Chapter 686: No Longer a Commoner Household [Thanks! Thanks again! 37 chapters owed]

Afternoon,

The sun was slanting west,

East Gate of the Imperial City,

Outside the Donghuamen,

Under the sunlight, the towering palace walls left long shadows on the ground.

Golden sunlight shone out from the palace gate tunnel.

Through the gate tunnel,

"Cherries! Top-grade cherries!"

"Golden apricots!"

"Plums!"

The various hawking sounds of vendors outside the palace gate rang out from time to time, vaguely drifting into the palace city.

Because eunuchs from the palace city often came to purchase fruits and vegetables, the vendors here were all of clean family background and clear roots.

At this time,

A few figures appeared under the palace gate tunnel. After walking out of the gate tunnel, they boarded the exquisite carriage parked outside the palace gate.

Subsequently,

The coachman drove the carriage across the open space outside the palace gate, crossed the moat, and turned onto the bustling and lively main street outside the palace gate.

The area near the Donghuamen was one of the most prosperous places in the capital.

Even in the afternoon, the street was still full of traffic and pedestrians like weaving.

The carriage drove on the main street, and the various sounds of talking, hawking, selling, and the camel bells of cattle and horses walking around became even noisier.

This kind of exquisite and luxurious carriage of the Rong family was like encountering a top-tier luxury car on the street in later generations; pedestrians and carriages automatically opened up distance to avoid it.

In the carriage,

Rong Feiyan sat in the middle position, her straight back leaning against the carriage wall.

The carriage wall was fixed with exquisite silk, and cotton was filled inside, so leaning on it didn't feel hard at all.

Listening to the movement outside the carriage, Rong Feiyan lifted the dark cloth curtain on the carriage window to look out,

But her heart was recalling that she had secretly glanced at Xu Zaijing with burning cheeks in the palace earlier, but her line of sight collided with Xu Zaijing's line of sight.

After the line of sight collided, Xu Zaijing even nodded and smiled in return.

'What does that look of his mean?'

'Maybe he is congratulating my family?'

'No, there seems to be something else in his eyes!'

'His eyes are so bright and black!'

'His eyebrows are also good-looking!'

'Seen him so many times, what is he thinking in his heart?'

'He doesn't even hint at me!'

Rong Feiyan's thoughts turned a hundred times, thinking wildly and aimlessly but somewhat sweetly.

At this time, the Rong family carriage was driving south, and the golden sunlight happened to shine on the carriage. Rong Feiyan only lifted the window curtain for a while, and her fingers touched by the sunlight became a bit hot.

There were many pedestrians on the road. From time to time, passersby saw Rong Feiyan in the carriage because of the angle, and they seemed to see a fairy in a flash.

The passersby's line of sight chased the carriage as it went away, leaving only a sense of loss in the bottom of their hearts.

Sitting on both sides of the carriage, Seeing Xi Bu and Ningxiang, looking at the beautiful appearance of their own young lady smiling, were also swayed.

The maid Ningxiang shook her head and also turned sideways to lift a seam to look out.

After looking for a moment, Ningxiang said: "Seeing Xi Bu sister, look, that little lady who is full of curiosity and looking around, you can tell at a glance that she has not been in the capital for long."

"Ningxiang, you really know how to look at people!"

"Hehe, having been in the capital for so long, you can tell at a glance. Only when you first arrive in the capital will you be curious about this. Don't you think so, Da Niangzi?"

Looking at her own young lady, who was smiling and looking out in a daze, Ningxiang added: "Da Niangzi?!"

"Mm?"

Rong Feiyan, who was thinking about things, woke up and looked at the personal maid with a 'you'd better have something to say' look.

Looking at her own young lady's very unhappy expression, Ningxiang smiled awkwardly and said: "Da Niangzi, look outside..."

During the conversation, the carriage had already passed the 'out-of-town little lady' in Ningxiang's words.

Without an object to talk to, Ningxiang's expression became even more awkward, and she said with difficulty: "Da Niangzi, we walked past..."

Seeing Xi Bu, who was sitting on the other side, saw this and eased the situation: "Da Niangzi, to tell you the truth, now that the Imperial Consort has an imperial prince, this servant thinks that starting tomorrow, the posts sent to our family might increase!"

Ningxiang, who was eased, nodded repeatedly.

"Posts?" Rong Feiyan was confused.

"Mm! Da Niangzi, there are many outstanding people in the capital..."

Rong Feiyan shook her head and said with a firm look: "No matter how many posts there are, I will pick and choose to go."

After speaking, Rong Feiyan continued to look outside the carriage.

Seeing Xi Bu said softly: "Da Niangzi, to tell you the truth! You have the Imperial Consort's teaching, and you are always steady in doing things, but the Marquis, Madam, and the others might not be."

Rong Feiyan was startled, turned to look at Seeing Xi Bu, and said uncertainly: "You mean..."

Seeing Xi Bu nodded: "Yes, who knows which family will stuff a concubine to the Marquis, stuff a little one to the Second Young Master, thinking of ways to marry into our family. And you, Da Niangzi..."

Rong Feiyan pondered for a moment and said: "Seeing Xi Bu, what you said is right, I have to warn..."

After saying half a sentence, Rong Feiyan shook her head: "It still depends on the sister. Once she wakes up, saying one sentence is more useful than me saying many sentences!"

Imperial Consort Rong took medicine in the morning and was tired for most of the day. Before the Rong family left the palace, she had already fallen asleep.

Evening,

Xingguo Lane,

Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong's Mansion, backyard.

"The Young Duke is here!"

Outside the door, the little maid's announcement sounded.

In the room, the Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong couple, who were talking, turned to look at the door.

A moment later,

Qi Heng entered the room with a smile on his face and bowed: "Father, Mother."

"Yuanruo is back." The Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong stroked his beard and smiled.

Princess Pingning shook her round fan and nodded: "Heng'er, come over and sit."

Qi Heng sat on the chair with a smile, looked at Princess Pingning and said: "Mother, the news you sent to the Sheng family this afternoon, is it true?"

Princess Pingning frowned and smiled: "Heng'er, can such a thing be fake?"

Qi Heng smiled somewhat embarrassedly: "The Emperor has added another imperial prince, and the foundation of our dynasty has become more stable! I think the Emperor must be very happy."

Princess Pingning smiled: "That is natural. In this way, Father Emperor also has another bloodline! The Rong family is also different from the past, not the same as before!"

The Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong nodded: "Not bad! Before, some people in the capital said that the Rong family was a commoner household with a shallow foundation. Now that an imperial prince has come out, it's not the same!"

Qi Heng said with some incomprehension: "Father, Mother, are you saying it too seriously? How can the Rong family be a Marquis title anyway."

Princess Pingning shook her round fan a few times, looked at the innocent and handsome Qi Heng, and smiled: "Heng'er, don't just look at what's in front of you, look at the long term. Let me ask you, if the Imperial Consort only had the Yu'er Princess as a child, ten years later, could the Rong family still face the Emperor?"

Qi Heng understood what his mother meant by the situation after the imperial prince succeeded to the throne. After thinking for a while, he said: "Mother, I think it would be much harder than it is now, after all, the Rong family has no outstanding children."

"What about after some time?" Princess Pingning added.

"It might be even harder. In the future, the husband's family of the Yu'er Princess will be closer than the Rong family."

"What about the Imperial Consort having this imperial prince?"

Qi Heng nodded: "The Rong family will always be imperial relatives, and the opportunity to face the Emperor will be more than it is now."

Princess Pingning smiled, looking at the empty space with full thoughts: "It's just that I don't know if the Rong family can hold back."

"Hold back? Mother, you mean that in the current situation, there will definitely be many people throwing themselves under the Rong family's door. The Rong family should hold back and not accept too many people, otherwise they will be suspected by the Empress?"

"Heng'er, you have really grown up." Princess Pingning praised.

"I think in the future, there will be people sending beauties and noble concubines to the Marquis of Hou Fu Chang father and son. If not careful, the Rong family will have problems." The Qi Ling Ling Guo Gong said.

Qi Heng nodded, his eyes turned, and he said: "Father, Mother, speaking of this, the Rong family's Feiyan girl will also rise with the tide, and there will definitely be many noble families going to seek marriage!"

Princess Pingning smiled: "Yuanruo, you have thought wrong about this matter."

Looking at Qi Heng who wanted to ask, Princess Pingning smiled and waved her hand, saying: "You will understand in the future."

"By the way, Father Emperor is happy to have an imperial heir, and our family should also celebrate. Heng'er, you go and set off some fireworks and firecrackers with Buwei."

Qi Heng, who was about to speak but stopped, nodded and cupped his hands: "Yes, Mother."

The sky was dark,

Inner city,

Near Lijing Gate,

The sound of fireworks and firecrackers came from time to time.

In a street alley,

"Whoa!"

"Clatter..."

There was the sound of horse hooves stepping on stone slabs.

Two knights reined in their horses and stopped in front of a large gate, and in front of the gate were two lanterns with the four characters 'Shoushan Earl Huang'.

Seeing the two, the gatekeeper hurriedly stepped forward to bow and salute, took the reins, and smiled: "Eldest Young Master, you are back."

"Mm."

The knight who spoke dismounted nimbly, took his personal attendant, and walked toward the large gate.

Passing through the corridor and gate,

Amidst the little maid's announcement, Huang Qingyue lowered his head and passed through the door curtain, entering the main room.

After greeting and asking after his family, Huang Qingyue walked to a maid to wash his face and hands.

Under the bright candlelight, Huang Qingyue, who finished wiping his face with a towel, looked at the Madam of the Earl of Shoushan standing by the table in surprise while wiping his hands, and smiled: "Mother, I haven't seen you wear this dress much, it looks really good."

The Madam of the Earl of Shoushan glanced at Gu Tingyi beside her and smiled: "Yi'er measured my figure and made it. The material is good, and the craftsmanship is even better. Can it not be good?"

As she spoke, the Madam of the Earl of Shoushan stretched out her hand: "Sit down, all of you."

After sitting down, the Madam of the Earl of Shoushan said with feigned reproach: "Raised you for so many years, and haven't seen you see much good material."

"Exactly, exactly, Mother didn't dote on you in vain." On the other side, Meng Jie'er smoothed her clothes and echoed.

"Yo, younger sister also changed into new clothes?" Huang Qingyue smiled.

Meng Jie'er was about to speak proudly, but Huang Qingyue continued: "If you don't look carefully, you really can't tell. Wearing it on you is... a pity."

"Brother, what do you mean?" Meng Jie'er frowned.

"How are you talking! How can you talk to your younger sister like this?" Gu Tingyi supported Meng Jie'er to the side.

The Earl of Shoushan, sitting on the other side of Madam Yuan, looked at his son's gaze and said helplessly: "Eldest Brother, why are you looking at your father? Can I get a word in?"

Seeing this, Huang Qingyue pursed his lips and cupped his hands: "Younger sister, brother was wrong, shouldn't have talked like this."

"Hmph! Still the sister-in-law is good." After speaking, Meng Jie'er smiled at Gu Tingyi.

In a relaxed atmosphere, the Huang family had dinner.

Meng Jie'er was pulled away by the Earl of Shoushan couple, while the newlywed Huang Qingyue couple held hands and walked toward their own courtyard.

Entering the room, the candles were lit.

Huang Qingyue looked at the new clothes placed on the tray and grinned.

Dismissing the maid, Gu Tingyi personally picked up the clothes and said: "Official, try it on, see if it fits."

"Good."

"Imperial Consort Rong gave birth to an imperial prince, does the Madam know?"

"Mm. Got the happy news in the afternoon."

"Sigh!" Huang Qingyue sighed.

"Official, what's wrong?" Gu Tingyi asked with a smile.

Huang Qingyue, who was stretching his arms, said: "I have always heard before that Jing Ge'er and His Highness have a very good relationship, but I didn't expect it to be so good."

Gu Tingyi smiled: "Why does the official say so?"

Huang Qingyue was still quite emotional at this time, shaking his head: "I heard from my comrade-in-arms today that before going to Imperial Consort Rong's place, Jing Ge'er and His Highness hugged and wrestled a few times."

Tingyi, who was tying the belt for Huang Qingyue, was startled and confused: "Wrestling? With His Highness?"

"Mm, Jing Ge'er even threw the Imperial Prince down with one hand."

"Oh my god!" Gu Tingyi exclaimed and continued to tie the belt.

Subsequently, Gu Tingyi stepped back, scanned the official wearing new clothes before her, nodded with a smile and said: "Jing Ge has been summoned into the palace by the Empress since he was young, so naturally he is familiar with His Highness."

Huang Qingyue smiled.

Looking at Huang Qingyue, whose smile gradually dissipated, I don't know what he thought of, Tingyi said: "Official, what's wrong?"

Huang Qingyue shook his head: "Nothing, just thought of Cousin Wenshao before. If it weren't for the Aunt and the Eldest Sister-in-law making trouble, a good Earl's mansion wouldn't have become what it is today."

"Official, your subordinates are mostly cavalry, have you ever thought about transferring Yuan family relatives over? Although the Mother-in-law smiles from time to time, I can see that she still misses her brother."

"Madam, I mentioned this to my uncle before, but my uncle won't come over."

Tingyi was confused: "Why?"

Huang Qingyue sighed: "Uncle said that after the Yuan family had an accident back then, it was Xu Marquis who reached out to help, ignoring past grievances to plan his future and report his merits. He cannot be ungrateful."

Looking at Tingyi's confused look, Huang Qingyue smiled: "Madam, you are still too naive. Back then, the Yuan family's reputation was like that, and they were severely reprimanded by the Emperor. Even if Uncle made contributions, Xu Marquis, or the captains under Xu Marquis, giving the credit to close people, Uncle couldn't say anything."

Tingyi nodded: "This concubine understands. In this way, the Yuan family can only keep lying in the mud. The gift book before I also read, the congratulatory gift from Uncle's family is not light."

Huang Qingyue smiled: "Madam, 60% of the horses traded from Mongolia to our dynasty have to pass through Uncle's eyes. If there are any hidden illnesses in the horses, Uncle can tell at a glance."

"Oh! No wonder!" Tingyi's face was enlightened, stepped forward and said: "Alright, change clothes."

"By the way, Madam, I heard from the little servant beside me that Qingyun, the personal attendant of Jing Ge'er, has a pair of dragon and phoenix twins at home?"

Looking at Tingyi, whose face turned red and lowered her head, Huang Qingyue hurriedly said: "No, Madam, my meaning is, His Highness is close to Jing Ge'er, is there any consideration in this regard? Where did you think?"

Hearing this, Tingyi was startled, pushed Huang Qingyue, held the clothes and said with disgust: "The sleeve of the clothes is a bit inappropriate, I'll go and change it for the official."

"It fits quite well! It's so late..." Huang Qingyue hurriedly said.

"Official, sleep first." Tingyi said without looking back.

Looking at Tingyi's back, Huang Qingyue scratched his head with a confused look.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 687 =====

"It's quite appropriate! The hour is so late," Huang Qingyue hurriedly said.

"You should sleep first, sir," Gu Tingyi said without even turning his head.

Watching Gu Tingyi's retreating back, Huang Qingyue scratched his head in utter confusion.

(End of chapter)