The atmosphere in the room was as if a large block of ice had been thrown into boiling water. The cold and hot collided, creating a strange atmosphere. "
"Grandfather," Duke Cheng's granddaughter explained with a smile, "There are so many guests here today, but you only care about Cheng Anbo. I'm getting jealous." When the Princess Royal passed away, her grandfather and grandmother were sad for a long time. But not long after, her grandfather seemed to have forgotten about the assassination of the Princess Royal. From time to time, he would bring up the past. The family didn't dare to provoke him, so they would often follow his words. Now, in front of the Ban Family, he still brought up this kind of thing. It was a bit painful.
The younger generation of Duke Cheng's family smiled apologetically at the Yin Clan and Ban Han. As the younger generation, they were in a dilemma. They just hoped that the Ban Family wouldn't think that they had intentionally offended them.
"You child," Older people liked it when the younger generation acted spoiled in front of them. He shook his head cheerfully, "When you first got married, I was also concerned."
Rong Xia turned to look at Ban Han. Seeing that her complexion wasn't good, he didn't want Duke Cheng to continue asking, so he said, "We'll get married next spring. At that time, you must come."
"Isn't it good this year? Why wait until next year?" Duke Cheng was dissatisfied, "You young people are becoming more and more inattentive to your own affairs. When I was your age, my eldest brother could already run and jump. "
Rong Xia patiently explained, "I asked the Imperial Astronomer to calculate. It's best for me and the Princess to get married next year."
In reality, after the Princess Royal passed away, Ban Han, as the granddaughter, had to observe mourning for a year. Regardless of whether there was a good day this year, they couldn't get married. But Rong Xia couldn't bring up this matter. Duke Cheng probably couldn't accept the bad news that the Princess Royal had passed away.
Duke Cheng was very pleased with this explanation. He nodded and said, "You're right. Marriage can't be taken lightly. You have to take care of the days. When I married my wife, I also asked the Imperial Astronomer to calculate the days. Look at how good our relationship is. "
Rong Xia looked at the two old men with silver hair and bowed deeply.
When he left the inner courtyard, Rong Xia stopped and looked at the women. Ban Han and the daughter of the Minister were standing together. The two looked very intimate. Zhou Bingan had quite a bit of prestige in the imperial court, but among his two sons and one daughter, only his eldest son was mature and steady. The remaining pair of children were all hedonistic and playful.
Back then, when the Yan family wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Ban family, Zhou Bingan's wife was the one who spoke up for them. It could be seen that the Zhou family and the Ban family had a good relationship.
Zhou Bingan was the second place in the imperial examination more than 20 years ago. What was more interesting was that the ancestors of the Zhou Family were martial artists. Although the descendants of the Zhou Family wanted to change from martial arts to literature, none of them were good at studying. It was only in Zhou Bingan's generation that they could be considered to have achieved scholarly honors.
The Zhou Family successfully changed to civil officials, while the Ban Family succeeded ….. and became playboys. This was simply a comparison of the positive and the self-deprecating. But what was more amazing was that the Zhou Family and the Ban Family had always had a good relationship. It was worth noting that although the two families had a good relationship, the two families had never been connected by marriage. This taught everyone a lesson. If the two families wanted to have a good relationship, then they shouldn't become in-laws.
As soon as he walked out of the inner courtyard, Rong Xia saw Ban Heng, Zhou Changxiao, and a few other well-dressed young men gathered together. The atmosphere was harmonious and lively. But from their sloppy appearance, it was obvious that they were playboys.
Zhou Changxiao elbowed Ban Heng and said, "Brother Ban, your future brother-in-law is here."
Ban Heng looked back and saw Rong Xia walking through the moon gate. He waved his hand and wanted to call him over. But just as he waved his hand, Zhou Changxiao pulled it down and said, "We're not talking about poetry or painting. Why did you call him over?"
Moreover, would someone like Rong Xia be able to stand it if she stood with them?
But he didn't mention this to Ban Heng. If he did, it would seem like he was trying to drive a wedge between them.
"Brother Ban," Rong Xia walked in front of Ban Heng and greeted the other playboys. He didn't look uncomfortable at all. He wasn't like the other young men who had a real job or who boasted of their talents. When facing them, they always had an inexplicable sense of superiority.
Rong Xia chatted with them for a while before he was called away by a colleague from the Ministry of Personnel. After he left, the playboys looked at Ban Heng with envy. "Brother Ban, your future brother-in-law is very good."
Ban Heng raised his chin and said, "Of course. Otherwise, why would our family agree to his marriage proposal?"
"Brother Ban," a playboy who was closest to Ban Heng put his hand on Ban Heng's shoulder and said, "It's a pity that such a great beauty is going to marry another man."
For many playboys, Ban Han was the representative of great beauty in their hearts. If they took a few more glances at her and tried to please her, they would be in a good mood for the whole day. It wasn't that they liked Ban Han, but everyone loved beauty. Being with a beauty would naturally make their mood better.
This was also the reason why the girls in the capital liked to throw flowers and fruits to handsome men. Anyway, looking at them didn't violate the laws of the country.
"Don't mention my sister." Ban Heng stuffed a cup of wine into the playboy's hand and said, "Drink your wine."
The dandy who was forced to drink didn't get angry. He held the wine cup and drank it, but he didn't mention Ban Yu again.
The Second Prince and the Crown Prince were the people with the highest status in the room. They sat on the left and right side of the table. The Second Prince smiled and raised his eyebrows. "I heard that the Crown Princess is ill. The Crown Prince should be more careful."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Thank you for the reminder. I will definitely be careful."
"Ha," the Second Prince laughed mockingly. "The Crown Prince is indeed benevolent."
The Crown Prince knew that the more he talked to his second brother, the more enthusiastic he became. Therefore, he only smiled and didn't say anything.
Seeing that the Crown Prince didn't speak, Jiang Luo suddenly felt uncomfortable. He turned to look at Rong Xia and said coldly, "That Cheng Anbo that you admire is here. I don't know what he's trying to do, but he came later than us."
"Brother," the Crown Prince frowned when he heard Jiang Luo's attitude towards the court officials. "Since Cheng Anbo is late, he must have been delayed by something. He is now the Minister of Appointments and has many things to worry about. How could he have so much free time? "
"Crown Prince, are you saying that I have too much free time?" Jiang Luo sneered. "I'm not as lucky as my eldest brother, who could reincarnate a few years earlier and meddle in the affairs of the Six Ministries."
After the Crown Prince turned 15, he began to walk in the Six Ministries and became familiar with the work flow of the Six Ministries. Although the Second Prince was married, he didn't have a real post or a title. Therefore, his dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince grew.
Originally, the Emperor was biased, but the Second Prince didn't dare to hate the Emperor, so he transferred all his resentment to the Crown Prince. Because the Crown Prince was gentle and didn't like to bicker with him, he increasingly felt that the Crown Prince was putting on an act and couldn't please him no matter what he did.
"This subject greets Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Second Prince," Rong Xia walked in front of the two brothers and saluted, ignoring the Second Prince's ugly expression.
"Rong Junpo," Jiang Luo pointed to the seat next to him. "Sit."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Rong Xia didn't sit in the seat the Second Prince pointed to, but chose an inconspicuous seat and sat down.
Jiang Luo felt that Rong Xia and the Crown Prince were sometimes quite similar. They were both good at acting. In the eyes of a bunch of stubborn and sour scholars, they were synonymous with elegant gentlemen. Gentlemen, benevolent and virtuous, in his eyes, it was all an act. If there were so many saints in the world, there wouldn't be schemes and intrigues and fighting for power.
Duke Cheng was old, so the ones receiving guests outside were his children and grandchildren. The one sitting at the same table with the Crown Prince was the Shizi of the Duke Cheng Fu, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince's uncle. When the Second Prince's words were against the Crown Prince, he didn't open his mouth to speak. He was as calm as a monk who was eating vegetarian food and reciting Buddhist scriptures.
After Rong Xia sat down, his expression became slightly more relaxed. He hoped that Rong Xia's arrival would make the atmosphere better. Who knew that the Second Prince's attitude towards Cheng Anbo wasn't very friendly. The atmosphere at the table became even more awkward.
"Minister Yan, this way please."
"Minister Shi, this way please."
Not long after, Yan Hui and Shi Chonghai also arrived. The two arrived one after the other. After bowing to the Crown Prince, they sat down at the same table.
Poor Shizi of the Duke Cheng. Looking at the strange atmosphere at the table, his heart was so stifled that he almost couldn't eat. It wasn't until the Old Master came out and sat in the main seat between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince that he breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what the people at the table were thinking, they could only smile in front of his father.
Duke Cheng, whose personality had become like a child, kept asking his two grandsons and Rong Xia to eat. He didn't care what the other people at the table thought. He only cared about talking to the people he liked. Shizi of the Duke Cheng was worried that the others would feel awkward, so he could only greet the guests at the same table who were "neglected" by his father.
After the meal, Duke Cheng suddenly said, "Rong Xia, take me to see your fiancée. There were too many people in the backyard just now, so I didn't get a good look at her."
Shizi of the Duke Cheng secretly complained. She was a princess, not a cat or a dog that could be casually looked at. He didn't have a choice. He hurriedly asked the servants to pass the message to the backyard and apologized to Princess Fule in advance.
After Ban Han finished the feast, she was chatting with a few friends when Duke Cheng's granddaughter came to apologize to her. She said that the Old Master wanted to see her.
"I'm very sorry," Duke Cheng's granddaughter led Ban Han to the main room in the inner courtyard. She smiled bitterly and said, "Grandfather has become more like a child in the last two years. His memory is not very good. If he has offended you in any way, Princess, please don't take it to heart."
Seeing Duke Cheng's granddaughter bow and apologize to her, Ban Han hurriedly supported her and said, "Having an old person at home is like having a treasure. Jiejie, your grandfather and grandmother are still alive. It's a happy occasion."
Duke Cheng's granddaughter remembered that the Princess Royal loved Princess Fule very much when she was alive. Now that she heard Ban Han say this, she didn't know if she should feel sorry or change the topic.
The two quickly came to the main courtyard. Duke Cheng's granddaughter led Ban Han into the courtyard. The sound of chatter and laughter came from inside. The courtyard was full of life.
"Guniang has come," A servant girl wearing blue came forward and bowed to Ban Han, "Please come this way."
A servant girl lifted the curtain for the two. Ban Han went in to see. Duke Cheng and his wife were both there. Other than the two elders, the Crown Prince, Second Wangzi, and Rong Xia were also there. Ban Han was puzzled. What was going on?
"Come, come," Duke Cheng's wife was a very benevolent old woman. When she saw Ban Han, her face showed a bit of a smile, "Sit with me."
The servant girls in the room brought tea and snacks. They almost coaxed Ban Han like she was a child.
"I knew that this girl would be beautiful," Duke Cheng's face was full of satisfaction. He turned and said to Rong Xia, "Such a good girl, you have to treat her well."
Rong Xia and Ban Han's eyes met. Rong Xia smiled and agreed: "Wanbei will treat Junzhu well."
The Crown Prince laughed softly and said to Rong Xia: "In the future, you will be my cousin-in-law. If you don't treat Huahua well, I won't forgive you."
Second Wangzi sat to the side and drank tea sullenly. Even though he was impulsive, he knew that in front of his grandfather, he had to follow his words and actions. If something happened to him because of anger, he really would have to kneel in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
"Gege Crown Prince, Duke Rong won't dare to bully me," Ban Han said quietly with a smile, "Because he can't beat me."
"Your grandmother once said this," Duke Cheng suddenly spoke. "In the past, the Emperor was worried that she would be at a disadvantage if she married the old Duke Of Jingting. She said that she was the daughter of the noblest man in the world, who would dare to bully her? However, these years, your grandfather has been very good to your grandmother. It can be said that her words were true. "
"Live well," Duke Cheng's eyes seemed to be both confused and awake. He turned and looked at the Crown Prince and Second Wangzi. He pulled Rong Xia to his side and said to Ban Han, "Even though he is different from your grandfather, he will treat you well. Don't worry."
Ban Han stilled. She looked at the old man and rose to bow: "Thank you, I'm not worried."
"It's good that you're not worried," Duke Cheng smiled like a child. He released Rong Xia's hand and said with a yawn, "I'm sleepy."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince and Second Wangzi both stood. "Maternal grandfather, rest well. Maternal grandson won't disturb your rest."
"En." Duke Cheng grabbed his wife's hand and said in an old and hoarse voice, "Let's go, old woman. We're going to take a nap."
Ban Han looked at the two old people holding hands and couldn't help but smile.
The four left the zhengyuan. Second Wangzi glanced at Ban Han and Rong Xia: "It's late. I should return to the palace."
"Take care, Your Highness Second Wangzi," Rong Xia stepped forward, blocking Ban Han behind him and bowing to Second Wangzi. Second Wangzi glanced at the engraving behind him, snorted coldly and turned to leave.
The Crown Prince smiled warmly at the two: "Er di has a straightforward personality. Don't take his actions to heart."
"Don't worry, I'm used to it." Ban Han raised an eyebrow, "I'm going back to the womenfolk. Mother is still waiting for me."
"I'll go with you," Rong Xia said, "You don't come here often. I know the way."
The Crown Prince smiled and raised his hand to the two: "Go quickly. I'm going to talk to uncle."
After Ban Han and Rong Xia bowed to the Crown Prince, they walked in the direction of the womenfolk.
"You used to come here often?" Ban Han found that Rong Xia was really familiar with Duke Cheng's fu and didn't just say it casually.
Rong Xia nodded: "The old madam and my grandmother were very close when they were young. After my parents and brother passed away, the old madam often took me to this fu to play. So I call the grandchildren of the Duke Cheng's fu brothers. "
No wonder the Emperor trusted Rong Xia so much. An orphan who lost his parents and brother and was raised by his father-in-law. The Emperor probably knew his character and temperament better than anyone else.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to bring up those sad things." Ban Han's expression was a bit embarrassed. If she knew that these things would involve Rong Xia's painful past, she wouldn't have brought it up.
"It's okay. It's all in the past. It's okay to bring it up," Rong Xia smiled, "Also, Duke Cheng's fu treated me very well. There's nothing to be sad about."
The corners of Ban Han's mouth moved. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
"We're almost there," Rong Xia suddenly stopped and turned to look at Ban Han, "Huahua."
"Hm?" Ban Han unconsciously raised her head and found that Rong Xia's beautiful eyes were filled with her. She was a bit dazed.
"When you're out of mourning, will you marry me?"
Ban Han froze and didn't know what to say.
Seeing her so hesitant, Rong Xia smiled gently and reached out to touch her forehead, "You go in. After this door, you'll be in the courtyard where the womenfolk are. It's not appropriate for me to go."
Ban Han dazedly turned and walked away. After a few steps, she turned back and saw that Rong Xia was still standing in the same place, looking at her with a smile like a spring breeze. She stopped.
Rong Xia saw her stop and thought that she had something to say. He walked in front of her and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Ban Han stood on tiptoe and touched his forehead. She smiled and said, "I'll give it back to you." Finishing, she turned and ran into the inner door.
Rong Xia touched his forehead and couldn't help but smile.
"Your Highness," he turned his head and looked at the person standing in the corner, "Didn't you return to the palace?"
"I don't need to report to you where I want to go," the Second Prince leaned against a tree and looked at Rong Xia expressionlessly, "I didn't expect that the elegant Rong gongzi, who treats women indifferently like water, would have such a gentle side."
Rong Xia smiled, "A fair and graceful woman is a good match for a gentleman. This official is fond of Princess Fule and naturally treats her differently from other women."
"Is that so," the Second Prince crossed his arms, "It's a pity that those talented women in the capital who are infatuated with you are not worth a woman's skin in your eyes."
"This official is shocked that Your Highness has such a realization," Rong Xia replied with a half smile, "Princess Fule does have an appearance that many women in the world can't compare to. This official is fond of a beautiful and lively woman, what is there to pity?"
Jiang Luo knew that Rong Xia was mocking him for liking women. He snorted coldly and said, "In the end, you are just a hypocrite who covets women."
Rong Xia said slowly, "Your Highness, your words are wrong. This official is fond of Princess Fule and she is a rare beauty in the world."
"Sophistry," One of the reasons Jiang Luo didn't like scholars was because of their mouths. They could turn white into black and black into white, but they could make the world not doubt their words, "The Lord Rong is so eloquent. Would you use it in front of His Majesty and the Crown Prince?"
"His Majesty is the Emperor and the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince. This official has never lied in front of them," Rong Xia bowed, "Of course, this official does not lie in front of Second Prince."
"Enough, you don't have to pretend in front of me," Jiang Luo made a gesture of slitting his neck, "The fox's tail will be revealed one day."
Rong Xia smiled faintly and bowed to Jiang Luo.
Jiang Luo saw his indifferent appearance and turned to leave. In his heart, he was even more afraid of Rong Xia. A man who could keep his composure like this definitely wasn't a simple gentleman in other people's eyes. He didn't understand what methods Rong Xia used to coax all the scholars in the world into praising him. Even his father and the Crown Prince were full of praise for him.
This was an extremely ambitious man. If he ascended the throne, he definitely wouldn't let this person live.
People had already noticed that Ban Han had left with the granddaughter of Duke Cheng. Now that she had returned, although they didn't ask, they thought of countless possibilities. Especially Second Prince's wife, Xie Wanyu. Her relationship with Ban Han wasn't good. Although the Shi Feixian incident had caused her dislike of Ban Han to decrease, when she thought of Ban Han obediently bowing to her, she felt like she had vented her anger.
Originally, after the banquet, she had wanted to make things difficult for Ban Han. Who knew that Ban Han had been called away by the people of Duke Cheng's Fu. She could only swallow her anger. But thinking of how she had often been silenced by Ban Han, Xie Wanyu couldn't calm down.
The only way to resolve her worries was to find Ban Han and vent her anger.
"Princess Fule," Xie Wanyu sipped tea, "I haven't seen you in a while. You seem to have lost weight."
"Maybe I haven't eaten enough recently," Ban Han smiled innocently, "It's my fault for making Imperial Wife worry."
Xie Wanyu smiled coldly and said, "Yes, ever since I entered the palace, I've been worried about you."
These words made it sound like the two had been friends before. Yet many people present knew that the two of them did have a relationship, but it was a relationship of quarreling. Every time, it was Second Wangfei who was at a disadvantage.
It was obvious that the second princess's wife was here to avenge the past. Unfortunately, Princess Fu Le's mental fortitude was too strong. She was indifferent to the second princess's provocation. It seemed that she was going to play dumb until the end.
Everyone knew that Second Wangfei couldn't do anything to Ban Han because Ban Han had the support of the Emperor and the Empress. While Second Wangfei's rank was higher than Ban Han's, she was the daughter-in-law of the Imperial Family and still had to curry favor with the Emperor and the Empress.
As long as Ban Han didn't accept Second Wangfei's moves, Second Wangfei couldn't find a reason to act.
It could be seen that rank wasn't everything. The most important thing was who the Emperor and the Empress favored more. After Xie Wanyu married into the palace, she didn't have a good relationship with Second Wangfei. Her two elder brothers were either dismissed or disabled. Even if she wanted to be strong, no one would be afraid.
If she wanted to bully Ban Han, there was only one way.
That was when the second prince ascended the throne and she became the empress of the great cause. At that time, Ban Yu could only let her do whatever she wanted in front of her.
Others understood this, including Xie Wanyu. So when she saw that Ban Han wasn't afraid of her, she didn't want to embarrass herself. She turned to talk to the other noble ladies and found a sense of balance in their flattery.
From beginning to end, the Yin Clan didn't say a word. In her opinion, she didn't need to speak at all in this kind of childish quarrel. In the future, when Huahua married into Cheng Anbo's household, she would meet some ignorant people. She couldn't help Huahua with everything.
Duke Cheng's birthday banquet was very lively, and it ended perfectly. His two grandsons came in person to congratulate him, and the ministers in the court also showed their respect. Even His Majesty sent a messenger to deliver congratulatory gifts, giving Duke Cheng enough face.
In recent years, the only birthday banquet that could compare to this was the one when the Princess Royal was still alive. However, the Princess Royal was dead, but Duke Cheng was still alive. He also had a daughter who was the Empress and a grandson of the Crown Prince.
Duke Cheng's household was more valuable than the current Jingting Gongfu.
However, when the Ban Family left, the masters of Duke Cheng's household personally sent them off at the door. Everyone finally understood that the Empress's maternal family's attitude was the Empress's attitude.
The Ban Family was still favored by the Emperor.
On the night of Duke Cheng's birthday banquet, there was a sudden clap of thunder and a commotion in the palace.
His Majesty was seriously ill and vomiting blood!
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