When she arrived at Qingya Garden, Shen Xiyao regained her composure. She jumped out of the car and walked inside with the waiting servants.
This time we went not to the open space the day before yesterday, but to a pavilion.
When Shen Xiyao arrived, Princess Zhu'an and Chu Qingying were discussing something with the other three men.
Seeing Shen Xiyao coming, Chu Qingying hurriedly went out to greet her.
"Sister, please come in quickly. Please forgive me for missing you from afar."
Shen Xiyao returned the gift, said a few polite words, and followed Chu Qingying into the Xuan Pavilion.
Everyone in the hall has stopped talking, and their eyes are all focused on Shen Xiyao.
Arriving at the pavilion, Chu Qingying introduced him to everyone.
"This is the new permanent attendant, Shen Xiyao, the granddaughter of the Marquis of Jibei."
After that, he introduced it to Shen Xiyao.
"Sister, this is Liu Yun, the third young master of the Du branch, Liu Shilang."
Liu Yun stood up slowly and saluted Shen Xiyao.
Shen Xiyao returned the courtesy and looked at Liu Yun.
Wearing a dark green scholar's shirt, he had a faint smile on his face, as gentle as jade.
"This is Liang Baichen, the young master of the Shaofu Supervisor Liang Shaojian, who also serves in the Shaofu."
Liang Baichen also stood up, but bowed without saying a word.
"The last one..."
"My dear Li Huan, I have admired Miss Shen for a long time, but have never had the chance to meet her. It is truly my great fortune to meet her today. My father, the Imperial Censor, is Li Zhongye."
Before Chu Qingying could introduce him, Li Huan took over the conversation first. He saluted Shen Xiyao and when he talked about his father, he also raised his hands diagonally upward to show respect.
Out of etiquette, Shen Xiyao greeted several people respectively. However, she was a little unhappy with this Li Huan.
She didn't know why. Maybe she felt that Li Huan was a little frivolous.
After sitting down, a servant served tea.
Several others continued to talk about the previous topics.
Shen Xiyao just sat in her seat, holding the tea cup, occasionally taking a sip, listening quietly and not participating in it.
This also helps Shen Xiyao observe the situation on the field.
Chu Qingying has not changed much.
Princess Zhu'an changed into a red palace dress and looked more graceful and luxurious. However, although her hairstyle was changed, her bangs still covered her forehead, and her temperament did not match the overall outfit.
Liu Yun is polite and courteous in dealing with others and can be regarded as a gentleman.
Liang Baichen is a bit dull and rarely takes the initiative to speak. He will only say a few words when asked.
Li Huan...
He was always talking in a boastful manner.
He always takes the opportunity to touch and touch some pretty maids who are waiting on the side in a very hidden way, making some of the little maids blush.
Her eyes wandered back and forth between herself, Zhu An and Chu Qingying.
Chu Qingying quietly stood up, turned to Shen Xiyao's side, sat down on her knees, and stretched out her hand to add some water to Shen Xiyao.
"Sister, don't you want to participate in their conversation?"
"I have been in Beijing for a long time, and what I have seen and known are these things in Beijing. I have nothing to say. Just listen to what they have to say."
"I heard from my grandfather that everything in the court now focuses on the Longevity Festival. As a regular attendant, does my sister know anything about this matter?"
"I only know that Honglu Temple is responsible for this matter, but I don't know the details."
Shen Xiyao answered clearly.
"I do know something about this."
There were only a few people in the hall, and no matter how small Chu Qingying's movements were, she still attracted the attention of others. Hearing them discussing the Wanshou Festival, Li Huan took over the conversation again.
"Wanshou, for the two Mid-Autumn Festival banquets, the imperial court allocated 300,000 yuan of national funds, and His Royal Highness King Lu generously donated 100,000 guan. 400,000 guan is considered a huge sum of money. But this money is not enough at all. It has only been a few days.
I have spent 70,000 to 80,000 yuan, but I haven’t prepared anything yet. Hey, the envoys from various countries will definitely laugh at me, the Wei Dynasty. Anyway, I have no illusions about this feast."
"Oh? What does Brother Li mean by this?"
Liu Yun asked curiously.
"On His Majesty's birthday, several countries have sent envoys to congratulate you. Honglu Temple needs to prepare for the reception, and the Hong Hotel needs to be renovated and decorated. It will cost a lot. If you don't believe it, you can ask Brother Liang."
"That's right. The Young Master is responsible for the renovation, and some of the materials purchased have already cost a lot."
Seeing everyone looking at him, the dull Liang Baichen could only reply.
"In addition, all the cups, plates and bowls used at the banquet are of high quality. Lacquerware from Hedong, celadon from Jiangnan, not to mention all the various ingredients prepared."
After listening to Li Huan's words, Liu Yun somewhat disagreed with him.
"What Brother Li said makes some sense, but I think even if there is a difference, it won't be much different."
"Brother Liu, you just don't understand."
Li Huan stood up and walked to the center of the field.
"The most expensive thing is before the banquet."
"But please ask Brother Li to clear up the confusion."
"During the Longevity Banquet, all countries will pay tribute and give gifts. I, the great Wei Dynasty, do not disdain to profit from it, and will definitely prepare gifts in return. Have you thought about the cost of these?"
"this……"
After hearing Li Huan's words, everyone was speechless for a moment.
"According to Brother Li, even if the imperial court allocates hundreds of thousands more coins, it may not be enough."
"Not enough is not enough. At least I can save my face."
Chu Qingying looked around the audience, and everyone was silent about this matter.
"Sister Xiyao, what do you think?"
Chu Qingying asked unwillingly.
"It is impossible for the imperial court to allocate another hundreds of thousands of coins. What Mr. Li said is not unreasonable. If you want to avoid being laughed at by the envoys, you must win by surprise."
"That's right, Miss Shen is right. But how can we make a surprise? It's also because I don't have an aristocratic family in Wei Dynasty. Otherwise, with them here, things would be easier to solve."
Li Huan took Shen Xiyao's words and continued.
But as soon as he finished speaking, Princess Zhu'an, Shen Xiyao and Chu Qingying all frowned. Princess Zhu'an narrowed her eyes slightly and stared at Li Huan coldly.
"It is said that these aristocratic families have been accumulated for hundreds of years. Which family does not have some rare treasures in their treasure house..."
Li Huan didn't notice the emotional changes of the three girls at all, and continued to brag about the aristocratic family.
Shen Xiyao finally couldn't help but snorted coldly and stood up.
"Thank you very much for the invitation today, princess. Xiyao still has something to do, so I won't stay any longer. I'll say goodbye."
After saying that, he turned around and left.
Chu Qingying quickly chased after him.
"Sister Xiyao, let me see you off."
Princess Zhu'an also said coldly: "I'm a little tired today, so I'll just stay here."
He flicked his sleeves and left.
Li Huan was stunned for a moment.
Liu Yun and Liang Baichen were at a loss for a moment. They looked at each other, stood up and bowed slightly to Princess Zhu'an's back.
The masters are all gone, and the three of them can't stay any longer.
"Brother Li, let's leave too."
"Huh? Oh, okay..."
Li Huan had already realized that he seemed to have said the wrong thing, which made a few people unhappy. The princess of Zhu'an even issued an eviction order.
The party at Qingya Garden broke up unhappy.
Shen Xiyao walked out with a cold face. Behind her, Chu Qingying held up her skirt and shouted while chasing after her.
"Sister Xiyao, please slow down and wait for me."
Shen Xiyao looked back and said somewhat coldly: "Miss Chu, if you see this person again in the future, there is no need to call me here."
Chu Qingying gasped and nodded. She didn't take Shen Xiyao's change of name seriously.
"Sister Xiyao, please rest assured, I will never invite this person again in the future."
The Shen family was born in the military, and was constantly promoted by the late emperor. The label of imperial power he carried caused the family to be ostracized several times. During the bloody night in the capital of Wei, the Shen family massacred the family, and the two parties were already feuding.
However, the Chu family had vested interests after expelling the aristocratic family, and did not want the aristocratic family to return to Wei.
The two families are on the same side when it comes to treating the aristocratic family.
"The princess will definitely not invite this person again. His Royal Highness King Lu's legs were ruined by the aristocratic family. King Lu was decadent for a long time. I heard from the princess that no one dared to approach King Lu at that time. If you are not careful, you will anger King Lu."
While the two were talking, a familiar voice came from the woods behind them.
"Brother Liu, Brother Liang, let me tell you, although today's gathering is a bit anticlimactic, we have already gotten to know each other, and then we have to rely on our own abilities."
"Brother Li, what do you mean by this?"
"Brother Liang, do you really not understand?"
"I do not understand."
"Princess Zhu'an is the daughter of King Lu. Tianhuang is noble, with noble temperament and good looks. Miss Chu is the granddaughter of Prime Minister Chu, with sweet appearance and gentle personality. Miss Shen is the granddaughter of Marquis Shen, an iceberg beauty. Although he has a somewhat cold personality, his figure is the most outstanding among the three.
No matter which one of these three people we marry, they will make us prosperous. Especially Miss Shen, it is a great blessing to conquer such an iceberg beauty, and there is no chance that she will inherit the title of Marquis of Jibei. two……"
Li Huan shook his head before he finished speaking when he suddenly felt a chill on his body, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
Shen Xiyao's eyes were filled with anger, and her face was even colder. Her fists were clenched, and the sound of popping beans was heard.
Chu Qingying also had a sullen face and an angry look on her face, glaring at Li Huan fiercely.
Li Huan and the other three looked embarrassed.
"What did you say? Say it again."
Chen Xiyao's Danfeng eyes narrowed slightly, and her cold voice was filled with murderous intent.
Li Huan opened his mouth and swallowed.
Liu Yun saw this and quickly saluted.
"I'm sorry, Miss Shen, Miss Chu. I think Brother Li didn't mean to offend, please forgive me." Liang Baichen also quickly apologized and said kind words for Li Huan.
Shen Xiyao kept staring at Li Huan and ignored their words.
Li Huan also woke up at this time and apologized quickly.
"Miss Shen, oh no, Changshi Shen, those are my arrogant words, please forgive me."
Li Huan kept bending down to salute and did not dare to stand up.
For a long time, sweat appeared on Li Huan's forehead, and it dripped to the ground from time to time. Just when he could no longer hold on, a cold sound came from the gap between his teeth.
"Go away! Let me break your legs if you hear such words again."
Li Huan saluted repeatedly, not daring to raise his head. He quickly left Qingya Garden in embarrassment.
Liu Yun and Liang Baichen also looked embarrassed. They bowed to the two women and left together.
Seeing the three people leaving, Chu Qingying let go of the hand holding Shen Xiyao's robe and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Sister Xiyao, his father is Yushi Zhongcheng. I'm really afraid that if you beat him up, it will be a big deal."
Shen Xiyao snorted coldly.
"He made frivolous remarks and insulted officials. Is he still justified?"