roccoschili Chapter 1095 Game
Chapter 1095 Game
Kang Pingzhi and He Yucheng were both crown princes, and they had a mutual respect for each other. Before long, the two took the opportunity of toasting each other to sit down together and chat about topics that interested them.
He Yinuo took the opportunity to squeeze next to He Yanran, like a bird released from its cage, and spoke to He Yanran intimately.
"You still have the leisure to meddle in the marriage of your cousins in the Wang family? Don't you see all these young masters and ladies here tonight? They're all here for you two twins." He Yanran playfully flicked He Yinuo's nose and scolded him.
He Yinuo didn't care at all: "They're just watering a dead tree root—a waste of effort. My mother said that no one is allowed to think about marriage before they are eighteen."
She picked up a piece of dried fruit and chewed it. He Yanran found it amusing and peeled an orange, handing it to her: "It's an engagement, not a marriage right away. It's good to meet people sooner rather than later, so that the person you like doesn't end up marrying someone else."
He Yinuo said calmly, "If that's the case, then it means it's not meant for me, and I don't care. But judging from the current situation, it's estimated that my brother, the Crown Prince, will be settled in less than two years. There are too many people eyeing this delicious piece of meat."
He Yanran gently patted He Yinuo's hand: "Don't talk nonsense, you can't watch your mouth."
As soon as she finished speaking, the two Duan sisters came one after the other to greet He Yinuo: "Duan Chaopei and Duan Mengting greet the Fifth Princess and the Crown Princess Xia."
He Yinuo instantly abandoned her previous nonchalant attitude and obediently greeted the two.
He Yanran, being the older one, smiled and said, "My two younger sisters, there's no need for formalities. I had the pleasure of hearing Miss Duan play the zither at Prince Yu's residence a few days ago. Why aren't you performing today?"
Duan Chaopei smiled, her eyes captivating, and said gently, "The daughters of each family are exceptionally talented, so I shouldn't make a fool of myself with my little tricks." After speaking, she turned her gaze to He Yinuo, "I heard that the Fifth Princess is helping Her Majesty the Empress manage the royal property. The Fifth Princess is truly remarkable; at such a young age, she is already a role model for us all."
He Yinuo was often praised, and smiled, saying, "My mother is just testing me. Actually, I still have a lot to learn."
Unlike Duan Chaopei, Duan Mengting wasn't very eloquent, but she was quick-witted. Seeing that almost all the food at the table was in front of He Yinuo, she figured the Fifth Princess must be a foodie, so she took the initiative to try and get close to her by talking about famous local delicacies. He Yinuo indeed found it easier to talk to Duan Mengting, while Duan Chaopei, unable to get a word in edgewise, obediently stayed by He Yanran's side and talked to her.
Duan Chaopei loved reading and, despite being a few years younger, she and He Yanran had a lot in common. The sight of the four of them together made some people envious.
Consort Shu glanced at Zhou's niece from afar. The niece's eyes were almost glued to the Crown Prince, and she had no idea of taking a roundabout route to achieve her goal by following the Fifth Princess's path.
She sighed silently, and Xu Fei beside her laughed, "Young girls, how could they have so many thoughts? It seems that the two from the Duan family have received guidance from a master, which is why they have taken the lead. However, marriage is a matter of fate, and sometimes even if you put in a lot of effort, you may not succeed."
Consort Shu put down her wine cup and glanced at His Majesty on the throne. Minister Duan had already gone over with his wine cup.
The whole family went out together, except for Madam Duan who went to see the Empress.
Tao Yanyan had obviously noticed these things as well. Seeing that He Linzhang was still somewhat amiable towards the Duan family, she didn't say anything. She only glanced at her son who was talking to Kang Pingzhi not far away, and then looked at the two Duan sisters. From their appearances, the three of them looked quite compatible no matter how they were paired together.
Once the Lunar New Year is over, people visit relatives and exchange New Year's greetings on the first day of the Lunar New Year. The families of the imperial concubines can also enter the palace to see their respective concubines, bringing gifts and receiving a pile of rewards in return.
The Chang Le Palace was the most lively place. Madam Tao, along with Gu Ning and Jiang Yingying, and Madam Ningyuan, along with Xinlan and the daughters-in-law of the other two households, came to pay their respects as if they had arranged it in advance.
"It's snowing so heavily outside, why didn't you wait until the snow stopped before coming? Quickly heat up the floor, so they don't catch a cold," Tao Yanyan instructed. Xianglan had already ordered someone to bring out steaming hot longan sweet soup for the ladies to enjoy.
"Come visit the Empress early, or you might not have time. Every year, there are just too many people coming to our door. I left the Marquis at home to deal with them, and I've come to the palace to slack off," said Lady Ningyuan with a smile.
“Every year, the people from the Marquis’s residence who come to pay New Year’s visits line up from one end of the street to the other, blocking the entire road. My father-in-law tells them not to come every year, but the number keeps increasing. This year is even worse; we can’t even keep up with all the visiting cards. Mother will be very busy once she returns from the Empress’s place,” Xinlan added.
Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "That shows that our Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion is well-liked. It just so happens that I have some local specialties from Xia Kingdom here today. I'll take some back to my aunt and mother later as New Year's gifts. That would be perfect."
"Oh, those are all good things from Xia Kingdom. Did the Crown Princess of Xia bring them?" asked Lady Ningyuan.
Tao Yanyan nodded: "Yanran brought several cartloads of goods, carefully selected and packaged one by one, so I don't need to put in any more effort."
Lady Ningyuan praised He Yanran a few times, then changed the subject, saying, "I heard that Crown Princess Xia has been getting quite close to Princess Yu recently, and has been attending banquets at Prince Yu's residence several times. The Duan family never misses a banquet at Prince Yu's residence. The two daughters of the Duan family also seem to have a close relationship with Crown Princess Xia. Last night, I saw the young girls chatting very intimately."
Xinlan tugged at Lady Ningyuan's sleeve: "Just chatting a few more words in public doesn't necessarily mean we'll get along." When it comes to people, you have to get to know them better through interaction.
Madam Tao said, "To be honest, our Tao family and the Duan family didn't have any connection before. This year, the Duan family has sent several invitations. Your Highness should pay attention, as the Duan family may want to form a marriage alliance."
Madam Tao got straight to the point, so Lady Ningyuan Marquis didn't mince words either: "We don't know what Your Majesty is thinking, but in my opinion, it would be best if the Crown Princess were chosen from the Tao or Gu families. It would be a double blessing, they would know each other well, and the children would have grown up together as childhood sweethearts, so there would be a bond between them."
Tao Yanyan knew that both families were still considering their future and wanted to follow the example of the Empress Dowager when she selected a niece from the Shu family to enter the palace.
She thought for a moment and said, "My eldest brother's daughter, Qianqian, is so young. My cousin's daughter, Nini, is a little older, but she's not old enough to be engaged yet. Besides, Yu Chengzhen only treats them as younger sisters and is forcing them together. I'm afraid they'll become resentful couples in the future. How will our families ever see each other again? Aunt, Mother, a daughter's marriage is like a second birth. We can't let it be ruined so carelessly because of the family's honor!"