bookrandom Chapter 143: Lotus Appreciation
Chapter 143: Lotus Appreciation
Hanlin scholar Liu and the left vice-examiner of the Ministry of Rites were the two deputy examiners originally scheduled for this spring examination but were removed before the exam began.
The chief examiner was the left prime minister of the current dynasty.
The search and seizure of their residence indicated that their cheating in the imperial examination had been verified to be true and the evidence was irrefutable.
The Third Wife asked, "What about the Left Prime Minister?"
The maidservant said, "The Left Prime Minister is still imprisoned in the prison."
This time, Zuo Xiang was imprisoned for a long time, and he was neither punished nor released. Obviously, there was insufficient evidence and he could not be convicted. It is estimated that in the next day or two, Zuo Xiang will be acquitted or given a lighter sentence.
The Left Prime Minister is a member of the Second Prince's party. It's a pity that we can't take advantage of such a good opportunity to cut off the Second Prince's arm.
Shen Tang sat in Songhe Hall for a while and then returned to Qingyi Garden. Before he could sit down, Si'er came in and said, "Miss, Princess Roujia from Prince Duan's Mansion is here."
Shen Tang was delighted and immediately stood up to welcome Princess Roujia.
When they reached the garden, Shen Tang saw Princess Roujia coming from afar. She was wearing a pink and purple dress embroidered with butterfly orchids. Her waist was slender and could be held in one hand. She had almond eyes and rosy cheeks, and she looked very lovely.
Seeing Shen Tang looking at her, Princess Roujia's cheeks flushed slightly, "Sister Shen Tang, why are you looking at me like that?"
Ever since Shen Tang teased her and said he hoped she would become his sister-in-law, Princess Roujia was most afraid of Shen Tang staring at her, and she would blush unconsciously. However, Shen Tang saved her life, and although Princess Duan had already come to express her gratitude, it would be unreasonable for her not to come in person.
Shen Tang smiled and said, "The princess looks much better than she did two days ago."
Princess Roujia touched her face and said, "I'm not afraid of riding in a carriage anymore."
When she went out shopping that day, she was extremely restrained and even nervous when riding in a carriage. But today, she was no longer worried about scaring the horses.
Shen Tang said, "I should go to Prince Duan's Mansion to thank you."
If she hadn't happened to meet Princess Roujia that day and found out that someone was trying to meet Xiao Huan under her guise, and if she hadn't guessed it was Shen Xi and asked Chen Shan to stop it in time, the consequences would have been disastrous.
Princess Roujia said, "My life was saved by Sister Shen Tang and Prince Ning, and you are still so distant with me."
Shen Tang said, "Don't be shy, come sit down with me and talk."
Princess Roujia nodded, then took a bright red invitation with gold embellishments from the maidservant behind her and handed it to Shen Tang, saying, "The lotus flowers are in full bloom at Shunwang Mansion, and a lotus viewing banquet will be held in a few days. Princess Ding'an knew I was coming to thank you, so she asked me to bring this invitation to you, inviting you to attend the lotus viewing banquet at Shunwang Mansion."
Princess Shun loved lotus and took good care of them. While other people's houses might only have one or two flowers in bloom, the pond at Shun's house would be full of them. Every year, Shun's house would hold a lotus banquet, inviting the ladies of Kyoto and young masters from aristocratic families to enjoy the flowers. Both engaged and unengaged people would be invited. In her previous life, Shen Tang had been married to Xie Guimo for three months at this time, and she was also among the invited guests.
After the summer begins, the weather will get hotter day by day. By then, there will be fewer banquets in Kyoto. Princess Ding'an asked Princess Roujia to send an invitation. Even if it is just to give Princess Roujia face, I have to attend. Shen Tang smiled and said, "I will definitely go that day."
After opening the invitation and taking a look at it, Shen Tang handed it to Ginkgo and invited Princess Roujia to Qingyi Garden for a talk.
After entering the room, Shen Tang saw a food box on the table through the beaded curtain. She blinked twice, and Qiu Tong covered her mouth and smiled. Shen Tang knew that it was sent by someone from a certain master.
There were bayberries in the food box yesterday, but I don’t know what will be sent today.
Qiu Tong went over and opened the lunch box, then took out two plates of bayberries. Each bayberry was plump and coated with sugar, looking sweet and sour and delicious.
Knowing that she liked to eat it, even though he couldn't eat bayberries, he still sent someone to send her so many. Shen Tang was indescribably touched. But how could she eat so much by herself...
However, Princess Roujia also likes to eat it, so it's just right to treat her. The two of them sat down, eating bayberries and chatting, with endless things to say.
Knowing that Princess Roujia was coming to the mansion, Shen Ran and Shen Luo also came to Qingyi Garden. With them around, Shen Tang was not so free to speak. So Shen Tang accompanied Princess Roujia to the garden to appreciate the flowers. After staying in the garden for a quarter of an hour, Princess Roujia said goodbye and Shen Tang saw her out of the mansion.
After watching Princess Roujia's carriage leave, Shen Tang returned to Qingyi Garden and walked straight to the window. She looked out and Chen Shan appeared.
Shen Tang asked, "Why did you send me so many bayberries?"
Chen Shan said, "I know you like it, so I specially ordered it to be delivered, saying that you should eat more before the wedding so that you won't get tired of it soon."
Shen Tang, "..."
If you eat too much of anything, you will get tired of it.
But bayberry is appetizing.
She ate to her heart's content every year, and in the end she didn't want to eat anymore, but she would crave it again the next year.
However, if she really marries Xie Guimo, she will definitely not be able to eat bayberries anymore. Not only in Chenxiangxuan, but I'm afraid that there won't be a single bayberry in the entire Zhennan Palace.
Shen Tang sat down and stuffed some bayberries into his mouth.
In the next few days, two plates were delivered every day without fail. Of course, Shen Tang couldn't eat so much, so he either sent them to the old lady or shared them with the two maids.
In a blink of an eye, it was the day of the lotus viewing banquet at Prince Shun’s Mansion.
The invitation to Prince Shun's Mansion was delivered by Princess Roujia, but not only Shen Tang was invited, but also Shen Xi.
Now, half of Shen Xi's one-month due date has passed, and not to mention getting married, even the marriage has not been decided. The old lady is anxious about Shen Xi's marriage, and she doesn't know how many times she has urged Shen Sui, but Shen Sui just doesn't care. First, he is busy with military camp affairs, and second, he doesn't want to cause trouble for others. The old lady urged him too much, and Shen Sui simply became a hands-off boss, letting the old lady decide on Shen Xi's marriage, which made the old lady angry.
The old lady wants to make the decision, but someone has to come and propose marriage. How can she make the decision when there is no one to propose marriage?
The old lady looked at Shen Tang, then at Shen Xi, and said, "Today, when you go to Prince Shun's mansion to attend the lotus viewing banquet, you must not do anything that would bring disgrace to the family. Remember that."
Shen Tang looked calm, she would definitely not do such a thing, but the same could not be said for Shen Xian.
The one-month deadline is approaching. It is impossible for Shen Xian to get married through normal means, so she has to resort to extraordinary means. Although the old lady did not agree with Shen Xian's approach before, she turned a blind eye to it. Knowing that Shen Xian was worried about bloody disasters, she still let her go to Prince Shun's Mansion. It is obvious that she tacitly allowed Shen Xian to find a suitable husband for herself.
I just don’t know who Shen Xian has her eyes on. Since she failed to plot against Xiao Huan last time, she probably won’t plot against him again.
If she had the chance today, she would definitely bring Shen Xi and the Prince of Changping together.
Shen Xian agreed, and the maid came in to report that the carriage was ready. Shen Tang and Shen Xian bowed and left the house together.
From the time they left Songhe Hall to the Prince Shun's Mansion, the two men didn't say a word and ignored each other.
Shen Tang got off the carriage first, followed by Shen Xiang.
Seeing Shen Tang step into Prince Shun's Mansion, Shen Xi, who was two steps behind, raised the corner of her mouth.
You ruined her plans and still wanted to marry the Prince of Jingyang?
You two are in love with each other and are in love with each other, right?
She wanted to see if Prince Jingyang would want a girl whose innocence had been ruined!