitely come and take a look at it through her light."
As soon as Tan opened his mouth, all the ladies started to flatter him.
At this time, everyone was shocked. After all, everyone in the capital knew that the prince had a cold temperament and was difficult to make friends with. He rarely walked around with his mother-in-law, Duke Cheng'en. Now that the prince came in person on Zhou's birthday and even gave him a birthday gift, it was really unimaginable.
What is even more surprising is that before the prince left, he mentioned the past relationship between the Zhou family and the late empress. He also said that when the Zhou family was half the elder, regardless of whether it was a scene or not, the prince had really given enough face to Zhou, the Duke of Anguo. , making people feel envious in their hearts.
There are really not many people in this city who can get this kind of dignity!
Regarding the flattery and envy of everyone, Zhou only said mildly: "It's just because Xuzhi followed His Highness while he was peeing, so His Highness was willing to give me some face."
Just after she finished speaking, someone else said: "I heard that this time the prince was ordered to escort Enshi's coffin out of the capital, and your second son also followed him all the way. I think the hard work of the second son's journey here must have been seen by His Highness, so he With such an incident, it can be seen that the Second Young Master is highly valued by His Highness."
The smile between Zhou's brows and eyes was a little brighter: "This is also his duty as a courtier."
After Zhou finished speaking, he changed the topic and talked about other things.
After all, the prince is the crown prince and has a noble status. It is not easy for the female family members to talk about the prince.
Everyone also knew the seriousness, so they also moved the topic and talked about other things.
Near noon, a banquet was held in the courtyard, and everyone sat next to each other. A total of six tables were set up.
During the dinner, Mistress Xie saw that although Fu Qionghua sat at the same table as Mrs. Zhou, she only sat at the bottom because she had no rank. The ladies naturally ignored her a little while chatting. Mrs. Zhou, the sister-in-law, was afraid that she would think too much. He said a few words to her at the right time, but it didn't make everyone warm to Fu Qionghua, the aunt of Duke An Guo.
After doing this several times, Fu Qionghua's expression became a bit bad, but he just didn't show it out on the spot because of the occasion.
If Ms. Xie didn't know her identity, she would probably feel uncomfortable when she saw this scene. She felt that the Xie family was a small family, and her mother had really married into a lowly family when she married into the Xie family. Now she has to suffer this kind of injustice. .
But after resurrecting his life, Xie Shu just felt relieved when he saw this scene.
In particular, she knew that what made Fu Qionghua most uncomfortable was not the neglect and contempt of these ladies and girls, but Fu Xuzhi's filial piety to his mother Zhou just now, and she felt more relieved in her heart.
She did not miss the complicated emotions that flashed through Fu Qionghua's eyes when she saw the cloisonné enamel hundred-treasure peony bonsai that Fu Xuzhi gave to Zhou, and the way he clutched the handkerchief tightly and even his body was trembling slightly.
Seeing his son being so filial to the Zhou family, how could this scene not be extremely dazzling in Fu Qionghua's eyes? If possible, Fu Qionghua would have wanted to step forward and smash the bonsai to pieces.
Xie Shu smiled in her heart and stretched out her hand to pick up a snack. When she raised her eyes, she saw that grandma Shen's eyes seemed a little red, but she was pretending to look at the scenery outside. She quickly wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. Then he turned around and started talking with a smile.
Xie Shu didn't say anything. He lowered his head and ate the snacks in the bowl as if he didn't see anything.
She could never have guessed why Shen was like this. The birthday gift given by Fu Xuzhi at today's birthday banquet already overshadowed Fu He's. Later, the prince Xiao Yan arrived and not only gave him a birthday gift, but also expressed great importance to Fu Xuzhi as his companion. , before leaving, he asked Fu Xuzhi to accompany him to the study to talk.
In Shen's eyes, this scene showed that Fu Xuzhi had suppressed her husband Fu Hezhi to death, and she couldn't feel better.
If Fu Qionghua hadn't switched her and Fu Xuzhi's relationship back then, Shen probably wouldn't be in such a predicament now. She only needs to worry about her husband's health and think of ways to get pregnant. After all, if the eldest son has only one son, the position of heir apparent will definitely fall to Fu Hezhi.
Thinking of the respective endings of Shen and Fu Hezhi in their previous lives, Xie Shu couldn't help but feel a little sad.
...
Xilanyuan
Mrs. Wei heard that Prince Xiao Yan came to the house in person to congratulate Mr. Zhou on his birthday, and also presented an authentic painting of peonies by Meng Songyuan. After being shocked, she said with some emotion: "My daughter-in-law is very lucky. I, an old woman, have been the wife of Duke Anguo for so many years, but I have never seen His Highness the Crown Prince ever give me such dignity."
After listening to the old lady's words, Aunt Dong didn't know what the old lady was thinking. She just smiled and flattered: "In the end, it is our Duke Anguo who is the blessing of our second young master. The prince thinks it is because of the second son's death this time." The young master followed the prince out of the capital and escorted the coffin of the prince's mentor back to his ancestral home for his meritorious service, so he was given such a big honor in our house. Otherwise, the eldest lady celebrates her birthday every year, and the prince has never been seen in person before. It can be seen that it is not because of the eldest lady. Madam’s sake.”
Mrs. Wei picked up the tea cup in her hand and took a sip: "Maybe, the Queen and the Zhou family had been handkerchiefs since they were young. But after the Queen passed away, although the Prince valued our Duke An Guo's mansion, he also valued her very much. Don’t mention the good relationship between Zhou and the late Queen. I mentioned it suddenly this time, probably because I was thinking about the late Queen.”
After Mrs. Wei finished speaking, she did not continue. She only ordered: "Please ask the kitchen to cook something good, and don't let Xuzhi neglect His Highness."
After saying that, she spoke again: "Speaking of which, when His Highness arrived at his residence, I should have gone to see him in person, but His Highness did not summon him, so I, an old woman, went rashly without causing displeasure to His Highness and causing trouble to Xuzhi."
Aunt Dong listened and then said: "Don't worry, old lady. Our second young master grew up with His Highness. Your Highness's likes and dislikes are known to the second young master. There is no way to take good care of him. It's just that there are some inconsiderations." Based on the friendship between the Second Young Master and His Highness, I don’t think His Highness will blame me.”
Hearing what Aunt Dong said, Mrs. Wei showed a bit of pride on her face: "That's it. The relationship between Xuzhi and His Highness is unmatched by others. If Xuzhi hadn't risked his life and escaped from the fire, If His Highness is rescued, where will the His Highness be today?"
Mrs. Wei lowered her voice and said: "Speaking of which, our Duke Anguo has shown a life-saving grace to His Highness. How can other honorable nobles compare to this kind of love?"
Aunt Dong didn't dare to accept these words. After all, the old lady had been the old lady of Duke Anguo's house for so many years, and she felt a little less fearful in her heart, so she dared to say anything to save her life. Even if this is true, if these words accidentally reach the prince's ears, what will the prince think?
Although the prince and the second young master have been friends since childhood, the prince is the king after all. What the old lady said was really too much.
Not daring to ask the old lady to say disrespectful words again, Aunt Dong quickly changed the subject and said with a smile: "Jing'an Courtyard must be very lively right now, why don't you go and see the old lady?"
Mrs. Wei glared at her angrily: "What are you talking about? How can a mother-in-law lower her body to see her daughter-in-law? Besides, I am old and I really can't stand the noise of many people. When they disperse, The eldest daughter-in-law will come over to pay my respects."
She didn't know what she was thinking of. She frowned slightly and said, "I don't know if she has taken good care of Qionghua. Although Qionghua is our aunt in Anguo Palace, she married into the Xie family and became the wife of the Xie family. It is inevitable that she will be... She looks down upon her a bit. As a sister-in-law, she cannot let Qionghua be bullied by those people."
Aunt Dong shook her head and said: "How can it be possible? When my aunt was not married, the eldest lady always gave way to my aunt. Besides, the eldest lady knew that you valued my aunt, how could you not protect my aunt?"
Mrs. Wei nodded and said: "Ms. Zhou is a good person. She was the first to see the signs of Qionghua and Xie Shaochuan, and came back to tell me. Because of this, Qionghua had a quarrel with her sister-in-law. Come back."
"Oh, no matter whether she is sincere or fake as a sister-in-law, even if it is because of me, an old woman, she should protect Qionghua."
...
Not long after, the banquet in Jing'an Courtyard broke up. Mrs. Zhou saw off the guests and rested for a while. Then she and the second lady Wei, Fu Qionghua and the girls came to the Fanlan Courtyard where the old lady lived.
Mrs. Wei called her over to ask about what was going on at the banquet. The whole family was lively and talking again.
After more than an hour, everyone left the room when they saw that Mrs. Wei was a little tired.
Xie Shu also took Qingdai to Bihengyuan where she lived.
Halfway through the journey, she saw that there were no maids or servants on the road. Before she could be surprised, she saw Eunuch Cui standing not far away, wearing a blue brocade dress and a white face without beard.
Xie's heart tightened. Before she could react, Eunuch Cui stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "Miss Xie, my Highness is in front. I want you to come over."
Seeing Mr. Xie's nervous expression, Eunuch Cui added, "Don't worry, girl. His Highness said he wanted to enjoy the plum blossoms in this garden alone. The road has been cleared. No one dares to come here. Girls don't have to worry about being seen."
Cui Eunuch said, and made a gesture of invitation.
The day before yesterday, they got the incense and asked someone to make it overnight and bring it to His Highness. However, although the incense somewhat alleviated His Highness's headache, it was not as good as when they met Miss Xie Er in Fu'an Temple that day.
Lu Yuan was guessing that perhaps only Miss Xie Er could calm His Highness's mood and relieve His Highness's headache.
Although they felt surprised and puzzled, if this was really the case, the appearance of Miss Xie Er would be a happy event for His Highness.
Today, His Highness personally came to Anguo Duke's Mansion to congratulate Zhou on his birthday. He took this opportunity to meet with Miss Xie to confirm that Miss Xie could really alleviate His Highness's headache.
Xie Shu couldn't refuse, so she could only follow Eunuch Cui and walk forward.
