The Princess's Notebook

Two flowers are in bloom, each showing its own beauty. Let’s talk about Seventeenth Lady who stayed in Qingyaochi.

Seeing Zhao Feiran leave with thorns all over his body, he felt that the snacks on the stone table looked strange, and compared with his master, it was quite unbearable to look at. At this glance, the young lady suddenly had an idea.

The third volume of "Little Huangmen's Marriage Life" is better called: Autumn □□ is still there, and people's hearts are restless
It was said that it had been quite some time since the eunuch welcomed the dreamer into the house, with scorching summer sun and scorching autumn wind. He was self-abased and cowardly, and even more guilty, so he dared not go forward. He could only climb up the old tree in the courtyard in the dark night. He used the dark night and the shade of the tree to cover up his inner pain. But what could he do? When he lowered his head, a faint light shone through the shade of the tree.

That is the young lady's boudoir.

The lights flicker as the dark sun leads to the path.

Where people’s hearts are, they guard the door and no one enters.

It was late at night, and the chirping of insects had faded away. The eunuch chewed his words several times, as if he had made up his mind. He jumped down the old tree and landed under the young lady's window. He raised his hand and knocked on the door, but stopped in mid-air. He kept going back and forth like this, and his courage, which had been protected by the darkness, was completely extinguished in an instant.

He stamped his feet softly, preparing to leave.

But unexpectedly, the candle in the young lady's room was lit again.

He was stunned, and only heard his wife say: "Since you are here, just come in. I also have a lot to say to you."

His heart seemed to be rolled into a ball, and then suddenly thrown into the air, and fireworks burst into pieces in an instant.

"This may damage my wife's reputation. I... better stand under the eaves and talk." His voice trembled, fear and excitement all surged into his heart.

The young lady in the room got up, dressed, and tiptoed to the door. Everything was silent, as if a long time had passed before she said, "You... why did you come so quickly that day? The long-knife assassin, was he the person you were looking for?"

As soon as these words came out, my heartbeat that was thrown into the air fell into the abyss again. "I... I... I don't know what my lady means."

The lady's voice was unsteady, but she mustered up the courage to ask, "I'm asking you, was it...was it...you who arranged that day?"

"What do you mean, my lady? I rescued you with good intentions, but you are so suspicious of me. I ask myself that I have not done anything to let you down these days, and I really don't know why you have done this." The eunuch, who appeared to be cautious and trying to live a life of ease, was found by his lover, and his true nature was exposed in an instant.

Everything is red and dark.

The young lady couldn't bear it after hearing this. She slid to the ground as if all the bones in her body were pulled out. She was miserable and said, "I just asked you, is it your business or not? Answer me!"

Filled with anger, the eunuch kicked the door open immediately. With a clang, the door flew open. The dim moonlight slanted in and fell on the corner, revealing the lady lying on the ground, one hand on the ground and the other covering her heart.

It turned out that although the eunuch's kick opened the door in a hurry, it frightened the young lady so much that she fell to the ground. The eunuch stepped forward to help her, but she pushed him away.

"Don't touch me! You killed someone...you..."

The eunuch gnashed his teeth and said, "I killed him, so what? You will eventually fall into my hands."

……

Thinking of this, Shiqi Niang felt that this guy was really abnormal, extremely abnormal. He was exactly the same as he was just now, neither left nor right. Very good, very good.

Just as she was absorbed in her thoughts, she suddenly heard a burst of noise from Chunyang Palace. Shiqi Niang stood up to look at the sun, and immediately patted her head, "Oh, it's already this time, maybe the royal relatives have come." Shiqi Niang quickly returned to Chunyang Palace and hid among the young ladies and ladies.

The desks that were empty at first were now full. Imperial concubines, princes and princesses were sitting in groups of three or four, almost filling up the space.

Shiqi Niang touched her chest, suppressed her thoughts, and just as she sat down, she heard Madam Wei ask, "Where have you been? If you don't stay with me during this good time, how can you get to know the ladies in Kyoto, and how can you find a good husband in the future?"

"Aunt, it's Shiqi Niang's fault. This is my first time in the palace, and everything I see is new to me. I can't help but be dazzled and stayed a little longer."

Sixteenth Lady, who was standing obediently on the side, looked at her and asked: Where did you go? What's the benefit? Don't forget that we are a family.

Seventeen: "If I don't go and laze by the pond behind the small theater, nothing good can happen. Don't worry, Sixteenth Sister, if there is something good, I will definitely think of you first. Don't worry, don't worry."

Seventeen didn't care about Sixteen's disdainful look, as she was not interested in it anyway.

Madam Wei saw that she was unmoved and could not make any progress. She had no choice but to talk to others and mention her own children when she had time. Chunyang Palace was spacious and comfortable. Shiqi Niang and Shiliu Niang followed Madam Wei to greet and negotiate. Occasionally, they would meet one or two familiar people and chat for a while. This went on until around noon.

Shiqi Niang was really bored, and was silently thinking about the contents after the third volume of "Little Eunuch" when she suddenly heard loud shouts, the jingling of rings and pendants, and the fluttering of fragrant clothes. She thought it was Queen Zhou's ceremonial guard, and immediately became suspicious and followed the crowd to look.

From a distance, a person was seen walking in from outside the palace. She was wearing a purple silk shirt with wide sleeves, a blue skirt embroidered with three blue moon flowers, longevity earrings on her ears, and a unique and gorgeous hair. She walked forward with a group of female officials waiting on her. The corners of her lips were slightly raised, and her face looked like Guanyin.

The rumored queen had been the only one who had favored His Majesty for many years, and had caused His Majesty to have few children. Now that he was about fifty years old, he only had seven princes. However, she had never expected that the queen would be so kind and gentle. Shiqi Niang suddenly felt very close to her and couldn't help but smile.

The young lady hiding in the crowd smiled, which was not worth investigating. Unexpectedly, the queen smiled at her as if she saw Shiqi Niang while walking slowly forward.

Shiqi Niang was dumbfounded. For a moment she felt that the smile was directed at her, but at another moment she felt that she was a humble person with little achievements and was not worthy of the empress's smile.

Sixteenth Lady nudged Seventeenth Lady with her elbow and said, "The Queen is here, why are you standing there like an idiot?"

"The Queen smiled, did you see that?" Seventeenth Lady came back to her senses. Sixteenth Lady rolled her eyes at her, "Everyone in Kyoto knows that the Queen is kind and never scolds, so a smile is nothing. Didn't you ask about the interesting stories in the palace before you came?"

"Sixteenth sister, I have "Two or Three Secrets of the Heavenly Family", do you want it?"

"What the hell is that? Keep it for yourself. I don't want it."

While the two sisters were bickering, the empress's procession had passed through the crowd and entered the hall. Her Majesty stood in the center, and on the right was a table where the empress sat. Below her, on the left and right, Concubine Wen Xian, Noble Lady Li, Concubine Sun, and Concubine Xiao were all in line, followed by several princes and princesses. Shiqi Niang looked at them one by one, and matched them with the rumors in her mind. Finally, she realized that the Crown Prince seemed to be absent.

Suddenly, Shiliu Niang asked, "Shiqi, it seems that everyone is here, why is His Highness not here?"

"Do you know His Highness?" Shiqi Niang asked in confusion.

"You are stupid. Did you see the empty table on the left hand side of the Queen? Isn't that the seat of the Crown Prince? It is obvious whether he is there or not. There is no need to know whether he knows him or not."

Following Shiliu Niang's instructions, she saw that the desk was empty.

"Do you think His Highness has run away from his marriage?!" Seventeenth Lady suddenly had an idea, and her mind was still full of words.

Sixteen glanced at her and felt that Seventeen seemed to be very ill today. He ignored her.

Later, how everyone congratulated the queen on her longevity, how His Majesty mentioned a few poems, and how the princes and princesses presented treasures, I will not mention it. After the banquet started, the court musicians were divided into the inner and outer parts, drums and music were played, and the dancers danced gracefully. The wine was clinking, and the cups were exchanged. After three rounds of wine, the queen on the high platform mentioned Wei Shiqi Niang for some reason.

Shiqi Niang listened attentively, and heard the queen say, "I have never heard of a Shiqi Niang in the Wei family before. Where is she? Come over here and let me see what she looks like."

As soon as these words came out, three or five people started to whisper to each other, not understanding what they meant. A young lady in the crowd slowly stood up and walked forward gracefully. When the queen came close, she bowed and saluted with various gestures. Some people exclaimed in surprise, some were jealous, and some even started to mutter, "Does the queen have high hopes for Wei Shiqi Niang?"

"Who says it's not true? I heard the other day that the Crown Prince and Wei Shiqilang were always together, and now it's a younger sister, isn't it just right? A happy reunion for the whole family. But..."

With such shocking news, Shiqi Niang had no appetite for food, singing or dancing, and just listened with one ear focused.

Unexpectedly, this person stopped talking, stared at the other person with an expression as if you know it, I know it, and the whole world knows it, and then they all laughed.

Shiqi Niang: I’m so angry.

In desperation, Seventeenth Lady could only look at the Empress, hoping to get some information from her.

On the high platform, Wei Shiqi Niang was quiet and gentle, saying nothing. She obediently took the cushion handed over by the female official and sat down beside the empress. The empress took the young lady's hand, like an elder in the family, and asked softly, "How old are you?"

"My lady, I will be seventeen by the end of the year."

"She's a good child. What books has she read?" The empress asked without hesitation while ordering the female official to bring the fruits on her desk to Wei Shiqi Niang.

Not understanding the meaning, Wei Shiqi Niang picked up some ordinary replies: "Just some "Female Virtues" and "Female Training", and I also read a little bit of the Four Books."

Queen Zhou nodded repeatedly, looking very satisfied. She immediately asked, ignoring everyone's whispers, "Have you promised her?"

Wei Shiqi Niang's face turned red with shame and she lowered her head without saying a word.

The queen smiled and said, "Looking at this, it's not decided yet. I see you're sleeping soundly today. If you find a suitable husband tomorrow, send someone to tell me and I'll make the decision for you."

Although she felt a little strange, Wei Shiqi Niang couldn't hide her surprise, "Madam, I... I..."

"No need to do that. You are a good girl, and I am happy to see you. Today is my birthday, and you are here with me. There is no need to go back."

For a moment, it was as if the drums and music stopped, the dancers disappeared, and only the Empress's heart full of joy and Wei Shiqi Niang's blushing face were left.

Suddenly, the young Seventh Prince said in a loud voice: "My Lady, is this the bride you found for Sixth Brother?"

Concubine Xiao was so frightened that she almost lost her soul. She quickly stuffed a cake into the Seventh Prince's mouth and apologized, "Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince is still young and said something wrong. As his mother, I will apologize for him."

"Well, Wei Shiqi Niang is a good girl. I wonder if Xiaoliu has this blessing."

Seeing that the queen did not blame her, Lady Xiao turned her head and whispered to the Seventh Prince, "Eat your cake. What time is it now? Do you still think you are fooling around with His Highness? Be careful with your head. Who are His Highness the Crown Prince and the queen? They are the apple of His Majesty's eye. What nonsense are you talking about?"

The Seventh Prince had a mouthful of biscuits, feeling a little aggrieved, "But, I am also Father's child, right?"

Lady Xiao: "Only the Crown Prince and Princess Jing'an are His Majesty's children. The rest of you are just extras!"

Xiao Qi ate his cake in silence: "No, it's not true! Sixth Brother treats me well. You guys are looking for a new wife for him without his knowledge. When I finish eating the cake, I will go find Sixth Brother and tell him the bad news."

Zhao Feiran, who was still in a corner and unwilling to enter the palace, said: A bride? Where is the bride? I haven't even nodded yet!

(End of this chapter)