Houmen Yixiang

Chapter 122 Layout to close the net, one suit shocks the world
Qingtong came to her senses, "Miss designed the dress for Princess Chang'an in this style!"

That's right, the style Lu Xinyan designed for Wu Zhen is similar to a modern princess dress, tutu skirt!
The fabrics of this era are light and drapey, and cannot support the effect of tutu skirts, so Lu Xinyan used bamboo to make the lining.

Not only the princess dress, she also asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to help make the crown and platform shoes.

Originally, high heels were more suitable. First, it took a long time to make high heels, and second, it took time to practice how to wear high heels. Lu Xinyan gave up high heels and changed to platform shoes.

Platform shoes also have the effect of increasing height. The height difference between the front and the back is not far, and the wearer can adapt quickly. Moreover, the feet are not exposed in ancient times, which will not affect the effect of the princess dress.

Looking at the remaining bamboo strips, Lu Xinyan came up with another idea, "Cut these bamboo strips to the same length, put the five pieces together, and sew them on the outside with a few more layers of silk to form a circle."

Several people didn't understand what she meant, so they followed her advice.

When Lu Xinyan took off the bamboo lining and came out, Qingtong and the others had already finished it together.

"Miss, how do you play this?" Xiao He asked.

"Bring it." Lu Xinyan stretched out her hand, and Xiao He immediately handed it over.

She put the bamboo ring from the top of her head to her waist, with a slight force on her arm, she rotated it counterclockwise, and at the same time twisted her waist in coordination with her twisting, the bamboo ring kept spinning around her waist with her twisting. Do not fall.

Qing Tong and the others were dumbfounded, Xiao He clapped her hands excitedly, "It's fun, fun, I want to play too!"

Lu Xinyan then stopped and handed the bamboo ring to Xiao He.

"Miss, what is this called?"

"Hula hoop." Lu Xinyan said: "Turn around for half an hour every day, and keep your waist as thin as a willow!"

All Qingtong thought, "Miss, is this for Princess Chang'an?"

"If the princess likes it!"

It was Xiaohe's first time to spin the hula hoop, but she couldn't grasp the essentials. She tried several times, but after spinning the hula hoop twice, the hula hoop fell off.

Angrily, she slapped her hand twice, "I hit you, hit you, tell you to bully me!"

Lu Xinyan couldn't help laughing, she combed the cloud and said, "Xiao He, you don't know how to do it yourself, don't rely on the hula hoop casually."

Xiao He handed it to her angrily, "Sister Shuyun, try it."

Combing Yun's eyeballs rolled, "Let Sister Qingtong try."

"Come on!" Qingtong didn't give in, and reached out to take it.

She has kung fu, and after a couple of tries, she can spin freely. Seeing Xiao He envious, she shouted coquettishly: "Sister Qingtong, teach me!"

"Okay, let's play again later." Lu Xinyan said: "First make a few more hula hoops, and send them to Fourth Aunt."

Finally said: "Please send Song Zhao along with you."

Qingtong understood, "Got it, miss!"

Several people quickly made a new hula hoop, and Qingtong took it to find Song Zhao, "Sister Song Zhao, can you do me a favor?"

Song Zhao glanced at the things in her hands curiously, and said, "What can I help you with?"

Qingtong said: "Miss used bamboo to make clothes for the princess, and made a few hula hoops with the remaining bamboo, which is what I have in my hand. She asked me to send one to the fourth girl, and teach her how to play, but the weather is a bit dark now. It's getting late, Fengyang Palace is far away from Wanshou Palace, and I'm not a member of the palace, so I'm sure I'll meet many court ladies and eunuchs interrogating me on the way, I want to ask Sister Song Zhao to accompany me to save some time."

Now that Qingtong is living in Fengyang Palace with Lu Xinyan, any problems will be blamed on Wu Zhen. Song Zhao remembered that Qingtong is not weak. The guilty person is Wu Zhen.

"Okay, wait here for a while, I'll report to the princess."

Song Zhao came out quickly, "Let's go, Qingtong."

The two walked towards the Longevity Palace, and they met many court ladies and eunuchs curiously looking at the hula hoop in Qingtong's hand along the way.

But because Song Zhao was by his side, and Song Zhao was an old man in the palace, no one dared to ask more questions.

The two arrived at the side hall of the Longevity Palace smoothly.

Qingtong raised the hula hoop, "Miss Si, this is given to you by Miss."

"What is this?" Gong Jin asked curiously.

"I'll show you a demonstration." After Qingtong finished speaking, she put the hula hoop around her waist and started to spin it, attracting many ladies from the Longevity Palace to gather quietly to watch.

Song Zhao and Gong Jin also watched intently.

After turning around for a while, Qingtong handed it to Gong Jin, "Fourth Miss, do you want to try?"

Gong Jin is quite old, and his heart is a little moved, but he can't let it go, so he took it and hesitated to try it when there is no one else.

Qingtong winked at her and said: "Miss Si, it takes skill to turn the hula hoop. Miss asked me to explain clearly to you before allowing me to go back."

Gong Jin's heart moved, Zhuzhu must have her reasons for doing this!So imitating Qingtong's example, he passed the hula hoop over his head, put it around his waist, and tried to twist his waist.

People who spun the hula hoop for the first time basically fell off after two turns, and Gong Jin was no exception. She picked it up a little embarrassed.

Qingtong explained to her the essentials of the movements. After Gong Jin tried a few times, she was finally able to turn more than a dozen.

The maids on the side looked eagerly.

Qingtong said: "Miss used bamboo pieces to make clothes for Princess Chang'an, and there are still a lot of bamboo pieces left. Miss said, if Fourth Miss likes hula hoops, she can make more for you, or you can give them to others to play with. "

As soon as she finished speaking, the eyes of the little maids lit up, and they all looked at Gong Jin expectantly.

Gong Jin didn't understand what Lu Xinyan's plan was, and followed the words: "Go back and thank Zhuzhu for me."

Qingtong said again: "Miss also said that she has no time to come over these few days to greet the old lady. If the fourth girl is free, she can perform for the old lady on her behalf. I think the old lady will be very happy!"

Gong Jin became more and more confused, "Understood, you let Zhuzhu concentrate on making clothes for Princess Chang'an, and I'm here with Mother."

"Yes, fourth girl."

"By the way, you just said that Zhuzhu used bamboo pieces to make clothes for the princess? How does it look like?" Gong Jin asked curiously.

"It's not finished yet, so I don't know." Qingtong said: "I'll go back and ask Miss."

Gong Jin nodded, "It's getting late, don't let Zhuzhu worry about you, you go back first."

"Goodbye, fourth girl."

As soon as Qing Tong and Song Zhao left, the little maids gathered around one after another. As a guest, Gong Jin didn't have much airs, and got along very well with these court ladies.

"Miss Gong Si, can you let the slaves try that hula hoop?"

Gong Jin responded to every request, and the little maids played until very late before going back.

The queen mother in the main hall heard laughter and asked the maid beside her, "What happened outside?"

"Slaves go out and have a look."

The maid came back soon, and described the hula hoop to the queen mother, but she just listened to the description without seeing it with her own eyes, and it was always a bit short. Seeing the look of the queen mother, the maid asked: "Madam queen mother, why don't you call them to come and perform?"

The queen mother was originally interested, but when she heard that it was sent by Lu Xinyan, she suppressed her interest, "Forget it, I'm exhausted, go to bed."

On the way back, Song Zhao asked Qingtong: "Aside from entertainment, is there any other use for that hula hoop?"

Qingtong said: "It takes the strength of the waist to turn the hula hoop, and it can slim the waist."

Song Zhao's eyes flashed, but he remained silent.

Lu Xinyan gave Gong Jin a few more hula hoops, and Gong Jin generously gave them to the maids in the Longevity Palace.

For a while, as long as they are free, the maids will get together and take turns spinning the hula hoop, and they will even spin more hula hoops than anyone else at one time.

As they turned around, they also discussed the matter of Lu Xinyan making a birthday dress for Princess Chang'an with bamboo strips, and everyone expressed their desire to see it first.

These things naturally reached the Queen Mother's ears.

The Empress Dowager is old, and she always loves to be lively, but now that there is excitement, she suppresses herself from going to see it, and she is so flustered that she can't sit still, "Come here, help Ai's family to go to the old lady of the palace for a walk."

The maid stepped forward to support the queen mother, and went to the place where Fengshi and Gongjin lived in the side hall.

At this time, Gong Jinzheng and the maids in the side hall performed hula hoops for Feng Shi in turn. Feng Shi watched with great interest, and heard that the Empress Dowager was coming, so she hurriedly asked Gong Jin and others to stop.

"See the Empress Dowager!"

"You don't need to be too polite!" The queen mother looked at Feng's smile, and asked, "Why are you so happy, to make Aijia happy?"

The Empress Dowager doesn't like Ankangbo's mansion and Lu Xinyan's matter, Feng Shi knows it well, Feng Shi also knows the Empress Dowager's temperament, and the last thing she likes is someone who bribes people around her to say good things about her.

"Zhuzhu sent some gadgets, it's really not eye-catching." Feng smiled and skipped the topic, "The empress dowager wants to see the minister's wife, so she just summons the minister's wife to go, why did you come to this side hall in person?"

Of course, the queen mother would not say that she was aroused by the hula hoop, but she was too awkward to look at it, making her upset, and said: "This man is old and can't sit for a long time. He always wants to move around. If you don't walk, I will come to you."

Feng said: "Why don't I accompany the Queen Mother for a walk outside?"

"Alright! I'm so bored after staying in the room for a long time!" The Empress Dowager stood up first, followed by Feng Shi.

A group of people walked outside. The Empress Dowager was old and usually would not leave the Longevity Palace if she had nothing to do, so she walked around the small garden inside.

Not far away came the clear and melodious laughter of the court ladies, "Hahaha! Little Li, you're going to kill me from laughing! People use their waists to turn, but you are fine, use their buttocks to turn, how can you turn well?"

It turned out that there was a little eunuch who saw the maids having fun, and joined in to spin the hula hoop, but he was too strong to twist his waist, so he used his buttocks to force himself, and he couldn't spin twice. Laughed again and again.

The Empress Dowager frowned, Eunuch Lin watched her words and said, "I'm going to send you off now, this servant."

"Forget it, don't need it!" The queen mother stretched out her hand to stop her, her dislike for Lu Xinyan could not overcome her curiosity in the end.

The court ladies and eunuchs who were playing were so frightened that they knelt on the ground when they saw the Empress Dowager suddenly appearing, "See the empress dowager!"

"Get up and continue playing," said the Queen Mother.

The maids and eunuchs looked at each other, how could they believe what the queen mother said was true? "The empress dowager, the slaves and servants only play after finishing their work, please be kind to the empress dowager!"

Eunuch Lin stepped forward and kicked one of the young eunuchs, "The queen mother asked you to perform, do you understand? Why don't you get up and continue?"

Since Eunuch Lin said so, it must be true!

The maids and eunuchs then stood up and continued to perform hula hoops.

At the beginning, the performances of the maids were okay. After all, all of them had slim waists, soft and soft, and they looked very beautiful when they twisted.

When the eunuchs, especially those with stiff bodies, could not move their waists but could only move their buttocks or their whole body, the funny postures made the Queen Mother laugh so much that tears came out.

In the palace, the most difficult thing is to make the nobles happy. When the eunuchs understood, all of them made more and more ugly appearances on purpose, which made the Queen Mother laugh out loud.

It wasn't until he got tired of laughing that Eunuch Lin asked people to stop.

The queen mother held her aching stomach and said with a smile: "Today's performance is good, everyone will be rewarded!"

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

At Fengyang Palace, Song Zhao waited on Wu Zhen after drinking afternoon tea, and said cautiously: "I heard that Mrs. Gong Shao made a new gadget. It's very interesting. I met you yesterday, princess. Would you like to take a look?"

"What's new?" Wu Zhen was not interested. She had seen all the gadgets in and out of the palace. Many of them said they were new, but in fact they just changed the soup instead of the medicine.

"That thing is called a hula hoop. Put it on your waist and twist your waist, and the hula hoop will spin. People with good skills can spin it a hundred or two hundred times. If they are not good, they will fall off after two or three laps." Song Zhao While talking, he looked at Wu Zhen's face.

Wu Zhen was born round and her waist was not as slender as other princesses. She never said anything, but Song Zhao, who was a personal court lady, knew her thoughts clearly.

It's just that a young girl has a good face, if you directly persuade her to pay attention to her figure, she will develop a rebellious heart, especially a child like Wu Zhen who grew up around the queen mother without a mother, has a delicate and sensitive mind.

At first, Wu Zhen was still interested, but the light in her eyes dimmed instantly, "Forget it, Mrs. Gong must be busy making beautiful clothes, so don't disturb her."

Song Zhao concealed his disappointment, "Yes, Your Royal Highness."

27 On this day, after watching the hula hoop performance for a long time, the queen mother began to lose her interest, and then her mind turned to the dress that Lu Xinyan designed for Wu Zhen.

How to make clothes with bamboo?The Empress Dowager herself is proficient in sewing and designing clothes. She was a blockbuster at the Yiyi Sacrifice and was chosen by the late Emperor to enter the palace.

How can she not be curious when she hears that someone wants to make clothes out of bamboo?
Together with this curiosity, I can no longer sit still!Can use bamboo to make a hula hoop, what kind of clothes will such an ingenious person make?
Recalling the impact of the clothes designed by Lu Xinyan on the night of the 23rd, the queen mother couldn't sit still, "Come here, please come here, Mrs. Gong, the fourth lady of the palace, and accompany Ai's family to Fengyang Palace. Ai's family... wants to see Fengyang Palace." The people in the Yang Palace are not very considerate to Chang'an!"

As soon as the queen mother left the palace, Qingtong immediately received the news and told Lu Xinyan.

Lu Xinyan said: "You let Shuyun Xiaohe compete in the hula hoop competition in the yard, and I'll invite the princess to come and see the clothes I designed for her."

"Yes, ma'am."

Wu Zhen heard that the clothes had been made and she could have a sneak peek, so she immediately followed Lu Xinyan to the side hall.

When they came, Wu Zhen saw Xiaohe and Shuyun twirling the hula hoop in a competition, twisting and twisting very beautifully, and couldn't help but said: "Mrs. Gong Shao, what are they doing?"

Lu Xinyan said casually: "They are spinning hula hoops. They have been exhausted for the past few days. They are exercising their muscles and bones. The princess mainly doesn't like it, so my wife told them to stop."

Although Wu Zhen is more sensitive, she is not the kind of sharp-edged and narrow-minded person, she smiled and said: "No need, let them play, Ben Gong is also very interesting to watch!"

Entering the side hall, Wu Zhen was immediately attracted by the clothes hanging in the middle, "Is this...you designed it for me? How could the dress bloom like a flower?"

"Exactly! Princess, please look here!" Lu Xinyan lifted the corner of her skirt with a smile, revealing the bamboo lining, "It's this lining that holds up the skirt."

She put down the bamboo strips and picked up a design draft of the crown that was the same size as the real thing. "This set of clothes designed by my wife for the princess is called the princess skirt, and this one is called the princess crown. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will send it over tomorrow morning."

"It's so beautiful!" Wu Zhen held the blueprint of the crown, her eyes sparkling, she couldn't put it down.

"Tomorrow, when the princess chooses clothes to try on, the court lady wants to dress up the princess herself, what does the princess think?" Since the queen mother said to choose one of the two (not counting Yang Liu'er), Wu Zhen had to go out of the way. .

"I promise you."

"Thank you princess."

Wu Zhen looked at the dress and wanted to try it, but she could see it, but she couldn't break the rules, "I like it very much, I hope that the effect of trying it on tomorrow will make me more satisfied! Mrs. Gong, Ben Gong Go back first."

"The minister's wife sent the princess."

When they came out, Xiao He was still playing hula hoops with Shu Yun, Wu Zhen was in a good mood, so she couldn't help but take a second look.

Lu Xinyan said: "Your Highness, you are growing your body now. If you eat a little more, you will have a rounder figure. This hula hoop needs to use the strength of your waist and abdomen to turn it. It is the best weapon for slimming your waist and reducing your abdomen. Your Highness. Do you want to try it?"

Song Zhao behind Wu Zhen was shocked and hurriedly winked at Lu Xinyan.

Wu Zhen was stunned at first, but she didn't have the anger Song Zhao imagined. Instead, she asked with anticipation: "Mrs. Gong Shao, does it really have such a good effect?"

Song Zhao opened her mouth in disbelief. She didn't know that a girl with a sensitive mind like Wu Zhen would be most disgusted by others' side-talking. If she said it directly like Lu Xinyan, it would make her listen better.

Of course, another important reason is that the princess dress and princess crown designed by Lu Xinyan completely conquered Wu Zhen. She has trust in Lu Xinyan in her heart, so no matter what Lu Xinyan says, she will find it pleasing to her ears.

"Really! As long as the princess spends half an hour every day, turning the hula hoop after eating for half an hour, my wife guarantees that the princess will lose a lot of weight in a month!"

Lu Xinyan's utterly positive tone moved Wu Zhen, but she still had another concern, how could she twist her waist and swing her hips in front of the palace people?

"Your Highness, how about going to Lanlin to find an open space to practice?" Lu Xinyan suggested.

"That's great!" Wu Zhen smiled.

"Princess please."

"Princess, Miss, can I go together?" Xiao He ran over slowly, blinking her bright eyes, "Take me along, okay?"

When Wu Zhen heard her address, she couldn't help laughing, "Sister Princess, this is the first time I've heard someone address her like that."

She had never met Xiao He before, but she couldn't help but feel a little happy when she saw that the little girl was cute, simple and bold.

Lu Xinyan glared at Xiao He, "Princess, this servant girl has a bit of a temper, it doesn't matter whether it's big or small, don't take it to heart."

Wu Zhen smiled and said: "The maid who is close to you is ignorant, most of them are spoiled by the master! It seems that you like her very much."

Lu Xinyan pursed her lips and smiled, "The princess said so!"

"Bengong looks very cute, let's go together." Wu Zhen smiled knowingly.

Wu Zhen has many royal brothers and sisters. The sensible brothers and sisters have ulterior motives when they associate with her. They want to please her to please the Queen Mother. Wu Zhen herself doesn't mind. Low, everyone is like this, talking about pure family affection is too naive, but the queen mother doesn't like to use it too much, in order not to let the queen mother get bored with herself, Wu Zhen had to hide in this remote Fengyang Palace, away from other people.

As for those younger brothers and sisters who are still immature, how can Wu Zhen at this age play with them?
So a little girl like Xiao He who didn't want to please her, nor was she afraid of her identity, with clear eyes, made Wu Zhen feel relieved.

"Thank you, sister princess." After thanking Xiao He happily, she stuck out her tongue at Lu Xinyan, meaning that the princess agreed, and I didn't rely on me to go.

Lu Xinyan glanced at her, "Bai Zhi, follow Xiao He, don't let her run around!"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Shu Yun, you stay here and take care of Yue Yue."

"Got it, miss."

After making arrangements, Lu Xinyan went to Lanlin with Wu Zhen and his party.

The bamboos in the orchid forest grow together in clumps, slender and thin, elegant and noble, the literati love their character most, Wu Zhen's biological mother likes bamboo, and presumably she doesn't like to fight for it.

Wu Zhen has a peaceful temperament, probably following his biological mother.

"Sister Princess, can I go over there and have a look?" There are many pavilions in Lanlin, and there are rockery and flowers around the pavilions, which are unique in shape.

Wu Zhen came here to practice the hula hoop, the less people around her, the more comfortable she is, "Go."

Xiao He dragged Bai Zhi excitedly to the depths.

"Princess, there is a lot of open space here, how about practicing here?" Lu Xinyan suggested that there was a large open space between two clumps of bamboo.

Wu Zhen nodded, "Very good."

In order to avoid embarrassment for Wu Zhen, Qing Tong took two hula hoops, one for Song Zhao, she taught, and one for Wu Zhen, taught by Lu Xinyan, the two of them learned together.

Wu Zhen couldn't help smiling, thinking that Mrs. Gong Shao was really considerate in her actions.

Song Zhao is old and has a stable temperament. He is curious about hula hoops, but he has no urge to play. Now for Wu Zhen, he has to go all out.

Unexpectedly, once you play it, you will become addicted.

Wu Zhen and Song Zhao were ashamed of their inflexibility at first, but after gradually mastering the tricks, they played more and more vigorously.

At this time, a maid came running from a distance, "Your Highness, the third prince sent a letter."

Wu Zhen and Wu Sheng became friends, so they stopped, "Bring it here."

The palace lady handed over the letter, Wu Zhen let Song Zhao wipe the sweat off her forehead with a handkerchief, opened the letter panting, and retorted furiously after seeing it: "Send me back to the palace!"

After speaking, he shook off Song Zhao's hand that was wiping sweat for her, and left angrily.

Lu Xinyan asked Song Zhao with her eyes, and Song Zhao also didn't understand, "Princess, wait for your servant." He shouted and ran to catch up.

Qingtong leaned over and said anxiously in a low voice: "Miss, what if the princess goes back early and ruins our plan?"

"I've tried my best. Since God won't let me catch someone this time, I'll wait for the next time." Lu Xinyan shrugged. She saw Wu Zhen's angry look just now, and it was impossible for her to persuade her at this time .

Fengyang Palace.

The Empress Dowager dragged Feng's Gong Jin to Fengyang Palace on the grounds that she was worried that Wu Zhen would not be taken care of well.

Eunuch Lin knew what the queen mother was thinking, so he told the palace ladies and eunuchs of Fengyang Palace to keep quiet and not talk too much when they saw the queen mother, and to answer when they were asked, and not to talk unless they were asked.

"Where's Chang'an?" The queen mother asked a court lady who was kneeling on the ground.

The maid said: "Princess, the princess is going to the young lady of the palace."

The queen mother was overjoyed, but was worried that she could not find an excuse to go to the side hall, "Go down, Aijia will go find her in person."

When a group of people came to the side hall, they saw that the door was ajar and no one could be seen.

The queen mother said to herself: "Where did this person go?"

"The servant will go and look for it."

"No need, Aijia will go in and see for himself."

At this time, Li Qinxuan was holding a pair of scissors, aiming at the princess dress made by Lu Xinyan, and was about to cut it off, when suddenly a majestic stern voice came from the door: "What are you doing?"

The guilty Li Qinxuan shook her hands in fright, and dropped the scissors to the ground. When she saw the person, her face turned pale, "The Queen Mother...the Queen Mother?"

"Catch her!" Eunuch Lin yelled, showing a weapon in front of the queen mother is a serious crime.

Two court ladies stepped forward, one left and one right grabbed Li Qinxuan's arms, and Eunuch Lin stepped forward to pick up the scissors on the ground.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" The Empress Dowager only saw Li Qinxuan at the performance, and it was far away at that time, so the Empress Dowager didn't remember it for a while.

Feng Shi and Gong Jin remembered that they were Lu Xinyan's competitors, just as Gong Jin was about to say, Feng Shi shook his head at her.

Some words are inappropriate for them.

Eunuch Lin leaned closer to the Queen Mother's ear, "Your Majesty, this is Miss Li, No.2 in the Huayi Festival."

Needless to say, the queen mother has already understood that when Li Qinxuan was planning to destroy the clothes designed by Lu Xinyan in order to get her clothes selected, she was caught by her who came suddenly.

But how could it be such a coincidence?The Empress Dowager was suspicious, and asked, "Where are those people around Mrs. Gong Shao?"

"Slave, go and ask immediately." Eunuch Lin was about to leave, when a voice suddenly came, "Grandmother, Chang'an failed to welcome you far away, please blame Grandmother!"

Wu Zhen was annoyed by the contents of the letter, and after running back, she learned that the Empress Dowager was coming, and she was going to the side hall to look for her, she didn't care to change her clothes, so she went directly to the side hall.

"Chang'an, why are you blushing? But you don't feel well? The imperial grandmother asked the imperial physician to show you!" The queen mother asked with concern when she saw her.

Embarrassed, Wu Zhen said: "Back to the emperor's grandmother, Chang'an just practiced hula hooping with Mrs. Gong Shao in Lanlin."

"Are you practicing turning the hula hoop?" The Queen Mother was taken aback, she couldn't see what kind of emotion it was. In her impression, Wu Zhen was quiet and didn't like to move. Apart from going to Longevity Palace to see her, she rarely left Fengyang Palace.

Wu Zhen blushed even more, and said in a low voice: "I heard that spinning the hula hoop for half an hour a day has the effect of slimming the waist and reducing the abdomen. Chang'an was moved by this, so I... asked the emperor to punish me!"

Women's education in this era pays more attention to virtue than appearance. If it is to cultivate one's own virtue, no matter what she does, she will be praised and affirmed.

Wu Zhen felt that as Princess Tianwu, she should lead by example and pay attention to virtue, but now she became greedy for beauty, which really set a bad example, so she asked to be punished.

The Queen Mother was thoughtful.

She is a person who has experienced it. It is bullshit for her to value virtue over appearance. Which man would like a woman who is not beautiful?Otherwise, where did the three thousand beauties in the harem come from?

Emphasis on virtue is external, but internally, a virtuous and beautiful woman can naturally bind her husband's heart better than a virtuous woman!
The greatest happiness in a woman's life is to find a husband who is true to each other. The Queen Mother is not naive enough to think of a noble royal princess, and men will definitely flock to her. Even if she is, it is the identity of the princess, not the princess. But to live a good life, it is two people, not two identities!
So the Empress Dowager said: "Ai family, this hula hoop is just a fun thing, it is no different from throwing pots and riding and shooting. Don't believe the rumors in Chang'an!"

The Empress Dowager Jinkouyu said that the hula hoop is equivalent to throwing a pot and riding a horse. Who dares to say that it is a tool for beauty?
What she said was to let Wu Zhenming play in a fair manner without any psychological burden.

Wu Zhen was moved in her heart, "Chang'an understands, thank you, Grandmother."

At this moment, Lu Xinyan and Song Zhao arrived, "See the empress dowager."

"Pingshen." The Queen Mother saw Lu Xinyan remembering what happened just now, "Mrs. Gong Shao, where are all the people in your yard?"

Lu Xinyan showed a surprised expression, not understanding why the Queen Mother would ask such a question.

Wu Zhen said: "Grandmother, Chang'an saw two maids next to Mrs. Gong playing hula hoops earlier. She thought it was interesting. She wanted to learn but felt embarrassed, so she invited Mrs. Gong to go to Lanlin. He's cute little girl begged Chang'an that she wanted to go to Lanlin to see her, and Chang'an agreed. Mrs. Gong Shao was afraid that Xiaohe would accidentally break the palace rules by running around, so she asked Bai Zhi to follow her."

"Then someone should be watching here!"

"Grandmother, Azhao practiced hula hoops with Chang'an, Mrs. Gong taught Chang'an, Qingtong taught Azhao, and Chang'an saw someone who was also clumsy, so she let go a lot." Wu Zhen hinted at the reason why Qingtong followed, " As for the others..."

Shu Yun stumbled over and ran over, knelt on the ground, "I will see the Empress Dowager, Your Highness the Princess."

Lu Xinyan frowned, "Shu Yun, where did you go just now?"

"Miss Hui, Lueyue injured her leg and it's hard for her to move around. The servant will visit her every once in a while, pour water for her, prepare snacks, and help her go to the toilet."

The Empress Dowager's eyes were unpredictable, "How could you hurt your foot so coincidentally?"

"Back to the Empress Dowager, Lueyue's foot was sprained on the night of the 23rd. When performing at that time, the heel of the shoe that Lueyue was wearing suddenly broke. The court lady had an idea and figured out a way to dance to cover it up! "Lu Xinyan said: "Please punish the Queen Mother!"

"Broken heel?"

"Yes!" Lu Xinyan said bluntly, "The minister's wife was afraid of being held accountable, so she kept silent."

Regarding the man-made damage to the shoes, Lu Xinyan deliberately concealed it.Because the queen mother kept asking, she suspected that this time she caught Li Qinxuan in public and intended to destroy the clothes. It was a game secretly arranged by Lu Xinyan, and she became a pawn in Lu Xinyan's hands.

"You don't suspect that someone broke the heel?" asked the Queen Mother.

Lu Xinyan said: "Going back to the Empress Dowager, it would be a lie to say that there is no suspicion at all. It's just that the minister thought about it and couldn't find the opportunity for others to play tricks. In addition, the minister ordered someone to check it before going on stage, and found no abnormalities. .”

Up to this point, the queen mother has only [-]% believed that everything may be a coincidence.

Lu Xinyan glanced at Li Qinxuan, and then asked: "The Empress Dowager, Miss Li..."

The queen mother said indifferently: "Ai's family came to see Chang'an. Hearing that Chang'an is with you, he came to have a look. It happened that she was holding scissors and wanted to destroy the clothes you made for Chang'an."

Lu Xinyan was taken aback, "What?" Then she quickly confessed, "It's my wife's negligence, please forgive me!"

Wu Zhen hurriedly said: "Grandmother, it's because Chang'an asked Mrs. Gong to teach Chang'an to turn around Hula circle, so there is no one in this hall. Please don't punish Mrs. Gong, please blame Chang'an!"

When it came to the hula hoop, the queen mother became suspicious again, "This hula hoop is ingenious, I have never heard of it before."

Lu Xinyan said: "This hula hoop came up with a sudden inspiration when my wife was using bamboo to make clothes for the princess."

"Clothes made of bamboo? Where are they? The Ai family would like to see them."

Lu Xinyan stepped forward and lifted the hem of the princess dress, revealing the conical lining made of bamboo slices, "Empress Dowager, please take a look."

After the queen mother grabbed Li Qinxuan, she was amazed by this princess dress. She was always curious about how the hem of the skirt bloomed. Now that Lu Xinyan opened it, she knew the mystery.

The bamboo lining is formed into a circle, which looks similar to a hula hoop. When you devote yourself to the design and sewing of clothes, new inspirations will burst out from time to time. The Queen Mother knows this well.

She secretly praised Lu Xinyan's ingenuity in her heart, but she said to Feng Shi: "A Bing, why don't you say a word? Listening to Ai's family questioning your precious granddaughter-in-law, shouldn't you protect her like the first day you came here?" Or do you not say it, but you are complaining in your heart that Aijia has wronged your precious granddaughter-in-law?"

Feng said with an apologetic smile: "Go back to the empress dowager, you have wronged my wife! Earlier, my wife helped Zhuzhu to speak out, because she was afraid that the queen mother would be misled by rumors outside, so she explained. These days, my wife has been with you, I haven't met Zhuzhu in private, and I don't know anything about what happened around Zhuzhu, so I dare not open my mouth to mislead you, Queen Mother."

The Queen Mother snickered, "Aijia was just joking with you, you've got rid of Aijia."

This smile finally increased the seventy percent to ten percent, and decided that all this was a coincidence.

Feng said hastily: "My wife definitely has no such intention."

Only then did Lu Xinyan feel relieved.

The Empress Dowager is the only victor out of the three thousand beauties. She is now sixty years old and still dominates the Empress in the palace. Her scheming and wisdom cannot be underestimated.

Therefore, if you want to use the queen mother to punish those who broke the shoes, the whole thing must look flawless, otherwise, if the queen mother sees the clue, Li Qinxuan will not be able to please, and Lu Xinyan, who designed the queen mother, will not be able to please.

Fortunately, everything passed smoothly now.

"Li Qinxuan committed the crime of disrespect by wanting to destroy the things dedicated to the princess. Li Qinxuan will be disqualified from the competition and punished with fingers and tattoos!"

Squeezing fingers means pinching fingers. Since then, Li Qinxuan's fingers have been useless.

Tattoo punishment, that is, tattooing ink on the forehead.

Li Qinxuan collapsed to the ground.

When Wu Wan found her, for the sake of her own future and the interests of the family, she agreed without even thinking about it, but now she is suffering the consequences.

Li Qinxuan did not confess Wu Wan, but only hoped that the second prince, the empress, would see that she would forgive her and the Li family for the sake of not confessing Wu Wan.

After Li Qinxuan pulled it down, Wu Zhen took the princess crown designed by Lu Xinyan for her, and held it in front of the queen mother like a treasure, "Grandmother, this is the princess crown designed by Mrs. Gong Shao for Chang'an, do you think it looks good?"

Her eyes were glowing, and it was obvious that she loved her very much. The Queen Mother hadn't seen her childish expression for a long time, and her heart softened. She didn't even look at her and said in cooperation: "It looks good, good... look!"

The Empress Dowager said while looking down at the pattern painted on it, she was stunned at first glance, "This style is so unique!"

"Chang'an thinks so too!" Wu Zhen happily said: "Grandmother, Mrs. Gong said she entrusted the Ministry of Internal Affairs to build it, and it will be delivered tomorrow morning. Chang'an can't wait! I really want to see it right away!"

Listening to her slightly coquettish tone, the Queen Mother's heart became softer, and she couldn't help laughing: "Slow work and meticulous work! I can't eat hot tofu in a hurry!"

As she spoke, she patted Wu Zhen's head lovingly, and said with emotion: "When the imperial grandmother asked people to carry you to the Longevity Palace, you were only so young, and you were sixteen in the blink of an eye. Choose a consort who suits you well!"

I don't know which sentence touched Wu Zhen, Wu Zhen's eyes were red, and she looked very wronged, "Grandmother, Chang'an doesn't want a son-in-law, Chang'an just wants to be with Grandmother for the rest of his life!"

"Silly boy!" The empress dowager's eyes became wet.

After the Empress Dowager left, Wu Zhen went back to her dormitory, she didn't know what she thought, and anger slowly surfaced on her face, Song Zhao observed his expression, "Princess, are you angry because the Third Prince said something inappropriate in the letter?"

Wu Zhen snorted angrily, "Brother Sanhuang's account, I will settle with him next time!"

Song Zhao understood, "Is it a letter from Mr. Yan entrusted by the third prince?"

"Don't mention him in front of Bengong!" Wu Zhen, who was always gentle, was furious.

If others saw it, they would definitely find it incredible, but Song Zhao was not surprised. Since childhood, the only person who could provoke the princess to show her emotions was Yan Yulang, the son of the Yan family.

She tactfully stopped mentioning it again, "Princess, let this servant wait for you to change your clothes."

On the day of 28, the imperial garden was decorated early. Compared to the night of 23, when Lu Xinyan and the others performed, it was much more luxurious and high-end!
This time is not only Wu Zhen's 16th birthday, but also the day when Emperor Longde chooses her son-in-law, because it was on the sixteenth birthday of the eldest princess, Princess Changle, that several young talents proposed to Emperor Longde at the same time. Select one of them to be the consort, and preside over the wedding for the two after a year.

Princess Changle Wu Yao is the eldest daughter of the empress and the eldest princess of the Tianwu Kingdom. She is outstanding in appearance, talent and affection, but there are only a few suitors.

The reason is that the son-in-law is not allowed to participate in politics, and the best men in the major families are carefully cultivated for the future of the family. If they become son-in-law and cannot participate in politics, without a good heir, the entire family will gradually decline in the future!If you don't send the best man, wouldn't you take the queen and the second prince seriously?Therefore, those far-sighted families kept silent about Princess Shang.

But Wu Zhen's situation is a bit special.

Her deceased mother and concubine and her natal family were not conspicuous, but she fell into the eyes of the empress dowager. The emperor respected the empress dowager, and the empress dowager held a high position in the palace. , not worse than Wu Wan.

She is not from a high family background, so it is enough to send out outstanding men in the family other than the heir candidates to propose marriage!

Therefore, the major families in the capital all took aim at Wu Zhen.

Wu Zhen knew it well, so she was not interested in today's birthday before. Later, Lu Xinyan said that she used bamboo to make clothes for her, which aroused her interest, and the princess dress piled her joy to the climax. When it came to the birthday, endless troubles flooded up, Wu Zhen couldn't help sighing,

Seeing this, Lu Xinyan, who was doing facial care for her, asked, "Why is the princess sighing?"

Wu Zhen and Lu Xinyan have only known each other for a few days, but for some reason, this beautiful woman with a slightly flamboyant appearance makes her easily feel a sense of trust.

Wu Zhen, who was unable to tell others what was on her mind, couldn't help but open her heart to Lu Xinyan, "Mrs. Gong, two years ago, on the [-]th birthday of Elder Sister, Father pointed out a marriage for her..."

Wu Zhen told Lu Xinyan all the thoughts in her heart, and finally said: "I really don't want to just find a son-in-law. Instead of doing this, it's better to spend time with the emperor's grandmother. When the emperor's grandmother goes to the fairy, I will go to the royal temple. Pray for Tianwu for the rest of my life!"

Others may not understand Wu Zhen's mind, but as a modern person, Lu Xinyan can't understand it any more. If she is asked to marry a man who has never met a few times, who doesn't understand him at all, let alone has feelings for him, she would rather be alone. Live alone!
Parents can't understand this kind of thinking in modern times, let alone in ancient times when parents ordered matchmakers to talk about it, so Wu Zhen can only hold it in her heart.

Lu Xinyan thought for a while and said, "Princess, my wife has a suggestion."

"tell me the story."

"This plan needs to be borrowed in the name of your deceased mother and concubine. During the banquet at night, princess, you said to the queen mother: Last night you dreamed that your mother and concubine were standing in the orchid forest and weeping quietly. Ask the Queen Mother what this means?"

Wu Zhen waited and saw that Lu Xinyan stopped talking, she was surprised and said, "That's it?"

"Correct!"

"is that useful?"

Lu Xinyan said: "Princess, just try."

Wu Zhen complied dubiously, and sat there obediently, letting Lu Xinyan make up for her.

At this time, Wu Zhen is more like a well-behaved and obedient child than the gentle and sensible Tianwu Princess Chang'an.

Lu Xinyan smiled slightly, and began to apply the cosmetics she made on her face.

After a while, "Okay, princess, please check if you are satisfied?"

Wu Zhen opened her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror which was totally different from before, she was so surprised that she couldn't close her mouth from ear to ear.

No woman can resist the fact that she has become beautiful. Wu Zhen was so excited that she couldn't speak, "Mrs. Gong Shao... this... is this me?"

She was so excited that she even forgot what Ben Gong called herself.

Lu Xinyan looked at Wu Wan in the bronze mirror with a smile, "Princess, wait until your hair is done, put on the princess crown, and change into a princess skirt, then you will know how beautiful you are!"

-

In the afternoon, Concubine Chen of Changxiu Palace suddenly received a message and felt restless.

The eunuch Xiao Xizi said: "Your Majesty, what happened?"

Concubine Chen's face was full of sadness, "He Qingshan, a colleague of Qingzhou, was privately exposed to use his power to embezzle and pervert the law. The silver involved in the case was about 10 taels of silver. The emperor was furious and ordered people to secretly collect evidence!"

Xiao Xizi is Concubine Chen's confidant, and many things are arranged for Xiao Xizi to do.

"Are you worried that the master and young master of the Chen family will be implicated if they have contacts with Mr. He?" Xiao Xizi said.

Concubine Chen said: "I don't know if my father and brother have been in contact with He Qingshan, but my father and brother have been officials for many years, it is impossible to have no evidence at all. If someone takes advantage of this incident to attack his father and brother and sue the emperor, because of He Qingshan's Things, the emperor will never tolerate father and brother."

"This slave will ask someone to deliver a message to Master Chen and the young master!"

"Calculating the time, father is on his way into the palace, and he just missed delivering the letter!" Concubine Chen said, "Xiao Xizi, during the evening banquet, I will return to the palace first because of a headache, so you let father and brother find a chance to grow up." A trip to Xiugong."

"Yes, madam!"

-

The banquet in the palace officially started at You Hour (five o'clock in the afternoon).

The silver-red sunset glow in the west hangs in the sky, and before dusk falls, the palace has already lit the lights in advance.

The lamp is specially made for Wu Zhen’s birthday. The base is in the shape of various flowers, including orchids, lotus, peonies, chrysanthemums, etc. It is covered with a lampshade with beautiful lines. The candlelight inside shines through the thin lampshade. Warm and bright as the sun.

A long red carpet divides the Imperial Garden into two, with men on the left and women on the right, and hundreds of luxurious banquet tables are placed on each side. One end of the red carpet extends to the main seat where the empress dowager and the empress are, and the other end extends to To Fengyang Palace.

On both sides of the red carpet, there are countless court ladies kneeling, all in pink palace attire, fresh and moving.

The gentle breeze brought the polite greetings and unrestrained laughter from the male guests, while the female guests were laughing and laughing, and the soft words were intertwined, which was very pleasant.

Not far away, the Royal Forest Army looked alert, holding the scabbard around their waists, not daring to let go.

Xiao Yichen was also among them.

Originally, in his capacity, he was supposed to sit next to the male guest, but he refused.

It was tacitly understood by everyone, especially those men who wanted Wu Zhen tonight, without Xiao Yichen, a strong competitor, their chances of winning were one point higher.

As soon as You Shi arrives, accompanied by Song Zhao and encouraged by Lu Xinyan, Wu Zhen walks out of Fengyang Palace.

Song Zhao said excitedly: "Princess, you are so beautiful today! The Empress Dowager will be very happy to see you!"

When they were approaching the Imperial Garden, the sound of silk and bamboo sounded, and everyone in the venue fell silent, because the sound of silk and bamboo meant that tonight's birthday, Princess Chang'an, was coming.

At the end of the imperial garden, 32 palace maids in pink palace costumes came, surrounded by a girl in gorgeous costumes.

Her hair is all up, revealing a smooth and full forehead. An extremely simple bun is fixed on the top of her head, and only a unique, noble and elegant ruby ​​hairpin is inserted to cover half of the top of her head.

At this time, all the women still don't know about this 'hairpin'. It has a name that makes people crazy just by hearing it, Princess Crown!But I have been shocked by the unique aura and beauty brought by this 'hairpin'!There is only one crazy idea in everyone's mind: I must have one of such a 'hairpin' in this life!
Her neck is only decorated with a simple ruby ​​wreath, and she is wearing a rose-red dress that no one can name. The neckline is V-shaped, revealing a bit of a beautiful neck. The coiled hair is matched with a V-neck. Her neck is as graceful as a swan!
What surprised everyone the most was that the hem of the skirt looked like a blooming flower!Her waist is as slender as a willow, and she is so beautiful!
Who said that Princess Chang'an is plain-looking?

Who said Princess Chang'an is as fat as a pig?

Who said that Princess Chang'an's skin is as black as coal?

Who said that Princess Chang'an's waist is as thick as a barrel?

It was clearly a false rumor deliberately released by someone in order to prevent them from proposing marriage to the emperor!

The unmarried male guests were amazed and excited, and the female guests were envious and jealous!
The Empress Dowager, the first seated Emperor Longde, was shocked, and Emperor Longde almost blurted out: Is this Chang'an?
The Empress Dowager was so happy that she couldn't speak, this is Chang'an who grew up beside her, her Chang'an!It turns out that her Chang'an can be so beautiful!

The queen secretly hated that this Chang'an actually compares to her beautiful Changping.

Fortunately, Chang Ping was grounded and did not come to participate, otherwise he would not know how to make a fuss after seeing it!

"My son, Chang'an, sees the emperor's grandmother, father, and mother!" Wu Zhen walked to the front and bowed to the three people in the seat.

Hearing the voice, Emperor Longde confirmed that this was undoubtedly his second princess, Princess Chang'an.

Wu Zhen's appearance was the least outstanding among all the princes and princesses. Emperor Longde didn't like her, but because the Queen Mother liked her, he occasionally gave her a little paternal love.

Today, seeing Wu Zhen under the makeup, she is so gorgeous, everyone's eyes are dumbfounded, Emperor Longde suddenly felt that his face was bright, he laughed twice, and his tone was very sincere, "Chang'an doesn't need to be polite, today You are the birthday star and you are the biggest! But I never thought that Chang An would be so beautiful when dressed up, as worthy of being the daughter of Concubine Qing!"

(End of this chapter)