Red makeup against the world

Chapter 178
Xu Wanzhen hurriedly said: "Such precious jewelry is only suitable for grandmothers to wear, how can granddaughters afford it?"

Mrs. Xu picked up one of the jade hairpins and stroked it on her head, then said with a smile, "I don't use it when the color is good. Do I, an old lady, use it? Don't move, I'll see which one is suitable."

After a while of selection, she chose a precious half-moon-shaped tortoiseshell beeswax comb and inserted it in the middle of her bun, and said with a smile, "That's it, everything is complete."

"Thank you grandma for your love, Zhen'er." Xu Wanzhen saluted.

After bidding farewell to grandma, Madam Zheng went to the side door and got into the carriage with the packed incense balls and spare dresses.Xu Wanzhen took Caisi to "Songtao Courtyard" to pay respects to Mrs. Tu.

Old Mrs. Tu loves to be quiet, likes to tend the crops on weekdays, and is impatient to see people, so he spared the younger generation's greetings.But today is different, the three cousins ​​are going to socialize in the Princess Mansion, and they have to inform the elders before leaving home.

In the "Songtao Courtyard", Xu Wanzhen met two sisters, Tu Manfen and Tu Manzhen, who came hand in hand, and they greeted each other politely.Old Master Tu saw the three of them, gave some instructions, and then Lady Wu sent them out.

At the side door of Tu's house, there were already three carriages waiting there.

Xu Wanzhen, Tu Manfen, and Tu Manzhen got into the first spacious two-horse carriage, Qiu Nanny took Yinping and Huatang into the second one, and Zheng Nanny and Caisi sat in the third.

After entering the Anxi Gate, I handed over the invitations to the three at the side gate of the Princess Mansion. After being inspected by the concierge, I drove in and got off in front of the second gate.At this time, it was almost Sishi, and the carriages of many female relatives had arrived in front of the Chuihua Gate.The servants from the princess mansion came up to greet her and put the carriage in place.

The maidservants in the carriage behind got out of the carriage first, and helped their masters out of the carriage.Greeting guests at the second gate are Princess Zhaoyang's direct aunt, Princess Cao's concubine Miao, and Princess Zhaoyang's personal maid Bai Shao.

The two sisters of the Tu family had naturally met the Miao family, and they walked forward together, saluting in a saluting voice: "Manfen/Manzhen have met the concubine."

Xu Wanzhen was half a step behind, and also stepped forward to meet Li.

Mrs. Miao is a person with long sleeves, good dancing and exquisite appearance. Seeing them getting off the Tu family's carriage, she said with a smile, "These are the great-grandchildren of Tu Shanchang, they are such handsome sisters."

She had carefully read the list of banquet guests at the Princess Mansion, seeing that Xu Wanzhen was half a step behind, what else did she not understand?Naturally, she knew that this was the granddaughter of the Xu family who had just arrived in Beijing. Although the Xu family was a merchant, she had heard about Mrs. Xu's name from the older generation, so she didn't dare to neglect her right now, and greeted her with a smile.

"The guests who are here today are all the distinguished guests of the princess, please enter the mansion with the servant girl first." Bai Shao stepped forward and welcomed the three of them into the mansion.

It was the first time for the two sisters, Tu Manfen and Tu Manzhen, to come to the Princess Mansion. They kept in mind Mrs. Li's orders along the way, supported by their maidservants, and walked in an orderly manner with low eyebrows.

Xu Wanzhen has walked this road leading to the "Peony Garden" several times, so she is naturally familiar with it at this time.Bai Shao said with a smile: "It all depends on Miss Xu's suggestion, it was just a light rain yesterday."

Xu Wanzhen smiled slightly, and said: "Wanzhen doesn't dare to take the credit, it's Sister Bai Shao who managed it well."

Seeing that the two knew each other, talking and laughing, Tu Manfen had a proud expression on his face, but secretly hated in his heart.This Xu Wanzhen likes to show off wherever she goes, and she even gets acquainted with the maid of the Princess Mansion.

Stepping into the "Peony Garden", even Tu Manfen couldn't hide the surprise and envy in her eyes, and Tu Manzhen was even more excited, applauding gently: "What a beautiful garden! Sister, this is the first time I have seen such a beautiful garden." Woolen cloth."

Hearing her admiration from the heart, Bai Shao was not surprised. The "Peony Garden" was built according to the gardens in the south of the Yangtze River. In addition to the imperial palace, the capital can also see the style of the south of the Yangtze River here.Compared with the open and closed, central and solemn northern gardens, it is more delicate and soft, unique.Guests who meet for the first time will give such admiration.

In order to present the essence of Jiangnan gardens, King Qi specially invited craftsmen from Jiangnan to build the whole garden with winding paths leading to seclusion and scenery at every step.The gurgling stream flows through, and the pavilions with carved beams and painted buildings, amidst the flowers and trees, reveal beautifully shaped cornices.

All kinds of peonies are blooming in the garden. Peonies are of various varieties and colors, and they are colorful at a glance.The two sisters were amazed, and only in the princess mansion could they see so many precious peonies blooming at the same time.

Xu Wan naturally understood in her heart that most of the peonies here are silk flowers.But at today's "Peony Flower Fair", Princess Zhaoyang didn't want to reveal the reason, but wanted to see if anyone could see the clue.

After entering the garden, about a cup of tea time, the breeze is gentle and the birds are chirping.Tu Manfen only felt that his two eyes could no longer see the beautiful scenery along the way.

Arriving in front of several accordion rooms surrounded by green shade, Bai Shao said with a smile: "Not far ahead is the 'Shu Yuxuan' where the flower show will be held. The three ladies, please rest here for a while, and when the flower show begins , someone will come and bring the ladies to the table."

There were bursts of warblers and swallows in the Accord, apparently a noble lady had arrived first.The maid guarding the door came up to greet them, opened the curtain for them, and said loudly: "The three young ladies of the Tu family are here."

Yinping supported Tu Manfen, and stepped into the Accord first.A woman's silver bell-like laughter sounded in the room: "I don't know who it is, it turns out that Manfen has arrived, come and sit here."

Tu Manfen smiled slightly, but was annoyed in his heart.This woman is the eldest daughter of Jingzhao Fu Yin, and her name is Tang Yuanyao.Mingming is younger than herself, but relying on her father's higher official position than her own father, she often condescends and calls her by her first name.

There are so many dignitaries in Beijing, the Duke alone has four families, whether it is the Tang family or the Tu family, they are inconspicuous among them in terms of status.She couldn't afford to offend other noble girls, so Tang Yuanyao chose Tu Manfen as her opponent, and the two often saw each other's signs.

I didn't expect to meet this enemy when I first came here. Right now, of course I can't lose my momentum in front of everyone.Tu Manfen took a light breath, stepped forward, and said softly: "It turns out that sister Yuanyao is here. My sister has poor eyesight, so I didn't see it for a while. I ask Yuan Yao to forgive my sister."

She talked about one sister and one sister, insinuating Tang Yuanyao's rudeness just now, which made Tang Yuanyao angry for a while.

Xu Wanzhen followed behind, and saw this woman was dressed in red, with a bright face, as dazzling as a ball of fire.Cai Si supported her, and whispered behind her ear: "Tang Yuanyao, the eldest daughter of Jingzhao Mansion Yin."

Xu Wanzhen nodded slightly, looking at the situation, she knew that the relationship between her and Tu Manfen was not good in the past.Seeing them playing the game, I felt a little funny in my heart.These little girls in their teens are so scheming, they are friendly on the surface, but they are full of knives inside and outside the words.

Tu Manzhen is still young and has only been out socializing for a short time, so she doesn't know many people.She couldn't understand these brow and eye lawsuits, and entered the room, only looking around curiously.

(End of this chapter)