bookcurios Chapter 330 Invitation, Princess Yue'an's Birthday Banquet
Chapter 330 Invitation, Princess Yue'an's Birthday Banquet
When I woke up the next day and opened the door and walked out, Linglong came to me and said, "Miss, you are awake. Come and have something to eat."
"Linglong, what time is it now?"
"It's already 9 o'clock. The old lady just sent someone to ask you to wake up and go to her yard."
"Okay, I got it." She ate something casually and went to the old lady's yard.
When she arrived at the door of the old lady's house, she looked inside and saw Chen Shuhua and Shen Youran there. They were gesturing with the old lady with something in their hands. They were talking and laughing. She had been the housekeeper of the mansion recently and had lost a lot of weight. It seemed that this family was not easy to be the housekeeper. She thought that as long as she took over the housekeeper's power, she would have the final say in the mansion. Who would have thought that without Chen Shuhua's dowry, the Shangshu Mansion was so poor that they had to rely on her private money. These days were really hard. Fortunately, she said some good things in front of her grandmother, and she got some money from her to ease the tense economic situation. What she lacked most now was money.
"Grandmother, mother." Yao Qingnian stepped into the house and bowed to them first.
"It's already so late, and you've kept all of us waiting for you. Your sister came here early in the morning to pay her respects to an old woman like me, but you don't learn from her. She's becoming more and more unruly. Shuhua, you can't just take care of yourself. When you have time, you should teach her more rules and etiquette to prevent her from embarrassing people in the Shangshu Mansion. Get up." The old lady's face darkened. Considering that Chen Shuhua had just given her a good gift, she just scolded her casually and didn't make things too difficult for her.
"Madam, Nianran went to Prince Ding's mansion recently to see the princess. We can't be careless. If she cures the princess, it will also be a honor for our mansion, right? She has worked very hard! It's normal to sleep a little longer. Don't blame her." Chen Shuhua heard the disdain in the old lady's words and couldn't help but speak up for her daughter.
The old lady knew that she had gone to see the princess, and heard that Prince Heng had come in person to express his gratitude. If she could have a relationship with Prince Ding's Mansion, it would be a good thing for Wen Ting. However, Chen Shuhua contradicted her in front of the younger generations, which made her feel a little embarrassed.
“Mother, grandmother doesn’t mean to blame my sister. She just came back from the countryside and there are a lot of things she doesn’t understand. If she rashly went to Prince Ding’s Mansion and offended the prince and princess, it would be bad. This is also for her own good.” Shen Youran smiled and helped the old lady out.
"Thank you for your kindness, grandmother and sister. I won't bother you with my affairs." Yao Qingnian chuckled.
"Nianran, come here quickly. The shop has delivered some new cloth. I thought of making some summer clothes for you two sisters. The weather is getting hot. This Lingyun silk fabric is soft, breathable, and comfortable to wear. The color is also suitable for you girls, so I brought it here. You and Youran can choose.
It's just right. Princess Yue'an's birthday banquet will be held in a few days. The princess's mansion has sent the invitation and asked me to bring the young ladies from your mansion to attend. Especially Nianran, many people have never seen you. The princess said that this is a good opportunity for everyone to get to know you." Chen Shuhua said with a smile.
Speaking of the eldest princess, she also has some connection with the Duke's Mansion. At that time, the eldest princess was still young and Emperor Cang Ling had not yet ascended the throne. Because their biological mother, the imperial concubine, made mistakes, the two siblings were not loved by the late emperor and were often bullied.
Once she was deceived by other palace maids and secretly ran away from the palace. As she had never been out of the palace before, she soon got lost in the capital. Penniless, she was wandering on the streets and was mistaken for a beggar. The old Duke and his wife met her by chance. At first they didn't know she was a princess, but they felt sorry for her and gave her silver and food. She originally found her way back to the palace with the silver, but because she was not favored, the palace maids guarding the gate did not recognize her, and there was no news of the princess being lost in the palace, so Princess Yue'an was driven out as a beggar.
Later, she met a human trafficker, was deceived, and was almost taken out of the city to be sold. Fortunately, she was encountered by the patrolling old duke, who discovered the clues and rescued her. Otherwise, the consequences would be disastrous. After the duke learned of her experience, he took her back to the mansion.
At that time, Chen Shuhua was not very old. She liked her sister very much when she saw her parents brought her back. They played together in the mansion for many days and became good friends.
Later, Duke Chen reported the matter of Princess Yue'an to the late emperor. After detailed questioning, the late emperor learned that the princess had been missing for several days. Such a big thing, but none of the servants in Princess Yue'an's courtyard came forward to report the matter. In fact, the late queen was behind all this. She suppressed the news because she wanted to eliminate Emperor Cang Ling's siblings and other princes, so that the prince could ascend to the throne unimpeded.
Just because he didn't love the princess didn't mean she could be bullied at will. After all, the princess was of royal blood. The late emperor was furious and ordered all the servants in the princess' courtyard to be executed. The steps of the Ye Ting Bureau were dyed red that day, and the palace servants never dared to bully or despise Princess Yue'an again.
Later, when Emperor Cang Ling ascended the throne, Princess Yue'an and her brother finally made it. Princess Yue'an always remembered the kindness of Duke Chen, and often summoned Chen Shuhua to the palace to play. She would always think of the Duke's Mansion for any good things. This is one of the reasons why Duke Chen, despite his age, was still highly valued and respected by Emperor Cang Ling.
Yao Qingnian sat down on the rosewood stool.
Shen Youran said sarcastically, "Sister, this is your first time attending such a big banquet since you came back, so you must choose carefully and dress up beautifully. That is the Princess's residence, not an ordinary official family. Don't let people look down on you. If you are scared, just stay by my side, I will take good care of you."
What he meant was that she had never seen the world. Yao Qingnian rolled his eyes in his heart.
"You Ran is a sensible girl. When the time comes, you will be the one to look after your sister to prevent her from causing any trouble and harming the Shangshu Mansion." The old lady snorted.
"It's okay, don't be afraid, Nianran, just stay with your mother." Chen Shuhua was also worried that she had just returned to the capital and didn't know the rules and etiquette, so she would feel uncomfortable there, just like the last time she went to the Earl's Mansion.
"Mom, I understand." Yao Qingnian was not interested in such a banquet, but since she was asked to go, she had to go.
"Okay, everyone go back and get ready. It's time to dress up and tidy up. The two girls are not young anymore, and it's time for them to get married. It's a good opportunity to show off at the banquet." This is the focus of the old lady's attention. There will definitely be children of noble families or princes and grandchildren of the emperor at the eldest princess' birthday banquet. If You Ran can climb up to such a high branch, the status of their Shangshu Mansion will be further elevated.