No. 1 Girl in the Imperial City

As night fell, the area around Liushang Pavilion was brightly lit.

Lanterns are hung along the Qingshi path, all the way to Liushang Pavilion, from a distance, although it is not like daytime, it looks more and more dazzling in the night.

Princess Taihua and the others had already sat in the Liushang Pavilion. There was a stage specially set up by someone on the lake outside the pavilion, and there were already people dancing on it.

The female relatives who came to the banquet, some surrounded the lake, and some leaned on the corridor outside the Liushang Pavilion to enjoy the singing and dancing.On the other side, there is a scene of Qushui flowing, and there are also a group of people playing there.

In the huge garden surrounding the Liushang Pavilion, there are lantern riddles guessing, all kinds of games such as gambling, pot throwing, etc., as well as various performances such as fire breathing and juggling.

There are even servants pretending to be hawkers and setting up stalls selling all kinds of small things, which seems to be a bit of the lively scene of Shangyuan Market.

Luo Junyao bid farewell to Song Juan and Shen Hongxiu first, and then took Qin Ning and Xu Xinyu to Liushang Pavilion.

There were only three princesses sitting in the pavilion, as well as Mrs. Su and two old wives who seemed to be over seventy years old.Luo Junyao knew that these two were the old lady of Cheng Guogong's mansion and the old lady of Dingyang Hou's mansion.

Something like that happened in Dingyang Hou's mansion earlier, Shang Yue, the original son of Dingyang Hou, refused to inherit the title, and gave up the title to his younger brother who was not very outstanding, and planned to leave Shangyong after the new year.The Dingyang Hou Mansion was about to decline completely with the naked eye. The royal family had always been lenient to the Ding Yang Hou Mansion, and Princess Taihua didn't want people to underestimate the old lady of the Ding Yang Hou Mansion, so she was invited in to sit down with her.

Princess Ancheng still did not attend tonight's lantern festival, and everyone was used to it and didn't care.

"I've seen the princess, I've seen the two princesses." Seeing Luo Junyao coming in with the two young princesses, the three ladies hurriedly got up to greet them.

"You are all elders, so there is no need to be so polite." Luo Jun said with a smile, Qin Ning and Xu Xinyu stepped forward to support the two old ladies respectively.

Princess Taihua also said with a smile: "Everyone is happy to get together today, and these ceremonies are all for now. Where are Jun Yao and the two little girls going? Why are you here now?"

Luo Junyao glanced at Qin Ning, and said with a smile, "I went to the stone forest in the west corner of the yard to steal for a while, and forgot the time for a while, please forgive me, auntie."

Princess Taihua smiled and said: "This garden is too big, you little girls will inevitably want to play for a while, what's the point of this? But it's pitch black and there are no people there, how can it be as fun as here?"

Luo Jun shook his head and said with a smile: "Auntie is right, didn't we rush over here when we heard the excitement here?"

Qin Ning and Xu Xin's jade souls have already floated outside. Of course, this kind of lantern festival is only interesting if you go out to participate, but it's no use watching from a distance.

Anyway, it's inconvenient to file a complaint now, so Qin Ning tugged at Princess Changling's sleeve and said, "Mother, I'll take Xinyu out to play."

Princess Changling said angrily, "I just wanted to run when I came in, why can't I sit with the elders?"

That being said, Princess Changling also knew her daughter's temper, she laughed again and said, "Go, don't make trouble, and take good care of my sister."

"Okay!" Qin Ning responded happily, pulled Xu Xinyu to bid farewell to the elders, and ran outside in a hurry.

Luo Jun who was left behind was speechless: Forget it, who made me the princess regent?

Su smiled and pulled Luo Junyao to sit beside him, and said with a smile: "At least she is a princess regent, don't act like a child who hasn't grown up, you can just sit here peacefully tonight."

Luo Jun shook his head and asked in a low voice, "Have Daddy and Big Brother and Second Brother come?"

Su said: "Your father didn't come, he never likes to participate in these things. Your eldest brother and second brother are here, and they are at the South Garden. The prince brought His Majesty to come here just now, and if we didn't find you, we went with your elder brother and second brother gone."

"Ah, Ah Cheng is here too? Then let's..." Luo Junyao looked around the outside, Su said: "The prince meant to keep quiet, he took his majesty to the South Garden to join in the fun, and he will leave in a while. "

Luo Junyao remembered that when he went out in the afternoon, he left Ah Cheng with the concubine, and felt a little sorry for the child.

Thinking in my heart: Why don't I go back and take Ah Cheng out with A Yan?

The South Garden Su mentioned was the south side of Liushang Garden, which is actually not far from their place. Luo Jun turned around and saw that the other side was also dazzling.

But I still couldn't help muttering, "What's the point of splitting up like this?"

Since it is to create an opportunity for the noble ladies and gentlemen of Shangyong to meet and get acquainted, and they are so far apart to play their own games, where is there any chance?
Su Shi glanced at her and said: "It's better to separate them at night, so as not to cause any trouble. Isn't that long enough in the afternoon?"

Luo Junyao sighed, all right, as long as you feel good.

Luo Junyao greeted the two old ladies again. The Dingyang Hou Mansion has just experienced a catastrophe. Although these days have passed, the complexion of the old lady Shang still doesn't look very good.

Mrs. Cheng Guogong was obviously different from Mrs. Shang, with a rosy complexion, full of energy, and a peaceful look on her brows. It was obvious that life was going very smoothly.

"Madam, is Mr. Shang coming tonight?" Luo Junyao asked.

When she mentioned her grandson, Mrs. Shang's eyes became brighter, but more reluctance.

"Thank you, Princess, for your concern. Ayue also came here tonight with my wife and his sisters."

Luo Jun said: "My lord has always praised Mr. Shang a lot. If Mr. Shang can stay in Shangyong, it will be a blessing for Dasheng and the court."

Mrs. Shang sighed lightly, shook her head and said: "The child has grown up and has his own ideas, and Ayue grew up outside, but he is not very familiar with Shang Yong. He wants to go out, we are not good Stop it, I just hope...he can come back more often to see my old woman and his mother."

Luo Jun said: "Mr. Shang is a filial person, and he will definitely not forget his grandmother and mother."

Although Shang Yue didn't grow up in front of the old lady, he was indeed the best descendant of the merchant. The old lady Shang was naturally happy when Luo Junyao praised her grandson, and thanked the regent princess repeatedly.

The darker the sky, the more lively it became outside.

The stringed and bamboo musical instruments and cheers outside almost suppressed the chattering voices of the people in the pavilion, so they stopped chatting altogether and focused on the praise outside.

The dancer on the lake here dances slowly, as graceful as a fairy, Luoshen Lingbo.

On the other side, the water is flowing, and the poems are full of laughter and literary talent.

A little farther away, it is even more bustling and noisy, looking like a festive scene.

This kind of lantern festival is indeed more interesting than any palace banquet or flower festival.

Luo Junyao watched with great interest the beauties in brocade clothes and luxurious clothes roaming the garden with lanterns, and felt that there was nothing wrong with sitting here and watching.

"You were in the west just now, but what happened?" When Luo Junyao was watching with enthusiasm, Princess Changling suddenly leaned into her ear and asked in a low voice.

Although it was noisy outside, Luo Jun shook his ears very well and could still hear clearly.

She turned her head to look at Princess Changling, and Princess Changling said: "I saw Ah Ning's expression just now, as if she had something to say."

Luo Junyao said in a low voice: "It's not a big deal, we'll talk about it later."

After hearing what she said, Princess Changling really stopped asking, and sat back in her original position and continued to look outside.

"Princess Qi, the lantern riddle you created has already been guessed." A maid from Princess Taihua's Mansion came in with a box in her hand and reported respectfully.

Hearing that Princess Taihua raised her brows slightly, she was obviously interested, and said with a smile, "Oh? Whose girl is so smart?"

Princess Changzhao said with a smile, "Not only is she smart, but she also has a bit of luck."

Princess Taihua made a lantern riddle, but it was not made public, but mixed with all the riddle lanterns in the market.

Therefore, it is not a skill to be able to guess it. It is true luck to get this lantern riddle.

This was originally an annual practice, and those who guessed this lantern riddle could get extra rewards from the host.

The maid said respectfully: "Princess Hui, she is the eldest daughter of Liu Shangshu's family in the Ministry of Industry."

"Oh?" Princess Taihua said with a smile, "Please come in and let us have a look."

Princess Taihua looked as usual, apparently she hadn't heard anything about the Liu family, and the older ones were probably not very interested in these things.

But Luo Junyao and the other two princesses had heard of it, especially Princess Changzhao raised her eyebrows slightly and gave Luo Junyao a meaningful look.

Luo Jun shook her eyes, she was busy with her elder brother's marriage these days, but forgot about the Liu family.

But I haven't heard people around me mention it, maybe the real daughter of the Liu family hasn't been brought back yet?Calculating the distance and time, this is a bit slow.Could it be that girl plans to come back after the new year?

Because of the custom, the maid had already invited Liu Ruxia to wait outside, so people came in very quickly.

Liu Ruxia didn't have any elders to accompany her, it wasn't that Mrs. Liu neglected her because she was not her own, but Mrs. Liu was sick and still couldn't get out of bed, so naturally she couldn't participate in the Shangyuan Lantern Festival.

Liu Ruxia followed the maid into the pavilion, bowed gracefully, "I have met the eldest princess, the regent princess, and all the ladies."

Princess Taihua sized up the girl, seeing her beautiful appearance, calm demeanor and manner, she also had a good impression of her.

Princess Taihua nodded and smiled, "Good girl, are you a girl from Liu Yuan's family?"

Liu Ruxia lowered her eyes slightly, and said softly: "Back to the eldest princess, it is my father."

Princess Taihua nodded and turned to Princess Changzhao, "I remember, your family is related to the Liu family?"

Princess Changzhao said with a smile: "Back to aunt, the grandma of the son-in-law and Lord Liu's grandfather are cousins, so the son-in-law and Lord Liu are also cousins."

"So that's how it is." Hearing what Princess Changzhao said, a flash of understanding flashed in Princess Taihua's eyes.There was still a kind smile on his face, he waved at Liu Ruxia, and said with a smile: "Girl, come here. You guessed my lantern riddle, what do you want?"

Liu Ruxia hurriedly said: "The minister is just lucky, how dare you ask the Eldest Princess what she hates?"

Princess Changling smiled and said: "This is just the usual practice in previous years. Good luck is also a kind of strength. Since Miss Liu got it and guessed it, this is what you deserve. Why don't you dare?"

Others also said with a smile that yes, they have indeed done so over the years.

This is actually not a big deal, it can only be regarded as a good fortune.

It's just that Liu Ruxia has just recently encountered a major event that is almost related to her life. Now that she is lucky, Liu Ruxia's mood is also very complicated.

For a moment, I didn't know whether I was really saying that I was lucky, or I was mocking myself.

But looking at Princess Changling's expression, it was obvious that she didn't mean to be sarcastic, it was indeed that she was thinking too much.

Liu Ruxia suppressed the emotions that surged in her heart, and said softly: "Thank you princess for teaching me, my daughter...It's a pity that my daughter has studied books for many years and failed to get the grades. I heard that the eldest princess's handwriting is Shangyong Yijue. My daughter would like to ask for it." A pair of characters of the eldest princess."

Hearing that Princess Taihua was a little surprised, she looked at Liu Ruxia and said, "You only want one word?"

Liu Ruxia seemed a little shy, bowed her head and said, "The eldest princess's handwriting is precious, and my daughter...greedy."

When she said this, even Princess Taihua couldn't help laughing out loud.Shaking his head, he said: "You girl is a bit more sincere, and my few strokes can still be read, which is nothing more than a few words of flattery. How can it be compared to a real famous artist? Do you really want it? If you like calligraphy , I still have a few authentic works written by famous masters.”

Liu Ruxia said: "My daughter still wants to ask the Eldest Princess to write in handwriting."

Princess Taihua nodded, stretched out her hand and patted the back of her hand and said: "Forget it, since you insist, I will send someone to Liu's house later."

Liu Ruxia bowed joyfully, "Thank you, Eldest Princess."

"That's all." Princess Taihua said: "It's rare to be so lively tonight, let's go out and have fun with the little sisters."

Liu Ruxia's expression darkened when she heard the words, but she quickly responded: "Yes, thank you, princess, and my daughter-in-law will leave."

"Go."

The maid stepped forward and led Liu Ruxia out.

When she was far away, Princess Taihua turned around and asked the others, "Is there something wrong with this girl?"

"..." There was a moment of silence in the Liushang Pavilion, and Princess Changling smiled and said, "Why would Aunt think so?"

Princess Taihua said: "I think that girl's brows are a bit gloomy, and besides... she wants to ask for my handwriting, maybe she doesn't really like my handwriting?" Princess Taihua has seen countless people in her life, and at Liu Ruxia's age No matter how clever the little girl is, there are very few who can't see through her.

Princess Changzhao sighed softly, and said: "There are indeed some things, but this girl can't be blamed for them. It can only be said... It's her daring mother-in-law who committed the crime."

"Mother?" Princess Taihua was taken aback, and she soon understood, "Isn't Mrs. Liu her mother? Could it be that she is Liu Yuanchang's concubine..." It's not that Princess Taihua has never seen it before. In a respectable family, it is absurd to use a concubine to pass off as a concubine.

Princess Changzhao shook her head and said the matter again.

Not only Princess Taihua, but also Mrs. Cheng Guogong and Mrs. Dingyanghou, who heard about this for the first time, also looked at each other in blank dismay, speechless for a while.

After a while, Princess Taihua sighed, shook her head and said, "Ah, this, this..." The two girls seem to be innocent, but the one who is really poor is the one who was left to raise in the countryside.

A good young lady, now that she is back, the lack of more than ten years of upbringing and getting along with relatives is not so easy to make up for, so I don't know what it will be like in the future?