Jiu Zhang Ji: The Daily Life of the Reborn Daughter

Chapter 149: Unveiling Ceremony

The next day, at the opening ceremony of the Salesian Home, Qiao Lili did not ask the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to choose an auspicious day, but simply chose a day when Qiao Zhen Academy was closed. However, the guests who came were all true VIPs.

First, it is Concubine Yun.

In the hearts of the people of Dayan, Concubine Yun is like a deity, a fairy who has descended to earth, a living Bodhisattva who saves people from suffering. Her visit is truly an honor to our humble home.

Secondly, there is the Princess of Zhenbei. Ever since Concubine Yun asked her to help find a partner for the Sixth Prince, her relationship with Concubine Yun and Qiao Lili has become closer, and they often visit each other. Previously, Qiao Lili even sent her a copy of the lacquerware that she brought back from the Ancient City of Dunhua.

Today she came with her eldest granddaughter Xiao Wenchu. Like the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion, the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion also has meritorious military service. The father and son of the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion guard the northwest. The Prince of Zhenbei is old and returned to Beijing to retire, leaving the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion to guard the northern border. The eldest granddaughter grew up in the capital when she was young. After she was ten years old, she accompanied her mother, the Prince's Consort, to the northern border. She just returned to the capital a few days ago.

Qiao Lili's good friends, Chen Ruxin and Su Shiyun, one is the granddaughter of a cabinet minister, and the other is the youngest daughter of a great Confucian scholar. Both are famous noble ladies in the capital.

In addition, Qiao Lili also invited Zhao Luxi, who could barely be considered a friend. She had always sent snacks to the academy very frequently, which indirectly showed that she was a caring person who liked children, so Qiao Lili solemnly sent her an invitation.

Qiao Zhen also had friends in the academy. In addition to Zhao Chengxi and Song Weizhou, she also invited a few unfamiliar faces, all of whom were very well-behaved and polite young masters. What Qiao Lili did not expect was that Song Weizhou's mother, Mrs. Song, also came with Song Weizhou, and brought Song Weizhou's little sister with her.

Mrs. Song meant that only by letting the children experience the sufferings of the world can they learn to cherish their current life and be grateful to their parents. It must be said that she is a very wise mother.

Qiao Lili agreed with this.

The notice of the orphanage taking in orphans was posted at the four city gates yesterday afternoon. Homeless orphans came to the orphanage one after another last night, and a few more came at dawn today. Of course, the orphanage is always open to receive children and will feed and clothe them first, without waiting until after the opening ceremony for the sake of formality.

A row of colorful tents were set up at the entrance of Wugong Hutong, with tea and snacks prepared to entertain the guests and every orphan who came here.

Concubine Yun was still wearing a veil, but the pair of eyes that were as bright as stars still made everyone who saw her lose their minds. Qiao Lili did not deliberately introduce Concubine Yun's identity. Those who knew it knew it, and those who didn't know it didn't need to know it.

Concubine Yun sat in the first seat, accompanied by Princess Zhenbei. The two had a huge age difference and did not have many common topics. There were no children coming at the moment, so they just drank tea, enjoyed the breeze, and watched the clouds in the sky.

Chen Ruxin, Su Shiyun and Xiao Wenchu ​​sat together. All three of them knew Concubine Yun, so they did nothing but stole glances at Concubine Yun with three pairs of starry eyes.

Because a notice was posted about the opening ceremony of the orphanage, many people in the capital knew about it. Common people were very excited and those who had nothing to do would take a detour to come and see the excitement. The dignitaries also knew about it because of the calligraphy of Emperor Yong'an at the banquet for the third princess. Now that they heard about the opening of the orphanage, they sent their servants to gather information.

Qiao Lili also placed a large number of tables and chairs in the alley and prepared hot tea, giving the greatest respect to the crowd who came to watch the fun.

Suddenly, a group of people gathered at the entrance of Centipede Alley.

The auspicious time has arrived. The so-called auspicious time is very casual. It means that Concubine Yun said that most of the people who come to watch the fun have arrived, so let's start.

First there was the unveiling ceremony.

Concubine Yun and Princess Zhenbei each held a red rope. After Qiao Lili said, "The unveiling ceremony begins now," they gently pulled the red silk covering the plaque of the Ciyuyuan, revealing three large characters "Ciyuyuan" written in rich ink.

The three golden characters on the plaque of the Salesian Home were written by Su Shiyun's father, Su Daxueshi. The characters are simple and lively, and the ink is rich and round, hiding the sharpness. It looks clear, simple and quiet, and it is great in tolerance and contains thousands of things.

When these three words appeared in front of everyone, there was uneven applause from the crowd. Concubine Yun looked at the three words with joy in her eyes.

Next, Princess Zhenbei gave an opening speech. The speech was not long, but every sentence was classic. It was also easy to understand. The crowd listened in silence. Finally, she donated a sum of money to the orphanage.

This made Qiao Lili feel very embarrassed. She invited people to come and cheer for her, so why did she make them spend money?

"I won't give you this silver for nothing. If there is a war in the northern border, you must promise me that you can take in the orphans of the soldiers." Princess Zhenbei patted Qiao Lili's hand with a firm and distant look. The northwest is now temporarily stable, but the Beihan Kingdom in the northern border has been restless.

The Prince of Zhenbei has long wanted to drive Beihan back to their homeland, but the court does not have the spare money to support a war, and can only passively resist and harass on a small scale. This situation is not expected to last too long. Once Beihan knows that Dayan does not want to fight, they may take action.

By then, whether there is money or not, we will have to fight.

Once the war breaks out, nothing can be determined by human will.

"When my mother was alive, the Dingguo Mansion had a special place to take in the orphans of soldiers. After my mother passed away, no one took care of it, and it was closed because there had been no wars for many years. Now it mainly takes in all the homeless children. If a war breaks out, the orphans of soldiers must be taken in."

"Don't worry, after this orphanage is completely renovated, Lili wants to buy the entire Centipede Hutong and expand the scope." Qiao Lili thought that her mother must want to see this too.

Mother, my daughter is still young and the burden is too heavy. Please come back soon. When you come back, you will do these things.

"Okay." Princess Zhenbei didn't say much, but tears were already in her weathered eyes.

Originally, Qiao Lili wanted to let Concubine Yun say a few words, but then she thought about it and gave up. Since the people all think that the concubine is a fairy who has descended to the earth, she still has to remain mysterious.

The donation from Princess Zhenbei caused quite a stir among the distinguished guests.

First, Chen Ruxin and Su Shiyun each donated 500 taels of silver, then Mrs. Song donated 300 taels, and even Zhao Luxi donated 100 taels. Only then did Qiao Lili realize that these people came prepared.

Qiao Lili was not pretentious. She believed that good things would bring good results, so she asked Yunwu to accept the banknotes and record them in the register one by one.

What Qiao Lili could not have expected was that even Qiao Zhen and the little classmates he brought with him donated thirty, twenty, or ten taels each. They all said that this was their saved pocket money and they did not ask for it from their parents.

Qiao Lili was very touched and asked Yunwu to record everything in the book. Hundreds of thousands of taels are not too much, and a copper coin is not too little. The gift is not big or small.

While everyone was busy here, there was a sudden commotion outside the crowd.