Sir, I just want to be a salted fish

Chapter 4 First meeting
The brother and sister murmured for a long time, and Tang Bingxuan returned to Chaoxia Courtyard with satisfaction.

Back in the courtyard, it was time for the evening rest. Zhichun and Zhiqiu waited on Tang Bingxuan to undress and wash her hair.

Tang Bingxuan, who usually slept in bed, felt sleepy while lying on the bed.

In fact, she and her eldest brother have not yet finished discussing the conditions. As people who have lived at home all their lives, the character of the woman who lives at home in her husband's family is also very important.

"Mother-in-law must have a good temper. She must not be vicious and cruel; she must not be strict and set rules for her daughter-in-law; she must not be too weak and unable to control her daughter-in-law."

"It won't work if there is no harmony between the sisters-in-law; it won't work if there are too many concubine brothers and sisters; it is best if the family is separated and the number of masters is small."

After listing a bunch of conditions, Tang Bingxuan finally fell asleep.

On the tenth day of the second lunar month, the flower-viewing banquet at Chengguo Duke's Mansion arrived. The brothers and sisters paid their respects to their grandmother, had breakfast, and then got busy.

As the daughter of the eldest princess, Shao, the wife of the Duke's Mansion, has the title of princess. Since marrying the old Duke, everyone has called her his wife, and few people have called her the princess.

As I get older, my temperament becomes softer. Ever since I married my eldest son, I have slowly handed over my husband to my daughter-in-law. I never let my daughters-in-law set rules. They just come to greet me on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month. Usually, the grandchildren come to have breakfast with them every day, entertain them with sweet treats, and take good care of themselves.

The twin siblings and the fifth young master Tang Wenhong are young and stay at home to continue their studies. The Duke's wife Liu took her daughter Tang Bingxuan, the second wife Zhang took her daughter Tang Bingqing, and the third wife Shao took her daughter Tang Bingyu, riding in a troika to attend the flower viewing banquet at Cheng Guo's house.

The eldest young master Tang Wensong took the escort along the way and escorted his mother, aunt and sister together.

When the carriage arrived at the gate of Duke Cheng's Mansion, Tang Wensong said goodbye to his elders and sisters and went directly to the outer courtyard to find Qiao Zhensheng. Mother Shen, who was waiting in the gatehouse, respectfully led the female family members to the inner house with a smile on her face.

Arriving in front of the second gate, Lady Cai, wife of Duke Cheng Guo, warmly greeted several people, especially taking a few more glances at Tang Bingxuan.

The ladies were all chatting in the living room, while the ladies were received by Qiao Waner, the eldest daughter of Chengguo Palace, and her cousin Qiao Yaner.

Qiao Wan'er is tall, slender and well-proportioned. She looks like her mother. She is a delicate beauty. Her skin is smooth and white, and her red lips add a bit of color. Last year, I got engaged to the eldest son of the Minister of Civil Affairs. The hairpin ceremony will be held at the end of March, and I estimate that I will get married by the end of the year at the latest.

There were about twenty young ladies who came to attend the flower-viewing banquet. They were all unengaged legitimate daughters from the circles of nobles and high-ranking officials.

"Sister Xuan, Sister Qing, Sister Yan, come here quickly, we are all waiting for you." Zheng Ke, the 12-year-old daughter of Qi Guogong, called the three sisters over.

There was a little girl beside Zheng Ke, whom Tang Bingxuan had never seen before, so they just smiled and nodded.

"Sister Xuan, this is my sister-in-law's maiden sister Zhou Lanxi. Sister Xi is also 14 years old this year, but she was born in June, so she is half a year older than sister Xuan."

The three sisters greeted each other and greeted Zhou Lanxi again.

It was still a bit cold in February, but a greenhouse was built in the garden of Duke Chengguo's mansion, and several rare flowers bloomed in advance, making the flower viewing feast worthy of its name.

Several people gathered in front of a top-quality camellia. Its flowers are full and huge. Each flower is composed of hundreds of petals. The petals can be arranged in layers to form eighteen rounds, which is the so-called "Eighteen Bachelors".

"The flowers at Sister Wan'er's house are blooming so beautifully." Occasionally, there were compliments coming from the surrounding area.

"Sister Xuan, I have something to ask you, please come with me." Qiao Waner said softly, holding Tang Bingxuan's arm with her hand to go to her yard. Tang Bingxuan told her sister not to run around, but to wait for her here, and left with Zhichun and Qiao Waner's master and servant.

"Sister Xuan, since we got engaged, my mother won't let me go out, and I don't have any close sisters to accompany me at home. How about you join me for a chat?" Qiao Waner winked at her maid and pulled her hand. Tang Bingxuan reached the collapsed table in the inner room.

"Sister Qiao, you are the host, why don't you stay in the banquet hall?"

"My cousin is in charge of the flower banquet. They are all teenage girls, and there are maids and women to serve them. It's okay."

Tang Bingxuan thought that there was no point in looking at the flowers outside. It was still early lunch time, so they could just talk about a game, so the two of them started playing chess.

For ladies in the boudoir, unless you put a lot of effort into research, generally everyone's level is basically the same. Neither of them has a competitive temperament, so their bets have been relatively gentle from the beginning until now.

Midway, Qiao Waner went to change clothes, and Tang Bingxuan was waiting for her in the inner room.

"Miss, Miss Qiao has been out for a long time." Zhichun reminded Tang Bingxuan.

At this moment, a male voice sounded: "Mei Wan, are you here?"

The visitor is about 17 or 8 years old, tall and slender, wearing a blue auspicious satin brocade robe and a mutton-fat jade hairpin. He is full of heaven, has a face like a crown jade, and is very graceful.

Tang Bingxuan quickly got up to attend the ceremony, thinking about going to the banquet hall first.

"I am Wan'er's eldest brother, and you are Wan'er's best friend?" The man sat casually on the other side of the table.

"My daughter is the eldest daughter of Duke Rong. She came with my mother to enjoy the flowers today. Sister Wan'er went out for something just now and will be back soon."

"You guys were just talking, and it looks like the situation is evenly matched." Qiao Zhensheng looked at the chessboard and said to Tang Bingxuan.

"My little girl is not good at chess and cannot compare to Sister Qiao."

Seeing that Young Master Qiao had no intention of leaving, Tang Bingxuan said goodbye, "Young Master Qiao, please wait here for a while. It's time for me to go back to the flower hall." After finishing speaking, Tang Bingxuan made a blessing ceremony and took Zhichun to the flower viewing banquet.

"Miss, I think Miss Qiao deliberately let Mr. Qiao meet you. If an unmarried man and woman are alone in the same room, it will be troublesome if someone sees her. Miss Qiao is too unreasonable." Zhichun whispered in Tang Bingxuan's ear.

The two of them didn't have a deep friendship at first, but they became just acquaintances from now on. Tang Bingxuan pursed her lips and continued to lead Zhichun forward without saying a word. Walking to the garden verandah, a burst of conversation came from the gravel path under the veranda.

"Third cousin, I'm going to have hairpins next month, and my mother said that there is a good day in October to get married, so she wants me to get married to the son of the Minister of Civil Affairs." A voice full of pain came, and Qiao Waner was originally delayed here.

"Wan'er, I have always regarded you as my sister. Besides, I am just a playboy, and my aunt will not agree to your marrying me. Stop thinking about me and just stay at home and wait for your marriage." The male voice advised sincerely. road.

"Third cousin, please go and beg your aunt. Your aunt loves you the most. If you go and beg her, she will definitely come to convince your father and mother." Qiao Waner continued to plead with a tearful voice.

"Wan'er, you have been arrogant since you were a child. If you marry me, you will definitely not be able to hold your head high in the social circle of little sisters in the future. Instead of becoming a bitter couple in the future, it is better to let each other go now." The male voice was a little colder, with a hint of coldness. A surge of impatience.

(End of this chapter)