I was destined to spend most of my life in the palace. I had this knowledge since the year I was twelve. This year, in August of the 25th year of Deshun, the 17-year-old Second Prince Wen Chuan was conferred the title of Crown Prince.
It happened to be the spring before the crown prince was appointed. On that bright afternoon, when Wen Chuan smiled warmly and said the words that he would say every time they met, I didn't laugh and joke like I always did. Instead, my face was flushed red. I mustered up my courage and softly said," Okay." Soon, I ran away with the two girls without looking back.
"Sister Yu 'er, when you grow up, will you marry me and be my princess?”
I'm Mu Guanyu, the youngest child of the Assistant Minister of Personnel, Mu Fangzhe, and also my only daughter. I've been doted on since I was young, and no one can compare to me. Fortunately, such an official's young lady who was doted on by countless people did not develop an arrogant personality. Instead, she was polite and studious. At the age of ten, she won the good reputation of being "talented and intelligent."
Father was very happy and followed me in everything. The courtyard I was in now was the birthday gift father gave me when I was twelve years old. These two elegant courtyards and a large lush forest were only used by me.
Now, I sat in the small pavilion on the hillside in the forest, recalling that moment three years ago. It was still sweet. At that time, I probably didn't know how to love. I was just ignorant and thought that Brother Chuan was the best brother. It was a good thing to marry him.
Even though I already had three older brothers in the family, Wen Chuan was not like the other brothers in the family who only doted on and protected me unconditionally. Instead, he would tell me a lot of things that happened outside the boudoir and would secretly take me out to play. Even after becoming the Crown Prince, he would still do the same. He would often argue with me when he spoke in private. The most common thing he said was," unreasonable girls are not cute." Every time, he would successfully shut me up and turn my face away from him. He would then smile and coax me again.
In the past two years, the chances of meeting with Wen Chuan had become fewer and fewer. Every time they met, he would talk more and more about national affairs and the way of governing the country, making it impossible for me to get a word in. I wasn't angry. I just looked at him in high spirits and thought, Brother Chuan is indeed the most suitable person to be the Crown Prince and Emperor.
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but smile.
"Miss, Miss!" An arm waved in front of me a few times." Thinking of something happy again? Why don't you share it with this servant!"
" You don't have to tell outsiders." I raised my eyebrows slightly. Before I could say anything, I saw Huan Pei leading two little girls to bring tea, snacks, fruits, and other food. They were placed on the stone table in the pavilion.
Seeing her so grand, I understood and didn't ask. As expected, Huan Peiqing quickly cleared the others and said to me,"Miss, Xiao Xi called someone over just now.”
I nodded slightly, knowing that Wen Chuan would come over after the court session. He had accompanied the Emperor on his southern tour a while ago, and when he returned, he was busy discussing the dispute over the northern border defense. I hadn't seen him for more than two months, so I couldn't help but look forward to it. However, when I looked up, I saw that Huan Pei was a little absent-minded and realized that my attention was somewhat evasive.
"Huan Pei?" Ring Ring placed a thin cushion on the stone bench and I sat down." What's wrong?”
"Miss, it's better to let His Highness the Crown Prince speak to you personally." Huan Pei replied.”
I refused to compromise and didn't speak. I just insisted on looking at her.
Huan Pei knew that she couldn't avoid it, so she sighed softly and said,""Young miss, I heard that today the emperor gave his highness another secondary consort, the younger sister of the new top scholar.”
"Another concubine? This is the second time this year!" Huan Ling shouted, but Huan Pei glared at her. She quickly shut her mouth and secretly looked at me.
I just calmly looked away. The new top scorer, huh? That Song Haoran, who had caused the court to look askance at him for the past few months, had outstanding political views and was bold in his thoughts and actions. Everyone was optimistic about his future, so he would definitely be put in an important position. His younger sister, Song Bining, was also well-known. It was said that she was a woman of both talent and virtue. She was the first choice of many young masters in the government. Now that she was appointed as Wen Chuan's concubine, it was also expected of everyone.
The Emperor had been in poor health since last year and had shown signs of exhaustion and the intention of abdicating the throne several times. Now, he had assigned the women of important officials to Wen Chuan one after another, presumably to pave the way for him, just like how he had assigned the second daughter of the Minister of War, Qiao Jingyun, to him at the beginning of the year. The first concubine, Zhao Ximo, who had entered the residence last year, was a princess of the clan and was now seven months pregnant.
These women who had entered the palace before he succeeded to the throne could be granted a high position in the palace in the future. They would at least be the ninth concubine or concubine. Although they could not be in the middle palace, it was much faster than being selected into the palace.
At the mention of the throne, my eyes became blurry. I slowly stood up and looked in the direction of the Forbidden City. The weather in April wasn't very clear. How many women's years and dreams had been buried in the vague red walls for thousands of years? How many people could ascend to the throne and be the mother of the world?
Father is only an assistant minister, so I will definitely not be chosen as the Crown Princess, the future Empress. Presumably, one of the Prime Minister's or the General's residence will be chosen. Perhaps I will be lucky enough to be appointed as a side concubine in the future, or perhaps I will enter the palace to participate in the election in one or two years, so that Wen Chuan will personally select me in the midst of the orioles and swallows, leaving me behind in that huge and desolate palace wall to spend the rest of my life.
"Miss, His Highness and His Highness are here.”
I turned around and saw that Wen Chuan and the Fifth Prince, Wen Lang, who was raised by the same mother as him, had already entered the arched door of the garden. I didn't go up to them as usual, but waited quietly in the same place. When I got closer, I bowed steadily."Yu 'er greets the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince.”
I thought that I could accept it, but the coldness in my voice shocked me.
Seeing how distant I was, Wen Chuan pulled me up and called out anxiously,""Yu 'er!"
I looked up at him, but he didn't say anything else. At this moment, Wen Lang laughed."Looks like Little Yu 'er is very well-informed. Second Brother rushed over, but it's still too late.”
Stunned for a moment, I immediately blushed. The Emperor had bestowed a marriage. As a prince, how could I reject it? Furthermore, it was the Crown Prince who had all the responsibilities in the world. Since he could rush over, even if he had me in his heart, what right did I have to blame him?
She was annoyed at her own stubbornness, but she did not want to lose. She turned around and gave Wen Lang a big smile."Didn't Brother Lang also come along? What are you here to see?”
After saying that, I put on a bright smile in an extremely hypocritical manner. I quickly put away my expression and maintained the light behavior that a lady from a noble family should have. My eyes stared at Wen Lang's belt and said softly,"Your presence, Fifth Wangye, has greatly enhanced this humble house of mine and brought light to my humble garden. I have prepared tea, fruits, and desserts.”
After saying that, she pulled Wen Chuan and pretended to leave the pavilion to find another quiet place.
As expected, Wen Lang's face immediately fell." Yu 'er, Yu' er, don't. I only said one sentence. Look at you. How can you abandon me? I have something to ask of you!"”
I was very satisfied with the results and couldn't help but laugh."It's rare for Brother Lang to ask for help.”
He led them to the stone table and was about to take a seat when he saw Wen Lang pull out a petite woman from behind."Yu 'er, this is Rui Rong. Ruirong, this is the Guan Yu that I've always mentioned to you, the sister Yu 'er that Second Brother has always been thinking about.”
When I saw the strangers, I immediately felt embarrassed. Ring, Bell, Ring, Pendant, Xiao Xi, and the others were used to seeing the few of us laughing and fooling around. Just now, they only cared about being mischievous and actually did not realize that they had brought other people. Thinking of how they had been so awkward before, I smiled a little stiffly.
Rui Rong's eyes were smiling as she bowed slightly, her voice filled with laughter,"Sister Yu."
I hurriedly pulled her hand and sized her up. Her figure was similar to mine. She had the weakness of a southern woman, but she had a pair of lively eyes. Her light yellow dress made her look exquisite and fair, making her look very cute.
He couldn't help but praise,"Wow, where did this exquisite beauty come from? She's deliberately trying to outshine Yu 'er."”
Rui Rong's face suddenly turned red and I smiled as I let everyone take their seats.
"Ruirong is half a year younger than you. Her family name is Shi and she is the daughter of the former Jiangnan Weaver Shi Zhijiang.”Wen Lang looked at me and introduced him lightly.
I suddenly realized that it was the southern official who was implicated in a tribute case some time ago. It was said that there were many strange things about the case, and it seemed to involve important officials in the capital. The official in charge was wise to protect himself, so he hastily closed the case and reported it to the capital. Although everyone saw that the emperor had doubts, they did not have the intention to investigate further, so no one mentioned it again.
Looking at Shi Ruirong, her eyes were already red. I couldn't say anything and just held her hand.
Wen Lang then said," During this southern tour, her brother Shi Ruiyao actually tried to stop His Majesty to seek justice. He was almost executed as an assassin. Fortunately, Second Brother stopped him in time and reported it to Father. Father's intention was to let Second Brother bring him back to the capital before judging him."”
Wen Lang looked at Rui Rong and then at Wen Chuan.
"Shi Ruiyao is now a guard in my residence, and Ruirong…" Wen Chuan nodded.
He paused for a moment." It's not convenient for me to arrange it, so I brought it to you."”"In private, Ruirong is just like our sister."”
This last sentence made me laugh involuntarily. Yes, there were already two secondary consorts in the Wen Chuan fu, and the third one was about to enter. It was inappropriate to leave an unmarried woman in the fu, and Wen Lang had not been given a mansion because he was not married.
However, even so, a servant could just send it over. It was such a grand occasion to be personally brought by the two of them.
"Let me guess, the emperor definitely doesn't know that you've 'conveniently' brought back a little beauty, and this 'private' sister must be very important!”I turned my head to look at Wen Lang and, as expected, caught the fluctuations in his eyes. I became even more certain and pretended to be surprised."Brother Lang is going to hide a mistress in Yu 'er's golden house?”
This sentence made Rui Rong, who was at the side, lower her head so low that her face was almost invisible. I also laughed mockingly. Wen Lang was stunned for a moment before saying,"Yu 'er, what else can't you guess?”
I became even more pleased with myself as Wen Chuan smiled faintly and said,""Yu 'er, stop messing with them. Do you have a separate courtyard in your garden? Arrange for Ruirong. She only brought a little girl with her to the capital this time.”
I naturally understood that it was to make it convenient for them to meet each other, but my mouth was not satisfied. I was unwilling to let go of this rare opportunity."I do have a separate courtyard, but I see such an exquisite and beautiful sister. How can I bear to let her live alone? Why don't we live in the same courtyard? It's best if we live in the same room.”
Rui Rong naturally wouldn't retort. She just glanced at Wen Lang, who immediately looked at her with a pleading look.
I finally laughed to my heart's content. I beckoned to Ring Ring, who was holding back her laughter until her face was red."Bring Miss Shi to Little Pond Pavilion and pick two smart girls.”
I went over to hold Rui Rong's hand." Sister Rui Rong, our Prince Wen Lang has been determined to learn from his Fifth Imperial Uncle since he was young. He wanted to be an idle prince. Once he got a beautiful woman, he would not care about the world. He would accompany the mandarin ducks to play in the mountains and rivers. He had already rejected the marriage for several years, and he did not even have a concubine. He only hoped that he would fall in love with a beautiful woman. Although he doesn't have any great ambitions, to us women, being able to get this husband is a blessing that has been cultivated for three lifetimes!”
His words were full of praise and criticism. Wen Lang was hesitant and couldn't say anything. I looked at Wen Chuan leisurely and pushed Rui Rong with a smile,""Hurry up and go. If I mess with you again, Brother Lang will hate me.”
Rui Rong smiled shyly, but also with a bit of happiness, and left with Huan Ling.# Cancel all reviews: wdd201302 Time:111420185: 56PM #
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