People who think I'm ugly are so sweet

At this time, the gate of Qinghui Building was already full of people, most of them were young servants from rich families who came to inquire about the news, and many of them had pens and paper in their hands, presumably to copy the list so that they could return to the master.

A steward was leading a lot of people to maintain order at the door. When he saw Xu Xilu coming, he hurriedly said, "Second Master Xu, please come in quickly! The host has reserved a place for you on the third floor."

When Xu Xilu walked into the Qinghui Building, the noisy voices were cut off, and his ears were immediately cleared up.The lobby on the first floor was already full of seats. Many people cast their gazes upon seeing him, and some vague gossip drifted into Xu Xilu's ears.

"Whose son is that? I don't seem to have seen him last year..."

"With this appearance, I am afraid that he is also one of the top ten young masters today."

"It can't be said so absolutely. In the ranking of the Qinghui Ranking, the character and appearance are second. The most important thing is to look at the family background. Otherwise, wouldn't the top names of Jiaofang Division also be on the list?"

Xu Xilu didn't take it seriously, and went upstairs with a fan. The steward of Qinghui Building led him to a private room, and said apologetically, "Second Master Xu, there are too many guests today, and there are not enough private rooms. You and the other two young masters are arranged in the same room, please don't be offended."

"It's okay, I don't worry about your landlord's arrangement." As long as Xie Qingxin doesn't arrange him and Shen Zixian together, he doesn't care.

The steward opened the door of the private room, Xu Xilu saw two young gentlemen sitting inside, put the fan in his hands, and said with a smile: "Brother Shangguan, Qing...Qingsu."

Shangguan Chen smiled back at him, "Brother Xilu." Xie Qingsu just nodded lightly.

"I didn't expect Qingsu to come too." Xu Xilu teased, "I thought you didn't like this kind of excitement."

Xie Qingsu narrowed her eyelids slightly, but did not answer.He didn't like this occasion, and he wasn't interested in the Qinghui list. He didn't intend to come, but Xie Qingshen's words made him change his mind.

Shangguan Chen said with a smile: "Brother Qingsu is at the top of the Qinghui list, so he will definitely come."

"Oh?" Xu Xilu raised his eyebrows, "Brother Shangguan is so sure that Qingsu is the first name?"

Shangguan Chen had a plan in mind, "Who else could there be besides him?"

This is quite right, indeed none of the sons of aristocratic families in the capital can compare with Xie Qingsu.But Xu Xilu didn't care about the previous ranking, as long as he knew that he was No.10, that was enough. "By the way, I heard that the wedding date of Brother Shangguan and Miss Yao has been fixed? I'm here to congratulate Brother Shangguan in advance."

Speaking of his marriage, Shangguan Chen couldn't help but smile, "Speaking of it, I have to thank Brother Xilu, otherwise, if Shen Zi is free to disturb the situation, I don't know how long it will take. At that time, I will definitely send the invitation to Xu Mansion, I also invite brother Xilu to come to watch the ceremony when the time comes."

Xu Xilu smiled and said, "It's only natural."

The three of them talked for a while, mainly Xu Xilu and Shangguan Chen, and heard someone outside shouting: "The auspicious time has come, change the list—"

Shangguan Chen said, "Let's go out and have a look."

Several people pushed the door out, and Xu Xilu noticed that almost all the guests on the second and third floors had come out, and the corridor was full of people for a while.These people are either rich or noble. Xu Xilu has limited contacts and only knows a small part of them.Among the crowd, he saw Song Yanqing standing opposite him at a glance.

Song Yanqing was wearing a black robe, which was very luxurious. Even in the Qinghui Building, where the rich and powerful were all over the place, she had the aura of looking down on the world.It's just that the pair of eyes that are always full of arrogance flickered for a moment when they saw Xu Xilu, as if they were a little guilty.Standing beside him was a petite young "Master", but anyone who was not blind could tell that it was a pretty girl.

Xu Xilu thought that since he met Song Yanqing, he should go say hello and ask about Princess Huiyang's marriage.As soon as he took a step, he heard Xie Qingsu ask: "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to talk to the little prince."

Xie Qingsu seemed a little displeased, Junxiu frowned slightly, "I'm going to change the list immediately, you...don't go."

Xu Xilu had no choice but to back away, and said with a smile, "Okay, don't go, just listen to our Qingsu."

A few guys set up a ladder, climbed up and took down last year's list and replaced it with two sealed scrolls.At this moment, the eyes of everyone in Qinghui Building fell on the scroll.

"Top Ten Beauties - Reveal the list!"

As soon as the voice fell, the scroll fell down, and the ten names were revealed one by one under the eyes of everyone. Almost at the same time, the sound of conversation and discussion rang out.

Shangguan Chen couldn't help but make remarks, saying: "It turns out that the granddaughter of Mr. Chen Gel of the Imperial Academy became the top ten beauties." Mr. Chen Gel had four sons, but only this granddaughter. The baby pimples of the whole family, hold it in the palm of your hand for fear of falling, and hold it in your mouth for fear of melting.It is said that Mr. Chen Ge loved this granddaughter very much. He not only taught her to read and write personally, but also recruited the nuns in the palace to teach her etiquette in the palace.This year, Ms. Chen is in Cardamom, and she has already topped the Qinghui list. It can be seen that she is indeed a beautiful woman with overwhelming talents.

"Brother Qingsu, is there a lady you like here?" Shangguan Chen asked.

Xie Qingsu said coldly: "Don't talk nonsense."

Xu Xilu tapped his chest with the handle of his fan, half-truthfully said: "Qingsu, you are so boring."

Xie Qingsu felt that the handle of the fan seemed to have really been inserted into his heart, making him breathless for a moment - he felt that he was boring...

Shangguan Chen laughed and said, "Brother Xilu, do you have someone you like?"

Xu Xilu said casually: "In life, it is natural to drink the best wine and marry the most beautiful person."

Shangguan Chen was taken aback for a moment, and then exclaimed: "Well said, you are indeed brother Xilu!"

Xie Qingsu's eyes sank, and his heart seemed to be filled with poison.He couldn't help but reached out and touched his chest, his face was slightly confused, as if he didn't understand where this strange emotion came from.

Song Yanqing at the other end had read the rankings a long time ago, and was drinking tea with little interest.The "Young Master" on the side said sourly: "If it wasn't for the fact that the princess is not on the list this year, where would it be her turn?" It turned out that this person was the top of the beauty list in the past two years—Princess Huiyang.

Song Yanqing said casually: "In my opinion, even if you are still here this year, Miss Chen may not be inferior to you."

"Cousin!" Princess Huiyang said angrily, "Why - why can't you coax people at all! Do you have to say such things in front of me?"

"This king is just telling the truth—"

"You didn't want me back then, it's fine that you made me marry into a poor place like northern Xinjiang, but now you still bully me like this?"

Song Yanqing was puzzled: "My king, to be fair, how can I insult you? Besides, you better not forget who brought you out." Huiyang is about to marry and go to northern Xinjiang, and the Queen Mother saved it for her to take over. As soon as he put down his temper, he took her to live in the palace for a while.When Song Yanqing greeted the queen mother, she ran into the princess who wanted to go to the Qinghui Tower to join in the fun. She was so entangled by her that she had no choice but to bring him out.

With tears in her beautiful eyes, Hui Yang said angrily: "You are too bad! I don't like you anymore!" After saying that, she angrily went back to the private room and closed the door with a bang.

Song Yanqing snorted softly, "Oh, woman."

"Top Ten Young Masters - Reveal the List!"

Song Yanqing didn't have any interest in watching any more, so she turned around and entered the private room.At the same time, the people present stared at the second scroll again with bated breath. When the first name was displayed, everyone was in an uproar——

"This... Isn't this the name of Prince Duan?! Xie Qingxin is desperate, dare to write his name?"

"When did Prince Duan participate in the ranking? Then what's the fight for No.1?"

"Is there a mistake—"

Shangguan Chen was also taken aback, "Brother Qingsu is second, and Prince Duan is the first? Is this in line with the rules?"

Xie Qingsu looked at Xu Xilu and said, "There must be a misunderstanding."

Xu Xilu knew that Xie Qingsu was trying to comfort him.He squinted his eyes and looked at the ten names on the list. His expression changed unpredictablely, from shock at the beginning, to confusion, and finally understanding.He smiled playfully, "The little prince is not yet married and in his prime, why can't he be on the list? You, come here."

A clerk who happened to pass by was still holding tea in his hand, and said in a daze, "Second Master Xu is calling you?"

"Well, what about your landlord?"

"The landlord is watching the ceremony from behind."

"You take me to find him."

"Second Master Xu, now?"

Xu Xilu nodded, "Now."

On the third floor of Qinghui Building, there is a private room exclusively for Xie Qingshen.Standing at the window, one can see the whole situation of Qinghui Building one by one.At this moment, Xie Qingshen looked at the shocked people through the window and breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, although the name of Prince Rui caused a huge sensation, everyone only dared to discuss this unexpected situation in private, and no one dared to jump out and question it.After all, Song Yanqing himself was present, and anyone who dared to react would openly challenge Prince Rui. In the capital, I am afraid that there is no one who has the guts to find him.

Seeing that the situation was still under control, Xie Qingshen planned to go out to have a look again, but as soon as he opened the door, someone grabbed his collar and pushed him lightly. He leaned against the wall and met a pair of extremely attractive men. Peach blossom eyes.

"Qingxin, you're going too far." Xu Xilu leaned against the wall with one hand, pointed at the tip of Xie Qingxin's nose with a fan in the other, and said leisurely: "The fair ranking agreed upon, how can you delay it just to win the bet? Where is the little prince going into the water?"

Xu Xilu was so close that even Xie Qingxin, who was not at all masculine, couldn't help but start to feel hot when facing his charming face.He swallowed, carefully pushed away Xu Xilu's folding fan, and said with an apologetic smile: "Xilu, you have misunderstood my third brother. You are so smart, you must know that I would not dare to do this without the little prince's permission." huh?"

"Oh? According to you, it was the little prince himself who asked to participate in the ranking?"

Xie Qingshen nodded again and again, "Yes, otherwise, if you lend me some guts, I wouldn't dare to write the little prince's name on it."

Xu Xilu let go of his hand and said in confusion, "Why did the little prince do this? He doesn't care about these people with false names."

Xie Qingxin said helplessly: "I can't guess what the young prince is thinking. However, he has always acted perversely, and many of his behaviors cannot be deduced by common sense." He observed Xu Xilu's face, and sighed: "Actually, I also feel that this matter No, but no matter how much I persuade, the little prince wants to be stubborn, and your third brother and I have no choice."

Xu Xilu couldn't understand it.He used to believe in science, but now he feels that maybe there really is a nemesis in the world.And Song Yanqing was Xu Xilu's nemesis.

After a long sigh, Xie Qingshen patted Xu Xilu on the shoulder, and said, "Xilu, since the Qinghui list is out, then our bet...hehe." When they made the bet, Xu Xilu was still a kid. Fatty, Xie Qingxin didn't expect much from his women's clothing.But it's different now. Back then, the black bear spirit became a vixen. Seeing him in women's clothing is more attractive than seeing Miss Chen.

Seeing Xie Qingshen rubbing his hands expectantly, Xu Xilu was annoyed and amused: "Don't worry, I, Xu Xilu, am willing to admit defeat. Tomorrow, I will put on women's clothes and come to Qinghui Building for a day."

"This is impossible." Xie Qingshen said with a smile, "It's just that tomorrow is too hasty, we have to pick a good day."

"In your opinion, when is the best day?"

Xie Qingshen smiled more and more happily, "August [-]th, Lunar New Year's Day."

Fifteen moons are sixteen round.August [-]th is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and August [-]th is the Moon Festival unique to this dynasty.Since the founding of the dynasty, the sea and rivers have been widely accepted, and hundreds of countries have come to the dynasty, and the folk customs have also opened up a lot.Although there is still a gap between men and women, it is much better than the defense of men and women in the previous dynasty who would be regarded as an affair if they said a word.During the holidays, many boudoir women would go out in men's clothing, and the aborigines in Beijing have long seen it.

The Lunar Moon Festival is established on the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Firstly, it is to pray for a good autumn harvest, and secondly, it is also a day for good men and women to seek a good marriage.Every year on the Lunar New Year's Day, Changxing Street is crowded with people, and most of them are unmarried men and women.In addition to ordinary people, many young masters and young ladies from rich and powerful families also like to join in the fun.

Xu Xilu remembered that Jiudong once said that when the Moon Festival comes, there will be more people in Changxing Street than today, so he knew that Xie Qingshen just watched the excitement and it was no big deal.However, since they all put on women's clothes, when they wore them and who they saw was nothing to Xu Xilu, who had always been optimistic. He was a model in his previous life, and he didn't wear any fancy clothes. "Okay," he said cheerfully, "Just the Lunar New Year's Day."

The Qinghui list for the new year caused an uproar in the capital.Apart from the new faces on the list, the one most interesting to talk about is Prince Rui who won the first place for no reason.To be honest, Prince Rui is the youngest son of the current Empress Dowager and the new younger brother of the Holy Majesty, naturally there is no one more honorable than him in the entire Shang capital.Although his temper is a bit bad, his appearance is rare in the world.But just like some people said, it's really unfair for him to compete with other aristocratic princes for the rankings, just like a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy competing with a scholar.

When this matter spread to Fenghua Palace, Empress Dowager Shen couldn't help but said: "Qing'er, why did you suddenly get mixed into the Qinghui list?"

Bai Zhi, the maid in charge of Fenghua Palace, brushed the Queen Mother Shen's hair while saying: "My lord must have his own reasons."

Empress Dowager Shen said leisurely: "Qing'er from the Ai family has grown up, and even I, a queen mother, can't figure out what's on her mind—have all the portraits of those ten beauties been sent to the emperor?"

"Back to the Queen Mother, it has been sent."

"What does the emperor say?"

The movements of Bai Zhi's hands paused, and she said slowly: "I heard from Mr. Liu who is beside His Majesty, that His Majesty just took a casual look and asked him to put away the portrait."

"The Ai family doesn't understand why the emperor is so uninterested in the matter of men and women?" Empress Dowager Shen said helplessly, "Last month he spent one night in the Queen's Palace, and the rest of the day he rested in the Palace of Qinzheng. If things go on like this, when will the Ai family be able to embrace the emperor's grandson?"

"Empress Dowager, don't worry," Bai Zhi persuaded softly, "Now there are only a few people going back and forth in the harem. I think the emperor doesn't like it. When the emperor meets someone he likes, his attitude will naturally be different."

Empress Dowager Shen nodded, "Since he doesn't care about himself, Ai's family must take care of him." After thinking about it, she said: "Tell Ai's little niece to stay in the palace for a while. Think of it as a companion for Huiyang." The Empress Dowager Shen's youngest niece is Shen Guogong's youngest daughter, Shen Zixian's younger sister, Shen Man'an, who is only 16 years old this year, has a delicate appearance, and ranks second on the latest Qinghui list.

Bai Zhi respectfully said: "Yes, this servant will send someone to the Duke's mansion to spread the word."

"Also ask someone to copy ten more paintings and send them to Qing'er's mansion, let him see if he likes any." Empress Dowager Shen sighed, "The two sons of the Ai family really don't worry about each other."

In the next few days, the enthusiasm for changing the Qinghui list remained undiminished. Everyone seemed to accept the fact that Prince Duan was at the top, and began to pay attention to other princes and beauties.People who said relatives began to act one after another, trying to make a few good marriages.Prince Duan's marriage is in the hands of the queen mother, and they dare not move, but they did not expect that Miss Shen, who ranked second on the list of beauties, also politely rejected the marriage proposals from various houses.It wasn't until a few days later that someone from the palace took Miss Shen Jiu away that they suddenly realized that this Miss Shen Jiu was going to enter the palace and become a noble person.Apart from the two of them, the most popular one is Xie Qingsu who is the second among the top ten young masters.Many people went to Xie's mansion to find out, Shangguan received them one by one with a smile, but as soon as the marriage was mentioned, Shangguan talked about him from left to right, and they understood it at a glance, so they didn't waste any more time. They all looked for their next home.It wasn't until the tenth day of August that people's attention gradually turned to another grand event in Beijing—the Moon Festival.

August [-]th, the Mid-Autumn Festival.Xu Taihe and Xu Xuanying went to the palace for a banquet, Mrs. Zhang claimed that she would not be sick, and the master and mistress were away, so Mrs. Xie had to come out to host the family banquet.The dinner was held in Fuqu Pavilion, and the dishes were home-cooked dishes prepared by Xie's small kitchen.Except for Xu Xilu, all the female relatives were present.

Lin Ruyun is Zhang's serious daughter-in-law, if she gets too close to Xie, she will inevitably be scolded by Zhang, so although she respects Xie, she hardly said anything at the family banquet.And Xu Qingyang, who has always talked the most, was surprisingly taciturn today.Xu Anning is also a well-behaved person, only Xu Xilu can say a few words to brighten the atmosphere, since they are all women, there are only a few topics of interest.He said: "Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Day, Madam Xie, can you go to Changxing Street to join in the fun?"

Xie said with a smile: "This is the day of you young people, I won't join in the fun."

Xu Anning couldn't help but said, "Moon Moon Festival, is it really that interesting?"

Lin Ruyun was a little surprised: "Hasn't the third sister been there?"

When it came to Lunar New Year's Day, the sleepy Xu Qingyang also became more energetic, "Madam won't let us go."

Lin Ruyun forced a smile, "I think my mother didn't let the younger sisters go because she was worried because she saw that the two younger sisters were too young."

Xu Qingyang sarcastically said: "Sister-in-law really looks towards Madam everywhere."

Seeing the grievance on Lin Ruyun's face, Xie said, "Since none of you have been there, go out and have a look tomorrow."

Xu Qingyang and Xu Anning were stunned by the sudden surprise, "Really? Can we really go out?"

Mrs. Xie nodded, "Now that I am in charge of the house, I can still decide this small matter. I will tell your father later, and he will not object if I think about it."

"Great!" Xu Qingyang was so excited that he almost jumped up.It is said that many undecided sons of aristocratic families will go out on the day of the Moon Festival. If she can meet a noble son Pian Pian, she will no longer have to struggle between the two choices given by the Zhang family.There is no unparalleled road, and she, Xu Qingyang, must seize this last chance.

Xu Anning couldn't hide her joy, "Thank you Madam An Ning!"

Mrs. Xie said indifferently: "However, when you go out, you have to obey the rules. I will arrange a few reliable people to follow you. You must be obedient, you must not act alone, and return home within the prescribed time."

Xu Anning asked expectantly: "Will the second brother go with us?"

Thinking of what he was going to do tomorrow, Xu Xilu resolutely refused: "No, I... have other arrangements."

Xu Anning was a little disappointed. It was the first time she left the house during the Lunar New Year's Day when she was so old. She was both happy and a little scared. If she could walk with her second brother, she would feel more secure.

The two girls didn't sleep well all night because of going out of the house tomorrow.Waking up early in the morning, Xu Qingyang asked Xiaoyu to take out all her skirts, picked out the most pleasing one, and began to fiddle with jewelry and makeup again.

In contrast, Xu Anning was much calmer.Seeing that it was still early to leave the house, she went to the kitchen to make a few snacks, some of which were sent to Xu Taihe, and she put the rest in a food box and sent it to Xu Xilu herself.

Walking all the way from the Tidal Pavilion into the yard, the surrounding area was very quiet, and Xu Anning didn't even see a single person.She was wondering, when she heard a burst of laughter, she approached and took a look, and immediately froze in place.

She saw a beauty with red makeup that she had never seen before sitting on the railing. The beauty was wearing a concubine-colored skirt, without any jewelry on her head, black hair hanging on her chest, her eyebrows were picturesque, and her red lips were like tassels. The pink cheeks are ruddy, and the look is bright.

Xu Anning had never seen such a good-looking beauty with red makeup. For a moment, she thought she had met a legendary banshee. It wasn't until the person looked towards her that she regained her composure, retracted her overly straightforward gaze, and gave up. He hesitated and said: "This, this sister, I am here to find my second brother."

The beauty in red makeup shook her head helplessly, and Xing Nong smiled and said, "Miss San, isn't Second Master right here?"

"Ah?" Xu Anning looked at the beauty in red makeup again, her pupils gradually enlarged, and she unconsciously took half a step back, "You...you are...Second Brother?"

Now that the matter has come to this point, Xu Xilu can only admit it openly: "It's me."

Xu Anning was still in great shock, "Why...why are you wearing women's clothing?"

"It's a long story." Xu Xilu sat lazily, letting Xing Nong play with his hair, and at the same time told Xu Anning all about his bet with Xie Qingshen.Xu Anning suddenly realized, he couldn't laugh or cry and said: "Second brother also lost too much."

Xu Xilu said calmly, "It's okay, it's just a women's dress, and you won't lose a piece of meat."

"Second Lord said at the beginning that he wanted to wear red makeup. I was worried that the makeup would be too heavy, but I didn't expect it to have such an effect." Xing Nong said with a smile, "It's just that she doesn't look like a serious girl." It's more like Jiaofang Secretary The top oiran.

"I'm already wearing women's clothing, and I still want to be like everyone else? What's the point of that? ——No Zhu Chai."

Xing Nong took off the Zhu Chai that had just been inserted, "No Zhu Chai, and no Bu Yao, what does Second Master want?"

"There are beads on your vermilion hairpin, if you move a little more, you can keep swinging it, just change it."

Xu Anning thought for a while, and took off the jade hairpin from his head, "Second Brother, what do you think of this?"

Xu Xilu glanced at it, saw that the jade hairpin was simple and generous, and would not get in the way, so he nodded, "That's all."