The venue for the plum blossom appreciation poetry party held by Crown Princess Zhang Huiyi was not in the East Palace, nor in any property under the prince's name, but in a plum garden in her natal family.
As soon as the discerning lady from the aristocratic family looked at the address on the invitation, she knew that this poetry meeting was for the girls of the Zhang family, so she told her girls not to dress up too conspicuously, so as not to lose their sense of proportion.
On this day, Zhang Jingyi was wearing a bright red brocade leather crane cloak sprinkled with gold tapestry, a pure gold filigree butterfly hairpin on her head, and a pair of sea pearls and moon necklaces in her earlobes. She looked radiant, wealthy and extravagant.
"Tsk, tsk, Jingyi, you are so dressed up, do you want Prince Wang to look down on you, or do you want him to be attracted to you?" Xiao Yushu clicked her tongue and shook her head.
"My mother gave it to me, so I have to wear it like this." Zhang Jingyi tugged on her cloak and pursed her lips.
"Have you and your cousin discussed it?" Wen Mingyun asked.
"Yeah." Zhang Jingyi nodded, "She said she was willing, no problem."
According to the list given by Zhang Jingyi, Shen Zhuo and others came together to sort it out over and over again. After careful consideration, they finally agreed that Zhang Yuanmei, the second daughter of Uncle Zhang Jingyi, was the best candidate.
Zhang Yuanmei is the second daughter of Zhang Jingyi’s uncle Zhang Jingshen. Although she is a legitimate daughter, she only takes up the name of a legitimate daughter because her mother passed away early and her father's step-in-law is now in charge, and the step-mother has a daughter and two sons, so she is the real legitimate daughter. female.
Zhang Yuanmei is one year older than Zhang Jingyi and is also in the marriage negotiation stage. Her stepmother chooses either a fifth- or sixth-rank official in exile or a poor family in Kyoto. How could Zhang Yuanmei be reconciled?
So when Zhang Jingyi came to ask her if she wanted to marry into the family of the Minister of War, Zhang Yuanmei agreed without even thinking about it.
In particular, Wang Cailin's reputation was not bad. Not only did he have a good family background, he was also quite talented himself. Although he failed many times, he was very good at poetry and painting. He was also good-looking and elegant in manners. He was a famous romantic talent in Kyoto. If Zhang Jingyi hadn't already found someone, she might have gotten married.
"Jiaojiao, is the method you mentioned really reliable?" Wen Mingyun was still a little hesitant. After all, Wang Cailin seemed to be a very upright man.
"Don't worry, it will definitely work." Shen Zhuo was very sure, "Besides, didn't Dao Yi and the others investigate it?"
Wang Cailin's reputation has always been very good. In the eyes of everyone, he looks like a standard young man from an aristocratic family. No one would have thought that he would hang around and be obsessed with women. The Wang family has been covering up for him very well. If Zhang Jingyi hadn't married him in his previous life, Shen Zhuo wouldn't have known that there was such an ugly truth hidden under his glamorous appearance.
"No wonder he failed in repeated tests. It turned out that he was a frequent visitor to Qinlou Chu Pavilion. Jingyi, even without General Wei, this kind of person would never be able to marry." Xiao Yushu sighed.
"Since you know he is a libertine, why is Zhang Yuanmei still willing to marry?" Lu Waner was puzzled.
Xiao Yushu was speechless for a moment.
"When comparing two evils, choose the lesser." Wen Mingyun explained, "No matter how bad the prince is, he is still better than the husband her stepmother chose for her."
"Okay, it's almost time. Let's split up." Meng Qinglian said.
So, several people dispersed.
"Why do I feel like they are trying to cause trouble?"
Zhao Liujin in the distance turned to Cao Yun, who was also a Dragon and Tiger Guard next to him, feeling a little uneasy.
"The Lord asked us to protect the safety of Fourth Miss Shen. As long as nothing happens to her, you don't care whether she causes trouble or not," Cao Yundao said.
Zhao Liujin paused and said, "I heard from the boss that Miss Shen Si is very likely to be the seventh prince's concubine."
"What do you want to say?" Cao Yun glanced at Zhao Liujin.
"So we can't let her act too recklessly," Zhao Liujin said, "otherwise we may suffer."
Zhao Liujin's worry was not unreasonable. It was because Shen Zhuo's reputation for being deviant was so well known.
"You follow her, I'd better report to the Lord first."
Zhao Liujin touched the ground with his feet and jumped away.
Over there, Zhao Liujin went to Xiao Yi to report the situation, while over here, Shen Zhuo took Ying'er to "wander" in Meiyuan. Her mission today is to find a few noble ladies with good reputations, high positions, integrity and great influence, such as Princess Zhuang, Mrs. Nan Guo or Mrs. Zhou, the Minister of War, and then find a way to lure them to Yuquan Pavilion.
Master Shen Zhuo and his servant were walking when they suddenly saw Huan'er looking around in a panic.
"Huan'er, why are you here? Where is my sister?" Shen Zhuo asked.
"Miss Fourth, the eldest lady is missing~~~" Huan'er was so anxious that she almost cried.
"What!" Shen Zhuo was shocked and asked quickly, "Why is my sister missing?"
"The young lady originally made an appointment with Mr. Xie at the Flower Pavilion. When we were halfway there, she found that the hand warmer she had ordered for Mr. Xie had been left on the carriage. She ordered me to go back to the car to get it. She was in a small garden sheltered from the wind. Wait for me here. But when I came back from getting a hand warmer, I didn’t see the lady in the small garden."
"I ran to the Zhuihua Pavilion. Mr. Xie was still waiting for her in the pavilion. He said that the lady had never been there. I searched along the way, but I couldn't see the shadow of the lady anywhere." Huan'er's voice already contained a hint of emotion. Crying tone.
Shen Yao will not disappear for no reason.
Shen Zhuo's heart tightened, and he turned around and ordered: "Ying'er, go find the eldest brother and the second brother quickly, and ask them to send people to search. Quietly, don't alert other people."
"Huan'er, take me to the small garden to see if Sister A is back."
At this time, Shen Yao was in a warm pavilion in Meiyuan.
"My daughter has met King Yi. I wonder why the prince invites my daughter here?" Shen Yao blessed herself and bowed to Xiao Cheng.
When Xiao Cheng's chief chamberlain Kang came to invite him, Shen Yao wanted to refuse, but when she saw Yan Wu standing not far away, she thought about it and came anyway.
Xiao Cheng didn't speak, nor did he look at Shen Yao. He held the teacup in his hand and drank slowly.
Shen Yao frowned slightly, Xiao Cheng's attitude made her feel uneasy for no reason.
Xiao Cheng didn't speak, so Shen Yao could only maintain a saluting posture, lowering his eyebrows and eyes, and bending slightly.
Xiao Cheng slowly drank a cup of tea, then raised his hand and smiled: "Miss Shen, there is no need to be polite."
Shen Yao straightened up and felt that her waist was about to break.
"Your Majesty has granted marriage to Miss Shen. Speaking of which, I haven't congratulated you yet." Xiao Cheng's voice was as gentle as ever, with a slight smile.
Shen Yao's heart thumped, and it turned out to be because of this.
"The prince and the princess are happily married, and I have not congratulated you. I would like to wish the prince and the princess that they will grow up together, play the harp and the harp, and have many children and good fortune."
"If you are willing, I can still welcome you into the palace as a princess."
Shen Yao was so frightened that she knelt on the ground with a "pop" sound.
"The beauty of my servant Pu Liu is really not worthy of the prince."
"Are you so happy with Xie Che?" The smile on Xiao Cheng's face faded a bit.
"My daughter's marriage is based on 'the orders of her parents and the words of the matchmaker'. The marriage contract with Mr. Xie was personally given by His Majesty. I never dare to make the decision on my own!" Shen Yao lowered her head and spoke sincerely.
"Haha." Xiao Cheng chuckled a few times, his laughter a little sarcastic, "Ah Yao, do you really think this king is easy to deceive?"
Xiao Cheng suddenly tore off all pretense in front of Shen Yao. Shen Yao couldn't help but feel frightened secretly, and didn't dare to speak for a while.
"This king indeed values Master Shen's ability, and I also hope to be recognized by Master Shen." Xiao Cheng looked at the kneeling Shen Yao, word by word, slowly and clearly, "But this king values you more. Ah Yao , you always know that my heart is pleased with you."
"My lord, be careful what you say!" Shen Yao suddenly raised her head and looked directly at Xiao Cheng.
Shen Yao also spoke every word clearly and said sternly: "Although I haven't gotten married yet, I have already made an engagement. I am already half a wife of the Xie family. I hope the prince will not say such frivolous words to Meng Lang again!"
After Shen Yao finished speaking, without waiting for Xiao Cheng to say anything else, she stood up and walked out without looking back.
Shen Yao felt that for a woman who was already engaged, or a woman who was personally granted marriage by His Majesty, to say something that was against etiquette and ethics, Shen Yao felt that this person was not crazy!
Xiao Cheng looked at Shen Yao's retreating figure with a cold expression on his face. How could he still be gentle and elegant in front of others?
Isn't it just because his father and brother are protecting him? After he has eradicated all the influence of the Shen family, I will see that she is a weak woman, where can she escape? Xiao Cheng thought coldly in his heart.
Not to mention that she is not married yet, but she is married. As long as she ascends to the throne of God and wants to take it away, who dares to say no?
