"Alright, this matter is over.”Nalan Peiyi waved her hand in displeasure. What was wrong with the two sisters today? Why did the two of them, who were usually harmonious, speak so unpleasantly today?
"Yes, Father." Nalan Youyou bowed deeply. She was obedient and sensible. Seeing this, Nalan Jingjing also knelt down, unwilling to be left behind. The two of them, one soft and weak, and the other tear-stained, made Nalan Peiyi's heart ache even more as she hurriedly got them up.
"Youyou, I heard that Old Furen grounded you. I don't think it's a big deal, so let's forget about it this time. However, you must be careful in the future. You must not let such a thing happen again. Do you understand?" Nalan Peiyi looked at the two of them. Both of them were her biological daughters, and she cared about them very much. Of course, she didn't favor them.
"Yes, Youyou understands. Youyou will definitely not do this again in the future.”Nalan Youyou nodded. Not having to stay in the dark room was pretty good. She didn't want to go to the dark room anymore. Yuejun's mouth curled into a smile as she listened.
Nalan Youyou glanced at Yuejun from the corner of her eyes. Couldn't this girl restrain herself a little? As she thought about it, Nalan Youyou glanced at Yuejun inadvertently, hinting her not to be so obvious.
Yuejun quickly restrained the expression on her face.
Seeing that Nalan Peiyi had just returned from Nalan Youyou's house arrest, Nalan Jingjing was so angry that she couldn't stop twisting her handkerchief. "Alright, since Old Master has returned, I'll go prepare a welcoming banquet for Old Master.”Zhuang Huaijin saw that Nalan Jingjing's expression did not seem too good, so she quickly added on to attract everyone's attention to her.
"Alright, alright. Huai Jin, go and prepare.”Nalan Peiyi nodded in satisfaction. He was quite satisfied with the life of a virtuous wife and filial son.
"Youyou, Jingjing, you two sisters have always had a harmonious relationship.”Nalan Peiyi was delighted to see Nalan Youyou and Nalan Jingjing sitting there quietly. The old madam was also there, and Zhuang Huaijin had gone out to prepare a banquet for her.
In less than an hour, Zhuang Huaijin had prepared a banquet and invited Nalan Peiyi and the others over for dinner.
The family ate happily for nearly half a day before a servant ran in and called out to Nalan Peiyi," Someone's coming from the old master's palace.”
"Hmm?" Nalan Youyou was stunned and looked up at the person in surprise. Now that someone from the palace had come, what was the reason? Could it be?
"Oh, please come in!" Nalan Peiyi hurriedly stood up and invited him into the main hall. "Oh, so it's Eunuch Liu from the palace. Please take a seat.”
Nalan Youyou saw a man in a eunuch's uniform enter the door. He had a clean face, no beard, and a sharp voice. It seemed that he had no roots.
Nalan Youyou had many dealings with a eunuch in her previous life. Naturally, she could tell what was going on.
That person walked out with a smile on his face as he looked at Nalan Peiyi." Lord Nalan is too polite. This old servant is only here to deliver a message." Sir Nalan, you don't have to be so polite.”
"Eunuch Liu, you don't have to be so polite. Have a cup of tea and rest.”Nalan Peiyi smiled like a flower as she invited Eunuch Liu to sit down. In fact, he didn't come out. He just sat in the back hall and listened to the conversation outside.
"Aiyo, Lord Nalan is really too considerate of this old servant.”Eunuch Liu smiled and stopped Nalan Peiyi from moving. He stood in the hall and refused to move." Master Nalan, I'm here to pass a message. Please invite the madam and the young misses out."”
"Oh? Invite them? What's the matter?" Nalan Peiyi was a little confused. What was going on? He actually needed to invite them over.
"It's like this. The Empress 'decree invites all the Furens and Young Ladies to come out.”Eunuch Liu stood in the main hall and asked Nalan Peiyi to invite them out. Seeing this, Nalan Peiyi hurriedly asked the old madam and the others to come out.
"Greetings, Eunuch Liu." The old madam brought a group of women and bowed to Eunuch Liu.
"This old servant greets the imperial mandate madam." Eunuch Liu returned the bow.
"Eunuch Liu, I don't know what orders you have, please announce them.”Seeing that everyone had arrived, Eunuch Liu respectfully announced the verbal order he had brought.
Liu Jin chuckled and stood in the upper hall with a straight face. He said loudly," Lord Nalan and the ladies receive the imperial edict.”
"Your 'daughter' receives the decree."
"The Empress has ordered that all the officials bring their wives and young ladies to the palace to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday!”After Eunuch Liu finished speaking, he raised his hand and gestured for Sir Nalan and the others to stand up.
Nalan Peiyi was taken aback. She stood up and walked over to Eunuch Liu, carefully handing him some silver." Eunuch Liu, you've worked hard." Eunuch Liu, I have a question for you.”
"Sir Nalan, please speak." Eunuch Liu casually took the silver and weighed it in his hand, a smile on his face.
"I want to ask, why did the Empress suddenly summon my wife and daughter into the palace this time?”
"Ke ke, that Lord Nalan has really asked the right person about this matter.”Eunuch Liu smiled." Actually, although it's said to be for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, it's actually just a ruse. The real purpose is for the princes to choose their concubines.”
" A prince choosing a concubine?!" Nalan Peiyi was startled as she calculated in her heart.
Eunuch Liu smiled proudly and said," Not bad. If Sir Nalan has nothing else to say, this old servant will take his leave first.”
"Eunuch Liu, please take your time. The housekeeper will send Eunuch Liu off."
"Yes, sir! Eunuch Liu, please."
"Aiya, this is great.”The old madam heard the conversation between Eunuch Liu and Nalan Peiyi clearly. She rubbed her hands in delight, her wrinkled face filled with excitement.
Zhuang Huaijin and Nalan Jingjing looked at each other in surprise when they heard the old madam's words. Zhuang Huaijin took a step forward and walked to the old madam's side. She said respectfully," Old madam, why are you so happy? Is there something to celebrate?"”
The old madam did not say anything. She only smiled. She did not say anything about this matter. When her son returned, wouldn't it be better to announce it together?
"Son, if there's any good news, announce it.”Nalan Peiyi walked back with a face full of joy. The old madam, supported by Zhuang Huaijin, greeted Nalan Peiyi happily.
Nalan Peiyi smiled happily, and she knew that the old madam had heard their conversation. She sat down and held her tea." Didn't Mother hear everything?" Since that was the case, the old madam would tell everyone.”
"Alright, then let me tell you." The old madam smiled and happily said," Everyone, listen up. The 16th of this month is the Empress Dowager's birthday. The Empress has decreed that all the madams and young ladies will enter the palace together to choose consorts for the princes.”
"What?" Nalan Jingjing was stunned. Her eyes were filled with excitement. A prince choosing a concubine was a huge matter. If she could be chosen, wouldn't she be second only to one person and tens of thousands of people?
"Is what Old Furen said true?" Zhuang Huaijin was stunned, and the shock in her heart could not be further increased. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not to mention that Nalan Jingjing had already grown into a slender and elegant figure after many years of training, and she was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. It would definitely be foolproof for her to attract the attention of the princes.
However, Nalan Youyou was no good! She had to think of a way to prevent her from successfully getting into contact with the princes, so as to avoid unnecessary training.
Nalan Youyou had inadvertently become a thorn in Zhuang Huaijin and Nalan Jingjing's side.
"Of course it's true." The old madam was stunned. Seeing that Zhuang Huaijin did not believe her, her old face darkened and she said unhappily. Zhuang Huaijin realized that she had said something wrong and quickly changed her words.
"Old Furen's words are naturally true. It's just that I was too happy to say it and was really rude.”
"Yes." Zhuang Huaijin's words made the old madam's expression look much better. He nodded and said," Wife, it's the first day of the New Year today. There's still half a month until the sixteenth. Now, you have to put in more effort. Remember, this is a big banquet in the palace. You can't make any mistakes.”
"Wife understands." Zhuang Huaijin bent her knees and bowed. She retreated to the back and sat down, thinking about how to dress Nalan Jingjing up so that she could be in the limelight at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Who knows which prince might take a fancy to him? Or perhaps, if they were lucky, wouldn't it be better if the Crown Prince took a fancy to them?
"Yes, Youyou Jingjing and Yanwan, you are all girls of my Nalan residence. You have received the best upbringing since you were young. The 16th day is the time for you to go out and see the world. During this period of time, I will let the various nannies in the residence teach you to learn well.”The old madam called Nalan Youyou, Nalan Jingjing, and Nalan Yanwan to her side. The three of them knelt at the side and quietly listened to the old madam's lecture.
When Nalan Jingjing and Nalan Yanwan heard the Old Madam's words, their hearts were filled with joy. There was still half a month before they could enter the Palace and they could even meet the various princes. If they were lucky enough to be chosen by any prince, they would be able to fly up to the branches and become phoenixes.
For the two of them, as the daughters of concubines, it was a huge difference. Such a change was rare and could not be missed.
Nalan Jingjing forcefully suppressed the excitement in her heart. She tried her best to put on a calm expression as she listened attentively to the old madam's lecture. The old madam could not help but nod her head. Nalan Jingjing's expression did not show her emotions. That was what was called style. She then looked at Nalan Yanwan, her eyes smiling like a flower, as if she was afraid that others would not know what happy things she had encountered.
The old madam's face sank. This Nalan Yanwan was really too ignorant. It seemed that she would have to be taught more by the nanny.
It was a stark contrast to the two excited people.
Nalan Youyou's head was lowered, and the old madam could not see Nalan Youyou's expression clearly. She could not tell whether she was happy or angry.
"Big girl, did you hear what I said just now?”Nalan Youyou asked without knowing what she was thinking.
Nalan Youyou was stunned and bowed deeply. Although she was a little lost in thought just now, she still heard some of the old madam's words. She was just going to stay at home and learn all kinds of skills so that she could be in the limelight at the birthday banquet.# Daguan Review Passed: Daguan Time:122120184:05AM
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