Chapter 32
Ling Xuewei's footsteps were extremely fast as she walked through the gravel path, causing the tassels on the gold hairpin to sway.She frowned slightly, her heart was flustered, and she was still embarrassed by what happened before.He completely ignored the pair of jealous and resentful eyes not far away.

Concubine Liu hid behind a patch of green willows, tightly pursed her lips, tightly clutched a peach-colored embroidered handkerchief on her chest, and silently stared at the pretty figure in front of her.The girl beside her couldn't help admiring: "What a rare beauty." As soon as the words came out, she knew she was wrong, and hurriedly lowered her head.Concubine Liu glanced over with sharp eyes, her face had already turned pale, but she didn't say anything.Looking back, Shen Xiyao walked out slowly, holding a beautiful orchid in his hand, with a gentle smile on his lips, he turned his head and said to Zhang Dehai behind him: "Go back and change clothes, otherwise the queen Be suspicious."

Concubine Liu had already seen everything before, she never thought that Shen Xiyao, who is so noble and proud, would pretend to be a eunuch for a woman, and be so respectful.When he walks behind others, when he shows a humble posture.But now for such a woman, she actually took the initiative to condescend to her dignity... This shows the depth of her affection.Concubine Liu recognized the Guerlain flower that Ling Xuewei was wearing today. Although their seats were far away, the next wives were all wearing gold and silver jewellery, and only Ling Xuewei wore flowers. Concubine Liu has been working hard Staring at Ling Xuewei, I really want to take a closer look at her appearance, so naturally I won't miss the accessories around her.The orchid surprised her quite a bit. Although many silk flowers could be faked, Concubine Liu intuitively felt that it should be the true orchid that was paid tribute by the Jiangnan Clippers this year.

What the emperor is holding in his hand at this time, should be that one. Shen Xiyao cherishes the things she wears with eyes full of eyes, which also shows his deep affection for the master.Concubine Liu didn't dare to think about it, she only knew that she had no advantage over Ling Xuewei in terms of beauty.And talent should be a little less.Not to mention the net worth.And when it comes to her status in the emperor's heart, what chance does she have of winning?The only fortunate thing is that the emperor and Ling Xiangxian are still in a state of daggers drawn, so naturally they will not allow the daughter of the Ling family to enter the palace.But what about the future?If Prime Minister Ling returned power to the emperor, would it be... She didn't dare to think about it, and she didn't want to think about it, letting the wind mess her hair.

"Your Majesty, the emperor has gone far, we should go back." The girl beside him reminded in a low voice.

Only now did Concubine Liu come back to her senses, settled her expression, and walked back slowly.

"Mother, my daughter is back." Ling Xuewei walked to Madam Ling and sat down, and said calmly.

"Why have you been here for so long?" Mrs. Ling blamed slightly: "This is the imperial palace, so it's inconvenient to walk around."

"Daughter knows it's wrong." Ling Xuewei lowered her head, no longer defending herself.

"Fortunately, the emperor went in to change his clothes just now, so the lion dance didn't start." Madam Ling said, "Otherwise, I missed it, and this trip is not in vain. You know, your father strongly opposed your coming out."

The voice has not yet fallen, only the low sound of drums can be heard from all directions. It was not bright at first, but suddenly increased loudly. Hundreds of children in red clothes beat the delicate small drums around their waists, and leaped out to the beat of the drums. Another twelve tall red-haired men, wearing black masks of exotic shapes, shouted and waved their long whips, and came out from the north.Behind them, there is a wizard wearing a golden crown, a beast mask, and a mighty animal skin. Holding a spear in one hand and a shield in the other, he leads a thousand-man formation of blue, red, white and black in a reserved manner.Thousands of people chanted ancient and simple ballads, each of the same color occupies one side, and each has a lion played by a human in the middle, dancing to the sound of drums.

"Ah...Hi..." shouted loudly, the drums stopped, and the whole square was silent.I only heard the light golden bell sound from a distance, "Ding Ding... Ding Ding..." is as gentle as a small bridge and flowing water, it is a tambourine in the hands of a child.Then I saw a boy in golden clothes, holding a golden drum in his hand, leading a mighty golden lion, walking to the middle of the square on dance steps.Then the bells and drums rang together, playing a prosperous tune, and the lion jumped and writhed along with the music and the flipping drum in the child's hand.Thousands of people around sang "Taiping Le" in unison, praising the prosperity of the times.

After the performance on this day, the Empress Dowager and the emperor gave a banquet to the ministers. Due to the large number of people, except for the first-rank and second-rank wives, other female relatives avoided, especially the young ladies who had not left the cabinet.The day was still cold, and the Empress Dowager watched the performance all the time, and when the wind picked up, the ceremony of farewell was avoided. Ling Xuewei was not among the wives, so she was sent back to the Ling Mansion by the maid.

Because the three men in Ling's mansion are all officials in the court, and Mrs. Ling is a first-rank imperial order, so she was the only one who stayed in the palace for a whole day and didn't eat anything for lunch. Send it to Dongxue Feiqi.And order everything to be simple.

"Miss," Haoyue picked up a chopstick of mountain treasure dragon sprouts, saw that Ling Xuewei was eating deliciously, looked at the lotus tofu, sweet-scented osmanthus fish sticks, and eight-treasure rabbit diced on the table, and asked, "Do you want more How many dishes should I add? Seeing that wild deer has been delivered today, how about making another stewed deer tendon in a casserole, or venison skewers with hemp seeds?"

Ling Xuewei said lightly: "It's just me eating alone, four dishes are enough, but I'm a little thirsty."

Haoyue smiled: "I just thought Miss came all the way back, the wind was blowing dry, and milk tea was boiling on the small stove, so I'll go and bring it to you."

Ling Xuewei raised her head and smiled: "It's better for Haoyue, next time my mother enters the palace, I will definitely ask her to take you there."

Haoyue brought milk tea from the stove, mixed it with honey and a little snowflake sugar, stirred it well with a small silver spoon, then poured it into a red-ground blue-and-white painted bowl of the Eight Immortals, and then brought it out.The milky white color of the milk tea is very beautiful with the red bowl.Ling Xuewei took it and exclaimed: "It's so beautiful, Haoyue is more and more able to match it." She took another sip and couldn't stop nodding: "The taste is also just right."

Haoyue smiled charmingly: "It's not because Miss teaches well."

Ling Xuewei poked the japonica rice porridge in the bowl with ivory chopsticks, thought for a while and said, "Tell the kitchen to go down and prepare some more porridge. If it's not all, father and the others will use some when they come back."

Haoyue reminded with a smile: "Master and Madam eat in the palace. I think the royal banquet must be rare and delicious. How can you still be hungry? Miss is probably worrying too much."

Ling Xuewei shook her head: "The palace that outsiders see is resplendent and majestic. The people in the palace are also well-clothed and carefree. They enjoy all the luxury and dignity in the world. But the palace I saw today , It's like a cage, I can't breathe."

Haoyue was surprised: "The cage? How could it be..."

Ling Xuewei shook her head, and said with a self-deprecating smile: "The benevolent sees benevolence, and the wise sees wisdom. Maybe it's because I don't like that kind of place that I think it's a prison. If it's someone else, I'm afraid it might not be the Heavenly Palace." Later He also said: "However, when it comes to the decoration and layout, it is indeed a royal style, majestic and majestic, but the harem is also gentle and dignified."

Haoyue nodded: "However, Haoyue thinks, after all, it is the imperial palace, a place where many girls flock to. The concubines and maids inside must be very beautiful."

Ling Xuewei thought for a while and said: "When it comes to beauty, it is naturally one of the ten thousand beauties, but..." She pondered for a moment, and then slowly said: "But as far as I think, so many women are only For one person, there are bound to be many intrigues and fights for favor and power. A good-looking woman, for the sake of a person's love day and night, has changed herself into that appearance, only calculations, no matter how beautiful, so what..." She seemed Thinking of something sad, he ate in silence.

Haoyue also sighed and said: "Yes, Miss Wu family, isn't it..."

Ling Xuewei shook her head slightly: "It's a pity for her. How could she have the guts to murder the emperor... just don't say it, don't say it..."

Seeing Ling Xuewei's gloomy expression, Haoyue felt annoyed that she shouldn't have brought up such a topic, she changed her mind and said with a smile: "By the way, Miss, Governor of Liangjiang, Mr. Lu Shifan, is Miss Lu's father who was very close to you back then?
Ling Xuewei nodded: "Yes, Master Lu is a close friend of my father, and was recommended by my father three years ago to be the governor. However, Mrs. Lu has always been weak, and sister Lu has been serving her side. What's wrong?"

"Yesterday, my wife was in the garden with several other ladies. I went to deliver cakes. I heard Zhou Shilang's wife said that although Mrs. Lu didn't come this time, Miss Lu's family came to Beijing with her father. She also said that Miss Lu was getting more picky." I was wondering if Miss Lu was her former friend."

Ling Xuewei's eyes lit up: "It must be so." She closed her eyes as she said that, with a quick smile on her face: "Sister Lu and I grew up together, I really hope she can stay longer this time."

"I heard from Madam that Mrs. Lu seems to have arranged a marriage for Miss Lu. I just don't know which young master in Beijing it is."

Ling Xuewei was surprised: "Is engaged?" Then she smiled: "I don't know which young master is so lucky. Sister Lu is well-educated, has an extraordinary appearance, and a prominent family background. She must be a good person." She seemed to be in high spirits as she spoke: "Today My mother is back, I must ask." Thinking of something, she blinked: "It seems that sister Lu will not return to Jiangning so soon. If we can wait until the Hundred Flowers Festival, we can go on a tour together."

Haoyue nodded: "Yes, Hundred Flowers Festival, this year's Hundred Flowers Festival, I don't know what's interesting about it."

As the two chattered about the wonderful scenes of the Hundred Flowers Festival in previous years, they both felt very yearning.

Just after Haishi, Ling Xiang and his wife and son returned to Ling's mansion. After Ling Xuewei went to ask her parents, she stayed in Madam Ling's bedroom.

"Mother, I heard that Sister Lu is here, is it true?"

Madam Ling was taking off her evening makeup, she nodded, "Yes, I arrived a few days ago."

"Where do you live now?" Ling Xuewei's eyes brightened.

Madam Ling smiled: "I live in the post house, but our two families are family friends after all, so your father wanted them to live in the mansion, and he was still negotiating with me just now."

"Then mother agrees?" Ling Xuewei took a step forward, her eyes full of anticipation.

"That's natural. Mrs. Lu didn't come, so it's inevitable that Mrs. Lu and his daughter are in some trouble. I have already ordered Chunyue and the others to clean the Fenglu Pavilion in the north, and your father will invite you into the mansion the next day."

"Do you know how long you will stay?" Ling Xuewei asked again.

"What do you hope?" Mrs. Ling joked.

"Of course, the longer the better..." Ling Xuewei whispered, "It's just that Mr. Lu is on business, so it won't be long."

Mrs. Ling smiled: "Master Lu will go back early next month, but Mrs. Lu will come to prepare for her daughter's wedding when the weather gets warmer in the middle of the month. The auspicious day is tentatively scheduled after the Hundred Flowers Festival. You grew up with Miss Lu, she will leave the cabinet soon Now, let's spend more time with her this time."

Ling Xuewei was overjoyed when she heard that, and lightly blessed her body: "Thank you, mother." Then she asked: "Do you know who will be hired?"

Madam Ling looked at Ling Xuewei in the mirror, and smiled, "Why are you more anxious than your sister Lu?"

"Mother." Ling Xuewei said coquettishly, "I'm afraid of that..."

"Afraid that man is not good enough for your sister Lu?" Mrs. Ling said with a smile: "You don't have to worry about this. He is the second son of the loyal prince, Zhao Yuanzhen. He is currently the leader of the fourth-rank deputy Xiaoqi, and he is highly regarded. He is definitely worthy of you. Sister Lu's."

Ling Xuewei breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and her face was as sweet as eating honey: "That's good."

Mrs. Ling took off a bead flower and looked at Ling Xuewei from the bronze mirror. Her daughter had also reached the age of marriage, but she didn't know which son could be worthy of her daughter.

The next day, the Lu family's father and daughter moved into Ling's residence.It was noon, and Lu Youxi watched the maids tidy up the room. When she turned her head, she saw a woman standing outside the door against the light. A hidden flower skirt, a homely lotus-colored half-length cloak, a simple ponytail, a jasper hairpin with eight treasures, and thin white broken crystal tassels.The color is like delicate flowers and water, especially a pair of ink pupils that are deep and emerald like a green pool, which is always attractive.At this time, the woman stood leaning on the railing, with a charming smile, as beautiful as a banished fairy.Seeing her looking at her, Yingying called out: "Sister Lu." She came forward with a smile.

When Lu Youpei left Beijing with her father, Ling Xuewei was not yet full-grown, and now she hasn't seen her for a few years, after hearing this call, she realized that the person in front of her was Ling Xuewei, who was her acquaintance with the president, and she was very happy at that moment, welcoming her go up.

"I didn't tell my sister when I came to Beijing, but I miss you." Ling Xuewei took Lu Youxi's hand and said with a smile.

"I was at home with my mother, I didn't want..." Lu Youpei recalled her marriage, and a pair of red clouds flew onto her jade face.

"Sister has a happy event, I have to find out from other people." Ling Xuewei pouted lightly, and said angrily.

"It's a marriage arranged by Gao Tang at home. Fortunately, the person I marry is the pillar of the country. I was always worried before." Thinking of her future husband-in-law, everyone praised her, and she couldn't help showing a happy smile .

"I heard from my father that although Zhao Yuanzhen is the son of a prince, he does not have the bad habits and deeds of those eunuchs in Beijing. He is well-educated, knows how to advance and retreat, and respects his parents. He is a plastic material. My sister is blessed." Ling Xuewei hurriedly listened Let Lu Youmei know when you arrive.

Lu Youxi smiled: "Don't talk about me, what kind of person, since their parents make the decision, naturally they will not disobey. But you, sister, are almost at the age to leave the cabinet. I heard from my father last night that the Minister of the Ministry of Officials intends to do it for you. It seems that I will come to the door in two days."

Ling Xuewei was startled when she heard the words, and blurted out: "Why, I haven't heard from my father."

Lu Youpin thought for a while and said: "My father has a very good personal relationship with Mr. Zhang Hongsheng, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and I also listened to him. His son was the second place in the previous election, and now he is also an official in the court, and he is deeply respected."

"I know..." Ling Xuewei's heart seemed to be in a mess, she never thought about getting married.If that person is not well-known to her, unable to have ambitions and talents, or unable to harmonize with herself, even if the person is a prince or noble, the son of the prince Baylor, she will never marry.Or, if that person wasn't him, would she marry willingly?

Seeing Ling Xuewei turning pale, Lu You was startled, and hurriedly said: "I believe that there must be a lot of people who have come to propose marriage in the past few years, and there must be some outstanding ones among them. Since Ling Xiang blocked it, I guess Ling Xiang wanted to do it for her." Sister, make an excellent marriage."

Ling Xuewei shook her head: "It's not that there are no marriage proposals in the past few years, but there are very few. My mother thought I was too young, and my brothers said they were not in a hurry, so they all declined. Those people are nothing more than fancying my father's high position in the temple. It's not because of me. I think, even if it is rumored that Ling Xiang's daughter is a yaksha, there will be many people coming to the door."

Lu Youxi was taken aback for a moment, and then laughed: "How can our sister Ling be a Yasha, then all the women in this world have become owls and ghosts?"

Ling Xuewei didn't smile, but shook her head lightly.

"Could it be..." Lu Youpin asked tentatively, "Could it be that my sister has someone in her heart?"

Ling Xuewei didn't speak, but just lowered her head, her face blushing.

(End of this chapter)

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