Marriage of the Di Daughter

Not long after Mingyi Hall passed the examination, the Jiang family also received invitations for the banquet in the palace.

Hong Xiaodi liked simplicity since he was a child, and he didn't like extravagance, but today's queen mother loves to be lively. Although Hong Xiaodi and the queen mother are not biological mother and son, they get along well. Hong Xiaodi's biological mother Xia Guifei died early, and the queen mother Having no children, the first emperor raised Emperor Hong Xiao under the empress dowager's knees, and the friendship for so many years can be regarded as a mother's kindness and filial piety.

This time, apart from entertaining the ministers, everyone knew that Emperor Hong Xiao would also present the leader of the examination at the palace banquet. This was a great honor for both the student himself and the family. Therefore, even if Mrs. Jiang didn't like Jiang Li very much, she told the people around her to do their best to prepare Jiang Li's clothes and jewelry for the palace banquet, and make no mistakes.

Jiang Li's life is better than before. At least after the examination, when the subordinates in Jiang's mansion discuss her, they will not be as indifferent as they used to be, and they will talk behind their backs. Although a little sad, it is an undoubted fact that Jiangli's status is a little higher than before.

At the palace banquet, many officials in Yanjing City of Yan Dynasty would go, but Chengxuan envoy Meng Youde couldn't go this time.

Compared with the bustling scene in the past, Meng's house is terribly depressed in recent days. The flowers and plants in the garden seem to be neglected, and they have bloomed and failed a lot. The withered and yellow leaves fell outside the flower bed, and the hot summer also felt a little chilling.

At night, the lights in the house were dim, and someone's voice could be faintly heard from a room in the back. It seemed to be the sound of arguing, and after a while, there was a snap, something was smashed, and someone slammed the door out.

It was Meng Youde.

In just a few days, Meng Youde was also haggard and vicissitudes, and he no longer had the proud appearance of the past. Someone chased after him, it was Meng Youde's wife, Mrs. Meng.

Master, master— Mrs. Meng begged while trotting.

Needless to say, send her back to the village to recuperate tomorrow. If she continues like this, sooner or later something will happen! Meng Youde said without looking back.

That's your daughter, how could you be so cruel! Madam Meng screamed.

I'm cruel? Meng Youde stopped in his tracks, turned his head abruptly, and pointed to the tightly closed door in the distance, Look at her current appearance, can she be fine if she stays in the mansion? Now I have offended Princess Yongning, The right prime minister doesn’t pay any attention to me anymore. My official career is over here! All this is caused by your good daughter! If it wasn’t for the bet she made with Jiang Li at the beginning, if it wasn’t for her arrow on the racecourse I shot Princess Yongning, why did I, Meng Youde, do this?

But... Mrs. Meng wanted to say something else.

She is crazy now! My own daughter, I don't feel bad? But she is crazy! It may not be a good thing to stay in the Meng family. If others know that she is crazy and spread it, who will dare to marry her in the future? Stay in Zhuangzi for a while, come back when she feels better, no one knows the fact that she was crazy, isn't that good?

Mrs. Meng gradually calmed down after hearing this. She looked at Meng Youde and asked sadly: What happened to Hongjin at Princess Yongning's place? Is there really no way for us to avenge her?

Revenge? Meng Youde sneered, he didn't know whether the anger was towards Princess Yongning or himself, he said: Behind Princess Yongning is King Cheng, King Cheng's current power is even feared by His Majesty, in the future... He sighed He took a deep breath, People don't fight with officials, and officials don't fight with kings!

The helplessness and grief in her tone made Mrs. Meng fall silent for an instant.

In the room, in a corner of the bed, Meng Hongjin tightly clutched the quilt and huddled in the corner, watching the visitor vigilantly, and said, Go away... go away!

There were broken medicine bowls on the ground, and the medicine juice was scattered all over the floor. One maid was bending over to clean up the mess on the ground, and the other maid was comforting Meng Hongjin softly: Miss, it's okay, this slave will not harm you. .”

Go away! Meng Hongjin screamed, I didn't do it, I didn't do it!

Ever since Meng Hongjin was sent back by Princess Yongning's people three days ago, she has been like this since she woke up.

Meng Youde and Mrs. Meng were afraid that Princess Yongning would torture Meng Hongjin, so the first thing they did when they came back was to have someone check Meng Hongjin for any injuries. After repeated inspections, there were no injuries, but Meng Hongjin became like this after waking up. He just hid, as if he had been greatly frightened, he didn't recognize the people around him, and he seemed to have forgotten himself.

No one knows what happened to Meng Hongjin with Princess Yongning. Only the crazy Meng Hongjin and Princess Yongning can know. No one dared to question Princess Yongning Xingshi, even Meng Youde, as long as he still wanted a future, Meng Hongjin was doomed to make unnecessary sacrifices.

...

The Princess Mansion is brightly lit, which is completely different from the Meng Mansion.

The young dancers in the hall wore thin gauze dresses and danced lightly. The white gauze covered half of their faces, revealing a pair of scissored eyes, full of tenderness, and they all threw towards the person in the center of the hall.

The man in the center has a high nose, deep eyes, thin lips, and thick eyebrows. He has handsome features, but because of his narrow face, he looks a bit indifferent.

This is Cheng Wang.

Brother thinks whichever is better, just take it from me. Princess Yongning said wearily.

King Cheng glanced at her and said, Why are you listless?

There's nothing interesting, of course I'm listless. Princess Yongning raised her head, her eyes were soft, she didn't know what she thought of, and she became a little irritable.

Cheng Wang said: Didn't you bring back the lady from Chengxuan's mansion a few days ago, why is it still boring?

Hearing this, Princess Yongning was a little surprised, and said: It's hard for you to pay attention to such things. She picked her nails and said: Don't mention it, Meng Hongjin looks powerful, but she is actually a strong outsider, I just took her to the princess. I walked around the prison in the mansion, didn’t move her, she peed her pants in fright.” Princess Yongning showed a disgusted expression, “Look at her, I don’t even have the pleasure of torturing her, so I’m going to kill her.” Sent it back.

Your miserable situation in the prison, the man may not be able to bear it even if he goes. Cheng Wang laughed, You show her these, no wonder she will go crazy with fright.

In the prison of the Princess Mansion, all the people who have offended Princess Yongning, who she hates very much and are unwilling to let people die immediately, are locked up. So they stayed here and came up with some methods of torture, such as peeling off half of the skin, or gouging out the knees, imitating cooking torture, in short, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is a purgatory on earth. Although Meng Hongjin was domineering and domineering on weekdays, in the Meng Mansion, at most, she had seen a servant girl beaten to death. Such a living tragedy was enough to scare her out of courage and become an eternal nightmare in her heart.

It's boring. Princess Yongning sneered, Of course it's interesting to torture people slowly under the nose, and it's better to fight to the death. Seeing her struggling to survive and there will be a glimmer of hope soon, she said huh He took a deep breath and blew out the flame in a small lamp in front of him. He seemed to think it was fun, and laughed giggle before saying: Just like this, blow out her last hope and make her despair, then It is interesting. Knowing how to fight against struggling prey is the best prey...

King Cheng smiled lightly: You're talking about Xue Fangfei, right?

Princess Yongning curled her lips, and was about to answer, when someone came to report outside, saying: Master Shen, the minister of Zhongshu She, is here.

Princess Yongning's eyes lit up when she heard the words, and the tiredness in her eyes was swept away immediately, and she said happily: Let him in quickly!

King Cheng calmly touched the teacup in front of him and took a sip without saying anything.

After a while, Shen Yurong was led in. He saluted King Cheng first, then looked at Princess Yongning, and said, Your Highness, Princess.

Princess Yongning was overjoyed when she saw him, her expression was even more approachable than before, she said to Cheng Wang: Master Shen was invited by me, brother, didn't you say that there is a shortage of people in Wenchang Pavilion...

King Cheng frowned slightly, as if he was dissatisfied with Princess Yongning's impatience. Fortunately, Princess Yongning was the only one who lost her mind, and Shen Yurong was still standing in the hall, dignified, without squinting. King Cheng was satisfied with him.

Princess Yongning and King Cheng have a very good relationship, and it is natural to see that King Cheng is satisfied with Shen Yurong, he is very happy in his heart, and a little proud, as if he is proud of Shen Yurong. Ever since she was injured by Meng Hongjin's arrow that day at the racecourse, many people came to the princess mansion to care about her body, but there was no Shen Yurong.

Shen Yurong is now Zhongshu Shelang, and he is also a person that Hong Xiaodi values. His wife died not long ago. It is not a good thing to get too close to a princess like her and be seen by others. It's not that Princess Yongning doesn't understand this truth, but she just can't help but miss him. Shen Yurong is not really flattering to her, nor is he as flattering as other men, but the more indifferent he is to Princess Yongning, the more Princess Yongning loves his appearance.

Princess Yongning thought that Shen Yurong was born to restrain her. For Shen Yurong's sake, she abandoned the princess's self-esteem, lowered her face, even killed his wife, and showed him a smile that she never showed to others. All this was just to let Shen Yurong return her the same love.

She loves Shen Yurong very much.

King Cheng began to ask Shen Yurong some things, Shen Yurong stood upright, her attitude was neither humble nor overbearing, and she had the demeanor of a somewhat capable person. In King Cheng's eyes, he became more and more satisfied with Shen Yurong. Although Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning had a relationship, King Cheng thought it was not a big mistake.

Those who make big things don't care about small details, let alone just a useless woman?

People in the world are either stepping stones or stumbling blocks. Stepping stones have to be stepped on and stumbling blocks have to be thrown away.

Shen Yurong just lost a stumbling block, but his future road will become wider and smoother.

...

Shen Yurong has arrived at Princess Yongning's mansion, and King Cheng is also here. The guards in black came to report.

In the study room of the Duke's Mansion, Ji Heng put back the books he had drawn out from the wooden shelf.

The guard disappeared without a sound.

It seems that Shen Yurong and King Cheng are on the line. Lu Ji took a sip of tea and looked at Ji Heng with a smile.

Sooner or later. Ji Heng put the books back and did not leave, but stood in front of the pineapple wooden shelf, as if looking for other books.

Congratulations, my lord, the matter has gone a step further. Lu Ji said: Shen Yurong has joined Chengwang, and Chengwang will add a general to the new nobles, and his power will increase a lot.

Ji Heng replied casually: Shen Yurong has ambitions, becoming a king has ambitions, and the smell of ambitious people is the same. Just like wolves don't keep company with dogs, Shen Yurong will not choose the emperor when he is in the court. Choose to become a king, only becoming a king can satisfy his ambition.

My lord is more accurate in seeing people. Lu Ji sighed, suddenly remembered something, and said: It's just a pity on the side of Chengxuan envoy Meng Youde. Meng Youde used to be the right minister. Now that he offends Princess Yongning, he is offending. Cheng Wang, the right minister is Cheng Wang's man, so naturally he won't use Meng Youde again. Meng Youde is actually quite capable—

The Meng family used to work for the right minister and was also under King Cheng, but now because of the accident at the racecourse between Meng Hongjin and Princess Yongning, the Meng family was destined to be abandoned by King Cheng. In fact, it was not that King Cheng was angry, but that Meng Youde's daughter had been murdered in such a state. Even if Meng Youde said that he didn't care about it and still worked for King Cheng, there would inevitably be complaints in his heart.

If there are complaints, maybe one day they will bite back. King Cheng is cautious and suspicious, and will never use Meng Youde again. In fact, based on Meng Youde's ability, he may not be a good help when he grows up in the future. Even from the standpoint of an outsider, one should feel sorry for King Cheng.

It's a pity that the matter has come to this point, and it can't be undone.

It's also because of Miss Jiang Er this time. Lu Ji said with a smile: The former Ye Shijie changed his plan because of Miss Jiang Er's rescue, and the current Meng Hongjin is also because of Miss Jiang Er letting the Meng family leave Chengwang. Both times Because Second Miss Jiang hindered Your Excellency's plan, this Second Miss Jiang and Your Excellency really have a bad relationship.

You want to say, Miss Jiang Er didn't mean it? Ji Heng said.

Didn't your lord think so too? Lu Ji replied with a smile: Otherwise, Wen Ji wouldn't have asked Wen Ji to investigate. Who actually mentioned Ye Shijie behind his back?

Ji Heng finally found the book he was looking for from the wooden shelf, pulled out the scroll, turned around, and saw a golden butterfly embroidered on the corner of the bright red robe, flying past behind him.

He said, It's Miss Jiang Er.

Lu Ji stopped smiling, and looked at Ji Heng: The Jiang family...

It's not the Jiang family. Ji Heng slowly raised the corners of his lips, showing an inexplicable smile: It's Miss Jiang.

Isn't it interesting? Ji Heng leaned back and said lazily, I suspect that this Second Miss Jiang is here to restrain me.

...

The summer is long, and autumn is about to enter, but it seems that there is still no cool autumn coming. The sun continues to be fierce, and the flowers in the garden are all wilted by the sun.

So belated rain is always especially loved.

It rained at night, and it didn't stop when I woke up in the morning. It just turned from pouring rain to light rain. The rainwater dripped down the eaves into a fine bead curtain, dripping on the bluestone bricks in the yard, washing the bluestone bricks extraordinarily clean, like a simple emerald stone, and seems to be able to smell the fragrance of the soil.

Tong'er came in with breakfast, and was surprised to see that Jiang Li hadn't woken up yet. In the past, Jiang Li woke up very early, and Jiang Li didn't have the habit of being lazy. Every time Tong'er served breakfast, Jiang Li had finished washing herself. up.

Girl. Tong'er called softly.

On the ground, Jiang Li suddenly opened her eyes from her sleep. Seeing that it was Tong'er, she hesitated for a moment before she realized what time it was. She sat up and pressed her forehead. Seeing that Jiang Li's forehead was full of cold sweat, Tong'er was startled, and hurriedly found a handkerchief to dry Jiang Li carefully, and said, Miss, is this a nightmare? She sweated a lot. .”

Bai Xue was also coming in from the outside. Hearing this, she walked to the window and opened a few windows. The cool wind outside suddenly blew in. The room was not as stuffy as before, and Jiang Li seemed to be much more awake.

She said, I had a dream.

It turned out to be a nightmare, Bai Xue said, It doesn't matter. There is a saying in our country that if you have a nightmare and feel uncomfortable, you can go to the sun to bask in it and you will be fine. If the girl feels scared, let's go to the sun -

What nonsense are you talking about? Before Bai Xue could finish speaking, Tong'er interrupted her, It's raining outside right now, where is the sun coming from?

Only then did Bai Xue come back to her senses, and said, Oh, let's wait for a few more days.

Tong Er asked Jiang Li: What did the girl dream about, so scared?

Although Jiang Li tried her best to conceal it, the fear and panic in her eyes still leaked a bit. She always does things with a smile on weekdays, as if nothing can bother her, so once she loses her composure, it becomes very obvious.

It's nothing. Jiang Li suppressed the emotions in her eyes and said, I just dreamed of an old friend.

Last night, she dreamed of Xue Zhao again.

Unlike the Xue Zhao in the dream of the last horse race inspection, this time, Jiang Li saw Xue Zhao being locked in a prison-like place, where there were many people guarding it, and everyone was vicious. Xue Zhao was covered in blood and was hung upside down in a cell. Jiang Li wanted to get close to him, but was separated by iron bars. And she called Xue Zhao's name, but Xue Zhao didn't move, he didn't know if he was alive or dead.

Immediately afterwards, people who came from nowhere began to torture Xue Zhao. They scalded Xue Zhao's body with red-hot irons and poured salt water mixed with chili peppers. Xue Zhao started to yell, Jiang Li was in great pain, but she couldn't touch Xue Zhao.

It wasn't until Tong'er woke her up that Jiang Li realized that she had a dream.

She couldn't help feeling a little anxious, why did she dream of Xue Zhao. It was rumored that the dead relatives would dream about their family members at night, but why did Xue Zhao let himself see those in his dreams? What kind of place is that, is it hell? But a young man like Xue Zhao, who has never done anything bad, is sincere and passionate, upright and brave, shouldn't go to hell no matter what?

And looking at Xue Zhao's feeling of being helpless is more painful than killing her.

Although it was just a dream, Jiang Li couldn't let it go. In addition to the rainy weather today, I don't know if it was affected. Jiang Li didn't want to say anything, and was very silent.

Jiang Li's silence was seen by the maids in Fangfeiyuan. Tong'er and Bai Xue didn't know why, but seeing that Jiang Li didn't want to be disturbed, everyone did things in silence.

In the afternoon, Fei Cui, who was beside Mrs. Jiang, came to Fangfeiyuan, and told Jiang Li to go to Wanfengtang, and Mrs. Jiang had something important to explain.

After Jiang Li responded, she went back to the house to change her clothes. Taking advantage of this gap, Bai Xue asked, I don't know what the old lady is looking for the girl to do.

You don't need to ask, Tong'er said as she put Jiangli on a coat, Of course it's for the palace banquet. Tomorrow is the palace banquet. Our girls not only have to go, but also accept the gift from His Majesty. With such a great honor, the old lady will definitely tell the girl carefully so as not to make any mistakes. However, Tong'er hummed softly, I haven't seen any mistakes made by the girl since I returned to Beijing with the girl, so it's better to worry about three Ladies and gentlemen themselves...

Tong'er's temperament is also a bit rude, maybe she has been raised in the mountains for a long time, and Jiang Li couldn't help laughing when these words fell into Jiang Li's ears, and the haze that started early in the morning also dissipated a little.

Seeing that Jiang Li finally smiled, Tong'er and Bai Xue also breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Jiang Li say: Yes, the old lady told me to go there must be because of the palace banquet, let's go now.

In the Wanfeng Hall at this moment, except for Jiang Li, the female relatives of the first room, the second room, and the third room are all present.

Jiang Yuanbai is the chief assistant of the current dynasty, Jiang Yuanping is the third rank in charge, and although Jiang Yuanxing is only a school secretary, but because of such two elder brothers, he can also go to the palace banquet to enjoy the glory. The palace banquet is a big event, it represents the Jiang family's face, so Mrs. Jiang naturally has to tell some matters.

These matters are about the same, and they are like this every year. Since Jiang Li will also go with her this year, she will give Jiang Li another special instruction.

While waiting for Jiang Li to come, Lu Shi felt bored, so he asked Ji Shuran: Sister-in-law, I heard that the marriage time between Youyao and Zhou Shizi has been fixed?

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of several people in the room were different.

Mrs. Jiang's expression didn't fluctuate, but the members of Sanfang were full of surprise, obviously it was the first time they heard about it.

Ji Shuran smiled softly: The news about my younger siblings is very helpful. Yes, I discussed with Mrs. Ningyuan Hou a few days ago. Mrs. Hou thinks that Youyao is old enough to get married earlier. Next winter will be the best.

Next winter, Jiang Youyao will be sixteen soon.

When Jiang Youyao heard the words, two bright reds immediately flew up on her face. It was just because everyone knew about her marriage with Zhou Yanbang, so there was no need to hide anything. She just lowered her head shyly and did not speak.

Jiang Yu'e was very shocked. She knew that Jiang Youyao and Zhou Yanbang's marriage would come true sooner or later, but she never expected it to be so soon. Zhou Yanbang is the eldest son of Ningyuanhou, and Ningyuanhou has only one son, and the entire Ningyuanhou's mansion will belong to him in the future. When Jiang Youyao marries, she can be a housekeeper and be Mrs. Hou. What's more, Zhou Yanbang, the eldest son of the Marquis of Ningyuan, is a well-known handsome man in Yanjing City. He is knowledgeable and gentle, and Jiang Youyao will have a good life after getting married.

Jiang Youyao married a good man, Jiang Yu'e couldn't help thinking of herself, her father was just a school secretary, not to mention how humble the official rank was. In Jiang's family, he is also a concubine, and he is not very close to his uncle and uncle. Although he tries his best to please Ji Shuran, Ji Shuran will certainly not devote too much effort to his marriage. There are very few people who can help her, no matter what, she can't marry such a wishful man like Jiang Youyao.

Seeing him thinking about herself, Jiang Youyao couldn't help but sigh in her heart when she thought about her future destiny, both sad and unwilling.

Lu said with a smile: Youyao is really lucky. The prince of Zhou was the one that everyone in Yanjing City wanted to marry. But sister-in-law, she asked with concern, don't forget that Li'er is also from our Jiang family. , Lier is still an elder sister, and Lier's marriage has not yet been settled, but Youyao's marriage has been settled first, so it would be a bit of a gossip.

This is a bit subtle, everyone knows that Jiang Youyao's marriage originally belonged to Jiang Li, Jiang Youyao is not only occupying the magpie's nest, but also seizing the opportunity.

Mrs. Jiang closed her eyes slightly, turning a deaf ear to the two daughters-in-law's strife, the scene in front of her was already very familiar. Ji Shuran has a gentle appearance but a tough wrist, and Lu Shi loves vanity and is competitive. When the two of them get together, stumbling is inevitable.

Thank you, brother and sister, for your concern. Ji Shuran didn't seem to hear the sarcasm in Lu's words, and replied kindly: The master of Li'er's marriage is also letting me pay attention, and I also care about it. It should be the age to talk about marriage, but no one has come to propose marriage now, and I haven't seen a better one, so I don't want to marry Li'er in a hurry. If there is a good candidate for my siblings, please let me know. I Let the old man take a look at it, after all, I don't dare to make decisions about Li'er's life-long events, I have to see the mother and the old man.

Ji Shuran easily avoided Jiang Youyao's words of seizing someone's marriage, and then demoted Jiang Li without any trace, saying that there were hundreds of women in her family begging, but Jiang Li had been back in Yanjing for so long, but no one had ever come to Jiang Li's door. People look down on Jiangli when they propose marriage, and it is impossible for the Jiang family to send their daughter there on their own initiative. Later, he pushed all of Jiang Li's marriage to Mrs. Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai, and picked everything up by himself.

Unfortunately, as soon as Jiang Li walked to the door of Wanfeng Hall, she heard Ji Shuran's words and couldn't help laughing.

Tong'er was so angry that green smoke was rising from her head. Seeing that Jiang Li was still smiling, she was a little puzzled. Ji Shuran had already said that about her. Jiang Li was not only not angry, but also laughed. What's so funny?

Jiang Li stepped into the Wanfeng Hall and said, Old lady.

Mrs. Jiang's eyes dimmed. Jiang Li still called her Old Lady instead of Grandmother. She seemed to be deliberately cutting off her relationship with herself, or in other words, with the Jiang family. Of course, Mrs. Jiang could tell that Jiang Li and Miss Jiang could not be regarded as the same person. Jiang Li had changed a lot, but Mrs. Jiang didn't know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

Lu Shi gloated and turned her eyes away, thinking that after Jiang Li heard Ji Shuran's words just now, she must retaliate a few words, making Ji Shuran unhappy, she is always happy to see the results.

But Jiang Li didn't seem to have heard Ji Shuran's slander just now. After calling the old lady, she saluted them one by one without saying a word about Ji Shuran.

Jiang Yu'e looked at Jiang Li's new floral pleated skirt - the reward Mrs. Jiang gave Jiang Li after the examination, her eyes were almost red with jealousy.

Jiang Youyao stared at Jiang Li, thinking of what she heard from the maid before, that Zhou Yanbang wanted to break off his engagement with Jiang Li, and couldn't help the hatred in her eyes.

Jiang Li stood calmly, ignoring their gazes.

She doesn't care at all.