Chapter 495: Noblewoman From an Aristocratic Family
Nan Xi turned her gaze back, silently looking at the girls in the flower hall in the center of the lake, and suddenly smiled lightly: "I probably know what's going on."
After saying this, she walked over.
The ladies from the major aristocratic families in the imperial capital who are of the same age and can be invited by the queen, come and go with nothing more than these familiar faces, including a few that they have never seen before, and they will get to know each other soon after meeting.
Nan Xi walked towards the center of the lake.
I heard a shout of "Her Majesty the Queen has arrived" from afar. A dozen noble ladies in the flower hall stood up in unison, knelt down and saluted respectfully.
"My dearest lady, I see Her Majesty the Queen. Long live Her Majesty! Long live Her Majesty!"
Nan Xi walked onto the pontoon, wearing a bright and moving ice blue dress. The hem of the skirt was light and elegant. As she walked lightly, it shed a flowing luster under the sunlight.
After being raised in the palace for so many days, it has been more than half a year since she ascended to the throne. The gentle and peaceful eyebrows in the past have become a bit colder and majestic, especially when she leaves the Taisho Palace and appears in front of people as the empress. The harmony is more intense.
However, when walking into the flower hall, Nan Xi was keenly aware that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the hall. Her eyes quietly passed over the faces of the ladies, her eyebrows were thoughtful.
"Pingshen." She smiled faintly, her tone was calm and leisurely, with a hint of joking, "I have been a little bored in the palace these two days, so I called you all into the palace to enjoy the flowers in such a hot weather. Will you all Don’t you think I don’t understand how to show love to women?”
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the flower hall suddenly became relaxed.
Xuanyuan Jia, who has appeared frequently in the past two days, has become familiar with Nan Xi. Hearing this, he smiled and said: "Your Majesty's invitation is an honor for the ministers. We hope that Your Majesty will not show mercy to us and invite us to sit here from time to time."
She knew very well that Nan Xi had a gentle temper and was not strict in terms of speech etiquette. As long as it did not violate the bottom line of the law, she was extremely tolerant, so she dared to joke.
Of course, you can't be too presumptuous when joking, and you still maintain the sense of propriety that a court lady should have.
Nan Xi walked to the main seat and sat down, and motioned for the girls to take their seats.
The Flower Hall is located in the middle of Lianhu Lake, with wind coming from all directions. The air is filled with moisture and coolness, which is refreshing and comfortable.
Today, except for the two royal ladies, Xuanyuan Jia and Xuanyuan Dan, the others are all real noble ladies from aristocratic families. How expensive are they? The status is second only to the princess and princess.
The one on the left is led by Xuanyuan Dan, the young princess of Prince Huai's Mansion, followed by Xuanyuan Jia.
The first seat on the left is Su Zhenzhen, the eldest daughter of the Su family. I saw her at the plum blossom appreciation party just after Nan Xi sealed the throne, but we didn’t interact much. She was wearing a pear flower today. The white dress looks very elegant.
Sitting next to Su Zhenzhen is a beautiful and gentle girl with outstanding appearance and elegant demeanor. She looks like a real lady, with a temperament influenced by playing, playing, chess, calligraphy and painting in her eyes.
Nan Xi has never seen her, but she can guess her identity.
Because the list presented by Aunt Xu was reviewed by her, and after excluding these familiar faces, she came to the conclusion that this woman was Lu Fangfei, the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Lu's family.
Nan Xi's eyes fell on her face and she smiled faintly: "Miss Lu."
Lu Fangfei was slightly stunned. She didn't expect the Queen to notice her first. She quickly stood up and curtsied calmly and humbly: "Your Majesty."
"I have often seen Prime Minister Lu in the palace, but today this is the first time I met Miss Lu." Nan Xi looked at her with a smile, "She is beautiful and elegant, and she is worthy of being Prime Minister Lu's daughter."
Lu Fangfei was surprised in her heart by Nan Xi's evaluation of her. She was silent for a moment, then a faint smile escaped from her lips, and she knelt down to thank her: "Your Majesty praises you so much, I am ashamed that I can't live up to it."
"Miss Lu, please sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Fangfei sat down.
Sitting next to Lu Fangfei is Mo Lian, the legitimate daughter of the Mo family. She is wearing an elegant aqua dress embroidered with lotus flowers. The skirt and cuffs are embroidered with complex lotus flowers, which is very unique.
Chu Hongyi of the Chu family has left the palace and has not entered the palace today. She has been staying in the palace to raise her baby in the days when she is about to give birth.
There are no legitimate daughters in the Xie family, and several concubines have been out of the palace for many years.
Therefore, there are no daughters from the Xie family and the Chu family at the banquet today.
The palace maid presented iced sour plum juice, palace refreshments, and several kinds of refreshing iced fruits.
"Don't be nervous, everyone. There is nothing else to do today. I just want to drink tea, eat some fruit, and look at the scenery." Nan Xi said in a gentle tone, "And talk to me."
Everyone lowered their eyes at the same time and said respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Jiajia." Nan Xi's eyes turned slightly, "How has your sister-in-law been doing these past few days?"
"Very good." Xuanyuan Jia replied respectfully, "My sister-in-law is about to give birth. My mother has found an experienced nurse and a wet nurse. I have nothing to do these days. I will follow my mother at home. I have a few small clothes and shoes to wear after the baby is born.”
Nan Xi smiled and said: "It's good to have a sister-in-law who is handy. Hong Yi can save a lot of trouble."
"Yes, General Chu is born with the talent to be a military general." Mo Lian chuckled, "I heard that before leaving the cabinet, Mrs. Chu also spent a few days teaching female workers. General Chu really couldn't learn, so Mrs. Chu had to give up."
Xuanyuan Jia nodded: "Sister-in-law is really not good at female workers, but my eldest brother likes my sister-in-law to be heroic and heroic. If she sits in the room embroidering all day long, eldest brother will find it boring."
"Prince Qi is beautiful and gentle, and General Chu is a heroine. They are a perfect match for each other." Lu Fangfei smiled gently, "Such a relationship is quite enviable."
Most women's marriages are arranged by their parents and matchmakers. How many of them are lucky enough to find someone who truly loves them and stay with them for the rest of their lives?
Chu Hongyi's temperament is not accepted by men in the current system, but she is well cared for and doted on by a man like Qi Shizi. How can she not be envied?
"It is indeed enviable." Mo Lian smiled, "Does Miss Lu have a favorite lover?"
This question is private for girls. Mo Lian asked it directly in front of so many people. Although it was just a casual chat, it was obviously not appropriate.
Lu Fangfei was silent for a moment, and smiled faintly: "I don't know how to answer the question asked by Miss Mo."
"Yes, yes, no, no." Mo Lian chuckled, "Why don't you know how to answer?"
Lu Fangfei took a sip of the teacup and did not answer.
Nan Xi now vaguely understood what was going on when she came in. A trace of deep thought flashed across her brows. She smiled faintly and said, "If I know correctly, all the girls here today have reached the age of marriage. Do you have any ideas about marriage?"
As soon as these words came out, the topic instantly changed from a single question to a discussion among the public, and the private matter also became more relaxed.
Xuanyuan Jia knew Nan Xi, and heard the words humbly said, "My daughter's marriage should be decided by my mother, and I dare not have any ideas myself."