Fair Lady

Nangong Yuzhen exchanged a few words with Shuyao and Mother Liu, and then went to greet the other guests: "Miss Yao, the ceremony will start soon, so I won't bring you in with my sister-in-law and Miao'er. When the ceremony is over, don't wait too long." Talk slowly."

Shuyao nodded: "Aunt Zhen is busy." Mrs. Nangong and Sister Miao naturally don't have time to meet guests or chat at this moment.

Not interested in watching those noisy people, Shuyao held Huo Huo and looked out the window quietly.

Walking all the way from the entrance of the mansion just now, Shuyao really likes the scenery of Nangong Mansion. Nangong Mansion is as big as she imagined, but it is not as "gold bricks all over the ground and silver pillars everywhere" as most people think of the mansion of the richest man.

It can be seen that the design and planning of Nangong Mansion took a lot of ingenuity, which is more valuable than those luxurious facilities and decoration materials.In this house, I didn't see much gold and silver, but it was like being in a large garden, with flowers, green trees, exquisite rockery and stone carvings everywhere, as well as artificial lakes with small bridges and flowing water.

Shuyao secretly despised herself: After all, the Nangong family is an imperial business family that has gone through several generations, how can it be compared with ordinary wealthy businessmen?As the saying goes, wealth does not last for three generations, and the Nangong family still stands proudly in the business world, making the royal family dare not underestimate them. Naturally, they have their own uniqueness.

Just in a daze, Xu Nian'er's voice brought back Shuyao's thoughts: "Sister Yaoer, what are you thinking?"

Shuyao looked back, and Nian'er in pink was looking at her with a smile, while a girl in a green jacket and skirt next to her looked arrogant and impatient: "It's so cold here, where are we going..." Before he finished speaking, he saw Huohuo in Shuyao's arms.Eyes are straight.

Nian'er said awkwardly: "Sister Yao'er, this is Chen Yueying, the third girl from the Chengyi residence. She came here to play with me today." It has only been five or six years since the future father-in-law and sincere uncle came to the capital to receive the title, so the relationship is not as good as Xu's.

Ever since Nian'er got engaged to Chen Wenhao, the eldest son of the Chen family, Mrs. Uncle always hoped that Nian'er would bring Chen Wenhao's direct sister, Chen Yueying, when she attended various banquets.Chen Yueying is also 11 years old, and her birthday in the first month will be [-] years old.When the daughter's parents are twelve or thirteen years old, they will start to make engagements, show up more at banquets gathered by noble ladies, or show their talents at some boudoir girls' poetry and piano parties, so that they will have more chances of getting a good marriage .

Sincerity Bo's Mansion has no friendship with Nangong Mansion, Madam Chen naturally did not receive the post this time.Madam Chen did not know how Nian'er accepted the post from Nangong's family.Quickly let Nian'er take Chen Yueying with her.The mother who went to the Xu Mansion to spread the word revealed that Mrs. Chen was very dissatisfied that Chen Yueying was not invited when Nian'er went to Xia Zhai last time.

Shuyao smiled: "Hello, Miss Chen San", Nian'er's future sister-in-law, Shuyao naturally wants to give Nian'er some face.

Chen Yueying snorted coldly, but she was just an orphan girl in the market who was lucky enough to be accepted as a foster daughter by that maverick Jin Xida who didn't even want her family. Hate those tall and slender women.Chen Yueying is delicious.Although it can't be said to be overweight, it still looks chubby.But she didn't have the willpower to stop talking.

Shuyao didn't care, it was just a chance meeting, she was about to turn her head to talk to Nian'er, when Chen Yueying pointed at Huohuo in her arms with a proud face: "Hold me here to play with."

Shuyao looked at Chen Yueying amusedly and said nothing, she did not hide the sarcasm in her eyes at all.Any little girl would like Huo Huo if she saw Huo Huo, if Chen Yueying was polite.For Nian'er's sake, as long as Huo Huo doesn't reject her.Shuyao would also let her hug Huohuo.But what is this tone of order?

Lan Jin and Zi Jin were also extremely angry, what kind of people are these?Who does she think she is?But they kept in mind Mother Liu's usual teachings, Shuyao didn't speak up, and they didn't dare to make a mistake, this was in someone else's house.

Of course Chen Yueying saw the sarcasm in Shuyao's eyes, but she really didn't expect that a nine-year-old street girl would dare to treat her like this.Shijing was born and Shijing grew up, what insight can he have?Seeing them, which of these noble girls didn't look flattering?

However, no matter how arrogant she was, she still knew that the little fox belonged to Xia Shuyao, and it was in someone else's house, not their Cheng Yibo's house.

"You..." Chen Yueying stomped her feet, gave Shuyao a hard look, and pulled Xu Nian'er away.It's not good if you don't hold on to Nian'er, she hasn't found any girl she has been friends with on weekdays.

Nian'er looked embarrassed: "Sister Yao'er, I'm sorry, I'll go first, we'll talk later." She really didn't want to pay attention to Chen Yueying, but she brought her here by herself. At this time, there are guests from Nangong Mansion all around, and if it gets too big, it can only lose the face of Xu Mansion and Chengyibo Mansion.

"Yao'er, did you arrive so early?" Yao Xuelan, who came late, was looking for Shuyao as soon as she entered the ceremony hall, "Well, this bead flower looks so good on you. Hey, why are you so angry with this little guy today? Brought it?"

Huo Huo let out a "squeak" in Shuyao's arms, as a greeting to Yao Xuelan, which caused Chen Yueying to pause again, and put on an obedient and quiet appearance.Every time her mother reminded her ten thousand times, she must make a good impression in front of these princes and wives.

Shuyao pouted to Yao Xuelan who was eloquent: "Aunt Lan, you don't stop asking a series of questions, which one should I answer first?"

Seeing Shuyao's cute little appearance, Yao Xuelan laughed and said, "Okay, okay, it's all Aunt Lan's fault, later Aunt Lan will buy you a set of beautiful beaded flowers as compensation, I saw someone wearing them, it looks so pretty .”

Shu Yao curled her lips, this Aunt Lan is really a shopaholic, she can always find an excuse to buy things, and even "compensate" her!But her heart is warm, in the past and present, Aunt Lan has always treated her like her own daughter.

Several wives who were close friends with Yao Xuelan saw Yao Xuelan coming in and waved to her from a distance.Yao Xuelan looked at Xu Nian'er, smiled at Shuyao, "You little girls are playing, Aunt Lan went over to say hello."

Shu Yao quickly agreed.

Before Nian'er and the others left, several servant girls from Nangong Mansion entered the hall, the first was a woman dressed as a big servant girl in a pomegranate red skirt, followed by five small servant girls.Each of them held a large tray in their hands, which contained a row of pink rose flowers that had just opened and were still dripping with dew.

The Zhou Dynasty loved and admired flowers, and many customs and habits were related to flowers.

For example, for girls’ Jiji ceremony, fresh rose petals are spread on the red carpet and the auditorium is decorated with rose flowers. Girls’ Jiji dresses are often embroidered with large rose flowers...the host will also Every unmarried girl who comes to Jiji Ceremony wears a rose that has just bloomed.

Chinese rose, also known as Yueyuehong, has graceful flowers.Vibrant color and floral fragrance.What's more rare is that the flowering period is long and the flowering is continuous. In the warm south, it can basically bloom in all seasons.

Girls are as attractive as the roses in the first bloom, and a large amount of roses in Jiji ceremony is also a blessing to girls: eternal beauty.

I saw the maids coming up with roses.All the guests who came to watch the ceremony gasped in admiration: "Great work!"Really worthy of being the richest man in the week,

Royal business family!

It is indeed very common to use roses in Jiji ceremonies. The problem is that it is already the beginning of December, and it is very cold in the north. Where can there be roses?The rare thing is that the roses are still very fresh, each one looks like it has just been picked, and it will take nearly a month to send it from the south by a fast horse, okay?

Several noble ladies couldn't help asking quietly.Where did the Nangong family get these rose flowers? Their family also has daughters and nieces who have grown up in the past few months.Even if the price is high, they are willing to buy some, as long as the quantity is small. After all, a woman only has one gift in her life.

The people of the Nangong family didn't know the specific situation, they only knew that the second young master Nangong Yi had collected them, and there were twenty plants.It was only delivered to the mansion yesterday.

"Madam, madam, ladies, hello, servant girl Biqing. Please gather the girls here, and servant girl will put on fresh roses for you." The big maidservant in the pomegranate red jacket stood on the red floor under the ceremonial stage Beside the felt, he bowed to the guests and said loudly.

The girls all love beautiful flowers, especially in this cold winter when there are no flowers blooming except plum blossoms, and they gathered together excitedly.

Shuyao handed Huohuo to Lan Jin to hold her, and walked over with Zi Jin herself.

Biqing took the roses from the tray and put them on for the ladies who came to watch the ceremony one by one. She would ask the ladies for their opinions and help them put them in a bun or pin them on their skirts.Some little girls would reach out and want to pick one, but every flower is similar, so forget it.

It was Shuyao's turn, unintentionally, she keenly felt Biqing's hand tremble very slightly.It wasn't that she was staring at Biqing's hands, but that she was looking at those flowers proudly, but Biqing's hands trembled when she was holding flowers for Shuyao. Although others would not notice, Shuyao's five senses were still How can it be compared with ordinary people.

Immediately, Shuyao became vigilant, and she suddenly realized that Biqing had been picking flowers in order just now, but now she just picked the one on the far left.Of course, if Shuyao hadn't suddenly stepped up her guard, she wouldn't have noticed this.

Biqing twirled the flowers and approached Shuyao: "Hello Miss Xia, the raw edges and embroidery on your skirt are so beautiful, let me put the flowers in a bun for the girl."

Shuyao smiled but didn't answer, she smelled a special scent from that flower, it was a delicate scent, but not the scent of the rose itself.

Stretching out one hand to pick up another flower on the plate, the corner of Shuyao's eyes never left Biqing's face. Sure enough, a trace of panic flashed on that face, although it was quickly covered up, it did not escape after all. Shu Yao's eyes. "Miss Xia, they are all the same, but this flower blooms even better. Come on, servant girl put it on for the girl."

Shu Yao put down the flowers in her hands with a "huh", at this moment, the gold hairpin inlaid with pearls on the green hair bun fell to the ground with a "jingle", and everyone's eyes focused on the hairpin.

Biqing hurriedly put the flower on the plate first, knelt down and picked up the hairpin and quickly inserted it, then stood up and picked up the flower and put it on Shuyao's hairpin.

The corners of Shuyao's lips curled up slightly: "Thank you, sister Biqing."

Afterwards, the corner of Shuyao's eyes never left the flower on the farthest side, no matter whether there was anything on that flower, the innocent could never be involved.

When it was Murong Zhi's turn, Shuyao changed her mind again, hehe, let's take this second younger sister's "risk" when the opportunity comes to her, she doesn't have to keep staring at this place all the time.

Bi Qing put flowers on Murong Zhi's skirt, raised her hand unintentionally and brushed the hair on her forehead, smiled slightly at Xiao Ding who was standing not far behind Murong Zhi, quickly lowered her eyes, and continued to give Other lady hairpins.

The moment Xiao Ding turned around and returned to her seat, she quickly glanced at Shuyao, with unconcealed pride.

Shu Yao secretly smiled.It seems that the fragrance of that flower is inextricably related to Mrs. Murong, it just so happens that the "good" things should be left to her own daughter.

The Jiji ceremony officially began soon. Nangong Miao is the only daughter of Master Nangong, that is, the only daughter of the first generation of the direct line of the Nangong family. Naturally, the guests and admirers invited today are not ordinary people.The guest of honor was the Empress Dowager's mother, Mrs. Zhong Guogong, and the praiser was the Empress Dowager's grandniece, Anping County Lord.

……

After three prayers and three prostrations, when Nan Gongmiao was wearing a grand red gown with large sleeves and a complicated and noble Nine Emerald Four Phoenix Gold Hairpin Crown and stood gracefully facing the guests, everyone couldn't help but gasped.What a beauty!

This Miss Nangong Di seldom participated in various banquets, and she was very low-key. I heard that on weekdays, people who went to offer incense were wearing veils or veils, so before this, not many people had seen her true face.

"Humph", a cold snort in the sound of breathing and admiration made Shuyao turn her head curiously.It was because the cold snort was too abrupt, and it was so close to Shuyao.

The one who let out a cold snort was a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl, extremely gorgeously dressed, and also very beautiful, but the jealousy on her face at this time destroyed her original good looks.

The servant girl next to the girl whispered, "Second Miss, I have explained to you. You should go over and congratulate the Eldest Miss, and wait for the banquet later. Don't put on a straight face."

Shuyao looked away, she turned out to be sister Miao's concubine, so it seemed that she was not a good match.

Nangong Miao's maids led the guests to the banquet hall. Of course, the important guests were brought to the chairman by Mrs. Nangong, his wife and other hosts.

Nangong Miao quickly came over and took Shuyao's hand: "Is Yao'er hungry? Let's go to the banquet too. After the banquet, I will take you to my yard. Huohuo, are you good today? Come here. I'll give you a hug." .”

Huo Huo jumped into Nangong Miao's arms, very obedient.Shu Yao secretly slandered.What a color fox!

Except for the three brothers and sisters of Shuyao, Huo Huo is usually unwilling to be hugged by others, and occasionally "socializes" with those who are close to Xia Zhai, but they are all perfunctory, jumping away after a while, or screaming , when did you become so obedient and so quiet?

Shuyao, Ke Min and his party followed Nangong Miao, and Chen Yueying muttered to Nian'er unhappily: "Didn't Miss Nangong personally post your post? Why didn't she come to greet you?"

Nian'er said indifferently: "Ms. Nangong will post me a post because of sister Yao'er's face. Our Xu Mansion has no friendship with Nangong Manor."

"It's useless for you to be so stupid! Is an official lady not as good as that street girl?" Chen Yueying glared at Nian'er angrily, "I wouldn't have come with you if I had known, what a shame!"

Nian'er didn't reply to her, and it's not the first time that Chen Yueying has this kind of attitude. I really don't know how the mother-in-law, Mrs. Chen, taught her, she's coquettish and arrogant, taking her with her ten times, and eight times for her people apologize.

Fortunately, this sister-in-law-to-be is only one and a half years younger than him, and when he gets married, she should get married too.I heard from my father that the future husband, Chen Wenhao, is a good man, polite, sensible, and motivated. He just passed the exam this year, and he will take the spring exam in the beginning of spring. It may be difficult to get into the first list, but it should be no problem to get into the second list.

There are two banquet halls in Nangong Mansion, one for male guests and one for female guests. Shuyao and the others naturally went to the one for female guests, which is next to the hall where the wedding ceremony was held just now.

Nangong Miao took Shuyao to the second main table and sat beside her.Soon, the second girl from Nangong who snorted at Nangong Miao just now brought Murong Zhi to sit at this table.Nangong Miao frowned, but still didn't say anything.

"A market girl who sells tofu brains is also sitting at this table, eldest sister, you are really not afraid of price drops!" Nangong Ying snorted coldly.

Nangongmiao said with a sullen face, "Our Nangong family started by selling sesame seed cakes. Father has always taught us to remember this, and don't forget our roots. The emperor is also a businessman, and we are just businessmen. Could it be that the second sister forgot again? Still don't agree Father's words? If you want to talk about falling prices, sister Yao'er is also a legitimate daughter."

"You..." Nangong Ying was so angry that she almost wanted to lift the table, but she didn't dare.First, the house is full of guests today, if she dares to make trouble, her grandmother and father will definitely not spare her lightly, and second, the Nangong family is on par with the real official family in one aspect, that is, they are clearly distinguished.If you really have to worry about it, Nangong Miao, as the eldest sister, let alone just pointing out the fact that she is a concubine, it is normal to teach her a lesson.

What surprised her was that the eldest sister was always gentle, or disdainful of their provocations (of course, Nangong Ying would never admit this), every time she and Nangong Qiao deliberately made trouble behind their father's back, Nangong Miao would I'll ignore it, turn around and leave at most, what happened today?

Nangong Qiao at the table and the girls from the Nangong family and cousin girls were also stunned. They never thought that Nangong Miao, who was always upright in the mansion and always indifferent to them, would get angry and speak so ruthlessly.

What they didn't know was that Nangong Miao was closer to Shuyao and Shuwen than the siblings and cousins ​​in the house, and Shuyao was her guest today, Nangong Ying was so rude, didn't she slap her in public?I usually disdain to pay attention to them, but really think she is a soft bun that can be kneaded at will?

Murong Zhi saw that the situation was not right, this Miss Nangong was not as cowardly and bullying as Nangong Ying said, so she quickly pulled down Nangong Ying's skirt on the table, and looked at the rose flower on Nangong Ying's head pointedly.

Nangong Ying quickly came to her senses, "hummed" angrily, and stopped talking.

After a while, the people at the main table next door also came in and took their seats. The person surrounded in the middle should be the old lady Nangong, with a kind and rich face, wearing a brown double-breasted agate buttoned long coat embroidered with Sixi pattern, holding a A snow-white cat with blue eyes.

Many old wives from rich families keep cats and dogs, but most of them are held by maids. It seems that Nangong old lady likes this white cat very much.

Nan Gongmiao seemed to see what Shuyao was thinking, and said with a soft smile: "This cat is called Fubao, it was given to my grandmother by the Empress Dowager, and the name was also given by the Empress Dowager. Hehe, you don't know, people say that the dog's nose is clever , this Fubao, the nose is much smarter than a dog's nose."

Nangong Ying snorted again: "The Empress Dowager said that this Fubao likes lucky people, so the first time I saw my grandmother, I got close to my grandmother. Hmph, on the other hand, the person Fubao doesn't like must be a disaster star." , is a scourge, and is an annoying person.”

Before Nangong Ying finished speaking, Fubao suddenly "meowed", jumped up from the arms of Mrs. Nangong who had just sat down, and "flyed" towards Shuyao and the others' table. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)

ps: Thank you book friend 130808150825225 for the pink ticket!Thank you!The two chapters are combined into one, so there is no second update today.