Wang Qü was different from Du Jiu. Du Jiu was only Rong Xia's bodyguard, but he was a strategist. Furthermore, he was one of the more important strategists.
He had never liked Ban Han. Perhaps it was because this princess was too beautiful, too delicate, and too self-centered. Such a woman could not be a good mistress of the house. She did not know how to help Marquis pacify his subordinates. She lacked intelligence and strategy, and she could not even be described as virtuous. She could not possibly let Marquis worry about matters outside while he returned home to pacify a woman who was good at eating, drinking, and playing.
"You think too highly of yourself," Du Jiu said expressionlessly. "If it were not for Princess Fule, Marquis and I would have died long ago. You would not have the chance to say these words to me. If you came here today just to say these words, please leave. "
"Du Jiu, you have been bewitched by her."
"It is normal to be bewitched by one's benefactor." Du Jiu pushed back a basket of oranges. "Take your things back. I will eat them until my teeth are cold."
Wang Qü wanted to persuade him again, but when he saw Du Jiu's unwilling expression, he knew that it would be useless to say anything more. He stood up and cupped his hands to Du Jiu. "Goodbye."
"Take care. I won't see you out."
Walking out of the courtyard, Wang Qü raised his head to look at the gray sky. He pulled his thick cloak tighter around his body and turned to return to his own courtyard. These retainers all lived outside the inner courtyard. They could not easily enter the three gates.
When he passed by the manor's garden, he heard a woman's laughter coming from the garden. He could not help but stop and look over.
Snowflakes fluttered in the air. Their family's steady Marquis was actually playing a child's game with a woman, building a snowman. He even had a relaxed smile on his face. It was as if this game was full of fun. It was even more fun than reading an ancient book.
Wang Qü could not help but stop and watch this scene quietly.
"You can't cover a snowman's head with green leaves." Rong Xia took down the cypress branch Ban Han used to cover the snowman's head. "The color is not good."
"Why not?" Ban Han patted the snowman's face to make it rounder. "White with a hint of green. This color is pretty."
"Any color is fine, but not green." Rong Xia saw that Ban Han's hand was red, so she held it to her mouth and blew on it a few times. Seeing that the hot breath didn't work, she simply stuffed her hand into her bosom.
When the maidservant who had just taken out the hand warmer saw this scene, she silently hid the hand warmer behind her back and let another maidservant take it away. She felt that giving the hand warmer to Marquis at this time would not be considered tactful.
"The snow is getting heavier. Let's go in." Rong Xia reached out with her other hand and gently brushed away the snow on Ban Han's head. Her movements were very careful and very gentle.
Ban Han looked at the snowman on the ground and nodded. She smiled and said, "En, green really is not suitable."
Rong Xia chuckled and reached out to hold her shoulder. She carefully helped her walk down the corridor.
Ban Han smiled and turned her head. She saw Wang Qü standing outside the second door. The other party was wearing a scholar's robe and a thick overcoat. Although his appearance was not outstanding, his eyes reminded Ban Han of a cat at night.
"What's wrong?" Rong Xia saw Ban Han suddenly stop and looked down at her worriedly.
"That's your retainer. I think his surname is Wang?" Ban Han did not pull her hand out of Rong Xia's bosom. She only raised her chin towards the second door, looking lazy and delicate.
Rong Xia's gaze fell on Wang Qü. Her gaze swept over the other party's hair and shoulders. The smile on her face did not change. "Mr. Wang?"
"Marquis, Princess." Wang Qü saw that Rong Xia had noticed him. He walked out naturally and bowed to the two of them.
"Mr. Wang, why are you here?" Rong Xia shook off her cloak and wrapped Ban Han in it.
Wang Qü noticed her actions. His eyelids drooped slightly and his gaze fell on the snow. He was polite and humble. However, Ban Han, who was leaning on Rong Xia, felt that this person might not like her very much. Perhaps it was because there were too many people who did not like her. When someone was dissatisfied with her, no matter how well the other party concealed it, she could still sense the subtle emotions.
Strange. The only interaction she had with this Mr. Wang was when they looked at each other. They did not even speak much. Why did this person not like her?
It couldn't be that he was jealous of her beauty, right?
Ban Han's index finger wrapped around Rong Xia's cloak. For some reason, the knot was untied and the cloak fell to the snow.
"Ah." Ban Han looked innocently at Rong Xia and blinked her large eyes. "I didn't do it on purpose."
"Naughty." Rong Xia reached out and tapped the tip of Ban Han's nose. The maidservant standing to the side picked up the cloak and handed it to Rong Xia. Then she hurriedly retreated to the side.
Rong Xia shook the snow off her cloak. After looking at the cloak several times, she still did not put it back on. She pulled Ban Han to the corridor and said to Wang Qü, who was standing in the snow, "Mr. Wang, come in and talk."
"Thank you, Marquis." Wang Qü walked into the corridor. "When this one was passing by the second gate, I heard some movement in the courtyard, so I came to take a look."
Rong Xia smiled when she heard this. She took the cloak that the maidservant had prepared and wrapped it around Ban Han's body. "I thought Mr. Wang had something to say."
"It's nothing." Seeing the smile on Marquis's face, Wang Qü did not know why, but he did not dare to look directly at her.
"Since there's nothing, Mr. Wang should go back and rest. The snow and wind are strong. Don't hurt your body." Rong Xia's tone was gentle. She was like the most considerate master who cared about his guest's health.
"Yes." Wang Qü bowed and turned to leave.
"Wait a moment." Ban Han suddenly called out to Wang Qü. "What's your name again? My memory is not very good. I heard your name once last time, but now I can't remember it."
"Replying to Princess, this one is called Wang Qü."
"Qu?" Ban Han suddenly smiled and said, "This is a good word. A real man can be both straight and bent to achieve great things."
"Many thanks for Princess's praise." Wang Qü bowed and said, "When my father gave this one this name, he hoped that this one would know what was right and what was wrong. Therefore, this name was chosen."
"Your father is a knowledgeable person." Ban Han said lightly, "A knowledgeable person is often worthy of respect."
Wang Qü did not understand what Ban Han meant. He raised his head and looked at Ban Han. She had a smile on her face. She was like a delicate girl who did not know the hardships of the world. She said something that she thought was profound. He withdrew his gaze and bowed. "This one will take his leave."
"Take care." Ban Han nodded slightly.
When he reached the second gate, Wang Qü looked back. Marquis had his head lowered and was saying something to Princess Fule. Princess Fule had a brilliant smile on her face. It was so brilliant that it was dazzling.
At this time, Marquis raised his head. He met Marquis' eyes. He hurriedly withdrew his gaze and hurriedly retreated.
"Huahua, you don't like Wang Qü?"
"He's just a retainer of yours. Is there a need for me to like or dislike him?" Ban Han carelessly tilted her head. "In any case, I'm the future mistress of the marquis fu. If someone makes me unhappy, why can't I deal with them?"
"Huahua is right." Rong Xia smiled. "In the future, you can deal with whoever you want."
"Including … …" Ban Han blinked. "Including you?"
Rong Xia looked pitifully at Ban Han. "Can you bear to?"
"No matter how beautiful a beauty is, she's still a skeleton." Ban Han's face was full of emotion. "If you make me unhappy, you'll also have to be dealt with."
Rong Xia bowed deeply. "In the future, this one will definitely not make my junzhu angry. Junzhu, please let this one go."
Ban Han raised her chin. "It depends on your performance."
When the servant girls saw this, they couldn't help but chuckle. Rong Xia wasn't angry. She only held Ban Han's hand and tightly clasped it together.
When Ban Han returned to the Ban Family, it was already late. She received an invitation from Princess An Le. Princess An Le invited her to the Princess fu. Among the princesses in the palace, Ban Han had the best relationship with Princess An Le. However, ever since the Princess Royal passed away, Ban Han was filial and rarely visited Princess An Le's fu. However, they didn't break off contact during festivals.
Now that Princess An Le invited her, she definitely had to go.
As the only daughter of the Empress, Princess An Le had been doted on since birth. The other concubine-born princesses didn't even have the courage to raise their heads in front of her.
But early in the morning, she was a bit restless. When the mama beside her saw her like this, she couldn't help but comfort her. "Your Highness, you have a close relationship with Princess Fule. If there's anything you want to say, just say it. With Princess Fule's personality, she won't hide anything."
"This … …" Princess An Le sighed. "How can I say it?"
The mama knew what the princess was worried about. She shook her head and said: "Princess, Princess Fule isn't a narrow-minded person. When she comes, you can wait and see."
"I hope so." Princess An Le smiled bitterly. When she heard the servant say that Ban Han had come, she casually put on an outer garment and stood to welcome her.
"Princess," Ban Han walked into the zhengyuan and saw Princess An Le standing at the door. She quickly walked forward and asked, "It's so cold today, why are you standing at the door?"
"When I heard you came, I was anxious to see you. How could I sit still?" Princess An Le had the servant help Ban Han take off her cloak and pulled her to sit on a wooden chair covered with thick cushions. "It seems that your illness wasn't light. You've lost a lot of weight."
"Did I?" Ban Han held her face. "Could it be that my complexion was also affected?"
"Don't worry, you're still beautiful." Princess An Le knew that she valued her appearance the most. She smiled and said: "A few days ago, a new zither player entered my fu. His skills aren't bad. How about I have him play a song for you?"
"Okay." Ban Han agreed.
Soon, a handsome man wearing a blue gown holding a zither walked in. Ban Han tilted her head and smiled at Princess An Le. "This zither player isn't bad."
White skin, long hands, red lips, and a handsome face. He could be considered a rare beauty.
"How is he compared to Rong Jun?"
"Can't be compared," Ban Han shook her head, "Rong Jun is the white moonlight in my heart, a cinnabar mole. If he's here, all the men in the world are mediocre. "
"To hear you say that, it can be seen that Rong Jun really is liked by you." Princess An Le smiled. "I thought that there wasn't a man in the world that could make you treat him differently."
Ban Han played with a fruit. She didn't comment on Princess An Le's words. In her opinion, to compare these men who were willing to be male toys with Rong Xia was an insult to Rong Xia. It wasn't important how much she liked Rong Xia. What was important was that she wouldn't let her own people be insulted like this.
She and Princess An Le had been friends for many years. Although Princess An Le wasn't her biological sister, the two of them had sisterly feelings. She didn't want to have a conflict with her because of a man, but she also didn't want to use her own man as an example.
The zither player had already begun to play. His posture was elegant and pleasing to the eye. Ban Han held a cup of tea and listened with an indifferent expression. It was clear that this zither player didn't attract her too much.
Princess An Le tilted her head to look at her expression. She sighed and said: "It seems that this piece of music doesn't attract you. It's rumored that Marquis Rong's zither skills are extraordinary. You've heard his music and then heard other people play it. It's not strange that you don't like it."
"No," Ban Han shook her head, "He's never played a piece of music for me."
"Why?" Princess An Le looked at Ban Han with some surprise, "He's never played a piece of music for you?"
Ban Han smiled. Rong Xia was a very smart man. He knew that playing a piece of music for her was better than taking her to eat delicious food. Therefore, he would never do something that wouldn't please her.
Seeing Ban Han speak, Princess An Le changed the topic: "Ever since Imperial Father bestowed the palace to you and Marquis Rong, the rumors outside haven't stopped. Even people in the clan are asking about this. It's really …"
"Princess, are you talking about the rumors about the illegitimate children outside the palace?" Ban Han finally understood why Princess An Le had invited her as a guest, "I was wondering why you specially invited me to see a beauty today. So it was because of this."
Princess An Le's face was a bit embarrassed. She smiled and said: "It's my fault. I'll use tea in place of wine to apologize. Please don't be angry with me."
"You and I have been sisters for many years. If you have any questions, just ask me directly," Ban Han smiled helplessly, "These rumors are all ridiculous. Even Marquis Rong himself thinks it's ridiculous. I don't know who came up with it. His Majesty bestowed the palace not because of Marquis Rong, but because of me. Have you forgotten what I said to His Majesty when the palace was first built? "
"How could I remember what you said?" Princess An Le said unhappily, "You've been liked by Imperial Father since you were young. Imperial Father also likes to talk to you. I can't remember so many words."
"At that time, His Majesty asked me if I liked the palace."
"I said I liked it very much. I said the palace was very good. When I grow up, I also want to live in such a beautiful and big house."
At that time, Emperor Yunqing insisted on building the palace, which caused many people to object. However, Emperor Yunqing was the kind of person who wanted to do things the more people objected, so he immediately made the palace more luxurious and exquisite.
After the palace was built, Emperor Yunqing asked her if the palace was good.
She said it was very good. She liked it very much and wanted to live in such a beautiful and big house in the future.
Emperor Yunqing was very happy. He even praised her for having good taste, just like him.
It had been nearly ten years since that incident, but she had never forgotten it. Because she still remembered that when Emperor Yunqing asked her this question, his eyes were filled with unwillingness and anger.
From then on, she understood that Emperor Yunqing was a person who didn't like people questioning him. Even if honest advice was unpleasant to the ear, he had to choose the right method. Otherwise, it would only backfire. Unfortunately, many officials in the Great Ye Dynasty didn't understand the logic she understood. They insisted on treating Emperor Yunqing as a rare and wise ruler. Weren't they just asking for trouble?
So sometimes, she felt that some officials didn't know how to speak. They could clearly use tactful methods to change Emperor Yunqing's mind, but they used the most direct and strongest method to make things worse. With such a straightforward personality, if they met an incapable ruler, they wouldn't be able to live for more than three years.
"So it was because of this." Princess Anle suddenly remembered that after the temporary imperial residence was repaired, her Imperial Father had brought the favored concubines and princesses of the imperial harem to the temporary imperial residence to play. At that time, Momo was also with them. Her Imperial Father had indeed asked her these questions. She could not remember what Momo had replied clearly. She only knew that her Imperial Father was in a good mood that day and gave Momo the title of Lord of the Village after a few days.
How old was Huahua at that time?
Six? Seven? Eight?
A child that was only a few years old didn't need the elders of the family to give him a title. This was very rare in the Great Ye Dynasty. It also showed everyone in the capital how much Huahua was favored. From then on, almost no one in the capital dared to offend Huahua. No matter how dissatisfied they were, they could only silently endure it.
"Imperial Father really dotes on you," Princess An Le sighed emotionally, "Fortunately, you aren't Imperial Father's daughter. Otherwise, I wouldn't have anything to do with you."
Ban Han smiled upon hearing this: "Sister, don't joke about this. I'm afraid that tomorrow, the rumors will say that I'm His Majesty's illegitimate daughter."
Princess An Le was amused by Ban Han's words. After confirming that Rong Xia wasn't Imperial Father's illegitimate child, she secretly relaxed. She knew that if Rong Xia really was Imperial Father's child, as long as Imperial Father was willing to acknowledge him as part of the family, then her two brothers wouldn't have anything to do with this world.
She knew how capable her brothers were. The Crown Prince and Prince Ning couldn't compare to Marquis Cheng 'an.
Princess An Le had Ban Han stay for lunch. The two were served by beautiful servants and handsome men. The musician who had played the guqin for them earlier was also present. He held a jug of wine and poured wine for An Le. Ban Han didn't like to drink, so he didn't need to wait on him.
"Huahua," After eating, Princess An Le took out a box and placed it in front of Ban Han, "I prepared this for you. I hope that you and your husband will be as loving as honey after marriage, and will never leave each other."
"Princess, there's no need for this," Ban Han looked at Princess An Le, "Didn't you already add to my dowry?"
"Those were all done according to the rules for others to see. This is what Elder Sister wants to give to Younger Sister," Princess An Le smiled, "I know you don't lack these things, but this is my kind intentions. Please don't dislike it."
When Ban Han heard this, he didn't refuse. He took the box in his hands and said, "Since Elder Sister is sincere in giving it to me, as your younger sister, I will accept it. Thank you, Elder Sister."
Princess An Le smiled. Her hand that was dyed with dandruff gently grasped his wrist, "You … must be well."
She didn't manage to marry a good man. After the prince consort died, she lived a carefree life in the Princess' residence. But even so, she still hoped that Ban Han would find someone who understood him, and not a hypocrite who knew a person's face but not his heart.
"Elder Sister, don't worry. I will definitely be well," Ban Han smiled, "Besides, as women, our happiness doesn't only depend on a man. If he doesn't treat me well, then I will treat myself well. What's the big deal?"
"You're right," Princess An Le smiled, "It really isn't a big deal."
After returning home, Ban Han opened the box that Princess An Le gave him. Inside, there were two land deeds and a stack of banknotes from the largest bank in the Great Cause.
Sure enough, real estate and banknotes were the hard currency.
Time passed day by day. On the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month, Marquis Cheng 'an's residence carried pile after pile of betrothal gifts to the Jingting Gongfu. When the passersby saw these things, they couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air. In order to marry this wife, Marquis Cheng' an really spent a lot of money. Did he empty out his entire residence?
There was a bored person who deliberately squatted outside the Jingting Gongfu's entrance to count how many things the Rong family carried to the Ban Family. As a result, he squatted at the entrance for an entire hour, but the procession of betrothal gifts still didn't stop. He stamped his feet that were numb from the cold and said to his companion, "This Princess Fule must be as beautiful as a fairy."
"How do you know?"
"If she wasn't as beautiful as a fairy, which man would be willing to spend so much money to marry her?"
The crowd fell silent. The betrothal gifts were really too frightening. They were all born and raised in the capital and had seen the world. However, they had never seen such a generous betrothal gift from a husband's family.
"Didn't they say that Marquis Cheng 'an's family is a scholarly family? Why are they only sending jewelry and all kinds of rare antiques?"
"Probably … … to cater to their preferences?"
"That makes sense."
Didn't the Ban Family like these things? It was indeed easier to win their favor by giving them jewelry.
On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, the bride's family was showing off the dowry. The families that had a good relationship with the bride's family all sent healthy women with children to give their blessings. At the same time, they could also see how much dowry the bride's family had prepared for the bride.
It didn't matter if they didn't see it, but when they saw it, they were shocked. Even those who knew that the Ban Family loved their daughters were surprised. Didn't this mean that the bride's dowry was equivalent to taking away half of their family's wealth?
"Older Sister," one of the Ban Family's relatives couldn't help but ask, "Does the heir have any objections to this arrangement?"
"What objections could he have?" The Yin Clan smiled and said, "It's not like you don't know how much he loves his older sister. If I didn't stop him, he would've stuffed more things into it. "
Hearing this, the womenfolk felt a burst of envy. They all had their own families. Even if their brothers treated them well, they wouldn't be willing to give them all the good things. After all, they were married daughters. How could they be more important than their sons?
For a girl like this, who was valued by the Emperor and Empress and was doted on by her parents and brothers, how much good fortune did she have in her previous life to be able to receive such good karma in this life?
"The heir is really a good younger brother." When the madam from the Ban Family heard this, she didn't say anything else. If the person involved didn't care, as a bystander, she wouldn't be tactful if she said anything.
"Why are you still looking at the dowry list?" Mrs. Zhou smiled and said, "It's more important to go see the bride. After today, the little girl will become a young madam."
"Isn't that right? It's more important to quickly invite the bride out."
The group of people was making a ruckus when Ban Han walked in wearing a water-red tunic dress. She heard the womenfolk's words from outside the door. She gracefully bowed to them: "Greetings, madams and madams."
"Alright, Princess, please rise." Mrs. Zhou, who was closest to Ban Han, reached out to help her up. She smiled and said, "What a stunning beauty. Marquis Cheng 'an really got lucky."
"Stop talking. If you keep talking, the Marchioness won't be able to bear to part with her daughter. When the groom comes tomorrow and can't find the bride, won't he make trouble for you?" Minister Yao's wife was a straightforward person. She walked to the other side of Ban Han and said with a smile, "It's a pity that I wasn't born a few decades later. It's also a pity that I'm a girl. Otherwise, the groom tomorrow wouldn't be Marquis Cheng 'an."
When she said this, many madams laughed out loud. The atmosphere became even more lively.
Ban Han's gaze passed through the smiling womenfolk and fell on the Yin Clan.
The Yin Clan's lips curved into a smile as she looked at her gently. It was as if she was the most precious treasure in the world and would fly away if she didn't look at her.
"Mother." Ban Han's heart trembled and her eyes became warm. Mrs. Zhou took her hand and walked in front of the Yin Clan. She whispered, "Tomorrow is a good day that His Majesty personally chose."
The Yin Clan's lips curved: "Yes, it's a good day. I'm happy."
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the snow had just cleared. The golden sunlight shone on the ground and the transparent icicles reflected the multicolored light. The entire capital was beautiful.
Ban Han stood by the window and looked at the pomegranate tree outside the courtyard. The branches were bare and there wasn't a single leaf on them.
"Princess, it's time for you to dress up."
Ban Han turned around. The servant girls were carrying trays with phoenix coronets, robes, golden hairpins, and red jade on them. They were extremely red and beautiful.
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