Chapter 304

"Pfft!"

"Hahaha!"

"Little sister, why is your face painted like a monkey's butt!"

The Hou Fu Chang and his wife happened to be walking over from behind. Hearing Rong Xian's laughter, the Marchioness Fu Chang pulled a long face and scolded:

"Xian'er, how can you say that to your sister!"

"What monkey's butt?"

Rong Xian pointed at Rong Feiyan and said, "Mother, see for yourself."

As he spoke, the couple walked to Rong Feiyan's side.

The Marchioness Fu Chang tilted her head, looked at her heavily made-up daughter, and frowned:

"Yan'er, you! This! Why is your makeup so thick? Are you painting a wall?"

"And these clothes, why are they so complicated?"

"How did you two do your jobs!"

Ningxiang and Seeing Xi Bu, who were behind Rong Feiyan, didn't dare to argue and hurriedly lowered their heads to admit their mistake.

Rong Feiyan, with her powdery white face, asked in confusion:

"Mother, doesn't it look good?"

"You silly girl, at your age, why do you need makeup? You look better plain than your old mother."

"Go quickly, help her change her makeup, and change her clothes too."

Ningxiang and Seeing Xi Bu hurriedly agreed.

Watching Rong Feiyan walk quickly inside, the Marchioness Fu Chang turned to look at Rong Xian, who was wearing a bright red brocade robe.

She walked over, straightened his golden crown, and looked at him carefully, saying:

"My son truly has a face like a crown of jade, not bad! Today you will surely catch the eye of the young ladies entering the palace."

"Mother, be low-key! It's not good if too many people like me!"

The Hou Fu Chang, who was to the side, yawned and said:

"Go wait in the carriage!"

Huixue Courtyard.

Rong Feiyan sat in front of the bronze mirror with her eyes closed, letting Ningxiang wipe her face with a warm towel.

Seeing Xi Bu, to the side, was holding a set of jewelry and placing it on the dressing table.

"Da Niangzi, since the clothes are changed, let's use these jade hairpins with the plain butterfly and falling flower design."

Rong Feiyan opened her eyes, looked at them, and nodded.

Ningxiang and Seeing Xi Bu divided the work clearly, skillfully changed Rong Feiyan's attire, finally draped a cloak over her, and the three of them walked out.

Getting into the carriage, the Marchioness Fu Chang nodded:

"This is more like it!"

Rong Xian in the carriage nodded: "Yeah! Much better than the monkey's butt from just now."

Rong Feiyan hit Rong Xian hard.

"Ouch!"

Rong Xian screamed as if he were in great pain.

Because they were very close to the palace wall,

After walking on the street for a short while, the Chai family's carriage had already arrived at the Donghua Gate on the east side of the Imperial Palace.

When the family got off the carriage,

There was another sound of carriage wheels from behind.

When the Rong family turned their heads, the sharp-eyed Rong Xian smiled:

"Father, Mother, this is truly fate. It's actually the Chai family's carriage! Behind them is the Lu family's..."

As he spoke, Rong Xian said to Rong Feiyan, who was getting off the carriage:

"Little sister, look and see if my clothes have any wrinkles or anything?"

Rong Feiyan rolled her eyes at her brother, but still looked carefully and shook her head:

"No."

While Rong Xian was tidying his appearance, the Chai family's carriage had already driven over. After the tall carriage pulled by three horses stopped,

The servant beside the carriage hurriedly set down the golden nanmu carriage stool.

The Marchioness Fu Chang grabbed the Hou Fu Chang, who wanted to enter the palace. Seeing the Marquis's confused look, she said:

"Marquis, wait a moment!"

The three men of the Chai family got off first, followed by Chai Zhengzheng and Madam Chai.

The head of the Chai family and the brothers Chai Jin and Chai Bo saw the Rong family and hurriedly cupped their hands in greeting:

"Greetings to the Hou Fu Chang and the Marchioness, Xian'er, and Da Niangzi Feiyan. May you have a prosperous and auspicious Spring Festival!"

The Rong family returned the greetings one after another.

The Hou Fu Chang walked forward, gestured to the Chai family, and prepared to walk toward the palace gate,

But was stopped by a word from the head of the Chai family. The two stood to one side and looked toward the carriage of the Duke Ling family.

The two marchionesses and the children of the two families followed behind.

After Rong Xian exchanged greetings with the Chai brothers, he cupped his hands again: "Greetings to Da Niangzi Zhengzheng. May you have peace and health this Spring Festival."

Chai Zhengzheng bowed in greeting.

Chai Jin stroked his temples to the side and said: "Xian'er, let's go!"

Chai Zhengzheng looked at her mother, who was talking to the Marchioness Fu Chang, turned her head, and smiled at Rong Feiyan to the side:

"Little sister Feiyan, may you have joy this Spring Festival."

Rong Feiyan looked at the silver-white cloak embroidered with bright red peonies on Chai Zhengzheng and bowed:

"Sister Zhengzheng, may you have peace and health this Spring Festival."

While the two families were exchanging pleasantries,

People also began to get off the Duke Ling family's carriage.

After the Lu family members walked over, the Chai and Rong families hurriedly paid their respects. The heads of the Chai and Rong families accompanied the Duke Ling one by one as they walked in front.

In the middle, the marchionesses of the Chai and Rong families accompanied the Old Duchess and the eldest daughter-in-law as they walked in the middle.

Behind them were the young ladies—well, the several golden flowers of the Imperial Son-in-law's family were also there.

Only the people from the second branch of the Lu family were missing.

The group passed through the gate and entered the Imperial City.

On the way to the inner palace, the eldest young lady of the Lu family poked her head out and looked toward the left side, saying:

"Sigh, I wonder how Zongge'er is doing at the Marquis Yongyi's house!"

Hearing this, Rong Feiyan didn't react much, as she had known about this since last night.

Chai Zhengzheng looked over with great interest:

"Ah?"

Seeing Chai Zhengzheng's look, the second young lady of the Lu family said:

"Isn't my little brother sworn brothers with the Fifth Brother of the Xu family? This New Year, Grandfather said it himself, letting him go to the Xu family to spend the New Year."

"However, I think my little brother must be having a lot of fun at the Marquis Yongyi's house. Last night, I heard my eldest aunt and mother say that Jingge'er took my little brother horse racing outside the city!"

Chai Zhengzheng nodded.

At this time, the young Fifth Da Niangzi of the Lu family said innocently:

"Father said that after we marry out in the future, we will have to rely on Brother Zong to protect us."

Hearing this, the girls covered their mouths and laughed.

The eldest young lady of the Lu family said: "Little sister, how old are you to be thinking about marriage? Aren't you ashamed!"

"What's there to be ashamed of about wanting to marry! Eldest sister, didn't you always say you liked Chai..."

The eldest young lady of the Lu family glanced at Chai Zhengzheng to the side, then quickly covered the little girl's mouth and threatened:

"If you say it again, I won't buy you anything delicious or fun!"

The little girl nodded before being let go.

After walking for a while,

The heads of the three families all walked south to the outer court.

The women of the three families came to the outside of the inner palace hall.

After being announced, the group entered the warm hall. There weren't many people in the hall.

Only the families of several princes, such as the Prince of Hui, the Prince of Kang, and the Prince of Tan, were seated.

The families of the Prince of Yong and the Prince of Jing did not come.

Everyone paid their respects. The Rong family sat beside Consort Rong.

The elderly Old Duchess Lu took her seat, with her eldest daughter-in-law standing behind her.

The Chai family sat in the lower seats not far from the Empress.

The young ladies who entered later paid their respects one after another, but they had no seats and could only stand beside the adults.

Everyone talked for a while.

The Empress, sitting at the head, looked at the Lu family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law who kept looking outside, and said in a low voice to the female official beside her:

"Go, see where the Marquis Yongyi's family has reached!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhao Fang, who was to the side, raised his head and said: "Thank you, Mother Empress. How did you know what your son was thinking?"

The Empress was stunned and smiled, touching Zhao Fang's little face.

A while later, Princess Pingning brought Qi Heng in with a smile: "Mother Empress! Your son pays New Year's respects to you."

The Empress said with a smile: "Good! Someone, reward him! Hengge'er, good child!"

After Princess Pingning expressed her gratitude, she took her seat, and Qi Heng stood behind her.

Princess Pingning talked with Madam Chai beside her, looking at Chai Zhengzheng a few times from time to time.

Afterward, Princess Pingning said:

"Zhengzheng, what are you looking at?"

Chai Zhengzheng was stunned and withdrew her gaze, saying:

"Princess, no, I'm not looking at anything. It's just that I heard the Fifth Da Niangzi of the Duke of England's family say before that the youths of our Great Zhou fought against the royalty of two countries right here. So..."

Princess Pingning smiled: "Oh, it wasn't seated like that that year..."

Princess Pingning spoke in detail, Qi Heng added a few words from time to time, and Chai Zhengzheng nodded continuously.

During this time, the families of several princes entered.

Soon, the area outside the hall was filled with noble families from Bianjing, Great Zhou, led by the Duchess of England.

The female official whispered a few words in the Empress's ear.

Afterward, amidst the eunuch's voice, everyone began to enter the hall.

After the wives of several dukes brought their children in to pay New Year's respects, the Empress would say a few words to each of them.

Soon it was the turn of the Ningyuan Marquis family.

The Empress looked at Madam Bai and said with a smile: "Madam, how is your eldest daughter-in-law?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, she is very well!"

The Empress nodded with a smile and said: "Good, next year you should bring your grandson for me to see."

"Yes!"

Looking at Madam Bai, the Empress looked at Gu Tingye and his sister behind her:

"They are all good children! Madam, take your seat!"

Madam Bai nodded to the noble wives beside her and sat down beside the Old Duchess of the Marquis Zhongjing.

The atmosphere in the hall was relaxed, so Gu Tingyi exchanged glances with the Fifth Da Niangzi of the Zhang family and Chai Zhengzheng from time to time.

"Announcing the Marquis Yongyi's family entering the hall!"

After the eunuch at the hall gate shouted,

People like the Old Duchess of the Duke Ling stopped their conversation because they were worried about their grandson.

And the Duchess of England, the Marquis Tuoxi, the Marquis Zhongjing, and the Ningyuan Marquis didn't speak because the heads of these families were all on the northern front line.

Madam Chai was too fond of Xu Zaijing.

And other noble families stopped their conversations to show respect because Xu Minghua was currently in a position of great importance.

In short, the hall became slightly quiet.

Soon, Madam Sun brought Madam Xie, the Xu Zaijing siblings, and a Lu Zezong inside. Hualan did not enter the palace because she was pregnant.

Zhao Fang, who was beside the Empress, looked suspiciously at the little boy beside Xu Zaijing and said in a low voice:

"Mother Empress, who is that beside Jingge'er?"

"That is the eldest legitimate grandson of the Duke Ling family, the one Jingge'er saved at the Daoist Academy before!"

Zhao Fang nodded.

Madam Sun brought her family to pay New Year's respects, and the Empress said:

"Now that the Marquis Xu is still guarding the border for the country, Madam has worked hard."

"Your Majesty, that is the duty of the Marquis as a subject."

"Little Zongge'er, are you doing well at your sworn brother's house?"

Hearing the Empress's question, Lu Zezong nodded and said:

"Replying to Your Majesty, yes! Horse riding is so much fun!"

Hearing Lu Zezong's words, the ladies in the hall laughed softly, especially the Old Duchess and Madam of the Duke Ling.

Seeing Lu Zezong's appearance, both of them had their hearts put back into their stomachs.

The Empress looked at Xu Zaijing, who was already as tall as Zaizhang, and said with a smile:

"Jingge'er, you are already as tall as your elder brother?"

Zaizhang and Zaijing bowed, and Xu Zaijing said:

"Replying to Your Majesty, yes."

"You grow fast enough. When I saw you before, you were only this tall."

The Empress smiled and gestured with Princess Pingning, then looked at Consort Rong.

Princess Pingning and Consort Rong also nodded with a smile.

Rong Feiyan stood behind Consort Rong, looking at Xu Zaijing openly with a smile on her face. When she turned her head, she found her brother Rong Xian was also smiling,

But she felt her brother's gaze was a bit crooked?

Xu Zaijing nodded to Qi Heng and the Chai brothers. When looking at the Chai brothers, he inevitably made eye contact with Chai Zhengzheng, who was staring at him.

Looking at the young lady with a flower-shaped mark on her forehead smiling, Xu Zaijing also nodded slightly.

Afterward, the Xu family went to take their seats.

When following his mother toward their seats, Rong Xian, in his bright red brocade robe, was truly eye-catching. Xu Zaijing naturally looked over, and then was scorched by a certain young lady's gaze.

However, that young lady's gaze only scorched him for a moment before hiding somewhere.

Because his elder sister Anmei suddenly stopped and blocked in front of Xu Zaijing. Although Anmei's height only reached Xu Zaijing's nose, the effect was still very obvious.

Anmei said a few words to the Fifth Da Niangzi of the Zhang family and followed along, completely unaware of what she had done.

Lu Zezong went straight back to the side of the Duke Ling family, happily telling his family something in front of his grandmother and mother.

Over the past few years, as the Empress had children, the atmosphere of entering the palace to pay New Year's respects on the first day of the New Year had become more and more harmonious.

Seeing that no new noble families were entering the hall, the Empress gave an order, and the noble wives began to move around the hall, talking in low voices.

When the Emperor brought the noble ministers inside, everyone returned to their respective seats.

After everyone paid New Year's respects to the Emperor, Empress, and Imperial Prince,

The Emperor did not take the Empress to the back as before,

But after watching the noble wives leave the hall, he continued to discuss the state affairs of Great Zhou with other noble ministers, looking full of energy.

Moreover,

Standing in front of the Emperor was Xu Zaijing's eldest brother-in-law, Gu Tingyu.

When Gu Dalang pointed to a place marked with the character "Xu" on a detailed map of northern Great Zhou,

And then pointed to a place within the Bai Gao Kingdom,

Xu Zaijing was talking with other young noble descendants who had walked out of the hall.

Opportunities to have everyone together like today were rare.

Listening to others talking, Xu Zaijing asked in surprise: "Fourth Brother, you aren't going to the Duke of England's command, but to my father's?"

Zhang Fangling nodded and said: "That's right, I'll be going after the wedding."

Hearing Zhang Fangling's words, Gu Tingye, Zheng Xiao, and the others around them all stopped talking.

"By then, there might also be a few descendants of the Duke of Cheng's family."

Zhang Fangling said as he looked toward the direction of the Feng family, the Duke of Cheng, not far away, and nodded to the few young men who were looking over.

"And the eldest son of the Liang family, but he's not going to your family's command; I heard he's going under General Gan."

Gu Tingye, who was to the side, tugged at Xu Zaijing's arm and said: "Jingge'er, look, should we also..."

As soon as Gu Tingye said this, Qi Heng, Liang Han, and the others to the side all looked over.

Xu Zaijing said: "Erlang says it's fine, you guys are only as big as beans, why are you looking at me?"

After he finished speaking, Xu Zaijing looked at the Fourth Young Master of the Zhang family and then at Gu Tingye:

"Erlang, do you think this is a war of national conquest?"

(End of chapter)